I didn’t get a chance to write about the Humanitarian Bowl before it started, but as I write this it is nearing the end of the third quarter, and Bowling Green has just scored a touchdown to close the gap to Idaho to 28-21. This game is exactly why I love bowl season. I haven’t seen either of these teams play this season, or in the last several seasons, and I have no real reason to be interested in either of them. Despite that, I am absolutely riveted by this great game. It’s been offensive and exciting. Both sides have plenty of talent, and it is on display here. BGSU receiver came into the game with 138 catches on the year, and has added 11 so far to break the single season receiving record. We’ve seen highlights and lowlights . This game really shouldn’t matter, and in normal circumstances it would never be on TV, but it is and it is brilliant. I love bowls. I don’t love Boise State’s smurf turf, though. That stuff is nastier every time I see it.

Holiday Bowl
Nebraska (-2.5) vs. Arizona
Wednesday, December 30, 8 pm ET

Ndamukong Suh. That’s the big story in this game. The most praised defensive player in years will make his last college appearance tonight before heading to the draft where he stands a good shot at being the first overall pick. The Wildcats will have to try to find a way to contain him (which few teams have been able to do) if they want to stand a chance against Suh and Nebraska’s potent defense. That’s bad news for Nick Foles and the Arizona offense. The good news for the Cats, though, is that they have a pretty good defense of their own, and they are up against a Nebraska offense which just isn’t good. Not at all. Both teams badly need a win here. Nebraska needs something to build on for next year and show that Bo Pelini is moving in the right direction with the program. Arizona need to win because they haven’t won nine games in more than a decade, and coach Mike Stoops desperately needs to show some progress towards returning this program to previous glory. This team is a long way from Desert Swarm, but they are closer than they have been in far too long. The public sides with the Huskers on this one. About two-thirds of bets have been placed on them, and that has moved the line up from pick ’em when it opened to 2.5 now. Interestingly, if you are an Arizona fan then you’ll want to shop around because it is possible to find the spread at three points.