Continental Tire Bowl

at Charlotte

No. 13 West Virginia (9-3) vs. Virginia (8-5)

Time/TV: 11 a.m./ESPN2. Turf: Grass.

Line: West Virginia by 5. Sagarin ratings: West Virginia 82.66, Virginia 78.34.

Payout per team: $750,000. Series: Virginia leads 11-10-1 (won last meeting 27-7 in 1985).

Between the lines: West Virginia punctuated one of the year's biggest turnarounds by knocking off Big East rivals Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh to close the regular campaign. Another victory against a regional opponent would round out a successful year for the Mountaineers, but the young Cavaliers have shown resilience all season. UVa's suspect rushing defense doesn't match up well against West Virginia RBs Avon Cobourne and Quincy Wilson. Mountaineers QB Rasheed Marshall also can do damage with his feet. Virginia LB Angelo Crowell will be challenged. The Cavaliers hope to end a four-game bowl losing streak. Thanks to QB Matt Schaub, they're never out of a game. WR Billy McMullen is his principal target. LB Grant Wiley and SS Angel Estrada are the leading hitters for the Mountaineers.

Extra point: Though this series hasn't been continuous, it dates to 1898 when the Mountaineers won 6-0 in Charleston, W.Va. West Virginia's last win against the Cavaliers was 32-18 in 1981.

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Alamo Bowl at San Antonio

No. 14 Colorado (9-4) vs. Wisconsin (7-6)

Time/TV: 8/ESPN. Turf: Artificial.

Line: Colorado by 7. Sagarin ratings: Colorado 85.72, Wisconsin 77.59.

Payout per team: $1.35 million. Series: Colorado leads 4-0-1 (won last meeting 43-7 in 1995).

Between the lines: Colorado hopes to bounce back from a disappointing showing in the Big 12 championship game. The return of RB Chris Brown will help considerably. QB Robert Hodge has grown more comfortable since taking over the Buffs offense, but he must beware of Badgers SS Jim Leonhard. Keep an eye on Colorado FB Brandon Drumm in short-yardage situations. The Badgers, only 2-6 in Big Ten games, want to prove their bowl worthiness. Wisconsin's best weapon is RB Anthony Davis, who ran for 1,456 yards and 12 TDs. Badgers QB Brooks Bollinger doesn't make many mistakes but must improve on his 53.8 percent completion rate. P Mark Mariscal could give Colorado an edge in the field position game.

Extra point: Colorado coach Gary Barnett was 3-4 against the Badgers while at Northwestern.

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Times p.m. Eastern unless noted.