COLLEGE BOWL PREVIEW | Today

CENTRAL MICHIGAN (9-4)vs. MIDDLE TENNESSEE (7-5)
What: Motor City Bowl; Where: Detroit; Game time: 7:30 p.m.; TV: ESPN.Coaches: Jeff Quinn (interim coach at Central Michigan) and Rick Stockstill (7-5 in first year at Middle Tennessee).Payout: Each school receives 750,000.Bowl records: Central Michigan is 0-2. Middle Tennessee has never played in a Division I bowl.Last bowl appearance: Central Michigan lost to UNLV, 52-24, in the 1994 Las Vegas Bowl.Series history: First meeting.Last game: Central Michigan beat Ohio, 31-10, in the Mid-American Championship Game Nov. 30. Middle Tennessee lost at home to Troy, 21-20, on Nov. 25.Stat that matters: In four non-conference losses to Division I-A foes, Blue Raiders were outscored 179-34.Game facts: After guiding Chippewas to first MAC title in 12 years, coach Brian Kelly took the Cincinnati job, leaving offensive coordinator Quinn to run team. Freshman QB phenom Dan LeFevour, the top-rated QB in the MAC (231-of-362, 2,869 yards passing, school-record 25 TDs, 10 ints.), was terrific in title win over Ohio going 22-of-30 for 314 yards with 3 TDs. In current 7-1 surge, sub-par defense has tightened up, giving up 17.9 points per game compared to 31 ppg in 2-3 start. Blue Raiders backed into this one, blowing 20-7 lead in the final three minutes vs. Troy (which cost MT outright Sun Belt title) but got in because Big Ten got two teams into the BCS and vacated their spot here. RBs Eugene Gross, DeMarco McNair (combined 1,409 rushing, 16 TDs) lead solid running game while QB Clint Marks (threw for 167 yards or less in 9 of 12 starts) isn't much of a threat. CB Damon Nickson (55 tackles, 5 ints.), DE Erik Walden (led Sun Belt with 91/2 sacks) are best of defense (53rd in nation in total defense, 325.7 ypg, held five of last six opponents to 21 points or less).
Scripps Howard