DALLAS - Penn State hasn't faced an offense like the Houston Cougars this season.
Houston won't have it easy in Monday's TicketCity Bowl either, as the Cougars haven't gone up against a traditional power like Penn State either.
So what's it going to take to win the TicketCity Bowl? Here are the keys for each team.
PENN STATE
1. Get Bolden going Penn State will start sophomore Rob Bolden at quarterback as Matt McGloin is out because of injuries. Bolden shouldn't be awed by the situation, as he started seven games earlier this season. But the sophomore hasn't played well either. He's thrown one touchdown pass and has been intercepted four times. The Nittany Lions need Bolden to perform well, as there's no real safety net behind him. The backup for Penn State is walk-on Shane McGregor.
2. Show some spark for Bradley The Nittany Lions don't know who their coach will be next season, but they do know it will be interim coach Tom Bradley calling the shots in the bowl game. Bradley is a Penn State lifer, having played for Joe Paterno before joining the coaching staff. The affable Bradley, who was the team's defensive coordinator, has made it clear he wants the head coaching job. Even if he doesn't get it, the players will have a chance to send him out a winner.
3. State your Case No team in the Big 10 runs an offense like the Houston Cougars. That's made preparations for stopping the Cougars a difficult one. Penn State has used a pair of players to try and simulate what Houston quarterback Case Keenum does. Bradley said that job is a difficult one. It could be more difficult if Penn State can't slow down Houston's record-setting quarterback.
HOUSTON
1. Shake off the cobwebs There's nothing wrong with playing in a January bowl, but Dallas isn't exactly where the Cougars were hoping to end their season. Bowl success often depends on which team wants to be in the game the most. Houston can't let the loss to Southern Miss last month linger. While the TicketCity Bowl isn't a BCS game, it's still a great matchup. The Cougars have to approach it that way.
2. Adjust to Tony Penn State isn't the only school that's had to deal with coaching uncertainty. Kevin Sumlin got the Cougars to this point, but it's new coach Tony Levine who will be calling the shots for the first time Monday. Levine was a receivers coach for the Cougars before getting the promotion. There's no better way to get off a good start in a new job than beating one of the most storied programs in the history of college football.
3. Getting the playmakers going One of Case Keenum's strengths is keeping all of his weapons engaged. That will be important against a Penn State team that prides itself on defense. Wide receiver Patrick Edwards is the No. 1 option, but Justin Johnson, Tyron Carrier and Charles Sims are also threats. Keenum has to spread the ball around and keep the Penn State secondary guessing.
