Bowl outlook Upcoming games

TAXSLAYER.COM GATOR BOWL

WHO: Nebraska (8-4) vs. Georgia (8-4)

KICKOFF: Today, noon, Jacksonville, Fla., ESPN2

THE SKINNY: Cornhuskers and Bulldogs are back at it after Georgia won last year’s matchup in the Capital One Bowl 45-31. Nebraska is riding a three-game bowl losing streak and seeks to avoid its first five-loss campaign in Bo Pelini’s six seasons.

HEART OF DALLAS BOWL

WHO: UNLV (7-5) vs. North Texas (8-4)

KICKOFF: Today, noon, Dallas. ESPNU

THE SKINNY: North Texas returns to the postseason after a 12 year drought and the Mean Green aren’t traveling far, down the road to Dallas. The key matchup is North Texas’ run defense, which yielded 125 yards per game, against UNLV running back Tim Cornett, who has 1,251 yards and 15 touchdowns.

CAPITAL ONE BOWL

WHO: Wisconsin (9-3) vs. South Carolina (10-2)

KICKOFF: Today, 1 p.m., Orlando, Fla., ABC

THE SKINNY: This is a point-of-attack game, with the Gamecocks’ defensive front meeting the Wisconsin running game, led by Melvin Gordon and James White and a stout offensive line. The Badgers were tripped up in their finale against Penn State, and South Carolina took care of business against Clemson. The SEC has won four of the last five Capital One meetings.

OUTBACK BOWL

WHO: Iowa (8-4) vs. LSU (9-3)

KICKOFF: Today, 1 p,m., Tampa, Fla., ESPN

THE SKINNY: The only other game between these programs ended on a long Iowa touchdown pass on the game’s final play in the 2005 Capital One Bowl. It also was Nick Saban’s final game at LSU’s coach. Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger is out with a knee injury, and the Tigers will need more from the running game, led by Jeremy Hill. Freshman Anthony Jennings is expected to get his first start at quarterback for the Tigers.

ROSE BOWL PRESENTED BY VIZIO

WHO: Stanford (11-2) vs. Michigan State (12-1)

KICKOFF: Today, 5 p.m., Pasadena, Calif., ESPN

THE SKINNY: In an old school venue (Rose Bowl), the Spartans and Cardinal look to play some defensive-minded football. They both rank near the top nationally in scoring defense, but both quarterbacks - Stanford’s Kevin Hogan and Michigan State’s Connor Cook - upped their games in conference championship victories.

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL

WHO: Central Florida (11-1) vs. Baylor (11-1)

KICKOFF: Today, 8:30 p.m., Glendale, Ariz., ESPN

THE SKINNY: This may be a more competitive game than you think, if Central regains its early season form. The Golden Knights struggled to put away non-bowl teams Temple, South Florida and SMU down the stretch to clinch the first American Athletic Conference championship. Baylor beat Texas to win its first Big 12 title. The quarterbacks, Baylor’s Bryce Petty and Central’s Blake Bortles, were among college football’s most productive.

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL

WHO: Oklahoma (10-2) vs. Alabama (11-1)

KICKOFF: Thursday, 8:30 p.m., New Orleans, ESPN

THE SKINNY: Will the play match the glamor of the matchup? That will be up to Oklahoma, which won its way into the BCS by upsetting Oklahoma State. Not covering a missed-field goal return against Auburn is why the Crimson Tide is here. The last time Alabama found itself in this situation, it was embarrassed by Utah. Blake Bell or Trevor Knight behind center for the Sooners? No decision for Nick Saban. A.J. McCarron is one of the game’s greatest winners.

AT&T COTTON BOWL

WHO: Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Missouri (11-2)

KICKOFF: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Arlington, Tex., Fox

THE SKINNY: The best of the non-BCS bowl games and better than some BCS matchups. Both were a victory away from greater things, and whoever manages the disappointment better has the advantage. A good matchup here could develop between Mizzou wideout Dorial Green-Beckham and Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert.

DISCOVER ORANGE BOWL

WHO: Clemson (10-2) vs. Ohio State (12-1)

KICKOFF: Friday, 8:30 p.m., Miami, ESPN

THE SKINNY: The only other meeting between these programs cost Woody Hayes his job when the Ohio State coach took a swing at Clemson player at the 1978 Gator Bowl. Good quarterback matchup between the Tigers’ Tajh Boyd and the Buckeyes’ Braxton Miler. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer won his first 24 games in Columbus, but is coming off the loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game.

BBVA COMPASS BOWL

WHO: Vanderbilt (8-4) vs. Houston (8-4)

KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m., Birmingham, Ala., ESPN

THE SKINNY: Houston quarterback John O’Korn enjoyed a solid freshman season with 26 touchdowns, but the Cougars dropped three of their final four games. Vanderbilt fell in the SEC’s bowl pecking order but its strong pass defense should give it an edge here.

GODADDY BOWL

WHO: Arkansas State (7-5) vs. Ball State (10-2)

KICKOFF: 9 p.m. Sunday in Mobile, Ala. (ESPN)

THE SKINNY: Another bowl in Mobile for Arkansas State, another Red Wolves coach moves on. Bryan Harsin is off to Boise State and follows Gus Malzahn and Huge Freeze to other jobs after taking Arkansas State to the bowl. Ball State, which averages 486 yards, should be handful for Arkansas State.

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

WHO: Florida State (13-0) vs. Auburn (12-1)

KICKOFF: 8:30 p.m. Monday in Pasadena, Calif. (ESPN)

THE SKINNY: Had this matchup in your preseason pool, right? The Seminoles have been dominant all year; the Tigers have been a combination of excellent and fortunate. Florida State has to stop Tre Mason and the Auburn ground game. Missouri couldn’t in the SEC title game and was burned for 545 rushing yards, 304 by Mason. The Tigers have to contain Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jameis Winston. Nobody could this season.

Associated Press