This year, the Capital One Bowl will feature two top-20 teams, as Nebraska of the Big Ten takes on South Carolina of the SEC in the Capital One Bowl.
These teams have met three other times in their histories, but not since 1987 – a 30-21 Nebraska win. In fact, the Cornhuskers are 3-0 in the all-time series.
The latest Capital One Bowl odds show South Carolina favored by 2 points, while the over/under is posted at 46 points.
Nebraska
Nebraska opened the season 7-1, including an impressive 24-3 win over Michigan State, but traded wins and losses over their last four games of the season to finish 5-3 in conference play, good for just 3rd in the Big Ten Legends Division. The Huskers went 3-2 away from Lincoln this year, including a win at Happy Valley over Penn State.
The Huskers rank 39th nationally in scoring defense (23 points per game) and gives up 351 yards per game (189 passing, 162 rushing) while compiling 17 sacks and forcing 18 turnovers one of which was returned for a TD (Austin Cassidy, fumble).
Lavonte David leads the defensive unit with 122 tackles (45 more than anyone else), two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, while Cameron Meredith has a team-best five sacks.
Offensively, Nebraska ranks 43rd in points scored (30 ppg) while recording 390 yards per game (224 rushing, 167 passing). Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez anchor the offense with the running game, combining for 2,105 yards and 24 TDs on 4.9 yards per carry.
Martinez completes 56 percent of his passes for 1,973 yards and 12 TDs with seven interceptions. The offensive line allowed 15 sacks. Kenny Bell is the top pass-catcher with 29 receptions for 408 yards and two TDS, while Brandon Kinnie has 22 catches for 257 yards and a score.
South Carolina
South Carolina ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak, including an impressive win over Clemson in their regular season final. The Gamecocks finished 6-2 in SEC play, good for second in the East. They were also 4-1 in road games this season, losing only to Arkansas as the visiting squad.).
The Gamecocks rank 13th nationally in points allowed (19 ppg) and gives up 269 yards per game (136 rushing, 133 passing) while recording 25 sacks and forcing 30 turnovers five of which have been returned for TDs (Melvin Ingram and Antonio Allen, three fumbles; Allen and Devin Taylor, interceptions).
Allen leads this unit with 81 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries, along with four forced fumbles. Ingram has a team-best 8.5 sack and Jadeveon Clowney has five forced fumbles.
On offense, South Carolina ranks 45th nationally in scoring (30 ppg) while posting 375 total yards per game (198 rushing, 177 passing).
The offense is anchored by three players Marcus Lattimore, Brandon Wilds and Connor Shaw with a combined 1,787 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry. Shaw has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,218 yards and 12 TDs with six INTs, while Alshon Jeffery is the top receiver with 45 receptions for 614 yards and seven touchdowns.
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