Inaugrual Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl to...

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The inaugural Arizona Bowl is the first non-playoff bowl to have two teams from the same conference since the 1979 Orange Bowl with Nebraska and Oklahoma. Neither team wanted to be stuck playing another team from the Mountain West, but the opponent doesn't matter now — winning the game does.

KEY MATCHUP

Colorado State's defense vs. Nevada's running game. It's no secret the Wolf Pack like to run the ball. The key is stopping them. Nevada finished top-30 nationally rushing and was one of two teams to have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers. The Rams were 107th nationally at stopping the run, so obviously finding a way to slow Nevada will be vital.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nevada: LB Ian Seau. The nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Junior Seau, he was a first-team all-MWC selection and led the conference with nine sacks and forced four fumbles, which was eighth in the FBS.

Colorado State: QB Nick Stevens. The first-year starter broke a 31-year-old record for most passing yards by a sophomore with 2,369 and had 21 passing TDs, fifth-most in school history. He also had 21 interceptions.

FACTS & FIGURES

Colorado State ended the season on a four-game winning streak to become bowl eligible. ... Nevada is in a bowl game for the 10th time in 11 seasons. ... The Rams have had three different running backs eclipse 140 yards rushing this season. ... The Wolf Pack are tied for seventh nationally with 12 turnovers lost. ... Colorado State is in its third straight bowl. ... Nevada K Brent Zuzo is ninth nationally in field goal kicking, making 14 of 16 (87.5 percent) this season.