TicketCity Bowl 2012: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The Penn State Nittany Lions and Houston Cougars both fell short of winning their respective conferences, but the two of them still get to go bowling this year.

According to a report from the Associated Press, Penn State and Houston will be bowling against each other at the TicketCity Bowl on Jan. 2. If so, we're going to see a classic defense vs. offense matchup, as Penn State's steadfast defense will be tasked with containing Case Keenum and Houston's high-flying offense.

The bowl itself is still just about a month away, but we may as well get a head start on breaking down the matchup. Read on for a closer look at what you can expect to see.

Where: Cotton Bowl

When: Noon ET on Jan. 2, 2012

Watch: ESPNU

Listen: Streaming audio on GoPSUSports.com and on UHCougars.com; see list of affiliates for Penn State radio and 790 AM for Houston radio.

Betting Line: Not Available

Key Storyline

This will be Penn State's first bowl game without Joe Paterno since the early 1960s, and everyone knows why. JoePa was a casualty of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, and you can expect to hear the situation discussed at length during the game.

As for the Cougars, you can expect them to be out for revenge. They had a chance to go to a BCS bowl, but they blew it when they lost the Conference USA Championship Game to Southern Mississippi.

Who Might Not Play for Penn State

We'll see how the situation changes in the weeks to come, but right now we know of at least three Nittany Lions players who won't be suiting up for the TicketCity Bowl. Per the USA Today, quarterback Paul Jones is out due to academic reasons, linebacker Michael Mauti is out with a knee injury, and running back Brandon Beachum is done for the year with an ankle injury.

Who Might Not Play for Houston

As of right now, Houston's injury report is clean. We'll see if that changes.

What They're Saying

Curious why Penn State didn't end up in the Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl, which chose to take 6-6 Northwestern instead?

David Jones of The Patriot News published an explanation earlier on Sunday:

"

Just spoke with Teddy Greenstein of The Chicago Tribune and the Big Ten Network and he has been getting "some pretty strong intel" that the latest Jerry Sandusky interview in The New York Times might have spooked the organizers of the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas to the point that they are considering taking 6-6 Northwestern over 9-3 Penn State...

"

So the Nittany Lions were forced down the bowl ladder because of Jerry Sandusky. It may not be fair, but it was bound to happen.

As for the Cougars, I already mentioned that they missed out on a BCS bowl when they lost to Southern Miss. 

But what exactly did Houston miss out on? I'll let Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle explain:

"

Rather than the Sugar Bowl's estimated $17 million payoff, the Coogs likely will be getting around $1 million. Because bowl money is shared with 11 other Conference USA members, UH's net loss probably is $2.5 million.

Also lost were prestige and a chance to prove once and for all that UH belonged on the national stage. Unfortunately, UH proved all the people who had doubts correct.

"

Needless to say, they're singing somber songs in Houston. A trip to the TicketCity Bowl won't help much.

Penn State Player to Watch

The Nittany Lions don't have much in the way of offense, but their defense is elite. Senior defensive tackle Devon Still has a lot to do with that, as he put together a monster season that culminated in Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He's going to be a high draft pick on draft day, so you might want to keep an eye on him.

Houston Player to Watch

Who else? When it comes to Houston football, it's all about Case Keenum. He holds numerous NCAA passing records, and he ended up with over 5,000 yards passing and 45 touchdowns this season. He'll be looking to bounce back from a bad performance against Southern Miss.

Key Matchup

Houston has the No. 1 passing offense in the country, and Penn State has the No. 5 passing defense in the country. An unstoppable force will meet an immovable object.

On the Hot Seat

It's possible that neither of these head coaches are going to be back in 2012. Tom Bradley is Penn State's interim head coach, and the university probably doesn't see him as a long-term option. Houston's Kevin Sumlin, on the other hand, is a hot head coaching commodity who could depart for greener pastures in the very near future.

Prediction: Houston 21, Penn State 10

The game is still a long way off, but I'll take the Cougars to win it. Their offense will be held in check, but Penn State doesn't have enough offense of its own to keep pace.