Why you should watch: 

It's the first bowl game of the year! While the rest of the world is out shopping for the holidays, you can relax on your sofa and enjoy some football.

When Fresno State has the ball: 

There's no secret what to expect when you face the 2009 Fresno State Bulldogs – you're going to run the ball straight down your throat. Junior RB Ryan Mathews leads the nation in rushing yards per game (151.3 ypg), and has 17 touchdowns. But the Fresno offense has been extremely balanced this season, converting a staggering 45.7% on third down. And overall, the Bulldogs have been equally successful with both the ground (120 first downs) and aerial game (119 first downs). Wyoming's defense has been the strength of their team, but that isn't saying much. The woeful Cowboys have struggled lately, dropping four of their last six games. And the defense has shown its vulnerability – run defense. Though the Pokes have managed to slow a few opposing offenses down, they have been trampled on the ground in their six losses (221.8 ypg, 14 total TD). They will have to limit the producton of Mathews and the Fresno ground game if they are to have a chance in this contest.

When Wyoming has the ball: 

The transition to a spread offense has not been as seamless as first-year head coach Dave Christensen had hoped. Christensen was the offensive coordinator at Missouri, and is well known for an offense that light up the sky and the scoreboard. The Cowboys are averaging under 17 points per game, however, and the passing game has been nearly invisible. The lone brightspot on the offense has been freshman QB Austyn Carta-Samuels who has given fans something to be excited about in Laramie. While his statistics don't instantly wow anyone (1752 yards passing, 295 yards rushing, 10 total touchdowns), he has managed to limit the turnovers (just 4 interceptions in 295 attempts). Carta-Samuels and the Cowboy offense should find the endzone against a Fresno State defense that has been very porous all season. But the Bulldogs are last in the nation in sacks, and have forced only 14 turnovers all season. If the Cowboys can finish their drives (just 35.5 % of their red zone trips have ended in touchdowns), they should have a chance to keep pace with Fresno's offense.

Intangibles: 

The Bulldogs have won 6 of their last 7 contests including a victory over (maligned) Illinois. They were very close to pulling off road upsets over Wisconsin and Cincinnati, and we always know Pat Hill will have this team ready to play whoever they face. The Cowboys are young and have really struggled on offense (three shutouts this season).

What will happen: 

In the first of 34 bowl games this season, Fresno State will have the upper hand. Despite the physical play of the Cowboys defense, Mathews will run wild and put himself at the top of the list for the All-Bowl Team.

My pick:  Fresno State