Today’s bowl games

BOCA RATON BOWL Appalachian State (1 0 -3 ) vs. Western Kentucky (8-5)

11 a.m.,

ESPN

Key matchup:

Mountaineers enter bowl season ranked 1 2 th in pass defense efficiency, while no team has thrown for more yards than Western Kentucky.

CELEBRATION BOWL

South Carolina State (6 -5 ) vs. Jackson State (11-1)

Noon,

ABC

Key matchup:

South Carolina State QB Corey Fields Jr. vs. Jackson State’s defense. The Tigers, with one of the topranked units in FCS, will try to force Fields into some costly mistakes.

NEW MEXICO BOWL

UTEP (7 -5 ) vs. Fresno State (9-3)

2 :1 5 p.m.,

ESPN

Key matchup:

UTEP receiver Jacob Cowing lining up against Fresno State defensive back Evan Williams should bring marquee attention. Cowing had 67 catches for 1,330 yards.

INDEPENDENCE BOWL BYU (1 0 -2 ) vs. UAB (8 -4 ) 3:30 p.m.,

ABC

Notable: The Cougars,who have been competing as an independent since 2011, will join the Big 12 Conference for the 2023-24 season. UAB program was reinstated in 2017 and went to three consecutive bowls.

LENDING TREE BOWL

Eastern Michigan (7 -5 ) vs. Liberty (7 -5 )

5:45 p.m., ESPN Key matchup:

Eastern Michigan’s secondary against Liberty QB Malik Willis, a threat as a passer and as a runner. The Flames have a group of receivers led by Demario Douglas and CJ Daniels.

LA BOWL

Utah State

(1 0 -3 ) vs. Oregon State (7 -5 )

7:30 p.m.

ABC

Key matchup:

Utah State WR Deven Thompkins vs. Oregon State DB Rejzohn Wright. Thompkins ranks second in the FBS with a school-record 1,589 yards receiving.

NEW ORLEANS BOWL Louisianalafayette (12-1)vs. Marshall (7 -5 ) 9:15 p.m.

ESPN

Notable: Ragin’ Cajuns come in with 12 straight victories and their first-ever outright Sun Belt Conference title. Thundering Herd will play their secondever game in the Superdome.