Pointwise 1-7
Bowls are rated 1 through 6, with 1-4 being Key Releases (1 being the highest rating). Games rated "5" are considered "best of the rest". Games rated "6" are light opinions only.
MEINEKE BOWL
AT CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
WEST VIRGINIA (8-4) vs NORTH CAROLINA (8-4)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
1:00 PM EST -- ESPN TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
W Virginia .. 43.2 .. 24-16 .. 18-20 .. 217-135 .. 135-191.. +12 . W Virginia
N Carolina .. 44.3 .. 28-20 .. 16-20 .. 125-141 .. 192-217.. + 6 . by 5.7 Pts
ANALYSIS
Seventh straight bowl appearance for the Mountaineers of West Virginia, the
first under the tutelage of Bill Stewart, who inherited the unenviable task of
replacing Rich Rodriguez, who led the Mounties to 11-win seasons in each of
the past 3 years. The trigger, of course, is QB White, who has sent tremors
through more than a few opposing defenses over the past 4 seasons. He not
only is dynamite, overhead (1,510 yds, 18 TDs, & only 6 INTs), but is near
impossible to bring down in the open field, rushing for 919 yds. Ditto a year
ago, when he finished 9th in passing efficiency, with 1,724 yds (14/4). He has
averaged 7.3, 7.4, 6.9, & 5.4 in rushing for 4,425 yds the past 4 years. Gone
is running mate, Steve Slaton, but Devine is no slouch, with his 1,228 RYs (6.4
ypr). Add to that, a defense, which ranks 9th in scoring, & you have a near
unbeatable team, right? Technically, yes, but this year's results have been a
major step down from the past 3 years, when WVa ranked 4th, 3rd, & 3rd in
rushing, while scoring at 32, 39, & 40 ppg clips. A ticking bomb, to be sure, but
the results pale in comparison to recent editions. The Tar Heels of North
Carolina return to the bowl scene for the first time since the '04 Continental, &
for just the 2nd time in a decade. That's right, this marks only their 2nd winning
year since 1998. Thus, Butch Davis is obviously righting this listing ship,
altho it certainly isn't overland, where the Tars rank a lowly 87th, never topping
187 yds. So it's overhead, right. Wrong: just 83rd, altho Sexton & Yates have
combined for 18 TDs & 2,218 yds. But note 'Heels 45-24 FD deficit in their
stretch run losses to Maryland & NCSt. Home field is not enough for Carolina.
PROPHECY: WEST VIRGINIA 27 - North Carolina 17 RATING: 2
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
AT ORLANDO, FLORIDA
FLORIDA STATE (8-4) vs WISCONSIN (7-5)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
4:30 PM EST -- ESPN TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
Florida St ... 48.3 .. 33-21 .. 20-17 .. 180-127 .. 186-165.. - 3 . Florida St
Wisconsin .. 44.8 .. 28-25 .. 20-17 .. 205-132 .. 188-189.. - 5 . by 1.5 Pts
ANALYSIS
First-ever meeting for these 2 perennial bowl participants. For the Seminoles
of Florida State, this marks their 27th straight bowl season, & 30th in Bobby
Bowden's 33 years of leadership. However, as is the case every year, a bit of
history shows that this makes 3 straight years without a premier New Year's
Day slot for FlaSt. From '87 thru '00, the Sems suffered no more than 2 losses
in any season, an incredible 14-year run. However, they've tasted defeat 36
times since 2001, including 21 setbacks over the past 4 years. But at least in
'08, they've somewhat stopped the offensive bleeding, with saw them ranked
59th, 75th, & 82nd in total "O" the past 3 years. Their current 55th rating isn't
anything special, but at least it's a turn in the right direction. And their 33 ppg
average is a full 10 pts better than '07, moving from 90th to 22nd. Overland,
they've had their moments, averaging 248 yds vs Miami, GaTech, & Clemson,
but try 89 & 73 vs VaTech & BC. Unreliable. Nothing wrong, defensively, as
they rank 14th overall - 30th vs the run. Thus, that unit must contain what has
been the Badgers' bread-&-butter for the past dozen year, the overland game.
This marks UW's 7th straight bowl season, & 12th in the last 13 years. They
are led by Hill & Clay (combined 1,866 RYs, 22 TDs). The insertion of Sherer
at QB resulted in a rebirth of that running game, somewhat, but the fact of the
matter is that they've topped 179 RYs in just 3 lined games. Defensively, they
throttled such teams as Illinois, MichSt, & Minnesota (71 RYpg), but finished
with the 58th ranked scoring "D". The past 3 years have seen the dog cover 5-
of-6 bowls, involving these 2 squads, with the only miss by just 2½ pts. Again.
PROPHECY: WISCONSIN 27- Florida State 24 RATING: 2
EMERALD BOWL
AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA (8-4) vs MIAMI OF FLORIDA (7-5)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
8:00 PM EST -- ESPN TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
California ... 43.8 .. 33-20 .. 18-18 .. 184-123 .. 196-193.. +14 . California
Miami .......... 46.9 .. 30-24 .. 17-17 .. 130-144 .. 197-169.. - 9 . by 11.5 Pts
ANALYSIS
The Hurricanes of Miami return to the bowl scene, after a rare miss LY, which
ended a 9-yr run. Their downward trend was obvious. Check it out beginning
with '00: 11-1, 12-0 (national title), 12-1, 11-2, 9-3, 9-3, 7-6, 5-7, & 8-4. So a
rebirth of sorts, with 11 new starters. They've had their moments, with such pt
explosions of 41, 39, & 49 pts, but 2 of those 3 came vs Duke & TexasA&M, a
pair of 4-8 squads. And overland they managed a meager 159, 51, & 154 yds
in those 3. As you can see from the above stats, 130 RYpg hardly translates
into a power. Cooper is the only back with more than 62 carries, checking in at
4.9 ypr, & just 4 TDs. Overhead, it is a mixed bag, with the combo of Marve &
Harris throwing for 2,294 yds, but with their 19 TDs offset by an identical 19
INTs, which has contributed to the 'Canes' 101st ranking in the nation in TO
ratio. Defensively, UM fared much better: 23rd overall. But check being skinned
for 41 & 38 pts in their final 2 games, along with 472, 219 RYs (518, 439 TYs):
15-pt, 12-pt spread losses. Those losses (GaTech & NCSt) were on the road,
which is exactly where this game takes place. A definite home game for the
Bears of California, who mark their 6th consecutive bowl season, with this
one. A year ago, they rose from the ashes in the Armed Forces Bowl, turning
a 21-0 deficit vs AirForce, into a 42-30 lead, winning 42-36, as a 4½ pt chalk.
They are led by the scintillating Best: 1,394 RYs (8.0 ypr), with QBs Riley &
Longshore contributing 22 TDs & just 10 INTs. The Bears rank 7th in the land
in TO margin, & have been a special force at home. As a matter of fact, the
host is on a 12-2 spread run in Cal games. No reason to be leary of TD spot.
PROPHECY: CALIFORNIA 33 - Miami of Florida 17 RATING: 1
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Bowls are rated 1 through 6, with 1-4 being Key Releases (1 being the highest rating). Games rated "5" are considered "best of the rest". Games rated "6" are light opinions only.
MEINEKE BOWL
AT CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
WEST VIRGINIA (8-4) vs NORTH CAROLINA (8-4)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
1:00 PM EST -- ESPN TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
W Virginia .. 43.2 .. 24-16 .. 18-20 .. 217-135 .. 135-191.. +12 . W Virginia
N Carolina .. 44.3 .. 28-20 .. 16-20 .. 125-141 .. 192-217.. + 6 . by 5.7 Pts
ANALYSIS
Seventh straight bowl appearance for the Mountaineers of West Virginia, the
first under the tutelage of Bill Stewart, who inherited the unenviable task of
replacing Rich Rodriguez, who led the Mounties to 11-win seasons in each of
the past 3 years. The trigger, of course, is QB White, who has sent tremors
through more than a few opposing defenses over the past 4 seasons. He not
only is dynamite, overhead (1,510 yds, 18 TDs, & only 6 INTs), but is near
impossible to bring down in the open field, rushing for 919 yds. Ditto a year
ago, when he finished 9th in passing efficiency, with 1,724 yds (14/4). He has
averaged 7.3, 7.4, 6.9, & 5.4 in rushing for 4,425 yds the past 4 years. Gone
is running mate, Steve Slaton, but Devine is no slouch, with his 1,228 RYs (6.4
ypr). Add to that, a defense, which ranks 9th in scoring, & you have a near
unbeatable team, right? Technically, yes, but this year's results have been a
major step down from the past 3 years, when WVa ranked 4th, 3rd, & 3rd in
rushing, while scoring at 32, 39, & 40 ppg clips. A ticking bomb, to be sure, but
the results pale in comparison to recent editions. The Tar Heels of North
Carolina return to the bowl scene for the first time since the '04 Continental, &
for just the 2nd time in a decade. That's right, this marks only their 2nd winning
year since 1998. Thus, Butch Davis is obviously righting this listing ship,
altho it certainly isn't overland, where the Tars rank a lowly 87th, never topping
187 yds. So it's overhead, right. Wrong: just 83rd, altho Sexton & Yates have
combined for 18 TDs & 2,218 yds. But note 'Heels 45-24 FD deficit in their
stretch run losses to Maryland & NCSt. Home field is not enough for Carolina.
PROPHECY: WEST VIRGINIA 27 - North Carolina 17 RATING: 2
CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL
AT ORLANDO, FLORIDA
FLORIDA STATE (8-4) vs WISCONSIN (7-5)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
4:30 PM EST -- ESPN TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
Florida St ... 48.3 .. 33-21 .. 20-17 .. 180-127 .. 186-165.. - 3 . Florida St
Wisconsin .. 44.8 .. 28-25 .. 20-17 .. 205-132 .. 188-189.. - 5 . by 1.5 Pts
ANALYSIS
First-ever meeting for these 2 perennial bowl participants. For the Seminoles
of Florida State, this marks their 27th straight bowl season, & 30th in Bobby
Bowden's 33 years of leadership. However, as is the case every year, a bit of
history shows that this makes 3 straight years without a premier New Year's
Day slot for FlaSt. From '87 thru '00, the Sems suffered no more than 2 losses
in any season, an incredible 14-year run. However, they've tasted defeat 36
times since 2001, including 21 setbacks over the past 4 years. But at least in
'08, they've somewhat stopped the offensive bleeding, with saw them ranked
59th, 75th, & 82nd in total "O" the past 3 years. Their current 55th rating isn't
anything special, but at least it's a turn in the right direction. And their 33 ppg
average is a full 10 pts better than '07, moving from 90th to 22nd. Overland,
they've had their moments, averaging 248 yds vs Miami, GaTech, & Clemson,
but try 89 & 73 vs VaTech & BC. Unreliable. Nothing wrong, defensively, as
they rank 14th overall - 30th vs the run. Thus, that unit must contain what has
been the Badgers' bread-&-butter for the past dozen year, the overland game.
This marks UW's 7th straight bowl season, & 12th in the last 13 years. They
are led by Hill & Clay (combined 1,866 RYs, 22 TDs). The insertion of Sherer
at QB resulted in a rebirth of that running game, somewhat, but the fact of the
matter is that they've topped 179 RYs in just 3 lined games. Defensively, they
throttled such teams as Illinois, MichSt, & Minnesota (71 RYpg), but finished
with the 58th ranked scoring "D". The past 3 years have seen the dog cover 5-
of-6 bowls, involving these 2 squads, with the only miss by just 2½ pts. Again.
PROPHECY: WISCONSIN 27- Florida State 24 RATING: 2
EMERALD BOWL
AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA (8-4) vs MIAMI OF FLORIDA (7-5)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
8:00 PM EST -- ESPN TELEVISION
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
California ... 43.8 .. 33-20 .. 18-18 .. 184-123 .. 196-193.. +14 . California
Miami .......... 46.9 .. 30-24 .. 17-17 .. 130-144 .. 197-169.. - 9 . by 11.5 Pts
ANALYSIS
The Hurricanes of Miami return to the bowl scene, after a rare miss LY, which
ended a 9-yr run. Their downward trend was obvious. Check it out beginning
with '00: 11-1, 12-0 (national title), 12-1, 11-2, 9-3, 9-3, 7-6, 5-7, & 8-4. So a
rebirth of sorts, with 11 new starters. They've had their moments, with such pt
explosions of 41, 39, & 49 pts, but 2 of those 3 came vs Duke & TexasA&M, a
pair of 4-8 squads. And overland they managed a meager 159, 51, & 154 yds
in those 3. As you can see from the above stats, 130 RYpg hardly translates
into a power. Cooper is the only back with more than 62 carries, checking in at
4.9 ypr, & just 4 TDs. Overhead, it is a mixed bag, with the combo of Marve &
Harris throwing for 2,294 yds, but with their 19 TDs offset by an identical 19
INTs, which has contributed to the 'Canes' 101st ranking in the nation in TO
ratio. Defensively, UM fared much better: 23rd overall. But check being skinned
for 41 & 38 pts in their final 2 games, along with 472, 219 RYs (518, 439 TYs):
15-pt, 12-pt spread losses. Those losses (GaTech & NCSt) were on the road,
which is exactly where this game takes place. A definite home game for the
Bears of California, who mark their 6th consecutive bowl season, with this
one. A year ago, they rose from the ashes in the Armed Forces Bowl, turning
a 21-0 deficit vs AirForce, into a 42-30 lead, winning 42-36, as a 4½ pt chalk.
They are led by the scintillating Best: 1,394 RYs (8.0 ypr), with QBs Riley &
Longshore contributing 22 TDs & just 10 INTs. The Bears rank 7th in the land
in TO margin, & have been a special force at home. As a matter of fact, the
host is on a 12-2 spread run in Cal games. No reason to be leary of TD spot.
PROPHECY: CALIFORNIA 33 - Miami of Florida 17 RATING: 1
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