As one of the earlier games helping to kick start college football's bowl season, the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego is set to feature a Mountain West Conference team as host to a chosen Pac-10 rival on Wednesday, December 23.
This year will see a good matchup of two teams that may be disappointed with their seasons, but looking to end the year on a positive note; the California Golden Bears, once ranked #6 in the polls, got crushed by both Oregon and USC and then seemed to regain their composure before falling hard to Washington in their season finale. Utah had three losses – all to ranked teams, including Oregon as well.
The Utes (9-3) from the Mountain West Conference have won in their last eight straight bowl appearances, including last year's Sugar Bowl against Alabama. Cal (8-4) could have earned a trip to the Holiday Bowl instead, by beating Washington, but the Bears were routed 42-10 in their season finale. Cal still gets a trip to sunny San Diego, hoping to welcome back their star tailback Jahvid Best following his frightening concussion last month, and showing they are a better team than their record may indicate. This is also the seventh straight year that Cal has made a postseason bowl appearance – the longest streak in school history.
