2013 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Preview

Match-up: Utah State vs. #23 Northern Illinois
Date/Time: December 26, 2013/8:30pm CT
Location: San Diego, CA (Qualcomm Stadium)
Bowl Life: 9 years (2005)
Line: Northern Illinois by 1 1/2
National TV: ESPN (HD)
2012 Poinsettia Bowl: BYU 23, San Diego State 6

Breaking Down the Teams:
Utah State Aggies-
2013 Record: 8-5 (7-1 MWC)
School Bowl Record: 2-6
Last Bowl Game: 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Utah State 41, Toledo 15)
Appearances at the Poinsettia Bowl: None

Northern Illinois Huskies-
2013 Record: 12-1 (8-0 MAC)
School Bowl Record: 5-8
Last Bowl Game: 2013 Orange Bowl (Florida State 31, Northern Illinois 10)
Appearances at the Poinsettia Bowl: 0-1 (Last: 2006)

Game Notes: Northern Illinois missed out on its second consecutive BCS bowl appearance and third consecutive MAC Championship with a surprising loss in the championship game to Bowling Green.  Additionally, Quarterback Jordan Lynch became the school's first Heisman Trophy finalist.

Prediction: Northern Illinois