Richard Dean

Now a full-fledged Conference USA member, the Bearkats are 5-1, drawing bigger crowds, and set to play Western Kentucky on ESPN2.

Pete Alamar, who will be Rice's interim coach after dismissal of Mike Bloomgren, says his focus is final four games, not becoming head coach.

Houston Christian has nowhere to go but up under first-year coach Craig Doty, who welcomes the challenge of playing at No. 14 Creighton on Wednesday.

After an open date, Rice faces UAB, which has struggled this season under coach Trent Dilfer.

Quarterback E.J. Warner led the Owls, who end their season at 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the AAC.

Running backs Tyvonn Byars of Lake Creek and D’Andre Hardeman Jr. of North Shore highlight a class that includes 10 players from Texas and two from California.

Sam Houston faces Georgia Southern in the New Orleans bowl in a matchup of former FCS/I-AA powers.

For coach Dave Aranda and the Bears, who won their last seven straight games, Tuesday's game will serve as a springboard to the 2025 season.

When LSU was in the Texas Bowl three years ago, quarterback Garrett Nussmeir was held out to save a year of eligibility. He'll start this year.

The first LSU/Baylor matchup in nearly 40 years saw the Tigers get off to a fast start and make enough big plays to top the Bears in the Texas Bowl.