Meineke Car Care Bowl
Northwestern (6-6) vs. Texas A&M (6-6), Houston, 10 a.m., ESPN
Line: Texas A&M by 10 points
Series: First meeting
WHAT'S AT STAKE
A winning record for each team. The Aggies haven't won a bowl game since 2001. The Wildcats haven't won a bowl game since the 1949 Rose Bowl.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas A&M's run game vs. Northwestern's run defense. The Aggies, who leave the Big 12 and join the SEC next summer, are averaging more than 209 yards rushing. The Wildcats are giving up an average of 185.
Sun Bowl
Georgia Tech (8-4) vs. Utah (7-5), El Paso, noon, CBS
Line: Georgia Tech by 2? points
Series: Utah leads 1-0
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Georgia Tech will try to avoid losing its seventh consecutive bowl game. The Utes will look to bounce back after losing to Colorado in the finale of their first season in the Pac-12.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah's run defense vs. Georgia Tech's option offense. The Utes surrender only 97 yards rushing per game (ranked seventh nationally) and allow 19.7 points per game (18th). But they will be tested by the Yellow Jackets, who are third nationally in rushing average (317 yards).
Liberty Bowl
Vanderbilt (6-6) vs. Cincinnati (9-3), Memphis, Tenn., 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Vanderbilt by 1? points
Series: Vanderbilt leads 4-3
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Vanderbilt can finish with a winning season for only the second time since 1982 and the program's third bowl victory in five tries. Cincinnati can improve to 7-6 in bowls and add the Liberty Bowl trophy to its share of the Big East title.
KEY MATCHUP
Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy vs. Cincinnati's defense. Stacy set a school record by running for 1,136 yards, and he's averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The Bearcats allow an average of 94 yards rushing per game. That ranks second in the Big East and sixth nationally.
Fight Hunger Bowl
Illinois (6-6) vs. UCLA (6-7), San Francisco, 1:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Illinois by 2? points
Series: UCLA leads 6-5
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Illinois is trying to snap a six-game losing streak in its first game under interim coach Vic Koenning. UCLA also has an interim coach, with Mike Johnson taking over after a 49-31 loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 title game. UCLA is the first team since North Texas in 2001 to go to a bowl with a losing record.
KEY MATCHUP
Illinois' defensive front seven vs. the UCLA run game. The Bruins have rushed for at least 200 yards six times this season, including five of their wins. Reaching that mark won't be easy against All-America defensive end Whitney Mercilus and the Illini, who rank seventh in the nation in total defense.
Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Virginia (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5), Atlanta, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Auburn by 3 points
Series: Tied 1-1
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The Cavaliers are hoping for a victory in their first bowl appearance since the 2007 season. The Tigers of the SEC must overcome the suspension of star running back Michael Dyer. One year after winning the national championship, Auburn is looking to finish a disappointing season on a winning note.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn's linebackers vs. Virginia running back Perry Jones. Tigers coach Gene Chizik is the fill-in defensive coordinator after Ted Roof left for the same job at Central Florida. The Tigers need a good plan to contain Perry, who leads Virginia with 883 yards.
Source: http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_19649992?source=rss
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