• WHO: Akron Zips (7-6) vs. Florida Atlantic Owls (10-3)

• WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday

• WHERE: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida

• TV: ESPN

• FAVORITE: FAU by 22.

• SERIES RECORD: first meeting.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

In coach Lane Kiffin’s first year at Florida Atlantic, the Owls reached a bowl for the first time since a 2008 Motor City Bowl victory, and a win would represent another step forward for the program. The Owls, who went 3-9 each of the past three years, have won nine consecutive games and captured the Conference USA title this season. The reward is a postseason game in their home stadium.

KEY MATCHUP

LB Ulysees Gilbert will likely need to tackle Devin Singletary a lot to keep underdog Akron in the game. Gilbert is a first-team all-Mid-American Conference selection who has recorded more than 120 tackles each of the last two seasons. Singletary has rushed for 1,796 yards and an FBS-high 29 touchdowns for Florida Atlantic while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida Atlantic: Helping to create holes for Singletary are LT Reggie Bain, LG Roman Fernandez and C Antonyo Woods. Each is a Conference USA first-team choice.

Akron: DB Alvin Davis is only 5-9 and 170 pounds, but he was a second-team MAC selection and will likely have a big cheering section because he grew up in Fort Lauderdale. He has 159 tackles in two seasons and will be a key part of the Zips’ run defense.

FACTS & FIGURES

Each team started 1-3. … FAU rebounded to become a 10-win team for the first time at the FBS level. … Akron recovered to reach the Mid-American Conference championship game for the first time since 2005, then lost to Toledo 45-28. … FAU leads the FBS with 20 interceptions, and Akron is second with 19. … The Owls rank sixth in rushing offense with 283 yards per game, and ninth in scoring offense at 39.8. … Owls S Jalen Young is tied for first with seven interceptions. … FAU linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is fifth in the nation with 134 tackles. … Owls junior QB Jason Driskel is 9-1 as a starter. … Kerrith Whyte became the first Owl to ever return a kickoff for a score against Louisiana Tech, and averages 29.5 yards per return. … Akron has 29 players from Florida, including 12 from South Florida.

TEXANS

Akron: QB Alex Ramart, freshman, Richmond (Foster HS).

Florida Atlantic: QB Chris Robinson, freshman, Mesquite (Horn HS); WR DeAndre McNeal, junior, Mesquite (Poteet); TE Logan Peterson, freshman, Aledo.