2015 Sun Bowl, Miami vs. Washington State: Date, time, location and more

Only three bowl games have a history as long or longer than the Sun Bowl and all three are featured as part of the New Year’s Six. The annual matchup in El Paso, Texas, meanwhile, will hold its 82nd game one day after Christmas.

The Rose Bowl is the only bowl game that has existed longer than the Sun Bowl, while the Orange Bowl and Sugar Bowl were founded in the same year. After 50 years without a title sponsor, a few different companies have taken over the role, including Hyundai, which began sponsoring the game in 2010.

While the Big Ten and Big 12 have previously had conference ties to the Sun Bowl, it now pits the Pac-12 against the ACC, a matchup that has gone in the west coast’s favor in three of the last four years.

Here is everything you need to know to get ready for this year’s Sun Bowl:

Date and time: Saturday, Dec. 26, 2 p.m.

TV channel: CBS

Location: El Paso, Texas

Stadium: Sun Bowl Stadium, 51,500

Last year’s score: Arizona State 36, Duke 31

Last year’s attendance: 47,809

Last year’s TV rating: 2.6

Last year’s payout for each school: $2.15 million

Teams with the most all-time appearances: Texas Tech, 9

Teams with the most all-time wins: UTEP, 5

Another year, another tumultuous season in South Florida. The Hurricanes blew a 23-point lead against Nebraska before winning in overtime, fell on a late touchdown against rival Florida State and suffered the worst loss in program history against Clemson. And that was all before coach Al Golden was fired.

Things have improved since Golden’s departure, with Miami winning four of its final five games to finish 5-3 in the ACC for the third time in the last four seasons. Sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya threw for more than 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns against just four interceptions. Halfback Joseph Yearby needs just 61 yards in the bowl game to top 1,000 yards for the season.

Interim coach Larry Scott will coach the Hurricanes in the game, but Miami has already made its hire to replace Golden: former Miami QB and Georgia head coach Mark Richt.

Last bowl game: 2014 Independence Bowl (24-21 loss to South Carolina)

All-time bowl record: 18-18

Head coach’s bowl record: Interim coach Larry Scott is coaching in his first bowl game.

Washington State’s finest year of the Mike Leach era hasn’t been without its bumps in the road. While the Cougars’ eight wins are their most since winning 10 with Jason Gesser at quarterback in 2003, and their win over Oregon was the program’s first since 2006, they also lost to FCS Portland State to begin the season and to rival Washington in an Apple Cup blowout.

Leach’s pass-happy ways also led to one of the coach’s best offensive showings since his heyday at Texas Tech thanks to quarterback Luke Falk, who occasionally found form to challenge the most prolific stretches ever by Leach QBs. But Falk also took a beating behind a still-bad offensive line and missed significant parts of two Wazzu games in November before sitting out the Apple Cup.

Without a healthy Falk, there’s no great reason to trust the rest of the Cougars to do enough to win a bowl game. Running back Gerard Wicks posted the first 100-yard game on the ground by a Cougar under Leach against Colorado, but finished the regular season with just 557 rushing yards. And Washington State’s defense allowed 30 or more points in seven of 12 contests.

Last bowl game: 2013 New Mexico Bowl (48-45 loss to Colorado State)

All-time bowl record: 5-5

Head coach’s bowl record: Mike Leach is 6-4 in bowl games, going 6-3 with Texas Tech and 0-1 with the Cougars.