Memphis RB Curtis Steele could give the USF D fits, having eclipsed 120 yards rushing in three of his last four games.
Jim Cowsert/Icon SMI

USF (7-5) vs. Memphis (6-6)
Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
 
Reason To Watch: You know you'll want to be able to tell your grandchildren one day that you witnessed the first-ever magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl. USF continued its now-annual tradition of starting off strong (6-0, including a win over then-13th-ranked Kansas), soaring high in the polls -- then absolutely tanking (1-5 finish). Last year that culminated in a 56-21 Sun Bowl drubbing by Oregon, but perhaps playing significantly closer to home -- Tropicana Field is about 25 miles from campus -- will aid their cause.
 
Keep An Eye On: Memphis running back Curtis Steele. The former juco transfer was named Conference USA newcomer of the year after rushing for 1,175 yards, becoming the Tigers' first 1,000-yard rusher since Carolina Panthers star DeAngelo Williams' senior season in 2005.
 
Stadium Watch: While the infamous catwalks at "The Trop" have disrupted many a Rays game, the St. Pete Times brought in a semipro kicker last week to test the place and found it would be nearly impossible for a punter to hit one of the catwalks -- but watch out for caroming field goals.
 
Final Analysis: While the Bulls have been disappointing, they've still played at a far higher level than Memphis, whose sole win over a fellow bowl team came against 6-6 Southern Miss. They've got a dangerous dual-threat QB in Matt Grothe and an athletic defense.
 
The Pick: USF 38, Memphis 13

(SI.com's NFL draft guru Tony Pauline breaks down which prospects to watch in this bowl game.)