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2012 BCS National Championship Overview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:21:03 +0000

The BCS National Championship Game has a history of producing some controversial matchups and this one is no different. This year’s 1-vs-2 clash features two teams from the same division of the same conference who already played each other. One team won the league’s automatic BCS berth, while the other didn’t even play in the league championship game for the right to earn the BCS bid. While there are other conference champions in other bowls, a conference runner-up is considered deserving of the right to play for the national title.

No matter what you may think of the system, there is some or little argument that LSU and Alabama have proved themselves to be two of the best, if not the best, teams in the nation at the end of a wild 2011 season. And these two longtime rivals get a rare rematch for a national title. While the first meeting was in Tuscaloosa, this one will be in New Orleans the Tigers’ adopted home.

This should make for a very interesting end to an entertaining bowl season, and a college-football campaign overall.

LSU has won the last seven meetings between these two storied programs, including the 9-6 win in Tuscaloosa and a 24-21 win in Baton Rouge a year ago.

The latest BCS Championship odds show Alabama favored by 1 points, while the over/under is posted at 41 points.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide had an incredible season. They even bounced back well after their loss to LSU, winning their last three regular season games by a combined score of 111-42. This squad is headlined by a defense that allowed less than 10 points in seven of their twelve games. Alabama enters the title game with a perfect 5-0 road record.

The Tide is ranked tops in the nation in scoring defense (9 points per game) and allows 191 yards per game (116 passing, 75 rushing) while recording 26 sacks and forced 18 turnovers four of which were returned for touchdowns (DeMarcus Milliner, DeQuan Menzie and Courtney Upshaw, interceptions).

Dont’a Hightower leads this unit with 81 tackles, while Upshaw leads the squad with 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Milliner has three interceptions and Dre Kirkpatrick has two forced fumbles.

Alabama ranks 16th in the nation in scoring offense (36 ppg) while compiling 433 yards per game (220 rushing, 213 passing).

Trent Richardson anchors the running game with 1,583 yards and 20 TDs on 6.0 yards per carry, while Eddy Lacy adds 631 yards and seven TDs on 7.5 ypc. A.J. McCarron has completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions, while the offensive line allowed 15 sacks. Marquis Maze is the top pass-catcher with 56 receptions (29 more than anyone else) for 627 yards and a TD.

LSU

The Tigers are the only unbeaten team in the nation and have held the No. 1 ranking for most of the season (started No. 4). Since that win at Alabama, LSU seemed to get better, rolling up four straight wins since by a combined 177-39, including 83-27 over top-10 Arkansas and Georgia en route to the SEC title. LSU was 7-0 away from home and 6-0 in its home state of Louisiana, the site of this game.

LSU is second nationally in scoring defense (10 ppg), ranking only behind Alabama, and allows 252 yards per game (167 passing, 85 rushing) while compiling 37 sacks and forcing 30 turnovers six of which were returned for TDs (Morris Claiborne and Ron Brooks, three interceptions; Tyrann Mathieu and Kevin Minter, three fumbles).

Mathieu paces the defense with 70 tackles, six forced fumbles and five recoveries, while Sam Montgomery has recorded nine sacks and Barkevious Mingo added eight. Claiborne is one of the top pickoff artists in the nation with six interceptions.

The LSU offense ranks 12th in the nation in scoring (38 ppg) while recording 375 yards of offense per game (215 rushing, 160 passing).

Michael Ford and Spencer Ware lead the rushing attack with a combined 1,455 yards and 15 TDs on 4.7 yards per carry. Jordan Jefferson has completed 60 percent of his passes for 684 yards and six TDs with just one interception, while the offensive line has allowed 14 sacks. Reuben Randle is the top receiving target with 50 catches for 904 yards and eight TDs.

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2012 Cotton Bowl Preview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:19:31 +0000

Two of the top non-conference winners in college football this year, Arkansas (2nd, SEC West) and Kansas State (2nd, Big 12), meet in the 2012 version of the Cotton Bowl. The meeting marks the first time in over 80 years that these two squads have played eachother.

This game will mark the renewal of an old-fashioned rivalry. These two schools have met four previous times between 1910 and 1926, with Kansas State winning three of those meetings. The Wildcats won the last meeting, 16-7, in Manhattan in 1926.

Our latest Cotton Bowl odds list Arkansas as 7.5-point favorites, while the total (over/under) has been posted at 62.5 points.

Kansas State

The Wildcats started 7-0, then lost two straight before rebounding with three straight wins, closing the regular season with a 30-23 home win over Iowa State to finish second in the Big 12 (6-2). Kansas State was 4-1 away from home, with the lone loss at Oklahoma State (52-45).

The Wildcats enter the game raking 30th in the country in offensive scoring (33 points per game) while recording 344 yards per game (194 rushing, 150 passing).

Collin Klein runs this offense by leading the running game with 1,099 yards and 26 touchdowns on 3.8 yards per carry and completing 58 percent of his passes for 1,745 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 36 sacks.

When Klein hands off, his top running mate is John Hubert with 933 yards and three TDs on 5.0 yards per carry. When Klein throws, his top receiving target is Chris Harper with 39 catches (16 more than anyone else) for 536 yards and five TDs.

On defense, K-State ranks 71st in the country in scoring defense (28 ppg) and surrender 399 yards per game (267 passing, 132 rushing) and recording 19 sacks and forcing 26 turnovers three of which have been returned for TDs (Nigel Malone, David Garrett and Allen Chapman, interceptions).

Arthur Brown leads the unit with 95 tackles, Meshak Williams paces the group with seven sacks. Malone has seven interceptions, Garrett has two fumble recoveries, Emmanuel Lamur has two forced fumbles and Raphael Guidry has four blocked kicks.

Arkansas

The Razorbacks had won seven straight games to be a threat to derail LSU’s national-title dreams, but they closed their regular season with a 41-17 loss at LSU to finish third in the SEC West (6-2). The Razorbacks were 3-2 away from home, with the only losses at Alabama and LSU.

Offensively, the Razorbacks rank15th in the nation in scoring offense (37 ppg), compiling 446 yards per game (308 passing, 138 rushing).

Tyler Wilson completes 63 percent of his passes for 3,422 yards and 22 TDs with six INTs. The offensive line has allowed 25 sacks. Jarius Wright is the top receiver with 63 receptions (14 more than anyone else) for 1,029 yards and 11 TDs, while Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo Jr. anchor the running game with a combined 1,077 yards and six TDs on 5.5 yards per carry.

The Razorbacks rank 37th in the nation in points allowed (23 ppg) and gives up 371 yards per game (197 passing, 174 rushing) while recording 22 sacks and forcing 19 turnovers two of which were returned for TDs (Jerry Franklin and Alonzo Highsmith, fumbles).

Franklin leads the unit with 93 tackles and two fumble recoveries, while Jake Bequette has eight sacks and four forced fumbles. Tramain Thomas has five interceptions to go with 87 tackles.

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2012 Compass Bowl Overview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:17:44 +0000

The SMU Mustangs and Pittsburgh Panthers square off in this year’s version of the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama.

The all-time series between these two teams sits at 2-2-1, but the last meeting was clear back in the 1983 Cotton Bowl (a 7-3 SMU win).

Our latest Compass Bowl odds show Pittsburgh favored by 3.5 points, while the over/under is listed at 47 points.

SMU

SMU started hot at 5-1 this season, but lost four of their next five games before finishing off the season with a win over Rice in their final regular season game. The Mustangs finished 3rd in Conference USA (5-3), but were just 2-4 in all road games this season, including a current three-game road losing streak.

SMU ranks 54th in the nation in defensive scoring (24 points per game) and allow 351 yards per game (224 passing, 127 rushing) while recording 27 sacks and forcing 14 turnovers two of which were converted to touchdowns (Chris Parks and Ja’Gared Davis, fumbles).

Taylor Reed leads the unit with 93 tackles (16 more than anyone else), while Taylor Thompson has seven sacks and six forced fumbles. Davis and Richard Crawford each have two interceptions and Margus Hunt has four blocked kicks.

SMU ranks 71st nationally in scoring offense (26 ppg) while compiling 396 yards per game (278 passing, 118 rushing).

J.J. McDermott has completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,182 yards with 16 touchdowns with 16 interceptions, while the offensive line allows 27 sacks. Cole Beasley (79 receptions) and Darius Johnson (72) leads the receiving crops with 151 combined catches for 1,952 yards and nine TDs, while Zach Line anchors the running game with 1,224 yards and 17 TDs on 5.9 yards per carry.

Pittsburgh

The Panthers alternated wins and losses the last six games of the season, won their season finale over Syracuse, then lost their head coach (Todd Graham) to Arizona State. Pittsburgh tied for fourth in the Big East (4-3), a game behind the three co-champions. Pittsburgh was 1-3 away from home, with a win at Louisville and two of the losses by a combined five points (at West Virginia, at Iowa).

Defensively, Pittsburgh ranks 33rd nationally in points allowed (22 ppg) and gives up 355 yards per game (233 passing, 122 rushing) while recording 39 sacks and forcing 20 turnovers one of which was returned for a TD (Antwaun Reed, fumble).

Max Gruder leads this unit with 107 tackles (43 more than anyone else), while Aaron Donald has 10 sacks and Brandon Lindsey has 8.5. K’Waun Williams has posted three forced fumbles.

On offense, Pittsburgh ranks 70th nationally in scoring (26 ppg) while recording 362 yards per game (211 passing, 151 rushing).

Tino Sunseri has completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,433 yards and 10 TDs with 10 interceptions, while the offensive line has allowed 56 sacks. Devin Street leads the receiving corps with 48 receptions (13 more than anyone else) for 692 yards and two TDs, while Ray Graham has needed just eight games to lead the team in rushing with 958 yards and nine scores on 5.9 yards per carry and Zach Brown adds 336 yards and five scores on 4.1 yards per attempt.

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2012 Sugar Bowl Matchup

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:13:24 +0000

The Allstate Sugar Bowl is likely to be a great matchup. A couple of the more decorated programs in history, and a couple of the toughest defensive units in the nation this season, will square off in New Orleans when Michigan of the Big Ten takes on ACC runner-up Virginia Tech.

This contest will mark the first-ever meeting between the schools.

Our Sugar Bowl odds show Michigan as a 2.5-point spread favorite, while the total has been set at 50.5 points.

Michigan

Michigan closed their regular season with three consecutive wins, the most recent a 40-34 rivalry win versus Ohio State to win 10 games under first-year coach Brady Hoke, ending up second in the Big Ten Legends Division (6-2). Michigan was 2-2 as a visitor, getting beat by Michigan State and Iowa.

The Wolverines rank seventh in the nation in scoring defense (17 points per game) and surrender 318 yards per game (189 passing, 129 via the run) while recording 28 sacks and generating 27 turnovers three of which were taken back for scores (Brandon Herron and Courtney Avery, fumbles; Herron, interception).

Kenny Demens leads the defensive unit with 86 stops (22 more than any other player), while Ryan Van Bergen has five sacks and three fumble recoveries. Thomas Gordon has four fumble recoveries, and Avery and J.T. Floyd each have two picks.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech reached the conference title game once again (7-1, won Coastal Division), but had their seven-game win streak broken with a 38-10 loss to Clemson. Virginia Tech is 6-1 away from home, winning the first six such games. Both of Tech’s defeats this season came versus Clemson.

The Hokies rate eighth in the country in points allowed (17 ppg) and allows 314 yards per contest (206 through the air, 108 via the run) while recording 38 sacks and enticing 22 turnovers.

Antone Exum paces this unit with 85 stops and two forced fumbles, while James Gayle has a team-high seven sacks. Jayron Hosley has three picks and two forced fumbles.

The Hokies rate 55th in the country in scoring (28 ppg) while compiling 416 yards per game (227 passing, 189 on the ground).

David Wilson paces the ground attack with 1,627 yards and nine scores on 6.1 yards per attempt, while Logan Thomas completes 59 percent of his passes for 2,799 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine picks. The offensive line has given up 15 sacks. Jarrett Boykin leads the pass catchers with 57 grabs for 731 yards and five TDs, while Danny Coals has 52 grabs for 787 yards and three scores.

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2012 Taxslayer Gator Bowl Overview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:53:24 +0000

The Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl might as well be called the Urban Meyer Bowl. Is it pure coincidence that just before the Gator Bowl matchup between Ohio State of the Big Ten and the Florida Gators of the SEC was announced that the Buckeyes unveiled former Florida head coach Urban Meyer as its new field general?

Coincidence or not, the interest in two 6-6 schools has been increased with the story of Meyer watching his new program take on his old one.

This will be Florida’s ninth showing in the Gator Bowl, which shares their name, but the first appearance dating back to 1992. These two schools have met just once previously, with Florida posting a 41-14 victory over the Buckeyes in the 2007 BCS National Title Game.

A look at our live Gator Bowl line shows Florida favored by 2 points, while the over/under has been posted at 44 points.

Ohio State

Ohio State enters this game off three straight losses to end up fourth in the Big Ten Leaders Division (3-5). Most recently, the Buckeyes dropped a 40-34 contest to rival Michigan then hired Meyer as their coach. The Buckeyes were 1-4 as a visitor, losing the last two.

Defensively, the Buckeyes are a commendable 26th in the country in points allowed (21 points per contest) and give up 329 yards per game (186 passing, 143 running) while recording 23 sacks and enticing 17 turnovers.

C.J. Barnett leads this unit with 69 stops, while Andrew Sweat has 68 tackles and Jonathan Hankins has 64. John Simons leads with seven sacks, Bradley Roby and Orhian Johnson each have three picks and Ryan Shazier and Travis Howard has two forced fumbles.

Offensively, Ohio State ranks just 75th in offense (25 ppg) while gaining 320 yards per contest (196 running, 124 throwing). The run attack is anchored by Braxton Miller, Dan Herron and Carlos Hyde with a combined 1,840 yards and 16 scores on 5.0 yards per tote.

Miller completes 50 % of his attempts for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptions, while the offensive line has allowed 40 sacks. The main pass catchers on the team are Corey Brown and Jake Stoneburner with 14 catches each for a combined 398 yards and eight touchdowns, while Devin Smith has 12 grabs for 247 yards and four touchdowns.

Florida

Florida started 4-0 under new head coach Will Muschamp, but fell off during the meat of their schedule, going 2-6 down the stretch with five losses versus current top-25 schools to end up third in the SEC East (3-5). Florida was 1-4 as a visitor but 5-3 in their home state.

Florida rates 25th nationally in points against (21 points per contest) and surrenders 299 yards per contest (167 throwing, 132 rushing) while recording 22 sacks and enticing 12 turnovers three of which were taken back for scores (Jaye Howard, fumble; De’Ante Saunders and Jelani Jenkins, picks).

Jonathan Bostic anchors this unit with 86 tackles, while Ronald Powell has five sacks. Matt Elam leads with two picks and two forced fumbles while adding 72 stops.

Florida ranks 72nd in the nation in points (26 ppg) while gaining 334 yards per game (190 throwing, 144 on the ground). John Brantley has completed 59 % of his passes for 1,912 yards and 10 TDs with six picks. The offensive line has given up 23 sacks.

Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps anchor the ground attack with a combined 1,329 yards and eight touchdowns on 5.3 yards per attempt, while Rainey and Jordan Reed are the top receiving options with 28 catches each for a combined 657 yards and four touchdowns.

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2012 Rose Bowl Preview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:44:07 +0000

The Rose Bowl Game will showcase two very similar schools in recent history. One played in this game a season ago (Wisconsin) while the other played for a national title. Oregon made this bowl two years ago but has dominated its conference the past three years.

The Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio will feature Big Ten champion Wisconsin squaring off against Pac-12 champ Oregon in Pasadena. This will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the schools, with the Badgers owning a 3-1 series lead. However, the Ducks won the last meeting in Eugene, 31-28, back in 2001.

Our live Rose Bowl odds show Oregon -6 and the over/under at 72 points.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin secured their second straight Rose Bowl invite by winning the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game with a 42-39 verdict over Michigan State. The Badgers are working on a five-game win streak, which came on the heels of two consecutive defeats, which came after a 6-0 start. Wisconsin was 4-2 away from home this year, winning the past three such games.

Wisconsin is one of the few teams to be rated in the top-10 in the nation in both scoring offense and defense.

The Badgers rate fourth in the country in scoring offense (45 points per game) while compiling 467 yards per game (237 via the rush, 230 via the pass). Montee Ball leads the offense by setting the pace for the running attack with 1,759 yards and 32 scores on 6.4 yards per carry, while James White adds 683 yards and six scores on 5.1 yards per tote.

Russell Wilson has completed 72 percent of his attempts for 2,879 yards and 31 scores with three picks. The offensive line has allowed 23 sacks. The main receiving targets are Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis, who have combined for 106 grabs for 1,636 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Badger defense rates a strong sixth in the country in defense (17 ppg) and gives up 293 yards per game (155 through the air, 138 on the ground) while recording 23 sacks and generating 24 turnovers one taken back for a touchdown (Derek Landisch, fumble).

Mike Taylor anchors the unit with 137 tackles, while Chris Borland has a team-high four forced fumbles with 131 total stops. Louis Nzegwu has 4.5 sacks, while Shelton Johnson and Antonio Fenelus each have four interceptions.

Oregon

The Ducks suffered a season-opening defeat to LSU, then won nine in a row before a home defeat to USC, then ended the year with 98 points scored in wins against Oregon State and UCLA to take a third consecutive conference championship. The Ducks were 4-1 away from home this season, winning the last four such contests.

The Ducks rate third in the country in offense (46 ppg) while compiling 515 yards per contest (296 via the rush, 219 passing). LaMichael James anchors this run game with 1,646 yards and 17 scores on 7.4 yards per tote, while Kenjon Barner has 909 yards and 11 touchdowns on 6.3 yards per attempt.

Darron Thomas connects on 61 % of his passes for 2,493 yards and 30 scores with six picks. The offensive line has given up 12 sacks. De’Anthony Thomas is the top receiving threat with 42 receptions for 571 yards and nine scores, while Lavasier Tuinei has 40 grabs for 441 yards and eight touchdowns.

Defensively, the Ducks rank 48th in the nation in scoring defense (24 ppg) and allow 381 yards per game (244 passing, 137 rushing) while compiling 43 sacks and enticing 27 turnovers three of which were returned for touchdowns (Boseko Lokombo and Michael Clay, three picks).

John Boyett anchors the defensive unit with 91 tackles and two blocked kicks, while Clay has 89 tackles and a team-best two forced fumbles. Dion Jordan has 7.5 sacks, Eddie Pleasant has three picks and Brandon Hanna has three fumble recoveries.

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2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl Game Preview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:42:37 +0000

Houston’s Reliant Stadium has been witness to some winning football in recent years as the home of the Houston Texans. This New Year’s Eve, it will bear witness to a couple of college football teams looking to end their seasons on winning notes.

Northwestern, of the Big Ten conference, will face Texas A&M, out of the Big 12, in what amounts to a near-home game for the Aggies.

These two teams have never met on the football field.

The latest Meineke Car Care Bowl odds list Texas A&M as a 9.5-point favorite, while the total has been posted at 65 points.

Texas A&M

The Aggies were 5-2 at one point, but lost four of their last five games to finish 6-6 (4-5) and cost Mike Sherman his job as head coach. Five of the team’s six losses were by four points or fewer or in overtime. The Aggies were 2-3 away from home, and 5-4 in the state of Texas.

Texas A&M features an explosive offense that ranks 11th in the nation in scoring (40 points per game) while compiling 497 yards per game (288 passing, 209 rushing). Ryan Tannehill has completed 6 1percent of his passes for 3,415 yards and 28 touchdowns with 14 interceptions. The offensive line has allowed just eight sacks.

Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael lead the running game with 1,944 combined rush yards and 20 TDs on 5.6 yards per carry, while Ryan Swope is the top receiving threat with 81 catches for 1,102 yards and 11 scores.

While the offense has impressed, the Aggies have struggled on defense, ranking 76th in the nation in points allowed (29 ppg) and surrender 386 yards per game (280 passing, 106 rushing) while recording 43 sacks and posting 15 turnovers with one returned for a TD (Terrence Frederick, fumble).

Jonathan Stewart leads this unit with 89 total tackles, adding two sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery, while Sean Porter has 8.5 sacks, 73 tackles, a forced fumble and recovery. Damontre Moore has three forced fumbles, 63 tackles, 7.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Northwestern

Northwestern limped out to a 2-5 start to the season, but came on strong late with four-straight wins, including a huge upset at Nebraska. The Wildcats earned a 3-3 record on the road this season.

On offense, the Wildcats rank 51st nationally in points scored (29 ppg) while compiling 433 yards per game (257 passing, 176 rushing). Dan Persa completes 74 percent of his passes for 2,163 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven INTs. The offensive line has given up 34 sacks.

Jeremy Ebert leads the receiving corps with 71 receptions (28 more than anyone else) for 1,025 yards and 11 TDs, while Kain Colter and Jacob Schmidt anchor the running game with a combined 1,054 yards and 14 TDs on 4.8 yards per carry.

The Wildcats rank 67th nationally in scoring defense (27 ppg) and give up 408 yards per game (222 passing, 186 rushing) while recording 16 sacks and forcing 19 turnovers.

Ibraheim Campbell leads the unit with 89 tackles, adding two picks and a fumble recovery, while Brian Peters has 85 stops to go with four picks, two forced fumbles, a fumbler recovery and a sack. Tyler Scott has three fumble recoveries, 29 tackles, a sack and an interception.

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2011 Hyundai Sun Bowl Matchup

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:40:22 +0000

El Paso has been the home of a bowl game for more than 75 years. Utah played in one of the very first Sun Bowls, and now the Utes come back as a member of one of the BCS conferences for the first time. On New Year’s Eve, Utah will face Georgia Tech of the ACC in the 78th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl.

The only time these two teams have played each other came in the 2005 Emerald Bowl in Seattle, with Utah posting a 38-10 win over a nationally ranked Georgia Tech squad. The Utes’ only other Sun Bowl appearance came in 1939 with a 26-0 victory over New Mexico.

Our live Sun Bowl spread has Georgia Tech as a 3-point chalk, while the over/under has been set for 51 points.

Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets began the year 6-0, but struggled to a 2-4 finish, capped by a 31-17 defeat to in-state rival Georgia in the last game. The team did beat Duke, 38-31, in its conference finale to end up tied for second in the ACC Coastal Division (5-3). Tech was 3-2 away from home this season.

Offensively, the Yellow Jackets rank 19th in the nation in scoring (35 points per contest) while totaling 462 yards of offense per game (319 on the ground, 143 through the air).

The spread-option ground game is anchored by three players quarterback Tevin Washington with 890 yards and 14 scores (4.0 yards per tote), David Sims with 698 yards and seven touchdowns (5.2 ypc) and Orwin Smith with 616 yards and 11 scores (10.3 ypc). Washington connects on 57 percent of his throws for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight picks. His top receiver is Stephen Hill with 26 receptions for 785 yards and four scores.

Defensively, Georgia Tech ranks 60th in scoring (26 ppg) and surrenders 361 yards per game (198 through the air, 163 via the rush) while totaling 20 sacks and enticing 20 turnovers two of which were returned for touchdowns (Rod Sweeting and Isaiah Johnson, picks).

Julian Burnett paces the defense with 113 tackles (44 more than any other player), chipping in a sack, a forced fumble and a recovery, while Jeremiah Attaochu has six sacks, 52 stops, a pick, forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Utah

The Utes’ first year as a Pac-12 member started unevenly, but steadied with a late four-game win streak that ended with a 17-14 defeat to Colorado to end the season tied for third in the Pac-12 South Division (4-5). Utah did notch a 4-2 record away from home, winning the last two and three of four.

The Utes are one of the better defensive squads in the nation, ranking 18th nationally in points allowed (20 ppg) and allowing 343 yards per game (246 via the pass, 97 via the rush) while totaling 30 sacks and forcing 32 turnovers four of which were taken back for scores (V.J. Fehoko and Derrick Shelby, fumbles; Shelby and Conroy Black, interceptions).

Chaz Walker anchors the defensive unit with 103 tackles (27 more than anyone else), adding two forced fumbles, while Black has four picks, 35 tackles and a fumble recovery. Shelby and Trevor Reilly each have five sacks and combined for 87 tackles, four forced fumbles, three recoveries and a pick.

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2012 Fiesta Bowl Preview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:38:38 +0000

The 2012 version of the Fiesta Bowl pits the Stanford Cardinal against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. With two of the most prolific offenses in the country on the field, this is expected to be one of the top games outside of the National Championship.

These two teams have never met on the football field.

A look at the most recent Fiesta Bowl odds shows Oklahoma State -3.5, while the total has been set for 74 points.

Stanford

The Cardinal missed out on a chance to play in the Pac-12′s inaugural title game, finishing 8-1 in conference play (tied for best in the league), but losing the tie-breaker to Oregon, who beat them earlier this year. Stanford did manage to win their last two games, however, the most recent a 28-14 victory over Notre Dame. The Cardinal finished the regular season a perfect 5-0 on the road.

The Cardinal are the 5th-best scoring offense in the country (44 ppg) while recording 481 yards per game (273 passing, 208 rushing). Andrew Luck completes 70 percent of his passes for 3,170 yards and 35 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

Griff Whalen leads the receiving corps with 49 catches (14 more than anyone else) for 664 yards and four TDs, while Stepfan Taylor anchors the running game with 1,153 yards and eight TDs on 5.6 yards per carry.

On defense, the Cardinal rank a respectable 23rd in the nation in points allowed (20 ppg), giving up 331 yards per game (241 passing, 90 rushing) while compiling 38 sacks and forced 21 turnovers two of which were returned for TDs (Michael Thomas, interception; Max Bergen, fumble).

Jarek Lancaster leads the unit with 63 tackles, while Michael Thomas has 61 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Chase Thomas pitches in with 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys got to 10-0 before stumbling in double-overtime at Iowa State (37-31), but rebounded with a 44-10 win over Oklahoma in the Bedlam game. Overall, Oklahoma State is 5-1 away from home, including wins at Texas A&M and Texas.

OSU ranks second in the country in points scored (49 ppg) and recording 557 yards per game (386 passing, 171 rushing). Brandon Weeden completes 73 percent of his passes for 4,328 yards and 34 TDs with 12 interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 11 sacks.

All-American Justin Blackmon leads the receiving corps with 113 receptions for 1,336 yards and five TDs, while Joseph Randle anchors the running game with 1,123 yards and 23 scores on 6.0 yards per carry.

Defensively, the Cowboys rank 61st nationally in points allowed (26 ppg) and give up 446 yards per game (266 passing, 180 rushing) while recording 28 sacks and forcing 42 turnovers three of which were returned for TDs (Richetti Jones and Josh Stewart, fumbles; Shaun Lewis, interception).

Daytawion Lowe leads the team wit 88 tackles and three forced fumbles while Jamie Blatnick has seven sacks and two fumble recoveries. Brodrick Brown has five picks to go with two fumble recoveries and Jones has three forced fumbles and three recoveries.

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2012 GoDaddy Bowl Preview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:35:28 +0000

The very last game in this bowl season before the main course the Allstate BCS Championship Game the next day two of the best teams in the non-BCS leagues will collide in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Ala., when Sun Belt Conference champion Arkansas State plays MAC champ Northern Illinois. These teams enter this contest with a combined 17-game winning streak.

These two programs have played seven times in the past between 1990 and 1996, with Northern Illinois having won six of the seven meetings. The last contest in 1995 was a 31-30 NIU victory the only bright spot in a 1-10 season. The lone ASU victory was a 28-21 decision in 1995. Three of the contests came when the two teams were in the Big West Conference.

The live GoDaddy Bowl odds show Arkansas State -1.5 and the over/under set at 62.5 points.

Arkansas State

Other than LSU, Arkansas State just might be the hottest group in America coming into the bowl season, as they have won nine games in a row and a Sun Belt Conference title (8-0) coming into this bowl. Most recently, ASU won its last two games by a combined 90-33 over Middle Tennessee and Troy. The Red Wolves are 4-2 as a visitor, winning the last four the only defeats were at Illinois and Virginia Tech.

On defense, Arkansas State ranks a stellar 15th in the nation in points allowed (19 points per game) and gives up 325 yards per game (219 through the air, 107 on the ground) while recording 32 sacks and enticing 28 turnovers two of which were returned for touchdowns (Darryl Feemster, fumble; Sterling Young, interception).

Demario Davis paces the defense with 65 tackles, while Kelcie McCray has 62 stops and a team-best four interceptions. Darron Edwards has three forced fumbles and three picks.

Offensively, the Red Wolves rank 28th in the country in offense (33 ppg) while compiling 454 yards per game (289 throwing, 165 on the ground).

Ryan Aplin has completed 66 percent of his throws for 3,235 yards and 18 scores with 13 picks, while the offensive line has allowed 24 sacks. Dwayne Frampton paces the receivers with 90 receptions (38 more than any other player) for 1,125 yards and six TDs, while Aplin and Derek Lawson pace the rushing attack with a combined 1,064 yards with 12 TDs on 4.0 yards per attempt.

Northern Illinois

The Huskies, like the Red Wolves, finished their regular season on a roll. After a 48-41 loss to Central Michigan left the Huskies at 2-3, it won the next eight meetings, including a 23-20 victory over Ohio in the MAC Title Game to get to this bowl against the Sun Belt champ. The Huskies were 4-3 as a visitor, but has won the last four such games, three of them by a total of seven points.

On offense, Northern Illinois ranks 13th in the nation in offense (38 ppg) while gaining 482 yards per game (248 on the ground, 234 through the air).

Chandler Harnish leads the running attack with 1,382 yards and 11 scores on 7.5 yards per tote, while Jasmin Hopkins has 932 yards and 15 touchdowns on 5.2 yards per attempt. Harnish hits on 63 percent of his attempts for 2,942 yards and 26 TDs with five interceptions, while the offensive line has given up just nine sacks. Nathan Palmer paces the receiving corps with 46 catches for 683 yards and seven scores.

The Huskies don’t do well defensively, ranking 90th in the nation in scoring defense (31 ppg) and giving up 418 yards per contest (240 passing, 178 rushing) while recording 25 sacks and generating 20 turnovers with one taken back for a TD (Nabal Jefferson, interception).

Pat Schiller leads this unit with 108 tackles, while Sean Progar has 5.5 sacks. Rashaan Melvin and Dechane Durante each have two interceptions.

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