The nation's top rusher takes center stage Saturday afternoon. Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews, who topped the NCAA with more than 151 yards per game, leads the Bulldogs’ offensive attack against the Cowboys. This is the second straight season Fresno State has played in the New Mexico bowl, losing 40-35 to Colorado State in 2008.

Wyoming is back in a bowl game for the first time in five years under first-year head coach Dave Christensen. The Cowboys are riding high after winning their final game of the schedule, 17-16 over Colorado State, to become bowl eligible. That win was just the team's second since the middle of October, but the Cowboys did post a 4-2 record against the college football pointspread in that span.

St. Petersburg Bowl – Central Florida vs. Rutgers (-2.5, 44)

Rutgers has been on a tight schedule since falling to West Virginia in the final game of the regular season. The Scarlet Knights have had only two weeks to prepare for Central Florida as well as balance their final exams, forcing many players to bring their school work with them this weekend. Rutgers is also waiting on star receiver Tim Brown, whose status for Saturday is still unknown. Brown, who finished third in receiving yards in the Big East, is nursing an ankle injury.

The Knights have one of the best defenses in the country, especially on the ground where they have allowed only 84.6 yards per game. Central Florida should have a home-field advantage Saturday night with its campus only 100 miles from Tropicana Field. The Knights were 6-1 at home this year and just 2-3 on the road. However, they did boast a perfect 5-0 ATS mark in opposing stadiums.

New Orleans Bowl – Middle Tennessee State vs. Southern Mississippi (-3.5, 57.5)

The Golden Eagles are back in the New Orleans Bowl for the fourth time in the last six years. That's not such a bad thing for Southern Miss backers since the program has gone 3-0 in the Superdome (2-1 ATS). The Golden Eagles will turn to junior quarterback Martevious Young to run the offense. He'll be making his first bowl appearance after taking over for injured starter Austin Davis earlier in the year.

Middle Tennessee State is hoping to overwhelm Southern Miss with its high-powered spread offense. The Blue Raiders ranked 34th in the land in rushing yards, averaging more than 181 yards on the ground. Aptly-named quarterback Dwight Dasher finished fourth in the Sun Belt in rushing yards, scrambling for over 79 yards a contest. The duel-threat QB also finished second in the conference in passing yards per game and connected for 21 touchdown passes while adding 11 scores on the ground.

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