Saturday’s college football bowl games

SATURDAY’S BOWL GAMES

TicketCity Bowl

NORTHWESTERN VS. TEXAS TECH

When: 9 a.m. PST.

Where: Dallas.

On the air: ESPNU.

About Northwestern (7-5): After starting the season 5-0, Northwestern won only two of its last seven games in becoming bowl eligible for the third time under Coach Pat Fitzgerald. The Wildcats will be without quarterback Dan Persa, who suffered a ruptured right Achilles’ tendon on Nov. 13.

About Texas Tech (7-5): In his first season, Coach Tommy Tuberville has the Red Raiders back in the postseason thanks in part to an explosive passing attack. Quarterback Taylor Potts passed for 3,357 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Watchability: 2 out of 5 stars.

Outback Bowl

FLORIDA VS. PENN STATE

When: 10 a.m. PST.

Where: Tampa, Fla.

On the air: Channel 7.

About Florida (7-5): The Gators have played in a BCS bowl in three of the last four years, but find themselves in Tampa after a disappointing season. Quarterback John Brantley never clicked as a starter, the Gators had injuries and lost three times at home.

About Penn State (7-5): After back-to-back 11-2 seasons, the Nittany Lions were never a factor in the Big Ten this season. Penn State offensive coordinator Galen Hall faces off against the program he led from 1984 to 1989.

Watchability: 2 out of 5 stars.

Capital One Bowl

ALABAMA VS. MICHIGAN STATE

When: 10 a.m. PST.

Where: Orlando, Fla.

On the air: ESPN.

About Alabama (9-3): The 2009 national champions are out of the BCS this year after losing to three ranked teams during Southeastern Conference play. Alabama ranks fifth nationally in points allowed (14.1) and led the SEC in total defense. It will be the last game for senior quarterback Greg McElroy.

About Michigan State (11-1): The only one-loss Big Ten team to be shut out of the BCS picture, the Spartans try to improve on their best-ever season. Coach Mark Dantonio was named coach of the year in the Big Ten after guiding Michigan State to a school record for wins despite suffering a heart attack in September.

Watchability: 4 out of 5 stars.

Gator Bowl

MISSISSIPPI VS. MICHIGAN

When: 10:30 a.m. PST.

Where: Jacksonville, Fla.

On the air: ESPN2.

About Mississippi State (8-4): The Bulldogs are in the AP rankings for the first time in nine seasons. All of the Bulldogs’ losses came to ranked teams in their division of the SEC.

About Michigan (7-5): Led by electric quarterback Denard Robinson, an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy, the Wolverines started the year 5-0. But Michigan then fell to four ranked conference opponents plus Penn State.

Watchability: 3 out of 5 stars.

Rose Bowl

WISCONSIN VS. TEXAS CHRISTIAN

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Pasadena.

On the air: ESPN

About Wisconsin (11-1): The Badgers captured a share of the Big Ten Conference title and earned the league’s automatic bid for a BCS bowl with one of their best seasons in recent memory. Wisconsin averaged 43.3 points a game thanks to the backfield trio of James White, John Clay and Montee Ball, who combined for 2,829 rushing yards.

About Texas Christian (12-0): The Horned Frogs are in a BCS bowl game for a second year in a row. TCU has the top-rated defense in the nation and a top-five ranked offense led by record-setting quarterback Andy Dalton.

Watchability: 5 out of 5 stars.

Fiesta Bowl

OKLAHOMA VS. CONNECTICUT

Where: Glendale, Ariz.

Time: 5:30 p.m. PST.

On the air: ESPN

About Oklahoma (11-2): The Sooners bounced back from mid-season losses to Missouri and Texas A&M to win their last four games and the Big 12 title. Included were wins over Oklahoma State and Nebraska.

About Connecticut (8-4): The Huskies made a BCS bowl by winning a weak Big East Conference. They have four losses, but come in hot, on a four-game winning streak.

Watchability: 4 out of 5 stars.

Orlando Sentinel