at a glance

Independence Bowl

Iowa St. (6-5) vs. Miami (Ohio) (8-4)

Where: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.

Time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Key stats: Iowa State is 97th in the nation in total offense (321.8 ypg). Miami is 30th in the nation in total offense (408.0 ypg).

About Iowa State: The Cyclones closed with a flourish, winning four of their final five, to become bowl-eligible. The offense isn’t much, and Iowa State must get good production from RB Stevie Hicks. QB Bret Meyer has some skills as a runner and a passer, but he can’t win a game with his arm. The Cyclones are solid defensively, especially against the pass.

About Miami: QB Josh Betts did a nice job in his first season as the starter (replacing Ben Roethlisberger), and TB Luke Clemens is the main running threat. The RedHawks are good against the run, and they know if they can shut down Iowa State’s running game, Miami wins this.

Insight Bowl

Notre Dame (6-5) vs. Oregon St. (6-5)

Where: Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix.

Time: 6:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Key stats: Oregon State is eighth in the nation in passing offense (304.4 ypg). Notre Dame is 114th in the nation in pass defense (274.4 ypg).

About Notre Dame: The Irish will be led by interim coach Kent Baer, and the players’ mindset will be important. QB Brady Quinn must avoid mistakes, and he needs a lot of help from TBs Darius Walker and Ryan Grant. The Irish must get consistent pressure from their front four, or CBs Dwight Ellick and Preston Jackson are going to get torched. Notre Dame had 27 sacks this season.

About Oregon State: Senior QB Derek Anderson has a big-time arm, but he also can be pressured into stupid decisions (he has 25 TD passes but also 17 picks). WR Mike Hass and TE Joe Newton have combined for 130 catches and 12 TDs. Any yards the Beavers get on the ground are gravy. The defense is a good one. E Bill Swancutt is a big-time pass-rusher (11.5 sacks), and there is an excellent secondary led by FS Mitch Meeuwsen.

– Orlando Sentinel