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STAT THAT MATTERS: Bobcats led MAC, were sixth in nation in turnover ratio (36 forced, 22 lost) while Thundering Herd was 10th in Conference USA, 86th in nation (16 forced, 21 given up).

GAME FACTS: Hard to figure exactly where MU's head will be here, especially in wake of coach Mark Snyder resignation following UTEP battering that capped 2-4 finish leaving him at disappointing 22-37 in five years. Former head coach at Cincinnati, def. coordinator Minter gets audition for job. Problems include spotty offense (94th in nation in scoring, 21.8 ppg), shoddy secondary (99th in nation vs. pass, 247.4 yards per game, 19 TD passes given up, 8 ints.). Return of RB Darius Marshall (1,054 rushing, 11 TDs) from ankle problem should help offense, which also gets two starters back on offensive line. Bobcats would love nothing more than to get first bowl win over former MAC rivals, whose campus is just 85 miles away. In 4-1 finish, OU rode hot hand of QB Theo Scott (82-of-127, 1,082 passing, 7 TDs, 3 ints., 2 TD runs in last five games), who gamely battled ankle injury in loss to Central Michigan. WRs Taylor Price, Lavon Brazill (combined 102 catches, 13.9 ypg, 11 TDs) can exploit Marshall secondary. LB Noah Keller set MAC title game record with 16 tackles vs. CMU. S Patrick Tafua (68 tackles, 3 ints., four recovered fumbles) is another impact player on defense.

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL in Charlotte, N.C.

NORTH CAROLINA (8-4) vs. No. 17 PITTSBURGH (9-3), 4:30, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1 million.

FAVORITE: Pitt by 3

COACHES: Butch Davis (20-17 in third year at UNC) and Dave Wannstedt (34-25 in fifth year at Pitt).

BOWL RECORD: UNC is 12-14. Pitt is 10-15.

LAST GAME: UNC lost at N.C. State, 28-27, on Nov. 28. Pitt lost at home to Cincinnati, 45-44, on Dec. 5.

SERIES HISTORY: UNC leads, 4-2.

LAST MEETING: UNC won, 20-17, in 2000.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In losing all three bowls since 2003, Panthers have been outscored 71-23.

GAME FACTS: Playing in home state bowl for third straight year, win would give Tar Heels first 9-win season since 1997. Led by DE Robert Quinn (11 sacks, second in ACC), S Deunta Williams (6 ints., second in ACC), defense was phenomenal (sixth in nation in total defense, 267.7 ypg, 28 turnovers forced, 6 TDs scored). Offense (107th in nation in total offense, 311.4 ypg) not so much, though QB Tyler Yates did have season-high 280 yards passing, 2 TDs in N.C. State loss. K Casey Barth (led ACC, 6th in nation with 20 FGs, only four misses) is one of nation's best. Panthers suffered gut-wrenching losses to West Virginia, Cincinnati that cost them Big East crown, BCS bowl trip. QB Bill Stull faded down stretch (18 TD passes, 4 ints. first 10 games, 3 TD passes, 4 ints. vs. WVU, Cincy). RB Dion Lewis (third in nation with 1,640 rushing, school-record 17 TDs) might have been nation's top freshman and was absolutely Herculean vs. Cincy with school-record 47 carries, 194 yards, 3 TDs. In leading nation with 44 sacks, five players had at least four led by DE Greg Romeus with 6. But that unit failed to make stops at end of last two losses as proven by mediocre third-down defense (46th in nation, 37.1 pct.). Davis and Wannstedt worked together as assistants on Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl-winning teams in the early 1990s.

EMERALD BOWL in San Francisco.

USC (8-4) vs. BOSTON COLLEGE (8-4), 8, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.

FAVORITE: USC by 9.

COACHES: Pete Carroll (96-19 in 9th year at USC) and Frank Spaziani (first year at BC).

BOWL RECORD: USC is 31-16. BC is 13-7.

LAST GAME: USC lost at home to Arizona, 21-17, on Dec. 5. BC won at Maryland, 19-17, on Nov. 28.

SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 2-0.

LAST MEETING: USC won, 34-7, in 1988.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning seven of last 8 bowls including six victories over teams ranked in top 10, Trojans have averaged 35 ppg.

GAME FACTS: Aside from questionable motivation level for school-record 9th consecutive bowl trip (first non-BCS game since Carroll's first year in 2001), Trojans come in troubled. During baffling 2-3 finish (USC worst since 2001), offense looked dysfunctional averaging 20 points and 309 total yards per game while defense was gashed for 228 yards rushing per game (141 ypg more than last year). Freshman QB Matt Barkley's confidence also deteriorated (87-of-154, 845 passing, 6 TDs, 7 ints. over last five games). Now NCAA may be looking at SUV RB Joe McKnight has been cruising around town in, putting his status up in the air. Still, that's better than TE Anthony McCoy, T Tyron Smith, DT Averell Spicer, all now academically ineligible. Eagles saw nation's best 8-game bowl winning streak end in last year's upset loss to Vanderbilt and takes big step up here in terms of talent. BC beat one team with winning record (MAC champion Central Michigan), despite best efforts of RB Montel Harris (four straight 100-yard games), whose 1,355 yards rushing included school-record 264 yards. 5 TDs in 52-20 win over N.C. State Oct. 17. Former minor-league baseball player, 25-year-old QB Dave Shinskie faltered badly late in season (6 ints., 3 TD passes over final three games) as offense never really found consistency (98th in nation in total offense, 324.9 ypg). LB Luke Kuechly is tackling machine (second in nation with 142 tackles).

SUNDAY:

MUSIC CITY BOWL in Nashville.

KENTUCKY (7-5) vs. CLEMSON (8-5), 8:15, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.65 million.

FAVORITE: Clemson by 7.

COACHES: Rich Brooks (39-46 in 7th year at Kentucky) and Dabo Swinney (12-8 in second year at Clemson).

BOWL RECORD: Kentucky is 8-5. Clemson is 15-16.

LAST GAME: Kentucky lost at home to Tennessee, 30-24 in OT, on Nov. 28. Clemson lost to Georgia Tech, 39-34, in the ACC title game on Dec. 5.

SERIES HISTORY: Kentucky leads, 8-4.

LAST MEETING: Kentucky won, 28-20, in the 2006 Music City Bowl.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Wildcats have won bowl games last three years, equaling Kentucky's postseason win total from 1952-2005.

GAME FACTS: Getting UK to school-record fourth straight bowl is no small feat for Brooks, who will stick with freshman QB Morgan Newton (23 completions, 246 yards passing in last three games) even though former starter junior Mike Hartline is available for first time since injuring his knee in September. RB Derrick Locke (844 rushing, 4 TDs, led SEC in kickoff returns, 29.6 ypr, TD) is one of SEC's most underrated players while WR Randall Cobb (37 catches, 4 TDs, 537 rushing, 10 TD runs) is threat as QB from Wildcat formation. Though they can't stop run (100th in nation, 183.2 ypg) or pressure passer (16 sacks, 104th in nation), defense still somehow gets job done. That unit will have hands full with magnificent Tigers RB C.J. Spiller (fourth in nation with 2,508 all-purpose yards, tied for first in ACC with 20 TDs, D-I record 7 career kickoff returns for TDs), the best player in nation not invited to Heisman Trophy presentation, a real miscarriage of justice after the senior's 233 yards rushing, 4 TDs vs. Ga. Tech in ACC title game. Problem was Spiller couldn't play defense, which folded up, surrendering 73 points in season-ending losses to South Carolina, Ga. Tech. S DeAndre McDaniel (86 tackles, second in nation with 8 ints.) rest of unit must improve if Tigers are to end frustrating 3-game bowl losing streak.

MONDAY

INDEPENDENCE BOWL in Shreveport, La.

GEORGIA (7-5) vs. TEXAS A&M (6-6), 5, ESPN2.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1 million.

FAVORITE: Georgia by 7.

COACHES: Mark Richt (89-27 in 9th year at Georgia) and Mike Sherman (10-14 in second year at A&M).

BOWL RECORD: Georgia is 25-16-3. Texas A&M is 13-17.

LAST GAME: Georgia won at Georgia Tech, 30-24, on Nov. 28. Texas A&M lost at home to Texas, 49-39, on Thanksgiving.

SERIES HISTORY: Texas A&M leads, 3-1.

LAST MEETING: Georgia won, 42-0, in 1980.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Playing in 13th straight bowl game, Bulldogs are 10-2 in bowls since 1997 while Aggies are 1-7 over same span.

GAME FACTS: After poor showing by defense (70th in nation in scoring, 26.4 ppg, 164 points given up in five losses) in disappointing season, Richt shook up staff after Ga. Tech upset firing def. coordinator Willie Martinez, two other defensive assistants. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner takes over as interim DC. UGA was also next to last in nation in turnover ratio (10 gained, 27 given up). Bright spots included LB Rennie Curran (led SEC with 122 tackles), freshman RB Washaun Ealey breaking loose for 183 yards in upset at Ga. Tech. Senior QB Joe Cox (22 TD passes, 14 ints.) still makes too many poor decisions. Aggies have no such problem with splendid junior QB Jerrod Johnson (school records with 3,217 yards passing, 28 TD passes, with only 6 ints. and 8 TD runs), who was beyond impressive in defeat vs. Texas (26-of-33, 342 passing, 4 TDs, int.). But defense has pretty much been awful (107th in nation in total defense, 431.3 ypg, 111th vs. pass, 262.7 ypg, 20 TD passes given up, 11 ints.) and that has been theme during Aggies' postseason rut (226 points given up in last seven bowl losses). DE-LB Von Miller was one of few bright spots leading nation with 17 sacks.

TUESDAY:

EAGLEBANK BOWL in Washington; D.C..

UCLA (6-6) vs. TEMPLE (9-3), 4:30, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1 million.

FAVORITE: UCLA by 5.

COACHES: Rick Neuheisel (10-14 in second year at UCLA) and Al Golden (19-29 in fourth year at Temple).

BOWL RECORD: UCLA is 13-15-1. Temple is 1-1.

LAST GAME: UCLA lost at USC, 28-7, on Nov. 28. Temple lost at Ohio, 35-17, on Nov. 17.

SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Owls' 14 wins last two seasons (vs. 10 losses) are only six short of the 20 victories Temple managed for the rest of the decade (vs. 72 losses).

GAME FACTS: Looking hopeless at 3-5 after Halloween loss at Oregon State, Bruins rallied nicely to get here. Defense (third in Pac-10 in scoring, 21.2 ppg, 28 turnovers forced, 5 TDs scored on returns) has done most of the work led by future NFL talents DT Brian Price (22-1/2 tackles for loss, second in nation), S Rahim Moore (led nation with 9 ints.). Erratic QB Kevin Prince (2 TD passes, 3 ints. in last four games) is emblematic of sorry offense (99th in nation in scoring, 21.3 ppg). UCLA would love it if this came down to late FG from superb K Kai Forbath (second in nation with 26 FGs, only three misses). Owls are thrilled to be in first bowl since 1979 team went 10-2. Big question is health of phenomenal freshman RB Bernard Pierce (led MAC with 1,308 rushing, 15 TDs), who hasn't played since injuring shoulder Nov. 21, especially considering sophomore QB Chester Stewart takes over for junior Vaughn Charlton', whose stats in loss at Ohio (4-of-12, 31 passing, 2 ints., 1 fumble) were horrifying. Sophomore DE Adrian Robinson (school-record 12 sacks, 10th in nation) earned MAC defensive player of the year award while LB Alex Joseph (73 tackles) is heart and soul of improved defense (37th in nation in total defense, 335.7 ypg, 53 fewer than last year).

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL in Orlando, Fla.

No. 14 MIAMI (9-3) vs. No. 24 WISCONSIN (9-3), 8, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.13 million.

FAVORITE: Miami by 3-1/2.

COACHES: Randy Shannon (21-16 in third year at Miami) and Bret Bielema (37-14 in fourth year at Wisconsin).

BOWL RECORD: Miami is 18-14. Wisconsin is 10-10.

LAST GAME: Miami won at South Florida, 31-10, on Nov. 28. Wisconsin won at Hawaii, 51-10, on Dec. 5.

SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads, 2-0.

LAST MEETING: Miami won, 51-3, in 1989.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2007 season, Badgers are 2-7 vs. ranked foes and 23-6 vs. unranked teams.

GAME FACTS: Win would give Hurricanes first 10-win season since 2003 while also finishing ranked for first time since 2005 -- both important milestones for Shannon's program. Sophomore QB Jacory Harris (226 of-377, 3,164 passing, 23 TDs, 17 ints.) has arm strength to give Badgers' suspect secondary (6th in Big Ten vs. pass, 219.9 ypg, 17 TD passes given up, 13 ints.) problems. Senior S Darryl Sharpton (91 tackles) is steadying force on defense (fourth in ACC in total defense, 321.5 ypg). As always, Badgers will try to batter away with 247-pound sophomore RB John Clay, who led Big Ten with 1,396 rushing (16 TD runs), including 172-yard, 3-TD effort in season-ending romp at Hawaii. In UW's 9 wins, QB Scott Tolzien had 14 TD passes, 4 ints. compared to 2 TD passes, 6 ints. in the three losses. WR Nick Toon (52 catches, 4 TDs) is son of former Badgers' All-American and New York Jets WR Al Toon. UM offensive line must contain DE O'Brien Schofield (second in nation with 20-1/2 tackles for loss, 10 sacks), who has often wrecked havoc in the opponent's backfield as defense gives up little on ground (8th in nation vs. run, 90.5 ypg).

DEC. 30:

HUMANITARIAN BOWL in Boise, Idaho.

BOWLING GREEN (7-5) vs. IDAHO (7-5), 4:30, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.

FAVORITE: Bowling Green by 2.

COACHES: Dave Clawson (first year at Bowling Green) and Rob Akey (10-26 in third year at Idaho)

BOWL RECORD: Bowling Green is 4-4. Idaho is 1-0.

LAST GAME: Bowling Green beat Toledo, 38-24, on Nov. 27. Idaho lost at home to Utah State, 52-49, on Nov. 28.

SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning last four games to get here, Falcons have averaged 35 points per game while Vandals have given up staggering 50 ppg in 1-4 finish.

GAME FACTS: After getting bounced from offensive coordinator job at Tennessee last November, Clawson made nice comeback helping rally BG to third postseason trip since 2004. Mostly it was 1-2 combo of QB Tyler Sheehan (fourth in nation with 3,664 yards passing, 23 TDs, 6 ints.), WR Freddie Barnes, MAC offensive player of the year whose 138 catches lead nation while 1,551 receiving yards are second and the 16 TD catches are most in nation. Barnes needs five grabs to set new season record for D-I. They have to produce because defense (103rd in nation vs. run, 192.7 ypg, 83rd in total defense, 393.7 ypg) isn't great. Of course, that looks like the 1985 Bears compared to the UI defense (112th in nation in scoring, 35.5 ppg, 114th vs. pass, 268.9 ypg, 30 TD passes given up, second most in nation), which utterly vanished in late season collapse that nearly prevented Vandals' first bowl bid since 1998. On the plus side, there's the potent offense (10th in nation in total offense, 451.3 ypg) led by unheralded junior QB Nathan Enderle (second in WAC in QB rating, 177-of-284, 2,666 passing, 18 TD passes, 9 ints.), WR Max Komar (62 catches, 10 TDs). Former assistant at Washington State, Akey has done great job getting Vandals (23-82 this decade entering the season) most wins since 1999.

HOLIDAY BOWL in San Diego

No. 22 ARIZONA (8-4) vs. No. 20 NEBRASKA (9-4), 8, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.2 million.

FAVORITE: Arizona by 1.

COACHES: Mike Stoops (33-38 in 6th year at Arizona) and Bo Pelini (19-8 in third year at Nebraska).

BOWL RECORD: Arizona is 6-7-1. Nebraska is 23-22.

LAST GAME: Arizona won at USC, 21-17, on Dec. 5. Nebraska lost to Texas, 13-12, in Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 5.

SERIES HISTORY: Arizona leads, 1-0-1.

LAST MEETING: Arizona won, 23-20, in the 1998 Holiday Bowl.

STATS THAT MATTER: Cornhuskers were second in nation in scoring defense (11.2 points per game) and have won their last 13 games dating back to last year when scoring 15 points or more.

GAME FACTS: Clash of styles figures to make this one of more entertaining bowl games, as history proves it usually is. Wildcats' spread attack (averaged 32 ppg in 8 wins) is triggered by rising talent in sophomore QB Nick Foles (76-of-129, 701 passing, 6 TDs, 2 ints., TD run in last three games). Underrated defense (second in Pac-10 in total defense, 315.8 ypg) is led by CB Trevin Wade (66 tackles, second in Pac-10 with 5 ints.), DE Ricky Elmore (led Pac-10 with 10-1/2 sacks). A 31-21 winner over BYU in Las Vegas Bowl last year, UA hasn't won bowls in consecutive seasons since 1997-98. Simply put, Cornhuskers defense (9th in nation in total defense, 284.5 ypg) couldn't be much better while the offense (102nd in nation in total offense, 317.1 ypg) couldn't be much worse. That was proven in bitter Big 12 title loss to Texas on FG on final play. First defensive player to win A.P. college player of the year award, DT Ndamakong Suh was unblockable that night with 12 tackles, 4-1/2 sacks. But offense managing all of five first downs, 106 total yards wasn't enough as QB Zac Lee (6-of-19, 39 passing, 3 ints.) was utterly inept. K Alex Henery (20-of-24 on FGs) was nearly the hero that night drilling FGs from 45, 52, 28 and 42 yards. Pelini bitterly complained about officials putting second back on clock to set up Texas' winning FG, even hinting at some sort of BCS conspiracy.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

ARMED FORCES BOWL in Fort Worth, Texas

AIR FORCE (7-5) vs. HOUSTON (10-3), Noon, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.

FAVORITE: Houston by 5.

COACHES: Troy Calhoun (24-14 in third year at Air Force) and Kevin Sumlin (18-8 in second year at Houston).

BOWL RECORD: Air Force is 8-10-1. Houston is also 8-10-1.

LAST GAME: Air Force lost at BYU, 38-21, on Nov. 21. Houston lost at East Carolina, 38-32, in the Conference USA Championship Game, on Dec. 5.

SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.

LAST MEETING: Houston won, 34-28, in last year's Armed Force Bowl.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Something has to give. Cougars led the nation in passing (450 yards per game, 46 TD passes) while Falcons topped the land in pass defense (148.7 ypg, 9 TD passes given up, 14 ints.).

GAME FACTS: Amazingly, these two square off for third time in less than 15 months. In 31-28 win at Houston last October, Falcons option attack (third in nation in rushing, 273.6 ypg) piled up 380 yards rushing while not completing a pass in a 31-28 win. Cougars took rematch in Armed Force Bowl as UH RB Bryce Beall gave AFA dose of own medicine bursting for 135 yards rushing on 22 carries. Again, Falcons will try to control clock with ground game led by bruising RB Jared Tew (797 rushing, 7 TDs, Armed Forces Bowl record 149 yards rushing vs. UH last year) to try to keep Cougars QB Case Keenum (fifth in nation in QB rating, 43 TD passes, 9 ints., 468 completions, 128 more than any other D-I QB) off the field. Falcons QB Tim Jefferson should play after leaving BYU loss with bruised ribs. Other keys include just how much beleaguered Cougars run defense (11th in nation vs. run, 213.1 ypg) steps up while Falcons pass rush (24 sacks, 53rd in nation) had better put some heat on Keenum, no matter how good their secondary might be.

SUN BOWL in El Paso, Texas.

STANFORD (8-4) vs. OKLAHOMA (7-5), 2, CBS .

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.9 million.

FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 9.

COACHES: Jim Harbaugh (17-19 in third year at Stanford) and Bob Stoops (116-29 in 11th year at Oklahoma).

BOWL RECORD: Stanford is 9-10-1. Oklahoma is 24-17-1.

LAST GAME: Stanford beat Notre Dame, 45-38, on Nov. 28. Oklahoma beat Oklahoma State, 27-0, on Nov. 28.

SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 3-1.

LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 19-7, in 1984.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In Sooners' five losses, OU committed 15 turnovers compared to 9 turnovers in seven wins.

GAME FACTS: Making first bowl appearance since 2001, now Cardinal would love to notch first postseason win since 1996, coincidentally a 38-0 win over Michigan State in the Sun Bowl. It won't be easy with freshman QB Andrew Luck doubtful with broken finger. Senior backup Tavita Pritchard played a lot last year (1,633 passing, 10 TDs, 13 ints.) but has thrown only three passes this year. So look for lots of Heisman-runnerup RB Toby Gerhart (led nation with 26 TDs, second in nation with 1,736 rushing), who may find tough going against OU front seven (7th in nation vs. run, 88.5 ypg). Special teams weapon for Stanford is sophomore WR Chris Owusu (fifth in nation in kickoff returns, 32.5 ypr, led nation with 3 TD returns). Already saddled with most losses since Stoops' debut in Norman in 1999, Sooners simply play this one for pride. Taking over after last year's Heisman-winner QB Sam Bradford went down with shoulder injury in first game, freshman Landry Jones (231-of-398, 2,780 passing, 23 TDs, 13 ints.) has had his ups and downs. Junior DeMarco Murray (678 rushing, 7 TDs, 38 catches, 4 TD catches) is best of Stoops' RB-by-committee approach. Defense (7th in nation in both total defense, 273.5 ypg and scoring, 13.5 ppg, fifth with 37 sacks) still has plenty of fight as shutout of Okla. State showed. Junior DT Gerald McCoy is headed early to NFL.

TEXAS BOWL in Houston.

MISSOURI (8-4) vs. NAVY (8-4), 3:30, ESPN.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.25 million.

FAVORITE: Missouri by 7.

COACHES: Gary Pinkel (67-45 in 9th year at Missouri) and Ken Niumataololo (16-10 in second year at Navy).

BOWL RECORD: Missouri is 12-14. Navy is 6-8-1.

LAST GAME: Missouri beat Kansas, 41-39, on Nov. 28. Navy beat Army, 14-3, on Dec. 12.

SERIES HISTORY: Missouri leads, 2-0.

LAST MEETING: Missouri won, 21-14, in the 1961 Orange Bowl.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In 3-1 bowl mark last four years, Tigers have averaged 36 points per game.

GAME FACTS: Tigers rebounded nicely from three-game midseason losing skid with 4-1 finish to make school-record fifth consecutive bowl trip. After catching just 26 passes last year, senior WR Danario Alexander had breakout season with school-record 107 catches (third in nation) for 1,644 yards (led nation) and 13 TDs. QB Blaine Gabbert (96-of-151, 1,407 passing, 8 TDs in last four games) has been on target lately. Then again, how much will they see the field considering Midshipmen's triple option (fourth in nation in rushing, 272.5 ypg) that consumes the clock (fifth in nation in with 33:22 time of possession)? Junior QB Ricky Dobbs (1,927 total offense, 5 TD passes, 3 ints.) was second in nation with school-record 24 TD runs. Senior LB Ram Vela lived up to his name with 57 tackles, 3 ints. Tigers have edge in kicking game with sophomore K Grant Ressel, who led nation with 96 pct. accuracy rate (24-of-25) compared to Navy's Joe Buckley (10-of-13). Making school-record 7th consecutive bowl trip, Navy is only 2-4 in postseason over that span.

INSIGHT BOWL in Tempe; Ariz.

IOWA STATE (6-6) vs. MINNESOTA (6-6), 6, NFL Network.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.2 million.

FAVORITE: Minnesota by 3.

COACHES: Paul Rhoads (first year at Iowa State) and Tim Brewster (14-20 in third year at Minnesota).

BOWL RECORD: Iowa State is 2-7. Minnesota is 5-8.

LAST GAME: Iowa State lost at Missouri, 34-24, on Nov. 21. Minnesota lost at Iowa, 12-0, on Nov. 21.

SERIES HISTORY: Minnesota leads, 22-2-1.

LAST MEETING: Minnesota won, 53-29, in 1997.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In three bowl losses since 2005, Golden Gophers have yielded average of 40 points per game.

GAME FACTS: Not what you'd call a top-shelf matchup, but Cyclones (9-27 from 2006-08) are happy with first postseason trip since 2005. Things looked much better for ISU after 9-7 win at Nebraska Oct. 24 before 1-3 finish landed them here. Former defensive coordinator at Auburn, Rhoads had quick impact on defense (43rd in nation in scoring, 22.6 ppg, 13 fewer than last year), though ISU still gave up lots of yards (99th in nation in total defense, 414.3 ypg) despite tireless LB Jesse Smith (led Big 12 with 128 tackles). QB Austen Arnaud (2,284 total offense, 13 TD passes, 11 ints., 7 TD runs), RB Alexander Robinson (1,058 rushing, 6 TDs) lead offense. Golden Gophers should have been better but QB Adam Weber (2 TD passes, 5 ints. in UM's last four losses) fell into funk after talented WR Eric Decker went down with season-ending foot injury. If he struggles, freshman backup MarQueis Gray could see action. In Weber's defense, pass protection was atrocious all season (39 sacks allowed, last in Big Ten, 113th in nation).

CHICK fil-A BOWL in Atlanta.

No. 12 VIRGINIA TECH (9-3) vs. TENNESSEE (7-5), ESPN, 7:30.

PAYOUT: Each school receives $5.83 million.

FAVORITE: Virginia Tech by 4-1/2.

COACHES: Frank Beamer (186-92-2 in 23rd year at Va. Tech) and Lane Kiffin (first year at Tennessee).

BOWL RECORD: Virginia Tech is 8-14. Tennessee is 25-22.

LAST GAME: Va. Tech won at Virginia, 42-13, on Nov. 28. Tennessee won at Kentucky, 30-24 in overtime, on Nov. 28.

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads, 5-2.

LAST MEETING: Tennessee won, 45-23, in the 1994 Gator Bowl.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Over last two seasons Vols are 10-0 when scoring 25 points or more and 2-12 when they don't.

GAME FACTS: Hokies aim for sixth straight 10-win season, one of more underappreciated runs around the sport. Tech and UT have tried to set up regular season meeting, with one promoter wanting them to meet halfway at Bristol International Speedway before a crowd of 150,000, but it didn't happen. Hokies QB Tyrod Taylor (2,446 total offense, 13 TD passes, 4 ints., 4 TD runs) is adept at making plays outside pocket while freshman RB Ryan Williams has exploded on scene in leading the ACC with 1,594 yards rushing (fifth in nation) to go along with 19 TDs (led ACC). WR Dyrel Roberts is superb return man (third in nation in kickoff returns, 34.5 ypg, TD) and could have field day vs. struggling Vols coverage unit (88th in nation in kickoff coverage, 22.8 ypr, 2 TD returns given up). After missing out on bowl in two of former coach Philip Fulmer's final four years, Vols are happy to be here and have a lot to prove -- especially the way Kiffin talks and irritates pretty much every opponent he comes in contact with. But there's no denying terrific job he and his staff did with senior QB Jonathan Crompton (888 passing, 4 TDs, 5 ints. all last year to 1,925 passing, 19 TD passes, 4 ints. in his last eight games). Senior RB Montario Hardesty (third in SEC with 1,306 rushing, 13 TDs) makes all the tough yards. Though he won't announce anything until after game, junior S Eric Berry (83 tackles this year, 14 career ints., 3 TDs) is expected to leave for NFL.

(E-mail John Lindsay at lindsayj(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)

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