When the Holiday Bowl kicks off, USC head coach Clay Helton will attempt to begin his career shed of the "interim" tag in style, while Wisconsin first-year coach Paul Chryst hopes to finish a strong first season with the Badgers.
Both teams want to end on a high note after such promising preseason buzz fell just short of expectations.
The Trojans dealt with the turmoil and eventual ouster of coach Steve Sarkisian and wound up suffering a disappointing 8-5 year that began with playoff aspirations.
While the Badgers ended with a strong 9-3 tally under Chryst, a 10-6 loss to Iowa and 13-7 setback to Northwestern spoiled what could have been a special year.