Minnesota vs. Texas Tech: Gophers face Red Raiders in Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were selected to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Dec. 28 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The Golden Gophers' bowl appearance will be their first since 2009 when they lost to the Iowa State Cyclones in the Insight Bowl. Their last bowl victory came in 2004 against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Music City Bowl.

Minnesota finished the season at 6-6, 2-6 in conference play. The Golden Gophers began the year 4-0 before struggling through conference play with six losses in eight games. Still, they clinched bowl eligibility with their sixth win of the season on Nov. 10.

Texas Tech finished their 2012 campaign at 7-5, 4-5 in Big 12 play. Of the Red Raiders' five losses, three came against teams in the BCS Top 25--Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma. They finished the season with a 52-45 overtime-loss against the Baylor Bears.