NEW ORLEANS BOWL

NEW ORLEANS BOWL

RICE (7-5) vs. TROY (7-5)

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, 5 PST, ESPN2

* Line: Rice by 4

* Story line: Rice, which had its first winning season since 1993, is making its first bowl appearance since 1961 and is seeking its first postseason victory since 1954. The Owls were 1-10 last season and started 1-5 this season, but won their final six games under first-year Coach Todd Graham. Troy, a Division I-A team only since 2002, is making its second bowl appearance. The Sun Belt Conference champion Trojans won six of their last seven games, but they averaged only 21 points a game.

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-- Peter Yoon