Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl
The award for longest bowl name almost goes to this game if it weren't for the Armed Forces Bowl. More on that game later. Las Vegas welcomes BYU and Oregon to play in this year's game. BYU will have the more dominant offense here, with John Beck at quarterback, and Curtis Brown at running back. The duo have a chance to get to 3000 yards passing and 1000 yards rushing for the second time as a pair. Beck was the offensive player of the year in the Mountain West conference and is probably the best quarterback that no one talks about. He should be able to move the ball, even against the good Oregon pass defense. He will take advantage of short passes to Jonny Harline and with some running help, they will score. Oregon probably wins the battle for best accommodations at the bowl, scoring rooms at the Venetian (sweet suites). However, that will be all they will be winning. The Ducks haven't been the same since defeating Oklahoma on some very questionable calls. It was almost as if that was the gift for them this season. They finished 4-5 in the PAC-10, including three straight losses to end the season. They will need to get Jonathan Stewart going if they are going to have a chance at winning. After a strong start, he tailed off near the end of the season.
MRI Predicts: BYU Confidence Factor: 65.36%, 27 out of 32

New Orleans Bowl
The Sugar Bowl-lite. This bowl is the warm-up for all the people involved in putting on the big BCS game. Look for both teams to air it out in this one. Rice will be passing to multiple All-American Jarett Dillard who had 20 touchdown receptions this season and has the second longest streak in history of games with a touchdown catch with 14. Troy will be throwing the ball on the arm of SunBelt Player of the Year, Omar Haugabook. Haugabook finished with over 2000 yards passing and 17 touchdowns, although he threw 16 picks also. Neither team has a punishing defense so look for this to be a high scoring affair in the dome. Rice hasn't been to a bowl since 1961 so they have a little more motivation in this one.
MRI Predicts: Rice Confidence factor: 52.47%, 9 out of 32

Papajohns.com Bowl
East Carolina and South Florida meet in this one. South Florida should be looked at as the headliner here. Remember that they beat West Virginia to keep the Mountaineers out of the race for the Big East title. Matt Grothe is their outstanding freshman quarterback, and picked up the freshman player of the year in the conference. The Bulls also had two defensive starters on the first team all conference, including Stephen Nicholas and Trae Williams. Williams had 7 interceptions on the season and is currently second on the all-time list at South Florida. Turnovers could be the key in this game as neither team is very adept at holding onto the ball.
MRI Predicts: South Florida Confidence factor: 52.47%, 10 out of 32

New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico grabs what amounts to a home game against the surprising San Jose State Spartans in this one. It is amazing that the Spartans made it here. This was a program that almost went away due to money issues and very poor facilities. If you haven't been to the SJ State stadium, trust me, you aren't missing much. With the home field advantage and also a strong rushing game, New Mexico should run over the Spartans. San Jose State hasn't been to a bowl since 1990... The Raisin Bowl. New Mexico has much more bowling experience here, and that combined with the tougher offense should give them the edge. However, my computer disagrees. Who knew?
MRI Predicts: San Jose State Confidence factor: 55.07%, 4 out of 32

Bell Helicopter Armed Force Bowl
This game will be all about defense as the two teams sport their respective conferences' Defensive Players of the Year. Tulsa sports linebacker Nick Bunting, who finished with 65 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4.5 tackles for loss. He was also joined on the Conference USA first team by two other Tulsa defensive players, Robert Latu, and Bobby Blackshire. Tulsa had the top defense in Conference USA this season. Utah brings out defensive back Eric Weddle, who won his conference's honor for the second straight season. Weddle had the most interceptions in conference was and was 10th overall in the nation with six. Tulsa boasts the better offense of the two teams, and therefore should test the Utes defense more.
MRI Predicts: Tulsa Confidence factor: 77.78%, 19 out of 32

Hawaii Bowl
Once again, Hawaii welcomes in another team for their annual celebration of a 14th game. This has got to be the greatest scam in the history of sports, hosting your own bowl game. Especially this season, when Hawaii finished second in the WAC and could have gone to the fabulous MPC Computers Bowl. Ok, yeah, that is the one held in Boise, so maybe Hawaii made the right choice. They bring in Arizona State to be their victim this time. No team has done more this season to self destruct and it is a miracle that they managed to win 7 games with all of the distractions they brought to themselves. And next year, they get the pleasure of Dennis Erickson as their coach, a year after he committed to bring back Idaho to prominence. Idaho, the team that finished 4-8 and was trounced, beat up, and crushed by this Hawaii team, 68-10. Arizona State's only hope is to beat Hawaii in a shootout, much like Oregon State did in the final game of the season. Hawaii though can score at will with Colt Brennan at quarterback. This one goes to Hawaii in grand style.
MRI Predicts: Hawaii Confidence factor:73.88%, 31 out of 32

Ben Miraski writes for MRISports.com and is a featured blogger on FanIQ. Readers can contact Ben at bmiraski@mrisports.com