Saturday’s bowl games

7: Time: 8 a.m., ESPN

Schools: Utah State (9-4) vs. UTEP (7-5)

Time: 11:30 a.m., ESPN

Game rating: 2 stars

Overview: If Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil isn’t making the tackle, his brother Nick probably is. They combined for 261 tackles and 16 sacks. The Miners are bowling for the first time since 2010, and running back Aaron Jones averages 112 rushing yards per game.

8: Time: 12:30 p.m., ABC

Schools: Western Michigan (8-4) vs. Air Force (9-3)

Time: 2:45 p.m., ESPN

Game rating: 2 stars

Overview: The resurgent bowl. Western Michigan went 1-11 last year. It helped to have freshman running back Jarvion Franklin, the MAC offensive player of the year with 1,525 yards. Air Force followed a 2-10 season with a chance to win 10 games this season.

Schools: South Alabama (6-6) vs. Bowling Green (7-6)

Time: 6:15 p.m., ESPN

Game rating: 1 star

Overview: Six years ago, South Alabama was playing prep schools in its first year sponsoring football. Now they are bowling and the Jaguars have a potential pro quarterback in Brandon Bridge. Bowling Green beat an Indiana team that turned around and beat Missouri.

Blair Kerkhoff, K.C. Star