Eight schools from the 14-team AAC have earned bowl bids. Here is a quick rundown of what to look for in these games.
Frisco Bowl
Dec. 17, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
West Virginia (6-6) vs. Memphis (10-2), 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
What to look for: This is the final collegiate game for record-setting Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan. In 48 career games, Henigan has completed 64% of his passes for 13,674 yards, 100 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. This year, he was a third-team All-AAC choice after completing 65% of his passes for 3,208 yards, 23 TDs, and six interceptions.
Fast fact: West Virginia senior offensive tackle Wyatt Milum has not allowed a sack in 45 of the past 47 games, including not allowing any over the past two seasons.
Gasparilla Bowl
Dec. 20, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Florida (7-5) vs. Tulane (9-4), 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
What to look for: Florida true freshman DJ Lagway went 5-1 as a starter. In his last three games, wins over LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State, he completed 37 of 65 passes for 539 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. With Tulane’s Darian Mensah in the transfer portal, look for Oregon transfer Ty Thompson to start at quarterback for the Green Wave. Thompson rushed for 243 yards and six touchdowns in a backup role this season.
Fast fact: Florida totaled 20 sacks in its first nine games and 18 in its final three.
Myrtle Beach Bowl
Dec. 23, Brooks Stadium, Conway, South Carolina
Coastal Carolina (6-6) vs. UTSA (6-6), 11 a.m. ET
What to look for: Watch out for UTSA linebacker Jimmori Robinson, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. Robinson led the AAC in both tackles for loss (17) and sacks (10.5). He also had two forced fumbles and eight quarterback hurries.
Fast fact: Coastal Carolina became bowl-eligible by winning its final game of the regular season 48-27 at Georgia State. Ethan Vasko completed 13 of 17 passes for 200 yards, three TDs, and one interception. He also rushed for 68 yards and a TD on 13 carries.
Hawaii Bowl
Dec. 24, Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawaii
San Jose State (7-5) vs. South Florida (6-6), 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
What to look for: San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash, a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, leads the nation in catches (104), receiving yards (1,382), and receiving touchdowns (16). USF was 13th in the AAC in passing defense, allowing 279.1 yards per game.
Fast fact: USF, which won four of its last six games, will be playing in its first-ever game in Hawaii. It is more than 4,200 miles from Tampa, the farthest destination the Bulls have ever played away from home.
Armed Forces Bowl
Dec. 27, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
Oklahoma (6-6) vs. Navy (8-3), noon ET
What to look for: Can Oklahoma stop the run? Oklahoma is 13th nationally in rushing defense, allowing 105.8 yards per game, while Navy is eighth in rushing offense (247.4 yards per game). Navy QB Blake Horvath missed the most recent game, a 34-20 win over East Carolina with a back injury, though he said he expects to play against Army this week. He has rushed for a team-high 895 yards and 13 TDs in 10 games. During the win over East Carolina, Braxton Woodson filled in at quarterback and completed 12 of 19 throws for 165 yards and one TD and rushed for 125 yards and two scores on 15 carries.
Fast fact: Oklahoma is adding to its school record by playing its 26th consecutive bowl game and 58th overall.
Military Bowl
Dec. 28, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland
NC State (6-6) vs East Carolina (7-5), 5:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)
What to look for: Surging East Carolina running back Rahjai Harris, a second-team All-AAC selection, has been impressive. ECU has won four of its last five contests, and in those games, Harris has rushed for 515 yards and seven touchdowns. For the season, he had rushed for 946 yards and 10 scores.
Fast fact: NC State became bowl-eligible for a fifth consecutive season by winning its regular season finale 35-30 at rival North Carolina. Quarterback CJ Bailey threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 54 yards in the win.
Independence Bowl
Dec. 28, Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana
Marshall (10-3) vs. Army (11-1), 9:15 p.m. ET (ESPN
What to look for: Army quarterback Bryson Daily, the AAC Offensive Player of the Year, is the league’s rushing leader with 1,480 yards and 29 touchdowns. He enters the Army-Navy game this week tied with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty nationally in rushing touchdowns while having played in two fewer games.
Fast fact: This game is a matchup of champions, with Army winning the AAC and Marshall claiming the Sun Belt title. Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green is the FBS sack leader with 17.
First Responder Bowl
Jan. 3, Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Texas State (7-5) vs. North Texas (6-6), 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)
What to look for: North Texas will have a different look since its leading two offensive players, quarterback Chandler Morris and receiver DT Sheffield, have hit the transfer portal. This matchup seems to favor Texas State since the Bobcats averaged 37.08 points per game and North Texas allowed 34.5 PPG.
Fast fact: This is Texas State’s second straight trip to this bowl after beating Rice 45-21 last year. Texas State has enjoyed consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2008-09.
