MEMPHIS (10-2) VS. IOWA ST. (7-5)
Site: Liberty Bowl Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.
Kickoff: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. TV: ABC.
Line: Memphis by 4.
All-time series: First meeting.
Last meeting: None.
MEMPHIS
Coach: Mike Norvell (2nd season, 18-7).
All-time postseason: 4-5.
Last postseason appearance: Lost to Western Kentucky 51-31 in 2016 Boca Raton Bowl.
Draft spotlight: WR Anthony Miller. The former walk-on lacks ideal measurables and it could easily cause some to overlook him. What the All-American has, however, is something that a lot of receivers simply won’t ever grasp. There is an amount of toughness and “want it” with him. Read full report here.
Other Tigers to watch: QB Riley Ferguson, G Gabe Kuhn, DE Genard Avery, FS Jonathan Cook.
Tiger Tracks: Judging from Norvell’s previous bowls as a coach/assistant, expect fireworks. Eight previous bowls resulted in an average of 41.0 points on the Norvell-coached side. … The Tigers set a school record with 572 points scored. … Memphis is one of four teams playing bowl games in their home stadiums. Florida Atlantic and Navy already held the fort at home; Miami also plays Saturday.
IOWA STATE
Coach: Matt Campbell (2nd season, 10-14; overall 6th season, 45-29).
All-time postseason: 3-9.
Last postseason appearance: Lost to Tulsa 31-17 in 2012 Liberty Bowl.
Draft spotlight: WR Allen Lazard. After opting to stay for his senior season, Lazard is Iowa State’s career leader in receiving yards (3,218), receptions (231) and 100-yard receiving games (11). The 6-5 receiver presents a size mismatch, but having enough speed for the pro game will be the question.
Other Cyclones to watch: OT Jake Campos, DE J.D. Waggoner, LB Joel Lanning, FS Kamari Cotton-Moya.
Cyclone Bits: Each of ISU’s five losses have come by no more than 10 points, including three that came down to the game’s final snap. … Lanning might hold college football’s “iron man” honors this year. The former QB has played 934 snaps this year, including 45 on offense and 124 on special teams. … ISU is the only FBS team without a fumble lost this season.
* underclass draft prospect