Dec. 26, 2005
 
SPORTS: College Bowl Capsules
 
By John Lindsay
Scripps Howard News Service
 
Capsule previews for the 14 bowl games between Christmas and New Year's Eve. All times Eastern and all rankings coaches' poll.
 
MONDAY, Dec. 26:
 
Motor City Bowl in Detroit
 
AKRON (7-5) vs. MEMPHIS (6-5), 4, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Matthews/Scripps Howard power ratings say Memphis by 4. COACHES: J.D. Brookhart (13-10 in second year at Akron) and Tommy West (31-28 in fifth year at Memphis).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
 
BOWL RECORDS: This is Akron's first bowl appearance. Memphis is 2-1. LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Memphis lost to Bowling Green, 52-35, in last year's GMAC Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
 
LAST GAME: Akron beat Northern Illinois, 31-30, in the MAC Championship Game Dec. 1. Memphis beat Marshall, 26-3, on Nov. 26.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: With 5,788 career yards rushing, Tigers RB DeAngelo Williams ranks fourth on all-time Division I list trailing only Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett.
 
GAME FACTS: One of nation's best stories, Zips claimed first-ever MAC title with comeback win over Northern Illinois on QB Luke Getsy's 36-yard TD pass to WR Domenik Hixon with 10 seconds left. Getsy finished 30-of-50 for career-high 413 yards. RB Brett Biggs (fifth in MAC with 1,184 yards rushing, 10 TDs) must find yards to keep Tigers' blitz-happy defense honest.
 
After UM made only one bowl appearance prior to 2003, West has taken Tigers to three straight bowls. Superb Williams (third in nation with 1,726 rushing, 17 TDs, NCAA all-time career leader with 7,337 all-purpose yards) looks like certain NFL first-round pick. Passing is not the Tigers' forte as UM was 112th in nation in passing (126.4 ypg), and 102nd in pass defense (263.69 ypg, 19 TDs allowed, 12 ints.). Maurice Avery was Tigers' second-leading receiver last year but had to move to QB after wave of early injuries and had improved greatly down stretch before flat effort vs. Marshall (1-of-8, minus-3 yards passing, 93 rushing). K Stephen Gostkowski (19-of-22 on FGs, 7th in nation) is weapon in close game.
 
TUESDAY, Dec. 27:
 
Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, FL.
 
No. 23 CLEMSON (7-4) vs. COLORADO (7-5), 5, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Clemson by 3.
 
COACHES: Tommy Bowden (51-33 in 7th year at Clemson) and Mike Hankwitz (interim CU coach).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $862,500.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Clemson is 14-13. Colorado is 12-14.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Clemson beat Tennessee, 27-14, in the 2003 Peach Bowl. Colorado beat UTEP, 33-28, in last year's Houston Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Colorado leads, 1-0.
 
LAST MEETING: Colorado won, 27-21, in the 1957 Orange Bowl.
 
LAST GAME: Clemson won at South Carolina, 13-9, on Nov. 19. Colorado lost to Texas, 70-3, in the Big 12 Championship Game Dec. 3.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: In losing its final three games, Buffaloes were outscored 130-22.
 
GAME FACTS: Tigers last trip here in 2002 resulted in 55-15 drubbing at the hands of Texas Tech, Clemson's worst postseason loss ever. QB Charlie Whitehurst (208-of-311, 2,278 passing, 11 TDs, 9 ints.) should play despite having arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Dec. 3. WR Chansi Stuckey (62 catches, 4 TDs), RBs Reggie Merriweather, James Davis (combined 1,436 rushing, 15 TDs) make spread attack go and keyed 5-1 finish. Secondary is strong thanks to All-ACC CB Tye Hill, S Jamaal Fudge (2 ints.). Buffs' humiliating loss to Texas was final straw for Gary Barnett, who took $3-million buyout following CU's worst loss since 1946 (third worst defeat ever). With Boise State's Dan Hawkins set to take over following bowl, defensive coordinator Hankwitz is interim coach, something he did at Arizona for the final seven games of the 2003 season going 1-6. Defense (gave up 1,256 yards in last three games) has absolutely fallen apart while QB Joel Klatt (59-of-106, 543 passing, 0 TDS, 4 ints. in last three losses) is doubtful after suffering concussion vs. Texas. Two of nation's best kickers are on display with Tigers Jad Dean (third in nation with 22 FGs) vs. Buffs' Mason Crosby (6th with 21 FGs with average distance of 42.5 yards).
 
Insight Bowl in Phoenix
 
ARIZONA STATE (6-5) vs. RUTGERS (7-4), 8:30, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Arizona State by 15.
 
COACHES: Dirk Koetter (34-28 in fifth year at Arizona State) and Greg Schiano (19-38 in fifth year at Rutgers).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Arizona State is 11-9-1. Rutgers is 0-1.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Arizona State beat Purdue, 27-23, in last year's Sun Bowl. Rutgers lost to Arizona State, 34-18, in the 1978 Garden State Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Arizona State leads, 1-0.
 
LAST MEETING: Arizona State won, 34-18, in t he 1978 Garden State Bowl.
 
LAST GAME: Arizona State beat Arizona, 23-20, on Nov. 25. Rutgers beat Cincinnati, 44-9, on Nov. 26.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Combined record of six Div. I-A teams Scarlet Knights defeated was 23-43.
 
GAME FACTS: Sun Devils got here by rallying from 20-12 fourth-quarter deficit vs. Arizona thanks to WR Terry Richardson's 71-yard TD punt return, K Jesse Ainsworth's 20-yard FG with six seconds left. Win may have saved job for Koetter, who received contract extension on Dec. 13 despite ASU losing four of its last seven. Since stepping in for injured senior Sam Keller vs. Stanford Oct. 22, freshman QB Rudy Carpenter has been terrific (100-of-151, 1,362 passing, 8 TDs, 1 int., TD run in last four starts), often hooking up with WR Derek Hagan (72 catches, 8 TDs). RB Rudy Burgess (542 rushing, 4 TDs, 55 catches, 4 TD catches) is two-way threat. Schiano also probably saved his job earning Knights' second bowl bid, thanks to soft schedule (Navy was only team with winning record Rutgers beat). Nonetheless, it got him 7-year contract extension. QB Ryan Hart (second in Big East in QB rating, 131-of-217, 15 TDs, 1,761 passing, 15 TDs, 7 ints.) is all-time leading passer in Knights' history while physical RB Brian Leonard (694 rushing, 10 TDs) will test suspect ASU defense (91st in nation vs. run, 181.7 ypg, 19 TD runs given up). DE Ryan Neill has NFL talent and had nine of Rutgers' 45 sacks (second in nation).
 
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 28:
 
MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho
 
BOISE STATE (9-3) vs. No. 19 BOSTON COLLEGE (8-3), 4:30, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Boston College by 1.
 
COACHES: Dan Hawkins (53-10 in fifth year at Boise State) and Tom O'Brien (65-42 in 9th year at BC).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Boise State is 4-1. BC is 10-6. LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Boise State lost to Louisville, 44-40, in last year's Liberty Bowl. BC beat North Carolina, 37-24, in last year's Continental Tire Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
 
LAST GAME: Boise State won at Louisiana Tech, 30-13, on Nov. 26. BC won at Maryland, 31-16, on Nov. 19.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Golden Eagles' five-game bowl winning streak is longest in nation.
 
GAME FACTS: Hawkins is headed for Colorado next season with offensive coordinator Chris Peterson becoming the Broncos coach next season. After seemingly blowing shot at fourth consecutive WAC title with 27-7 loss at Fresno State Nov. 12, Broncos won final two games and saw FSU lose to Nevada, La. Tech so Boise shares WAC crown with Nevada. Reward is getting to play bowl on home Bronco Stadium's blue turf, where BSU has won 31 straight (second longest streak in nation). Boise is also 3-0 in bowl games at Bronco Stadium with wins over Louisville, UTEP, Iowa State. QB Jared Zabransky (2,572 total offense, 17 TD passes, 10 TD runs, 14 ints.) has been plagued by turnovers. He needs to be accurate as Bulldogs' run game (second in WAC in rushing, 215.7 ypg) figures to struggle vs. tough Eagles front seven (second in ACC, 8th in nation vs. run, 95.2 ypg). Eagles are first top-25 team to ever play in Boise. After taking over for senior Quinton Porter, sophomore Matt Ryan guided BC to wins over N.C. State, Maryland going 24-of-40 for 415 yards with 1 TD, 1 int., 2 TD runs. DE Mathias Kiwanuka (9-1/2 sacks) is pass-rushing force. A star CB until moving to WR this season, Wil Blackmon (46 catches, 3 TDs. 21.8 yards per kickoff return) needs 151 yards on kickoff returns to become all-time Division I leader.
 
Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, TX
 
No. 21 MICHIGAN (7-4) vs. NEBRASKA (7-4), 8, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Michigan by 8.
 
COACHES: Lloyd Carr (102-33 in 11th year at Michigan) and Bill Callahan (12-10 in second year at Nebraska).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.65 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Michigan is 18-18. Nebraska is 21-21.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Michigan lost to Texas, 38-37, in last year's Rose Bowl. Nebraska beat Michigan State, 17-3, in the 2003 Alamo Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 3-1-1.
 
LAST MEETING: Michigan won, 27-23, in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl.
 
LAST GAME: Michigan lost at home to Ohio State, 25-21, on Nov. 19. Nebraska won at Colorado, 30-3, on Nov. 25.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: In losing three of last four bowls, Wolverines have been outscored 141-107.
 
GAME FACTS: Eight years ago, these two shared a national title but times do change. Wolverines appear in 31st consecutive bowl, longest streak in nation but four short of Cornhuskers' I-A record 35 straight trips that ended with last year's 5-6 finish. Injuries have hampered UM all year, most notably to RB Mike Hart, whose ankle and leg problems have limited to 588 yards rushing, 867 less than last year. QB Chad Henne (202-of-339, 2,256 passing, 20 TDs, 7 ints.) hasn't been as sharp as freshman season, despite best efforts of WR Jason Avant (74 catches, 8 TDs). If rousing win at Colorado is any indication, Callahan's painful move of 'Huskers to passing team may be finally paying dividends. QB Zac Taylor (48-of-74, 612 passing, 4 TDs, 0 ints. in last two games) looks like he's finally getting hang of West Coast offense. RB Cory Ross (721 rushing, 4 TDs, 40 catches, 3 TD catches) is small, but versatile talent. Fast "Black Shirts" defense (fourth in Big 12 in total defense, 326.1 ypg) specializes in pressure (led nation with 46 sacks) led by DEs Adam Carriker (9-1/2 sacks), Jay Moore (3 forced fumbles), LB Corey McKeon (7 sacks), S Daniel Bullocks (75 tackles).
 
THURSDAY, Dec. 29:
 
Emerald Bowl in San Francisco
 
UTAH (6-5) vs. GEORGIA TECH (7-4), 4:30, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Georgia Tech by 8.
 
COACHES: Kyle Whittingham (6-5 in first year at Utah) and Chan Gailey (28-21 in fourth year at Ga. Tech).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Utah is 7-3. Ga. Tech is 22-11.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Utah beat Pittsburgh, 35-7, in last year's Fiesta Bowl. Ga. Tech beat Syracuse, 51-14, in last year's Champs Sports Bowl. SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
 
LAST GAME: Utah won at BYU, 41-34 in overtime, Nov. 19. Georgia Tech lost at home to Georgia, 14-7, on Nov. 26.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Yellow Jackets .667 bowl winning percentage is best in I-A of teams that have gone to 15 or more bowls.
 
GAME FACTS: Knocked from lofty perch by 1-4 midseason skid, Utes fought hard to get here with 3-1 finish, climaxed by QB Brett Ratliff's dramatic 25-yard TD strike to WR Travis LaTendresse in OT to beat BYU. In first start replacing injured Brian Johnson (out following knee surgery), juco-transfer Ratliff went 17-of-32 for 240 yards with 4 TDs to go along with 102 yards rushing, TD run. Utes' leading WR John Madsen (broken hand) also won't play. RB Quinton Gather (1,000 rushing, 6 TDs) has NFL skills. Despite losing two of last three, Gailey managed to get contract extension, thanks mostly to road wins over top-15s Auburn, Miami. Tech aims for first 8-win season since 2001. Well-coached defense (10th in nation in total defense, 296.4 ypg, 34 sacks, 26 turnovers forced) will hit Ratliff with variety of blitzes. LBs Phillip Wheeler (4 ints.), KaMichael Hall (14 tackles for loss), DE Eric Henderson (6-1/2 sacks) are playmakers. Gifted All-American WR Calvin Johnson (52 catches, 6 TDs) is often at mercy of double coverage and erratic QB Reggie Ball (49-of-103, 521 passing, 2 TDs, 3 ints. in last three games).
 
Holiday Bowl in San Diego
 
No. 5 OREGON (10-1) vs. OKLAHOMA (7-4), 8, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say the game is even.
 
COACHES: Mike Bellotti (91-41 in 11th year at Oregon) and Bob Stoops (74-16 in 7th year at Oklahoma).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $2 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Oregon is 7-11. Oklahoma is 23-14-1.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Oregon lost to Minnesota, 31-30, in the 2003 Sun Bowl.
 
Oklahoma lost to Southern Cal, 55-19, in last year's Orange Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 5-0.
 
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 31-7, last year.
 
LAST GAME: Oregon beat Oregon State, 56-14, on Nov. 19. Oklahoma beat Oklahoma State, 42-14, on Nov. 26.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Starting with last year's Orange Bowl loss, Sooners are 7-5 compared to 50-6 mark OU enjoyed from 2000-2004.
 
GAME FACTS: Teams meet again next September in Eugene. Still miffed that they lost out on BCS at-large bid, Ducks settled for only second 10-win season in school history. Since getting outscored 42-0 in second half of 45-13 loss to USC Sept. 24, Ducks have won seven straight while averaging 38 points per game. Sophomore QBs Dennis Dixon, Brady Leaf (brother of former NFL QB Ryan) have filled in admirably since starter Kellen Clemens went down with broken ankle at Arizona Oct. 22 going combined 74-of-116 for 839 yards with 7 TDs, 3 ints. Both will play vs. Sooners. WR Demetrius Williams (55 catches, 18.8 ypc, 10 TDs) needs TD catch to set new single season Ducks record. CB Aaron Gipson leads nation with 7 ints, including 60-yard TD return vs. Oregon State. Return to health of RB Adrian Peterson from high ankle sprain keyed Sooners' 4-1 finish to get here. The 2004 Heisman runnerup, Peterson had 627 rushing, 8 TDs in final four games including 237 yards with 84 and 71-yard TD bolts vs. Oklahoma State. When protected well, freshman QB Rhett Bomar (45-of-75, 624 passing, 5 TDs, 2 ints., TD run in last three games) improved greatly. Pass defense (5th in Big 12, 213.6 ypg, 19 TDs given up, 12 ints.) has been better in previous years under Stoops, though pass rush was fourth in nation with 42 sacks.
 
FRIDAY, Dec. 30:
 
Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.
 
VIRGINIA (6-5) vs. MINNESOTA (7-4), Noon, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Minnesota by 5.
 
COACHES: Al Groh (36-26 in fifth year at Virginia) and Glen Mason (58-49 in 9th year at Minnesota).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $780,000.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Virginia is 6-9. Minnesota is 5-5.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Virginia lost to Fresno State, 37-34, in last year's MPC Computers Bowl. Minnesota beat Alabama, 20-16, in last year's Music City Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
 
LAST GAME: Virginia lost at Miami, 25-17, on Nov. 26. Minnesota lost at Iowa, 52-28, on Nov. 19.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1996, Cavaliers are 2-5 in bowls while giving up 34 points per game.
 
GAME FACTS: First time since its inception in 1998, Music City will not have an SEC team. So instead we get only ACC-Big Ten postseason matchup. Cavs hardly come in sizzling following losses to Miami, Va. Tech by combined 77-31, and now both off. coordinator Ron Prince and def. coordinator Al Golden have taken head coaching jobs at Kansas State and Temple, respectively. QB Marques Hagans (2,418 total offense, 12 TD passes, 3 TD runs, 11 ints.) struggled in last two losses going combined 32-of-58 for 345 yards with 1 TD, 2 ints., 2 fumbles. LB Ahmad Brooks (back), CB Tony Franklin (suspended following misdemeanor marijuana arrest) won't play. Returning to Nashville for second year in row, bruising Gophers' game plan is simple _ hand off to RBs Laurence Maroney (1,355 rushing, 10 TDs), Gary Russell (1,045 rushing, second in Big Ten, 8th in nation with 19 TDs), who helped UM rank second in nation in rushing (279.9 ypg) behind blocking of C Greg Eslinger, winner of Outland Trophy (nation's top lineman) and Rimington Award (nation's best center). QB Brian Cupito (132-of-223, 1,952 passing, 14 TDs, 6 ints.) improved immensely this season. Win gives Gophers' first four-game postseason winning streak in school history.
 
Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas
 
NORTHWESTERN (7-4) vs. No. 17 UCLA (9-2), 2, CBS.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say UCLA by 1.
 
COACHES: Randy Walker (37-45 in 7th year at Northwestern) and Karl Dorrell (21-15 in third year at UCLA).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.575 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Northwestern is 1-4. UCLA is 12-13-1.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Northwestern lost to Bowling Green, 28-24, in the 2003 Motor City Bowl. ULCA lost to Wyoming, 24-21, in last year's Las Vegas Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Northwestern leads, 3-2.
 
LAST MEETING: UCLA won, 12-7, in 1970.
 
LAST GAME: Northwestern won at Illinois, 38-21, on Nov. 19. UCLA lost at USC, 66-19, on Dec. 3.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Combined these two defenses surrender 939 yards and 66 points per game while the offenses produce 929 yards and 70 points per game.
 
GAME FACTS: Wildcats haven't won a bowl game since beating Cal, 20-14, in the 1948 Rose Bowl. NU's four postseason losses since have been by combined score of 183-101. They aim to break skid here behind terrific spread offense (8th in nation in total offense, 492.7 ypg) keyed by senior QB Bret Basanez (fifth in nation with 3,597 total offense, 19 TD passes,, 7 TD runs, 6 ints.), freshman RB Tyrell Sutton (6th in nation with 1,390 rushing, 18 TDs). LB Tim McGarigle was best of bad defense (last in nation in total defense, 482.9 ypg) finishing sixth in nation with 139 tackles. Bruins are 2-6 in bowls since 1994 yielding 28 points per game. That's nothing compared to USC embarrassment as Trojans piled up 679 yards en route to most points Bruins have given up since 1929. Explosive offense (7th in nation in scoring, 38.1 ppg) must do it all behind QB Drew Olson (3,055 passing, 31 TDs, 3 ints.), RB Maurice Drew (9th in nation with 1,767 all-purpose yards, sixth in scoring with 20 TDs, leads nation in punt returns, 29.1 ypr, 3 TDs), TE Marcedes Lewis (58 catches, 10 TDs).
 
Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
 
MISSOURI (6-5) vs. SOUTH CAROLINA (7-4), 3:30, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say South Carolina by 5.
 
COACHES: Gary Pinkel (28-30 in fifth year at Missouri) and Steve Spurrier (7-4 in first year at South Carolina).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.2 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Missouri 9-13. South Carolina is 3-8. LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Missouri lost to Arkansas, 27-14, in the 2003 Independence Bowl. South Carolina beat Ohio State, 31-28, in the 2002 Outback Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Missouri leads, 1-0.
 
LAST MEETING: Missouri won, 24-14, in the 1979 Hall of Fame Bowl.
 
LAST GAME: Missouri lost at Kansas State, 36-28, on Nov. 19. South Carolina lost at home to Clemson, 13-9, on Nov. 19.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Tigers are 8-3 in overtime games, the best mark in Division I.
 
GAME FACTS: Tigers have only one bowl win since 1981. MU doesn't exactly come in on high note following 1-3 finish. Two years ago, QB Brad Smith (third in Big 12 with 3,173 total offense, 13 TD runs, 12 TD passes, 8 ints.) looked like a serious Heisman candidate. Now the disappointed senior just wants to finish his career on a high note, though he did lead the Big 12 with 1,151 rushing. DT Brian Smith set school record with 9 sacks. After 2-3 start, Gamecocks responded to Spurrier with 5-1 finish. WR Sidney Rice (58 catches) flourished in Spurrier's "Cock-and-Fire" attack leading SEC with 925 yards receiving, 12 TD catches. Freshman RB Mike Davis (season-high 111 rushing vs. Clemson) gave struggling ground game (last in SEC, 111th in nation in rushing, 90.9 ypg) some zip lately. After faltering down stretch, QB Blake Mitchell (23-of-46, 308 passing, 0 TDs, 3 ints. in last two games) needs good effort here. CBs Jonathan Joseph (4 ints.), Fred Bennett, S Ko Simpson lead excellent secondary (second in SEC, 12th in nation vs. pass, 176.1 ypg, 11 ints., 9 TD passes given up).
 
Peach Bowl in Atlanta
 
NO. 9 MIAMI (9-2) vs. No. 10 LSU (10-2), 7:30, ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Miami by 4.
 
COACHES: Larry Coker (53-8 in fifth year at Miami) and Les Miles (10-2 in first year at LSU).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $2.35 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Miami is 17-12. LSU is 17-18-1.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: Miami beat Florida, 27-10, in last year's Peach Bowl. LSU lost to Iowa, 30-25, in last year's Capitol One Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads, 8-3.
 
LAST MEETING: Miami won, 44-3, in 1988.
 
LAST GAME: Miami beat Virginia, 25-17, on Nov. 26. LSU lost to Georgia, 34-14, in the SEC Championship Game Dec. 3.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1996, Hurricanes are 7-1 in bowls including two wins over top-10 foes under Coker.
 
GAME FACTS: 'Canes are hardly thrilled with return trip to Peach Bowl after blowing ACC Coastal title with 14-10 loss at home to Ga. Tech, Nov. 19. After getting sacked 8 times vs. Ga. Tech, QB Kyle Wright bounced back with solid 23-of-30, 248-yard, 1-TD effort vs. Virginia. Speedy CB Devin Hester (13th in nation in punt returns, 14.2 ypr, 1 TD) has been getting work on offense at WR, RB. Hester is considering turning pro but says he and his mentor Deion Sanders will "leave it up to God's hands." Beating in SEC title game from Georgia hit Tigers QB JaMarcus Russell hard and he's questionable with separated shoulder. Backup Matt Flynn (3-of-11, 36 passing, 1 TD, 1 int. vs. Georgia) should play if he doesn't start. RBs Joseph Addai (781 rushing, 8 TDs), Justin Vincent aren't likely to find many holes in wicked UM defense (second in nation in scoring, 11.9 ppg, third in total defense, 252.1 ypg, 33 sacks, 28 turnovers forced).
 
NEW YEAR'S EVE:
 
Meineke Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
 
SOUTH FLORIDA (6-5) vs. N.C. STATE (6-5), 11 a.m., ESPN2.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say N.C. State by 5.
 
COACHES: Jim Leavitt (59-39 in 9th year at South Florida) and Chuck Amato (45-28 in 6th year at N.C. State).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $750,000.
 
BOWL RECORDS: This is South Florida's first bowl game. N.C. State is 11-10-1.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: N.C. State beat Kansas, 56-26, in 2003 Tangerine Bowl. SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.
 
LAST GAME: South Florida lost at home to West Virginia, 28-13, on Dec. 3.
 
N.C. State beat Maryland, 20-14, on Nov. 26.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Amato, Wolfpack is 3-1 in bowls while averaging 35 points per game.
 
GAME FACTS: In only fifth season at Division I, Bulls make bowl debut. Bright spots included wins over Louisville, Rutgers but season-ending losses to Connecticut, West Va. (USF managed only 234 yards rushing, 23 points in those losses) put damper on things. RB Andre Hall (second in Big East with 1,256 rushing, 13 TDs) is one of nation's best-kept secrets, though defenses can gang up on him thanks to erratic QB Pat Julmiste (19-of-46, 291 passing, 1 TD, 4 ints. in last two games). Freshman backup QB Carlton Hill played some vs. West Va. and had 11-yard TD run. 'Pack didn't pack it in winning four of last five to maybe save Amato's job and squeak into fifth bowl in last six years. Key to turnaround was Amato going to RB Andre Brown and freshman responded with 614 rushing, 5 TDs in last five games. QB Marcus Stone (18-of-29, 198 passing, 1 TD , 2 ints. in last two games) isn't very accurate throwing. Underrated defense (fourth in ACC, 14th in nation in total defense, 299 ypg, 9th in nation, second in ACC with 36 sacks) hits hard with DEs Mario Williams (led ACC, fourth in nation with 13 sacks), Manny Lawson, LB Stephen Tulloch second in ACC with 119 tackles) leading way.
 
Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.
 
No. 22 FRESNO STATE (8-4) vs. TULSA (8-4), 1 P.M., ESPN.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Fresno State by 5.
 
COACHES: Pat Hill (72-42 in 9th year at FSU) and Steve Kragthorpe (20-17 in third year at Tulsa).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.5 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: Fresno State is 9-6. Tulsa is 4-8
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: FSU beat Virginia, 37-34, in overtime, in last year's MPC Computers Bowl. Tulsa lost to Ga. Tech, 52-10, in the 2003 Humanitarian Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Fresno leads, 4-0.
 
LAST MEETING: Fresno won, 31-12, in 2002.
 
LAST GAME: Fresno lost at home to La. Tech, 40-28, on Dec. 2. Tulsa beat Central Florida, 40-28, in Conference USA Championship Game Dec. 3.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: In 8-1 start, Bulldogs surrendered 14 points per game. In 0-3 finish, FSU surrendered 42 points per game.
 
GAME FACTS: Bulldogs season-ending collapse was puzzling as defense simply vanished, QB Paul Pinegar (second in WAC in QB rating, 246-of-386, 3,122 passing, 29 TDs) threw eight ints. in last three games after throwing only five in 8-1 start. FSU will probably go back to power running game with RBs Wendell Mathis (1,196 rushing, 14 TDs), Bryson Sumlin looking for holes in weak Tulsa front seven (73rd in nation vs. run, 161.4 ypg). DT Garrett McIntyre (7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) questioned teammates effort vs. La. Tech. Golden Hurricane made remarkable turnaround from 0-2 start to win C-USA in first year in league. QB Paul Smith (209-of-336, 2,601 passing, 19 TDs, 6 ints., 5 TD runs), TE Garrett Mills (83 catches, most by a TE in nation, 1,183 yards receiving, most ever by a TE), RB Uril Parrish (736 rushing, 8 TDs) keyed 6-1 finish as UT averaged 37 points per game over final seven games. CB Nick Graham (led C-USA with 6 ints.), LB Nick Coleman (103 tackles, 4 sacks) are best of defense that bends but also creates plenty of scoring chances (third in nation with 34 turnovers forced).
 
Houston Bowl
 
No. 14 TCU (10-1) vs. IOWA STATE (7-4), 2:30, ESPN2.
 
FAVORITE: Power ratings say TCU by 5.
 
COACHES: Gary Patterson (42-18 in fifth year at TCU) and Dan McCarney (52-76 in 11th year at Iowa State).
 
PAYOUT: Each school receives $1.2 million.
 
BOWL RECORDS: TCU is 7-13-1. Iowa State is 2-6.
 
LAST BOWL APPEARANCE: TCU lost to Boise State, 34-31, in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl. Iowa State beat Miami of Ohio, 17-13, in last year's Independence Bowl.
 
SERIES HISTORY: TCU leads, 2-0.
 
LAST MEETING: TCU won, 31-21, in 1998.
 
LAST GAME: TCU beat UNLV, 51-3, on Nov. 12. Iowa State lost at Kansas, 24-21 in overtime, on Nov. 26.
 
STAT THAT MATTERS: Horned Frogs' nine-game winning streak is third longest in nation as they have outscored foes by a combined 344-168.
 
GAME FACTS: TCU's 49-day layoff between end of regular season to bowl game is longest in postseason history. Only 21-10 loss at SMU Sept. 10 kept Frogs from first unbeaten season since 1938 national champs. Aggressive defense (second in nation with 35 turnovers forced, ninth in nation with 36 sacks, 12th in nation in scoring, 18.1 ppg, foes convert on only 32 percent of third-down tries) helped turnaround from disappointing 5-6 mark last year. Balanced offense has averaged 39 points per game since QB Jeff Ballard (1,853 total offense, 12 TD passes, 8 TD runs, 6 ints.) became starter Oct. 1. Other stars include RB Robert Merrill (802 rushing, 9 TDs), WR-KR Cory Rodgers (48 catches, 5 TDs, second in nation in kickoff returns, 31.7 ypr, 2 TDs). Cyclones rallied from 3-3 start to get here, but once again choked Big 12 North title with season-ending loss at Kansas as ISU blew 14-3 fourth-quarter lead. K Bret Culberson missed from 41 yards in OT to clinch third OT loss of season. QB Bret Meyer (fourth in Big 12 with 2,622 total offense, 16 TD passes, 8 ints., 1 TD run) saw his school-record 159 passes without an int. streak end vs. KU as well. LB Tim Dobbins (96 tackles), CB DeAndre Jackson (led Big 12 with 5 ints.) anchor talented defense (led Big 12, fifth in nation with 32 turnovers forced, second in Big 12 in scoring, 18.5 ppg).
 
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