Western Michigan, Purdue meet in 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