Compass Bowl: Houston versus Vanderbilt

1/4/2014

Compass Bowl

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

■ Where: At Legion Field, Birmingham, Ala.

■ Time: 1 p.m. (ESPN)

■ Series: First meeting.

■ What’s at stake: Vanderbilt is looking for its second straight bowl win and only its fourth overall and is trying to close its season with five straight wins. A young Houston team is trying to gain momentum for 2014, when it opens a new stadium. Houston's two-deep depth chart includes only eight seniors.

■ Key matchup: Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler vs. Houston wide receiver Deontay Greenberry. Ladler, a senior, leads the Southeastern Conference with five forced fumbles and ranks second with five interceptions and 60 solo tackles. Greenberry, a sophomore, led the Cougars with 76 catches for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns and is a big reason Houston scored in its first 32 quarters of the season.