Houston, San Diego State set for Las Vegas Bowl

Houston (9-3, AAC) vs. San Diego State (10-3, MWC), Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET.

LOCATION: Las Vegas

TOP PLAYERS:

Houston: QB Greg Ward Jr., 3,328 yards, 22 TDs

San Diego State: Donnel Pumphrey, 2,018 yards rushing, 16 TDs

NOTABLE:

Houston: How will the Cougars respond after losing coach Tom Herman to Texas? With coaching rumors swirling around the program on a daily basis, it might be tough for Houston's players to focus on the Aztecs instead of their future.

San Diego State: The Aztecs will have the national stage to themselves for once. They'll no doubt want to give Pumphrey, a senior and a Las Vegas native, one more chance to show the country just how great of a college back he was. Conference bragging rights between the American and the Mountain West will also be at stake.

LAST TIME: Houston 14, San Diego State 9 (1973).

BOWL HISTORY:

San Diego State: 15th overall bowl appearance and seventh straight, the longest such stretch in school history.

Houston: 46th overall bowl appearance. The Cougars have won three of their last four bowl games.