Bowl Game Schedule
12/27/2013Military Bowl
Marshall vs. Maryland
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Records: Marshall is 9-4. Maryland is 7-5.
TV: ESPN.
Series: First meeting.
Favorites: Marshall by 2½
What’s at stake: Maryland is looking to win its first bowl game under third-year coach Randy Edsall. It's the final game as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference for the Terrapins, who move to the Big Ten in 2014. Marshall seeks to bounce back from a loss to Rice in the Conference USA title game and secure its first season with double-digit wins since 2002.
Players to watch: Marshall: WR Tommy Shuler has 97 catches for 1,097 yards and 9 TDs. Maryland: QB C.J. Brown has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 2,045 yards and run for 12 scores and 538 yards despite missing two games with injuries.
Texas Bowl
Syracuse vs. Minnesota
Time: 6 p.m.
Records: Syracuse is 6-6. Minnesota is 8-4.
TV: ESPN
Series: Minnesota leads 3-1.
Favorites: Minnesota by 4.
What’s at stake: A win would give Minnesota nine wins for the first time since 2003 and the eighth time overall and end a five-game bowl losing streak. Syracuse has won two bowl games in the past three years, and a victory over Minnesota would give the Orange a winning record for the third time in four years.
Players to watch: Syracuse: QB Terrel Hunt. The sophomore began the season as the backup to Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen, then took over as the starter after Allen endured two bad games. Minnesota: QBs Philip Nelson and Mitch Leidner. The Gophers employ a two-quarterback system. Nelson leads the team with 1,288 yards passing with nine touchdowns, and Leidner has thrown for 414 yards and another score. They also both like to run, with Leidner rushing for 383 yards and seven touchdowns and Nelson adding 350 yards rushing with six more scores.
Fight Hunger Bowl
BYU vs. Washington
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Records: BYU is 8-4. Washington is 8-4.
TV: ESPN
Series: Tied at 4-4.
Favorites: Washington by 3.
What’s at stake: The Cougars look to end their fifth straight season with a bowl win. BYU has lost just one bowl game since 2005.
Players to watch: BYU: QB Taysom Hill. Hill ran for 1,211 yards and threw for 2,645, becoming the first BYU player and 23rd ever to reach 1,000 yards rushing and 2,000 passing in the same season. Washington: QB Keith Price. Price threw for 2,843 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions this season despite missing one game with an injury.