International Bowl: Noon, Jan. 5, ESPN2Ball State (7-5) vs. Rutgers (7-5)
More than a decade after its last appearance in a bowl game, Ball State plays Rutgers in the International Bowl in Toronto. The Scarlet Knights are led by junior running back Ray Rice, who was third in the nation and first overall among players from BCS conference schools in rushing yards with 1,732. Rutgers' junior Mike Teel is 22nd in the nation in passer rating while Ball State's Nate Davis is 23rd. However, Davis threw for more yards and touchdowns than Teel. The sophomore is 13th in the nation in passing yards and 15th in touchdown passes.
Vinnie Lopes, Managing Editor: RutgersKyle Shaner, Sports Editor: RutgersAli Newton, Asst. Design Editor: Rutgers
Rose Bowl: 4:30 p.m. Jan. 1, ABC Illinois (9-3) vs. USC (10-2)
With Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game, at-large No. 13 Illinois received an invite to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The Illini's No. 5 rushing attack, which averages 266.2 yards per game and is led by junior Rashard Mendenhall, takes on the USC defense, which allows 79.2 rushing yards per games of the season, including wins against two top 25 teams. Illinois also won its last four games, including a win against No. 1 Ohio State.
Lopes: USCShaner: USCNewton: USC
Motor City Bowl: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26, ESPNPurdue (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (8-5)
The MAC champs get a chance to avenge their 45-22 week-three loss when Central Michigan plays Purdue in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. Purdue got out to a 38-0 lead before Central Michigan got on the board in the third quarter. The Chippewas' Dan LeFevour threw three touchdowns in the loss while Purdue's Curtis Painter threw two touchdown passes. Both quarterbacks threw for at least 360 yards in the game. Purdue's rushing attack also added 223 yards and three touchdowns.
Lopes: Central MichiganShaner: PurdueNewton: Purdue
GMAC Bowl: 8 p.m. Jan. 6, ESPNBowling Green (8-4) vs. Tulsa (9-4)
With 4,753 passing yards, Tulsa's Paul Smith is second in the nation in passing yards behind Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, who has 5,298 yards. Bowling Green's defense was third in the MAC at stopping the pass as it allowed 207.7 yards per game. The Falcons also like to pass the ball as they led the conference with 286.8 passing yards per game. Bowling Green's offense scored at least 31 points in each of its games except for during a week two loss to Michigan State.
Lopes: TulsaShaner: TulsaNewton: Tulsa
Insight Bowl: 6 p.m. Dec. 31, NFL NetworkIndiana (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)
Oklahoma State will be playing its 10th game of the season against a team with a winning record when it battles Indiana in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. The Cowboys were 3-6 in their previous games against winning teams, with five of the losses coming against ranked teams. The Hoosiers are one of eight Big Ten schools to get a bowl invite, though 10 of the 11 teams were bowl eligible. Of Indiana's seven wins, three came against BCS conference schools while three others were against MAC schools and one was against Indiana State.
Lopes: Oklahoma StateShaner: Oklahoma StateNewton: Indiana
Poinsettia Bowl: 9 p.m. Cec. 20, ESPNUtah (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4)
Averaging 351.5 yards per game, Navy leads the nation in rushing yards per game by more than 50 yards. While the Midshipmen lead the nation in rushing, none of their players had at least 800 yards on the season. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada led the team with 782 yards on the ground. Navy had seven players run for at least 450 yards on the season. Utah is fifth in the Mountain West Conference at stopping the run as it allowed 130 yards per game. The Utes led the conference in pass defense, allowing 189.4 yards per game.
Lopes: NavyShaner: UtahNewton: Navy
Obscure Game of the WeekNCAA D-III Semi-Finals: Noon, SaturdayUW-Whitewater (12-1) vs. Mary Hardin-Baylor (12-1)
Two teams with one loss battle in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs Saturday, UW-Whitewater plays host to Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Warhawks of UW-Whitewater were the No. 1 seed in their region. The Crusaders were the No. 4 team in their region. The Crusaders' one loss of the season came to UW-Whitewater week eight, as the Warhawks won 41-14. UW-Whitewater shut out Mary Hardin-Baylor in the first half while scoring 28 points. The Crusaders turned the ball over five times in the loss.
Lopes: Mary Hardin-BaylorShaner: UW-WhitewaterNewton: UW-Whitewater
Pick'em StandingsFor the first time, a guest picker won the week's competition as men's tennis player Joe Vallee went 4-2 in the most recent competition. Sports Editor Kyle Shaner went 3-3 to tie Managing Editor Vinnie Lopes for the lead in the competition. Lopes went 2-4 on the weekend. Each week Lopes, Shaner and a guest picker from the newspaper or the Ball State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will project the MAC games.
Vinnie Lopes: 29-18Kyle Shaner: 29-18Guests: 28-19
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