Guide to Bowl Games on New Year's Day 2010

One of the best things about New Year's Day is sitting in front of the television for hours and hours on end and watching college football. I have memories of sitting with my dad and uncle and a couple cousins and watching the University of Michigan lay some whoop down on Ohio State and some other teams during various Rose Bowls over the year. We would sit and eat and sit some more. Our snacks included pickled bologna, cheese, crackers, pizza and more. Our breath was stank but we didn't care.

The bowl games have changed over the years, though. My dad is gone and I live more than 2000 miles away from my uncle and cousins. But I'm still excited about the 2010 bowl games. Here are the games being played that day in this guide to the first bowl games of 2010.

Rose Bowl
Pac Ten Champion Oregon vs. Big Ten Champion Ohio State
ABC @ 4:30 p.m.
These two major champions are going to go at it in Pasadena on January 1, 2010. Some are calling this one of the best Rose Bowl showdowns in more than a decade. In fact, football lovers are throwing around the phrase "Granddaddy of Them All" again when referring to this matchup. You won't want to miss this bowl game!

Sugar Bowl
SEC Champions Florida vs. Cincinnati
FOX @ 8:30 p.m.
Unable to repeat as champions in 2010, Florida will face Cincinnati in this legendary bowl game. Fans are calling for Cincinnati to take it away from Florida this year so don't forget to check out this unique matchup. 

Gator Bowl
West Virginia University vs. Florida State University
CBS @ 1:00 p.m.
Now officially known as the Toyota Gator Bowl, this is the oldest non-BCS bowl game ever. It has been played since 1946 and continues to be one of the most watched games on New Year's Day. This year's matchup will prove to be as exciting as ever! 

Capital One Bowl
Big Ten #2 Penn State vs. SEC #2 LSU
ABC @ 1:00 p.m.
Penn State (one of my personal favorites) takes on Louisiana State University in one of the older bowl games still being played today. If you have been away from the college football scene for awhile, you may recognize the Capital One Bowl as the Florida Citrus Bowl or even the Tangerine Bowl. Capital One began sponsoring the stadium in 2001 and it always proves to be an exciting game as one of the Big Ten teams takes on an SEC team.

Outback Bowl
Big Ten #3 Northwestern vs. SEC #3/4/5 Auburn
ESPN @ 11:00 a.m.
This is another bowl game that matches a Big Ten team against an SEC team. This year, Northwestern takes on Auburn in a much anticipated matchup that simply cannot be missed. 

So get your sweat pants ready, your favorite team's sweatshirt and new batteries for the remote control and just sit back and relax as you watch an entire day of championship 2010 college football.