The 2011-2012 FBS bowl season kicks off Saturday afternoon when the Temple Owls meet the Wyoming Cowboys in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl (2 p.m. ET/ESPN). Temple (8-4) plays in the Mid-American Conference. Wyoming, also 8-4, plays in the Mountain West Conference and just completed its best regular season since winning eight games in 1998. Temple is making its second bowl appearance in three seasons.
Temple employs a run-heavy offense led by Bernard Pierce (1,381 yards and 25 touchdowns), Matt Brown (867 yards) and quarterback Chris Coyer (491 yards).
Wyoming freshman quarterback Brett Smith ran for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, while throwing for another 2,495 yards and 18 more scores.
Temple is a 7.5-point favorite.
Game: Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Date/Time: Sat., Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Betting Odds: Temple By 7.5
-- SB Nation's Wyoming website, Cowboy Altitude
-- SB Nation's College Football Hub Page