Bowl games are
postseason games played in December and January immediately following the
regular season. Games are almost always played at a
neutral site, and generally match up two teams from different
conferences, based on their records in the season. A winning record is required for eligibility (6 wins in a usual 11-game season, or 7 wins in a 12- or 13-game season); all of those wins must be against
NCAA Division I-A competition, with the exception that one win against
Division I-AA competition may be counted for eligibility once every four years.
Source for 2000-01 bowl lineup: cnnsi.com