Today’s Other Games

COTTON

No. 11 KANSAS STATE (10-3)

vs. No. 21 TENNESSEE (8-3)

at Dallas, 8 a.m., Ch. 11

* Line: Kansas State by 3 1/2.

* Series record: First meeting.

* All-time bowl records: Kansas State 4-4; Tennessee 22-18.

* Last bowl appearances: Kansas State beat Washington, 24-20, in the 1999 Holiday Bowl; Tennessee lost to Nebraska, 31-21, in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl.

* Kansas State key factors: The Wildcats hope to rattle Volunteer freshman quarterback Casey Clausen with their fierce defensive line. Productive quarterback Jonathan Beasley (17 touchdowns rushing, 17 passing) has a super target in wide receiver Quincy Morgan (64 receptions, 1,166 yards, 14 touchdowns). With a mediocre running game, Kansas State will probably have to pass to score. The Wildcat special teams are always dangerous.

* Tennessee key factors: The young Volunteers started slow but won last six games as Clausen began to mature. Talented wide receivers might be able to exploit Wildcat secondary. Running back Travis Henry (a school-record 1,314 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns) is a workhorse. Defensive tackle John Henderson, the Outland Trophy winner as nation’s top interior lineman, leads a unit that is tough against the run.

OUTBACK

No. 19 OHIO STATE (8-3)

vs. SOUTH CAROLINA (7-4)

at Tampa, Fla., 8 a.m., ESPN

* Line: Ohio State by 7.

* Series record: First meeting.

* All-time bowl records: Ohio State 14-17; South Carolina 1-8.

* Last bowl appearances: Ohio State beat Texas A&M;, 24-14, in the 1999 Sugar Bowl; South Carolina beat West Virginia, 24-21, in the 1995 Carquest Bowl.

* Ohio State key factors: The Buckeyes bounced back from subpar ’99 campaign with solid season--even with an inconsistent offense. Junior quarterback Steve Bellisari (13 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions) is a better runner than passer. Buckeyes are planning to use some spread formations in this game and that should help Bellisari. Ohio State’s stout defense could dominate. Buckeye Coach John Cooper has a 3-7 record in bowl games.

* South Carolina key factors: The Gamecocks enjoyed huge turnaround this season, ending a losing streak at 21 games and opening 7-1 before losing their last three. Running back/kick returner Derek Watson, the team’s game-breaker, is suspended, so South Carolina will likely have trouble scoring. Still, this is scrappy bunch with a terrific defense.

GATOR

No. 6 VIRGINIA TECH (10-1)

vs. No. 16 CLEMSON (9-2)

at Jacksonville, Fla., 9:30 a.m., Ch. 4

* Line: Virginia Tech by 6.

* Series record: Clemson leads 17-9-1.

* Last meeting: 1999, Virginia Tech won, 31-11.

* All-time bowl records: Virginia Tech 4-9; Clemson 12-11.

* Last bowl appearances: Virginia Tech lost to Florida State, 46-29, in the 2000 Sugar Bowl; Clemson lost to Mississippi State, 17-7, in the 1999 Peach Bowl.

* Common opponents this season: Virginia Tech beat Virginia, 42-21, on Nov. 25; Clemson won at Virginia, 31-10, on Sept. 23.

* Clemson key factors: The Tigers opened 8-0 and have an exciting quarterback in junior Woodrow Dantzler. He might match Virginia Tech’s Michael Vick highlight for highlight in a preview of 2001 Heisman Trophy race. On defense, All-American linebacker Keith Adams has the speed to chase Vick down. Spread attack features wide receiver Rod Gardner (956 yards receiving) and running back Travis Zachery (1,012 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns).

* Virginia Tech key factors: The Hokies probably deserved BCS bid. The scintillating Vick should be fully recovered from his late-season ankle injury. He’s still weighing NFL options, and this game could make the difference in his decision. Lee Suggs (1,027 yards rushing, 28 touchdowns, no fumbles) gives Virginia Tech the edge at running back. The Hokies’ special teams are annually among the nation’s best but their pass defense is vulnerable.

CITRUS

No. 17 MICHIGAN (8-3)

vs. No. 20 AUBURN (9-3)

at Orlando, Fla., 10 a.m., Ch. 7

* Line: Michigan by 7 1/2.

* Series record: Auburn leads 1-0.

* Last Meeting: The 1984 Sugar Bowl, Auburn won, 9-7.

* All-time bowl records: Michigan 16-15; Auburn 14-10-2. The Wolverines are playing in a bowl for the 26th consecutive year.

* Last bowl appearances: Michigan beat Alabama, 35-34 in overtime, in the 2000 Orange Bowl; Auburn beat Clemson, 21-17, in the 1997 Peach Bowl.

* Auburn key factors: The Tigers hope to stay close with their stout defense and have running back Rudi Johnson (1,567 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) wear down Wolverines down in fourth quarter. Auburn’s front seven is tough enough to slow Michigan running back Anthony Thomas (1,551 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns). Tiger quarterback Ben Leard (12 touchdowns passes, 10 interceptions) probably doesn’t have strong enough arm to stretch the Wolverine defense. He must get ball to big-play wide receiver Ronney Daniels to create room for Johnson. Fullback Heath Evans makes things happen.

* Michigan key factors: Wolverine defense usually fares well against big backs such as Johnson, but it gave up a lot of yards away from home. Strong-armed quarterback Drew Henson (16 touchdown passes, four interceptions) and wide receiver David Terrell (13 touchdowns) can probably exploit overrated Auburn cornerbacks.