The bowl calendar

It's never to early to know the bowl schedule, right?

Actually, I kind of need this. I don't know when all these bowls are. Last year, I barely knew the Big Ten pecking order. If Iowa would've slipped past the Insight, my mind would've been blown.

This year, the Football Writers Association of America sent a release with the times, payouts, channels -- basically everything you need to know about the upcoming bowl season.

One comment, Holy Jan. 2, Batman. The bowls have broken through the barrier and have blown past the New Year's Day, which used to be the magical bowl day. Now, buckle up for the Compass Bowl.

I love the bowls, but it's hard to argue the case when there are so many that amount to little more than glorified exhibitions.

Here's the Big Ten bowl breakdown for 2011:

Rose -- Big Ten vs. Pac 12; Jan. 2, 4 p.m. ESPN; Pasadena, Calif.; $36 million payout

Capital One -- Big Ten vs. SEC; Jan. 2, noon ESPN; Orlando, Fla.; $9.2 million

Outback -- Big Ten vs. SEC; Jan. 2, noon ABC; Tampa, Fla.; $7 million

Insight -- Big Ten vs. Big 12; Dec. 30, 9 p.m. ESPN; Tempe, Ariz.; $6.7 million

Gator -- Big Ten vs. SEC; Jan. 2, noon ESPN2; Jacksonville, Fla.; $5.4 million

Mieneke Car Care Bowl of Texas -- Big Ten vs. Big 12; Dec. 31, 11 a.m. ESPN; Houston, Texas; $3.4 million

Ticket City Bowl -- Big Ten vs. Conference USA; Jan. 2, 11 a.m. ESPNU; $2.2 million

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl -- Big Ten vs. MAC; Dec. 27, 3:30 p.m. ESPN; TBA

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