The first of today's three college football bowl games will be played in Shreveport, La. The Independence Bowl pits Louisiana-Monroe against Ohio in a matchup of 8-4 teams.

Louisiana-Monroe is playing a postseason game for the first time since moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 1994. The Warhawks haven't won nine games in a season since 1993. Ohio is in a bowl game for the fourth straight season and trying to win nine games for the third time in four years.

Rutgers and Virginia Tech will play in the Russell Athletic Bowl later today in Orlando.

Rutgers has won five consecutive bowl games and is making its eighth bowl appearance. The Scarlet Knights are looking to shake off the disappointment of missing out on a BCS berth, and are also hoping to notch their first 10-win season since 2006.

Virginia Tech is looking to end its 2012 season on a high note after stumbling to its first single-digit win season since 2003. Still, the Hokies are making their 20th consecutive bowl appearance, joining only Florida State and Florida as teams to do that.

Today's gridiron action ends in Houston, with 7-5 Texas Tech taking on 6-6 Minnesota in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston.

The Red Raiders return to a bowl after having their 18-season bowl streak snapped last year. They want to end the season on a high note after a tumultuous month in which coach Tommy Tuberville left for Cincinnati. Texas Tech hired Kliff Kingsbury, but will be led by interim coach Chris Thomsen in the bowl. Minnesota is in a bowl for the first time since 2009. The Gophers are looking for their first bowl win since 2004.