Today's bowl games

PapaJohns.com Bowl
Teams: South Florida vs. East Carolina
Time/TV: 1 p.m., ESPN2
Where: Birmingham, Ala.
At a glance: South Florida is led by freshman QB Matt Grothe (2,495 yards, 14 TDS), who helped engineer a 24-19 win at West Virginia at the end of the regular season. East Carolina, under Skip Holtz, is hungry. This is the Pirates first bowl appearance in five years. QB James Pinkney leads the offense, but the difference could be on defense where cornerback Trae Williams ( seven interceptions) will be looking for freshman mistakes by Grothe. Still, South Florida looks a little tougher.
Prediction: South Florida 20, East Carolina 16

New Mexico Bowl
Teams: New Mexico vs. San Jose State
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Where: Albuquerque
At a glance: The first question is why is this a bowl game? But 6-6 New Mexico and coach Rocky Long are here with a good defense, a solid running back in Rodney Ferguson, who rushed for 1,132 yards, and the home crowd. San Jose State is back from near extinction thanks to coach Dick Tomey. He also has QB Adam Tafralis, who had more than 2,000 passing yards and 18 TD passes. It should be enough, despite the Lobos' home edge.
Prediction: San Jose State 14, New Mexico 9

Armed Forces Bowl
Teams: Tulsa vs. Utah
Time/TV: 8 p.m., ESPN
Where: Fort Worth
At a glance: Tulsa started out strong, winning seven of its first eight, but the Golden Hurricane turned into a tropical depression in the last month of the regular season, dropping three of its last four. The star of the offense is all purpose player Idris Moss, who has almost 117 yards in all around offense. Utah has few stars on offense other than QB Bret Ratliff, who has been solid. Strong safety Eric Weddle is an All-American defender who can do just about everything, including running some plays at QB in place of Ratliff when the situation dictates.
Prediction: Utah 19, Tulsa 12