The day after Christmas means a few things -- returning those horrible gifts you received but didn't want in the first place, taking advantage of sales with the numerous gift cards you were given, and bowl games resuming.
This is kind of the calm before the storm, games that won't really attract a ton of national attention but may yet prove to be intriguing.
INDEPENDENCE BOWL (4 p.m., Shreveport, La.)
Miami Fla (6-6) vs Louisiana Tech (9-3)
WHY TO WATCH: To see if Miami is the least bit interested. The Hurricanes have had a history of not playing well in lower-tier bowl games, winning just twice in their last 10 postseason appearances -- none of the marquee variety. The Canes lost this bowl game to South Carolina in 2014, and it wouldn't be a shock to see them go through the motions here as focus and desire have been inconsistent all season. Tech is 2-1-1 all-time in the Independence Bowl, and has won five straight bowl games. Miami has a top 15 defense, but it could be challenged by a Tech offense that's top 40 nationally, including 27th in scoring (34 ppg). The Hurricanes have scored more than 24 points just twice in their last seven games, and if they can't mount some kind of offensive attack it will be another postseason disappointment. Tech should play hard as it would love to add a big time pelt to its wall.
BOWL RECORDS: Miami 19-21, Louisiana Tech 7-3-1
BETTING NUMBERS: Miami -6, Total 49.5
QUICK LANE BOWL (8 p.m., Detroit, Mich.)
Pittsburgh (7-5) vs Eastern Michigan (6-6)
WHY TO WATCH: Pitt's classic unis, the best in college football, for one. Strength on strength for another, as Eastern Michigan loves to air it out and Pitt is lethal against the pass. It's whether the Panthers can score or not that will determine the outcome. Pitt scored 20 points or fewer in eight games this season, and every possession seems like a struggle. Eastern's defense hasn't been great so the Panthers may have more opportunities this time, but an explosion seems unlikely. Eagles QB Mike Glass III is one of the more unheralded passers in America, accounting for 29 total touchdowns and showing off a big-time arm. He's completed 80 percent of his passes the last three contests and could pose a challenge for Pitt's talented secondary. Paris Ford, Damar Hamlin and Dane Jackson all have at least one interception and nine passes defended, so accomplishing things through the air won't be easy. Pitt has lost six of its last seven bowl games, but the one win was against the MAC (Bowling Green 2013). Eastern Michigan is playing its third bowl in four seasons after appearing in just two prior to 2016, but has won just once, the 1987 California Bowl over San Jose State.
BOWL RECORDS: Pittsburgh 13-21, Eastern Michigan 1-2
BETTING NUMBERS: Pittsburgh -11, Total 49
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