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A look at the Big Ten's bowl games leading up to Ohio State's BCS championship game appearance:

Purdue (7-5) vs. Central Michigan (8-5)

Bowl: Motor City

When: 7:30 p.m. today

TV: ESPN

Favorite: Purdue by eight

Etc.: Purdue has lost three straight and five of its past seven despite an offense that produces 32.9 points per game. Central Michigan gives up plenty of points (35.8 per game) but counters with dual-threat quarterback Dan LeFevour (258.5 yards per game passing, 77.5 rushing).

Michigan State (7-5) vs. Boston Coll. (10-3)

Bowl: Champs Sports

When: 5 p.m. Friday

TV: ESPN

Favorite: Boston College by three

Etc.: Michigan State won its final two against Purdue and Penn State and averages 200.3 yards per game rushing. A one-time national title hopeful, Boston College lost three of its past five to Florida State, Maryland and Virginia Tech but boasts former Heisman hopeful QB Matt Ryan (327.5 yards per game).

Penn State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (7-5)

Bowl: Alamo

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

TV: ESPN

Favorite: Penn State by five

Etc.: QB Anthony Morelli never totally materialized in his Penn State career (209 yards per game), but how could you not root for Joe Paterno? Another A&M nosedive (four losses in past six) caused the loss of coach Dennis Franchione, but the Aggies claim stellar senior linebacker Mark Dodge (108 tackles).

Indiana (7-5) vs. Oklahoma State (6-6)

Bowl: Insight

When: 6 p.m. Monday

TV: NFL Network

Favorite: OSU by four

Etc.: For Indiana, sophomore QB Kellen Lewis has provided the needed offensive spark (236.6 passing yards per game, 54.4 rushing). OSU was probably more known for coach Mike Gundy's rant than its play on the field, but running back Dantrell Savage can be an exciting rusher (117.2 yards per game).

Wisconsin (9-3) vs. Tennessee (9-4)

Bowl: Outback

When: 11 a.m. Tuesday

TV: ESPN

Favorite: Tennessee by three

Etc.: The health, or lack thereof, of RB P.J. Hill was key to Wisconsin, which got 1,080 yards from him in 10 games as tough-minded QB Tyler Donovan tried to compensate. The Vols won five straight to reach the SEC championship game, but lost to LSU despite 249 yards and two TDs from QB Erik Ainge.

Michigan (8-4) vs. Florida (9-3)

Bowl: Capital One

When: 1 p.m. Tuesday

TV: ABC

Favorite: Florida by 10

Etc.: The biggest story line for Michigan is the chance for QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and other seniors to go at least 1-7 against Ohio State and in bowl games. Tim Tebow, the sophomore Heisman Trophy winner, does it all for Florida (261 passing yards per game, 69.8 rushing, 54 combined TDs).

Illinois (9-3) vs. Southern Cal (10-2)

Bowl: Rose

When: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday

TV: ABC

Favorite: USC by 14

Etc.: Ron Zook has brought respectability to Champaign, including a win against the top-ranked Buckeyes and electric play from QB Juice Williams. Some wondered if USC had lost its spot among the country's greats with an early-season loss to Stanford, but the Trojans' fast defense and QB John David Booty (234 yards per game) rallied them late.

— Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer