TODAY’S BOWL GAMES
Key matchup
Penn State QB Sean Clifford vs. Utah S R.J. Hubert. The sixth-year senior Clifford will have to be at his best after struggling in the Nittany Lions’ two defeats, completing
7 of 19 passes for 120 yards against the Wolverines and being picked off three times by Ohio State. Hubert and Cole Bishop anchored arguably the Pac-12’s premier safety tandem and performed well against the conference’s strong collection of quarterbacks.
Key matchup
Mississippi State QB Will Rogers against the stingy
Illinois defense. Rogers completed 386 of 566 passes for 3,713 yards and 34 touchdowns. He is the Southeastern Conference leader in completions (1,130) and holds the school passing yards (10,428) and touchdown pass (81) marks. Illinois was ranked in the top 10 in 17 major defensive categories during the regular season. The Illini held six opponents to under 10 points.
Key matchup
Purdue offensive line vs LSU defensive line. The Boilermakers are solid in pass protection, ranking 11th in sack rate percentage on passing downs at 3.5%, according to Football Outsiders. It should be a good matchup between them and the Tigers’ defensive line, which ranks 72nd in overall sack rate and 21st in sack rate on passing downs.
Key matchup
QB Michael Pratt and Tulane passing game vs. USC secondary. Over the Trojans’ last seven games, only one-win Colorado didn’t throw for at least 300 yards and multiple touchdowns against them. But they are third nationally with 19 interceptions this season. Pratt has thrown for 2,755 yards and 25 touchdowns with five interceptions, and has been picked off only twice the past eight games.