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The first of the eight bowl games involving Pac-12 teams matches Arizona and Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in Albuquerque.
The conference was unable to fill this slot last season, but produced a sufficient number of qualifying teams in 2012.
The bowl that launches the entire 35-game postseason schedule in the Football Bowl Subdivision is not especially glamorous, but this should be an entertaining game. It's meaningful to Arizona, with the Wildcats having becoming bowl-eligible in coach Rich Rodriguez's first season.
With quarterback Matt Scott and running back Ka'Deem Carey leading the way, Arizona should not have any trouble scoring points against Nevada's defense. But the Wolf Pack's offense also should provide a good test for Arizona's defense.
The pick: Arizona 45, Nevada 31.
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