Bowl games offer a nice reward for players, a chance for a couple of more weeks of practice for coaches and a welcome opportunity for fans to travel.

As true competitions, some argue, they’re almost meaningless. True, the teams should be at their best — well-rested, with many injured players back. But some teams take bowls more seriously than others.

Just don’t say they’re meaningless to Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott and the presidents, chancellors, athletic directors and coaches of the so-called “Conference of Champions.” The league badly needs a strong showing this year, if only to indicate that last season’s 1-8 bowl-games record was an anomaly.

The conference is not represented in the College Football Playoff and hasn’t been in the national title game since the 2014 season, when Oregon lost to Ohio State 42-20 in Arlington, Texas.

Las Vegas Bowl

Who: No. 19 Fresno State (11-2) vs. Arizona State (7-5)

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

TV: ABC

The line: Fresno State by 6 (over-under 53½)

Outlook: Former Cal head coach Jeff Tedford led a dramatic turnaround in Fresno, where the Mountain West champs could win 12 games for the first time. Although known mainly as a QB guru, Tedford leads a defense that ranks second in the country in points allowed (13.7). ASU’s Herm Edwards returned to the sideline this year after a decade hiatus following eight years of coaching in the NFL. ASU was projected to finish last in the Pac-12 South but went 4-1 in close games. FSU’s Marcus McMaryion and ASU’s Manny Wilkins (San Marin-Novato) have combined for 44 passing TDs and just seven picks. Wilkins won’t have favorite target N’Keal Harry, who declared for the NFL draft.

Cheez-It Bowl

Who: Cal (7-5) vs. TCU (6-6)

Where: Chase Field, Phoenix

When: Dec. 26, 6 p.m.

TV/Radio: ESPN/810

The line: Pick ’em (39.5)

Outlook: It’s expected to be a defensive slog. The 39.5-point over-under is the lowest of any bowl this season. Head coach Gary Patterson is 166-63 (.725) at TCU; his statue has already been erected on campus. Cal head coach Justin Wilcox signed a five-year contract this month after leading a remarkable turnaround. Two years after the Bears allowed 42.6 points on 518 yards per game, they finished among the top 25 in both categories (21.3 points, 319.4 yards).

Alamo Bowl

Who: No. 25 Iowa State (8-4) vs. No. 12 Washington State (10-2)

Where: Alamodome, San Antonio

When: Dec. 28, 6 p.m

TV: ESPN

The line: WSU by 3½ (54½)

Outlook: Buoyed by a sensational season from graduate-transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew, the Cougars were on track for a New Year’s Six bowl until they lost at home to Washington in a snow-covered Apple Cup. The Cyclones started the season 1-3 but won seven of their final eight, although they barely beat Drake in their finale. The Alamo Bowl could have picked another Big 12 third-place team, West Virginia, for the star power of quarterback Will Grier. But Iowa State will bring many more fans.

Sun Bowl

Who: Stanford (8-4) vs. Pitt (7-6)

Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas

When: Dec. 31, 11 a.m.

TV/Radio: CBS/1050

The line: Stanford by 6½ (52)

Outlook: The Cardinal won their last three games to reach their 10th straight bowl game. But an anemic ground game and an unimposing defense undid a team that had Pac-12 title hopes early in the season. Oregon all but handed Stanford a win in September, but then the Cardinal lost four of five — all to ranked teams, including close losses to Washington State and Washington. WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside, voted the team’s MVP, needs one TD catch to break James Lofton’s 41-year-old school single-season record of 14. Pitt has a spotty defense, too, but a strong running game that features 1,000-yard rushers Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall.

Redbox Bowl

Who: Michigan State (7-5) vs. Oregon (8-4)

Where: Levi’s Stadium

When: Dec. 31, noon

TV: Fox

The line: Oregon by 1½ (48)

Outlook: Both held two-score leads over Arizona State, their one common opponent. Michigan State lost to the Sun Devils on a last-second field goal in Tempe, Ariz., early in the season. Oregon held on for a 31-29 win at home on Nov. 17. Rangy quarterback Justin Herbert of the Ducks is the bowl’s main drawing card. It’s still unclear whether regular Brian Lewerke or redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi will start at quarterback for MSU. Spartans running back LJ Scott will enter the NFL draft but play in the bowl.

Holiday Bowl

Who: Northwestern (8-5) vs. No. 20 Utah (9-4)

Where: SDCCU Stadium, San Diego

When: Dec. 31, 4 p.m.

TV: FS1

The line: Utah by 7½ (45)

Outlook: Both teams were conference runners-up, but while Northwestern was crushed by Ohio State 45-24 in the Big Ten title game, Utah lost to Washington 10-3 in a drab Pac-12 finale. The Wildcats went 8-1 in conference play. While Clayton Thorson has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, he also has 14 picks. Utah QB Tyler Huntley (collarbone) is questionable for the bowl, so it may be up to backup Jason Shelley. Utah’s Zack Moss rushed for more than 1,000 yards but he’s out with an ankle injury. So Skyline-Oakland alum Armand Shyne should be the main rusher.

Rose Bowl

Who: No. 9 Washington (10-3) vs. No. 5 Ohio State (12-1)

Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena

When: Jan. 1, 2 p.m.

TV: ESPN

The line: Ohio State by 5 (58½)

Outlook: The Buckeyes finished sixth in the College Football Playoff rankings. Head coach Urban Meyer, whose .853 winning percentage is bettered only by Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy in college football history, has announced he’ll retire after the game. He’ll be replaced by offensive coordinator Ryan Day. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins was third in the Heisman voting. After a 12-10 hiccup Oct. 27 at Berkeley, Washington won four straight, including a 10-3 Pac-12 title victory over Utah. All-America linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven (Sacred Heart Prep) leads the nation in tackles (165).

Tom FitzGerald and Rusty Simmons are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: tfitzgerald@sfchronicle.com and rsimmons@sfchronicle.com