Pac-12: Ranking the bowl matchups

An impressive eight Pac-12 teams advanced to postseason bowl games, with two in the BCS.

Here is how we rank the bowl games involving Pac-12 teams:

1. Fiesta Bowl -- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 7 Kansas State (Jan. 3, Tempe, Ariz.)

How long do we have to keep asking if the Wildcats are for real before we accept that the Wildcats are for real? Even with all of Bill Snyder's folksy magic and all of Collin Klein's actual magic, people are still dubious of Kansas State. A good showing against the darting Ducks would solidfy their legitimacy and probably give the Wildcats a top-five ranking. Meanwhile, a win over Kansas State would give Chip Kelly just another line to add to his resume.

2. Rose Bowl -- No. 8 Stanford vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 1, Pasadena, Calif.)

If Stanford just moved to the Big 10, would anybody notice? The gristle-tough, snarling, angry Cardinal defense is straight out of Midwest beef, and the power running game could be a direct descendant of the great running games to come out of the conference. Not a contrast in styles, but proof that they don't just play Big Boy football in the middle of the country.

3. Holiday Bowl -- No. 17 UCLA vs. Baylor (Dec. 27, San Diego, Calif.)

Last season, the Bears scored 67 points against Washington in the Alamo Bowl. But Robert Griffin III was in charge then, and now he's beating the defending Super Bowl champs as a Redskin. The Bruins should present a much stiffer test for the Bears this time around as they want to send Johnathan Franklin and Co. out on a good note.

4. Alamo Bowl -- No. 15 Oregon State vs. Texas (Dec. 29, San Antonio, Texas)

Sending the Beavers into the heart of Texas is a bit unfair, but if anyone can handle it, it's Mike Riley's crew. The Longhorns have had yet another disappointing season, and this game could prove the death knell for Mack Brown. Worth a watch.

5. Maaco Bowl Las Vegas -- Washington vs. No. 20 Boise State (Dec. 22, Las Vegas, Nev.)

Las Vegas gets the nod here over Albuquerque because Las Vegas always gets the nod over Albuquerque. This should be a good battle, though, if only because Washington seems to bring out the best in bowl opponents (Re: RGIII).

6. New Mexico Bowl -- Arizona vs. Nevada (Dec. 15, Albuquerque, NM)

We'd put this a little higher if we wouldn't get laughed at, but really, this is actually a pretty intriguing matchup. What Chris Ault has done in Reno after the Colin Kaepernick era has been impressive, and Rich Rodriguez's revamping of the Wildcats offense has been a thing to behold.

7. Sun Bowl -- USC vs. Georgia Tech (Dec. 31, El Paso, Texas)

Just an unconfirmed hunch, but this is probably not what USC quarterback Matt Barkley had in mind when he talked about unfinished business. El Paso? For New Year's Eve? Against a team that had to petition to become bowl eligible? Barkley should petition not to play in the game. How sad. How unbelievably sad.

8. Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl -- Arizona State vs. Navy (Dec. 29, San Francisco, Calif.)

This game may be fighting hunger, but it is definitely not fighting boredom. It's cute with the Navy tie-in and all, and go U.S.A., but really, this game isn't all that interesting to any of those for whom John Paul Jones is more known as the bassist for Led Zeppelin and not as the United States' first naval hero.

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