Penn State @ Florida preview

The Skinny: The focus of this Outback Bowl matchup will be on the sidelines. Penn State coach Joe Paterno, 83, has led the Nittany Lions since 1966. His counterpart, 46-year-old Florida coach Urban Meyer, will coach his final game after announcing his resignation Dec. 8.

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was named as Meyer's replacement on Dec. 11.

Penn State (7-5, 4-4) won three of its first four games this season, then appeared to right the ship after losing to Iowa and Illinois. A three-game winning streak, all by double-digit margins, gave the Nittany Lions momentum heading into the final three games. But Penn State dropped two of its final three, falling to Ohio State and Michigan State.

One year after finishing the regular season unbeaten and reaching the SEC Championship Game, Florida (7-5, 4-4) was a non-factor in the conference and national title races. A three-game losing streak in midseason included a four-point loss to LSU and a three-point defeat to Mississippi State, both at home. The Gators lost two of their final three, falling to South Carolina 36-14 and Florida State 31-7.

Point Spread: Florida -7. Over/under — 48.

Penn State’s Edge: The Nittany Lions’ strength lies with their defense, a unit that allowed just 22.6 points per game to rank 40th in the nation in that category. Penn State’s pass defense was strong, holding opponents to just 187.9 yards passing per game, ranking second in the conference and 23rd in the nation. The Nittany Lions’ offensive line allowed just 11 sacks in 12 games, leading the Big Ten and tying for 12th in the country.

Florida’s Edge: Chas Henry leads the nation in punting average (46.4 yards per punt), and Florida ranks first in the nation in net punting (41.8 yards) and fourth in kickoff returns (26.8 yards). The Gators rank ninth overall in total defense, allowing 302.9 yards per game and holding the opposition under 20 points seven times in 12 games. Florida was particularly good against the pass, ranking 13th nationally at 173 yards per contest.

The Quarterbacks: Two underclassmen split duties under center for Penn State this season. Freshman Robert Bolden got most of the snaps for the first seven games, but did not play in two of the Nittany Lions’ final five games. Bolden has passed for 1,360 yards and five touchdowns, but threw seven interceptions. Sophomore Matthew McGloin did not throw a pass until Week 7 against Minnesota, but passed for 300 or more yards in Penn State’s final two games. He finished with 1,337 yards and 13 touchdowns with only four interceptions.

Florida quarterback John Brantley, taking over for the graduated Tim Tebow, scuffled through an up-and-down campaign. The junior threw as many interceptions as touchdowns (nine) and surpassed 200 yards passing only four times. In Florida’s five losses, Brantley did not throw a touchdown pass while throwing six interceptions.

NFL Prospects: Penn State — C Stefen Wisniewski; RB Evan Royster; DT Ollie Ogbu; Florida — SS Ahmad Black; P Chas Henry; OT Marcus Gilbert; OG Mike Pouncey

Bowl history: Penn State is 27-13-2 all-time in bowl games, holding the second-highest winning percentage of all FBS teams (64.3 percent). Of the Nittany Lions’ 42 previous bowl appearances, 36 have come under Paterno (24-11-1). This is Penn State’s fourth Outback Bowl appearance; the Nittany Lions are 3-0.

For all its recent success, Florida is just 18-19 all-time in bowl games. The Gators have won four of their past five bowl appearances, including victories in the BCS National Championship Game in 2006 over Ohio State and 2008 over Oklahoma. Florida has appeared in three Outback Bowls, going 1-2.

The Gators and Nittany Lions have met twice in bowl games. Florida won the 1962 Gator Bowl 17-7, and the 1997 Florida Citrus Bowl 21-6.

Etc.: Paterno comes in with a career record of 401-134-3. … Meyer is 6-1 in bowl games. … The two teams lost a combined 10 games this season, nine coming against ranked teams. … Penn State running back Evan Royster needs 84 yards to reach 1,000 on the season. … Florida running back Jeffery Demps is averaging 6.0 yards per carry, down from the 7.5 he averaged one season ago. … Since 1990, Florida won fewer than eight games just once before this season, going 7-5 in 2004. … Before this season, Penn State won nine games or more in five consecutive seasons ... Florida will be without four starters due to injuries: cornerback Janoris Jenkins, offensive tackle Maurice Hurt and defensive tackles Lawrence Marsh and Terron Sanders.