Penn State meets Houston today in the 2012 Ticket City Bowl (noon ET/ESPNU).

Houston (12-1) enters the game as a seven-point favorite. The Cougars only loss came to Southern Mississippi in the conference USA title game by a lopsided 49-28 score.

"This will be a first-class event for our student-athletes, our coaching staff, and our fans. To have an opportunity to send this senior class off with one more game in the state of Texas, at a historic venue like the Cotton Bowl, is a great way to thank our fans for all they have meant to us during this record- breaking season,' said Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades.

Penn State (9-3) is simply trying to finish a season clouded by the Jerry Sandusky scandal and the firing of iconic head coach Joe Paterno.

Game: Ticket City Bowl

Date/Time: Monday, Jan. 2 (Noon ET)

TV: ESPNU:

Betting Odds: Houston by 7

-- See SB Nation's Penn State website, Black Shoe Diaries. Follow all of the day's bowl action at SB Nation's College Football Hub Page.