ShareThisCapsule previews for the seven pre-Christmas college football bowl games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
SATURDAY:
EAGLEBANK BOWL in Washington, D.C.
WAKE FOREST (7-5) vs. NAVY (8-4), 11 a.m., ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
FAVORITE: Wake Forest by 3.
COACHES: Jim Grobe (53-44 in 8th year at Wake Forest) and Ken Niumatalolo (8-5 in first full year at Navy).
BOWL RECORD: Wake is 5-3. Navy is 6-7-1.
LAST GAME: Wake Forest beat Vanderbilt, 23-10, on Nov. 29. Navy beat Army, 34-0, on Dec. 6.
SERIES HISTORY: Wake leads, 6-3.
LAST MEETING: Navy won, 24-17, on Sept. 27.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Midshipmen lead nation in rushing (298.3 yards per game, 31 TD runs) while Demon Deacons were third in ACC, 21st nationally vs. run (116.1 ypg, 9 TD runs allowed).
GAME FACTS: Inaugural bowl in nation's capital is shot at redemption for Demon Deacons junior QB Riley Skinner after his woeful effort (26-of-40, 270 passing, TD, career-high 4 ints.) Sept. 27 in 17-point favorite Wake's upset loss in Winston Salem. Dormant ground game (11th in ACC, 100th in nation in rushing, 11.6 ypg) finally showed some life with 158 yards, 3 TD runs in win over Vandy. CB Alphonso Smith (5th in nation with 6 ints.) has NFL future. After Wake never made consecutive bowl games prior to Grobe's arrival, Deacs make third straight postseason appearance. Mids' win over Wake was Navy's first over ranked team since 1985. QB Kaipo Nao Kaheaku-Enhada paced effort with 175 yards rushing, 2 TD runs as Navy never trailed. He'll get help from RB Shun White, who dominated Navy's 7th straight win over Army with 148 yards rushing including 65-yard TD and 18-yard TD catch. CB Rashawn King returns after missing Army game following family death. Playing just 15 miles from their campus in Annapolis, Md., Mids want to taste postseason success after close bowl losses to Utah, Boston College last two years.
NEW MEXICO BOWL in Albuquerque
COLORADO STATE (6-6) vs. FRESNO STATE (7-5), 2:30 p.m., ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
FAVORITE: Fresno State by 3.
COACHES: Steve Fairchild (first year at Colorado State) and Pat Hill (92-60 in 12th year at Fresno State)
BOWL RECORD: Colorado State is 4-7. Fresno State is 10-7.
LAST GAME: Colorado State won at Wyoming, 31-20, on Nov. 22. Fresno State lost at Boise State, 61-10, on Nov. 28.
SERIES HISTORY: Colorado State leads, 6-5.
LAST MEETING: Colorado State won, 35-23, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2002, Bulldogs are 4-1 in bowls with the wins coming over teams from BCS conferences.
GAME FACTS: Having won two last two to squeeze into postseason, Rams look for first bowl win since 2001 (0-3). It would complete nice rebound from last year's 3-9 clunker that chased Sonny Lubick into retirement and brought in Rams alum Fairchild, formerly Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator. QB Billy Farris played well down stretch (93-of-157, 1,470 passing, 11 TDs, 5 ints. in last five games) while RB Gartrell Johnson III (second in Mountain West with 1,191 rushing, 10 TD runs) was consistent all season. Defense often faltered at crunch time (last in nation with 9 sacks, gave up 225 points in six losses). As if Bulldogs' 2-3 slide coming in isn't discouraging enough, Hill went to interview for Washington job earlier this month before removing himself from consideration. Considering FSU's mediocre 20-17 mark last three seasons, that might not have been sound judgment. QB Tom Brandstater (42-of-75, 428 passing, 3 ints. in last three games) struggled down stretch with bad ankle and left Boise State debacle with foot injury. That could mean more carries for RBs Anthony Harding, Lonyae Miller (combined 1,401 rushing, 9 TD runs). Despite best efforts of LB Ben Jacobs (106 tackles), defense had real problem stopping run (104th in nation, 197.3 ypg).
ST. PETERSBURG BOWL in St. Petersburg, Fla.
SOUTH FLORIDA (7-5) vs. MEMPHIS (6-6), ESPN2, 4:30.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1 million.
FAVORITE: South Florida by 13.
COACHES: Jim Leavitt (86-52 in 12th year at South Florida) and Tommy West (47-50 in 8th year at Memphis).
BOWL RECORD: South Florida is 1-2. Memphis is 3-2.
LAST GAME: South Florida lost at West Virginia, 13-7, on Dec. 6. Memphis beat Tulane, 45-6, on Nov. 29.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 2-2.
LAST MEETING: Memphis won, 31-15, in 2004.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In Bulls' 1-4 slump to finish season, USF averaged just 14 points per game while committing 16 turnovers.
GAME FACTS: Welcome to the bowl business, St. Petersburg. Nothing says the postseason like two teams that combined to go 11-11 vs. D-I foes including 6-8 in October and November. Hard to believe Bulls were ranked second in nation just 14 months ago but are 10-9 since. But playing at Tropicana Field, home of baseball's Tampa Bay Rays and short walk from USF campus, makes this pretty much of a home game. QB Matt Grothe (led Big East with 3.183 total offense) has talent but has struggled with burden of carrying offense (11 ints., 3 TD passes over last five games). Constant double teams and lingering ankle sprain have limited DE George Selvie to 5-1/2 sacks (9 fewer than last year). At least Tigers shook off 0-3 start to get here with 3-1 finish, though UM didn't really beat anybody (combined record of 5 D-I wins was 19-41). After going to just one bowl prior to West's arrival, Tigers have now been to five in last six years. RB Curtis Steele (1,175 rushing, 7 TDs) has been bellwether for team averaging 141 yards in UM's six wins and 55 ypg in six losses. 6-8 WR Carlos Singleton (50 catches, 5 TDs) would love to bust out after having only two catches in last two games. So-so run defense (69th in nation vs. run, 146.2 ypg) leaves a lot to be desired.
LAS VEGAS BOWL
No. 17 BRIGHAM YOUNG (10-2) vs. ARIZONA (7-5), 8, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1 million.
FAVORITE: Arizona by 3.
COACHES: Bronco Mendenhall (38-12 in fourth year at BYU) and Mike Stoops(24-34 in fifth year at Arizona).
BOWL RECORD: BYU is 9-16-1. Arizona is 5-7-1.
LAST GAME: BYU lost at Utah, 48-24, on Nov. 22. Arizona beat Arizona State, 31-10, on Dec. 6.
SERIES HISTORY: Arizona leads, 11-9-1.
LAST MEETING: BYU won, 20-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning bowl games over Oregon and UCLA last two years, Cougars defense has given up just 12 points and 288 yards per game while recording 7 sacks.
GAME FACTS: Mendenhall tries to do what no BYU coach -- not even Hall of Famer LaVell Edwards -- has ever done -- win a bowl in three consecutive seasons with third straight 11-win season. Playing in Vegas for fourth straight year, Cougars (led Mountain West in scoring, 35.3 ppg) certainly have firepower to do it with impressive trio of QB Max Hall (led MWC in QB rating, 300-of-431, 3,629 passing, 34 TDs, 10 ints.), RB Harvey Unga (1,061 rushing, 10 TD runs, 41 catches, 4 TD catches), WR Austin Collie (led MWC, fourth in nation with 95 catches, 15 TDs). Sub-par pass rush (71st in nation with 21 sacks, one in last two games) needs to step up. Wildcats' first bowl trip since 1998 may have saved Stoops' job, though 2-3 finish made it interesting. Senior QB Willie Tuitama (second in Pac-10 in QB rating, 235-of-364, 2,763 passing, 21 TDs, 8 ints.) has fared decently in splitting two starts vs. BYU (combined 45-of-75, 402 passing, 2 TDs, int., ), a 16-13 win in 2006 and a 20-7 loss last year. His protection has been shaky at times (85th in nation with 27 sacks allowed). WR Mike Thomas (70 catches, 4 TDs, second in Pac-10 in punt returns, 14 ypr, 2 TDs, 1,526 all-purpose yards) is exciting any time he touches ball. RB Nick Grigsby (1,107 rushing, 12 TDs) is UA's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2004. Soft schedule (7th easiest in nation, only one win over a winning team) casts doubt if UA is really any good.
SUNDAY:
NEW ORLEANS BOWL.
TROY (8-4) vs. SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (6-6), ESPN, 8.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $325,000.
FAVORITE: Troy by 4.
COACHES: Larry Blakeney (144-62-1 in 18th year at Troy) and Larry Fedora (first year at Southern Miss)
BOWL RECORD: Troy is 1-1. Southern Miss is 8-8.
LAST GAME: Troy beat Arkansas State, 35-9, on Dec. 6. Southern Miss won at SMU, 28-12, on Nov. 29.
SERIES HISTORY: Southern Miss leads, 5-1.
LAST MEETING: Southern Miss won, 44-19, in 1977.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Close game means something has to give. Over last two seasons, Trojans are 1-3 in games decided by 9 points or less while Golden Eagles are 4-7.
GAME FACTS: Sun Belt champion Trojans want to make statement here on limited national stage, especially after the last time anybody was paying attention to Troy it blew a 31-6 lead late in the third quarter of a 40-31 loss at LSU Nov. 15. QB Levi Brown threw for 316 yards, 2 TDs in that game and has been terrific since taking over as starter (167-of-271, 1,591 passing, 14 TDs, 3 ints. in last 7 games), with help from WR Jerrel Jernigan (school-record 68 catches, 5 TDs). LBs Boris Lee and Bear Woods (combined 217 tackles) anchor aggressive defense (third in nation with 98-1/2 tackles for loss, fourth with 38 sacks, 28 turnovers forced). In first season under Fedora (former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State and Florida), Eagles pushed hard to finish line with four-game winning streak to snag bowl as reward, albeit with help from not-so-tough schedule (92nd toughest in nation). Still, wins over Alabama-Birmingham, Central Florida, East Carolina and SMU to get here came by combined score of 136-35. Junior RB Damion Fletcher (led C-USA with 1,235 rushing, 9 TDs) has rushed for over 1,000 yards each of his three seasons. Freshman QB Austin Davis (6 TD passes, int., 6 TD runs in last four wins) has made teams pay for keying on Fletcher. Defense gives up yards (71st in nation in total defense, 369.2 ypg) but is also opportunistic (28 turnovers forced).
TUESDAY:
POINSETTIA BOWL in San Diego
No. 9 BOISE STATE (12-0) vs. No. 11 TCU (10-2), 8, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
FAVORITE: TCU by 2.
COACHES: Chris Petersen (35-3 in third year at Boise State) and Gary Patterson (72-27 in 8th year at TCU).
BOWL RECORD: Boise State is 5-3. TCU is 10-13-1.
LAST GAME: Boise State beat Fresno State, 61-10, on Nov. 28. TCU beat Air Force, 44-10, on Nov. 22.
SERIES HISTORY: Boise State leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Boise State won, 34-31, in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Horned Frogs ranked second in nation in total defense (215.1 ypg). In ranking 13th nationally in total offense (456.7 ypg), Broncos did not face a team ranked in top 53 in nation in total defense.
GAME FACTS: Only non-BCS bowl to offer both teams ranked in top 12. Only three of BSU's 12 wins were decided by less than 14 points. BSU QB Kellen Moore (259-of-370, 3,264 passing, 25 TDs, 9 ints.) is only freshman in nation ranked in top 25 of passer rating at 10th (led WAC). Senior RB Ian Johnson (738 rushing, 12 TDs) has 57 career TD runs to lead nation. Underrated defense (third in nation in scoring, 12.2 ppg) uses speed to force big plays (led WAC with 31 turnovers forced, second with 34 sacks). As much as fans remember Boise's epic Fiesta Bowl upset of Oklahoma two years ago, that is their only postseason win (1-3) since beating Frogs five years ago. Patterson and defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas figure to turn up heat on Moore with formidable pass rush (second in nation with 41 sacks) led by DE Jerry Hughes (led nation with 14 sacks), DT Cody Moore (6 sacks), LB Jason Phillips (79 tackles). In 10 wins, QB Andy Dalton threw 11 TD passes vs. 2 ints, but in two losses he was picked three times with no TD passes. RB Aaron Brown is excellent return man (second in nation in kickoff returns, 31.3 ypr, TD). Freshman K Ross Evans (15-of-19 on FGs) would love to atone for two costly misses inside 35 yards in bitter 13-10 loss at Utah Nov. 6 that cost TCU Mountain West title. '03 loss to Boise is Frogs' only postseason loss since 2001 (4-1).
CHRISTMAS EVE:
HAWAII BOWL in Honolulu
HAWAII (7-6) vs. NOTRE DAME (6-6), 8, ESPN.
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
FAVORITE: Hawaii by 2.
COACHES: Greg McMackin (first year at Hawaii) and Charlie Weis (28-21 in fourth year at Notre Dame).
BOWL RECORD: Hawaii is 5-3. Notre Dame is 13-15.
LAST GAME: Hawaii lost at home to Cincinnati, 29-24, on Dec. 6. Notre Dame lost at USC, 38-3, on Nov. 29.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: Notre Dame won, 23-22, in 1997.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Fighting Irish haven't won a bowl game since 1994 losing an NCAA record nine straight -- six by 17 points or more.
GAME FACTS: What says Christmas better than a sun-drenched Leprechaun? Warriors are 4-2 in postseason games in Hawaii. Replacing June Jones who left for big bucks at SMU, McMackin did credible job in debut, winning four of last six to get here. Switch to juco-transfer QB Greg Alexander (87-of-132, 1,142 passing, 12 TD passes, 3 ints., 2 TD runs in last four games) has paid dividends, despite poor protection (49 sacks allowed, most in nation). Loss gives Irish consecutive losing seasons for first time since 1985-86, adding more fuel to Weis bashers. Staggering in with 1-4 finish, ND has struggled all over the place, most notably on offense (5 TDs vs. 9 turnovers in last four games), which didn't make first down against USC until final play of third quarter and finished with just 91 total yards. Sophomore QB Jimmy Clausen (2 TD passes, 8 ints. in last four games) has regressed. Maybe sluggish running game (98th in nation in rushing, 113.4 ypg) can find some room against not-so-tough UH front seven (73rd in nation vs. run, 148 ypg). How mediocre is Irish talent level? No position player ranks in the top 40 of any major statistical category.
(E-mail John Lindsay at lindsayj(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
