TODAY

OUTBACK BOWL

* Who: Wisconsin (9-3, fourth in Big Ten Conference) vs. Tennessee (9-4, second in Southeastern Conference East).

* Where, when: at Tampa, Fla., 8 a.m., ESPN.

* Story line: The Volunteers were inconsistent all season, but made the SEC title game and nearly won. Still, they gave up 41.5 points per game in their four losses. They are 2-5 in bowl games since winning the 1998 national title. Wisconsin has won six of its last eight bowl games, including the last two against SEC opponents. The Badgers rely on a rushing attack that averages 201.5 yards a game. Leading rusher P.J. Hill missed two of the last three games with a thigh injury, but should be ready.

* Key players: P.J. Hill (RB, Wisconsin, So.), Tyler Donovan (QB, Wisconsin, Sr.), Erik Ainge (QB, Tennessee, Sr.), Jerod Mayo (LB, Tennessee, Jr.).

COTTON BOWL

* Who: Arkansas (8-4, tied for third in SEC West) vs. Missouri (11-2, tied for first in Big 12 North).

* Where, when: at Dallas, 8:30 a.m., Channel 11.

* Story line: Heisman Trophy finalists Chase Daniel of Missouri and Darren McFadden of Arkansas lead two of the nation’s most prolific offenses. McFadden was cleared to play after the university reviewed a media report linking him and an agent to the purchase of a vehicle and found no reason to make the running back ineligible. The Tigers, who felt slighted when they weren’t invited to a Bowl Championship Series game, are fifth in the nation in total offense at 492.7 yards per game and seventh in scoring at 40 points per game. Arkansas averages 39.8 points a game, doing most of its damage with a rushing attack that ranks No. 3 in the nation at 296.8 yards per game. Arkansas is transitioning between coaches, from Houston Nutt to Bobby Petrino, and will be led by interim Coach Reggie Herring.

* Key players: Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas, Jr.), Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas, Jr.), Chase Daniel (QB, Missouri, Sr.), Jeremy Maclin (WR, Missouri, Fr.).

CAPITAL ONE BOWL

* Who: Michigan (8-4, tied for second in Big Ten) vs. Florida (9-3, third in SEC East).

* Where, when: at Orlando, Fla., 10 a.m., Channel 7.

* Story line: The Lloyd Carr era comes to a close for Michigan, which hopes to end a disappointing season with its first bowl victory in five years. Seniors Chad Henne, Mike Hart and Jake Long have never won a bowl game. Florida had a good season but lost its three biggest games -- against Auburn, Louisiana State and Georgia. Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow leads a Florida offense that’s No. 4 in the nation at 43.1 points per game. Michigan will counter with Hart, the nation’s sixth-leading rusher at 136.9 yards per game.

* Key players: Tim Tebow (QB, Florida, So.), Percy Harvin (WR, Florida, So.), Derrick Harvey (DL, Florida, Jr.), Mike Hart (RB, Michigan, Sr.), Chad Henne (QB, Michigan, Sr.), Mario Manningham (WR, Michigan, Sr.).

GATOR BOWL

* Who: Virginia (9-3, second in Atlantic Coast Conference) vs. Texas Tech (8-4, tied for third in Big 12 South).

* Where, when: at Jacksonville, Fla., 10 a.m., Channel 2.

* Story line: The pass-happy Texas Tech offense averages a nation-leading 475.6 yards passing, is second in total offense at 537 yards per game and is sixth in scoring at 41.8 points per game. Virginia counters with a defense that gives up 323.4 yards per game to rank No. 17 and is 13th in scoring defense at 18.8 points per game. The Cavaliers can ill afford to get behind big because their offense, ranked 100th in the nation at 329.2 yards per game, won’t be able to keep pace in a shootout. If it’s close, give the edge to Virginia, which won an NCAA-record six games decided by five points or fewer.

* Key players: Graham Harrell (QB, Texas Tech, Jr.), Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech, Fr.), Chris Long (DL, Virginia, Sr.), Mikell Simpson (RB, Virginia, So.).

SUGAR BOWL

* Who: Hawaii (12-0, first in Western Athletic Conference) vs. Georgia (10-2, tied for first in SEC East).

* Where, when: at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m., Channel 11.

* Story line: The Warriors are attempting to do what Boise State did in last season’s Fiesta Bowl and become a BCS buster. Hawaii’s success revolves around a passing game that averages 450.2 yards a game and an offense that leads the nation at 46.17 points per game. Georgia had a case to play in the BCS title game after finishing the season with six consecutive victories. The Bulldogs are among the top 25 in the nation in total defense and scoring defense and will try a ball-control offense.

* Key players: Colt Brennan (QB, Hawaii, Sr.), Davone Bess (WR, Hawaii, Jr.), Ryan Grice-Mullen (WR, Hawaii, Jr.), Knowshon Moreno (RB, Georgia, Fr.), Matt Stafford (QB, Georgia, So.).

-- Peter Yoon