ARMED FORCES BOWL
Who: Houston (7-5) vs. Pittsburgh (6-6)
When: 10 a.m. TV: ESPN
Key matchup: The contrasting running games. Pittsburgh features ACC player of the year James Conner, who has 1,675 yards rushing. He set an ACC record with 24 rushing touchdowns even while hindered by a hip injury the past two games. Houston has a running quarterback in Greg Ward Jr. (1,736 yards passing, 481 yards rushing). The Cougars also feature junior running backs Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson, who have combined for 1,531 yards, 17 touchdowns and eight 100-yard rushing games this season.
TAXSLAYER BOWL
Who: Iowa (7-5) vs. Tennessee (6-6)
When: 1:20 p.m. TV: ESPN
Key matchup: Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff against Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett. The Outland Trophy winner and a consensus All-American, Scherff is widely considered a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Barnett set a school record for true freshmen this season with 10 sacks and 20½ tackles for lost yardage.
ALAMO BOWL
Who: No. 14 UCLA (9-3) vs. No. 11 Kansas State (9-3)
When: 4:45 p.m. TV: ESPN
Key matchup: UCLA defensive backs against K-State wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The Bruins have shut down top-tier wideouts such as USC’s Nelson Agholor (three catches for 24 yards) and Colorado’s Nelson Spruce (six catches for 63 yards). Lockett has four consecutive games of at least 100 yards receiving. In games against the Big 12 co-champ- ions, he had 14 catches vs. Baylor and 196 yards receiving vs. TCU.
CACTUS BOWL
Who: Oklahoma State (6-6) vs. Washington (8-5)
When: 8:15 p.m. TV: ESPN
Key matchup: Oklahoma State’s offensive line against Washington’s pass rush. The Huskies have one of the most aggressive, disruptive defenses in the nation, powered by three All-Americans. The Huskies’ defense ranks third nationally with 3.8 sacks per game. Outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha leads the country with 18 sacks. The Cowboys have allowed 37 sacks this season, so protecting freshman QB Mason Rudolph will be paramount.
The Associated Press
