Bowl Preview

Since the bowl season is in full effect I got a couple of guys I know from my favorite sports website to help me with this bowl preview of some upcoming games. It started as this one guy I knew who goes to Oregon, and I go to Oklahoma State. Well even though that game is in an hour and a half I'll give the preview we wrote out for it.



The 1st preview is from a student who writes for the student newspaper at University of Oregon named Robert, here's his opinion for tonight's game:



My name is Robert, and (if you need this) I'm a sports reporter for the Oregon Daily Emerald (http://www.dailyemerald.com/), the UO student newspaper:



Oregon vs. Oklahoma State (Holiday Bowl): This is the best non-BCS bowl game on the slate, and it should be a scoring spree. Oklahoma State fans might be surprised by the depth Oregon exhibits on offense; the Ducks have an outstanding running back tandem (Jeremiah Johnson and LeGarrette Blount), an underrated tight end (Ed Dickson) and a deep receiving corp. Oregon fans might be surprised by Dez Bryant and Brent Pettigrew, the best wide receiver-tight end tandem the Ducks will have seen all year. It’s hard to go to intangibles to decide this, as the team who wins will have a 10-win season, but the Ducks play in a favorable location and have the Pac-10 looking up to them. I hate caveats, but I’m going to have to give one here. If Johnson, who suffered an ankle injury in practice two weeks ago, plays, Oregon wins 44-41. If not, Oklahoma State wins, 48-28.


My opinion:

As someone who has watched Oklahoma state all year, there weakness is pass defense and kickoff coverage. They've fared very well against the run this year (even against OU, until the defense just wore down at the end of the game) Both Oregon and Ok st. like to employ a spread formation and in my opinion both are run 1st offenses with fantastic running games. Obviously that doesn't mean the Cowboys aren't afraid to pass the ball to Dez Bryant (who is in my opinion the 2nd best WR in the country and had over 1300 yards and 18 TD's) All year teams have put a safety over the top to help the corner back against Bryant, which helps Kendall Hunter and QB Zac Robinson run the ball behind the likes of LT Russell Okung (future 1st day pick) I'm guessing who ever controls the clock more with there dominant running game will be the victor. And since I can't let my homerism get in the way of predictions, give me the 'Pokes by 10.



And for a preview of tomorrow's Peach bowl (Georgia Tech vs. LSU) here's my friend (and Katrina survivor) who follows everything that is Louisiana football and moderates the forums at realgm.com here's Salvatore Romano (not his real last name...I think)



The LSU Tigers, finishing the season losing 5 of their last 8, are limping into the Chick-Fil-A bowl, with the vaunted Tiger D looking to get on track and hoping the running game can mask the weakness and inexperience of Jarret Lee and the LSU air attack. Georgia Tech has gone with the same philosophy, looking to pound the ball with the triple option, controlling the clock while wearing out the defense.


LSU's defense has struggled with inconsistency as the season went on, but getting some guys healthy, particularly some of the Linebackers, will allow the tigers to play the run better than they have, and force Georgia Tech into throwing the ball, which has been a major weakness thus far.


Both teams will look to control the clock with the running attack, and whichever team can limit turnovers and force the other team into throwing the ball more than they want to will win this game. Look for LSU's massive offensive line to do a better job of opening up holes for the punishing Charles Scott, but if they can't, it could be a long day for Les Miles and company, with Georgia Tech being able to run the ball at will, the Tigers will have a tough time forcing them to throw the ball, but if they manage to do that, GT will not be able to take advantage with the passing game.


Prediction: LSU gets healthier, and they come out hungry to salvage what is left of a disappointing season, the huge offensive line dominates in the trenches, and Charles Scott, Keiland Williams, and Trindon Holliday have a field day, making things easier for Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch. The LSU defense comes out to make a statement and they limit the GT running attack just enough, and cause a few timely turnovers.


Tech can easily take this game if they get up early, and run the ball as they have all season, but I believe Les Miles continues the bowl streak, and finishes a dismal season on a positive note.LSU 27, Georgia Tech 17




I'll have some BCS bowl predictions soon, cya...