Western Michigan, Purdue meet in Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

LITTLE CAESARS
PIZZA BOWL

WESTERN MICHIGAN (7-5)
VS. PURDUE (6-6)

■ TIME/TV: 1:30 p.m. today; ESPN (30)

■ LINE: Purdue -3; total 60

■ SERIES RECORD: Purdue leads, 2-0

■ WHAT'S AT STAKE: Any time Western Michigan faces a Big Ten team, it's a chance for the Broncos to prove themselves. They last defeated one when they beat Illinois in 2008. Purdue is in a bowl for the first time since 2007, after winning two of its last three regular-season games, including a victory over Ohio State.

■ KEY MATCHUP: Western Michigan wide receiver Jordan White against Purdue's secondary. White was a third-team All-American despite playing in relative obscurity in the Mid-American Conference. He has 127 catches for 1,646 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season, and this is his chance to make a name for himself on a bigger stage.

■ PLAYERS TO WATCH: Western Michigan: Quarterback Alex Carder has thrown for 3,434 yards with 28 TDs this season. White is his top target, but he can spread the ball around if need be. Purdue: Cornerback Ricardo Allen has three interceptions this season and leads the Boilermakers' secondary.

■ FACTS AND FIGURES: The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl has a tie-in with the Big Ten, but this is the first time it's welcomed a team from the conference since Purdue beat Central Michigan 51-48 in 2007. ... Western Michigan last made a bowl when it lost to Rice in the Texas Bowl in 2008. ... Purdue announced last week it was extending coach Danny Hope's contract for two additional years, through 2016. ... Western Michigan has scored at least 38 points seven times this season.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS