Do you have big plans for New Year's Eve? Perhaps you are going to go to a lavish party, be out all night with friends, or dance the night away with the one you love. If you are a fan of Notre Dame, Northwestern or Illinois football, you can have the time of your life. You won't need to get up to cheer your team on in any bowl games.

The Fighting Illini's loss to Western Michigan was not only significant because they lost to a MAC team, but also because it ensured that Illinois' record could be no better than 7-5, and that would be with a win over Ohio State. They will have two more chances at bowl eligibility, against the Buckeyes next week in Champaign and in Evanston against Northwestern on Nov. 22. However, when you barely sneak into the bowl picture, you won't get the best of the bowls. Look for Illinois to play at the Alama Bowl, or the Champs Sports Bowl.

Things look slightly brighter for fans of Northwestern. After stockpiling wins at the beginning of the season, they have a record of 7-3, 3-3 in the Big Ten. They travel to Ann Arbor on Saturday to play the erratic Wolverines, and there is really no telling how that game will turn out because there is no way to know which Michigan will show up. They will then face Illinois for the battle of better bowl position.

With a 5-4 record and a tough schedule to finish up the season, the Fighting Irish are in danger of not making a bowl. They play a dangerous Navy team in Baltimore, then come home to play Syracuse. After the Orangemen, they will travel to play Southern California in Los Angeles. The Irish have to win at least two of the games to be picked up by any bowl. Before their loss to Boston College, there was talk of the Irish heading to the Cotton Bowl, but now that's unlikely. So have a good time on New Year's Eve, be safe and sleep in on New Year's Day. You won't miss your team's last game of the season.