Sun Bowl 2012: USC, Georgia Tech end disappointing seasons in El Paso

The USC Trojans end their disappointing 2012 season on Monday in the Sun Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. USC began the season rated No. 1 in the Associated Press poll, but are now unranked. But the Sun Bowl, which wasn't on the radar for the Trojans heading into the season, is their first bowl game since 2009 after spending the last two years on probation.

The 79th edition of the Sun Bowl will feature the third trip for both teams. USC last played in the Sun Bowl in 1998, when they lost 28-19 to TCU. That was the last time the Trojans played a game in the state of Texas. In USC's only other trip to the Sun Bowl, in 1990, the No. 21 Trojans lost 17-16 to No. 22 Michigan State.

Georgia Tech lost last year's Sun Bowl to Utah, 30-27, the seventh consecutive bowl loss for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech won its only other trip to the Sun Bowl, a 17-9 win over Texas Tech in 1970.

USC is 2-1 all-time against Georgia Tech, but their last meeting came all the way back in 1973, a 23-6 road win by the Trojans.

Both teams come to El Paso struggling. USC began the season 6-1, but has lost four of their last five contests. Georgia Tech lost its last two and is 0-4 against ranked teams this season. But the Yellow Jackets don't have to worry about that today, as neither team is ranked. Georgia Tech, at 6-7 after its loss in the ACC Championship Game, was granted an NCAA waiver to play in the a bowl game despite its under-.500 record.

USC opened as a 9½-point favorite over Georgia Tech, but is now favored by just seven points. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. PT, and will be televised by CBS.