ST. PETERSBURG BOWL

Miami, Ohio (6-6, Mid-American Conference) vs. Mississippi State (5-7, SEC), 11 a.m. (ESPN). LINE: Mississippi State by 14½. SERIES: First meeting. WHAT’S AT STAKE: Miami is the first team in NCAA history to rebound from losing its first six games and finish the regular season 6-6. A seventh consecutive victory would give the RedHawks their first winning season since 2010, and knocking off an opponent from the vaunted SEC certainly won’t hurt coach Chuck Martin on the recruiting trail. Mississippi State has had a disappointing season by recent Bulldogs standards; however, a win would provide coach Dan Mullen and younger players a boost heading into the offseason. KEY MATCHUP: Miami’s defense against Mississippi State dual-threat QB Nick Fitzgerald, who has rushed for 1,243yards and 14touchdowns while throwing for 2,287yards and 21TDs. Fitzgerald broke Dak Prescott’s school single-season rushing record for a quarterback and his total is third best for a QB in SEC history behind Heisman Trophy winners Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel. PLAYERS TO WATCH Miami, Ohio: QB Gus Ragland has thrown for 1,274 yards and 15 TDs. WR James Gardner averages a team-leading 16.5 yards per reception with 40 catches for 658 yards and five TDs. Mississippi State: Fitzgerald is the focal point of the Bulldogs’ offense. Once the ball leaves the QB’s hands, though, it’s often bound for WR Fred Ross, who has 68receptions for 873yards and a SEC-leading 12TD catches.