Saturday's Bowl previews
BY Associated Press
Saturday, December 29, 2012
12/29/12 at 6:30 AM
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Rice (6-6) vs. Air Force (6-6)
10:45 a.m.
Fort Worth, Texas
TV: ESPN-25
Line: Air Force by 2
Series record: Air Force leads 5-1
What's at stake
Both teams are trying to finish with a winning record. This is only the Owls' third bowl game in 51 years. Air Force is playing in its school-record sixth consecutive bowl.
Key matchup
Rice defense against Air Force offense, which is second nationally with 329 yards rushing per game.
PINSTRIPE BOWL
West Virginia (7-5) vs. Syracuse (7-5)
2:15 p.m.
Yankee Stadium, New York
TV: ESPN-25
Line: West Virginia 3 1/2
Series record: Syracuse 32-27
What's at stake
The Mountaineers are trying to wrap up a season that started great (5-0), went sour (five-game losing streak), then ended on the upswing (two straight victories). The Orange began their last season in the Big East 1-3 before closing strong and sharing the conference title.
Key matchup
QB Geno Smith and WRs Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin against Syracuse's pass defense and veteran secondary. The Orange rank 63rd in the nation in sacks and 65th in yards passing allowed.
FIGHT HUNGER BOWL
Arizona State (7-5) vs. Navy (8-4)
3 p.m.
AT&T Park, San Francisco
TV: ESPN2-26
Line: Arizona State by 14
Series record: First meeting
What's at stake
Arizona State is looking to finish off the first season under former TU coach Todd Graham on a high note by snapping a three-game bowl losing streak and winning a postseason game for the first time since 2005.
Key matchup
Arizona State run defense vs. Navy triple option. The unorthodox offensive attack for the Midshipmen should test the Sun Devils' defense which ranked 75th against the run this season. Navy is sixth in the nation with 275.6 yards rushing per game.
ALAMO BOWL
Texas (8-4) vs. No. 15 Oregon St. (9-3)
5:45 p.m.
Alamodome, San Antonio
TV: ESPN-25
Line: Oregon State by 3
Series record: Texas leads 2-0
What's at stake
The Longhorns are trying to win their 10th bowl game under Mack Brown, who comes in with a 9-4 record in the postseason. The Beavers are in their first bowl game since 2009.
Key matchup
Texas WR Mike Davis vs. Oregon State CB Jordan Poyer. Davis has 909 yards and could become just the sixth Texas player to have a 1,000-yard receiving season.
BUFFALO WILD WINGS BOWL
TCU (7-5) vs. Michigan St. (6-6)
9:15 p.m.
Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.
TV: ESPN-25
Line: TCU by 3
Series record: Michigan State leads 1-0
What's at stake
Both teams are trying to build momentum for next season after limping down the stretch in 2012.
Key matchup
TCU's defense against Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell.
