It's the most wonderful time of the year -- it's bowl season.

But first we must suffer through 12 days without college football. Then it will be back on Dec. 20 with the New Orleans Bowl, played this year in Lafayette, La.

Then for every day except New Year's and Christmas, there is at least one bowl game for fans to enjoy.

This year the Bowl Championship Series seemed to get things right in the national championship game, pitting Southern California and Texas against each other in the Rose Bowl. Both teams are the only two that made their way through the entire season without a defeat -- although both came very close. On more than one occasion USC could or should have lost.

The rest of the BCS games provide some intriguing matchups, but one can ask how much Florida State and West Virginia deserve to be in the BCS.

But because of the conference tie-ins, they are there. So in good nature we'll see how the BCS picture will end this season.

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

The Fiesta Bowl gets its ratings game that it wanted. The Fighting Irish will have its legions of fans tuning in to watch them against the Buckeyes. Ohio State, who barely beat Michigan in the fourth quarter, secured a bid by losing only to Texas and Penn State, two other BCS teams.

Ohio State comes into the game with more weapons than the Fighting Irish do. If Santonio Holmes, Troy Smith and Ted Ginn get their act together on offense, the Buckeyes can beat the Irish. A.J. Hawk is one of the best linebackers in the country and with Ashton Youboty covering the Notre Dame receivers, they'll do OK.

The key will be that Notre Dame's defense will be a little suspect. There aren't any names like Hawk and Youboty. Smith is a mobile quarterback, something the Irish haven't really seen this year. On offense for Notre Dame, expect Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija to hook up often.

With the fact that Ohio State has played here three of the last four years, they should rename the bowl for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 28.

Nokia Sugar Bowl: West Virginia vs. Georgia

This is also known as the game that no one other than West Virginia and Georgia fans will watch.

West Virginia plays in the weakest conference that has ties with the BCS. South Florida and Pittsburgh had chances to be in the game up until the final few weeks of the season.

The quarterback matchup is the best part of the game. D.J. Shockley has finally gotten his chance and will be leading the Dawgs through their second straight game in the Georgia Dome. It will play out like a home game for Georgia. Pat White for the Mountaineers is a flashy runner, who should be coming onto to the national scene in the next few years.

While Georgia has one more loss than West Virginia, one of its wins doesn't include Division I-AA Wofford. The Mountaineers scoring average is more than Georgia's, but the Bulldogs play in a tougher conference. Enough said.

Georgia 28, West Virginia 10.

FedEx Orange Bowl: Penn State vs. Florida State

Everyone has heard the hype about Joe Paterno vs. Bobby Bowden. But the kids are going to be the one playing the game.

Florida State had four losses on the season, not really deserving of a BCS bowl. Virginia Tech would have been a much better team in this slot. Quarterback Drew Weatherford is going to have to weather a storm of blue and white, when Tamba Hali and Matthew Rice coming barreling through the Seminoles offensive line.

Weatherford has as many touchdowns this season as he does interceptions. Florida State finally broke a three-game losing streak with its surprise win over the Hokies. The 'Noles lost to some suspect teams and beat Miami 10-7 in a dismal first game of the season.

Penn State's Michael Robinson and Tony Hunt could have problems finding holes in the Seminoles defense, as it is very quick. Linebackers Buster Davis and A.J. Nicholson lead the team in tackles. Florida State is giving up almost 106 yards on the ground a game. If they have problems with the run game, Robinson can put it up top to one of his talented receivers.

Penn State takes this one and Joe Paterno inches closer to the man who surpassed him in all-time wins during Penn State's bad years.

Penn State 24, Florida State 14.

The Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi: USC vs. Texas

"The Granddaddy of them All."

This game will live up to the hype. Both teams have been on top their game this season and went wire-to-wire into the bowls at No. 1 and 2.

Both teams are coming off of impressive wins after not-so-impressive wins. There are three potential Heisman candidates in the game, and by the time Jan. 4 rolls around, one of them will have it in his possession.

Both teams are in the top five for total yards and Texas is No. 1 in points scored --No. 2 is USC. With both teams full of offense, the difference will come down to defense.

Texas' closest game outside of playing Ohio State came against Texas A&M and the Longhorns still won by 11. They dismantled ranked Colorado and Texas Tech early in the season.

USC had some troubles this season. The Trojans had to use their offense in the last few minutes of games like Notre Dame and Fresno State to win games. All of the Trojans' opponents scored in double digits this season.

Texas is the only one of the two teams with a defensive player nominated for a national award--Michael Huff (Jim Thorpe Award).

Texas 35, USC 31.

There it is. Texas will end USC's reign over college football.

After that game, its only 240 days until the new college football season begins.