BOWL PREVIEW \ Tuesday's games

INSIGHT BOWL
Phoenix, Ariz.
Oregon State (6-5)vs. Notre Dame (6-5)
When: 9:45
TV: ESPN
Coaches: Mike Riley (22-24 in fourth year at Oregon State) and Kent Baer (first game as interim Notre Dame coach).
Payout: Each school receives $570,000.
Bowl records: Oregon State is 4-4. Notre Dame is 13-12.
Last bowl appearance: Oregon State beat New Mexico, 55-14, in last year's Las Vegas Bowl. Notre Dame lost to N.C. State, 28-6, in the 2003 Gator Bowl.
Series history: Oregon State leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Oregon State won, 41-9, in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl.
Last game: Oregon State beat Oregon, 50-21, on Nov. 20. Notre Dame lost at Southern Cal, 41-10, on Nov. 27.
Stat that matters: Since 1994, Fighting Irish have lost six consecutive bowl games while being outscored by combined 203-102.
Game facts: The Beavers made nice comeback from 1-4 start, winning five of last six with the only defeat a hard-fought 28-20 loss to No. 1 Southern Cal. QB Derek Anderson can be good (3,257 passing, school-record 25 TD passes) and bad (57 career ints., second most in OSU history). WR Mike Hass, a former walk-on, was third in the nation with 1,274 yards receiving on 81 catches with seven TDs. Notre Dame is in turmoil as defensive coordinator Kent Baer takes over for game for Tyrone Willingham, who was fired Nov. 30 after 21-16 mark in just three seasons. New coach New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis won't take over until after the NFL playoffs. Problems include a spotty offense (78th in nation in total offense, 351.8 ypg) that is hurt by inconsistent QB Brady Quinn (174-of-324, 2,372 passing, 15 TDs, 9 ints.), porous secondary (114th in nation vs. pass, 274.3 ypg, gave up 10 TD passes in final two games) and problems in close games (1-3 in games decided by 6 points or less). LBs Brandon Hoyte, Mike Goolsby, Derek Curry and DE Justin Tuck (ND record 24-1/2 career sacks) make plays all over field.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL
Shreveport, La.
Iowa State (6-5) vs. Miami, Ohio (8-4)
Time: 6:30
TV: ESPN
Coaches: Dan McCarney (44-72 in 10th year at Iowa State) and Terry Hoeppner (48-24 in 6th year at Miami of Ohio).
Payout: Each school receives $1.2 million.
Bowl records: Iowa State is 1-6. Miami (Ohio) is 6-2.
Last bowl appearance: Iowa State lost to Boise State, 34-16, in the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl. Miami of Ohio beat Louisville, 49-28, in last year's GMAC Bowl.
Series history: First meeting.
Last game: Iowa State lost at home to Missouri, 17-14 in overtime, on Nov. 27. Miami (Ohio) lost to Toledo, 35-27, in the MAC Championship Game Dec. 2.
Stat that matters: Since start of 2003 season, RedHawks have won 17 consecutive games when scoring 30 points or more.
Game facts: The Cyclones come in off a devastating loss to Missouri as a win would have given them the Big 12 North title. K Bret Culbertson shanked a 24-yard FG try in final minute that would have won it, then freshman QB Brett Meyer's interception in OT sealed the tough defeat. Meyer did improve greatly as the season wore down (887 total offense, four TD passes, two TD runs, two ints. in last three games). The RedHawks have deeper concerns, including Hoeppner, who takes over in new job at Indiana following the game. Meanwhile, team MVP WR Michael Larkin (55 catches, 8 TDs), was stabbed in the chest and bicep in an altercation over parking lot space Dec. 5, but should be able to play. Though he hasn't made MU fans forget Ben Roethlisberger, QB Josh Betts (248-of-400, 3,255 passing, 22 TDs, 13 ints., theree TD runs) has played well. MU must take better care of the ball as MU's 29 turnovers (105th in nation) were most in MAC.
Scripps Howard