ARIZONA BOWL: SAN JOSE STATE VS. BALL STATE

Records: San Jose State 7-0, 6-0; Ball State 6-1, 5-1

Kickoff: 11:00 a.m., Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

Radio: KTRB (860 AM)

Television: CBS (KPIX Ch. 5)

Series history: First meeting.

Bowl history: San Jose State will be playing in its 11th bowl game. The program’s last bowl appearance was the 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl, where the Spartans beat Georgia State. SJSU is 7-3 all-time in bowl games.

Storylines: For San Jose State, a victory will complete the program’s first undefeated season since the 1939 team went 13-0. … Ball State is 0-7 in bowl games. … San Jose State is ranked No. 19, the second-highest ranking in program history. The ’39 team was ranked 18th. …. San Jose State could reach the top 15 with a victory. … This will be coach Brent Brennan’s first game since agreeing in principle to a contract extension. The terms of the extension have been disclosed. … Thursday could potentially be the last game for several San Jose State veterans, including WR Bailey Gaither, WR Tre Walker, OL Jack Snyder, among others. … Spartans QB Nick Starkel announced Tuesday on Twitter that he plans to return for another season.

Matchup to watch: San Jose State’s defensive line vs. Ball State’s run defense. … Ball State averages 45 rushing attempts per game, the most in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals feature RB Tye Evans, RB Will Jones and WR Justin Hall in their ground game. … San Jose State’s first four opponents — Air Force, New Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV — averaged 42.5 rushing attempts. The Spartans held those teams to 3.1 yards per carry.

Stats that matter: San Jose State’s defense allows 17.9 points per game. Ball State averages 34.3 points per game in the high-octane MAC. … San Jose State QB Nick Starkel threw for 453 yards against Boise State, a single-game high for the Mountain West championship game. … DL Cade Hall leads the Mountain West in sacks (10) and tackles for loss (12.0). … Ball State averages 45 rushing attempts per game, the most in the Mid-American Conference. … Ball State QB Drew Plitt is third in the MAC in completion percentage (65.8) and passing yards per game (278.1). Plitt is also tied for the conference lead in interceptions (six). … Ball State LB Brandon Martin leads the MAC in tackles (85). … Ball State WR Justin Hall averages the fourth-most all-purpose yards per game in the MAC (170.6).