DALLAS -- Their seasons marked by near-misses and what-ifs, West Virginia and Utah recognize that the Heart of Dallas Bowl presents an opportunity to erase some of the disappointment.
The Mountaineers (7-5) have the nation's 16th-rated offense and could be in dramatically different position had they converted last-drive opportunities against Virginia Tech and TCU.
The Utes (6-6) are more defensive-oriented and lost to the Pac 12's top teams -- Stanford, USC and Washington -- by a combined seven points.
Utah is trying to avoid finishing with a losing record, which has only happened twice in coach Kyle Whittingham's 13 seasons.