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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bowl capsules

Las Vegas Bowl

Matchup: BYU (9-3) vs. No. 20 Utah (9-3, No. 22 CFP), 12:30 p.m. (ABC)

Line: Utah by 2

Series record: Utah leads 57-34-4, according to Utah; 54-31-4 according to BYU

What’s at stake: The Las Vegas Bowl has plenty of juice with its matchup of rivals BYU and Utah. The story lines are abundant. This will be BYU’s final game under coach Bronco Mendenhall after 11 seasons at the helm. He’s going for his 100th win before leaving to take over at Virginia. There’s also plenty of pride at stake in a series dubbed The Holy War. Utah is trying to finish off a once-promising season on the right note. The Utes started 6-0 and were once ranked No. 3 in the country. Now the first 10-win season since joining the Pac-12 in 2011 is the prize and a victory over the Cougars would be the icing on the cake.

Key matchup: BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum was one of the most talked about players early in the college football season as he led the Cougars to thrilling comebacks against Nebraska and Boise State. The strong-armed freshman has thrown for 3,062 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Utah has the No. 97 pass defense in the country, but is opportunistic with 19 interceptions – tied for seventh-most in the country.

New Mexico Bowl

Matchup: New Mexico (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West) vs. Arizona (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12), 11 a.m. (ESPN)

Line: Arizona by 7 1/2

Series record: Arizona, 43-20-3

What’s at stake: New Mexico is in its first bowl game since 2007 and is coming off years of turmoil. The Lobos are 3-7-1 in bowl games and their return to the New Mexico Bowl has generated excitement in Albuquerque. Arizona, plagued by injuries this year, is making its 20th postseason appearance and has a bowl record of 8-10-1. The Wildcats are making their fourth consecutive bowl appearance for the first time in school history, all under coach Rich Rodriguez.

Key matchup: New Mexico’s triple-option threat versus Arizona’s up-tempo air attack. The Lobos are ranked ninth nationally for rushing offense, averaging 246.6 yards. The Wildcats have 37 offensive plays or 30 or more yards this season, which is ranked 13th among FBS teams. Under Rodriguez, Arizona is 26-2 when leading at halftime.

New Orleans Bowl

Matchup: Louisiana Tech (8-4, 6-2 CUSA) vs. Arkansas State (9-3, 8-0 Sun Belt), 6 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Louisiana Tech by 2

Series record: Louisiana Tech leads 25-12.

What’s at stake: Louisiana Tech seeks a second straight bowl victory. Arkansas State aims for its third bowl victory in four seasons.

Key matchup: Arkansas State’s running game out of multiple formations, which averages 236.7 yards per game, against Louisiana Tech’s stout interior defensive line led by NFL prospect Vernon Butler. Tech is allowing 114.8 yards rushing per game.

Cure Bowl

Matchup: Georgia State (6-6, Sun Belt) vs. San Jose State (5-7, Mountain West), 4 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Line: San Jose St. by 2 1/2

Series record: First meeting.

What’s at stake: Georgia State won four straight and five of their last seven to secure the program’s first bowl appearance in just its sixth year of existence. The Panthers face a San Jose State team that has dropped three of its last four games, though that stretch includes a 17-16 setback against BYU and a 37-34 overtime defeat at Nevada.

Key matchup: Georgia State’s offense vs. San Jose State’s defense. During its current four-game streak, Georgia State is averaging 32.5 points and 508.8 yards of offense per game. It’s opposite a San Jose defensive unit that is ranked second nationally for fewest passing yards allowed per game (153.6). In 2015, the Spartans topped the Football Bowl Subdivision in that category for seven weeks.

Camellia Bowl

Matchup: Ohio (8-4, MAC) vs. Appalachian St. (10-2, Sun Belt), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Appalachian St. by 7 1/2

Series record: First meeting.

What’s at stake: A win would give Ohio its highest victory total since 2012. Three-time FCS champion Appalachian State is seeking to make its first bowl trip a successful one.

Key matchup: Appalachian State’s running game vs. Ohio’s defense. The Mountaineers are averaging 268.8 rushing yards per game, sixth nationally. Ohio is allowing 157 yards an outing on the ground but a healthy 4.8 yards per carry. Marcus Cox leads the way for Appalachian State with 1,261 yards and eight touchdowns.