Meli Kalikimaka is the Thing to Say

Barney continues his non-stop coverage of the 2008-2009 college football bowl season, sponsored by Sheraton Hotels who reminds you that you don't stay here, you belong (sure). Tonight, we travel about 25 time zones and 10,000 miles and land in the beautiful city of Honolulu, where once prestigious Notre Dame and never prestigious Hawaii square off in a Sheraton bowl shoot-out.

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii vs. Notre Dame

8 p.m., Dec. 24 (ESPN)


Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI

Why to watch: It used to be that if Notre Dame was in a bowl game people would want to watch, just because it’s Notre Dame. It used to be that if Hawaii was in a bowl game people would want to watch, just to see Timmy Chang or Colt Brennan throw the ball 70 times and rack up 600 passing yards and 7 touchdowns. This year, it’s different. The name Notre Dame no longer carries the same weight it used to, and Timmy Chang and Colt are probably lighting it up in the CFL. Now, the only real reason to watch this Christmas Eve classic is if you’re a diehard Warriors fan or a Notre Dame hater. I doubt the Notre Dame fans will be watching because I know they have just about given up all hope for their team and their coach. But if you enjoy seeing Notre Dame suffer, this is the game for you. The Fighting Irish will be looking to break their nine-game losing streak in bowl games, the longest in NCAA history. The Fighting Irish haven't hoisted a postseason trophy since beating Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl after the 1993 season. Even Hawaii has four postseason victories in that period, all coming in this bowl game. The only other appealing aspect of this game is to watch Hawaii’s tiki warriors celebrate after each Hawaii touchdown. Truly something to be marveled at.

Why not to watch: Any normal person would prefer to spend their Christmas Eve amongst kith and kin. But if you need your holiday football fix, then tuning into this game is really your only option. But I doubt it will be worth your while.

Randomness: You may wonder why Hawaii seems to be in the Hawaii bowl every year, save last year’s disastrous Sugar Bowl appearance. Well, the mystery has been solved. As part of the agreement with the WAC, a "Hawaii guarantee" allows the Warriors a bid in the Hawaii Bowl regardless of its standings in the WAC, provided it is bowl eligible and doesn't qualify for the BCS.

Pick: Notre Dame 24, Hawaii 17