Previewing Saturday's bowl games

Saturday's bowl games: Examining the matchups.

New Orleans Bowl — UL-Lafayette (8-4) vs. Nevada (7-5)

Time/TV: 11 a.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: Nevada by 1. Sagarin difference: Nevada by 4.46.

Bowl records: ULL 3-0, Nevada 4-9. Series: Nevada 1-0 (won only meeting 38-14 in 1995).

Synopsis: The bowl season gets underway in the Big Easy, which is becoming a postseason home-away-from-home for the Ragin' Cajuns. They'll try for their fourth consecutive victory at this event against a fourth different challenger. The Wolf Pack's season was characterized by near misses that kept it from being special, but a lot of that would be forgotten if Nevada can finish with a win here. ULL is at its best when its running game is working. TB Elijah McGuire, the Sun Belt offensive player of the year, leads the way. TB Alonzo Harris can produce himself, and QB Terrance Broadway gets in on the act as well. Broadway's productivity through the air took a hit when WR Jamal Robinson went down with a midseason foot injury, so Wolf Pack DE Brock Hekking and LB Jonathan McNeal should be able to stay focused on their rush defense assignments. Prolific Nevada QB Cody Fajardo's primary aerial threat is WR Jerico Richardson, but he doesn't mind taking off himself or handing off to RB Don Jackson. CB Corey Trim is the Cajuns' top tackler, a potentially bad sign if his teammates up front don't manage gaps well.

New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque — Utah State (9-4) vs. Texas-El Paso (7-5)

Time/TV: 2:20 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: Utah State by 10. Sagarin difference: USU by 8.80.

Bowl records: USU 3-5, UTEP 5-8. Series: USU 2-0 (won last meeting 21-6 in 1961).

Synopsis: Things didn't look good early on for Utah State when dynamic QB Chuckie Keeton, a potential dark-horse Heisman candidate entering 2014, was lost early to a knee injury. But the Aggies held together and were playing for a shot at the Mountain West championship game in their final contest. Though they came up short against Boise State, a 10th win would be a nice capper to a strong year. At the controls now for the USU attack is QB Kent Myers, who will count on RBs LaJuan Hunt and Joe Hill to move the chains. JoJo Natson, officially listed as a receiver but capable of big plays in the running and return games, could also have an impact. UTEP S Wesley Miller will have a lot to think about as he patrols the secondary. The Miners are making their first postseason appearance since 2010, a big step in coach Sean Kugler's rebuilding project. Miners' QB Jameill Showers isn't flashy, but he takes good care of the ball and makes good use of TB Aaron Jones. The brothers Vigil, LBs Zach and Nick, will lead the Aggies' effort to keep Jones in check.

Las Vegas Bowl — No. 25 Utah (8-4) Vs. Colorado State (10-2)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET/ABC. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: Utah by 3½. Sagarin difference: Utah by 5.43.

Bowl records: Utah 13-4, CSU 6-7. Series: Utah leads 55-22-2 (won last meeting 59-6 in 2010).

Synopsis: These long-time WAC and Mountain West rivals renew acquaintances in one of the more attractive match-ups of the early bowls. The Utes made significant progress this season in their Pac-12 transition. But the Rams, enjoying a resurgence themselves, would like to show their former foes they can still compete. The bad news for CSU, of course, is its success led to coach Jim McElwain's departure to Florida, but his former charges should still be motivated to finish on a high note. The game's marquee match-up will actually occur in the trenches, where Utah's high-impact DEs Nate Orchard and Hunter Dimick must get around CSU's excellent OT Ty Sambrailo to cause their usual chaos in the backfield. QB Garret Grayson, TB Dee Hart and WR Rashard Higgins have been the beneficiaries of the superb blocking provided by the Rams' front line. They'll keep Utah LB Jared Norris busy if those ends ahead of him are held at bay. TB Devontae Booker has been the Utes' most consistent offensive weapon all season, and he should have openings against a CSU ground defense that hasn't exactly been airtight. Utah WR Kaelin Clay is also dangerous if QB Travis Wilson can get him in space, but he's sure to get extra scrutiny from Rams' S Kevin Pierre-Louis.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise — Air Force (9-3) vs. Western Michigan (8-4)

Time/TV: 5:45 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: Air Force by 1½. Sagarin difference: WMU by 0.53.

Bowl records: Air Force 10-12-1, WMU 0-5. Series: first meeting.

Synopsis: Perhaps it's an omen that the Broncos of WMU have a chance to end their postseason futility on the home field of another team that shares their nickname. On the other hand, Air Force already owns a win against those other Broncos of Boise State. The Falcons also knocked off Colorado State and toppled their service academy rivals in a tremendous season that followed a disastrous 2-10 campaign. The turnaround was even more dramatic for WMU, which won only once a season ago. Senior QB Kale Pearson runs the Air Force attack will tremendous proficiency. He is expected to be ready after sitting out the season finale with a sore ankle, but back-up Nate Romine was just as effective in the win against CSU. FBs Shayne Davern and D.J. Johnson do much of the heavy lifting, but WR Jalen Robinette can provide a big gainer through the air if the opposing secondary gets out of position. The Air Force option scheme will be unfamiliar to the Broncos, but LB Grant DePalma leads an experienced back seven that should be quick studies. The WMU offense is directed by QB Zach Terrell, who has a lofty 70% completion rate and 23 scoring throws. WR Corey Davis is his top weapon. But that battery must watch out for the Falcons' secondary mainstay and all-name team candidate, S Weston Steelhammer, who has six interceptions as well as 31 solo tackles.

Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. — Bowling Green (7-6) vs. South Alabama (6-6)

Time/TV: 9:15 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: South Alabama by 3. Sagarin difference: South Alabama by 2.01.

Bowl records: Bowling Green 4-7, South Alabama first bowl. Series: first meeting.

Synopsis: Rounding out the first day of the bowl season is this newly relaunched contest. The matchup isn't likely to move the needle for casual fans, but the Jaguars could at least provide some local interest as they make their postseason debut as an FBS program. QB Brandon Bridge directs the South Alabam offense, with RBs Kendall Houston and Xavier Johnson lending ground support. The Falcons won the MAC East but enter the bowl on a three-game skid. They'll look to get their passing game in gear quickly as QB James Knapke looks for WRs Roger Lewis and Ryan Burbrink.

Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams.