GAME NOTES: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte is the site of this year's Meineke Car Care Bowl which features the Connecticut Huskies of the Big East and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons of the ACC. With a soft non-conference slate and a solid showing in league play, the Huskies put together one of the finest seasons in school history. UConn not only tied a school record with nine wins during the regular season, but it also earned a share of its first-ever Big East Conference title. The team, however, had a chance to win the outright league championship, but it was punished by West Virginia (66-21), which then lost in its regular-season finale to help UConn earn a share of the title. Still, the successful campaign helped the Huskies land their second-ever bowl invite and their first since defeating Toledo (39-10) in the 2004 Motor City Bowl. As for Wake Forest, it rebounded from an 0-2 start by winning eight of its last 10 games to earn its spot in back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history. The Demon Deacons, who are 4-3 all-time in bowl games, won the ACC title last season and earned a spot in the FedEx Orange Bowl where they were downed by Louisville (24-13). Wake and UConn have split two prior meetings on the gridiron, with the Huskies posting a 51-17 victory in 2003 and the Deacs capturing a 24-13 triumph in 2006.

The UConn offense is nothing to brag about and the unit has only been able to produce 358.3 total ypg this season. The team is gaining a respectable 165.2 ypg on the ground, but it is throwing for a modest 193.1 ypg. The biggest strength of the unit is its ability to avoid mistakes, committing just 14 turnovers to this point. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen isn't a big-time playmaker by any stretch of the imagination, but he has nice good job in managing the offense and protecting the football. For the season, has thrown for 2,269 yards, with 13 touchdowns against only five interceptions. He can also get outside of the pocket and make things happen with his legs, rushing for 304 yards and a score. Terence Jeffers and D.J. Hernandez are his primary targets and they have combined for 72 catches, 975 yards and seven scores. In the backfield, the team relies on the tandem of Andre Dixon and Donald Brown to carry the load. Dixon heads the club with 809 yards, while Brown is next in line with 749 yards, to go along with a team-high eight touchdowns. Dixon can also been a factor in the passing game, catching 24 balls for 280 yards and a score.

On defense is where UConn has been at its best this season, although the unit was exploited in the blowout loss to West Virginia in the regular-season finale. Still, for the season the Huskies have done a decent job in holding opponents to just 18.6 ppg and 346.3 total ypg. The team's strength is against the pass as it is limiting foes to just 187.8 ypg, while picking off 22 throws. Getting to opposing quarterbacks hasn't been a problem for the Huskies, who have notched 28 sacks to date. Danny Lansanah has had a big season for UConn and he leads the team in tackles (116) to go along with 13.5 TFLs and four interceptions. Julius Williams is the team's top pass rusher with 8.5 sacks, and Robert Vaughn is the squad's most dangerous player in the secondary with six picks on his resume'.

Much like UConn, the Wake Forest offense isn't going to strike fear into the hearts of its enemies, as the Demon Deacons are gaining a mere 334.4 total ypg. The team is averaging a solid 28.2 ppg courtesy of several touchdowns being scored by the special teams and on defense. Overall, the Deacs are producing a decent 143.2 ypg on the ground, while passing for 191.2 ypg. Redshirt freshman Josh Adams has played a big role on offense for Wake, and the talented back leads the team with 887 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He also ranks second on the team with 31 catches. Quarterback Riley Skinner has been in charge of getting the ball to Adams, and he has completed a highly efficient 71.9 percent of his throws for 193.6 ypg. Skinner, however, has been prone to make some mistakes, throwing more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). Kenneth Moore has clearly been Skinner's primary target, as he leads the team in catches (87), receiving yards (899) and touchdowns (five). Moore is such and important part of this offense that he has even carried the ball 41 times, gaining 318 yards and logging three additional scores.

The Deacs have thrived on making big plays on defense and they have forced an impressive 34 turnovers, with 18 coming via interceptions. Of those picks, Wake has returned six for touchdowns to lead the nation. Overall, the Demon Deacons have done a solid job in holding their opponents to only 23.2 ppg and 351.0 total ypg. The defense has been at its best against the run, limiting foes to a mere 108.9 ypg on the ground. Chip Vaughn leads Wake with 100 stops and he has also broken up 14 passes. Alphonso Smith is the one guy opposing quarterbacks need to keep an eye on, as he is tied for the national lead with eight interceptions, three of which he returned for scores. Aaron Curry is another talented player on the WF defense, and he ranks second in tackles (96) and picks (four), and like Smith, he has returned three for scores this season.

Both teams are pretty evenly matched and that should make for a hard-fought and entertaining affair. Wake Forest has a few more playmakers who should make the difference.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wake Forest 27, Connecticut 17