RECOMMENDED
WISCONSIN over MIAMI-FL by 7
Don’t be surprised if you hear this from the lazy talking heads...”Well, Wisconsin got smashed 42-13 by FSU in this game last year – an ACC team with speed. That’s Miami this year. The Badgers will suffer the same fate....now let’s talk some more about Brian Kelly...”. Thanks heads – but we actually do our homework. Wisconsin is fired up about a chance at redemption. Defensive starter Maragos noted, “We’re excited for it”. Truth is – might be the same bowl game as one year ago – but this is a very different Wisky bunch. The defensive is hyper-aggressive and strives to make opposing offenses uncom- fortable. When pressured, Miami QB Harris has shown an innate ability to make terrible decisions and that’s why he has tossed 17 interceptions. Harris will be without the pro- tection services of team MVP left tackle Jason Fox who opted for knee surgery in prep for the NFL combine process. The ’Cane offense will hit a few big plays in the passing game, but the rushing attack is average at best and they won’t be able to move the ball consistently. Consistent moving is Wisconsin’s game. QB Tolzien guides a balanced attack that averaged 206 yards rushing and 209 yards passing per contest. The ’Cane defense is pretty solid, but they’ll fold under the weight of the massive Badger o-line, especially when the Miami offense won’t be able to keep them off of the field. Gotta won- der where the ’Canes are mentally after FSU got the Gator Bowl nod despite a worse record (thank you Bobby Bowden). Just ask center A.J. Trump who said, “It’s tough, you wish you can be there.” Well, A.J. – we’re glad you’re here. WISCONSIN, 31-24.
TEMPLE over UCLA by 1
This is some sort of prank, right? Send California kids to Washington, DC in late December,
tell them it’s a reward? This isn’t a high school senior trip. If Rick Neuheisel can sell this deal
to his players, then he’s a pretty good motivator – which is one of the things people have
always said about him. But the Bruins have struggled to generate a consistent ground game
all season. The likely starting tailback, Chane Moline, is a plodder. The fastest tailback,
Johnathan Franklin, is a fumbler. The UCLA offense has had fewer than 100 yards rushing in
six of 12 games, and the strength of Temple’s defense is in stopping the run. When you stop
the run, you normally limit the pass. Despite his background as a UCLA quarterback and NFL
quarterbacks coach, Neuheisel’s two-season tenure has yet to produce a passing game anyone
should fear. "Obviously, we have to create a more efficient running game," he said
recently. "We don't want to have to lean on the passing game too much and lean on our protection
too much.” Temple head coach Al Golden interviewed for the UCLA job in 2007. His
staff and players are wide-eyed here. UCLA is a favorite that won’t get too creative – unlike
the Rutgers team that buried us with the Wildcat – yet needs to. Al Golden and the Temple
of Doom have a controlling chess piece named Pierce in its own running game, and will be
ready with kitchen-sink applications in all three phases. TEMPLE, 20-19
Sports Reporter Newsletter 12/29
Reply With Quote