ShareThisCapsule previews for the five New Year's Day and nine post-New Year's college football bowl games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
NEW YEAR'S DAY:
OUTBACK BOWL in Tampa, Fla.
AUBURN (7-5) vs. NORTHWESTERN (8-4), 11 a.m., ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $3.1 million.
FAVORITE: Auburn by 8.
COACHES: Gene Chizik (first year at Auburn) and Pat Fitzgerald (27-22 in fourth year at Northwestern).
BOWL RECORD: Auburn is 19-13-2. Northwestern is 1-6.
LAST GAME: Auburn lost at home to Alabama, 26-21, on Nov. 27. Northwestern beat Wisconsin, 33-31, on Nov. 21.
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Tigers were 1-3 in games decided by 7 points or less while Wildcats went 6-1.
GAME FACTS: Considering Auburn had one win over D-I team after 5-0 start, Tigers are fortunate to be here. Could have been something about how many bowl tickets school officials guaranteed. Problem in second half centered on defense (161 points given up in five losses), though it looked better in near-upset of Alabama. DE Antonio Coleman led SEC with 9 sacks. Offense (second in SEC in total offense, 423.4 yards per game) can move it on anybody with RB Ben Tate (fourth in SEC with 1,254 yards rushing, 10 TDs) a threat to get loose on any play. QB Chris Todd (21 TD passes, 6 ints.) has preferred target in WR Darvin Adams (48 catches, 17.8 ypc, 10 TDs), who had 72-yard TD grab vs. Alabama. Wildcats haven't won a bowl game since beating Cal, 20-14, in 1949 Rose Bowl. Six losses since have come by average score of 44-27. But Fitzgerald, star LB on Wildcats' Big Ten champion teams in 1995-96, has this team believing, especially after 4-1 finish. QB Mike Kafka finished strong (combined 49-of-77, 631 passing, 3 TDs, TD run in wins over Illinois, Wisconsin). Tigers' real weakness has been run defense (80th nationally vs. run, 161.7 ypg) so it will be interesting to see if Fitzgerald can find an RB to exploit that, considering Kafka's 265 yards rushing was second on team to freshman Arby Fields' 294. Senior WR Zeke Markshausen entered season with one career catch but wound up second in Big Ten with 79 grabs (fourth most in a season in NU history).
CAPITAL ONE BOWL in Orlando, Fla.
No. 13 LSU (9-3) vs. No. 11 PENN STATE (10-2), 1 p.m., ABC, .
PAYOUT: Each school receives $4.25 million.
FAVORITE: Penn State by 3.
COACHES: Les Miles (51-14 in fifth year at LSU) and Joe Paterno (393-129-3 in 44th year at Penn State).
BOWL RECORD: LSU is 21-18-1. Penn State is 26-13-2.
LAST GAME: LSU beat Arkansas, 33-30 in overtime, on Nov. 28. Penn State won at Michigan State, 42-14, on Nov. 21.
SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 16-9, in the 1974 Orange Bowl.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Paterno's 23 bowl wins are most of any Division I coach ever.
GAME FACTS: As good as Paterno is in bowls (23-11-2), Tigers are hardly slouches, going 4-0 under Miles beating Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Georgia Tech by combined score of 157-47. These Tigers seem like underachievers failing tests vs. Florida and Alabama, choking away loss at Ole Miss with pitiful clock management in final seconds while mostly beating up on rest of schedule ranked 35th toughest in nation. Return of RB Charles Scott (led team with 542 rushing) from collarbone injury should help while QB sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson (36-of-62, 429 passing, 4 TDs, 2 ints. in last two games) found himself in November. CB Patrick Peterson (15 passes defended, 2 ints.) is lockdown cover guy. Nittany Lions held out BCS at-large hopes but can't be too upset considering Rose and Orange Bowls went with Ohio State and Iowa, the two teams that beat Penn State. Senior DT Jared Odrick (41 tackles, 6 sacks,) earned Big Ten player of the year honor for solid defense (fourth in nation in scoring, 11.8 ppg). Senior CB A.J. Wallace will play after missing Mich. State game with concussion symptoms while junior LB Navarro Bowman (84 tackles, 15-1/2 for loss, TDs scored on int. and fumble returns) is said to be eying early departure for the NFL. After coming up short vs. Ohio State, Iowa, senior QB Daryll Clark (led Big Ten in QB rating, 214-of-346, 2,787 passing, 23 TDs, 10 ints., 7 TD runs) would love some redemption here.
GATOR BOWL in Jacksonville, Fla.
FLORIDA STATE (6-6) vs. No. 18 WEST VIRGINIA (9-3), 1, CBS.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.25 million.
FAVORITE: West Virginia by 2-1/2.
COACHES: Bobby Bowden (315-97-4 in 34th year at FSU) and Bill Stewart (19-7 in second year at West Virginia).
BOWL RECORD: FSU is 21-14-2. West Virginia is 13-15.
LAST GAME: FSU lost at Florida, 37-10, on Nov. 28. West Virginia won at Rutgers, 24-21, on Dec. 5.
SERIES HISTORY: FSU leads, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: FSU won, 30-18, in the 2004 Gator Bowl.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2007 season, Seminoles are 22-16, which is three more losses than FSU suffered in the entire 1990s (record of 109-13-1).
GAME FACTS: Bowden's farewell finds Seminoles in 30th consecutive bowl (longest streak in nation). But only wrangling by ACC and Gator Bowl officials got FSU into this game. Since mid-2006, Seminoles are only 4-9 vs. ranked teams. At least 300 of Bowden's former FSU players will be on hand. Many were part of Bowden's 20-9-1 bowl mark at FSU (second best in nation). They will understand quickly that freshman QB E.J. Manuel (633 total offense, 2 TD passes, 6 ints., TD run in last three starts) is no Charlie Ward or Chris Weinke while retiring def. coordinator Mickey Andrew's defense (110th in nation in total defense, 443.5 ypg, 148 yards more than last year) has been mostly awful (yielded averaged of 35 ppg in six losses this season). Mountaineers are ironic foe for Bowden's finale considering he left Morgantown for Tallahassee in 1976. In winning bowls last four years, Mountaineers have averaged 39 ppg and have big-play potential to hurt FSU defense including RB Noel Devine (second in Big East with 1,297 rushing, 12 TDs), QB Jarrett Brown (2,552 total offense, 11 TD passes, 8 ints., 5 TD runs). Defense (tied for third in Big East in scoring, 20.7 ppg, 23 turnovers forced) will be without S Nate Sowers, DT Scooter Berry, both academically ineligible.
ROSE BOWL in Pasadena, Calif.
No. 8 OHIO STATE (10-2) vs. No. 7 OREGON (10-2), 4:30, ABC.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $17 million.
FAVORITE: Oregon by 3-1/2.
COACHES: Jim Tressel (93-21 in 9th year at Ohio State) and Chip Kelly (first year at Oregon).
BOWL RECORD: Ohio State is 18-22. Oregon is 9-13.
LAST GAME: Ohio State won at Michigan, 21-10, on Nov. 21. Oregon beat Oregon State, 37-33, on Dec. 3.
SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads, 7-0.
LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 24-14, in 1987.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning 10 of last 11 games to make first Rose Bowl since 1994, Ducks have averaged 40.2 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Playing in Rose Bowl for first time since 1997, Buckeyes will have to lean heavily on their defense (led Big Ten, fifth in nation in all three of total defense, 262.5 ypg, vs. run, 83.4 ypg , and scoring, 12.2 ppg, 33 turnovers forced, fourth in nation). Now that QB Terrelle Pryor says he's been playing with torn knee ligament ("It's just a little sore, it's fine ...''), that explains some of his erratic play, though the sophomore has improved since pep talk from NBA star LeBron James back in late October (6 TD passes, 2 ints., 3 TD runs in five games post-LeBron, 10 TD passes, 8 ints, 4 TD runs in seven games pre-LeBron). WR depth could be real problem with WRs Roy Small, DuRon Carter both suspended for bowl along with DT Robert Rose, RB Bo DeLande. Since laying egg in 19-8 loss at Boise State in opener, Ducks' spread attack has been virtually unstoppable (led Pac-10, 6th in nation in rushing, 236.1 ypg) with freshman RB LaMichael James (second in Pac-10 with 1,476 rushing, second highest season total in school history, 14 TDs), junior QB Jeremiah Masoli (second in Pac-10 with 2,725 total offense, 15 TD passes, 5 ints., 12 TD runs, ) doing most of the damage. Defense has shown some holes lately (146 points given up in last four games), but will bring pressure (third in Pac-10 with 32 sacks). Pac-10 teams have won last six Rose Bowls over Big Ten foes since 2000. Buckeyes won only Rose Bowl meeting with Ducks, dumping UO, 10-7, in 1958.
SUGAR BOWL in New Orleans.
No. 5 FLORIDA (12-1) vs. No. 4 CINCINNATI (12-0), 8:30, Fox .
PAYOUT: Each school receives $17 million.
FAVORITE: Florida by 12-1/2.
COACHES: Jeff Quinn (interim Cincinnati coach) and Urban Meyer (56-10 in fifth year at Florida).
BOWL RECORD: Florida is 17-19. Cincinnati is 5-5.
LAST GAME: Florida lost to Alabama, 32-13, in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5. Cincinnati won at Pitt, 45-44, on Dec. 5.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Florida won, 48-17, in 1984.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Gators are 4-1 in BCS bowls, including 2-0 mark under Meyer with national title-clinching wins over No. 1 Ohio State in 2006, No. 2 Oklahoma last year.
GAME FACTS: Never has a big BCS bowl been played under such coaching chaos. It was bad enough when Brian Kelly bolted Bearcats for prestige and riches of Notre Dame, only to weakly defend the move later by saying he wouldn't have done it if UC was playing for national title. Then off. coordinator Quinn, miffed that Central Michigan's Butch Jones was tabbed to replace Kelly, accepted job at Buffalo, but will coach here. Then came bombshell over weekend that Meyer was resigning amid health concerns, only to backtrack a day later saying he will take indefinite leave of absence following Sugar Bowl. But Meyer also says he "believes in his gut'' that he will be coaching UF come September, though off. coordinator Steve Addazio will have head coach title following game. Got all that? It's too bad because it overshadows what could be fine game. Led by QB Tony Pike (led Big East, 9th in nation in QB rating, 184-of-293, 2,350 passing, 26 TDs, 6 ints.), WR Mardy Ginyard (second in nation with 2,442 all-purpose yards, led Big East with 1,150 yards receiving, 80 catches, 15 TDs scored included TD catch, TD run, kickoff and punt returns for TDs), Bearcats terrific offense (6th in nation in both total offense, 464.2 ypg,, and scoring, 39.8 ppg) takes its shot against phenomenal Gators defense (third in nation in scoring, 11.5 ppg, 13 TDs allowed in 13 games), the likes of which UC has not seen this year. And did we mention this is the final college go-around for sainted Gators QB Tim Tebow (highest QB rating in SEC history, SEC record 141 TDs accounted for, 85 passes, 56 runs)? Gators have other issues as well with superb return man Brandon James (foot) out while def. coordinator Charlie Strong says farewell after game to take head coach job at Louisville.
JANUARY 2
INTERNATIONAL BOWL in Toronto.
SOUTH FLORIDA (7-5) vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS (7-5), Noon, ESPN2.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
FAVORITE: South Florida by 7.
COACHES: Jim Leavitt (94-57 in 13th year at South Florida) and Jerry Kill (13-12 in second year at Northern Illinois).
BOWL RECORD: Both schools are 2-2.
LAST GAME: South Florida lost at Connecticut, 29-27, on Dec. 5. Northern Illinois lost at Central Michigan, 45-31, on Nov. 27.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: South Florida won, 37-6, in 2002.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Huskies were second in MAC, 16th in nation in turnover ratio (22 gained, 14 lost) while Bulls were fourth in Big East 66th in nation (21 gained, 22 lost).
GAME FACTS: Both schools stagger into bottom-of-the-barrel postseason game. Bulls have at worse as 1-3 finish was bad enough but then Leavitt, who has guided USF to its only four bowls in school history, is reportedly under investigation by school officials for allegedly grabbing walk-on Joel Miller by the facemask and striking him twice in the face at halftime of Nov. 21 win over Louisville. Taking over early in season when senior QB Matt Grothe went down with knee injury, freshman B.J. Daniels (2,564 total offense, 12 TD passes, 9 ints, 7 TD runs) has showed plenty of promise. Playing in consecutive bowl games for first time ever, Huskies saw MAC title hopes vanish with final two losses at Ohio and Central Michigan as defense (led MAC in total defense, 324 ypg) collapsed yielding 83 points. Junior DE Jake Coffman has been force off edge all year with 7-1/2 sacks, 12-1/2 tackles for loss. Offense still packs plenty of punch (second in MAC in scoring, 30.7 ppg) led by RB Chad Spann (945 rushing, led MAC, 6th in nation with 20 TDs), QB Chandler Harnisch (second in MAC in QB rating, 131-of-198, 1,540 passing, 11 TDs, 5 ints.).
PAPAJOHN'S.COM BOWL in Birmingham, Ala.
CONNECTICUT (7-5) vs. SOUTH CAROLINA (7-5), 2, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $300,000.
FAVORITE: South Carolina by 4-1/2.
COACHES: Randy Edsall (65-65 in 11th year at UConn) and Steve Spurrier (35-27 in fifth year at South Carolina).
BOWL RECORD: UConn is 2-1. South Carolina is 4-10.
LAST GAME: UConn beat South Florida, 29-27, on Dec. 5. South Carolina beat Clemson, 34-17, on Nov. 28.
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Gamecocks were 4-1 in games decided by 6 points or less while Huskies were 2-5.
GAME FACTS: Not enough good can be said of how Edsall held team together after CB Jasper Howard was stabbed to death on Oct. 18 as UConn somehow shook off losses at West Virginia, Rutgers, at Cincinnati (by combined total of 10 points) to beat Notre Dame, Syracuse and South Florida (while averaging 39 ppg) to get here. RBs Jordan Toddman (1,152 rushing, 14 TDs), Andre Dixon (967 rushing, 13 TDs) are punishing 1-2 punch while QB Zach Frazer (85-of-154, 1,143 passing, 7 TDs, 5 ints. in last five games) has looked good since returning to starting lineup at midseason. LB Lawrence Wilson was fourth in nation with 136 tackles. Gamecocks have been all over place with quality wins over Clemson, Ole Miss vs. no-shows in road losses at Alabama Tennessee, Arkansas by combined 84-35. A lot of that falls on up-and-down sophomore QB Stephen Garcia (12 TD passes, 3 ints. in USC's seven wins, 5 TD passes, 6 ints. in five losses). Freshman WR Alshon Jeffrey (43 catches, 7 TDs) is future star while DE Eric Norwood (29 career sacks) might just wind up a big-time NFL talent. Bad as ground game sounds (last in SEC, 91st in nation in rushing, 125 ypg), it's actually up 31 yards a game from last season.
COTTON BOWL in Arlington, Texas.
No. 21 OKLAHOMA STATE (9-3) vs. OLE MISS (8-4), 2, Fox.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $3 million.
FAVORITE: Ole Miss by 2-1/2.
COACHES: Mike Gundy (36-26 in fifth year at Oklahoma State) and Houston Nutt (17-7 in second year at Ole Miss).
BOWL RECORD: Oklahoma State is 12-7. Ole Miss is 20-12.
LAST GAME: Oklahoma State lost at Oklahoma, 27-0, on Nov. 28. Ole Miss lost at Mississippi State, 41-27, on Nov. 28.
SERIES HISTORY: Ole Miss leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Ole Miss won, 31-28, in the 2004 Cotton Bowl.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Gundy, Cowboys are 22-0 when holding opponents to 20 points or less and 14-26 when OSU doesn't.
GAME FACTS: After 70 years at downtown Dallas stadium with same name, game moves to $1 billion Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Win gives Cowboys first 10-win season since Barry Sanders and Co. in 1988. Close to healthy after battling shoulder and concussion problems late in season, senior QB Zac Robinson (career OSU leader with 8,199 yards passing, 66 TDs) would love to atone for miserable showing vs. Oklahoma (9-of-21, career-low 44 passing, int., benched in final quarter). RB Keith Toston has averaged 110 yards rushing per game with 11 of his 12 TDs in OSU's 9 wins and 61 yards with 1 TD in three losses. Defense (fourth in Big 12 in total defense, 329.9 ypg, 76 fewer than last year) has improved under new coordinator Bill Young. After impressive wins over Tennessee, LSU, Rebels laid egg in Egg Bowl loss to Miss. State (gave up 317 rushing, 3 turnovers). In last three games since shifting back to RB from WR, multi-talented Dexter McCluster has rushed for 512 yards and 4 TDs, caught 11 passes for 121 yards with a TD and thrown 27-yard TD pass. Turnovers have hurt Rebels (11th in SEC, 105th in nation in turnover ratio, 17 forced, 26 given up) with QB Jevan Snead (20 TD passes, 17 ints. compared to 26 TD passes, 13 ints. last year) at the middle of it. Ole Miss is 4-1 in bowls since 1999 including 47-34 win over No. 8 Texas Tech in last year's Cotton Bowl.
LIBERTY BOWL in Memphis, Tenn.
ARKANSAS (7-5) vs. EAST CAROLINA (9-4), 5:30, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.35 million.
FAVORITE: Arkansas by 8.
COACHES: Bobby Petrino (12-12 in second year at Arkansas) and Skip Holtz (38-26 in fifth year at East Carolina).
BOWL RECORD: Arkansas is 11-22-3. East Carolina is 5-5.
LAST GAME: Arkansas lost at LSU, 33-30 in OT, on Nov. 28. East Carolina beat Houston, 38-32, in Conference USA Championship Game on Dec. 5.
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1987, Razorbacks are 2-12 in bowl games, the worst mark in the nation over that stretch.
GAME FACTS: Getting 'Hogs first bowl win since 2003 would put be sizable achievement in Petrino's second year, which saw UA earn its way here with 4-1 finish. In his third year in college after transferring from Michigan, talented sophomore QB Ryan Mallet (210-of-367, 3,422 passing, 29 TDs, 7 ints.) led SEC, 6th in nation in QB rating) is pondering jumping early to NFL. With only three senior starters, defense (last in SEC, 90th in nation in total defense, 401.8 ypg, 173 points given up in five losses) has its share of issues. Son of ESPN analyst and longtime coach Lou, Skip Holtz is first coach to ever take ECU to four consecutive bowls. Pirates have struggled vs. SEC foes with 5-20 all-time mark including 25-19 loss to Kentucky in last year's Liberty Bowl. That alone is plenty of motivation. QB Patrick Pinkney is in quite a groove (134-of-214, 1,605 passing, 10 TDs, 4 ints., in last seven games including 129 passes without int.) while RB Dominique Lindsay (1,029 rushing, 6 TDs) adds balance on ground. Heroes of big win over Houston included DE C.J. Wilson with 3 sacks, S Van Eskridge with two fourth-quarter ints. K Ben Hartman (19-of-25 on FGs, 11th in nation) gives ECU edge in close game compared to UA's Alex Tejada, whose miss from 36 yards in OT ended LSU game.
ALAMO BOWL in San Antonio
TEXAS TECH (8-4) vs. MICHIGAN STATE (6-6), 9, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.25 million.
FAVORITE: Texas Tech by 7.
COACHES: Ruffin McNeill (interim Texas Tech coach) and Mark Dantonio (22-16 in third year at Michigan State).
BOWL RECORD: Texas Tech is 10-21-1 Michigan State is 7-12.
LAST GAME: Texas Tech won at Baylor, 20-13, on Nov. 28. Michigan State lost at home to Penn State, 42-14, on Nov. 21.
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Red Raiders were second in nation in passing (380.7 yards per game, 35 TD passes, 16 ints.) while Spartans were 103rd in pass defense (251.6 ypg, 29 TD passes given up vs. only 5 ints.).
GAME FACTS: There's no way to really know what's going to happen here. McNeill takes over for Mike Leach, who was fired Wednesday amid allegations he ordered to put WR Matt James (son of former SMU star and ESPN analyst Craig James) into a closet during practices while sophomore recovered from a concussion. So it's uncertain exactly who will be calling plays (Leach had done that) for junior QB Taylor Potts (3,068 passing, 20 TDs, 12 ints.), or maybe backup Steven Sheffield. Both Potts and Sheffield had a 7-TD pass game this season. In his first year as starter, senior DE Brandon Sharpe quickly made impact with 15 sacks (second in nation). Spartans woes go beyond 2-3 finish capped by Penn State debacle. Dantonio suspended 11 players, including starting CB Chris L. Rucker, WRs B.J. Cunningham, Mark Dell (combined 74 catches) and dismissed two others after their part in ugly Nov. 22 dormitory fight. Therefore, QB Kirk Cousins (second in Big Ten in QB rating, 185-of-301, 2,460 passing, 18 TDs, 7 ints.) must play mistake-free, patient game and sub-par running game (78th in nation in rushing, 135.9 ypg) must get going to shorten game. K Brett Swenson (18-of-20 on FGs, 4-of-4 including pair of 52-yarders in 40-37 win at Purdue Nov. 14) is one of nation's best.
JANUARY 4
FIESTA BOWL in Glendale, Ariz.
No. 6 BOISE STATE (13-0) vs. No. 3 TCU (12-0), 8, Fox.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $17 million.
FAVORITE: TCU by 7.
COACHES: Chris Petersen (48-4 in fourth year at Boise State) and Gary Patterson (85-27 in 9th year at TCU).
BOWL RECORD: Boise State is 5-4. TCU is 11-13-1.
LAST GAME: Boise State beat New Mexico State, 42-7, on Dec. 5. TCU beat New Mexico, 51-10, on Nov. 28.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: TCU won, 17-16, in last year's Poinsettia Bowl.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Fourth in nation in scoring (40.7 points per game) and sixth in scoring defense (12.4 ppg), Horned Frogs were only team in nation in top six of both categories.
GAME FACTS: With rematch of last year, some are calling matchup of non-BCS upstarts the "Separate But Equal'' Bowl. Whatever, it will be compelling game. With stellar sophomore QB Kellen Moore (led nation in QB rating, 254-of-392, 3,325 passing, school-record 39 TDs vs. only 3 ints.) leading the way, Broncos led nation in scoring at 44.1 ppg, though schedule ranked 73rd toughest in nation was also factor. BSU fell 28 points short of that vs. Frogs last year, mostly because physical TCU defense held BSU to 250 total yards (only 28 rushing), forcing Moore (22-of-35, 222 passing, int., only game of his career where he didn't throw TD pass) to take shorter throws underneath. Defense (13th in nation in total defense, 299.6 ypg) also has plenty of talent including DE Ryan Winterswyk (8-1/2 sacks), S Jerron Johnson (4 ints.), but did wear down a bit toward end giving up 114 points in four games before season-ending rout of awful New Mex. St.. In search of first unbeaten season since 1938, Frogs (fifth in nation in rushing, 256.5 ypg) showed amazing balance with four RBs all gaining at least 522 yards led by senior Joseph Turner's 732 yards, 11 TDs while junior QB Andy Dalton (62.4 pct. completions, 22 TD passes, 5 ints. compared to 59.3 pct. completions, 11 TD passes, 5 ints. last year) matured into stardom. He did throw 2 ints. vs. Broncos last year, and that is a concern. Senior DE Jerry Hughes (11-1/2 sacks, 7th in nation, Mountain West defensive player of year) will be first-round NFL pick come April, but has plenty of help in senior LB Daryl Washington (99 tackles, 3 ints.), S Tejay Johnson (3 ints.). Speedy WR Jeremy Kerley (1,461 all-purpose yards) led MWC in punt returns (14.3 ypr, 2 TDs).
JANUARY 5
ORANGE BOWL in Miami.
No. 9 GEORGIA TECH (11-2) vs. No. 10 IOWA (10-2), 8, Fox.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $17 million.
FAVORITE: Ga. Tech by 4.
COACHES: Paul Johnson (20-6 in second year at Ga. Tech) and Kirk Ferentz (80-55 in 11th year at Iowa).
BOWL RECORD: Ga. Tech is 22-15. Iowa is 12-10-1..
LAST GAME: Ga. Tech beat Clemson, 39-34, in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 5. Iowa beat Minnesota, 12-0, on Nov. 21.
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Yellow Jackets were second in nation in rushing (307.1 yards per game) while Hawkeyes were 33rd in nation against the run (122 ypg).
GAME FACTS: Aiming for first 12-win season in school history, Jackets will rely on winning formula of junior QB Josh Nesbitt (2,680 total offense, 18 TD runs, 10 TD passes, 4 ints. in 153 passes), RB Jonathan Dwyer (third in ACC with 1,346 rushing, 14 TDs) making option attack go while DE Derrick Morgan (led ACC, 6th in nation with 12-1/2 sacks), S Morgan Bennett (4 ints.) anchor bend-but-don't-break defense (54th in nation in total defense, 357 ypg, gave up 64 points in final two games). Big benefit of Johnson's option is that it keeps his defense fresh through domination of time of possession (Tech led nation at 34:18 per game). Having gotten here by reportedly guaranteeing 30,000 tickets to be sold, Hawkeyes' chances may come down to play of QB Ricky Stanzi, who returns after missing final two games with severely sprained ankle in Nov. 7 loss to Northwestern. Even missing those games, Stanzi still led the Big Ten with 14 ints. A 7-week layoff can't help UI much, either. Seven of WR Marvin McNutt's 30 catches have gone for TDs as the senior is best weapon on sputtering offense, which scored only four TDs in last three games. Led by S Tyler Sash (6 ints.), DE Adrian Clayton, LB Pat Angerer (fifth in nation with 135 tackles), defense forced 29 turnovers (second in Big Ten, 9th in nation). At least Hawkeyes know what it takes to win close games (4-1 in games decided by 3 points or less).
JANUARY 6
GMAC BOWL in Mobile, Ala.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN (11-2) vs. TROY (9-3), 7, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
FAVORITE: Central Michigan by 4.
COACHES: Steve Stripling (interim Central Michigan coach) and Larry Blakeney (153-76-1 in 19th year at Troy).
BOWL RECORD: Central Michigan is 1-4. Troy is 1-2.
LAST GAME: Central Michigan beat Ohio, 20-10, in MAC Championship Game on Dec. 4. Troy won at Louisiana-Lafayette, 48-31, on Nov. 28
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Chippewas were 16th in nation in scoring (33.2 points per game) while Trojans were next at 33.1 ppg.
GAME FACTS: Defensive assistant Stripling takes over after Butch Jones followed Brian Kelly's lead and left for Cincinnati. Fine QB matchup spices up otherwise drab game. Chips' senior Dan LeFevour (led MAC, 10th in nation in QB rating, 285-of-401, 3,043 passing, 27 TDs, 6 ints.) has career stats (148 career TDs accounted for, most in D-I history including 101 TD passes, 46 TD runs, TD catch) that exceed even Florida's Tim Tebow (second with 141 career TDs). WRs Antonio Brown (97 catches, 9 TDs), Bryan Anderson (57 catches, 6 TDs) certainly did their part to help CMU win MAC for third time in last four years. Playing in consecutive bowls for first time ever, Trojans counter with underrated senior QB Levi Brown (school-record 3,868 yards passing, 22 TDs, 9 ints.). Other standouts include WR Jerrel Jernigan (62 catches, 1,914 all-purpose yards), aptly named LB Bear Woods (77 tackles, 8 for loss), DE Brandon Lang (7-1/2 sacks). But how leaky secondary (117th in nation vs. pass, 277.7 ypg, 28 TD passes given up, 9 ints.) holds up vs. LeFevour is anybody's guess.
JANUARY 7
BCS NATIONAL TITLE GAME in Pasadena, Calif.
No. 1 ALABAMA (13-0) vs. No. 2 TEXAS (13-0), 7, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $17 million.
FAVORITE: Alabama by 6.
COACHES: Nick Saban (32-8 in third year at Alabama) and Mack Brown (128-16 in 12th year at Texas).
BOWL RECORD: Alabama is 31-22-3. Texas is 25-21-2 .
LAST GAME: Alabama beat Florida, 32-13, in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5. Texas beat Nebraska, 13-12, in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 5.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 7-0-1.
LAST MEETING: Texas won, 14-12, in the 1982 Cotton Bowl.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Crimson Tide led the nation in scoring defense (11 points per game) and were second in total defense (241.7 yards per game) while Longhorns led nation vs. the run (62.1 ypg) and were third in total defense (251.1 ypg).
GAME FACTS: Pair of hellacious defenses point to low-scoring game. Underdog is 4-3 in BCS title games since 2003. In search of 'Bama's first national title since 1992, Saban could also become first coach to win national title at two different schools (LSU in 2003). Tide is rising at right time based on domination of Florida (out-gained Gators 490 total yards to 235, held UF to 13 first downs) as sophomore RB Mark Ingram likely won Heisman with his performance (113 rushing, 3 TD runs, 2 catches for 76 yards) and senior QB Greg McElroy made all of his 12 completions count (for 239 yards, TD). Defense has playmakers all over field including LB Rolando McClain (101 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 ints.), S Javier Arenas (65 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 ints., fourth in nation in punt returns, 16.3 ypr, TD), S Mark Barron (led SEC with 7 ints.), 365-pound DT Terrence Cody (6 tackles for loss, 2 blocked FGs). K Leigh Tiffin's 29 FGs (vs. only four misses) led nation. Aiming for second national title since 2005, Brown has to get better effort from his offense than poor performance against Nebraska (202 total yards, season-low 13 points, 27 lower than average of 40, third in nation) that saw senior QB Colt McCoy battered through 9 sacks. If given time, McCoy (61 TD passes, 20 ints., 14 TD runs over last two seasons) can make throws to beat tough Tide secondary (7th in nation vs. pass, 163.8 ypg, 9 TD passes given up, 20 ints.), particularly in man-coverage situations with WR Jordan Shipley (fifth in nation with 106 catches, 11 TDs). Sophomore S Earl Thomas was second in nation with 8 ints. as pressure up front (7th in nation with 39 sacks) often led to turnovers (35 forced, second in nation). Senior K Hunter Lawrence (fifth in nation with 22 FGs) delivered clutch kick of his life nailing 46-yarder on final play to beat Nebraska.
(E-mail John Lindsay at lindsayj(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
