Bowl capsules
January 1, 2009 at 7:12AM
No. 5 Southern California vs. No. 8 Penn State
When, where: 4 p.m., Pasadena, Calif. • TV: Ch. 5 (1130, 660-AM)
Payout per team: $17 million
Records: USC 11-1, Penn State 11-1
Key stat: USC's Pete Carroll has .853 winning percentage.
Key players: Trojans LBs Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews have combined for a combined 181 tackles. Penn State RB Evan Royster averaged 106 yards in his first 10 games, but only 71 in the final two games.
The skinny: The Nittany Lions are trying to become first Big Ten team to win Rose Bowl since Wisconsin in 2000.
Did you know? Michigan -- which upset Florida last season -- is the only Big Ten team other than Penn State to have won a bowl since 2007.
Line: USC by 10
Outback Bowl
Iowa vs. South Carolina
When, where: 10 a.m., Tampa, Fla. • TV: ESPN (690-AM)
Payout per team: $3.2 million
Records: Iowa 8-4, South Carolina 7-5
Key stat: Gamecocks were 115th in nation with 33 turnovers.
Key player: Iowa's Shonn Greene was second in the nation in rushing, with 1,729 yards and 17 TDs.
The skinny: South Carolina, coming off a 55-6 loss at Florida, will face the nation's 12th-ranked scoring defense (13.3 ppg).
Did you know? S. Carolina QBs have passed for 39 TDs and 41 INTs in past two seasons.
Line: Iowa by 3
GATOR BOWL
Nebraska vs. Clemson
When, where: noon, Jacksonville, Fla. • TV: Ch. 4 Payout per team: $2.5 million
Records: Nebraska 8-4, Clemson 7-5
Key stat: Over the past two seasons, the Cornhuskers have given up more than 30 points 14 times, going 4-10.
Key player: Huskers WR Nate Swift (60 catches, 9 TDs) of Hutchinson, Minn., needs 36 yards receiving to become the school's career leader.
The skinny: Cornhuskers haven't won a bowl since 2003.
Did you know? Nebraska is 22-22 in bowls, Clemson 15-15.
Line: Clemson by 3
CAPITAL ONE BOWL
No. 16 Georgia vs. No. 19 Michigan State
When, where: noon, Orlando • TV: Ch. 5 (660-AM)
Payout per team: $4.25 million
Records: Georgia 9-3, Michigan State 9-3
Key stat: Spartans have lost 10 in a row to ranked foes.
Key player: MSU's Javon Ringer was third in the nation with 1,590 rushing yards and second with 21 TDS; Georgia's offense is led by Matthew Stafford (3,209 yards passing, 22 TDs, nine INT) and sophomore RB Knowshon Moreno (1,338 rushing, 17 TDs).
The skinny: MSU's Brett Swenson is 7-for-9 beyond 40 yards.
Did you know? Georgia lost 19 players to season-ending injuries.
Line: Georgia by 7
Orange Bowl
No. 12 Cincinnati vs. No. 21 Virginia Tech
When, where: 7 p.m., Miami • TV: Ch. 9 (1130-AM, 660-AM)
Payout per team: $17 million
Records: Cincinnati 11-2, Virginia Tech 9-4
Key stat: ACC has an eight-game losing streak in BCS bowls.
Key player: Bearcats WR Dominick Gillyard was second in the Big East with 2,025 all-purpose yards.
The skinny: Cincy's Kevin Huber leads the nation in net punting.
Did you know? Bearcats players moved out of their Miami Beach resort for quieter digs after rapper Sean (P Diddy) Combs checked in in advance of a New Year's Eve bash.
Line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2
about the writer
Detroit receiver Jameson Williams is giving future opponents – including a certain team from the Twin Cities – cause for concern as the race for the division title and No. 1 seed comes down to the wire.
