BOWL PREVIEW Wednesday's other game

Houston Bowl
Texas-El Paso (8-3) vs. Colorado (7-5)
When: 4:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Coaches: Mike Price (8-3 in first year at UTEP) and Gary Barnett (41-33 in 6th year at Colorado).
Payout: Each school receives $1.1 million.
Bowl records: UTEP is 5-5. Colorado is 11-14.
Last bowl appearance: UTEP lost to Boise State, 38-23, in the 2000 Humanitarian Bowl. Colorado lost to Wisconsin, 31-28 in overtime, in the 2002 Alamo Bowl.
Series history: First meeting.
Last game: UTEP lost at Tulsa, 37-35, on Nov. 27. Colorado lost to Oklahoma, 42-3, in the Big 12 Championship Game Dec. 4.
Stat that matters: Of the 70 players who dressed for Colorado in the Big 12 Championship Game, 47 were freshman.
Game facts: Call this one the Scandal Bowl. Bounced from Alabama before coaching a game in 2003 amid allegations of sexual infidelity, Price engineered an amazing turnaround with the Miners' second winning season since 1988. Opportunistic defense (fourth in nation with 30 turnovers forced) made key plays all year, led by CB Adrian Ward (five interceptions), S Quentin Demps (two interceptions and two forced fumbles, two TD returns), and WAC defensive player of year LB Robert Rodriguez (107 tackles, four forced fumbles). QB Jordan Palmer (2,490 passing, 24 TDs, 16 ints.) is the brother of 2002 Heisman-winner Carson Palmer of USC. Despite being suspended for two months last April after making insensitive remarks about former CU K Katie Hnida amid rape scandal focusing on Buffs' recruits, Barnett survived and did a masterful job with a very young team. They were 4-1 in games decided by seven points or less. RB Bobby Purify (1,017 rushing, nine TDs), former walk-on QB Joel Klatt (2,065 passing, nine TDs, 15 ints.) and K Mason Crosby (19 FGs led Big 12 including CU-record 60-yarder) were the leaders.
Scripps Howard