TODAY’S BOWL GAMES

LAS VEGAS BOWL

CALIFORNIA (7-4) vs. BRIGHAM YOUNG (6-5)

Today, 5 p.m., ESPN

* Line: California by 7.

* Update: California has a veteran offensive line that does a good job opening running lanes for tailbacks Marshawn Lynch, who has 1,052 yards rushing, and Justin Forsett, who has 962. The Golden Bears’ main problem is the passing game. Quarterback Steve Levy, a former fullback who replaced Joe Ayoob late in the season and led Cal to a victory over Stanford, will start. But opening-day starter Nate Longshore -- sidelined because of a broken leg -- has returned to practice and also could play. Safety Donnie McCleskey, cornerback Harrison Smith, linebacker Mickey Pimentel and tackle Brandon Mebane lead a defense that has improved throughout the season. Brigham Young hasn’t played in a bowl game since the 2001 Liberty Bowl. That may be a good thing for the Cougars, who are 7-15-1 in bowl games. Brigham Young has turned things around under first-year Coach Bronco Mendenhall. The Cougars have a balanced offense that averaged 463 yards. Quarterback John Beck -- 3,357 yards passing and 24 touchdowns -- and running back Curtis Brown -- 1,095 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns -- are a strong 1-2 punch. The defense will get a boost with the return of cornerback Nate Soelberg, who broke both arms during the season and sat out the last five games. But nose guard Manaia Brown is not expected to play because of a neck injury.

* Facts: California is playing in a third consecutive bowl game for the first time since playing in the 1948, ’49 and ’50 Rose Bowls. Former Cal coach Tom Holmoe was hired this year as athletic director at Brigham Young. Cougar offensive coordinator Robert Anae was an assistant at Texas Tech last year and helped lead the Red Raiders to a 45-31 victory over Cal in the Holiday Bowl.

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POINSETTIA BOWL

COLORADO STATE (6-5) vs. NAVY (7-4)

Tonight, 7:30, San Diego, ESPN2

* Line: Navy by 2 1/2 .

* Update: Colorado State had a mediocre regular season that included lopsided losses to Minnesota, Texas Christian and San Diego State. The Rams count heavily on quarterback Justin Holland, who has thrown for 2,804 yards and 20 touchdowns, but also has 15 interceptions. Holland’s top target is senior receiver David Anderson, who has 77 receptions for 1,095 yards and eight touchdowns. Colorado State has a strong ground attack with 225-pound sophomore Kyle Bell, who averaged 134 yards a game in victories this season. The Ram defense, which has struggled to stop the run, will get a boost with the return of linebacker Jahmal Hall, who sat out four games because of a knee injury. Behind double-threat quarterback Lamar Owens, Navy has the nation’s top ground attack, gaining 305 yards a game. The Midshipmen’s option offense has thrown only 136 times, compared with 603 rushing attempts. Owens leads the team in passing and rushing but has had eight passes intercepted with only four touchdown passes. The Midshipmen have four players with at least 450 yards rushing, including fullback Adam Ballard, who has 539 yards, including a 192-yard effort in a victory over Army to end the regular season. Linebacker Rob Caldwell leads a small but tough defense for Navy, which features a 3-4 front.

* Facts: This is the inaugural Poinsettia Bowl and Navy should have strong support playing in San Diego. The Midshipmen average 106 yards passing, next to last among Division I-A schools. Colorado State is playing in its sixth bowl game in the last seven years and 11th overall.