Poinsettia Bowl, Navy Vs. San Diego State: Look At That, A Competitive Football Game!

Remember when the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl seemed like a clunky, awkward moniker for a football game? Now, in the age of the PapaJohns.com Bowl (RIP) and the GoDaddy Bowl and the MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHRUP GRUMANN BLEEP BLOOP, doesn't it almost seem quaint? We have a sincere affection for this game, is our point, a 5-year-old contest in a picturesque setting that's been putting together a pretty good streak of entirely watchable football lately. The 2010 iteration will pit the hometown San Diego State Aztecs against the Navy Midshipmen, who should also be welcomed by hordes of cheering fans thanks to the area's large military community.

The Aztecs are coming off a season that's about as successful as it could have been in this year's talent-heavy Mountain West. An 8-4 record gives them a share of third place in the conference, where they're tied with Air Force but hold a head-to-head advantage over the Falcons. Apart from a three-point stumble against BYU in early October, SDSU's losses were respectable ones: By a field goal to Missouri, by five points to No. 3 TCU, and by four points to then-No. 23 Utah.

The Navy Midshipmen were a trendy darkhorse preseason pick for a run at an undefeated 2010, but two oddly low-scoring losses early in the season (to Maryland and Air Force) knocked them down a rung. The Mids' only other loss of the season was a bizarro shootout defeat at home against Duke on Halloween weekend.

The 2010 Poinsettia Bowl kicks off at 8 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 23. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more, and connect with Aztecs fans at SB Nation's Mountain West Connection. For a complete list of 2010 bowl games, browse our college football postseason schedule.