[LLXC]

FORECAST: HOUSTON by 10 RATING: 3* HOUSTON
FORECAST: STANFORD (+) Oklahoma by 1 RATING: 2* STANFORD
FORECAST: Missouri/Navy OVER 52’ RATING: 2*
FORECAST: MINNESOTA by 9 RATING: 3* MINNESOTA
FORECAST: Tennessee/Virginia Tech UNDER 50 RATING:1*

[dogs1972]

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[LLXC]

FORECAST: HOUSTON by 10 RATING: 3* HOUSTON
FORECAST: STANFORD (+) Oklahoma by 1 RATING: 2* STANFORD
FORECAST: Missouri/Navy OVER 52’ RATING: 2*
FORECAST: MINNESOTA by 9 RATING: 3* MINNESOTA
FORECAST: Tennessee/Virginia Tech UNDER 50 RATING:1*

OVERALL: 9-5

1*: 2-0
2*: 2-3
3*: 3-1
4*: 2-1




Third meeting between these 2 over the L/2Y (2nd str matchup in this bowl). LY, UH ended an 8 gm bowl losing streak with a 34-28 (-3’) win over AF. AF won the reg ssn matchup 31-28 (-2’) in a gm that was relocated to Dallas due to Hurricane Ike. AF HC Calhoun is the 2nd cch in AF history to take his tm to a bowl in his 1st 3 yrs (0-2 SU/ATS), and 1st to lead his tm to 3 consec 7+ win ssns in his 1st 3Y. HC Sumlin is the 1st cch in UH history to lead his tm to bowl gms his 1st 2 ssns. UH is looking for B2B bowl wins for the 1st time S/‘79-’80. UH plyd 6 bowl tms going 4-2 SU (3-2-1 ATS) outscoring them 38-33 and outgaining them 536-455. AF plyd 6 bowl elig tms going 1-5 SU (2-3-1 ATS) being outscored 16-15 and outgained 311-300. AF has 16 upperclass starters (15 Sr) but it should be noted that they are one of the youngest tms as Fr and soph’s make up 60% of the roster. They also lead the NCAA w/20 Fr playing TY. UH has 6 Sr’s among their 13 upperclass starters. AF was 2-4 SU (3-2-1 ATS) away from home TY, while UH was 4-3 SU (3-4 ATS) on the road, but lost 2 straight SU/ATS. UH fans have a 4 hour drive up I-45, but TX has a strong military presence, which should help AF keep the crowd evenly divided.
AF’s #84 off is led by soph QB Jefferson. While still a run 1st tm (743 rush, 139 pass) Jefferson did string together three 100 yd pass gms before the BYU gm (88 yd). He did miss 3 gms as bkup Dietz led the tm to a 1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS rec’d in his starts, although he missed the L/3 of the reg ssn (inj) but he may be available here. Jefferson did take a shot in the back vs BYU, but Calhoun says it “does not appear” he has any broken ribs in early reports. Four of AF’s top 6 rushers are underclassmen and their rush attack ranks #4 in the NCAA. AF is 15-3 SU (12-5 ATS, 1 NL) when a player rushes for over 100 yds and outrushed all but one opp TY (Army). The rec unit is led by Folger (17 of his 21 rec’s have gone for either FD’s or TD’s). The OL avg 6’4” 281 and all 5 starters are Sr’s. With two 1st Tm All-MWC players, they all’d 10 sks (7.2%) while paving the way for 274 ypg rush (4.4) and starting 98% of the gms together. AF has scored 6 non-off TD’s TY, incl 5 by the D (a schl rec’d). The #39 ranked D has all’d 20+ pts just twice TY (Utah, BYU) and has tallied 24 sks on the ssn. AF is +41 in TO margin under Calhoun incl +18 TY. They held 8 of 12 tm’s under their ssn rush avg and did not allow a 200 yd rush gm. They rank #48 in our pass eff D, all’g 149 pass ypg (58%) with a 9-14 ratio. The ST’s rank #6 led by Rembert in the ret gm. He has broken AA Ernie Jennings (1868-’70) record for ret yds with 1,322 and is the MWC’s active leader. The unit has blk’d 4 K’s TY (3 FG, 1 xp) and has had at least 1 blk every yr S/’90. The PR D all’s 8.6 ypr and KR 19.4 ypr.
UH’s off has been virtually unstoppable. They rank #2 in the NCAA (our #1) avg 44 ppg and 581 ypg and have scored at least 29 pts and gained at least 390 yds in every gm. They are also #1 in pass avg at 450 ypg. CUSA MVP Keenum (419 ypg) avg 97 more ypg than the #2 passer (Troy’s Brown). UH has an effective RB combo as Beall is more of the thumper and true Fr Sims (CUSA Frosh POY) likes to get the ball on the edge. Keenum has a lot of weapons (4 players with 60+ catches), led by 1st Tm CUSA Cleveland. Cleveland not only has the size to go over the middle, but also the spd to stretch the field. The diminutive duo of Carrier (5’7”) and Edwards (5’8”) excel at getting yds after the catch. The OL avg 6’3” 298 and has all’d just 18 sks (2.5%) and is led by Sr C Barnett, who has started 39 str gms. The Coug D has struggled at times TY, all’g 29 ppg and 443 ypg. The DL is slightly undersized avg 6’3” 256 and has 4 true Fr in the 2 deep. The lack of size and experience on the DL has contributed to poor run D, as they are all’g 213 rush ypg (5.0), despite 14.5 of the tm’s 23 sks. McGraw leads a LB corps that lost 2 plyr’s for the ssn w/inj, which forced true Fr Steward into the starting lineup. UH is #72 in our pass D rankings all’g 230 ypg (62%) with a 15-11 ratio. CB Brinkley led CUSA with 16 pd’s (4 int) and CB Robinson is #2 in the conf with 5 int. UH enters #32 on ST’s. KR Carrier has sprinter’s spd and is a threat to go the distance every time as he had 3 KR TD’s, all over 92 yds. K Matt Hogan was 10-10 on FG’s TY, but missed 3 xp’s in the CUSA Title gm vs EC.
This is only the 7th time that tms have returned to face-off in the same bowl. This is also an unusual situation being the 3rd meeting in the L/16 months. It will be publicized that UH has the #1 pass off vs AF’s #1 pass def (NCAA) but you know we take the schedule into account as they’re not nearly that high. While historically it has not been prudent to go against the military in a bowl, we have gone against AF each of the L/2Y and have won H rated selections. Tms that have plyd 14 days or later than their opp have been almost a 90% play and we will back the Keenum-led off in the 2nd of B2B bowl wins over AF.
FORECAST: HOUSTON by 10 RATING: 3★ HOUSTON




This is the 1st bowl appearance for SU S/‘01’s Seattle Bowl (lost 24-14, -6 vs GT) while OU will play in the postssn for an 11th str yr (all under Stoops 4-6 SU, 3-7 ATS). SU has improved each ssn under Harbaugh who will be coaching his 1st bowl. This will be the prog’s 3rd time each playing at the Sun Bowl (both 2-0 SU/ATS) as OU beat TT (-6’) in ‘93 and SU beat MSU (+7) in ‘96. SU is very excited to be here and OU might be disappointed after playing for the title LY. OU was 1-5 SU (1-4-1 ATS) on the road TY while SU was 2-3 SU/ATS. This will be the 5th overall meeting (OU is 3-1 SU but 1-3 ATS) but 1st S/’84. OU does have a shorter trip (433 miles less) and playing in the B12 they are used to the TX elements. SU played 7 bowl caliber tms and went 4-3 SU (3-4 ATS) with the avg ypg near even while OU went 3-5 SU (2-5-1 ATS) but outgained foes by 78 ypg. OU comes into El Paso with the more veteran squad starting 6 Sr’s with 14 upperclassmen (64%) to SU’s 5 with just 9 (41%).
SU won 4 of their first 5 gms TY (4-1 ATS) with their only loss (at WF) coming with a controverSIAl ending. Off has been the key for the program (#6) as they avg 36 ppg and 441 ypg. QB Luck has earned 1st Tm All-Frosh helping to control the tempo of this smashmouth unit. Luck, however will miss here (brk finger). LY’s starting QB Pritchard will start (just 3 pass att TY) as he is a career 54% passer (2747 yds, 15-22 ratio) and is best known for the upset of USC ( ‘07) in his 1st career start. 1st Tm AA RB Gerhart (leads the NCAA in TD) has already broken the single-ssn rush record at SU. With his success, it’s important to also mention the splendid play of FB Marecic who even started a gm (currently 2nd string) at MLB due to inj. The WR unit features Whalen (leads tm in rec and yds) and Owusu (deep threat). SU also uses its fair share of TE’s with Fleener and Dray leading the way. The OL avg 6’5” 297 (1 Sr) paving the way for 5.4 ypc while all’g just 6 sks despite starting a pair of rFr. The SU def ranks #64, all’g 26 ppg and 397 ypg incl all’g more than 447 yds in half of their gms in ‘09. The DL avg 6’3” 280 (1 Sr) and has accounted for 74% of SU’s 21 sks. DE Keiser leads with 9 sks. The LB unit suffered a tough blow a few wks back with the loss of Snyder. His absence has allowed true Fr Skov to see more PT. Safeties Howell and McNally are #1 and #2 in tkls TY and have had to step up due to lackluster play out of the CB’s (#96 pass def, 252 ypg, 63%, 20-7 ratio). SU has our #2 ranked ST unit thanks in part to KR Owusu who has 3 TD’s on the ssn.
OU’s record TY is very misleading. HC Stoops will not have to worry about the pressure of winning a BCS bowl as OU has not lost this many gms since his 1st yr (‘99). Inj’s to the ‘08 Heisman winner, the nation’s best TE and a ton on an already inexperienced OL took its toll during the year. OU was very inconsistent as they never dropped B2B gms but never won anymore than 2 str. QB Bradford inj’d his shldr in the opener vs BYU and missed the next 3. He did throw for 389 yds (55%) vs BU but was reinj’d in the RRR and decided to have surg to get ready for the NFL. Jones took over leading all Fr in pass yds. He had eight 240+ pass gms and tossed 2+ TD’s in 5 gms but also had 5 int vs NU. After having two 1,000+ yd RB’s LY, OU’s ‘09 numbers fell mainly due to the OL problems. WR Broyles (2nd Tm B12) was the star of the off and he actually broke his shldr blade vs UM but only missed 1 wk showing his toughness. The OL lost 57% of its starts TY and they had NINE different starting lineups. The unit has just 8 healthy scholarship players on the roster. The OL avg 6’5” 300 (2 Sr’s) paving the way for 141 ypg (3.8) all’g just 15 sks (3.2%). 1st Tm B12 OT Williams has the most exp but he missed the Bedlam start. The def was the rock of the tm as they held 10 opp’s to 21 or less (3 shutouts) and vs rival OSU held them to just 6 FD and 109 yds! The DL avg 6’4” 277 (0 Sr) all’g 89 ypg (2.7) while accounting for 28 (76%) of the tms 37 sks. McCoy (1st Tm AA) and Beal (2nd Tm) earned all B12 honors. LB Lewis was 1st Tm B12 leading the tm in tkls and with Clayton and Reynolds forms one of the nation’s best LB corps. OU is ranked #2 in our pass eff D all’g 185 ypg (54%) with a 11-16 ratio. 1st Tm B12 CB Franks along with S Carter and CB Jackson (both 2nd Tm) form the solid secondary. The ST unit (#5) is led by rFr P Way (PS#29) earning 2nd Tm B12 and their 1.5 avg on PR is #2 in the NCAA.
SU and coach Harbaugh are thrilled that the Sun Bowl chose them over Oregon St and now get to match up vs the storied program of the Oklahoma Sooners. OU meanwhile is another instance of a team that may just be going through the motions coming off their worst season (7-5) S/’99. The Sooners best performances were off losses this year and they enter this game coming off an impressive Bedlam shutout.

FORECAST: STANFORD (+) Oklahoma by 1 RATING: 2* STANFORD






With the high number of military bases in TX, Navy will be well represented in the Texas Bowl even though Mizzou is about 750 miles closer. Navy recruits well in Texas (14 plyrs on 2 dp from TX) and has already played 2 gms here TY (wins over Rice and SMU). The Tigers are also clearly disappointed as this is the last bowl in the B12 pecking order and they were passed up by three B12 tms with lesser records. This will be the 3rd meeting between these schools (MU is 2-0) and 1st since the ‘60 Orange Bowl (21-14). Both programs will be making their 1st Texas Bowl appearance as Navy will be bowling for a 7th straight ssn (2-3 SU, 4-1 ATS L/5Y) which is a schl rec’d and Mizzou the 5th (3-1 SU/ATS L/4Y). HC Niumatalolo is 0-2 SU (1-1 ATS) in bowls while Pinkel is 4-2 SU/ATS overall in the postssn and 3-2 SU/ATS with Mizzou. The Midshipmen were 2-2 SU (3-1 ATS) as a dog TY while the Tigers are 7-1 SU but just 4-4 ATS as a fav (4-0 SU, 3-1 as an AF). This bowl will be played on grass and both programs play their HG’s on turf as Navy is 6-4 SU (5-5 ATS) and Mizzou is 6-4 SU/ATS L/3Y. Navy has faced 6 bowl tms TY with a 3-3 SU record (2-3-1 ATS) and MU has faced 7 with a 4-3 SU record (2-5 ATS). MU outgained bowl foes by an avg of 372-341 but was outscored 23.7-25.4 while Navy was outscored 25.7-23.7 and outgained 362-304. Navy has 10 senior starters and 19 (86%, #1 among bowl squads) upperclassmen to 5 and 12 (55%) for Mizzou.
Mizzou entered ‘09 off B2B B12 North Titles and NYD bowl gms, lost 2 key off plyrs (both in the NFL) and 7 All-B12 defenders but still managed a decent ssn surprising some. The Tigers started 4-0 (ranked #24) heading into conf play. They led NU 12-0 after 3Q’s but lost which started a midssn slump. Three of MU’s 4 losses were vs ranked tms which obviously was its toughest stretch of the ssn. QB Gabbert also sustained an ankle inj vs NU and was very limited the following wks handcuffing his mobility. He is now 100% and MU won 4 of their L/5, scoring 32+ and topping 400+ yds in each (500+ the L/2). He has six 300+ yd gms and has 2+ TD passes in 8. After a 1,000 yd ssn LY RB Washington’s numbers are down but he still had 2 100+ yd efforts (99 yds vs CU). The offensive superstar was AA WR Alexander who has EIGHT 100+ yd performances including an amazing 200+ in 3 of the L/4 gms. The OL avg 6’5” 306 (1 Sr starter) paving the way for 132 rush ypg (3.8) while all’g 16 sks (3.7%). They are led by 2nd Tm B12 OG Gregory. Despite only 4 returning starters TY the def has been better than the 2 yrs prior allowing 358 ypg (54 ypg better than LY, 21 ypg in ‘07). The DL avg 6’3” 275 (2 Sr) all’g just 96 rush ypg (2.9) while accounting for 17 (57%) of the tm’s 30 sks. DE Aldon Smith earned B12 Def FOY (T-#10 in NCAA in sks) and DT Baston pulled in 2nd Tm B12. The leader of the def is AA LB Weatherspoon. Mizzou is ranked #79 in our pass eff def allowing 262 ypg (62%) with a 19-8 ratio. Over the L/4 gms the secondary has been suspect (356 ypg, 70%, 9-4). The ST unit is ranked #45 and is led by 1st Tm B12 K Ressel whose 96% FG accuracy is tops in the nation and the Tigers’ 40.3 net punting is #5.
It’s been another successful year at Navy as they won the Commander-In-Chief’s trophy for a school record 7th str time with 15 wins in a row over their military rivals. The offense is led by QB Dobbs who broke Tebow’s NCAA single ssn record for rush TD’s by a QB (24). Although not asked to throw often, Dobbs has a strong arm and decent receivers capable of big plays. Dobbs missed most of 2 gms (just a few plays in Temple loss) with a knee inj that will require surg after the ssn, but ret’d to rush for 100+ yds in each of the L/4. Murray emerged at the FB spot winning the starting job at midssn. SB Curry had a breakout gm vs Ohio St with 2 TD catches incl an 85 yd’r. Curry missed 3 gms with inj but ret’d for the L/3. The OL is on the small side as usual avg 6’2” 264 with 2 senior starters and TY the sks all’d are up to 21 (+11) and the ypg rush is down to 273 (-19 ypg). Overall Navy is #82 on offense and #60 on defense. The DL avg 6’3” 262 with 1 senior starter and the D has only all’d 127 rush ypg (4.0) TY. The LB’s are very active with Pospisil talented enough to start on some BCS tms. Navy ranks #73 in our pass D rankings allowing 207 ypg (60%) with a 14-11 ratio, but allowed 452 to ND and 366 to Hawaii, the 2 strongest passing off they have faced TY. Navy is #84 in our spec tms rankings with P Delahooke having a fine year but the other areas have mostly struggled.
Contrast in styles and many tms have complained about Navy’s chop blocking TY and its certainly been on MU’s mind already. MU did have extra time to prep and had the luxury of watching the Army/Navy game but as always a military school will be prepared. We will favor a higher scoring game as Missouri’s potent pass offense will score their share while any Missouri D breakdown will mean long runs for the Midshipmen.
FORECAST: Missouri/Navy OVER 52’ RATING: 2*






These 2 Midwestern programs are just 215 miles apart with Minny leading the series 22-2-1 including winning and covering in the only 3 gms S/’24 (L/’97). Both lost handily to rival Iowa TY with ISU tossing 5 int in a 35-3 (+6’) home loss. UM was shutout (12-0, +10’) in the finale even though the Gophers had the yd (201-171) and FD (13-12) edges as Minny was SOD at the Iowa 2 and 22 in the 4Q. UM returns to the Insight for the 3rd time in 4Y after being passed over by the Alamo, who took a Mich St team that susp’d 12 players and lost to UM 42-34. UM is 0-2 SU, 1-1 ATS vs B12 schools in this bowl allowing 43 ppg including LY’s 42-21 loss to Kansas (+8) in Brewster’s 1st bowl. ISU is 2-7 SU in bowls but in their only prior Insight Bowl beat Pitt outright 37-29 (+2) in ‘00. Minny was 2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS on the road TY scoring just 1 garbage time TD in its L/3 while ISU was 2-4 SU but 4-2 ATS. UM is 2-4 SU, 4-2 ATS on grass L/3Y (1-1 SU/ATS TY) and ISU plays its home gms on grass. The Gophers went 2-4 as a fav TY and ISU was 3-3 as a dog but 0-3 as a single digit dog. Minny went 3-5 SU/ATS vs bowl tms TY being outscored by 7 ppg and outgained by 90 ypg. ISU was 1-5 SU, 2-4 ATS vs bowl squads being outscored by 15 ppg and outgained by 141 ypg. Both have 10 Sr starters (18 upperclassmen for Minny to 17 for ISU).
UM scrapped the spread they used as their base offense the 1st 2Y under Brewster in LY’s bowl and went to a pro style which emphasized the downhill run game. Brewster dismissed spread guru OC Dunbar and hired Broncos WR coach Fisch. Two yr starting QB Weber struggled with the heavy playbook and the move away from the shotgun. Weber’s numbers have actually decreased each year and he finished ‘09 last in the league in pass eff (#100 NCAA). VHT true frosh Gray got a few snaps in each game but could see more action here. The run game was actually statistically worse going from 104 ypg (3.1) to a meager 98 ypg (2.9) despite rFr Whaley’s emergence down the stretch. The offense was further hindered when superstar WR Decker missed the L/4 with career-ending foot surgery. He still had 15 more rec than the #2 rec as none of the young WR’s stepped up. The offense failed to score a TD in the L/2 with 1 game vs an FCS team. Despite having 4 diff DC’s in 4 yrs the experienced Gophers (9 Sr starters) actually allowed their fewest yds S/’03 when they finished 10-3. The DL is anchored by DT’s Brown and Small who are a combined 605 lbs. The LB unit was one of the league’s best and they were the team’s top 3 tacklers. The secondary was inconsistent with top cover CB Sherels missing 3 gms due to injury. UM is #51 in pass eff D. The Gophers have our #39 ST finishing #2 in the Big Ten in net punting (38.4).
Most had the Cyclones pegged for last in the B12 North. Surprisingly, ISU had chances for an even better ssn as they were a missed xp and an overthrown TD pass from a possible 7-1 start. They did benefit from +8 TO vs NU and were outgained in their bowl clinching win vs CU. Still, Rhoads became the 1st ISU rookie HC to win 6 S/’15 (Charles Mayser)! ISU won 2 AG’s TY (most S/ ‘05), snapping an 18 gm road losing streak and their 3 B12 wins equalled the total conf wins the prior 3Y. ISU has been outgained in each of their L/5 (-163 ypg) as they have only avg 14 ppg and 290 ypg. QB Arnaud started the year off strong with a 9-5 ratio but suffered a hand inj after the BU gm and missed the Neb gm. After his return he only threw for 184 ypg (59%) with a 3-7 ratio. Arnaud looks to be 100% for the bowl. The offense went through RB Robinson who reached the 100+ mark in 4 of the 1st 6 but he hurt his groin midssn and wasn’t 100% the rest of the year. He did pile up 138 yds (4.6) vs CU in ISU’s home finale and the time off will help as ISU is at its most potent when he is healthy. The OL avg 6’3” 327 (1 Sr) paving the way for 177 ypg (4.5), all’g 14 sks (4.0%). They are led by C Stephens who makes the line calls and proved his toughness by playing the following week after appendix surgery caused him to miss the A&M game. The D has allowed 414 ypg but DC Burnham has done well shaving 39 ypg off of the ‘08 avg. The DL avg 6’2” 261 (2 Sr) all’g 169 ypg (4.4) while accounting for 9 (64%) of the tm’s scant 14 sks (worst in B12). LB Jesse Smith led the tm with 128 tkls earning 1st Tm B12. ISU is ranked #92 in our pass eff def allowing 245 ypg (62%) with a 22-14 ratio. The ST unit is ranked #36 as K Mahoney has a very strong leg and the PR def is #4 in the NCAA.
Congratulations to HC Rhoads getting ISU to 6 wins which is 1 more than the L/2Y combined. UM changed their offensive philosophy and their victory total decreased but can finish on an up-note. While Minny isn’t an elite tm, they have the better D, are hungrier and more familiar with this setting.
FORECAST: MINNESOTA by 9 RATING: 3* MINNESOTA






These 2 have met 7 times dating back to 1896 with Tenn having a 5-2 SU (1-0 ATS) record but they have not met S/’94 when UT defeated VT in the Gator Bowl (45-23). VT is making its17th straight postssn trip and Beamer is 7-9 SU/ATS in bowls. With a win here VT will have won 10 or more in 9 of the L/10Y. This is UT’s 5th trip to the Chick-fil-A Bowl (former Peach) where the Vols are 1-3 SU all-time losing the L/2 SU/ATS by 13 to Clem in ‘03 and by 27 to MD in ‘02. In those trips the Vols and their fans were disappointed to fall to the non-NYD Peach Bowl after a string of 13 str NYD bowls and ticket sales slagged, but TY Vol fans are excited to return to a bowl after missing one LY and are glad to make the short trip to ATL (215 miles). This will be VT’s 4th appearance here (1-2 SU/ATS) with their last appearance coming in ‘06 when they lost to UGA (31-24). The Hokies have faced 7 bowl caliber tms going 4-3 SU and 2-4-1 ATS and outscoring those opp’s by an avg of 25-17 but only outgaining them 316-309. Tenn has faced 9 bowl caliber tms and is 4-5 SU and 5-4 ATS outscoring them by a 24-22 avg and outgaining them 345-325. The Hokies have 10 Sr starters among their 15 upperclassmen and Tenn has 9 Sr starters among their 18 upperclassmen. This is VT’s 2nd trip to the Georgia Dome TY and 3rd to the state of GA (0-2 SU/ATS). In the 1st gm of the ssn, VT lost to Bama (34-24) and that was the only gm they played TY on art turf. Tenn also faced Bama TY and lost but did cover (12-10, +14). UT has only played 1 gm on turf TY and lost SU/ATS. UT sold their allotment of 17,000 tickets to this game.
UT returns to the bowls under brash 1st yr HC Lane Kiffin and it hasn’t been a dull yr for the Vols. QB Crompton leads our #25 off and has been one of the MIP QB’s in the NCAA TY after losing his job LY (52%, 4-5 ratio). He started off ‘09 shaky (0-5 ratio vs 1st 2 BCS tms UCLA and FL), but in the L/7 gms he avg’d 255 pass ypg w/a 17-4 ratio. RB Hardesty finally managed to stay healthy the entire yr for the 1st time in his career finishing #3 in the SEC in rush ypg (108.8). The WR corps suffered numerous inj’s and losses (2 plyrs dismissed midssn) but Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore (both banged up at start of ‘09) emerged. TE Stocker is a pro prospect that finished #3 in rec. The OL lost AA cand C Josh McNeil in August (ply’d 1) and was forced to go to 2 walk-ons as starters, brothers Cody (C) and Cory (LG) Sullins. The OL only avg 6’3” 293 but has 4 Sr starters and all’d 5 less sks than LY and the tm improved its rushing by 47 ypg. The D is #22 in our rankings under def genius Monte Kiffin who has performed miracles with this squad that has been devastated by inj’s especially at LB (lost 2 starting MLB’s to ssn-ending inj). The DL only avg 6’3” 264 with 2 Sr starters, pro prospect DT Williams and undersized DT Brown who has struggled through the yr with chronic knee inj’s. LB McCoy is #3 in the SEC in tkl per gm and played through inj at the EOY. AA SS Berry gave up the spotlight a bit TY to play closer to the line of scrimmage and still needs 8 yds to break the NCAA career int ret ydg record. He gets a chance to break it in his hometown in what could be his last college gm as he is likely to leave early for the NFL. Since the reg ssn ended, UT lost WR coach Wilson to LSU and ST’s coach Gran to FSU, so they may be short-handed preparing for the bowl.
Tech won their L/4 gms of the yr to finish 9-3. QB Taylor is avg 175 ypg pass. RB Williams, who took over for LY’s Frosh POY Darren Evans (pressn inj), won ACC Rookie of the Yr (4th highest rush yds in ACC hist), avg 5.7 ypc. The Hokies’ OL avg 6’4” 302 paving the way for 4.7 ypc but has all’d 30 sks (12.9%). The OL is anchored by two 2nd Tm ACC lineman, LG Sergio Render and LT Ed Wang, and HM ACC RT Blake DeChristopher. The Hokies have our #23 off and #13 def. VT’s DL avg 6’4” 269 and is led by 2nd Tm ACC DE Worilds. VT ranks #52 in the NCAA rush D. Since 1999, VT is 98-8 (9-0 TY) when outrushing its opp and 9-23 (0-3 TY) when outrushed. The leader of the D is 1st Tm ACC LB Grimm. VT has our #8 pass D all’g 161 ypg w/an 8-10 ratio. The secondary is led by 2nd Tm ACC S Chancellor and HM ACC Carmichael. VT has our #13 ST’s. K Waldron has been solid and earned 1st Tm ACC along with P Bowden. VT is avg 24.7 on KR’s and 10.5 on PR’s while all’g 19.7 on KR’s and 7.8 on PR’s.
Should be another great NY’s Eve Bowl and these two as compared on the checklist are as closely matched as any two teams. In fact the only true edges are the experience of HC Beamer and the special teams of the Hokies. With that said, we will side for a lower scoring game with both defenses having played tough sked’s and both offenses trying to play mistake-free ball.

FORECAST: Tennessee/Virginia Tech UNDER 50 RATING:1*