Sheraton Hawaii Bowl 2011: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time & More

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (11-2, No. 21) will take on the Nevada Wolf Pack (7-5) on Christmas Eve in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, a game that should make for a perfect holiday appetizer.

While not necessarily a marquee matchup according to the polls, this game features two teams that have had a significant impact on the national picture in the last two seasons. It was Nevada who crushed Boise State's national championship hopes with a shocking upset over the Broncos last season, while Southern Miss is coming fresh off an upset victory over Houston in the Conference USA Championship which prevented the Cougars from crashing the BCS party this season. 

Here's a complete breakdown of a game that is sure to be the perfect kickoff to your holiday.

Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii

When: Saturday, Dec. 24, 8 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN/ESPN3

Listen: 104.5 FM, Southern Miss; ESPN Radio 630 AM, Nevada

Key Storyline:

With Southern Miss head coach Larry Fedora reportedly slated to become the next head coach at University of North Carolina, how will the Golden Eagles respond? With the distraction of losing their coach looming over their heads, a letdown against Nevada is certainly a possibility, and despite what their 7-5 record may indicate, the Wolf Pack are not a team to take lightly.

Led by head coach Chris Ault, the Wolf Pack are looking for a bowl victory to cap off what was supposed to be a rebuilding year following the departure of former quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Key Injuries: Southern Miss

LB Korey Williams, Out (Leg): The team leader in tackles and sacks in 2010, Williams has been out since the third week of the season. He is not expected to make it back in time for the bowl game.

RB Kendrick Hardy, Doubtful (Shoulder): Hardy injured his shoulder in Week 5 and has not been able to return. At the time of his injury, Hardy was the team's leading rusher. It is unlikely he will be able to get healthy in time for the bowl game.

Key Injuries: Nevada

QB Cody Fajardo, Questionable (Ankle): Fajardo won the starting quarterback job in Week 5 and has played well. He missed the regular-season finale against Idaho with an ankle injury and may not be ready for the bowl game. Senior Tyler Lantrip will start in his place if Fajardo can't give it a go.

K Allen Hardison, Questionable (Hamstring): Hardison had taken over kicking duties from Anthony Martinez, who suffered a hip injury earlier in the season. His injury is key because if he or Martinez can't get healthy in time for the bowl game, punter Jake Hurst will take over, leaving Nevada without a true placekicker.

RB Mike Ball, Out (Dismissed from Team): Leading rusher Mike Ball was dismissed in late November from the team after violating team rules. He also led the team in kickoff return yards. Senior Lampford Mark has seen an increase in duty since Ball's dismissal. 

What It Means For Southern Miss

After his team demolished then-No. 6 Houston in the Conference USA Championship, head coach Larry Fedora stated his team deserved consideration for a BCS bowl game. Ranked No. 21 in the last BCS standings, this game will serve as the Golden Eagles' chance to prove their win over Houston was more than just a fluke.

With Fedora reportedly moving on to coach North Carolina next fall, and rumors swirling that several of their Conference USA rivals are headed to the Big East, it will be up to the Golden Eagles seniors to keep their teammates focused on beating Nevada.

A big win in this game could help to elevate the program's status and make them a desirable catch as NCAA conference realignment continues to shake out. A loss or an unimpressive win and the Golden Eagles risk watching their temporarily raised national profile walk away with Coach Fedora.

What It Means For Nevada

Last season, the Wolf Pack finished 12-1 and ranked 15th in the final BCS standings, led by senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick. With Kaepernick having moved on to the NFL, and facing a difficult schedule, few expected much out of the Wolf Pack this season.

However, head coach Chris Ault seemed to find his quarterback of the future in redshirt freshman Cody Fajardo, and the Wolf Pack, powered by the eighth-ranked rushing attack in the nation, managed to finish third in the WAC.

A win over sky-high Southern Miss would bode well for the future in Reno, where a youthful team gained a lot of experience this season. Of the Wolf Pack's five losses, four came to teams who are playing in a bowl game this year and the fifth came against Texas Tech, who went on to upset then-No. 1 Oklahoma later in the season. This bowl game could serve as a springboard into next season, when Nevada is slated to join the Mountain West Conference.

What They're Saying

Chris Murray of the Reno Gazette-Journal reports that the Wolf Pack are looking to erase some bitter memories with this years' trip to the Hawaiian Islands.

"

For most people, Hawaii is a tropical paradise where memories are made and cherished for a lifetime.

For the Nevada football team, it's an island of terror where memories are to be erased as soon as the Wolf Pack gets back to the mainland.

Nevada has lost seven straight games to the Hawaii Warriors in Honolulu and was embarrassed in its last appearance in the Hawaii Bowl, a 45-10 pasting by Southern Methodist in 2009.

"

Murray also says that, for Nevada, the task is tall.

"Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault said Southern Miss, which beat previously undefeated Houston, 49-28, on Saturday, is the best team his program has ever played in a bowl game. The 27th-year head coach said the only team that compares is the 2006 Miami Hurricanes, which Nevada played in the MPC Computers Bowl in Boise, Idaho."

Randy Kennedy of al.com writes that Southern Miss fans are upset with the school's choice to accept the invitation to play in the Hawaii Bowl in the first place. The school had the opportunity to play in a higher profile bowl game, albeit in a less desirable location, but chose to go to Hawaii as a reward for the players' efforts this season, Southern Miss' best since 1952.

"One possibility the Golden Eagles passed up was a Jan. 2 date with 9-3 Penn State in the Ticket City Bowl in Dallas.

Yes, Honolulu has better scenery than Dallas, but a trip to a bowl that is usually a reward for a mediocre team (such as Nevada) is a major letdown. More importantly, it does nothing to advance the image of a football program that, until Sunday night, was having a great weekend in accomplishing that goal.

"

Player to Watch: Nevada QB Cody Fajardo (or Tyler Lantrip)

In Nevada's signature Pistol offense, the entire offense revolves around the quarterback. A hybrid between a spread offense and an option attack, the quarterback is counted upon to be both a good passer and a good runner.

As a four-year starter in Ault's Pistol offense, Colin Kaepernick is the only player in Division I history to pass for over 9,000 yards in a career and run for more than 4,000. While obviously Kaepernick is a special talent, Cody Farjardo has shown similar capabilities this season.

Despite playing in only five full games this season and seeing limited action in four more, Fajardo racked up 1,647 yards passing and 680 yards on the ground.

If Fajardo is unable to play due to injury, Tyler Lantrip is a capable backup. In Nevada's season-ending romp over Idaho, Lantrip, who started for the injured Fajardo, posted 340 yards passing. Regardless of who starts in the bowl game, look for Nevada's quarterback to post big numbers.

Player to Watch: Southern Miss QB Austin Davis

The Golden Eagles quarterback is one of the nation's best. Davis, a four-year starter, has been on fire of late, posting a four-touchdown performance in the Conference USA Championship.

This season, Davis has thrown for 3,331 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He is a dual threat, capable of making defenses who drop into deep coverage pay with his legs.

A great decision-maker with a sophisticated knowledge of the offense, there is little defenses can do to confuse Davis. If Nevada is to stop Southern Miss, they must find a way to stop Davis.

Key Matchup: Southern Miss Defense vs. Nevada Offense

This matchup will decide the outcome of the game. If the Southern Miss defense can post a repeat of their performance against the high-octane Houston offense, Nevada will be in for a long day.

However, if Southern Miss allows Nevada's offense to keep pace with Austin Davis and the Southern Miss attack, the Golden Eagles could be prime for an upset. With their head coach likely on his way out and school administrators touting the trip as a reward for a great season, Southern Miss' focus is likely far from their matchup with the Wolf Pack.

If Nevada's offense gets moving and gains confidence, the Wolf Pack will be in great position to end their Hawaiian Island blues.

Prediction: Southern Miss 34, Nevada 27

Nevada will come out firing, but once they realize they came to Hawaii to play a football game, Southern Miss pulls this one out with a late flurry.