BCS CHAMPIONSHIP – Miami, Fl / Jan. 8, 2009 / on FOX @ 7 p.m.
Breakdown:
This is one of most exciting matchups for the BCS Championship in the last couple of years. This will be the first matchup ever between the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners. This game also features the past two years Heisman trophy winners in Florida’s Tim Tebow and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford.
If you don’t think winning championships isn’t about turnovers than the stats say differently. These two teams are at the top of the country when it comes to turnover margin. Securing the ball and taking it away from their opponents has really paid off for these two teams.
Oklahoma comes into this contest after winning the Big 12 Championship due to BCS rankings, while Florida comes in after a 31-20 win over previous BCS number one Alabama.
Both teams have two of their star offensive players recovering from injuries. Florida lost star athlete Percy Harvin during the Florida State game to a sprained ankle. While he was not available for the team during the SEC championship, they will most likely have him for the National Championship. Conversely, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford tore ligaments in his non-throwing hand during the Bedlam game. Bradford was able to play fine during the Big 12 Championship and had surgery the next day to completely repair the injury. The Heisman trophy winner should be fine for the big game and missed about 10 days of work.
Bob Stoops’ squad will look to break Oklahoma’s recent trend of losing four straight BCS games. Stoops will look to get his nickname of “Big Game Bob” back with the school’s eighth National Championship. The Sooners have focused their season on finishing it out with a bowl game win and look to do so. Sam Bradford has led the Sooner offense to a record breaking season. They have scored 702 points this season, a modern day NCAA record. OU set another NCAA record by scoring 60 or more points in their last five games. Will Broyles Award winner Kevin Wilson keep the offense going against a top notch Gator defense? Running back Demarco Murray will have season ending surgery due to a hamstring tear and miss the game. Chris Brown and third string tailback Mossis Madu will have to have a big game to provide a solid rushing attack for Oklahoma.
Brent Venables’ Sooner defense has been suspect against spread teams this year, but has greatly improved over the course of the season. They will have the huge task of slowing down the one of the fastest offenses in the country. Despite loosing two starting middle linebackers this season, the Oklahoma linebackers have stepped big time down the stretch.
Florida will have an issue on offense, due to the fact that coordinator Dan Mullen has taken the Mississippi State job. Mullen will coach and call the game for the Gators, but you can count that his mind will not be completely with Florida. Although, Tim Tebow looks more committed than any other player I have ever seen to leading his team to another championship.
Charlie Srong’s Gator defense will look to stop Oklahoma’s nearly unstoppable offense. His defense is no push over as they rank no worse than 19th in all four major defensive categories. The Gators will have the tough job of shutting down OU’s playmakers in the passing game. While their secondary is very talented the group is very young, featuring three sophomores and a true freshman.
This should be a shootout and one great ball game. This year’s National Championship will showcase SEC speed versus perhaps the Big 12′s fastest squad. Both squads will field some of the best playmakers in the country and lots of NFL prospects. Nobody has been able to stop the Oklahoma offense this year and I think this will be just too much for Tebow and the Gators to keep up with. Florida’s speed and execution should keep them in it, but I don’t think they can do it for four quarters. Look for OU to come out clicking early as they have all year and win the school’s eighth National Championship.
Advantage: Oklahoma
Players to Watch:
Oklahoma
QB #14, Sam Bradford: he will look to shake the Heisman jinks of losing in bowl games, he will also be recovering from surgery to his non-throwing hand, despite these issues he has played at an astonishing level, has 4464 yards passing/48 TDs (1st NCAA) to only 6 INTs, has thrown for a deadly accurate 186.28 qb rating (1st NCAA)
RB #17, Mossis Madu: the OU third string running back has mainly played mop-up duty, but he will have to step up big in the place of Demarco Murray, except for the Big 12 Championship where he had 15 carries for 144 yards/3 TDs, he has 463 yards/6 TDs on the year
CB # 15, Dominique Franks: has been a true ball hawk for OU’s defense, will need to come up big to slow down the Gator’s speed on the perimeter and force turnovers, has 39 tackles, 4 INTs for 52 return yards and a TD, 10 pass break ups, has a 39 yard fumble return for a TD too
Florida
ATH #1, Percy Harvin: after being out in their last game, will his ankle be 100%? will Florida have their best playmaker back for good? he is one of those players that people hold their breath every time he touches the ball, has 538 rushing yards/9 TDs/8.8 yard per carry, also has 595 receiving yards/7 TDs/ 17 yards per catch
CB #29, Janoris Jenkins: this true frosh has been very impressive this season as one of the Gators starting corners, but will he be able to handle the pressure of the season’s biggest game and probably being targeted quite a bit by Kevin Wilson, has 34 tackles, 3 INTs, 11 pass break ups
CB #5, Joe Haden: this other young corner for the Gators is a star in the making, will he be able to stop OU’s plethora of weapons, he will have a long night against the OU passing attack, can he pick off the unflappable Sam Bradford? has 77 tackles (2nd on the team), 3 INTs for 136 yards, 10 pass break ups, a recovered fumble, and a blocked kick
FIESTA BOWL – Glendale, AZ / Jan. 5, 2009 / on FOX @ 7 p.m.
Breakdown:
This game features yet another team that just missed out on the National Championship, in the Texas Longhorns. Their opponent will be the Ohio State Buckeyes, a team that worked their way into the BCS with an at large bid.
Texas’ conference title hopes came down to a fifth tie breaker in the Big 12, which is determined by the BCS rankings. Mack Brown’s horns missed going to their leagues title game by .0128 of a point in the BCS rankings to the Oklahoma Sooners. After missing out on their conference and national championship hopes the Longhorns look to be pumped up to finish up an impressive season.
Ohio State comes into the BCS this year trying to break a trend of being embarrassed against top notch competition the past couple years. The Buckeyes have been dismantled in the past two National Championship games by two SEC teams. They have people believing that the Big Ten conference’s “inferior speed” is no longer able to matchup with the nation’s best.
Longhorn offensive coordinator Greg Davis brings in one of his most potent offenses during his tenure. Colt McCoy has been deadly accurate this year to Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby. They will have to play against a star studded Buckeye defense that is in the top 10 in four defensive categories, including 11th in pass defense.
Ohio State has put their offensive hopes on the shoulders of true freshman Terrelle Pryor this year. He should remind Longhorn fans of former quarterback Vince Young. For the most part Pryor has played like anything but a true frosh. Will young Pryor and running back Chris “Beanie” Wells be able to run the ball against a Texas defense that ranks second in the country against the run? Pryor will most likely spend the game making some of his impressive scrambles against Brian Orakpo and gang, who lead the nation in sacks.
These two teams actually played back in 2006, when the Buckeyes went in to Austin and beat the Longhorns 24-7 in Colt McCoy’s second start. Colt and team should have a much different game this year as things are much different now. UT’s offense has been too efficient this year and will be able to score and win against Tressel’s Buckeyes. USC has already exposed the Buckeyes earlier this year and I feel Texas should do the same in this one.
Advantage: Texas
Players to Watch:
Texas
DE #98, Brian Orakpo: the man they call “Osackpo” and the Lombardi award winner for best lineman will give Pryor and co. nightmares all game long, will log a lot of time in the Buckeye backfield, has 40 tackles, 10.5 sacks (6th NCAA), 18 tackles for a loss (11th NCAA), and 4 forced fumbles (3rd NCAA)
QB #12, Colt McCoy: the Heisman trophy runner up looks to continue to lead his offense and run it at an unworldly efficiency, he is not only the team’s passing leader but leads the team in rushing as well, has 576 rushing yards and 10 TDs, 3445 yards and 32 TDs to 7 INTs, leads team to 335.1 yards of total offense a game
RB #31, Cody Johnson: this 255 lb. running back has been a force in short yardage and goal line situations, he should come up big against a stingy Ohio State defense, he leads the team in rushing TDs with 12, has 376 rushing yards, but has lost ONLY three yards all year
Ohio State
QB #2, Terrelle Pryor: he must continue to NOT play like a true frosh in order to get his team into the end zone, UT has been susceptible to the pass this year and Pryor must not force any passes during this one, can easily make big play with his feet or arm, has 553 rushing yards/6 TDs, 1245 passing yards/12 TDs to 4 INTs
LB #33, James Laurinitis: where isn’t this guy on defense? after all his dad was the former professional wrestler the Animal, just look for this guy to be all over the field making plays, has 121 tackles (leads the team), 4 sacks, 2 INTs, and 4 pass break ups
CB #2, Malcolm Jenkins: the Thorpe winner for best defensive back in the nation, is one of the best corners in the country, look for him to shut down Shipley and Cosby, watch for the Longhorns to stay away from this guy’s side of the field, has 54 tackles, 3 INTs, 9 pass break ups, and 3.5 tackles for a loss
ORANGE BOWL – Miami, Fl / Jan. 1, 2009 / on FOX @ 7:30 p.m.
Breakdown:
The 2009 Orange Bowl features a veteran Virginia Tech team against the new age Cincinnati Bearcats.
This will be Cinci’s first New Years day bowl since 1951. Virginia Tech on the other hand, is much more experienced in “major” bowls playing in five of them in their history.
The Hokies actually played in the Orange Bowl just last year but ended up losing 24-21 to Kansas. Frank Beamer’s team also must buck a disturbing trend for the Atlantic Coastal Conference; as their league has lost its last eight BCS games.
Theses two teams do have a recent history together, which could make for an interesting matchup. They played just two years ago in Blacksburg and Va. Tech won by a score of 29-13.
Due to both team’s stellar defenses I expect this to be a low scoring battle. Bud Foster’s “lunch pail” defense is ranked seventh in total defense in the NCAA and is always be prepared for their opponent. While Utah’s defense, which ranks 26th in the NCAA will look to keep it close. The Utes will match up against an anemic Hokie offense that ranks 105th nationally.
Tech’s defense and speed should be too much for the Bearcats to handle. I feel the Hokie’s experience in Miami last year should prove valuable and help to reverse their Orange Bowl fate from a year ago.
Advantage: Virginia Tech
Players to Watch:
Virginia Tech
CB #1, Victor “Macho” Harris: will look to provide big plays against Brian Kelly’s spread passing attack and shut down the Bearcat’s playmaking receivers, has 6 INTs (5th NCAA)/ 142 yards/2 TDs, 234 punt return yards, 44 tackles, 13 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles
TE #8, Greg Boone: provides huge spark for Va. Tech’s offense, will need to make plays to keep his team’s offense going, he even has his own “wildcat” package which lets him take over the offense and it is often used in short yardage situations, has 19 catches for 237 yards/2 TDs, 57 rushing yards and a rushing TD
QB #5, Tyrod Taylor: has helped turn around Hokies season since taking over for Sean Glennon early in the season, has been susceptible to turnovers but must limit them to lead team to Orange Bowl victory, look for him to make plays with both his arm and legs, has 896 passing yards/57% completions/2TDs to 6 INTs, but has 691 yards rushing and 6 TDs
Cincinnati
WR #1, Mardy Gilyard: this guy is just a football player, I’ve seen this guy in person and he can break a game wide open in a heartbeat, ranks 18th in all-purpose yards in NCAA, has 1118 receiving yards/10 TDs, 897 kick return yards/2 TDs including a 100 yarder/ has 28.03 yard average (9th NCAA)
DB #6, DeAngelo Smith: one of the Bearcats preseason All-Americans with fellow DB Mike Mickens, will look to try and frustrate Tyrod Taylor and force some INTs, has 50 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 2 INTs, 11 passes broken up, and a forced fumble
QB #15, Tony Pike: after the team went through several quarterbacks this year, Pike has given the Bearcats enough relief to not only win games but the Big East conference, the Cincinnati native must continue to run his offense and protect the ball against the Hokies, has 2168 passing yards/18 TDs to 7 INTs, throws for 197 yards a game
ROSE BOWL – Pasadena, Ca / Jan. 1, 2009 / on ABC @ 3:30 p.m.
Breakdown:
This game features two coaching icons from two different times in a battle for conference and national pride.
A resurgent Penn State program led by Joe Paterno comes into this game one made field goal away from the National Championship. Pete Carroll’s Southern Cal squad had only one setback on the year as well, a tough 27-21 road loss to Oregon State.
Both coaches bring some of their better teams of recent years into this game, after experiencing two great seasons.
Penn State has installed their new spread HD offense that has helped bring Penn State back into the national spotlight. Daryll Clark has done a fine job of leading the Nittany Lion offense to rank 15th nationally in total offense.
USC has perhaps Pete Carroll’s best defense during his tenure and has absolutely dominated their competition this year. This year’s Trojan defense ranks in the top five in the NCAA in five team defensive stats and is number one in scoring defense.
Team experience will be the deciding factor in this ball game. Penn State is in their first Rose Bowl since 1995, and is in their first BCS game since beating Florida State 26-23 back in 2006. On the other hand USC has played in the “Grandaddy of them all” in five of the last six years, winning in 2003, 2006, and 2007.
Playing SC in Los Angeles against one of the best defenses in the country will prove to be too much to handle for Penn State. The Trojans just have too many playmakers and speed in all facets of the game for the Nittany Lions to hold back. Look for SC to win their third straight Rose Bowl and make a big statement in the process.
Advantage: Southern Cal
Players to Watch:
Penn State
DE #59, Aaron Maybin: this 1st team Walter Camp All-American, will try to put the heat on the Trojan’s “stable” of running backs and qb Mark Sanchez, has 45 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss for 92 yards, 12 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles
WR #2, Derrick Williams: a true all-purpose threat, has to make plays to help PSU move the ball, and help on special teams with field position, has 226 rushing yards/3 TDs, 451 receiving yards/3 TDs, 169 punt return yards/TD, 486 kick return yards/2 TDs
QB #17, Daryll Clark: this junior signal caller is a true leader of his squad, must keep control of the game against the Trojan’s speedy hard hitting defense, needs to get the ball to his playmaking WRs and RB Evan Royster, has led their offense to only 13 turnovers all year, can run the ball well too, has 265 rushing yards/9 TDs (2nd on team), 2319 passing yards 17 TDs/4 INTs, 60% completions
Southern Cal
LB #58, Rey Mualuga: the Bednarik award winner, is an animal on defense, look for Rey to give the HD spread and Clark fits on offense, can change a ball game by himself, is 1st on the team with 73 tackles, has 2 INTs with one taken back for a TD, has 2.5 tackles for a loss
DB #7, Cary Harris: look for this ball hawking db to disrupt the Nittany Lions passing attack and lock down their stellar receivers, has 33 tackles, 4 for a loss, 2 INTs, and 6 pass break ups
WR #1, Patrick Turner: gives Mark Sanchez a big reliable target at 6-5 220 lbs, could come up big against PSU’s pair of 5’10″ corners, huge in the red zone, second on team in scoring, has 45 catches for 667 yards/10 TDs, averages 14.8 yards per catch
SUGAR BOWL – New Orleans, La / Jan. 2, 2009 / on Fox @ 7 p.m.
Breakdown:
This will be quite the interesting matchup as it features two teams that are completely different.
Alabama is a blue collar defensive team that plays only one way, hard. On offense the Tide demoralizes opposing teams with a hard nosed ground game that features one of the nation’s top offensive lines. Utah has also played great defense this year, but uses a spread offense that has scored 30 or more points in nine of their 12 games.
Despite not having in big game bowl experience coach Nick Saban has consistently been to them. He should have his team prepared and ready to “finish” their season on a good note. Utah will be making only their second major bowl appearance, but they won their last trip to the BCS in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl against Pittsburg.
I think the real storyline of this game will be if the Tide will be up for a game against a non-BCS conference foe; after being a quarter away from playing for the National Championship.
Utah should come into this game plenty hyped as they look to complete an undefeated season against a team that just a couple weeks ago was ranked first in the BCS.
Bama should have a huge advantage with having basically a home crowd to pack out the Super Dome. In the end, Saban should have his team ready to take care of business and finish out a comeback season for the Tide on a high note.
Advantage: Alabama
Players to Watch:
Alabama
WR #8, Julio Jones: after having a HUGE game in the SEC championship (5 catches, 125 yards), will he be able to continue to be able to stretch defenses to help aid the Tide’s punishing run game? has 51 catches for 847 yards and 4 TDs, averages 16.6 yards per reception
NT #62, Terrance Cody: the man known as “Mount Cody” will be a definite key to the game, will help provide the push upfront that the Bama defense needs to disrupt the Ute’s spread, Cody has recently announced that he will be coming back to school to get his degree, has 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2 qb hits, and 2 recovered fumbles
OL #71, Andre Smith: the recent Outland Trophy winner anchors one of the best o-lines in the country, look for him and his line mates to push the Utah defense off the line and create holes for Glen Coffee and the other Bama backs, helps the Tide average 6 yards per play on offense, and he has allowed only ONE sack this year
Utah
QB #3, Brian Johnson: this proven team leader for the Utes looks to lead his undefeated squad against the third ranked team in total defense, will need to stay poised and keep his team in it to go out and beat Saban’s crew, has 2636 yards 24 TDs/ 9 INTs, averages 219.7 yards a game, and has 63.3% completion rate
RB #4, Matt Asiata: needs a huge game from the backfield to keep Alabama from teeing off on the Ute’s offense, very versatile playmaker, has 678 rush yards/ 11 TDs, 111 receiving yards/TD, and even 2 PASSING TDs
DE #11, Paul Kruger: is a beast on the line and will need to provide a valuable rush off the edge to help contain John Parker Wilson, Glen Coffee, and their fellow backfield members, has 56 tackles, with 15.5 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, one INT, and 7 pass break ups
