---------------------------------------------------------------- FORT WORTH, Texas (Ticker) -- The inability of the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences to fill their quota of bowls greatly benefited the Mid-American Conference, which is sending a record five teams to the postseason.

One of those MAC teams is Marshall, which is facing Cincinnati in the Fort Worth Bowl in a rematch of the 2000 Motor City Bowl, won by the Thundering Herd, 25-14. Both teams enter the game with 6-5 records.

Marshall tied for second in the East Division of the MAC, rebounding from an 0-3 start that included competitive losses to Ohio State (24-21) and Georgia (13-3).

The Thundering Herd is making its seventh bowl appearance in eight years and will be looking to extend a five-game bowl winning streak.

Cincinnati will have to contend with defensive end Jonathan Goodard, who leads the nation in sacks with 16, which is a MAC single-season record.

Marshall's Stan Hill endured an up-and-down season, passing for 2,250 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, but wide receiver Josh Davis is a dangerous threat. Davis ranks second on the NCAA's all-time list in career receptions with 301 and is the active leader in career receiving yards with 3,817. This season, he caught 81 passes for 847 yards and six TDs.

Cincinnati, which rebounded from a 2-4 start to finish in a tie for second in Conference USA, is making its fourth bowl appearance in five years despite a season-ending 70-7 drubbing at Louisville. However, the Bearcats played without Gino Guidugli, who was sidelined with a fractured hand. Guidugli holds every Cincinnati career passing and total offense record.

Marshall is headed to Conference USA next season to replace Cincinnati, which is moving to the Big East Conference. The Bearcats lead the all-time series, 5-3-1.