TODAY’S BOWL GAMES

INSIGHT.COM BOWL

NO. 25 BOSTON COLLEGE (8-3) vs. COLORADO (6-5)

* When: 10:30 a.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Update: Boston College has finally turned things around after a gambling scandal rocked the program three years ago. Junior quarterback Tim Hasselbeck improved as the season progressed and running back Cedric Washington (1,122 yards rushing, seven touchdowns) was a pleasant surprise. Colorado has won five consecutive bowl games. Senior quarterback Mike Moschetti (18 touchdown passes) has a pair of dangerous receivers in Javon Green and Marcus Stiggers.

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SUN BOWL

OREGON (8-3) vs. NO. 12 MINNESOTA (8-3)

* When: 11:15 a.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Update: Can Ducks restore some Pac-10 pride? Oregon won its last five games thanks to a typically explosive offense and a defense that improved down the stretch. Stellar running back Reuben Droughns (1,139 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns) is devastating when healthy. Quarterbacks A.J. Feeley and Joey Harrington passed the starting job back and forth. Minnesota enjoyed its first eight-win season in 32 years. The Golden Gophers shocked then-unbeaten Penn State and took Big Ten champion Wisconsin into overtime before losing. Running back Thomas Hamner (1,362 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) is one of the most underrated players in the nation.

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LIBERTY BOWL

COLORADO ST. (8-3) vs. NO. 16 S. MISSISSIPPI (8-3)

* When: 2 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Update: Colorado State has won five in a row. The Rams can play with almost anybody when running back Kevin McDougal is sound (he is). But McDougal faces a stout run defense that has played well against some of the nation’s top teams. Southern Mississippi’s three losses came at Nebraska, Texas A&M; and Alabama. The balanced offense boasts playmakers in quarterback Jeff Kelly, receivers Todd Pinkston and Sherrod Gideon and running back Derrick Nix.

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INDEPENDENCE BOWL

MISSISSIPPI (7-4) vs. OKLAHOMA (7-4)

* When: 5:30 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Update: Ole Miss relies on a two-headed ground attack. Tailback/kick returner Deuce McAllister (13 touchdowns) could emerge as a Heisman candidate next year and Joe Gunn also had 951 yards rushing. Oklahoma junior quarterback Josh Heupel, a JC transfer, has already broken most of the school’s passing records in one season. He completed 61.9% of his passes for 3,448 yards and 30 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.