You're closing in on it, ML. But only the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca is played on Jan 1 and follows the famed Rose Parade. We do it to plug our beautiful 70 degree weather.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Bowl_Game The other Bowls follow. The Sugar Bowl will be Jan 4, 2011. Also under BCS, the Rose Bowl does not necessarily host PAC 10 vs. Big 10 (i.e. the Pacific Coast vs. NorthCentral (Michigan, Iowa, etc)
see here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Bowl Good luck. Only the purists will nitpik this, so don't let it discourage you in your story.
To see what we mean, read this page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BCS_National_Championship_Game If it doesn't make your head spin, nothing will. Who wins is also determined by votes from sportswriters a la American Idol with votes from the public.
Artemis