‘Tis the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the only week of the year when it’s socially acceptable for every male to park himself in front of the television for not just one day, but a full week. Yes, I am talking about Bowl Week.

With another full slate of Big 12 games ready to be played, here’s how I see them shaking out.

Orange Bowl: Oklahoma vs. USC

Season: Both teams went undefeated, and, whether you agree with the BCS configuration, both deserve a chance to play for the national championship. The Sooners have wins over three ranked teams this year, the same number as the Trojans.

Prediction: Both teams have more or less steamrolled every team they faced this season, with the exception of USC-Stanford and Oklahoma-Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma last won the national championship in 2000 and something tells me they will bring home another. Jason White (33 touchdowns to just six interceptions) and Adrian Peterson (1,843 yards) will win, thanks to the fact that they have just a little more defense then USC.

Rose Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan

Season: Texas earned its first ever BCS appearance behind a 10-1 season, with that only loss coming in a battle with Oklahoma. Michigan earned its Rose Bowl birth thanks to a Big 10 championship, finishing 9-2 with losses to Notre Dame and Ohio State.

Prediction: Texas will give the Big 12 two BCS wins for the season. The game will come down to experience. Michigan’s quarterback and running back are true freshmen, and the magnitude of the game will get to them. Texas’ Cedric Benson will run wild, as will Longhorn quarterback Vince Young.

Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Tennessee

Season: Texas A&M played four ranked teams and lost to three. Oklahoma, Texas and Utah all knocked off A&M, with its other loss coming to the Baylor Bears. That’s a stain on the program. Two of Tennessee’s three losses, on the other hand, came to Auburn, a team that many think should be playing for the national championship. It also had wins against Florida and Georgia.

Prediction: Tennessee has proven it can compete in the big game, while A&M hasn’t performed well when the chips are down. Plus, it lost to Baylor. No team that fell to the Bears has any business playing in a bowl game, much less winning one.

Holiday Bowl: Texas Tech vs. California

Season: If this wasn’t one of the most royal screw jobs in the history of screwing, then what is? Cal was on its way to the Rose Bowl before the voters and computers decided to turn everything around. Instead, Cal lost its automatic BCS bid and plummeted all the way to the Holiday Bowl. Up yours, Cal! Texas Tech turned in a respectable 7-5 campaign and continued to demonstrate its high scoring offense. Quarterback Sonny Cumbie leads the Big 12 with more than 4,000 yards passing and is second with 29 touchdown tosses.

Prediction: As fun the Tech offense can be to watch, it can’t slow down Cal, a team whose only loss comes to USC. Running back J.J. Arrington rushed for 1,845 yards, and quarterback Aaron Rogers tossed 23 scores of his own. Cal can also play defense, an area that Tech struggles in. Cal is also very angry that it was not invited to the BCS party and will take its revenge out on Tech.

Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Ohio State

Season: After starting 5-0, Oklahoma State lost four of its last six, with those two wins coming at the expense of Missouri and Baylor. It almost knocked off Oklahoma, which this year is a small accomplishment in itself. In any other year or conference, its running back, Vernand Morency, would be in the running for many awards after a 1,400-yard season. Ohio State, on the other hand, struggled early before winning four of its final five, including a 37-21 triumph over Michigan.

Prediction: I’m not sure why Ohio State is good. The Buckeyes have no real offensive weapons and only an adequate defense. Oklahoma State has Morency and quarterback Donovan Woods, an equally deadly running threat. I like the Cowboys’ chances at getting another postseason win for the Big 12.

Independence Bowl: Iowa State vs. Miami (Ohio)

Season: We all know how the Iowa State season went. Start: OK. Middle: really bad. End: excellent. The Cyclones were 2-4 just three games into their conference schedule when they pulled a 180-degree turnaround. Iowa State won four of its last five to claim a share of the Big 12 North title. Miami finished its season at 8-4, losing the Mid-American Conference championship game to Toledo. Miami quarterback Josh Betts put up impressive numbers, throwing for more than 3,200 yards and 22 scores.

Prediction: The RedHawk’s second-leading receiver and No. 1 scorer, Michael Larkin, was stabbed after an early-morning dispute. It’s not sure yet if Larkin will be able to play. That’s not the reason the Cyclones will win, although it could help. Iowa State has been through the trials of the Big 12 season and has come out with a concrete resolve. This team will be ready to play and ready to win.

Houston Bowl: Colorado vs. Texas-El Paso

Season: There were as many questions surrounding the Colorado football team at the beginning of the season as there are drugs rushing through Barry Bonds’ body. The Buffalos responded well, winning seven games and making it to the Big 12 championship. Texas-El Paso played its way to an eight-win season, with two of its three losses coming at the hands of ranked opponents.

Prediction: UTEP isn’t to be taken lightly. The Miners are led by quarterback Jordan Palmer, the younger brother of former Heisman Trophy winner Carson. Jordan has represented the family well, throwing for 2,490 yards and 24 scores. After Colorado’s drubbing to Oklahoma, Palmer should be able to take advantage of a demoralized Buffalo defense and lead UTEP to a victory.