Today’s games

CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL

Clemson (7-4) vs. Colorado (7-5)

2 p.m., ESPN, Orlando, Fla.

* Line: Clemson by 10.

* Update: Clemson won its final three games of the regular season, its opponents including Atlantic Coast Conference champion Florida State and in-state rival South Carolina. Coach Tommy Bowden’s offense is led by quarterback Charlie Whitehurst is expected to play despite having had shoulder surgery Dec. 1. Whitehurst, a fifth-year senior, holds 40 school records and passed for 2,278 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. James Davis is one of the nation’s top freshman running backs with 729 yards and eight touchdowns. Receiver Chansi Stuckey is a quality wideout who led the Tigers with 62 catches for 761 yards and four touchdowns. Clemson’s strength on defense is its secondary. Colorado will be without Coach Gary Barnett, who was asked to step down after the regular season. The Buffaloes will be led by interim Coach Mike Hankwitz, who will have the difficult task of bringing the team back from a 70-3 loss to Texas in the Big 12 championship game. Junior James Cox will start at quarterback because Joel Klatt has not fully recovered from a severe concussion he suffered in the Big 12 title game. Cox has had one start in his career at Colorado, in 2004 against Iowa State. The Buffaloes’ defense struggled in the second half of the season. Linebacker Thaddaeus Washington is a solid player, but Colorado needs more players to step up. Kicker Mason Crosby was a Lou Groza Award finalist, averaging 42.5 yards on 21 field goals, including a season-best 58-yarder.

* Facts: Clemson was 3-1 against teams in the top 25 during the regular season. Colorado began the season 7-2 before losing its last three games by a combined 130-22.

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INSIGHT BOWL

Arizona State (6-5) vs. Rutgers (7-4)

5:30 p.m., ESPN, Phoenix

* Line: Arizona State by 10.

* Update: Arizona State needed a late rally to defeat Arizona to become bowl-eligible. But the Sun Devils can end their season on a positive note with a win in a bowl game that’s like a home game. Freshman quarterback Rudy Carpenter has played well since taking over for injured starter Sam Keller. Carpenter’s top target is wide receiver Derek Hagan. Keegan Herring and versatile Rudy Burgess are a solid 1-2 combination at running back. Arizona State is not known for strong pass defense, but linebacker Dale Robinson was named Pacific 10 defensive player of the year.

Rutgers is playing its first bowl game since 1978, when the Scarlet Knights lost to Arizona State in the Garden State Bowl. Quarterback Ryan Hart has been solid with 1,761 yards passing and 15 touchdowns, but Rutgers’ main weapons are freshman running back Ray Rice and fullback Brian Leonard. Receiver Tres Moss led Rutgers with 645 yards on 38 catches. The Scarlet Knights like to pressure the quarterback, but their pass defense ranked next to last in the Big East Conference. End Ryan Neil, an All-Big East first team selection, had nine of Rutgers’ 46 sacks.

* Facts: Arizona State is seeking consecutive bowl wins for the first time since 1986-87. Rice is the second player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season for Rutgers in the last 30 years.

-- LONNIE WHITE