ACC bowl preview
The Rose Bowl will feature the past two Heisman Trophy winners, including FSU QB Jameis Winston. (AP photo)
The ACC can build on the momentum it gained from going 4-0 against the SEC in rivalry games to end the regular season because three conference teams play bowl games against SEC teams over the next couple of weeks.
Here is a quick preview of all 11 ACC bowls. Here’s ESPN.com’s in-depth preview of all the bowl games.
Quick Lane Bowl
Rutgers vs. North Carolina, 4:30 p.m., Dec. 26, ESPN
One sentence: North Carolina has allowed an average of 38.9 points this season; Rutgers is 3-0 when scoring at least 40 points this year.
St. Petersburg Bowl
Central Florida vs. N.C. State, 8 p.m., Dec. 26, ESPN
One sentence: Jacoby Brissett and RB Shadrach Thornton might find it tough to run against UCF, which is fifth in the FBS in rushing defense (97.4 yards) and third in total defense (282.8).
Military Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech, 1 p.m., Dec. 27, ESPN
One sentence: This is the Hokies’ 22nd consecutive bowl game, the second-longest streak in the FBS, behind Florida State’s 33 straight.
Sun Bowl
Arizona State vs. Duke, 2 p.m., Dec. 27, CBS
One sentence: All-America guard Laken Tomlinson will need to keep Arizona State defenders (3.25 sacks a game) away from his QBs.
Independence Bowl
South Carolina vs. Miami, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 27, ABC
One sentence: Duke Johnson should find some room to run against the South Carolina defense (107th in the NCAA against the run, 214.4 yards a game).
Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State vs. Boston College, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 27, ESPN
One sentence: The Eagles have gone to two bowls in two seasons under coach Steve Addazio, so it’s no wonder he just received a contract extension.
Russell Athletic Bowl
Oklahoma vs. Clemson, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29, ESPN
One sentence: Clemson leads the nation in total defense, tackles for loss and first downs allowed, which is what the Tigers will need without QB Deshaun Watson (knee surgery).
Belk Bowl
Georgia vs. Louisville, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 30, ESPN
One sentence: Georgia QB Hutson Mason better watch out for Gerod Holliman, who tied the NCAA record with 14 interceptions this season.
Orange Bowl
Mississippi State vs. Georgia Tech, 8 p.m. Dec. 31, ESPN
One sentence: The Yellow Jackets are second in the nation with 333.6 yards rushing a game, which would break the ACC record of 323.3 set by Georgia Tech in 2010.
Rose Bowl
Oregon vs. Florida State, 5 p.m. Jan. 1, ESPN
One sentence: The past two Heisman Trophy winners — Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and FSU’s Jameis Winston — highlight this national semifinal.
Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Pittsburgh, noon Jan. 2, ESPN
One sentence: Pitt RB James Conner has 1,675 yards rushing, the fifth-best total in ACC history.
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