Tonight's game
Who: Cincinnati (7-6) vs. North Texas (7-5)
When: 7.
TV: ESPN2.
About Cincinnati: The Bearcats tied for the Conference USA title. All but one of Cincinnati's losses were to bowl teams, and five of its six losses came by a total of 22 points. Sophomore QB Gino Guidugli is talented inconsistent (21 TDs, 16 INTs). TB DeMarco McCleskey has rushed for 1,276 yards. The defense is nothing special.
About North Texas: The Mean Green is in the bowl for the second consecutive season after finishing unbeaten in the Sun Belt Conference. North Texas relies on its defense, which allowed just 59 points in the final six games and is ninth in the nation overall (289.1 yards a game). Alas, the offense ranks 115th overall (281.8 ypg). DT Brandon Kennedy (5 feet 10, 312 pounds) was the league's player of the year. The only constant on offense is TB Kevin Galbreath (1,168 yards).
The key: North Texas wants a low-scoring, defensive struggle. The Mean Green has 43 sacks and must get pressure on Guidugli. North Texas also must run effectively.
The buzz: North Texas had a fine season, but in games against Texas, Alabama, TCU, Arizona and South Florida, it was 0-5 and outscored 104-43.
The line: Cincinnati by 7 1/2 .
The pick: Cincinnati 23-14.