2015 Heart of Dallas Bowl, Washington vs. Southern Miss: Date, time, location and more

When the Cotton Bowl Classic bolted for the newly built AT&T Stadium in 2010, the stadium replaced the void by creating the Heart of Dallas Bowl, which played its inaugural game in 2011. Now, it will have its sixth-ever matchup.

Originally introduced as a New Year’s Day game, the Heart of Dallas Bowl moved to late December in 2014, the same time that Zaxby’s became the title sponsor. The first two games were sponsored by TicketCity and PlainsCapital Bank took over the next two.

After four years of the Big Ten facing alternating opponents of the Big XII and Conference USA, the arrangement swapped in 2014 and now features a Conference USA opponent against either a Big XII and Big Ten opponent. Illinois represented the Big Ten in 2014, leaving it up to the Big XII to represent in 2015.

Here is everything you need to know to get ready for this year’s Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl:

Date and time: Sat., Dec. 26, 2:20 p.m. ET

TV channel: ESPN

Location: Dallas, Texas

Stadium: Cotton Bowl, 70,561

Last year’s score: Louisiana Tech 35, Illinois 18

Last year’s attendance: 92,100

Last year’s TV rating: 1.5

Last year’s payout for each school: $1.1 million

Team with the most all-time appearances: 10 teams, 1 appearance each

Team with the most all-time wins: 5 teams, 1 win each

What’s better than a rivalry game win? How about a 35-point blowout that qualifies your team for a bowl bid?

That’s what head coach Chris Peterson got on Nov. 27 when Washington ran over Washington State 45-10 to claim the 2015 Apple Cup. That win capped off a tough season where the Huskies beat a pair of ranked opponents -- WSU and USC -- but still recorded six losses against a schedule that featured nine different bowl eligible opponents.

Washington is hitting the postseason on a high note after scoring 97 points in the final two games of their regular season. While the offense has been the headliner as of late, they can thank an opportunistic defense for setting them up with plenty of chances to score. The Huskies rank seventh in the FBS after forcing 27 turnovers this season, including an insane seven against Washington State in their season finale.

True freshman Jake Browning leads a Huskies offense that has had some of the growing pains that you’d expect with a first-year starter behind center. Browning has been brilliant in some starts, including a pair of four touchdown performances that Washington won over Arizona and Oregon State by a combined score of 102-10. He’s struggled in others, like a 152-yard, two interception day in a six-point loss to California. While it’s clear that he has the talent to be a star in the Pac-12, he’ll have to step up in his first postseason performance to secure Washington’s sixth-straight winning season.

Last bowl game: 2014 season’s Citrus Bowl (30-22 loss to Oklahoma State)

All-time bowl record: 16-16-1

Head coach’s bowl record: Chris Petersen is 5-3 in bowl games as a head coach, but 0-1 with the Huskies.

Southern Mississippi had a wildly successful season, finishing the regular season with nine or more wins for the first time since their 12-win season in 2011, and for just the second time since 2006. The Golden Eagles suffered losses at the hands of Mississippi State, Nebraska and Marshall, but ripped off six straight wins to finish the regular season.

Southern Miss made their living in 2015 by using explosive plays to take advantage of what was consistently strong field position. They were one of the highest-scoring teams per game, and did a nice job limiting teams from scoring over the second half of the season, as well (allowed 16.3 points-per-game over their last six regular season games). In particular, the Golden Eagles were an especially potent fourth quarter team.

Led by starting quarterback Nick Mullen (3,964 yards, 64.2 percent completion percentage, 8.75 yards/attempt), running backs Jalen Richard and Ito Smith (2,048 total rushing yards), and wide receivers Michael Thomas, Casey Martin and DJ Thompson (179 catches for 2,659 yards), Southern Miss will be a problem on offense for any opponent. Similar to fellow C-USA division-winner, Western Kentucky, the Golden Eagles will be a tough out for whoever they face in the post-season.

Last bowl game: 2011 Hawaii Bowl (24-17 win over Nevada)

All-time bowl record: 10-12

Head coach’s bowl record: Todd Monken will be coaching in his first bowl game as a head coach.