College Football

Western Michigan-Wisconsin both Cotton Bowl first-timers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

No. 8 Wisconsin (10-3, Big Ten) vs. No. 12 Western Michigan (13-0, MAC), Jan. 2, 1 p.m. EST

LOCATION: Arlington, Texas

TOP PLAYERS

Wisconsin: RB Corey Clement, 1,304 yards, 14 TDs rushing.

Western Michigan: QB Zach Terrell, 3,376 yards, 32 TDs passing, three interceptions; 236 yards, six TDs rushing.

NOTABLE

Wisconsin: The Badgers had a six-game winning streak to make it to the Big Ten championship game, where the West Division champs had a 28-7 lead but lost 38-31 while giving up their most points all season.

Western Michigan: The Mid-American Conference champion Broncos are the only FBS team other than No. 1 Alabama to be undefeated. The Broncos beat two Big Ten teams early this season, 22-21 at Northwestern and 34-10 at Illinois.

LAST TIME

Wisconsin 19, Western Michigan 7; Aug. 31, 2000.

BOWL HISTORY

Wisconsin: 28th bowl game, 18th played on Jan. 1 or 2. First time to play in Cotton Bowl. This is the 15th season in a row with bowl game, and 20th in 21 seasons.

Western Michigan: Eighth bowl game, but first time playing in one of the New Year's Six bowls. Only bowl win was 45-31 over Middle Tennessee State in last year's Bahamas Bowls.