COLLEGE FOOTBALL Bowl previews

THURSDAY
SEATTLE BOWL
GEORGIA TECH (7-5) vs. No. 11 STANFORD (9-2)
4 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: Mac McWhorter (first game as interim Georgia Tech coach) and Tyrone Willingham (44-35-1 in 7th year).
Bowl records: Georgia Tech is 19-10. Stanford is 9-9-1.
Last bowl appearance: Georgia Tech lost to LSU, 28-14, in last year's Peach Bowl. Stanford lost to Wisconsin, 17-9, in the 2000 Rose Bowl.
Series history: Georgia Tech leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Georgia Tech won, 18-17, in the 1991 Aloha Bowl.
Last game: Georgia Tech lost at Florida State, 28-17, on Dec. 1. Stanford won at San Jose State, 41-14, on Dec. 1.
Stat that matters: In their seven wins, Yellow Jackets allowed 14.6 points per game. In five losses, Tech allowed 33.0 points.
Game facts: Former Aloha Bowl moves to Seattle's Safeco Field. Offensive line coach McWhorter will be coach after George O'Leary left for Notre Dame, but resigned five days later amid inaccurate resume scandal. Leading rusher All-ACC RB Joe Burns will not play (grades). QB George Godsey (3,085 yards passing, 65.0 pct. completions, 17 TDs, 11 ints.) now must look for WRs Kelly Campbell, Kerry Watkins (combined 97 catches) to get open downfield. Cardinal won 9 games for only the second time since 1951. QB Randy Fasani (1,479 passing, 13 TDs, 4 ints.) is over knee problem and will start. RBs Brian Allen, Kerry Carter (combined for 1,355 rushing, 19 TDs) are tough around goal line. Speedy WR Luke Powell (39 catches, 20.0 per catch, 7 TDs), 6-7, 256-pound TE Teyo Johnson (38 catches, 7 TDs) are match-up problems for Tech secondary (53rd in nation against pass, 216.2).
INDEPENDENCE BOWLShreveport, La.
IOWA STATE (7-4) vs. ALABAMA (6-5)
7:30 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: Dan McCarney (29-49 in 7th year at Iowa State) and Dennis Franchione (6-5 in first year).
Bowl records: Iowa State is 1-4. Alabama is 28-19-3.
Last bowl appearance: Iowa State beat Pittsburgh, 36-28, in last year's Insight.com Bowl. Alabama lost to Michigan, 35-34 in overtime, in the 2000 Orange Bowl.
Series history: First meeting.
Last game: Iowa State beat Iowa, 17-14, on Nov. 24. Alabama beat Southern Miss, 28-15, on Nov. 29.
Stat that matters: When Cyclones RB Ennis "The Menace" Haywood rushes for 100 yards, Iowa State is 12-0 including 5-0 this year.
Game facts: After no bowl victories in first 108 years of program, Cyclones now go for back-to-back wins. Haywood (1,169 rushing, 14 TDs), freshman QB Seneca Wallace (Big 12 offensive newcomer of year, 2,519 total offense, 11 TD passes, 9 ints., 7 TD runs), S Adam Runk (4 ints.) are standouts. Run defense (88th in nation, 194.8) has had problems. Crimson Tide closed with three straight wins to make record 51st bowl appearance. Their 28 bowl wins also lead nation. RB Ahmaad Galloway (881 rushing, 6 TDs), QB Andrew Zow (41-of-70, 468 passing, 5 TDs, 1 int. in last 3 games) keyed surge. WR Freddie Milons (36 catches, 3 TDs) is dangerous in open field.
FRIDAY
GALLERYFURNITURE.COM BOWLHouston
TEXAS A & amp;M (7-4) vs. TCU (6-5)
1:30 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: R.C. Slocum (116-41-2 in 13th year at Texas A & amp;M) and Gary Patterson (6-5 in first year).
Bowl records: Texas A & amp;M is 12-14. TCU is 6-11-1.
Last bowl appearance: Texas A & amp;M lost to Mississippi State, 43-41 in overtime, in last year's Independence Bowl. TCU lost to Southern Mississippi, 28-21, in last year's Mobile Alabama Bowl.
Series history: Texas A & amp;M leads, 55-29-7.
Last meeting: Texas A & amp;M won, 38-6, in 1995.
Last game: Texas A & amp;M lost at home to Texas, 21-7, on Nov. 23. TCU won at Southern Miss, 14-12, on Dec. 7.
Stat that matters: Dating back to 1972, Aggies have beaten old Southwest Conference rivals Horned Frogs 23 straight including 10 wins by 28 points or more.
Game facts: Aggies are only 2-8 in bowls under Slocum. Offense (107th in nation in total offense, 305.7; 98th in scoring, 20.0) vanished at end of season scoring only 1 TD in season-ending 3-game losing streak. QB Mark Farris (59-of-109, 520 passing, 0 TDs, 4 ints. in last 4 games) didn't get much done. Frogs QB Casey Printers looked like Donovan McNabb in season-ending upsets of Louisville, Southern Miss (28-of-55, 530 passing, 4 TDs, 2 ints., 45 rushing, 2 TD runs). WR Adrian Madise (26 catches, 506 yards receiving, 3 TDs in last 4 games) has emerged as big-play target. S Marvin Godbolt (13 tackles for loss, 6 sacks), LB LaMarcus McDonald (7 sacks) lead pressure defense (29 sacks, 22 turnovers forced).
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Nashville, Tenn.
BOSTON COLLEGE (7-4) vs. No. 16 GEORGIA (8-3)
5 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: Tom O'Brien (30-27 in 5th year at BC) and Mark Richt (8-3 in first year).
Bowl records: BC is 6-6. Georgia is 19-14-3.
Last bowl appearance: BC beat Arizona State, 31-17, in last year's Aloha Bowl. Georgia beat Virginia, 37-14, in last year's Oahu Bowl.
Series history: Georgia leads, 2-1.
Last meeting: BC won, 27-24, in the 1986 Hall of Fame Bowl.
Last game: BC lost at Syracuse, 39-28, on Nov. 24. Georgia beat Houston, 35-7, on Dec. 1.
Stat that matters: Since 1991, Bulldogs are 6-1 in bowls.
Game facts: Eagles RB William Green (2nd in nation with 1,559 rushing, 15 TDs) wants big audition for NFL scouts. QB Brian St. Pierre (led Big East with 25 TD passes) will look for WRs Dedrick Dewalt, Jamal Burke (combined 62 catches, 13 TDs). Bulldogs are playing in 18th different bowl, most of any school. QB David Greene (SEC freshman of year, 2,789 passing, 17 TDs, 9 ints.) has flourished under Richt. Senior RB Vernon Haynes is going out with a bang (521 rushing, 4 TDs in last 3 games, his only career starts). LBs Jermaine Phillips (80 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 3 ints.), Tony Gilbert (99 tackles), DE Charles Grant (6 sacks) key stout defense (19th in nation in scoring, 18.9).
HOLIDAY BOWL
San Diego
No. 9 TEXAS (10-2) vs. No. 21 WASHINGTON (8-3)
8:30 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: Mack Brown (37-13 in 4th year at Texas) and Rick Neuheisel (26-9 in third year).
Bowl records: Texas is 18-20-2. Washington is 14-12-1.
Last bowl appearance: Texas lost to Oregon, 35-30, in last year's Holiday Bowl. Washington beat Purdue, 34-24, in last year's Rose Bowl.
Series history: Texas leads, 2-1.
Last meeting: Washington won, 14-7, in the 1979 Sun Bowl.
Last game: Texas lost to Colorado, 39-37, in the Big 12 Championship Game Dec. 1. Washington lost at Miami, 65-7, on Nov. 24.
Stat that matters: Since 1982, Longhorns are 3-9 in bowls while giving up 32.1 points in the losses.
Game facts: Brown will give senior QB Major Applewhite (240 passing, 2 TDs in relief in Big 12 title game) first start of season in place of junior Chris Simms (3 ints., lost fumble in Big 12 title game). RB Cedric Benson (UT freshman record 1,053 rushing, 12 TDs) is questionable with neck problem. CB Quentin Jammer (school-record 24 passes broken up, 2 ints.), LB D.D. Lewis (5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss), S Nate Vasher (7 ints.) lead solid defense (led nation in total defense, 236.1, only 6 TD passes given up). Huskies are coming off second-worst loss ever at Miami. Playing with bad shoulder, QB Cody Pickett had nightmarish game with 5 ints., lost fumble. Freshman WR Reggie Williams (55 catches, 17.7 per catch, 3 TDs) is special talent. Defense has been trampled lately (given up 34.1 points over last 6 games).
SATURDAY
MOTOR CITY BOWL
Pontiac, Mich.
TOLEDO (9-2) vs. CINCINNATI (7-4)
Noon, ESPN.
Coaches: Tom Amstutz (9-2 in first year at Toledo) and Rick Minter (41-48-1 in 8th year).
Bowl records: Toledo is 5-1. Cincinnati is 2-1.
Last bowl appearance: Toledo beat Nevada, 40-37 in overtime, in the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl. Cincinnati lost to Marshall, 25-14, in last year's Motor City Bowl.
Series history: Cincinnati leads, 4-1.
Last meeting: Toledo won, 45-31, in 1995.
Last game: Toledo beat Marshall, 41-36, in the MAC Championship Game Nov. 30. Cincinnati beat Louisiana-Monroe, 42-10, on Dec. 1.
Stat that matters: Rockets were 17th in nation in rushing (213.4) while Bearcats were 75th in rushing defense (176.8).
Game facts: Looking for second straight 10-win season, Rockets have well-kept secrets in RB Chester Taylor (1,430 rushing, third in nation with 20 TDs), QB Tavares Bolden (2,581 total offense, 12 TD passes, 5 ints., 3 TD runs). K Todd France (12-of-17 on FGs) has good range. Bearcats were sparked by QB Gino Guidugli (C-USA freshman of year, 2,573 passing, 16 TDs, 9 ints.) WR LaDaris Vann (73 catches). DEs Antwan Peek (22 tackles for loss, school-record 12.5 sacks), Andre Frazier (11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) are pass-rushing force. K Jonathan Ruffin (38-of-45 on FGs last 2 years) is weapon in close game.
ALAMO BOWL
San Antonio
TEXAS TECH (7-4) vs. IOWA (6-5)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Coaches: Mike Leach (14-10 in second year at Texas Tech) and Kirk Ferentz (10-24 in third year).
Bowl records: Texas Tech is 5-18-1. Iowa is 8-7-1.
Last bowl appearance: Texas Tech lost to East Carolina, 40-27, in last year' Galleryfurniture.com Bowl. Iowa lost to Arizona State, 17-7, in 1997 Sun Bowl.
Series history: Iowa leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Iowa won, 27-0, in the 1996 Alamo Bowl.
Last game: Texas Tech Beat Stephen F. Austin, 58-3, on Nov. 24. Iowa lost at Iowa State, 17-14, on Nov. 24.
Stat that matters: Since 1974, Red Raiders are 2-8-1 in bowls while yielding 35.6 points in the losses.
Game facts: Red Raiders feature impressive 1-2 punch of QB Kliff Kingsbury (2nd in Big 12 in QB rating with 3,502 passing, 25 TDs, 9 ints.), RB Ricky Williams (726 rushing, 14 TDs, led team with 93 catches, 4 TDs). DE Aaron Hunt (18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks), CB Ryan Aycock (4 ints.), S Paul McClendon (4 forced fumbles, LB Jon Hawkins (110 tackles) lead underrated defense (25th in nation vs. pass, 189.3). After going 4-19 in Ferentz's first 2 years, Hawkeyes enjoyed turnaround behind efforts of QB Kyle McCann (1,867 passing, 65.8 pct. completions, 17 TDs, 11 ints.), RB Ledell Betts (1,056 rushing, 10 TDs), WR Kahlil Hill (53 catches, 8 TDs). Hawkeyes' 1-4 road record is a concern.
INSIGHT.COM BOWL
Phoenix
KANSAS STATE (6-5) vs. No. 18 SYRACUSE (9-3
5:30 p.m., ESPN2.
Coaches: Bill Snyder (105-48-1 in 13th year at K-State) and Paul Pasqualoni (90-39-1 in 11th year).
Bowl records: K-State is 5-5. Syracuse is 11-8-1.
Last bowl appearance: Kansas State beat Tennessee, 35-21, in last year's Cotton Bowl. Syracuse beat Kentucky, 20-13, in the 1999 Music City Bowl.
Series history: Kansas State leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Kansas State won, 35-18, in the 1997 Fiesta Bowl.
Last game: Kansas State beat Missouri, 24-3, on Nov. 24. Syracuse beat Boston College, 39-28, on Nov. 24.
Stat that matters: Since 1979, Orangemen are 10-2-1 in bowls including 4-2 under Pasqualoni.
Game facts: Wildcats needed 4-1 finish to get to 9th straight bowl. RB Josh Scobey (2nd in Big 12 with 1,263 rushing, 15 TDs) must carry burden since QB Ell Roberson's passing has been terrible (only 18 completions, 283 passing yards in last 6 games). LBs Ben Leber (15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks), S Jon McGraw (71 tackles, 4 ints.) anchor fine defense (3rd in nation in total defense, 262.3, 7th in scoring, 16.2). Looking for first 10-win season since 1992, Orangemen rallied from 0-2 start with 9-1 finish. DE Dwight Freeney (led nation with 17.5 sacks) is menace on defense. RB James Mungro (2nd in Big East with 1,170 rushing, 14 TDs) grinds out yards. QB R.J. Anderson (1,368 total offense, 5 TD passes, 5 TD runs) has improved since taking over as starter at midseason.