Game day | Today’s bowl games

GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL

Who: Washington State (6-6) vs. Colorado State (7-6)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Where: Albuquerque, N.M.

TV: ESPN

Notable: Nice reward for programs that combined for seven victories last season. Mike Leach’s Cougars are bowling for the first time since 2003 and are making progress ahead of schedule in the tough Pac-12. Quarterbacks Connor Halliday of Washington State and the Rams’ Garrett Grayson have combined to pass for 7,514 yards.

ROYAL PURPLE LAS VEGAS BOWL

Who: Fresno State (11-1) vs. Southern California (9-4)

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.

Where: Las Vegas

TV: ABC

Notable: An early Christmas present. Fresno was one victory away from a BCS bowl, and quarterback Derek Carr leads the nation in total offense, passing yards and touchdowns (48). The Trojans saved their season under interim coach Ed Orgeron, but now the second interim coach, Clay Helton, works the bowl game.

FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL

Who: Buffalo (8-4) vs. San Diego State (7-5)

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m.

Where: Boise, Idaho

TV: ESPN

Notable: The player to watch here is Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack, a Butkus Award finalist and projected first-round draft pick. He had 2 sacks against Ohio State. Plus, he and his teammates should be better acclimated to the conditions in Boise. ... Boardman High graduate Devin Campbell returns kicks and is a backup RB for Buffalo. Cardinal Mooney graduate Alex Zordich is a backup QB for the Bulls, but was injured in midseason and hasn’t played since.

R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL

Who: Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4) vs. Tulane (7-5)

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

Where: New Orleans

TV: ESPN

Notable: An all-Louisiana production. In their third straight New Orleans Bowl, the Ragin’ Cajuns should feel at home in the Superdome, but not as comfortable as the Green Wave. This has been Tulane’s home field for 38 years. The time off has helped Green Wave quarterback Nick Montana, Joe’s son, recover from a shoulder injury.

Kansas City Star