A Movie Guide to the Bowls

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Ricardo Montalban in 'Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan.'.

Texas Longhorns fans

Jason Bateman and Kevin Spacey in 'Horrible Bosses.'

Lucas Black in 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift'

Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig in 'Bridesmaids'

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops

Bill Cosby and Raynor Scheine in 'Ghost Dad'

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson

Tom Hanks in 'The Money Pit.'

Paramount/Everett Collection

Cal Sport Media/Zuma Press

Warner Bros. Pictures/Everett Collection

Universal Pictures/Everett Collection

Universal Pictures/Everett Collection

Cal Sport Media/Zuma Press

Everett Collection

Getty Images

Universal Pictures/Everett Collection

Drag Me to Hell

(New Mexico Bowl: Temple vs. Wyoming, Dec. 17 in Albuquerque, N.M.) A horror show of a bowl opener featuring two nondescript teams. Viewers are left wishing they could be dragged to Hades instead.

Hot Tub Time Machine

(Champs Sports Bowl: Florida State vs. Notre Dame, Dec. 29 in Orlando, Fla.) An outrageous comedy in which we're transported back to a time when these two programs actually mattered.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

(Little Caesars Bowl: Purdue vs. Western Michigan, Dec. 27 in Detroit) In the movie, a troubled teen contemplates the unthinkable. Spending the holiday at an obscure bowl in Detroit may have the same effect.

Contagion

(TicketCity Bowl: Houston vs. Penn State, Jan. 2 in Dallas) What would otherwise be a pleasant afternoon of college football is overshadowed by a spreading infection (in this case, the ugliest scandal in college-sports history).

A Serious Man

(Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Arizona State, Dec. 22) A dramedy about an admirable protagonist (think BSU) who tries to do everything the right way—but still ends up getting continually punished. In this case, finishing No. 8 in the AP poll and having to play here.

Horrible Bosses

(Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Illinois vs. UCLA, Dec. 31 in San Francisco) The rare matchup of two schools that have both dumped their coaches.

The Money Pit

(Pinstripe Bowl: Iowa State vs. Rutgers, Dec. 30 in Bronx, N.Y.) The Scarlet Knights plunge millions in university subsidies into their program but wind up stuck in the ultimate December fixer-upper.

The Social Network

(Cotton Bowl: Arkansas vs. Kansas State, Jan. 6 in Dallas) Bill Snyder, a genius lacking somewhat in charisma, manages to build a powerhouse out of nothing.

On the Waterfront

(Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Wisconsin, Jan. 2 in Pasadena, Calif.) If only Oregon had hit that last-second field goal against Southern California, and Wisconsin hadn't suffered those two agonizingly close losses. The Ducks and Badgers coulda been contenders!

The Tourist

(Holiday Bowl: California vs. Texas, Dec. 28 in San Diego) Just because there are two big names on the marquee (think Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp) doesn't mean it'll be the least bit entertaining.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

(Insight Bowl: Iowa vs. Oklahoma, Dec. 30 in Tempe, Ariz.) With the national-title race, the Fiesta Bowl and state supremacy all off his mind, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops takes his high-flying and deadly passing offense to the desert to let loose against his alma mater.

The Losers

(Outback Bowl: Georgia vs. Michigan State, Jan. 2 in Tampa, Fla.) In the movie, the members of a once-revered black-ops team are betrayed and left for dead. The Spartans suffered the same fate by losing the Big Ten title game and getting booted from the BCS.

Ghost Dad

(Gator Bowl: Florida vs. Ohio State, Jan. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla.) The specter of former Florida coach (and incoming Ohio State coach) Urban Meyer hovers over both of these once-mighty programs. Too bad he's not coaching either of them.

Bridesmaids

(Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Stanford, Jan. 2 in Glendale, Ariz.) The fourth-ranked Cowboys take on the third-ranked Cardinal in the best game outside of you-know-where.

Cruel Intentions

(Sugar Bowl: Michigan vs. Virginia Tech, Jan. 3 in New Orleans) Two privileged, opportunistic programs that probably don't deserve what they have battle it out while leaving broken hearts in their wake.

A Perfect Getaway

(Hawaii Bowl: Nevada vs. Southern Mississippi, Dec. 24 in Honolulu) A bowl trip to Hawaii sounds like the ideal honeymoon surprise! But something has gone terribly wrong: This C-list matchup.

Ordinary People

(Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. West Virginia, Jan. 4 in Miami Gardens, Fla.) A pair of three-loss teams ranked outside the top 10 prove you don't have to be special to reach a BCS game.

Fast Five

(BBVA Compass Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Southern Methodist, Jan. 7 in Birmingham, Ala.) The latest installment in a bowl the critics can't stand. And yet they still keep making more.

Waiting for Superman

(GoDaddy.com Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Northern Illinois, Jan. 8 in Mobile, Ala.) While we wait to watch indestructible LSU the following night, the Red Wolves and Huskies will attempt to tide us over.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

(BCS: Alabama vs. LSU, Jan. 9 in New Orleans) After a plodding, boring, dud of an original comes the irresistible sequel. The superior intellect of Nick Saban goes up against the swaggering Les Miles in an explosive rematch.

—Rachel Bachman and Adam Thompson contributed to this article.
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