Sports

TCU-BRONCOS A GREAT MATCHUP

TCU vs. Boise State

Poinsettia Bowl

Tuesday, 8 p.m., ESPN

LINE: TCU -2 1/2 – O/U: 46

ANGLE: One of the best bowl matchups, period. TCU (10-2) is as tough as it comes on the defensive side of the ball. But the Horned Frogs will have to score enough to keep the Broncos (12-0) from finding a rhythm. Boise is remembered for its spectacular 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where coach Chris Petersen called gutsy plays his athletes flawlessly executed. But do not confuse Boise with a gimmick team. Remember, they won at Oregon. TCU’s only losses were at Oklahoma and Utah. The Horned Frogs had the Utah game won, but the defense faltered at the end because the offense didn’t hold up its end. If TCU scores three touchdowns, the defense does the rest.

EYES ON: TCU DE Jerry Hughes; Boise St. RB Ian Johnson

PREDICTION: TCU, 24-21

Wake Forest vs. Navy

EagleBank Bowl

Today, 11 a.m., ESPN

Line: Wake Forest -3 – O/U: 43

ANGLE: The Demon Deacons (7-5) stumbled down the stretch, losing two of their last four and losing a chance to play in the ACC title game. The defense was solid, but the offense was inconsistent. Navy (8-4) beat Wake 24-17 earlier this season, and running the option is often a huge advantage come bowl time. Wake has had extra time to prepare for the option, but Navy has seasons to perfect it. The Demon Deacons have to find a way to make Navy throw the ball, not an easy task. Remember its 34-7 win over SMU? The Middies didn’t attempt a single pass. Everyone knows Navy’s weakness. Can Wake exploit it?

EYES ON: Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith; Navy RB Shun White.

PREDICTION: Navy, 38-36 (3 OT)

Arizona vs. BYU

Las Vegas Bowl

Tonight, 8 p.m., ESPN

Line: Arizona -3 – O/U: 611/2

ANGLE: It’s not the Desert Swarm defense of years ago, but 7-5 Arizona has gotten progressively better under coach Mike Stoops, who is on the verge of moving this program into the upper half of the Pac-10. BYU’s two losses came against the two most physical defenses on its schedule – TCU and Utah. The 10-2 Cougars have a prolific offense, but it is far from unstoppable. BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall almost has perfected the art of recruiting players that can succeed in BYU’s unique environment. More than any other successful non-BCS team, BYU is the most vulnerable to a team with superior talent. Arizona has superior talent.

EYES ON: Arizona QB Willie Tuitama; BYU QB Max Hall.

PREDICTION: Arizona, 45-41

Hawaii vs. Notre Dame

Hawaii Bowl

Wednesday, 8 p.m., ESPN

Line: Hawaii -1 – O/U: 48

ANGLE: We all know Notre Dame’s situation. The 6-6 season that ended with humiliating losses to Syracuse and at USC place coach Charlie Weis squarely on the hot seat. This is the only college bowl game on the schedule this day, which means the nation will be looking to see if this team still will play for Weis. Hawaii (7-6) obviously has a huge home-field advantage, but the Rainbow Warriors have a poor rushing attack and a vulnerable defense that QB Jimmy Clausen should be able to exploit. Next season for the Irish, and Weis’ future, begin in this game.

EYES ON: Hawaii LB Solomon Elimimian; Notre Dame S David Burton

PREDICTION: Notre Dame, 31-20

Last week: 2-3; Overall: 30-47

lenn.robbins@nypost.com