TEXAS BOWL
Baylor (Big 12 No. 6) vs. Illinois (Big Ten No. 6)
Dec. 29, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Houston
Comment: The Bears (7-5) haven’t played in a bowl game since 1994, and haven’t won one since 1992.
Texas Bowl tickets

MILITARY BOWL
Boston College (ACC No. 8 or MAC) vs. East Carolina (C-USA No. 2-6)
Dec. 29, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Washington D.C.
Comment: The Eagles (7-5) won five in a row after losing five in a row.  The Pirates (6-6), on the other hand, have lost four of their last five.
Military Bowl tickets

INSIGHT BOWL
Oklahoma State (Big 12 No. 4) vs. Michigan (Big Ten No. 4/5)
Dec. 28, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Tempe, Ariz.
Comment: Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson can’t be excited about the prospect of his Wolverines (7-5) facing the ultra-explosive Cowboys (10-2).  Perhaps he won’t be around to experience it.
Insight Bowl tickets

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
Notre Dame (Big East No. 2/Notre Dame) vs. North Carolina State (ACC No. 3)
Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Orlando, Fla.
Comment: Lane Kiffin’s nightmare is this bowl’s dream come true. That big win by the Fighting Irish (7-5) over USC brings a bright spot to the end of a most trying season for Brian Kelly.
Champs Sports Bowl tickets

INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Georgia Tech (ACC No. 7 or Sun Belt) vs. Air Force (MWC No. 3)
Dec. 27, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN2
At Shreveport, La.
Comment: This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.  The Yellow Jackets (6-6) and Falcons (8-4) combine to rush for 645 yards per game, and only 91 through the air.
Independence Bowl tickets

Special feature Heisman Hopefuls Who will win top individual prize this season? NBCSports.com

LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL
Louisville (Big Ten No. 8 or Sun Belt) vs. Miami of Ohio (MAC No. 1)
Dec. 26, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Detroit
Comment: Charlie Strong has done an admirable job cleaning up Steve Kragthorpe’s mess. This will be the first bowl appearance for the Cardinals (6-6) since getting into the BCS following the 2006 season.
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl tickets

HAWAII BOWL
Hawaii (WAC) vs. Tulsa (C-USA No. 2-6)
Dec. 24, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Honolulu
Comment: The surprising WAC co-champion Warriors (10-3) take on the Golden Hurricane, which has won six straight games.
Hawaii Bowl tickets

POINSETTIA BOWL
Navy (Navy or WAC) vs. San Diego State (MWC No. 2)
Dec. 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
At San Diego
Comment: The last time the Aztecs (8-4) won as many as eight games was in 1996. Will the Poinsettia draw a bigger crowd to Qualcomm Stadium than the Holiday this year?
Poinsettia Bowl tickets

MAACO LAS VEGAS BOWL
Boise State (Pac-10 No. 5) vs. Utah (MWC No. 1)
Dec. 22, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Whitney, Nev.
Comment: It's not the Rose Bowl, but it's not that bad a matchup for the Broncos (11-1), who fill in here as Pac-10 unable to fill the bill. Remember, the Utes are 10-2.
Maaco Las Vegas Bowl tickets

Slideshow   Top 25 action See images from the best games around the country. NBCSports.com

BEEF 'O' BRADY'S BOWL
Southern Miss (C-USA No. 2-6) vs. Pittsburgh (Big East No. 6 or Sun Belt)
Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
At St. Petersburg, Fla.
Comment: After being in the driver’s seat for a BCS berth, the Panthers (7-5) can’t hardly believe that they’re in this position. Neither can we.
Beef 'O' Brady Bowl tickets

NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Ohio (C-USA No. 2-6) vs. Florida International (Sun Belt champ)
Dec. 18, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Comment: The Bobcats get the nod as C-USA unable to fill the spot. The Golden Panthers (6-6) are the Sun Belt kings. Yipee.
New Orleans Bowl tickets

HUMANITARIAN BOWL
Clemson (WAC No. 1/2) vs. Toledo (MAC No. 3)
Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Boise, Idaho
Comment: If the Tigers (6-6), filing in here as some bowls do some last-minute conference shuffling, don't win here they’ll have their first losing season since 1998.
Humanitarian Bowl tickets

Jim Rogash / Getty Images The Week in Sports Pictures The nation grieved for those hurt, killed and affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. After one of the suspects was caught on Friday — following a day-long lockdown and manhunt — sports returned to Boston over the weekend.

NEW MEXICO BOWL
UTEP (WAC) vs. BYU (MWC No. 4/5)
Dec. 18, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Albuquerque, N.M.
Comment: It’s just as well that the Cougars (6-6) had their field goal blocked at the end of the “Holy War.” They didn’t want to make their sixth consecutive postseason trip to Las Vegas anyways. C-USA's UTEP fills spot WAC unable to fill.
New Mexico Bowl tickets