College Football Bowl Previews

Jeff Shain, OFN CFB writer
12/15/2017 10:01PM ET

ARKANSAS ST. (7-4) VS. MIDDLE TENN. (6-6)

Site: Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Ala.

Kickoff: 8 p.m. TV: ESPN.

Line: Arkansas State by 3 ½.

All-time series: Middle Tennessee leads 7-5.

Last meeting: Middle Tennessee 45, Arkansas State 0 (2012).

ARKANSAS STATE

Coach: Blake Anderson (4th season, 31-19).

All-time postseason: 3-4.

Last postseason appearance: Beat UCF 31-13 in 2016 Cure Bowl.

Draft spotlight: DT Dee Liner. Stuck behind several standout D-linemen on Alabama's depth chart, the former blue-chipper resurrected his career with a move to Jonesboro two years ago. Though plagued by injuries in 2017, Liner can be disruptive anywhere on the line and racked up 11 ½ TFL at A-State.

Other Red Wolves to watch: TE Blake Mack, *QB Justice Hansen, *RB Warren Wand, DE Ja'Von Rolland-Jones.

Wolf Tracks: A-State swept the Sun Belt’s Player of the Year awards, with DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones takng his second POY honor and Hansen named the league’s top offensive performer. … Rolland-Jones needs one sack to break the FBS career record of 44. … This is the Red Wolves’ 7th consecutive bowl visit.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE

Coach: Rick Stockstill (12th season, 78-72).

All-time postseason: 1-5.

Last postseason appearance: Lost to Hawaii 52-35 in 2016 Hawaii Bowl.

Draft spotlight: CB Michael Minter. The son of former Panthers standout Mike Minter returned from a spring knee injury to start all 11 games, with an INT and team-best 10 pass breakups on the season. Minter has started all 35 MTSU games in the past three seasons, with four career INTs and 30 PBUs.

Other Blue Raiders to watch: *QB Brent Stockstill, *WR Richie James, *LB Khalil Brooks, K Canon Rooker.

Raider Intel: In three seasons, QB Stockstill already owns the school record with 9,027 yards of total offense. He also owns records for completions, passing yards and passing TDs. … MTSU has averaged 441.7 yards over their past eight games. … Rooker has hit all seven FG attempts from beyond 45 yards.

* underclass draft prospect

Click here for a preview of the Las Vegas Bowl.

Click here for a preview of the New Orleans Bowl.

Click here for a preview of the Cure Bowl.

Click here for a preview of the New Mexico Bowl.