Oklahoma State vs. Arizona
Oklahoma State looks to cap a memorable year with a school-record 11th victory in San Antonio's Alamo Bowl on Wednesday night when it squares off against an Arizona team hoping to salvage a win from a disappointing final two months of the season.
The 16th-ranked Cowboys (10-2) were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 South this season, but ended up tying for the division title and setting a school record with 10 regular-season wins. They are making a school-record fifth straight bowl appearance.
The Wildcats seemed like they might be headed to a BCS bowl earlier this year, climbing as high as ninth in the rankings, but four straight losses to close the regular season quickly ended those hopes. Arizona is still appearing in a third consecutive bowl game, matching the school's previous best string from 1992-94.
Oklahoma State leads the FBS in total offense at 537.6 yards per game, ranks third in scoring at 44.9 points and boasts three skill position players named to the all-Big 12 first team.
Justin Blackmon is the conference's player of the year, the Biletnikoff Award winner and a first-team All-American after leading the nation with 151.4 receiving yards per game and 18 touchdown catches. He needs eight yards against Arizona to break the NCAA sophomore receiving yards record of 1,672, set by Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Blackmon has tied an NCAA record with 11 straight games of 100 yards receiving with a TD.
Brandon Weeden was second in the country in yards passing per game (336.4) and fifth in touchdown passes (32). He has also thrown for 4,037 yards.
Blackmon was joined on the All-American first team by running back Kendall Hunter. The senior is seventh in the nation with 126.3 rushing yards per game and ran for 16 TDs. He did all this while rushing for 1,516 yards.
Since the start of November, the Wildcats have allowed an average of 456.0 yards, 20th-worst in the FBS, and an average of 36.0 points, 27th-worst. This is after a 7-1 start, where they were 10th nationally in points and yards allowed.
While the Wildcats' defense needs to tighten up, the offense heads into the bowl playing some of its best football.
Nick Foles has passed for 1,063 yards with nine touchdowns to just one interception in his last three games. He threw for 2,911 and 19 touchdowns the entire season. The junior leads the Pac-10 in passing with an average of 291.1 yards and his favorite target, first-team all-conference selection Juron Criner, led the league with 73 receptions and 1,186 yards.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 49, Arizona 41
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Texas Bowl
Illinois vs. Baylor
Baylor clinched its first winning season since 1995 and earned a bowl bid for the first time since losing 10-3 to Washington State in the 1994 Alamo Bowl.
Averaging 32.6 points and ranked 12th nationally in total yards per game (478.5), Baylor has the potential to present another challenge for the Illini, who give up an average of 24 ppg, but have had Michigan score 67 on them and Minnesota score 38.
Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III ranks seventh in the country averaging 315.5 yards of total offense and has thrown for nearly 3,200 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Senior Jay Finley's 1,155 yards rank second on Baylor's single-season rushing list. He ran for 250 yards on 26 caries in a 47-42 home win over Kansas State on Oct. 23. Kendall Wright's 66 receptions for a career-high 825 yards lead a group of four Bears receivers with at least 40 catches.
Mikel Leshoure led all Big Ten running backs with 1,513 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Leshoure ranks eighth in the country with 126.1 rushing yards per game.
Nathan Scheelhaase has thrown for 1,583 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first collegiate season. He has shown why he was one of the country's best dual-threat quarterback recruits, as he has rushed for 815 yards and four touchdowns.
A.J. Jenkins is Scheelhaase's favorite target, having caught 50 balls for 694 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction: Baylor 35, Illinois 21
Baylor clinched its first winning season since 1995 and earned a bowl bid for the first time since losing 10-3 to Washington State in the 1994 Alamo Bowl.
Averaging 32.6 points and ranked 12th nationally in total yards per game (478.5), Baylor has the potential to present another challenge for the Illini, who give up an average of 24 ppg, but have had Michigan score 67 on them and Minnesota score 38.
Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III ranks seventh in the country averaging 315.5 yards of total offense and has thrown for nearly 3,200 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Senior Jay Finley's 1,155 yards rank second on Baylor's single-season rushing list. He ran for 250 yards on 26 caries in a 47-42 home win over Kansas State on Oct. 23. Kendall Wright's 66 receptions for a career-high 825 yards lead a group of four Bears receivers with at least 40 catches.
Mikel Leshoure led all Big Ten running backs with 1,513 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Leshoure ranks eighth in the country with 126.1 rushing yards per game.
Nathan Scheelhaase has thrown for 1,583 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first collegiate season. He has shown why he was one of the country's best dual-threat quarterback recruits, as he has rushed for 815 yards and four touchdowns.
A.J. Jenkins is Scheelhaase's favorite target, having caught 50 balls for 694 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prediction: Baylor 35, Illinois 21
Military Bowl
East Carolina vs. Maryland
This game makes for an interesting case as Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will no longer be the coach of the Terps after the game. After winning ACC Coach of the Year in 2010, the Maryland Athletic Department decided to buy out Friedgen.
Maryland (8-4) is back in a bowl game for the first time since beating Nevada 42-35 in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. Maryland's return to the postseason came after the Terps dropped their last seven games of 2009 and finished 2-10.
The Pirates are centered around a passing game that is among the best in the nation, averaging 319.3 yards with 37 touchdowns.
Dominique Davis shattered team records with 36 TD passes, 3,699 yards and 358 completions -- 99 more than the previous mark. The junior, in his first season at East Carolina, connected on 64.9 percent of his throws and had 14 interceptions.
Davis threw 18 TDs and four picks while posting a 145.2 rating over the last five games.
Receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis are Davis' top targets. Harris has a Conference USA-high 93 receptions along with 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lewis' 78 catches are third in the league, and he has a team-best 13 TD receptions and 979 yards.
While East Carolina's offensive power is clear, the defense has had major problems. The unit is the worst in the country, allowing averages of 43.4 points and 478.8 yards -- 220.8 rushing. The Pirates have given up 54.8 points per game over the last five contests.
Terps freshman Danny O'Brien is coming off a stellar performance in the season finale, going 33 of 47 for 417 yards and throwing four touchdowns to Torrey Smith. O'Brien has thrown for 2,257 yards, 21 scoring passes and six interceptions.
Torrey Smith is tied for the ACC lead with 12 TD catches and has 1,045 receiving yards.
Prediction: East Carolina 49, Maryland 40
This game makes for an interesting case as Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will no longer be the coach of the Terps after the game. After winning ACC Coach of the Year in 2010, the Maryland Athletic Department decided to buy out Friedgen.
Maryland (8-4) is back in a bowl game for the first time since beating Nevada 42-35 in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise. Maryland's return to the postseason came after the Terps dropped their last seven games of 2009 and finished 2-10.
The Pirates are centered around a passing game that is among the best in the nation, averaging 319.3 yards with 37 touchdowns.
Dominique Davis shattered team records with 36 TD passes, 3,699 yards and 358 completions -- 99 more than the previous mark. The junior, in his first season at East Carolina, connected on 64.9 percent of his throws and had 14 interceptions.
Davis threw 18 TDs and four picks while posting a 145.2 rating over the last five games.
Receivers Dwayne Harris and Lance Lewis are Davis' top targets. Harris has a Conference USA-high 93 receptions along with 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. Lewis' 78 catches are third in the league, and he has a team-best 13 TD receptions and 979 yards.
While East Carolina's offensive power is clear, the defense has had major problems. The unit is the worst in the country, allowing averages of 43.4 points and 478.8 yards -- 220.8 rushing. The Pirates have given up 54.8 points per game over the last five contests.
Terps freshman Danny O'Brien is coming off a stellar performance in the season finale, going 33 of 47 for 417 yards and throwing four touchdowns to Torrey Smith. O'Brien has thrown for 2,257 yards, 21 scoring passes and six interceptions.
Torrey Smith is tied for the ACC lead with 12 TD catches and has 1,045 receiving yards.
Prediction: East Carolina 49, Maryland 40
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Insight.com Bowl
Missouri vs. Iowa
This matchup features teams going in different directions. Iowa started the season ranked ninth and started the season 7-2, including a demolishing of then- fifth-ranked Michigan State. But the Hawkeyes struggled down the stretch, losing their last three and struggling to defeat Indiana. The Tigers, on the other hand, are on a three-game winning streak, one in which they have scored 35 points or more twice.
Not only has Iowa had its problems on the field, but it has ended the season with some major off the field problems as well. All-time leading receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested on drug charges and therefore suspended by Coach Kirk Ferentz, Then Adam Robinson, the team's leading rusher who had rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns was also suspended, he for failing to "comply with team expectations and policies." The two backup running backs also left the team, leaving true freshman Marcus Coker as the starter.
Luckily for Iowa, they still have quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who threw for 2,804 yards and 25 touchdowns, while throwing a career-low four interceptions. With Johnson-Koulianos out, he will rely on St. Louis-native Marvin McNutt, who led the team with 51 grabs for 798 yards and eight touchdowns. Coker rushed for 403 yards and two touchdowns in limited duty.
But it'd not only the offense that the Tigers need to worry about. The Iowa defense is quite stout itself being led by yet another St. Louis-native, defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn has 51 tackles, including seven for loss and three and a half sacks. The defensive backfield is also quite talented, led by Tyler Sash and Shaun Prater also were named first-team all-Big Ten. Sash was third on the Hawkeyes with 73 tackles and Prater tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
Up to this year, Missouri had been known for its explosive offense. Well this year, the Tigers have their best defense in years and it is paying off for them. They are giving up only 15 ppg, which is fifth in the nation. Linebackers Andrew Gachkar and Zaviar Gooden lead the team with 81 and 79, tackles, respectively, while six players have two interceptions and four more with one. The team has forced 27 turnovers on the year.
But that's not to say the Tiger offense hasn't been explosive. The team is averaging 30 points per game and has become a more balanced offense this year. While Blaine Gabbert has thrown for over 2,700 yards and 15 touchdowns, four Tigers, including Gabbert have rushed for 239 yards or more. The team is led by De'Vion Moore who has run for 485 yards and eight touchdowns.
After losing starters Danario Alexander and Jared Perry, everyone wondered who would step up to be the next in a recent run of great receivers. Four receivers have 32 catches or more. T.J. Moe leads the squad with 77 catches for 893 yards and six touchdowns. Michael Egnew continues the line of recent Mackey Award finalists/winners and All-American tight ends after catching 83 balls for 698 yards and four touchdowns.
Prediction: Missouri 34, Iowa 21
This matchup features teams going in different directions. Iowa started the season ranked ninth and started the season 7-2, including a demolishing of then- fifth-ranked Michigan State. But the Hawkeyes struggled down the stretch, losing their last three and struggling to defeat Indiana. The Tigers, on the other hand, are on a three-game winning streak, one in which they have scored 35 points or more twice.
Not only has Iowa had its problems on the field, but it has ended the season with some major off the field problems as well. All-time leading receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested on drug charges and therefore suspended by Coach Kirk Ferentz, Then Adam Robinson, the team's leading rusher who had rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns was also suspended, he for failing to "comply with team expectations and policies." The two backup running backs also left the team, leaving true freshman Marcus Coker as the starter.
Luckily for Iowa, they still have quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who threw for 2,804 yards and 25 touchdowns, while throwing a career-low four interceptions. With Johnson-Koulianos out, he will rely on St. Louis-native Marvin McNutt, who led the team with 51 grabs for 798 yards and eight touchdowns. Coker rushed for 403 yards and two touchdowns in limited duty.
But it'd not only the offense that the Tigers need to worry about. The Iowa defense is quite stout itself being led by yet another St. Louis-native, defensive end Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn has 51 tackles, including seven for loss and three and a half sacks. The defensive backfield is also quite talented, led by Tyler Sash and Shaun Prater also were named first-team all-Big Ten. Sash was third on the Hawkeyes with 73 tackles and Prater tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
Up to this year, Missouri had been known for its explosive offense. Well this year, the Tigers have their best defense in years and it is paying off for them. They are giving up only 15 ppg, which is fifth in the nation. Linebackers Andrew Gachkar and Zaviar Gooden lead the team with 81 and 79, tackles, respectively, while six players have two interceptions and four more with one. The team has forced 27 turnovers on the year.
But that's not to say the Tiger offense hasn't been explosive. The team is averaging 30 points per game and has become a more balanced offense this year. While Blaine Gabbert has thrown for over 2,700 yards and 15 touchdowns, four Tigers, including Gabbert have rushed for 239 yards or more. The team is led by De'Vion Moore who has run for 485 yards and eight touchdowns.
After losing starters Danario Alexander and Jared Perry, everyone wondered who would step up to be the next in a recent run of great receivers. Four receivers have 32 catches or more. T.J. Moe leads the squad with 77 catches for 893 yards and six touchdowns. Michael Egnew continues the line of recent Mackey Award finalists/winners and All-American tight ends after catching 83 balls for 698 yards and four touchdowns.
Prediction: Missouri 34, Iowa 21
Champs Sports Bowl
NC State vs. West Virginia
West Virginia ranks second in the FBS in scoring defense at 12.8 points, second in rush defense at 85.1 yards and third in total defense at 251.3 yards. The squad ended the regular season playing some of its best football, allowing four touchdowns over the last four games.
The Mountaineers also have a skilled quarterback in Geno Smith, who was second in the Big East with 2,567 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, both second most in school history behind Marc Bulger's 3,607 yards and 31 TDs in 1998. Smith threw for a career-best 352 yards in the finale. He has one interception in his last five games. The running game is led by Noel Devine, who has had a rough senior season, rushing for only 886 yards and six touchdowns, far fewer than what was expected after last season's nearly 1,500 yard and 14 touchdown season.
That defense will look to stop a North Carolina State offense that was second in the ACC with 32.6 points per game. The unit revolves around Russell Wilson, who led the conference with 3,288 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
Wilson, who finished two points shy of Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor for All-ACC first-team honors, had eight 300-yard passing games and attempted 60 passes in the regular-season finale. The junior is also a dangerous runner, rolling up 394 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Prediction: N.C. State 31, West Virginia 27
West Virginia ranks second in the FBS in scoring defense at 12.8 points, second in rush defense at 85.1 yards and third in total defense at 251.3 yards. The squad ended the regular season playing some of its best football, allowing four touchdowns over the last four games.
The Mountaineers also have a skilled quarterback in Geno Smith, who was second in the Big East with 2,567 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, both second most in school history behind Marc Bulger's 3,607 yards and 31 TDs in 1998. Smith threw for a career-best 352 yards in the finale. He has one interception in his last five games. The running game is led by Noel Devine, who has had a rough senior season, rushing for only 886 yards and six touchdowns, far fewer than what was expected after last season's nearly 1,500 yard and 14 touchdown season.
That defense will look to stop a North Carolina State offense that was second in the ACC with 32.6 points per game. The unit revolves around Russell Wilson, who led the conference with 3,288 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.
Wilson, who finished two points shy of Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor for All-ACC first-team honors, had eight 300-yard passing games and attempted 60 passes in the regular-season finale. The junior is also a dangerous runner, rolling up 394 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Prediction: N.C. State 31, West Virginia 27
Monday, December 27, 2010
Independence Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. Air Force
If you like running attacks, this is the game for you. Georgia Tech and Air Force are the nations No. 1 and 2 teams in terms of rushing, with the Jackets rushing for 327 ypg, while the Falcons rush for 318. The teams combined for 299 pass attempts.
The Yellow Jackets, however, could be without their most versatile threat. Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt broke his arm against Virginia Tech on Nov. 4 and it's uncertain if he'll be ready to play. Sophomore Tevin Washington has filled in, but he hasn't been as productive.In nine games, Nesbitt, a first-team All-ACC selection last year when the Yellow Jackets won the conference, is second on the team with 737 rushing yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. He's also passed for 674 yards and seven scores. Washington, meanwhile, rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 292 and two scores.
Luckily for Georgia Tech, running back Anthony Allen has stepped up his game as of late, averaging over 138 ypg the last four games. He has rushed for 1,225 yards and six scores on the season. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets will be without leading receiver Stephen Hill, who was one of four players declared academically ineligible. Hill had 15 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns.
Unlike Georgia Tech, Air Force seems to be peaking at the right time. The Falcons have won three in a row by a combined score of 125-65. They closed the regular season with a 35-20 victory at UNLV on Nov. 18.
Air Force is led in rushing by junior Asher Clark, who ran for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns and 769 yards on the ground.
The Falcons also could have another threat if Jared Tew is be cleared to play. He suffered a broken fibula against San Diego State on Oct. 16 after rushing for 540 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
If you like running attacks, this is the game for you. Georgia Tech and Air Force are the nations No. 1 and 2 teams in terms of rushing, with the Jackets rushing for 327 ypg, while the Falcons rush for 318. The teams combined for 299 pass attempts.
The Yellow Jackets, however, could be without their most versatile threat. Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt broke his arm against Virginia Tech on Nov. 4 and it's uncertain if he'll be ready to play. Sophomore Tevin Washington has filled in, but he hasn't been as productive.In nine games, Nesbitt, a first-team All-ACC selection last year when the Yellow Jackets won the conference, is second on the team with 737 rushing yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. He's also passed for 674 yards and seven scores. Washington, meanwhile, rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 292 and two scores.
Luckily for Georgia Tech, running back Anthony Allen has stepped up his game as of late, averaging over 138 ypg the last four games. He has rushed for 1,225 yards and six scores on the season. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets will be without leading receiver Stephen Hill, who was one of four players declared academically ineligible. Hill had 15 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns.
Unlike Georgia Tech, Air Force seems to be peaking at the right time. The Falcons have won three in a row by a combined score of 125-65. They closed the regular season with a 35-20 victory at UNLV on Nov. 18.
Air Force is led in rushing by junior Asher Clark, who ran for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns and 769 yards on the ground.
The Falcons also could have another threat if Jared Tew is be cleared to play. He suffered a broken fibula against San Diego State on Oct. 16 after rushing for 540 yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Little Caesar's Bowl
Florida International vs. Toledo
The Rockets return to postseason play for the first time in five years in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl against FIU, which will be making the first bowl appearance in its history.
Toledo, who had lost 16 games over the previous two seasons, improved dramatically this year under second-year coach Tim Beckman. They finished second in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, and three of their losses were to teams also playing in bowls -- Boise State, Northern Illinois and Arizona.
While reaching this bowl is a great reward for Toledo, it's a remarkable achievement for FIU, which is in just its ninth season of play at any level and sixth year in the FBS. The Golden Panthers' six wins this season comprise one-fifth of their 30 victories all-time.
The Golden Panthers averaged 38.0 points while winning four of their final five games. Their offense is led by running backs Darriet Perry (707 yards and 14 TDs in 2010) and Darrian Mallary (669 yards, two TDs). Quarterback Wesley Carroll, completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,483 yards with 15 TDs.
Toledo lost starting quarterback Austin Dantin to a shoulder injury during an Oct. 30 victory over Eastern Michigan, but replacement Terrance Owens doesn't seem to have missed a beat. A redshirt freshman, Owens has thrown 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Owens will look to get the ball to sophomore wideout Eric Page, who had 94 receptions for 1,081 yards and eight TDs this season. The explosive Page also scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns.
The Rockets return to postseason play for the first time in five years in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl against FIU, which will be making the first bowl appearance in its history.
Toledo, who had lost 16 games over the previous two seasons, improved dramatically this year under second-year coach Tim Beckman. They finished second in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, and three of their losses were to teams also playing in bowls -- Boise State, Northern Illinois and Arizona.
While reaching this bowl is a great reward for Toledo, it's a remarkable achievement for FIU, which is in just its ninth season of play at any level and sixth year in the FBS. The Golden Panthers' six wins this season comprise one-fifth of their 30 victories all-time.
The Golden Panthers averaged 38.0 points while winning four of their final five games. Their offense is led by running backs Darriet Perry (707 yards and 14 TDs in 2010) and Darrian Mallary (669 yards, two TDs). Quarterback Wesley Carroll, completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,483 yards with 15 TDs.
Toledo lost starting quarterback Austin Dantin to a shoulder injury during an Oct. 30 victory over Eastern Michigan, but replacement Terrance Owens doesn't seem to have missed a beat. A redshirt freshman, Owens has thrown 12 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Owens will look to get the ball to sophomore wideout Eric Page, who had 94 receptions for 1,081 yards and eight TDs this season. The explosive Page also scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns.
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