They’re the easiest target in college football: the early-season bowl games. The ones with tradition-rich names like “The Papajohns.com Bowl” or “The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl,” and if you know much about them, you probably either a) Are an alum of one of the participating schools or b) Don’t get out as much as you should.

Still, there are games out there worth watching. Consider this a guide to the pre–New Year’s weekend bowls.

PIONEER PUREVISION LAS VEGAS BOWL BYU (10-2) VS. OREGON (7–5)
(Thursday, December 21, 8 p.m., ESPN)

Bowls that match outstanding teams from the mid-major conferences against also-rans from the BCS leagues are often a study in contrasting motivations. The Oregon players will put a good face on their trip to the Las Vegas, but they are likely disappointed to not be playing in a better game. BYU’s players, on the other hand, are looking to put a stamp of approval on a surprising 10-win season, including a win over a Pac-10 squad.

BYU has rediscovered the glory days of Cougar football, when passers like Jim McMahon and Steve Young put up astounding numbers for teams that dominated the WAC. These days, it’s John Beck at the controls of the Mountain West champions. Beck finished second in the nation in passing efficiency and BYU was fifth in yards gained. Oregon also boasts a top-10 offense, led by tailback Jonathan Stewart, so points won’t be in short supply. One added wrinkle: Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton served as the BYU head coach in 2003–04, but was fired and replaced with defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall.

SHERATON HAWAII BOWL HAWAII (10-3) VS. ARIZONA STATE (7–5)
(Sunday, December 24, 8 p.m., ESPN)

The Hawaii Bowl has a history of producing high-scoring shootouts, and this edition should be no exception as the hometown Warriors and their unstoppable passing attack take on Arizona State in the final game for fired coach Dirk Koetter.

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan has put up stunning numbers in the Warriors’ run-and-shoot attack, with 53 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, while completing 72.1% of his passes and throwing for 4,990 yards. For Hawaii, any chance to showcase itself against a major-conference team (and in prime time in the East) is a good opportunity, even if it comes against an Arizona State squad that disappointed this season. The last two times the Warriors played in this game, they scored 54 and 59 points, and a similar performance here would not be a surprise.

PACIFIC LIFE HOLIDAY BOWL (SAN DIEGO) TEXAS A&M (9-3) VS. CAL (9–3)
(Thursday, December 28, 8 p.m., ESPN)

Year after year, the Holiday has provided some of the bowl season’s most memorable games. It has another attractive matchup this season as Texas A&M, coming off a season-ending upset of Texas, takes on Cal, a team that contended for the Pac-10 title and BCS bowls most of the season.

Texas A&M fattened up on a soft early schedule, and it was only the win over the Longhorns — coach Dennis Franchione’s first over a Big 12 powerhouse as head coach of the Aggies — that marked its season a success. The Aggies feature a methodical offense, with bruising 280-pound tailback Jorvorskie Lane complementing the game-managing skills of quarterback Stephen McGee. A &M comes in with the momentum thanks to the win over Texas, but it will have to be on guard against a Cal offense that can win games on the ground or through the air. Cal tailback Marshawn Lynch is one of the nation’s best, and he’ll want to go out with a bang if the junior declares for the NFL draft following this game. If A&M loads up against the run, Cal quarterback Nate Longshore can go over the top to explosive receiver DeSean Jackson, who is also one of the nation’s best return men. Like the Las Vegas and Hawaii bowls, this could be another offensive shootout.

TEXAS BOWL (HOUSTON) RUTGERS (10-2) VS. KANSAS STATE (7–5)
(Thursday, December 28, 8 p.m., NFL Network)

For Rutgers, a missed two-point conversion in the third overtime against West Virginia was the difference between playing in the glamorous Orange Bowl and falling all the way to Houston to play in the Texas Bowl. Unfortunately for many New York–area residents, the game on the NFL Network will be unavailable on their local cable systems due to ongoing squabbles over carriage fees. That situation is still in flux, so it remains possible that the game will get wider distribution locally.

Rutgers must overcome its disappointment in a hurry. Kansas State is a team that improved all season, as evidenced by its late-season win over Texas, and the Scarlet Knights will get beat if they come in flat. As good as Rutgers was this year, it is not the type of team that can just show up and overwhelm a quality opponent with talent. Quarterback Mike Teel is the key for the Scarlet Knights in this game. Long considered the weak link on an offense that has a pair of outstanding running backs in Ray Rice and Brian Leonard, Teel had perhaps his best all-around game in the loss to West Virginia, and his ability to throw with consistency makes Rutgers a much more dynamic team. A win here will cap a tremendous season for Rutgers, and set the Scarlet Knights up to again challenge for the Big East title next season.

GAYLORD HOTELS MUSIC CITY BOWL CLEMSON (8-4) VS. KENTUCKY (7–5)
(Friday, December 29, 1 p.m., ESPN)

This is yet another game in which the offenses should dominate. Kentucky is one of the more surprising bowl teams this season, having rebounded from several disappointing years to get to 7–5 and save coach Rich Brooks’s job. Kentucky moves the ball through the air with quarterback Andre’ Woodson, who led the SEC in total offense, while Clemson features the running duo of C.J. Spiller and James Davis, who have to be thrilled to be taking on one of the nation’s worst rushing defenses.

Still, motivation could rule the day in Nashville, as Clemson appeared in contention for BCS berths before collapsing, losing three of its final four games. Kentucky should enjoy a virtual home-field advantage, as Widlcats’ fans are likely to travel to Tennessee in large numbers.

Mr. Levine is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.