"DE-FENSE!"

For millions of Americans, the holiday season isn’t only a magical time because of the standard stocking stuffers and gingerbread houses, but also because it means college football bowl season is here (!!!!).

Unless you’re a die-hard football fan or your team is playing in one of these games, you probably won’t have the time to tune into some of the smaller bowl games such as the Beef ‘O’ Bradys’ St. Petersburg Bowl (yup, this is an actual name of a bowl game). But for everyone else (and yes, I mean everyone – from the dedicated college football fan to the dedicated Saturday tailgater), the big bowl games are fun and exciting to watch.

Here is a quick guide to the biggest bowl games this season, and the deets you need to know while watching each. So grab a couple friends and a couple beers (optional) and park yourself on the couch. It’s time to go “bowling”!

Be honest, what else do you have to do over winter break?

Rose Bowl (January 1, 5:00 ET on ESPN)
Who: TCU Horned Frogs (3) v. Wisconsin Badgers (5)
What to know: The third-ranked Horned Frogs (intimidating right?) will take on the fifth-ranked Badgers in the Rose Bowl, the historical New Years day game held in Pasadena. TCU offense is led by quarterback Andy Dalton who is coming off a successful senior season, and their much-hyped defense is number one in the nation for holding their opponents to the fewest points. TCU will be playing with a lot of emotion; they finished the season undefeated and feel as though they should be playing for the national championship.

Wisconsin offense is led by quarterback Scott Tolzien and three standout running backs. Badger linemen Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt were just named all-American first team and will provide a note-worthy match up with the TCU defensive line.
Fun Facts: The Rosebowl is known as the ‘Granddaddy of Them All’ because it is the oldest and formerly most prestigious game… Wisconsin has scored over 70 points in three of its wins this season… This is the first ever Rosebowl for TCU. Read More »

As a student at a Big Ten school, football has become my soul purpose in life. From crackin’ the first beer in the shower at 6am on game day to FB-stalking the quarterback (shhh!), my world revolves around a bunch of dudes in spandex tackling each other on some Astroturf.

Needless to say, the past 6 weeks sans college football has been somewhat difficult. I wander aimlessly around my apartment on Saturdays, unsure what to do with all that time. I fill the void by hunting down the players on campus, but now that they’re not training as much as usual, they’re not so easy to find. And trust me, I’ve tried.

Thank god, then, that Bowl Season is upon us! I finally have a reason to drink before 11am on a Saturday! have some exciting burly-man-on-burly-man action to fill my Saturdays! Yes, ladies, it’s officially time for the best of the best in college football to duke it out in the BCS bowl games.

Confused on how the BCS works? Everyone is. But until the government sorts this shiz out, I’ve got you covered. This guide will give you a look at all of the upcoming BCS games, the teams, and who you (or more importantly, me) think deserves to win. So grab those wings, crack open a beer and get ready for some serious football showdowns. Read More »

Welcome back to The Rival Rundown! If you’ve always wanted to give props to your school on CC, now’s your chance! Shoot us an email explaining what’s awesome and unique about your school (or what stinks about Rival U) at rivalrundown@collegecandy.com!

Pac-10 fans will rejoice as we detail this storied rivalry from The Beaver State. Oregonians are well-versed in what they call The Civil War between Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. If our analysis still leaves you skeptical, you can catch the 2009 matchup between these schools tomorrow night, as the Ducks and the Beavers duke it out for a Pac-10 title and a berth to the Rose Bowl!

Quick Facts
Oregon State: Public research university with nearly 17,000 undergraduates in Corvallis, Oregon. Mascot is the Beaver.
University of Oregon: Public research university with nearly 18,000 undergraduates in Eugene, Oregon. Mascot is the Duck.

1. Civil War Record

Oregon State: 46-56-10
University of Oregon: 56-46-10

Three credits to: University of Oregon, by the numbers. Read More »

I know The Fleet has come and gone from the East coast, but now it has made it’s way to The City of Roses (Portland, OR- my city of residence) and when my friend informed me she had won tickets to this “non-denim” (yes, the tickets specified no denim) formal affair event, we had to go – it was our patriotic duty after all.

I should take a second here to clarify a few things before I really get into this story. I would like to start out by saying I fully support the troops, after all my brother is in the Navy, and when I told him I was heading out to the annual Meet the Fleet festivities his only response was a very brotherly “Don’t hook up with sailors.” Granted, I really had no intention of hooking up with these guys, I was more seeking some attractive company who would buy me drinks and could possibly turn into a pen-pal who sends me presents.

In order to maximize my odds with nabbing me a high ranking sailor I had my brother write me out a little guide on how to separate the men from the boys. With my criteria in place I was ready to meet and greet the ocean’s finest. Read More »

I know, I know, I should eat more fruits and vegetables.

It’s not like I don’t want to be the healthiest person alive…it’s just that produce tends to be expensive in this city, and if I don’t eat all of it quickly, it goes bad and then I feel bad because I wasted money on perfectly good produce. Also, my fridge smells for days and that’s gross.

In my never ending-search to make myself healthier and waste less money, I stumbled across this little gem of a website not too long ago. NutriFruit was started in 1931 in the lovely little state of Oregon, and for years these people have been shipping quality freeze dried fruit to costumers all over the United States.

Freeze dried fruit?, you say, that sounds weird.

Well, yes, it is a little weird, but it’s also pretty healthy. Since NutriFruit takes out only the water from their berries, a canister of the stuff has almost all of the nutrients of fresh fruit — but you get a lot more bang for your buck. Sprinkle it over cereal or yogurt, add it to salads or smoothies, or simply sweeten up a slice of bread and butter! With all the options; banana, black raspberry, blueberry, cranberry, marion blackberry, red raspberry, and strawberry, you can fill your pantry with a virtual fruit salad — for a fraction of the cost. Plus, freeze dried stuff can’t go bad!

If you’ve ever wanted to get more viatims and minerals in your diet without stuffing yourself full of supliments, NutriFruit might just be your ticket to a healtheir bod. Just in time for summer!

Ah, Portland, Oregon: Land of the chronically hip and effortlessly cool. If you haven’t heard the buzz about Portland and its fab music scene over the last couple of years…well…then…I just don’t know where you’ve been.

Nonetheless, despite the hype, the town is home to many a talented underground band and I’m here to give some of them shout outs. Open up your myspace windows and check out this music!

“No Sh*t” ESKIMO AND SONS

“Sex by the unit” GENTRY

“Trouble from the start” DAY OF LIONS

“Demonic with horns” BOY EATS DRUM MACHINE

“Shadows” AUTOPILOT IS FOR LOVERS

“Priests of Shiloh” PORCHES

“Hey Boy” THE BLOWS

“Dragonfly Pie” STEPHEN MALKMUS

“Weightless” FLOATER

“Jumpers” SLEATER-KINNEY

Enjoy!!!