Watch the Central Michigan vs. Minnesota Quick Lane Bowl online: Time, TV schedule, live stream, 3 things to know

Two teams that have faced some of the nation’s best programs square off in the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl, as 7-5 Central Michigan plays 5-7 Minnesota. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 28, with television coverage on ESPN2.

Central Michigan makes its ninth bowl appearance since 1990 and third in four years after capturing a share of the MAC West title with a 6-2 conference record. Second-year coach John Bonamego is not afraid to throw the ball: The Chippewas have averaged more than 313 yards per game through the air.

After an eight-win 2014, Minnesota struggled on offense and dealt with internal turmoil in a five-win 2015 season. The Gophers managed to score more than 30 points just three times all season. Head coach Jerry Kill abruptly retired due to health concerns in October, and interim coach Tracy Claeys struggled to right the ship against one of the nation’s toughest schedules. The Gophers showed signs of life in the second half of the season, nearly knocking off Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa, and recording a nine-point win against Illinois.

TV: Dec. 28, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Radio: Minnesota and Central Michigan affiliates are available.

Online streaming: WatchESPN

Spread: Minnesota is favored by 6 points.

Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at The Daily Gopher and Hustle Belt.

The longest road: Both Central Michigan and Minnesota faced brutal schedules in 2015. CMU opened its season against Oklahoma State and played Michigan State in its third game, taking on two eventual College Football Playoff contenders and hanging with both. Minnesota played then-No. 2 TCU in the season’s first week, opened its Big Ten season against Northwestern and then took on Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa in a three-game stretch. Central Michigan have played seven of the top 16 teams in the final College Football Playoff poll. That they both made a bowl is a miracle.

The miracle: For Minnesota, making it to the Quick Lane Bowl took some help. The Gophers’ 5-7 record did not qualify them for a bowl trip. However, with the addition of two new bowls this season, there were not enough six-win teams to fill the postseason slate. The NCAA ruled that five-win teams would be admitted to the postseason based on Academic Progress Rate, and Minnesota ranked second among the five-win programs. So, hello Detroit!

The big matchup: Minnesota has allowed just 182 passing yards per game, the 15th-best pass defense in the nation. Central Michigan Cooper Rush was held to 182 yards passing just once this season, a win over Northern Illinois. Rush has passed for more than 300 yards in six of his last seven starts, including 349 yards against Toledo and 391 in the season finale against Eastern Michigan. Whether Rush can post similar numbers on Minnesota could well determine the outcome of the Quick Lane Bowl.

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