College football bowl capsules

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Capsule previews for the 15 college football bowl games between Christmas and New Year's Day. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.WEDNESDAY:MOTOR CITY BOWL in Detroit.CENTRAL MICHIGAN (8-5) vs. PURDUE (7-5), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.FAVORITE: Purdue by 9.COACHES: Butch Jones (8-5 in first year at Central Mich.) and Joe Tiller (82-54 in 11th year at Purdue).BOWL RECORD: Central Michigan is 1-2. Purdue is 7-7.LAST GAME: Central Michigan beat Miami of Ohio, 35-10, in the MAC Championship Game Dec. 1. Purdue lost at Indiana, 27-24, on Nov. 17.SERIES HISTORY: Purdue leads, 3-0.LAST MEETING: Purdue won, 45-22, on Sept. 15.STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning all three games over Chippewas since 1999, Boilermakers have outscored CMU by combined score of 151-38.GAME FACTS: Losers of six of last seven bowls, Boilermakers should be in position to snap out of it vs. CMU, who they dominated in West Lafayette in September, piling up 583 total yards for game as Purdue raced to 38-0 lead. QB Curtis Painter led assault going 29-of-39 for 360 yards with 3 TDs while RB Kory Sheets added 144 on ground with 2 TDs. Only five Purdue turnovers kept the game as close it was. But that Purdue bears little resemblance to Boilermakers squad that backed into this game with three-game season-ending losing streak. With 170 yards rushing in MAC title win, CMU QB Dan LeFevour (led MAC, fifth in nation with 4,368 yards total offense, 23 TD passes, 17 TD runs) joined former Texas star Vince Young as only QBs in D-I history with 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing in same season. WR Bryan Anderson set school-record with 83 catches on season. Defense (107th in nation in scoring, 35.8 ppg) hasn't been much but did show improvement in final two games (allowed only 314 yards per game, 136 fewer than season average which was 106th in nation).THURSDAY:HOLIDAY BOWL in San Diego.No. 12 ARIZONA STATE (10-2) vs. No. 17 TEXAS (9-3), 8, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.25 million.FAVORITE: Texas by 2-1/2.COACHES: Dennis Erickson (10-2 in first year at Arizona) and Mack Brown (102-25 in 10th year at Texas).BOWL RECORD: Arizona State is 12-10-1. Texas is 23-21-2.LAST GAME: Arizona State beat Arizona, 20-17, on Dec. 1. Texas lost at Texas A&M, 38-30, on Nov. 23.SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2001, Longhorns are 5-1 in bowls while averaging 34 points per game.GAME FACTS: This one figures to come down to whether Sun Devils can protect talented QB Rudy Carpenter, who ranked second in Pac-10 in QB rating (228-of-362, 3,015 passing, 23 TDs, 8 ints.) despite being sacked 51 times (third most in nation). It helps that Longhorns' pass rush (24 sacks, 60th in nation) isn't exactly ferocious. Erickson, defensive coordinator Craig Bray have helped ASU defense (second in Pac-10 vs. run, 100.9 ypg, 25 turnovers forced) become more physical, which showed in fourth quarter (gave up only 12 points all year in final period). Freshman K Thomas Weber (tied Pac-10 record with 22 FGs, only one miss) has been phenomenal. Defense has given up 81 points in splitting last two bowl games. Longhorns defense (10th in Big 12, 109th in nation vs. pass, 275.5 ypg, 21 TDs given up, 10 ints., 116 points given up in last three games) has had similar problems so Brown and his staff actually did good job just to get UT to school-record 10th consecutive bowl. RB Jamaal Charles (led Big 12 with 1,458 rushing, 6.3 per carry, 16 TDs), QB Colt McCoy (only fourth Longhorn to throw for 3,000 yards in a season) keyed several comeback wins. DT Frank Okam (5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss) will take aim at Carpenter. McCoy's 18 ints. vs. 21 TD passes is symbolic of 'Horns' inconsistency this year.FRIDAY:CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL in Orlando, Fla.No. 14 BOSTON COLLEGE (10-3) vs. MICHIGAN STATE (7-5), 5, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.12 million.FAVORITE: BC by 4.COACHES: Jeff Jagodzinski (10-3 in first year at BC) and Mark Dantonio (7-5 in first year at Mich. State).BOWL RECORD: BC is 12-6. Michigan State is 7-10.LAST GAME: BC lost to No. 6 Va. Tech, 30-16, on Dec. 1. Michigan State beat Penn State, 35-31, on Nov. 17.SERIES HISTORY: BC leads, 3-1-1.LAST MEETING: Michigan State won, 25-21, in 1995.STAT THAT MATTERS: Eagles' seven consecutive bowl wins is longest streak in nation.GAME FACTS: Eagles put impressive bowl streak on line in first ever postseason matchup with Big Ten. ACC player of year QB Matt Ryan broke Doug Flutie's school record with 28 TD passes, but did fade a bit down the stretch (9 TD passes vs. 10 ints. in final five games, three of them losses). Versatile RB Andre Callender (956 rushing, 9 TDs, team-leading 72 catches, 6 TD catches) saved best for his senior year. Tough defense (led nation vs. run, 68.1 ypg) should get LBs Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Tyronne Pruitt, both bothered by ankle problems, back but CB DeJuan Tribble (knee) remains questionable. A dismal 4-8 last year, getting to MSU's first bowl since 2003 is fine accomplishment for Dantonio, who came to East Lansing after successful stint at Cincinnati. QB Brian Hoyer (2,594 passing, 18 TDs, 7 ints.) has been better than expected while two-headed RB combo of Javon Ringer (third in Big Ten with 1,394 rushing), Jehuu Caulcrick (led Big Ten, 6th in nation with 21 TDs) is one of nation's best. Junior WR Devin Thomas' breakout season (75 catches, 69 more than last year) might land him in NFL draft where senior pass rusher DE Jonal Saint-Dic (fourth in Big Ten with 10 sacks) is sure to be.EMERALD BOWL in San Francisco.MARYLAND (6-6) vs. OREGON STATE (8-4), 8, ESPN.PAYOUT: Maryland gets $750,000. Oregon State gets $825,000.FAVORITE: Oregon State by 4.COACHES: Ralph Friedgen (56-30 in 7th year at Maryland) and Mike Riley (46-38 in 7th year at Oregon State).BOWL RECORD: Maryland is 9-10-2. Oregon State is 6-4.LAST GAME: Maryland won at N.C. State, 37-0, on Nov. 24. Oregon State won at Oregon, 38-31 in double overtime, on Dec. 1.SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.STAT THAT MATTERS: Beavers led Pac-10, were third in nation with 42 sacks while Terrapins were 10th in ACC, 107th in nation allowing 38 sacks.GAME FACTS: Since 2002, both schools are perfect 3-0 in bowls. Terps got off deck to win two of final three to get here, including rousing 42-35 upset of then 8th-ranked Boston College Nov. 10. After starting season as third-stringer, sophomore QB Chris Turner wound up starting final seven games and improved down stretch (56-of-83, 785 passing, 4 TDs, 1 int. in last three games). RB Keon Lattimore (789 rushing, led ACC with 13 TDs) is stepbrother of Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis. LB Erin Henderson led ACC with 133 tackles. He'll try to contain talented Beavers RB Yvenson Bernard (1,037 rushing, 12 TDs) who should be okay after battling knee problem late in season. After guiding OSU to wins in all three of his starts, sophomore QB Lyle Moevao will start, even though former starter Sean Canfield's shoulder is now better. With school-record 380 career points, K Alexis Serna (17-of-20 on FGs in '07) needs 11 points to pass former UCLA K John Lee as all-time leading scorer in Pac-10 history. LB Derrick Doggett (85 tackles, 13 for loss, 4 ints., 2 sacks) anchors pressure defense that figures to give patchwork UM offensive line problems.TEXAS BOWL in Houston.TCU (7-5) vs. HOUSTON (8-4), 8, NFL Network.PAYOUT: TCU gets $750,000. Houston gets $500,000.FAVORITE: TCU by 3-1/2.COACHES: Gary Patterson (61-26 in 7th year at TCU) and Chris Thurmond (interim Houston coach).BOWL RECORD: TCU is 9-13-1. Houston is 7-9-1.LAST GAME: TCU won at San Diego State, 45-33, on Nov. 24. Houston beat Texas-Southern, 58-6, on Nov. 24.SERIES HISTORY: Houston leads, 13-11.LAST MEETING: TCU won, 34-27, in 2004.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2005, Horned Frogs are 24-0 when scoring 23 points or more and 4-8 when they don't.GAME FACTS: Rivals from former Southwest Conference and Conference USA get together again. Frogs used 3-1 finish to earn ninth bowl trip in last 10 years -- no small feat considering TCU made only three bowl trips from 1960-97. After frustrating Patterson with inconsistency, freshman QB Andy Dalton (792 total offense, 3 TD passes, 3 TD runs, 2 ints. in last four games) may continue to split time with sophomore Marcus Jackson. Sophomore RB Joseph Turner nearly doubled his season output with 226 yards, 4 TDs in win at San Diego State, part of TCU's season-high 694 total yards. Return of safeties David Roach (shoulder), Brian Bonner (hip) should help sound defense (16th in nation in total defense, 320 ypg). With Art Briles taking off for Baylor and his replacement, Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin coaching in Fiesta Bowl, responsibility here falls on Thurmond, UH's CB coach and recruiting coordinator last two seasons. Cougars rebounded from 2-3 start with 6-1 finish to get here. Freshman QB Case Keenum (63-of-83, 764 passing, 5 TDs, 2 ints., 2 TD runs in last four games) benefited from Briles' fast-pace, no-huddle system (fourth in nation in total offense, 513.2 ypg) that showcased WR Donnie Avery (81 catches, 16.5 ypc, 7 TDs), RB Anthony Aldridge (7th in nation with 1,568 rushing, 19 TDs), who also had 41 catches. Defense played decently in wins but didn't show up in four losses, giving up 171 points.SATURDAY:MEINEKE BOWL in Charlotte, N.C.CONNECTICUT (9-3) vs. WAKE FOREST (8-4),1, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.FAVORITE: Wake Forest by 3.COACHES: Randy Edsall (46-47 in 9th year at UConn) and Jim Grobe (45-39 in 7th year at Wake).BOWL RECORD: UConn is 1-0. Wake is 4-3.LAST GAME: UConn lost at No. 3 West Virginia, 66-21, on Nov. 24. Wake won at Vanderbilt, 31-17, on Nov. 24.SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.LAST MEETING: Wake won, 24-13, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2005, Huskies are 2-11 on road while Demon Deacons are 11-8 away from home over that same span.GAME FACTS: Less-than-flashy Huskies managed to share of Big East title by taking care of ball (7th in nation in turnover ratio, 27 forced including 22 ints., 14 given up), though manageable schedule (61st toughest in nation) also helped turnaround from 4-8 mark last year. QB Tyler Lorenzen (2,269 passing, 13 TDs, only 5 ints. in 311 passes) does good job managing game, leading team. Senior G Donald Thomas, a former walk-on, symbolizes UConn's overachieving spirit and will play in all-star Hula Bowl in January. Bigger schools would love to have Grobe, who continues to win above the talent level, but he turned down Nebraska and Arkansas to stay in Winston-Salem after guiding Wake to consecutive bowl appearances for first time in program's 105 years. Core of team remains young with sophomore QB Riley Skinner (1,936 passing, 11 TDs, 12 ints., 71.9 pct. completions), freshman RB Josh Adams (887 rushing, 10 TDs), though senior WR Kenneth Moore (led ACC with 87 catches) will be missed. Junior CB Alphonzo Smith tied for tops in nation with 8 ints, 3 returned for TDs, which was also amazingly done by junior LB Aaron Curry, who took three of his four picks back to the house.LIBERTY BOWL in Memphis, Tenn.MISSISSIPPI STATE (7-5) vs. CENTRAL FLORIDA (10-3), 4:30, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.75 million.FAVORITE: Central Florida by 3.COACHES: Sylvester Croom (16-30 in fourth year at Miss. State) and George O'Leary (22-27 in fourth year at UCF).BOWL RECORD: Miss State is 6-6. UCF is 0-1.LAST GAME: Miss. State beat Ole Miss, 17-14, on Nov. 23. UCF beat Tulsa, 44-25, in the Conference USA Championship Game Dec. 1.SERIES HISTORY: Miss State leads, 1-0.LAST MEETING: Miss State won, 35-28, in 1997.STAT THAT MATTERS: Knights led C-USA, were ninth in nation in rushing (242.7 yards per game) while Bulldogs were 8th in SEC, 65th in nation against run (159 ypg).GAME FACTS: Interesting matchup of teams that went combined 7-17 last year. Bulldogs' disappointing 3-9 mark last year had many wondering about Croom's future in Starkville, especially after MSU was drubbed, 45-0, by LSU in opener Aug. 30. But team responded with 7-4 finish including road upsets of ranked foes Auburn and Kentucky that netted first bowl trip since 2000. DE Titus Brown (fourth in SEC with 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles), LB Jamar Chaney (81 tackles) lead physical defense that must slow down gifted Knights RB Kevin Smith (led nation with 2,448 rushing and 30 TDs, seven more than anyone else), who needs 181 yards to break Barry Sanders' all-time D-I rushing record set in 1988. UCF defense (65th in nation in scoring, 27.8 ppg) could have problems with Bulldogs RB Anthony Dixon (980 rushing, 15 TDs), but Knights' blitz packages (led C-USA with 38 sacks) could wreck havoc on MSU freshman QB Wesley Carroll (51-of-100, 651 passing, 5 TDs, 6 ints. in last three games). UCF has been feast-or-famine under O'Leary going 0-11, 8-4, 4-8 prior to this year's 10 wins, most since Knights moved to D-I in 1996.ALAMO BOWL in San Antonio, Texas.PENN STATE (8-4) vs. TEXAS A&M (7-5), 8, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.22 million.FAVORITE: Penn State by 5-1/2.COACHES: Joe Paterno (369-125-3 in 42nd year at Penn State) and Gary Darnell (interim Texas A&M coach).BOWL RECORD: Penn State is 25-12-2. Texas A&M is 9-20-1.LAST GAME: Penn State lost at Michigan State, 35-31, on Nov. 17. Texas A&M beat No. 13 Texas, 38-30, on Nov. 23.SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads, 2-1.LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 24-0, in the 1999 Alamo Bowl.STAT THAT MATTERS: Nittany Lions' 22-10-1 bowl mark under Paterno is best in nation while Aggies are 1-6 in bowls since 1999.GAME FACTS: Lions look to win bowls in three straight seasons for first time since winning four straight from 1993-96, and help Paterno draw closer to Florida State's Bobby Bowden, who JoePa trails by two on all-time D-I wins list. Despite penchant for making mistakes, Anthony Morelli (2,508 passing, 18 TDs, 9 ints.) is first PSU QB to throw for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons and played well in last year's 20-10 Outback Bowl win over Tennessee. Latest "Linebacker U'' star is senior Dan Connor (led Big Ten with 136 tackles, all-time Lions' leader with 410 career tackles). Aggies are in flux as Dennis Franchione accepted buyout after Texas win leaving defensive coordinator Darnell to coach this one before former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman takes over next year. A&M has struggled vs. quality competition (2-4 vs. teams with winning records), often falling hopelessly behind (outscored by combined 90-16 in first half of five losses). But that's hardly fault of QB Stephen McGee (3.005 total offense, 12 TD passes, 7 ints., 5 TD runs), RB Mike Goodson (72 yards rushing, 6 catches for 82 yards, 2 TDs vs. Texas). SUNDAY:INDEPENDENCE BOWL in Shreveport, La.ALABAMA (6-6) vs. COLORADO (6-6), 8, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.1 million.FAVORITE: Alabama by 3-1/2.COACHES: Nick Saban (6-6 in first year at Alabama) and Dan Hawkins (8-16 in second year at Colorado).BOWL RECORD: Alabama is 30-21-3. Colorado is 12-15.LAST GAME: Alabama lost at Auburn, 17-10, on Nov. 24. Colorado beat Nebraska, 65-51, on Nov. 23.SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.LAST MEETING: Alabama won, 30-25, in the 1991 Blockbuster Bowl.STAT THAT MATTERS: Combined the Crimson Tide and Buffaloes went 1-7 in November.GAME FACTS: Saban, college football's $32 million man thanks to huge guaranteed contract, limps in with team on four-game losing streak, albeit by combined 26 points. Maybe that's how UA got return nod here for final SEC bowl bid giving them NCAA record 55 postseason games. Since lighting up Tennessee for career-high 363 yards, 3 TDs in 41-17 victory Oct. 20 (Tide's last win), QB John Parker Wilson is 4 TD passes, 6 ints., 3 lost fumbles. WR DJ Hall already owns school records with 190 career catches for 2,865 yards and needs 1 TD catch to also tie that UA mark. Buffs rebounded from awful 2-10 season last year in Hawkins' debut in Boulder. His son, freshman QB Cody (40-of-69, 503 passing, 4 TDs, 2 TD runs in last two games) has been working hard on making better decisions (14 ints. in first eight games, one in last four games). RB Hugh Charles had 163 yards rushing, 3 TDs to lead amazing rout of Nebraska as CU rolled up 518 total yards. LB Jordan Dizon (second in nation with 148 tackles) was Big 12 defensive player of year. After giving up staggering 610 yards to Nebraska, defense should get boost from return of All-Big 12 CB Terrence Wheatley (broken bone in foot).NEW YEAR'S EVE:ARMED FORCES BOWL in Fort Worth, Texas.CALIFORNIA (6-6) vs. AIR FORCE (9-3), 12:30, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school gets $750,000.FAVORITE: Cal by 3-1/2.COACHES: Jeff Tedford (49-26 in 6th year at Cal) and Troy Calhoun (9-3 in first year at Air Force).BOWL RECORD: Both schools are 8-8-1.LAST GAME: Cal lost at Stanford, 20-13, on Dec. 1. Air Force beat San Diego State, 55-23, on Nov. 17.SERIES HISTORY: Cal leads, 5-2.LAST MEETING: Cal won, 56-14, in 2004.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since reaching No. 2 in nation after 5-0 start, Golden Bears are 1-6 while giving up 27 points per game.GAME FACTS: Tedford is at loss to explain his team's epic fall but clearly leadership was lacking. Erratic play of QB Nate Longshore (121-of-213, 1,409 passing, 10 TDs, 11 ints. in last six games) certainly hurt as well. Finally over thigh and thumb injuries, junior WR DeSean Jackson (60 catches, 5 TDs) is type of explosive, athletic player Falcons traditionally have had hard time containing. Air Force used 6-1 finish for best record since 1998. QB Shaun Carney (1,952 total offense, 8 TD passes, 5 ints. 5 TD runs) adapted well to Calhoun's no-huddle attack that featured a bit more passing than Fisher DeBerry's more traditional triple option. Chad Hall flourished at both WR and RB gaining 1,415 yards on ground with 14 TDs while also catching 46 passes and adding 601 yards on kick and punt returns. His 2,504 all-purpose yards were third in nation. LB John Rahbold led Mountain West with 16-1/2 tackles for loss, four recovered fumbles while CB Carson Bird's 6 ints (7th in nation) also topped MWC. SUN BOWL in El Paso, Texas.No. 23 SOUTH FLORIDA (9-3) vs. OREGON (8-4), 2, CBS.PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.9 million.FAVORITE: .South Florida by 7.COACHES: Jim Leavitt (79-46 in 11th year at South Florida) and Mike Bellotti (105-52 in 13th year at Oregon).BOWL RECORD: South Florida is 1-1. Oregon is 7-13.LAST GAME: South Florida won at Pittsburgh, 48-37, on Nov. 24. Oregon lost at home to Oregon State, 38-31 in double overtime, on Dec. 1.SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since QB Dennis Dixon suffered season-ending knee injury in first quarter at Arizona Nov. 15, then-second-ranked Ducks have been outscored 81-47 in three straight losses.GAME FACTS: In winning three straight to make third consecutive bowl game in only program's 7th year at D-I level, Bulls outscored Syracuse, Louisville, Pitt by combined 134-64 with QB Matt Grothe (741 total offense, 4 TD passes, 3 TD runs, 2 ints. in last three games) leading the way. But defense (third in nation with 107 tackles for loss, third in Big East in total defense, 326.7 ypg) should take center stage here led by DE George Selvie (second in nation with 14-1/2 sacks), CB Trae Williams (6 ints., 3 returned for TDs) -- especially with Ducks' sketchy QB situation. Bellotti brought in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to refine UO's spread attack, but injuries to Dixon, backup Brady Leaf have crippled attack (42.7 ppg in first 9 games, 18.3 ppg in last three games). Freshmen Cody Kempt, Justin Roper (13-of-25, 144 passing, 2 TDs, int., TD run vs. Oregon), who began season as fourth and fifth-string, will likely both see action. RB Jonathan Stewart (led Pac-10 with 1,469 rushing, 10 TDs) should be healthier after toe problem limited him. Defensive playmakers DE Nick Reed (led Pac-10 with 12 sacks), S Patrick Chung (110 tackles, 2 ints., 2 blocked kicks) need to force turnovers to give patchwork offense short field.HUMANITARIAN BOWL in Boise, Idaho.FRESNO STATE (8-4) vs. GEORGIA TECH (7-5), 2, ESPN2.PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.FAVORITE: Georgia Tech by 4.COACHES: Pat Hill (84-55 in 11th year at Boise State) and Jon Tenuta (interim Georgia Tech coach).BOWL RECORD: Fresno State is 9-7. Ga. Tech is 22-13.LAST GAME: Fresno State won at New Mexico State, 30-23, on Nov. 30. Ga. Tech lost at home to No. 5 Georgia, 31-17, on Nov. 24.SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State leads, 1-0.LAST MEETING: Fresno State won, 30-21, in the 2002 Silicon Valley Classic.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2005, Bulldogs are 1-13 when giving up 30 points or more.GAME FACTS: Hardly clash of titans as combined, these two went 2-9 vs. other bowl teams. After 4-8 finish last year (worst ever under Hill), FSU did rebound nicely, winning three of last four to earn eighth bowl trip of Hill's tenure. QB Tom Brandstater (2.369 passing, 14 TDs) took care of ball well (only 5 ints. in 307 passes). Time off should help RB Clifton Smith (hip), TE Bear Pascoe (ankle). CB A.J. Jefferson is real field position-weapon after leading nation in kickoff returns (35.7 ypr, 2 TDs). Defensive coordinator Tenuta takes over after Tech bounced Chan Gailey, only a year after giving him four-year extension. Mediocre 5-5 finish, which included seventh straight loss to rival Georgia was final straw with former Navy coach Paul Johnson set to take over next year. With Johnson favor triple option attack, look for elusive freshman backup QB Josh Nesbitt (224 rushing in last five games) to get some time over struggling junior Taylor Bennett (3 TD passes. 6 ints. in five losses), the more accomplished passer. Despite missing time with knee problem, RB Tashard Choice led ACC with 1,310 yards rushing. FSU could have problems moving ball vs. rugged Yellow Jackets defense (led nation with 48 sacks, second in ACC in total defense, 310.3 ypg).MUSIC CITY BOWL in Nashville, Tenn.FLORIDA STATE (7-5) vs. KENTUCKY (7-5), 4, ESPN.PAYOUT: Both schools receive $1.6 million.FAVORITE: Kentucky by 5.COACHES: Bobby Bowden (300-86-4 in 32nd year at FSU) and Rich Brooks (24-35 in fifth year at Kentucky).BOWL RECORD: FSU is 21-13-2. Kentucky is 6-5.LAST GAME: FSU lost at No. 12 Florida, 45-12, on Nov.24. Kentucky lost at home to No. 19 Tennessee, 52-50 in four overtimes, on Nov. 24.SERIES HISTORY: Kentucky leads, 3-1-1.LAST MEETING: Kentucky won, 26-24, in 1965.STAT THAT MATTERS: Seminoles are 19-8-1 in bowls under Bowden but just 2-3-1 vs. SEC foes.GAME FACTS: With up to 24 as-yet-unnamed players reportedly to be suspended for game (FSU's 26th consecutive bowl trip) for involvement in academic cheating scandal, Bowden has never faced challenge like this in his storied postseason history. "I think we'll be competitive," he said. "Where it hurts you is depth. You've got to stay healthy." Maybe defense (led ACC, 9th in nation with 97 tackles for loss) can force some turnovers as offense (averaged 20 ppg in going 4-4 vs. bowl teams) isn't great with everybody playing. After upsetting Clemson, 28-20, in this game last year, Wildcats want to win bowls in consecutive seasons for first time since Bear Bryant guided UK to Sugar and Cotton Bowl triumphs in 1950-51. QB Andre Woodson (second in SEC in QB rating, 295-of-468, 3,351 passing, tied school record with 36 TD passes, 10 ints.) almost led Wildcats back from 17-point second-half deficit vs. Tennessee winding up with 6 TDs and 430 yards passing. He'll probably be a first-round NFL pick come April. WRs Steve Johnson, Keenan Burton (combined 113 catches for 1,613 yards, 20 TDs) are Woodson's preferred targets. LB Wesley Woodyard led SEC with 123 tackles.CHICK-fil-A BOWL in Atlanta.No. 15 CLEMSON (9-3) vs. No. 21 AUBURN (8-4), 7:30, ESPN.PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.9 million.FAVORITE: Clemson by 2.COACHES: Tommy Bowden (69-41 in 9th year at Clemson) and Tommy Tuberville (79-33 in 9th year at Auburn).BOWL RECORD: Clemson is 15-14. Auburn is 18-13-2.LAST GAME: Clemson won at South Carolina, 23-21, on Nov. 24. Auburn beat Alabama, 17-10, on Nov. 24.SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads, 32-11-2.LAST MEETING: Auburn won, 21-17, in the 1998 Peach Bowl.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2002, Auburn is 4-1 in bowls while holding foes to 14.8 points per game.GAME FACTS: Battle of orange-clad Tigers figures to be close one. Two schools used to play regularly, squaring off 43 times from 1902-71 with the Peach Bowl 10 years ago the only meeting since. In his first extensive playing time, QB Cullen Harper was huge surprise to Clemson, setting school record with 27 TD passes vs. only 6 ints. (in ), often finding WR Aaron Kelly (second in ACC with 84 catches, school-record 11 TD grabs). "Thunder and Lightning'' RB duo of James Davis-C.J. Spiller (combined 1,648 rushing, 11 TDs) is one of nation's best. Auburn goes in without offensive coordinator Al Borges, who Tuberville fired earlier this month (the fourth Tigers OC let go by Tuberville) so offensive line coach Hugh Nall and tight ends coach Steve Ensminger will likely call plays by committee. Borges' attack (10th in SEC, 101st in nation in total offense, 327.8 ypg) had often struggled scoring less than 23 points in 7 of 11 games vs. D-I foes. With running game only sporadically effective, QB Brandon Cox's decision-making faltered late in season as he went 26-of-52 for 250 yards with 5 ints., 1 TD in last two games. Led by DEs Antonio Coleman (third in SEC with 17 tackles for loss), Quentin Groves, defense (led SEC, 6th in nation in scoring, 16.7 ppg) was rock solid. K Wes Bynum has already beaten Florida and Arkansas with FGs in the final seconds.INSIGHT BOWL in Tempe, Ariz.INDIANA (7-5) vs. OKLAHOMA STATE (6-6), 7:30, NFL Network.PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.25 million.FAVORITE: Oklahoma State by 4.COACHES: Bill Lynch (7-5 in first year at Indiana) and Mike Gundy (17-19 in third year at Okla. State).BOWL RECORD: Indiana is 3-5. Okla. State is 11-6.LAST GAME: Indiana beat Purdue, 27-24, on Nov. 17. Okla. State lost at No. 10 Oklahoma, 49-17, on Nov. 24.SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 0-0-1.LAST MEETING: A 7-7 tie in 1931.STAT THAT MATTERS: In six wins, Cowboys outscored foes by average score of 42-20. In six losses, OSU was outscored by average 38-23.GAME FACTS: In making first bowl appearance since 1993, Hoosiers fulfilled dying wish of former coach Terry Hoeppner, who passed away in June from brain tumor, but urged team to "Play 13'' (games) this season. Defensive coordinator Lynch took over as interim and earned four-year contract last month, when K Austin Starr's 48-yard FG with 30 seconds left beat Purdue to clinch winning season. Explosive duo of QB James Hardy (third in Big Ten with 2,839 total offense, 26 TD passes, 10 ints., 8 TD runs), 6-7 WR James Hardy (second in nation with 16 TD catches) is fun to watch. Despite starting season as backup, Cowboys sophomore QB Zac Robinson (20 TD passes, 8 ints., 7 TD runs) set school-record with 3,299 yards total offense. Gifted WR Adarius Bowman (61 catches, 7 TDs) hopes to play after missing final two games with knee injury. Gundy will likely call plays as offensive coordinator Larry Fedora left to become head coach at Southern Mississippi. Poor defense (last in Big 12, 116th in nation vs. pass, 292.8 ypg, 25 TD passes, 12 ints., 10th in Big 12, 103rd in nation in total defense, 446.7 ypg) hasn't really stopped anybody -- particularly in crunch time -- all year.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)