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

One of the best non-BCS bowls in the country pits No. 20 Nebraska (9-3) against No. 9 South Carolina (10-2) in the Capital One Bowl.

Both teams experienced their fair share of highs and lows this season but ultimately would consider the 2011 campaign to be a disappointing one.

Nebraska was the early favorite to win the Big 10 in its first season as a member, yet the regression of sophomore QB Taylor Martinez dashed those hopes. South Carolina’s year was derailed by the immaturity of QB Stephen Garcia, which eventually got him kicked off the team.

Then a season-ending injury to star running back Marcus Lattimore happened. It was a huge blow to a team with as much talent as the Gamecocks. Then again, a win in this game will give the Gamecocks 11 for the first time in school history.

Both teams are looking for some strong momentum heading into the long offseason, but only one gets it.

Where

Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida

When

Saturday, January 2nd, 1:00 P.M. EST

Watch

ESPN/ESPN3D

Listen

KLIN (1400 AM) in Omaha and WNKT (107.5 FM) in Columbia

Live Stream

Listen to the game live at Huskers.com.

Key Storyline

Can Martinez salvage a forgettable sophomore season?

The 6'1", 200-pounder came into the season with sky-high expectations but ended up really struggling to find any sort of consistency. His accuracy dropped four points to 55 percent from his freshman year, his yards per attempt dropped over a full yard (7.25) and he didn’t take as many shots down the field.

His numbers, 1,973 yards and 12 TDs to only seven INTs, aren't horrible, but it’s not the progress fans expected, especially after throwing for 1,631 yards, 10 TDs and seven INTs his freshman season.

After rushing for 60 or more yards in five of his team’s first six games, he never reached the plateau again in his team’s final six games.

It will be interesting to see if the Huskers continue this trend or get back to what gave Nebraska a 7-1 start.

What They’re Saying

Huskers coach Bo Pelini has nothing but good things to say about the Capital One Bowl (via the Fremont Tribune):

"

Outside of the BCS, the Capital One Bowl is arguably the top bowl game out there. Our team has battled through a lot this year to reach this point, and we look forward to the opportunity to earn a 10th win this season.

"

Of course he’s going to say that, but I’d argue that the Cotton Bowl is much more prestigious and competitive than the Capital One Bowl.  

Prediction

The USC defense is getting better by the week, and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Martinez is able to do much damage against it. The Gamecocks gave up 37 and 42 points in their first two games of the season, yet have somehow scratched and clawed their way to be ranked fourth in the country in total defense (268.9 yards per game).

I think they force Martinez to become a pocket passer, which will result in multiple mistakes that the defense takes advantage of, setting up the USC offense with a short field.

The South Carolina offense has already played the likes of Georgia and Clemson, two teams that are on par with Nebraska defensively. The Gamecocks combined to score 79 points. I think QB Connor Shaw (1,218 yards and 12 TDs) is able to move the chains and keep the Huskers defense on the field for the majority of the game.

South Carolina 26, Nebraska 17