MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Louisville and the Boise State consider the Liberty Bowl the biggest game in the history of each program.
Based on the teams' offenses, it certainly could be the highest scoring game.
The first Liberty Bowl to match Top 10 teams also features the top two offenses in both yards and points scored.
No. 7 Louisville is attempting to become the fifth team to average 50 points a game for a season, while No. 10 Boise State is trying to lead the nation in scoring for the fifth straight year.
That's why Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky knows exactly what to do on offense.
"Every time we touch the ball we want to put it in the end zone," Zabransky said.
The Liberty Bowl record for most points scored in a game was set in 1969 when Colorado beat Alabama 47-33.
Louisville (10-1) averages 536.7 yards and 50.3 points. The Cardinals also led the nation with an average margin of victory of 32.47 points, and won an offensive shootout on this very field on Nov. 4, beating Memphis 56-49. They haven't scored fewer than 55 since October.
The Broncos (11-0), who have won 22 straight and 35 of the last 36 games, average 511.6 yards and 49.7 points.
"Who knows what's going to happen," Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors said.
If not for a 41-38 loss at then-No. 3 Miami, Louisville might be playing in a bigger bowl. But a victory Friday would ensure the highest ranking ever in school history, a big boost for a program that leaves Conference USA for the Big East next season.
"We're certainly not disappointed," said Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, who is refusing to discuss his interview with LSU about its open coaching spot until after this game.
The Liberty Bowl, sponsored by AutoZone, usually pits the C-USA champion against the Mountain West champ. But Utah earned a BCS berth in the Fiesta Bowl, allowing bowl officials to invite Boise State, the Western Athletic Conference champ.
Competing in the program's fifth bowl game, Boise State is anxious to show just how good it is. Coach Dan Hawkins is 44-6 since taking over at Boise State and hopes this game helps attract attention to the Broncos' success.
"It's all the same," he said. "We have to go back and reprove ourselves each week and each year."
Zabransky said: "As long as we keep winning, more and more people are going to start coming to the realization that we're for real."
Louisville has the edge in quarterbacks with LeFors, the senior who leads the nation in passing efficiency and completion percentage (74.03). He has thrown just two interceptions in 231 attempts this season with 18 TDs.
Zabransky is a threat both running and passing. He has thrown for 2,728 yards and 15 touchdowns while running for 322 yards and 12 TDs. But Zabransky also has been intercepted 11 times.
"He makes good decisions from what I've seen on films, but sometimes when he's under pressure he stands and looks to run and then just throws the ball up," Louisville safety Kerry Rhodes said. "That may be the key to the game. If we can get pressure on him, he may give up a few."
There is the possibility the game won't evolve into the high-scoring affair most expect.
Boise State boasts the nation's fourth-stingiest run defense, giving up only 83.5 yards per game. Louisville has lost five of its last six bowl games, but the Cardinals' defense improved to 18th in the nation, up from 93rd in 2003. They allowed only 307.9 yards and 17.8 points a game.
"I know they'll be coming after us," Louisville linebacker Robert McCune said. "We're just looking forward to playing them."
On the Net: Liberty Bowl: www.libertybowl.org
Louisville: www.uoflsports.com
Boise State: www.broncosports.com