Western Kentucky to play Central Michigan in Pizza Bowl before Petrino era begins on the field

DETROIT – Before the Bobby Petrino era begins at Western Kentucky, there's a bowl game to play — the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against Central Michigan on Wednesday night.

The game is at Ford Field in Detroit, not far from the campus of the Chippewas (6-6). The Hilltoppers (7-5) will be run by interim coach Lance Guidry.

Petrino's hiring has almost overshadowed the play of the Hilltoppers. They are in their first bowl since becoming a top-tier college football school in 2009.

Petrino is returning to coaching less than a year after he was dismissed at Arkansas. He had hired his former mistress to work in the Razorbacks' football department.