LIBERTY BOWL -- This is no casual laid-back scenario for Mississippi State coach Mike Leach. The bitterness remains 12 years after Texas Tech fired him “with cause” and declined to pay off his contract. Leach will unleash QB Will Rogers, who leads the No. 3 passing offense in FBS, against the 118th-rated pass defense. WR Erik Ezukanma's decision to opt out further compromises the Red Raiders’ chances, leaving freshman QB Donovan Smith in a bind for his fourth career start.

LIBERTY BOWL — It’s easy to assume that these two teams will get into a shootout, but don’t be so sure about that. The trend is your friend, and the Under is under .500 for both of these teams for the season when the point total is between 56.5-60.5. That, coupled with what should be a dreary day in Memphis, should keep this lower-scoring than expected.