Now that we've had plenty of time to digest the appetizers and meat of bowl season, the sweet dessert that is the BCS comes to our attention. While the January 1 BCS games look like mismatches on a first glance, there is a lot more to these games than analysts give credit to. Will the outsiders Illinois and Hawaii step up, or will traditional powers Georgia and USC make a case that they should've played each other for the Rose Bowl? A playoff could hang in the balance in these bowl games, as the Rose is the last real holdout.
Rose | Sugar
SCS.comROSE BOWL - Southern Cal vs Illinois
January 1 - 3:30 PM CST ABC - Pasadena, CA
The matchup...
All the upsets at the end of the college football season robbed the Rose Bowl from the tastiest match up in decades: Pete Carroll's Trojans against Jim Tressel's Buckeyes. Still, the Rose decided to stay with tradition and pick Illinois over Georgia, Missouri, Kansas, and other deserving BCS at-large possibilities. Will the Rose Bowl be embarrassed by this decision by USC?
On the other hand, Ron Zook taking the Illini to a Rose Bowl game for the first time in two decades is a real feel-good story. Illinois does not seem to have the guns to run with USC, but maybe we quickly forget how crazy the season has been, as well as a little game in Columbus on November 10 which got the Illini here.
When Southern Cal has the ball...
Senior leadership is the name of the game for the Trojan offense. QB John David Booty will be healthy for this game, which has made all the difference in the two losses USC suffered this season. RB Chauncey Washington also has a chance to continue his effective season and get over the 1000 yard mark for the season. USC is nicely balanced on offense and scores plenty of points, and they certainly expect to continue their Rose Bowl success.
The Illinois defense will be in trouble unless they step up and have an effort similar to a couple of their best games this season against Iowa and Ohio State. Illinois cannot afford to get into a shootout, as they will suffer the same fate as the Missouri and Michigan losses. The Illini will be looking for a couple turnovers, as this defense can help beat anybody in the country if the turnovers happen.
When Illinois has the ball...
The Illini offense is very strong on the ground behind RB Rashard Mendenhall and dual-threat QB Isaiah "Juice" Williams. Williams has not been very efficient in the pocket this season, but when he runs around and outside the pocket, he is tough to stop. This Rose Bowl looks a lot like the Texas-USC 2006 national championship game in Pasadena, but Williams is not anywhere near as good as Vince Young. Still, all spread offense teams are dangerous.
USC has the second best defense in the country, matching teams like LSU and Ohio State (championship-caliber defense is a phrase that means a lot in college football). USC lost to Dennis Dixon and the Ducks, but that was a better offense with a better offensive line. This game is essentially at home for USC and the crowd noise will be a factor for the Trojan defense.
Star watch...
Going outside the box here, the star of the game is LB J. Leman of the Illini. Leman was not outshined by anybody in the Big Ten, and his anchoring the middle of the Illini defense could be the thing that keeps Illinois in the game.
Keys to the game...
1. Which Illinois offense shows up? The one that scored 30 points per game against top competition Wisconsin, Missouri, OSU, and Michigan; or the terrible offense that struggled against Iowa? Juice Williams needs to have a big day for Illinois to have a chance.
2. It never seems like Jim Tressel take a game off, and Pete Carroll is perhaps even better. Illinois upset the Buckeyes, so can Ron Zook come into huge coaching respect with a win over both the current dynasties of college football in theor own backyards in the same season? Zook is crazy enough to have a shot.
3. What does the Rose Bowl do if this game is as big a stinker as analysts say it will be? Will they just chalk it up to how tough it is for the Big Ten to come west (and it always has been) in the Rose Bowl, or will they finally decide tradition is important but not so important to sacrifice the opportunity to get great games. I did not see the Rose Bowl complain about Texas the past three years, so perhaps this is the opportunity college football fans have been waiting for.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
USC USC USC USC USC USC USC USC USC
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comSUGAR BOWL - Georgia vs Hawaii
January 1 - 7:30 PM CST FOX - New Orleans, LA
The matchup...
The second bowl game of the season in New Orleans pits the BCS outsider against the traditional power. This is the same situation as last year's Fiesta Bowl, which was the greatest bowl game of the past season is not the decade thanks to Boise State knocking down the BCS door. Will Hawaii be able to repeat the WAC success in this wacky season?
Interestingly enough, Georgia comes into the game with a huge chip on their shoulder as well. Georgia was in prime position to be in the national title game after Missouri and WVU lost, but the voters disagreed and dropped Georgia from #4 to #5 in the final rankings. To make matters worse, Georgia got stiffed by the Rose Bowl in the name of tradition, which dropped them to the other New Orleans bowl game.
When Georgia has the ball...
When a team loses two senior running backs to injury, usually that has a real negative effect, especially in the SEC. On the contrary, Georgia did not miss a beat thanks to the inspired play of freshman RB Knowshon Moreno. With Moreno putting up Herschel Walker like numbers, the pressure has really never fallen on QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford can throw it down the field very accurately though.
The Hawaii defense has not faced anybody with as much talent as Georgia, and it will be interesting to see if the defense can step up. Hawaii typically plays awful on the continental US, but the defense has stepped up to win close games against decent teams Washington and Boise State. Hawaii will have to get great play from their cornerbacks or else Stafford will throw on them all day.
When Hawaii has the ball...
The country finally gets a bona fide chance to see the Heisman candidate in a real tough game before midnight. QB Colt Brennan has put up ridiculous numbers, though they are not quite as high as last season. Hawaii has no real running game, and it only comes into play situationally. Brennan has three top quality receivers over 1000 yards this season, so that is where the Warriors will stretch the Bulldog defense.
To counter Brennan and his receivers, expect Mark Richt to bring a whole lot of pressure and many different looks at the line of scrimmage to try and confuse Brennan. The Bulldogs cannot just sit back in heavy coverage and expect to stop Brennan, as he is so effective and experienced. Georgia only needs to slow Hawaii, and allow their offense to do their best to win this game.
Star watch...
As usual in a BCS game, there is a star on both sides. Knowshon Moreno could be as legendary as Herschel Walker thanks to starting this season so successfully, and Colt Brennan will be looking for the ultimate crowning achievement, that being an undefeated season.
Keys to the game...
1. Will Hawaii just be happy to be here, or will they want to match Boise State for WAC and BCS bragging rights? Georgia has a mighty chip on the shoulder, but can they get really excited about this opponent? Motivation will be key.
2. A second key will be coaching. By all indications Mark Richt will have more prowess than June Jones, but who knows what will happen in this crazy season?
3. The Georgia cornerbacks and safeties against the Hawaii receivers and Colt Brennan. If Georgia can force a couple interceptions, this game might not stay close. If not, Hawaii may win it.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
UGA UGA UGA UGA UGA HAW UGA UGA UGA
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
2007 Bowl Preview Part V
There are just as many games on New Year's Eve as January 1 this year, and the afternoon lineup is very compelling. If you like offense, these matinees, including the Armed Forces matchup between California and Air Force, the Sun Bowl showdown pitting once-highly ranked Oregon against South Florida, and the Humanitarian clash featuring Fresno State and Georgia Tech, are for you. This is the best part of bowl season, two full days of football, so don't miss it as the pre-New Year's games set the stage for all the action to follow.
Armed Forces | Sun | Humanitarian
SCS.comARMED FORCES BOWL - California vs Air Force
December 31 - 11:30 AM CST ESPN - Fort Worth, TX
The matchup...
Normally this kind of game would favor the Pac-10 team with all the talent, but looking beyond the players shows a different story. Air Force will have a chance, and not just because this is the Armed Forces Bowl.
California was #2 in the country and 5-0, with Oregon State on the ropes and LSU already fallen to open the #1 slot. Then the season all fell apart, with 6 losses in their last 7. Air Force is happy to be here, Cal is lucky to be here.
When California has the ball...
The Golden Bear offense was literally cut in half when QB Nate Longshore injured his ankle. WR DeSean Jackson and RB Justin Forsett also had a disappointing second half, all leading to the demise of the Bears. Still, these guys are more talented than Air Force typically has to defend. If the Golden Bears are on their game, this offense is tough to stop.
The Air Force defense will be hoping Longshore is still reeling from the ankle injury, as stopping Forsett is a lot easier when Longshore cannot throw over the back of your defense. The Falcons have some good linemen that could be fast enough to get into the Cal backfield.
When Air Force has the ball...
The Falcon offense is pretty simple. They are going to pound the ball at you until your defense weakens or the game clock runs out, or both. RB Chad Hall has run for almost 1500 yards this season, and he will be the focal point on this side of the ball. Air Force has the worst passing offense in I-A, but that has not stopped them from running to 9-3 this season.
The Golden Bear defense is decent, but they do surrender a lot of points against good teams. It will be interesting to see how California has prepared for such a one-dimensional offense. Usually that makes things easy, but nothing has come easy for the Bears since October. Unless California puts Air Force in a big hole early, the defense's stamina will be tested.
Star watch...
No doubt about it, Air Force has some athletes but none like Justin Forsett and DeSean Jackson. These two guys will keep you on the edge of your seat on every kick return and offensive possession.
Deciding factor...
Will Cal be able to turn around and salvage something from such a disappointing finish? It just seems like this season is lost on California, and Air Force is just on too much of a roll to lose here. Momentum is the key.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
AF CAL AF AF CAL CAL CAL CAL AF
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comSUN BOWL - Oregon vs South Florida
December 31 - 1:00 PM CST CBS - El Paso, TX
The matchup...
The Sun Bowl will match two teams in green and gold, but more importantly, two teams who can understand each other. These are two of the teams who hit the #2 ranking curse of 2007, each losing 3 straight games after reaching the top 2.
South Florida got over their 3 game losing streak by putting together a season-ending three game winning streak. On the other hand, Oregon is mired in their 3 game losing streak. With Dennis Dixon out, this one is interesting.
When Oregon has the ball...
A month before the season ended, it appeared Dennis Dixon might steal the Heisman from Tim Tebow and show up in New Orleans for all the marbles. Then QB Dennis Dixon fell to a season-ending injury and the Ducks offense stopped. RB Jonathan Stewart is still one of the best in college football, and he will need to carry the load in El Paso.
For the Bulls defense, it's a pretty simple equation. Stop Stewart, and watch the QB trio of Brady Leaf, Cody Kempt, and Justin Roper struggle under pressure. South Florida's defense was good enough to slow down West Virginia and Louisville, so this should be another good challenge for them. South Florida can put this one away quickly with a turnover or two.
When South Florida has the ball...
The Bulls were certainly led by their defense, but the offense can hold their own. QB Matt Grothe led the team in rushing and passing, but he will need help from RB Mike Ford to win the Sun Bowl. The best news for Grothe and the Bulls? That would be...
The magical technicolor defense from Oregon, which is nothing to cry home about. With the offense struggling to keep the ball, the Oregon defense was not able to step up and hold opponents down in November. Thankfully the Bulls are not great, and the Ducks know how to stop a running quarterback.
Star watch...
Ducks RB Jonathan Stewart is one of the top 10 running backs in America, and this could be his chance to shine with Dennis Dixon out of the picture. Expect a lot of carries and lots of yards in the second half.
Deciding factor...
This game comes down to forcing turnovers. If Oregon is forced into a couple mistakes in this game, South Florida will eat the Ducks up. Otherwise, expect Oregon to finally get off the losing streak with a solid victory.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
USF USF USF USF USF USF USF USF USF
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comHUMANITARIAN BOWL - Fresno State vs Georgia Tech
December 31 - 1:00 PM CST ESPN2 - Boise, ID
The matchup...
Tune in quickly if you want to catch this bowl game, as two solid rushing attacks will try to one-up each other in eating clock. Also don't forget that your TV is not going bad, as the turf in Boise is really blue. Maybe it will be covered with snow to help it look normal.
Fresno State is a comeback story after going a shocking 4-8 last season, while Georgia Tech is in its sixth straight bowl game, this time under an interim coach with the firing of Chan Gailey. The Paul Johnson option offense is not here yet, so take one last look at Georgia Tech's traditional attack in this game.
When Fresno State has the ball...
Everything goes through freshman RB Ryan Matthews. After a slow start to the season, Matthews has rallied his older teammates to good offensive numbers. QB Tom Brandstater has also put up good numbers this season, and is one of the primary reasons Matthews is so successful.
The bad news for Fresno State is that the Yellow Jacket "Ramblin' Wreck" defense is absolutely having its way with running backs this season, holding opposing teams to 100 yards per game on the ground. Georgia Tech has enough of a strong front to put a lot of pressure on Brandstater while stopping or slowing Matthews.
When Georgia Tech has the ball...
The perfect companion to a stifling defense is a good rushing offense, and the Yellow Jackets have just that. RB Tashard Choice is the best running back in the ACC, and he will truly challenge the Fresno State defense.
Fresno State has to match Georgia Tech's defense in this game, or risk letting Choice wear out the Bulldog defense. QB Taylor Bennett has made a lot of mistakes for the Yellow Jackets this season, so look for the Bulldogs to pressure him whenever possible. Still, the number one goal will be containing Tashard Choice.
Star watch...
The class of the ACC by far, RB Tashard Choice is the star of the game. In a battle of running backs, you have to like Choice to show up with his A-game.
Deciding factor...
Is there any doubt? The deciding factor will be whether Fresno State can be half as effective against the tough Ramblin' Wreck as Georgia Tech will be on Fresno State's defense. Whoever controls the clock wins this old school battle.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
FSU GT FSU GT GT FSU FSU FSU GT
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
Armed Forces | Sun | Humanitarian
SCS.comARMED FORCES BOWL - California vs Air Force
December 31 - 11:30 AM CST ESPN - Fort Worth, TX
The matchup...
Normally this kind of game would favor the Pac-10 team with all the talent, but looking beyond the players shows a different story. Air Force will have a chance, and not just because this is the Armed Forces Bowl.
California was #2 in the country and 5-0, with Oregon State on the ropes and LSU already fallen to open the #1 slot. Then the season all fell apart, with 6 losses in their last 7. Air Force is happy to be here, Cal is lucky to be here.
When California has the ball...
The Golden Bear offense was literally cut in half when QB Nate Longshore injured his ankle. WR DeSean Jackson and RB Justin Forsett also had a disappointing second half, all leading to the demise of the Bears. Still, these guys are more talented than Air Force typically has to defend. If the Golden Bears are on their game, this offense is tough to stop.
The Air Force defense will be hoping Longshore is still reeling from the ankle injury, as stopping Forsett is a lot easier when Longshore cannot throw over the back of your defense. The Falcons have some good linemen that could be fast enough to get into the Cal backfield.
When Air Force has the ball...
The Falcon offense is pretty simple. They are going to pound the ball at you until your defense weakens or the game clock runs out, or both. RB Chad Hall has run for almost 1500 yards this season, and he will be the focal point on this side of the ball. Air Force has the worst passing offense in I-A, but that has not stopped them from running to 9-3 this season.
The Golden Bear defense is decent, but they do surrender a lot of points against good teams. It will be interesting to see how California has prepared for such a one-dimensional offense. Usually that makes things easy, but nothing has come easy for the Bears since October. Unless California puts Air Force in a big hole early, the defense's stamina will be tested.
Star watch...
No doubt about it, Air Force has some athletes but none like Justin Forsett and DeSean Jackson. These two guys will keep you on the edge of your seat on every kick return and offensive possession.
Deciding factor...
Will Cal be able to turn around and salvage something from such a disappointing finish? It just seems like this season is lost on California, and Air Force is just on too much of a roll to lose here. Momentum is the key.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
AF CAL AF AF CAL CAL CAL CAL AF
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comSUN BOWL - Oregon vs South Florida
December 31 - 1:00 PM CST CBS - El Paso, TX
The matchup...
The Sun Bowl will match two teams in green and gold, but more importantly, two teams who can understand each other. These are two of the teams who hit the #2 ranking curse of 2007, each losing 3 straight games after reaching the top 2.
South Florida got over their 3 game losing streak by putting together a season-ending three game winning streak. On the other hand, Oregon is mired in their 3 game losing streak. With Dennis Dixon out, this one is interesting.
When Oregon has the ball...
A month before the season ended, it appeared Dennis Dixon might steal the Heisman from Tim Tebow and show up in New Orleans for all the marbles. Then QB Dennis Dixon fell to a season-ending injury and the Ducks offense stopped. RB Jonathan Stewart is still one of the best in college football, and he will need to carry the load in El Paso.
For the Bulls defense, it's a pretty simple equation. Stop Stewart, and watch the QB trio of Brady Leaf, Cody Kempt, and Justin Roper struggle under pressure. South Florida's defense was good enough to slow down West Virginia and Louisville, so this should be another good challenge for them. South Florida can put this one away quickly with a turnover or two.
When South Florida has the ball...
The Bulls were certainly led by their defense, but the offense can hold their own. QB Matt Grothe led the team in rushing and passing, but he will need help from RB Mike Ford to win the Sun Bowl. The best news for Grothe and the Bulls? That would be...
The magical technicolor defense from Oregon, which is nothing to cry home about. With the offense struggling to keep the ball, the Oregon defense was not able to step up and hold opponents down in November. Thankfully the Bulls are not great, and the Ducks know how to stop a running quarterback.
Star watch...
Ducks RB Jonathan Stewart is one of the top 10 running backs in America, and this could be his chance to shine with Dennis Dixon out of the picture. Expect a lot of carries and lots of yards in the second half.
Deciding factor...
This game comes down to forcing turnovers. If Oregon is forced into a couple mistakes in this game, South Florida will eat the Ducks up. Otherwise, expect Oregon to finally get off the losing streak with a solid victory.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
USF USF USF USF USF USF USF USF USF
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comHUMANITARIAN BOWL - Fresno State vs Georgia Tech
December 31 - 1:00 PM CST ESPN2 - Boise, ID
The matchup...
Tune in quickly if you want to catch this bowl game, as two solid rushing attacks will try to one-up each other in eating clock. Also don't forget that your TV is not going bad, as the turf in Boise is really blue. Maybe it will be covered with snow to help it look normal.
Fresno State is a comeback story after going a shocking 4-8 last season, while Georgia Tech is in its sixth straight bowl game, this time under an interim coach with the firing of Chan Gailey. The Paul Johnson option offense is not here yet, so take one last look at Georgia Tech's traditional attack in this game.
When Fresno State has the ball...
Everything goes through freshman RB Ryan Matthews. After a slow start to the season, Matthews has rallied his older teammates to good offensive numbers. QB Tom Brandstater has also put up good numbers this season, and is one of the primary reasons Matthews is so successful.
The bad news for Fresno State is that the Yellow Jacket "Ramblin' Wreck" defense is absolutely having its way with running backs this season, holding opposing teams to 100 yards per game on the ground. Georgia Tech has enough of a strong front to put a lot of pressure on Brandstater while stopping or slowing Matthews.
When Georgia Tech has the ball...
The perfect companion to a stifling defense is a good rushing offense, and the Yellow Jackets have just that. RB Tashard Choice is the best running back in the ACC, and he will truly challenge the Fresno State defense.
Fresno State has to match Georgia Tech's defense in this game, or risk letting Choice wear out the Bulldog defense. QB Taylor Bennett has made a lot of mistakes for the Yellow Jackets this season, so look for the Bulldogs to pressure him whenever possible. Still, the number one goal will be containing Tashard Choice.
Star watch...
The class of the ACC by far, RB Tashard Choice is the star of the game. In a battle of running backs, you have to like Choice to show up with his A-game.
Deciding factor...
Is there any doubt? The deciding factor will be whether Fresno State can be half as effective against the tough Ramblin' Wreck as Georgia Tech will be on Fresno State's defense. Whoever controls the clock wins this old school battle.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
FSU GT FSU GT GT FSU FSU FSU GT
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
Monday, December 24, 2007
2007 Bowl Preview Part III
Motivation is the single key word that defines this bowl season, and especially in this first set of bowl games between BCS conference teams. Will these teams be disappointed to be in these so-called lower level bowl games, or are the kids motivated to play another game in December on a national stage? Plenty of compelling storylines come from this quartet of bowl games, so let's jump right in to the analysis of the Champs Sports, Texas, Emerald, and Meineke Car Care Bowls that highlight the week after Christmas.
Champs Sports | Texas | Emerald | Meineke Car Care
SCS.comCHAMPS SPORTS BOWL - Boston College vs Michigan State
December 28 - 4:00 PM PM CST ESPN - Orlando, FL
When Boston College has the ball...
The Eagles offense has been very potent this season, rolling up 448 yards per game to go with 29 points per game. The key to the Boston College offense is without a doubt star QB Matt Ryan. Ryan has a slew of quality receivers to throw to, including Rich Gunnell and Brandon Robinson. The only thing holding the Eagles back has been Ryan's inconsistency and late-game interceptions.
On the other side of the ball, the Michigan State defense struggled to stop some mediocre Big Ten offenses. The Spartan secondary does not match up well with the BC receivers, but Michigan State has come up with big defensive efforts against the best teams they played, Michigan and Ohio State. Still, the Spartans have not faced as talented a QB as Ryan, so expect a lot of blitzes due to BC's lack of a running threat.
When Michigan State has the ball...
Even though the Spartan defense was not great this season, the offense carried MSU to their first bowl game since 2003. QB Brian Hoyer led a very balanced offense as an experienced junior, but the real key was the dual threat running backs Javon Ringer (1346 yards) and Jehuu Caulcrick (21 TD). The Spartans are more than happy to be here, so don't expect any rust on this offense.
The Boston College defense was hot and cold this season, brilliant at times against Virginia Tech and terrible in other games against Maryland and Florida State. A solid linebacking corps will be truly tested by Ringer and Caulcrick, but I expect Boston College to hold Michigan State in check, just like Michigan and Ohio State did.
Star watch...
No doubt about it, the star of this game is Eagles QB Matt Ryan. Ryan could have been a Heisman winner had a few games broken differently for BC, and he is the top talent on the field in this bowl game.
Deciding factor...
The deciding factor could be motivation, as BC is not happy to drop to this bowl game. Still, Michigan State has not been able to make big plays against Top 15 caliber competition this season, so expect BC to ride Matt Ryan to another bowl victory in a close shootout.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
BC BC BC MSU BC BC BC BC BC
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comTEXAS BOWL - TCU vs Houston
December 28 - 7:00 PM CST NFL Network - Houston, TX
When TCU has the ball...
The Horned Frogs will be heavily relying on freshman QB Andy Dalton. Dalton made the usual freshman mistakes this season and did not get much help from the TCU running game, but TCU is still a high quality bowl team because their defense helps out the offense a lot. Expect a lot of safe calls mixed in with a few tough plays to test where the TCU offense will go next season.
Houston's defense has to be licking its chops to play a freshman quarterback and a mediocre running game after facing some quality opposition in Conference USA. The Cougars gave up almost 30 points per game, so the key on this side of the ball will be the battle in the trenches. If TCU's experienced offensive line can knock back the Cougar defense, it will be a long day for Houston.
When Houston has the ball...
Now this is the real battle in the game, the unstoppable force against the immoveable object. Houston is trying to recover from losing their coach last week to Baylor, but freshman QB Case Keenum and RB Anthony Aldridge have led one of the top 5 offenses in America and will not stop now. Expect Houston to throw everything they have on the field, and they will need it because...
The TCU defense is the real deal. The Horned Frogs were ranked and a BCS contender early this season based only on their defense, as everybody knew the offense was not going to have a banner year. The Horned Frogs are far and away the best defense Houston will face this season, and expect the highly talented back 7 to step up and make good reads. TCU finished the season on a mini-roll, and their defense will keep Houston in check.
Star watch...
Really, there are a lot of choices here, but I think the best player on the field will be Houston RB Anthony Aldridge. Aldridge is about 200 yards away from setting a school record for yards in a season, and anybody who rushes for over 1500 yards is a tough runner. It will be interesting to see him against the defensive line of TCU.
Deciding factor...
Definitely what happens on the TCU defense-Houston offense, as TCU cannot win if they cannot hold the high-octant Cougar offense in check. I think the defense steps up and plays some BCS bowl level defense in this one.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
HOU TCU HOU HOU TCU TCU TCU HOU TCU
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comEMERALD BOWL - Oregon State vs Maryland
December 28 - 7:30 PM CST ESPN - San Francisco, CA
When Oregon State has the ball...
The Pac-10 and ACC do not get many chances to play each other in football, but this match up is a great one. The Beaver offense is led by RB Yvenson Bernard, who is coming off a knee injury. Oregon State is definitely a run to set up the pass kind of team, as the Beavers struggle when they get behind. There could be some openings for play action if the Beavers get going quickly.
Maryland's defense will try to stop the OSU offense from establishing a presence on the ground. Maryland was good at producing a turnover in close games this season when they needed a break, so expect this opportunistic defense to test the hands and arms of the Beaver running backs.
When Maryland has the ball...
For the Terrapin offense, the unit does not have a true leader. RB Lance Ball and RB Keon Lattimore have almost identical statistics in splitting carries this season, and sophomore QB Chris Turner has been effective as well. Maryland did not put up a lot of points this season, so Oregon State will have a chance even if the Terrapins drive into the red zone.
Oregon State's defense looked excellent in wins over Oregon and California, and even limited the damage in losses to UCLA and USC. With the notable exception of a blowout loss at Cincinnati, Oregon State's defense never let a game get too far out of hand for their offense, and that should not change here. Oregon State will put 7-8 guys up on the line of scrimmage and force Maryland into what should be a one-dimensional attack.
Star watch...
Terrapin WR Darrius Heyward-Bey led his team in receiving as a sophomore, and the future looks bright for this talented young man. He will need to come up big to force Oregon State to stop pressing the line of scrimmage. This is a young star in the making.
Deciding factor...
Whoever scores 20 should win this game, as both defenses are expected to step up and force the offenses into a struggle. Still, the deciding factor has to be whether Oregon State can stop the dual running threat of Maryland. Given that this game is on the west coast, Oregon State could have a big crowd advantage too.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comMEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL - Wake Forest vs Connecticut
December 29 - 12:00 PM CST ESPN - Charlotte, NC
When Wake Forest has the ball...
The Demon Deacons are facing a Big East champion for the second straight season, and the offense is mostly back from a tough loss in last year's Orange Bowl to Louisville. QB Riley Skinner is one of the most efficient passers in the country, and his favorite target is senior wideout Kenneth Moore. RB Josh Adams has given Skinner a lot of help as far as keeping the offense balanced and pressure off.
The Huskies defense will be hard-pressed to stop these talented and experienced offensive leaders, but UCONN has played tough defense this season. As long as UCONN does not let Wake Forest jump out to a big early lead (think the 66-21 debacle at fellow Big East co-champ WVU), UCONN will stay close with a solid linebacking corps. Still, the Huskies have 22 INT on the year and seem to get turnovers when they need them.
When Connecticut has the ball...
UCONN's offense was nothing special this year, but any offense is good when the defense produces a lot of takeaways. RB Andre Dixon and RB Donald Brown will need to pick up some early first downs to win a field position battle, which UCONN desperately needs to win. QB Tyler Lorenzen has been efficient in his first year as a starter, but the Demon Deacon defense is better than almost any he faced in the Big East.
Wake Forest does not give up a lot of points, and part of that has been turnovers. If UCONN is an opportunistic team, then Wake Forest is even more opportunistic as they hold the I-A lead for interceptions returned for touchdowns with six. Expect Wake Forest to put a lot of pressure on the UCONN offense, trying to jump to a big lead.
Star watch...
Demon Deacon QB Riley Skinner is one to watch for, as he is only second to Texas Tech in passing efficiency. Skinner will be impressive in this bowl game, making up for his sub-par Orange Bowl performance last season.
Deciding factor...
Both coaches are great men and even better program-builders, as Jim Grobe and Randy Edsall put these two "basketball schools" on the map. The location of this game is the deciding factor, Wake Forest is essentially playing at home. A critical turnover will take the game for Wake Forest.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
WF WF WF WF WF WF WF WF WF
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
Champs Sports | Texas | Emerald | Meineke Car Care
SCS.comCHAMPS SPORTS BOWL - Boston College vs Michigan State
December 28 - 4:00 PM PM CST ESPN - Orlando, FL
When Boston College has the ball...
The Eagles offense has been very potent this season, rolling up 448 yards per game to go with 29 points per game. The key to the Boston College offense is without a doubt star QB Matt Ryan. Ryan has a slew of quality receivers to throw to, including Rich Gunnell and Brandon Robinson. The only thing holding the Eagles back has been Ryan's inconsistency and late-game interceptions.
On the other side of the ball, the Michigan State defense struggled to stop some mediocre Big Ten offenses. The Spartan secondary does not match up well with the BC receivers, but Michigan State has come up with big defensive efforts against the best teams they played, Michigan and Ohio State. Still, the Spartans have not faced as talented a QB as Ryan, so expect a lot of blitzes due to BC's lack of a running threat.
When Michigan State has the ball...
Even though the Spartan defense was not great this season, the offense carried MSU to their first bowl game since 2003. QB Brian Hoyer led a very balanced offense as an experienced junior, but the real key was the dual threat running backs Javon Ringer (1346 yards) and Jehuu Caulcrick (21 TD). The Spartans are more than happy to be here, so don't expect any rust on this offense.
The Boston College defense was hot and cold this season, brilliant at times against Virginia Tech and terrible in other games against Maryland and Florida State. A solid linebacking corps will be truly tested by Ringer and Caulcrick, but I expect Boston College to hold Michigan State in check, just like Michigan and Ohio State did.
Star watch...
No doubt about it, the star of this game is Eagles QB Matt Ryan. Ryan could have been a Heisman winner had a few games broken differently for BC, and he is the top talent on the field in this bowl game.
Deciding factor...
The deciding factor could be motivation, as BC is not happy to drop to this bowl game. Still, Michigan State has not been able to make big plays against Top 15 caliber competition this season, so expect BC to ride Matt Ryan to another bowl victory in a close shootout.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
BC BC BC MSU BC BC BC BC BC
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comTEXAS BOWL - TCU vs Houston
December 28 - 7:00 PM CST NFL Network - Houston, TX
When TCU has the ball...
The Horned Frogs will be heavily relying on freshman QB Andy Dalton. Dalton made the usual freshman mistakes this season and did not get much help from the TCU running game, but TCU is still a high quality bowl team because their defense helps out the offense a lot. Expect a lot of safe calls mixed in with a few tough plays to test where the TCU offense will go next season.
Houston's defense has to be licking its chops to play a freshman quarterback and a mediocre running game after facing some quality opposition in Conference USA. The Cougars gave up almost 30 points per game, so the key on this side of the ball will be the battle in the trenches. If TCU's experienced offensive line can knock back the Cougar defense, it will be a long day for Houston.
When Houston has the ball...
Now this is the real battle in the game, the unstoppable force against the immoveable object. Houston is trying to recover from losing their coach last week to Baylor, but freshman QB Case Keenum and RB Anthony Aldridge have led one of the top 5 offenses in America and will not stop now. Expect Houston to throw everything they have on the field, and they will need it because...
The TCU defense is the real deal. The Horned Frogs were ranked and a BCS contender early this season based only on their defense, as everybody knew the offense was not going to have a banner year. The Horned Frogs are far and away the best defense Houston will face this season, and expect the highly talented back 7 to step up and make good reads. TCU finished the season on a mini-roll, and their defense will keep Houston in check.
Star watch...
Really, there are a lot of choices here, but I think the best player on the field will be Houston RB Anthony Aldridge. Aldridge is about 200 yards away from setting a school record for yards in a season, and anybody who rushes for over 1500 yards is a tough runner. It will be interesting to see him against the defensive line of TCU.
Deciding factor...
Definitely what happens on the TCU defense-Houston offense, as TCU cannot win if they cannot hold the high-octant Cougar offense in check. I think the defense steps up and plays some BCS bowl level defense in this one.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
HOU TCU HOU HOU TCU TCU TCU HOU TCU
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comEMERALD BOWL - Oregon State vs Maryland
December 28 - 7:30 PM CST ESPN - San Francisco, CA
When Oregon State has the ball...
The Pac-10 and ACC do not get many chances to play each other in football, but this match up is a great one. The Beaver offense is led by RB Yvenson Bernard, who is coming off a knee injury. Oregon State is definitely a run to set up the pass kind of team, as the Beavers struggle when they get behind. There could be some openings for play action if the Beavers get going quickly.
Maryland's defense will try to stop the OSU offense from establishing a presence on the ground. Maryland was good at producing a turnover in close games this season when they needed a break, so expect this opportunistic defense to test the hands and arms of the Beaver running backs.
When Maryland has the ball...
For the Terrapin offense, the unit does not have a true leader. RB Lance Ball and RB Keon Lattimore have almost identical statistics in splitting carries this season, and sophomore QB Chris Turner has been effective as well. Maryland did not put up a lot of points this season, so Oregon State will have a chance even if the Terrapins drive into the red zone.
Oregon State's defense looked excellent in wins over Oregon and California, and even limited the damage in losses to UCLA and USC. With the notable exception of a blowout loss at Cincinnati, Oregon State's defense never let a game get too far out of hand for their offense, and that should not change here. Oregon State will put 7-8 guys up on the line of scrimmage and force Maryland into what should be a one-dimensional attack.
Star watch...
Terrapin WR Darrius Heyward-Bey led his team in receiving as a sophomore, and the future looks bright for this talented young man. He will need to come up big to force Oregon State to stop pressing the line of scrimmage. This is a young star in the making.
Deciding factor...
Whoever scores 20 should win this game, as both defenses are expected to step up and force the offenses into a struggle. Still, the deciding factor has to be whether Oregon State can stop the dual running threat of Maryland. Given that this game is on the west coast, Oregon State could have a big crowd advantage too.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU OSU
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
SCS.comMEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL - Wake Forest vs Connecticut
December 29 - 12:00 PM CST ESPN - Charlotte, NC
When Wake Forest has the ball...
The Demon Deacons are facing a Big East champion for the second straight season, and the offense is mostly back from a tough loss in last year's Orange Bowl to Louisville. QB Riley Skinner is one of the most efficient passers in the country, and his favorite target is senior wideout Kenneth Moore. RB Josh Adams has given Skinner a lot of help as far as keeping the offense balanced and pressure off.
The Huskies defense will be hard-pressed to stop these talented and experienced offensive leaders, but UCONN has played tough defense this season. As long as UCONN does not let Wake Forest jump out to a big early lead (think the 66-21 debacle at fellow Big East co-champ WVU), UCONN will stay close with a solid linebacking corps. Still, the Huskies have 22 INT on the year and seem to get turnovers when they need them.
When Connecticut has the ball...
UCONN's offense was nothing special this year, but any offense is good when the defense produces a lot of takeaways. RB Andre Dixon and RB Donald Brown will need to pick up some early first downs to win a field position battle, which UCONN desperately needs to win. QB Tyler Lorenzen has been efficient in his first year as a starter, but the Demon Deacon defense is better than almost any he faced in the Big East.
Wake Forest does not give up a lot of points, and part of that has been turnovers. If UCONN is an opportunistic team, then Wake Forest is even more opportunistic as they hold the I-A lead for interceptions returned for touchdowns with six. Expect Wake Forest to put a lot of pressure on the UCONN offense, trying to jump to a big lead.
Star watch...
Demon Deacon QB Riley Skinner is one to watch for, as he is only second to Texas Tech in passing efficiency. Skinner will be impressive in this bowl game, making up for his sub-par Orange Bowl performance last season.
Deciding factor...
Both coaches are great men and even better program-builders, as Jim Grobe and Randy Edsall put these two "basketball schools" on the map. The location of this game is the deciding factor, Wake Forest is essentially playing at home. A critical turnover will take the game for Wake Forest.
The staff says...
- - - - - F o o t b a l l S t a f f - - - - - - - - O t h e r S t a f f - - -
David Gregg Joey Jonathan Matt Ben Daniel Eddie Larry
WF WF WF WF WF WF WF WF WF
177-97 169-105 175-99 179-95 165-109 - S e a s o n R e c o r d s -
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Staff Casts Votes For Football All-Americans
The SCS.com has taken advantage of the lull between the end of the regular season and the start of bowl play to put together a list of the country's top players from the past season. Each football staff member submitted a vote for this year's First and Second Team All-America squads, and what resulted was a list of twenty-six players who have been named First Team All-Americans. Among those honored was Darren McFadden, named the National Offensive Player of the Year, and Chris Long, who was chosen as the National Defensive Player of the Year. McFadden's teammate, Felix Jones, was named the Special Teams Player of the Year, while Ron Zook took home Coach of the Year honors and Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree was honored as the Freshman of the Year.
In addition to McFadden, Long, Jones, and Crabtree, six other players - QB Tim Tebow, RB Kevin Smith, DL Glenn Dorsey, DL Vernon Gholston, LB Dan Connor, DB Antoine Cason - were unanimous First Team selections.
FIRST TEAM POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICA
OFFENSE
QB Tim Tebow* Florida
RB Darren McFadden* Arkansas
RB Kevin Smith* Central Florida
WR Michael Crabtree* Texas Tech
WR Jordy Nelson Kansas State
TE Martin Rucker Missouri
OL Jake Long Michigan
OL Anthony Collins Kansas
OL Steve Justice Wake Forest
OL Ryan Clady Boise State
OL Sam Baker Southern Cal
DEFENSE
DL Chris Long* Virginia
DL Glenn Dorsey* LSU
DL Vernon Gholston* Ohio State
DL George Selvie South Florida
LB Dan Connor* Penn State
LB James Laurinaitis Ohio State
LB J Leman Illinois
DB Antoine Cason* Arizona
DB Craig Steltz LSU
DB Aqib Talib Kansas
DB Jamie Silva Boston College
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Thomas Weber Arizona State
P Kevin Huber Cincinnati
KR Felix Jones* Arkansas
PR Kevin Robinson Utah State
(*) Unanimous First Team Selections
POSTSEASON AWARDS
NATIONAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Darren McFadden, Arkansas
NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Chris Long, Virginia
NATIONAL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Felix Jones, Arkansas
NATIONAL FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
NATIONAL COACH PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Ron Zook, Illinois
SECOND TEAM POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICA
OFFENSE
QB Colt Brennan Hawaii
RB Ray Rice Rutgers
RB Jonathan Stewart Oregon
WR James Hardy Indiana
WR Mario Manningham Michigan
TE Travis Beckum Wisconsin
OL Jonathan Luigs Arkansas
OL Duke Robinson Oklahoma
OL Tony Hills Texas
OL Kirk Barton Ohio State
OL Alex Boone Ohio State
DEFENSE
DL Greg Middleton Indiana
DL Sedrick Ellis Southern Cal
DL Maurice Evans Penn State
DL Greg Hardy Mississippi
LB Jordon Dizon Colorado
LB Xavier Adibi Virginia Tech
LB Erin Henderson Maryland
DB Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State
DB Alphonso Smith Wake Forest
DB Brandon Flowers Virginia Tech
DB Trey Brown UCLA
SPECIAL TEAMS
K John Sullivan New Mexico
P Durant Brooks Georgia Tech
KR Matt Slater UCLA
PR Jeremy Maclin Missouri
In addition to McFadden, Long, Jones, and Crabtree, six other players - QB Tim Tebow, RB Kevin Smith, DL Glenn Dorsey, DL Vernon Gholston, LB Dan Connor, DB Antoine Cason - were unanimous First Team selections.
FIRST TEAM POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICA
OFFENSE
QB Tim Tebow* Florida
RB Darren McFadden* Arkansas
RB Kevin Smith* Central Florida
WR Michael Crabtree* Texas Tech
WR Jordy Nelson Kansas State
TE Martin Rucker Missouri
OL Jake Long Michigan
OL Anthony Collins Kansas
OL Steve Justice Wake Forest
OL Ryan Clady Boise State
OL Sam Baker Southern Cal
DEFENSE
DL Chris Long* Virginia
DL Glenn Dorsey* LSU
DL Vernon Gholston* Ohio State
DL George Selvie South Florida
LB Dan Connor* Penn State
LB James Laurinaitis Ohio State
LB J Leman Illinois
DB Antoine Cason* Arizona
DB Craig Steltz LSU
DB Aqib Talib Kansas
DB Jamie Silva Boston College
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Thomas Weber Arizona State
P Kevin Huber Cincinnati
KR Felix Jones* Arkansas
PR Kevin Robinson Utah State
(*) Unanimous First Team Selections
POSTSEASON AWARDS
NATIONAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Darren McFadden, Arkansas
NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Chris Long, Virginia
NATIONAL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Felix Jones, Arkansas
NATIONAL FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
NATIONAL COACH PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Ron Zook, Illinois
SECOND TEAM POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICA
OFFENSE
QB Colt Brennan Hawaii
RB Ray Rice Rutgers
RB Jonathan Stewart Oregon
WR James Hardy Indiana
WR Mario Manningham Michigan
TE Travis Beckum Wisconsin
OL Jonathan Luigs Arkansas
OL Duke Robinson Oklahoma
OL Tony Hills Texas
OL Kirk Barton Ohio State
OL Alex Boone Ohio State
DEFENSE
DL Greg Middleton Indiana
DL Sedrick Ellis Southern Cal
DL Maurice Evans Penn State
DL Greg Hardy Mississippi
LB Jordon Dizon Colorado
LB Xavier Adibi Virginia Tech
LB Erin Henderson Maryland
DB Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State
DB Alphonso Smith Wake Forest
DB Brandon Flowers Virginia Tech
DB Trey Brown UCLA
SPECIAL TEAMS
K John Sullivan New Mexico
P Durant Brooks Georgia Tech
KR Matt Slater UCLA
PR Jeremy Maclin Missouri
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