Three things we’ll be talking about this week

1. The much-maligned Bowl Championship Series gets under way Friday, with the first two of the big bowl games – the Rose, pitting Oregon and Ohio State, and the Sugar, featuring Cincinnati and Florida – hitting the airwaves Friday. It’s all heading up to the national championship game Jan. 7.

2. Speaking of bowl games, the University of Idaho Vandals will leave the confines of the Kibbie Dome for the blue “Smurf turf” at Boise State University to play in the Humanitarian Bowl on Wednesday. The Vandals, going bowling for only the second time ever, will face the Falcons of Bowling Green State University.

3. In keeping with the sports theme, the Spokane Arena will be host some college hoops action in its final event of the year. The 2009 Ronald McDonald House Charities Classic on Thursday will feature the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Oklahoma Sooners. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.