COLLEGE FOOTBALL | Monday's bowl previews

MUSIC CITY BOWL
in Nashville, Tenn.
MINNESOTA (7-5) vs. ARKANSAS (9-4)
Time: 2 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: Glen Mason (33-37 in 6th year at Minnesota) and Houston Nutt (39-22 in 5th year).
Payout: Each school receives $750,000.
Bowl records: Minnesota is 2-5. Arkansas is 10-19-3
Last bowl appearance: Minnesota lost to N.C. State, 38-30, in the 2000 MicronPC Bowl. Arkansas lost to Oklahoma, 10-3, in last year's Cotton Bowl.
Series history: First meeting.
Last game: Minnesota lost at Wisconsin, 49-31, on Nov. 30. Arkansas lost to Georgia, 30-3, in the SEC Championship Game, Dec. 7.
Stat that matters: Since 1987, Razorbacks are 1-9 in bowls losing by average score of 25-15.
Game facts: After fine 7-1 start, Golden Gophers fell apart losing their last four games by combined score of 164-79. QB Asad Abdul Khaliq (2,282 total offense, 18 TD passes, 11 ints., 5 TD runs) must get ball downfield vs. Razorbacks aggressive secondary (second in SEC with 19 ints., 16 TDs given up). RB Terry Jackson (1,281 rushing, 5.8 per carry, 6 TDs) adds balance. Hogs will pound away at weak UM front seven (93rd in nation vs. run, 184.8, gave up 1,224 rushing in last 4 losses) with RBs Fred Talley (1,086 rushing, 5.9 per carry), De'Arrius Howard (588 rushing, 7 TDs), Cedric Cobbs. QB Matt Jones averaged only 92.3 yards passing over final seven games but 'Hogs went 6-1 over that span.
SEATTLE BOWL
WAKE FOREST (6-6) vs. OREGON (7-5)
Time: 5 p.m., ESPN.
Coaches: Jim Grobe (12-11 in second year at Wake Forest) and Mike Bellotti (67-28 in 8th year).
Payout: Each school receives $1 million.
Bowl records: Wake Forest is 3-2. Oregon is 7-9.
Last bowl appearance: Wake Forest beat Arizona State, 23-3, in the 1999 Aloha Classic. Oregon beat Colorado, 38-16, in last year's Fiesta Bowl.
Series history: Wake Forest leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Wake Forest won, 39-35, in the 1992 Independence Bowl.
Last game: Wake Forest lost at Maryland, 32-14, on Nov. 30. Oregon
Stat that matters: Since 1997, Ducks are 4-1 in bowls while averaging 35.8 points per game.
Game facts: Hoping for first consecutive winning seasons since 1987-88, Demon Deacons will unleash potent ground attack (8th in nation in rushing, 239.9) featuring RBs Tarence Williams, Chris Barclay (combined 1,420 rushing, 13 TDs) vs. rugged Ducks run defense (3rd in Pac-10 vs. run, 106.7). RB Ovie Mughelli (11 TDs in 72 carries) is tough around goal line. DE Calvin Pace (29 career sacks) is play-maker for defense (second in ACC with 33 turnovers forced). After 6-0 start, Ducks fell apart losing five of last six while yielding 35.3 points per game. RB Onterrio Smith (1,079 rushing, 12 TDs) is questionable with knee problem. QB Jason Fife (40-of-97, 544 passing, 4 TDs, 5 ints. in season-ending 3-game losing streak) must play better. WRs Keenan Howry, Samie Parker (combined 80 catches, 12 TDs) have speed to burn WR secondary (86th in nation in pass defense, 237.6, 21 TD passes).