Out in the West Texas town of El Paso, Northwestern will face No. 17 UCLA after accepting a bid Sunday to play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 30.

&#8220We learned last year (when NU finished 6-6) that you definitely don’t want to be home for Christmas,&#8221 senior linebacker Tim McGarigle said. &#8220When you’re home watching college football games, it kind of gets to you. So we’re just happy to be somewhere.&#8221

The game is expected to be a shootout, featuring two of the nation’s most efficient offenses and most porous defenses.

Behind senior quarterback Brett Basanez, named Big Ten offensive player of the year and first-team all-Big Ten, and running back Tyrell Sutton, tabbed Big Ten freshman of the year, the Wildcats (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) finished No. 8 nationally in total offense. NU finished last out of 117 teams in total defense and 102nd in scoring defense.

The Bruins (9-2, 6-2 Pac-10), with quarterback Drew Olson and running back Maurice Drew, finished 24th in total offense and No. 7 in scoring offense. UCLA ranked No. 111 in total defense and 107th in scoring defense.

&#8220There are a lot of similarities between the two football teams,&#8221 NU coach Randy Walker said. &#8220They’re somewhat like us