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*Temple 20 - Ucla 16 —The prospects of this curious matchup have to
include some sort of projection on the crowd count at RFK Stadium, which some
locals believe might more resemble a sparse late-season gathering to watch
the lowly Nationals at their new ballpark a few Metro stops away. With only a
handful of UCLA rooters expected to trek 2500 or so miles, and with Temple
fans unlikely to beat a path down I-95 from Philly, we’ll put the over/under for the
actual crowd count at 7500...and quote the “under” odds at -120.
Temple, however, is used to performing in such anonymity, which hasn’t
stopped the Owls (in their first bowl since 1979) from posting a noteworthy 16-
7 spread mark since a year ago under the fast-rising HC Al “Touch of” Golden,
who ironically interviewed for the UCLA job before Rick Neuheisel landed it two
years ago. Maybe the Bruins erred, considering Neuheisel’s SU mark of 8-14
(which excludes a pair of “scrimmages” vs. Washington State) since. Pac-10
insiders say it’s no surprise, given the constant state of flux of a Bruin offense
that not even sage o.c. Norm Chow has been able to repair the past two years.
A big but very slow OL is again unlikely to open up much daylight for an
unspectacular crew of UCLA RBs against a stout Temple rush “D” allowing only
113 ypg. Meanwhile, UCLA RS frosh QB Kevin Prince continues to nurse a sore
shoulder that knocked him out of the USC finale. The Owls’ best weapon, frosh
RB Bernard Pierce (1308 YR; back from a late-season shoulder injury) scores
TDs (15 of ‘em), while the Bruins can only get FGs from their top gun, Groza
Award-winning PK Kai Forbath. Yet, noting UCLA has gone “under” in 14 of its
last 16, that might be the best recommendation.
(DNP...SR: FIRST MEETING)




*MIAMI-FLORIDA 35 - Wisconsin 26—Simply put, speed kills, and Miami
has far more of it than Wisconsin. Hurricane HC Randy Shannon plugged the
recruiting leakage that had plagued “The U” for years by nailing three top-20
classes in a row. Miami soph QB Jacory Harris has developed quickly, throwing
for 3164 yards and 23 scores in his first full season. Harris passed for 277 ypg
in Miami’s last 7 games, although his interceptions fueled losses at North
Carolina and Clemson. He connected with Leonard Hankerson and Travis
Benjamin a combined 72 times for 18 ypc.
In order to be successful, the Badgers must establish its running game, keyed
by John Clay (116 ypg rushing, 14th in the country). But Wiscy HC Bret Bielema
might have to go to plan “B” early against Miami, as the Hurricanes allowed just
3.5 ypc. Indeed, Miami held prolific Georgia Tech to just 95 YR on 39 carries in
a 33-17 victory (the Yellow Jackets’ option finished the season second in the
country in rushing). Miami also took the run away from Clemson and C.J. Spiller,
holding the Tigers to 84 YR on 34 attempts. The Canes feature 4 all-ACC
players on defense, including LBs Darryl Sharpton and Colin McCarthy. UW QB
Scott Tolzien was efficient and fairly productive, but had problems with picks in
losses to Ohio State and Iowa. Badger TE Garrett Graham (45 catches, teamhigh
7 TDs) and WR Nick Toon (52 recs.) are Tolzien’s main targets.
There is a marked difference in strength of schedule. Both teams finished the
season 9-3, but Miami played much tougher opponents, showing a 5-point OPR
edge using TGS ratings as a measure. The Canes also have an edge with allleague
PK Matt Bosher (89% career FGs) over Badger PK Philip Welch (missed
7 of his 22 attempts TY). Wisconsin will have its customary contingent of
enthusiastic fans fleeing the Wisconsin winter, but that didn’t help the Badgers
losing and failing to cover in this same bowl last season, and at Tampa in the
Outback two years ago.
(DNP...SR: Miami-Florida 2-1)

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From gg's tracking:
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