Anyone written up projections for all bowl games?

[harold_bush]

I'm doing an online bowl pool that also does the over/under for every game as well. I have no clue on some of the crap ass games. Anyone on here, or any sites out there that has write-ups and projections for all games.

Thanks.

[harold_bush]

bump

[rwall]

TP (Tommorows Paper) I believe did a thread w/ write ups

The Sportsnetwork has write ups. You'll find them in Ncaa scoreboard.

[TMAC951]

I like to look at sportsnetwork.. I will make 3 seperate posts here in this thread with the 3 writeups they have.. Very Very helpful IMHO!!

[TMAC951]

South Florida (8-4) vs. East Carolina (7-5)



Saturday, December 23rd - 1:00 p.m. (et)
From The Sports Network

By John Agovino, Associate College Football Editor

GAME NOTES: In the inaugural PapaJohns.com Bowl, the East Carolina Pirates will clash with the South Florida Bulls at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The Bulls are a relatively young football program, but the team has found success nonetheless. Last season, USF made its first-ever bowl appearance, playing in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Unfortunately the team suffered a 14-0 setback to NC State, but it was a step in the right direction. Some thought last year was an overachieving season for USF, but that is not the case, as the team will be making its second consecutive bowl game appearance. USF came into the season knowing it had a tough schedule, and also realizing every Big East Conference game would be a battle. Although it was a tough task, it was a task the Bulls welcomed with open arms. USF opened the 2006 campaign with three solid victories, and the seemed well on its way to another tremendous season, but back-to-back losses to Kansas (13-7) and Rutgers (22-20) knocked the Bulls back to Earth. Fortunately the Bulls were able to rebound from the losses by winning four of their next five contests. The team's record dropped to 7-4 after the horrible, 31-8 setback to Louisville, but the Bulls closed out the regular season with a huge, 24-19 victory over Big East powerhouse West Virginia. As for the Pirates, they will be making their eighth bowl appearance, but it is the team's first postseason matchup since 2001. There is a distinct possibility that the Pirates are still recovering from their last bowl trip, which was a heartbreaking, 64-61 double- overtime setback to Marshall in the GMAC Bowl. The Pirates will finally have a chance to bury the past, but to do so the team must defeat USF this Saturday. ECU's run to the postseason was not easy by any stretch of the imagination, as the team opened the season with four losses in its first six games. Despite the slow start the Pirates were able to regroup, winning five of their last six contests, including a regular-season finale victory on the road against NC State.

The Bulls were not a dangerous offensive unit this season, but the team was efficient and did just enough to produce victories. USF closed out the regular season averaging a mediocre 22.9 ppg while racking up 367.9 total ypg. The team had moderate success on the ground as through the air, as the Bulls churned out 143.2 rushing ypg, while throwing for 224.8 ypg. Quarterback Matt Grothe is the biggest asset the Bulls possess on this side of the football, as the signal caller not only led the team's passing attack, but also paced the Bulls on the ground as well. Grothe, who completed 63.8 percent of his passes this season, threw for 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns against 14 interceptions, while accumulating a team-high 607 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground. Grothe's passing numbers were not tremendous, but the quarterback has shown the ability to spread the ball around, Ean Randolph was the team's main receiving threat during the season, catching 47 passes for 479 yards and fours scores. However, after Randolph five different players finished the regular season with two touchdowns.

Defensively is where the Bulls excelled this season, as the team surrendered just 17.8 ppg, while holding the opposition to just 296.9 total yards per contest. USF was solid against the pass, holding the opposition to just 176.6 ypg through the air, but the team was even better against the run, surrendering just 120.3 ypg, while allowing just 3.4 ypc. The unit only allowed 19 touchdowns on the season and was no stranger to he big play, as the defense forced 23 turnovers and recorded 31 sacks. Ben Moffitt led the team with 106 tackles and also collected 10 TFLs. However, there is much more talent on this unit, especially in the linebacking corps, as Stephen Nichols and Chris Robinson both put forth solid seasons. Nichols recorded 96 stops this year to go along with 12 TFLs and 5.5 sacks, while Robinson added eight TFLs and a team-high six quarterback takedowns. The front line also caused trouble for opposing quarterbacks, as George Selvei and Allen Cray combined for 20 TFLs and 11 sacks. With all the pressure the Bulls put on the quarterback it is tough for teams to find success through the air. If opponents are going to have success with the pass, they should keep the ball away from Trae Williams, who finished the season with 49 tackles and seven interceptions.

Much like their counterpart, the Pirates were not an explosive offensive unit during the regular season, as the team averaged just 22.8 ppg, while collecting 350.8 total ypg. It is obvious the Pirates are a little unbalanced, as the team is passing for 230.1 ypg, while churning out only 120.7 ypg on the ground. The main reason for the lack of success in the backfield is because the Pirates do not have a clear cut option at running back. Brandon Fractious finished the regular season as the team's top back, rushing for 675 yards and four scores. Chris Johnson added 314 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback James Pinkney contributed 225 yards and also found the end zone four times on the ground. While Pinkney was helpful in the ground attack, the quarterback was the main source of production in the aerial assault, completing 60.2 percent of his passes. Pinkney threw for 2,658 yards on the season, but the signal caller only tossed 11 touchdowns passes against 10 interceptions. Aundrae Allison was the main target for Pinkney, as the receiver hauled in 59 passes for 684 yards and four scores. Phillip Henry is a solid number option for ECU, as the wide out collected 34 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Pirates were a bit inconsistent offensively, the team was much better on the defensive side of the ball, as ECU surrendered just 20.5 ppg, while holding the opposition to just 332.9 total ypg. The unit had some issues against the run, surrendering 144.2 ypg on the ground, but fortunately the team had much more success against the pass, allowing just 188.7 ypg through the air. A big reason for the defense's success was its ability to make big plays, as ECU forced 26 turnovers this season, 16 of which were interceptions. However, the unit did have trouble putting pressure on opposing QBs, as the Pirates collected just 17 sacks in 12 games. Quentin Cotton was the spark plug for this unit all season, as the linebacker collected a team-high 68 tackles to go along with eight TFLs. Since the Pirates struggled to put pressure on the quarterback this season, the team used its solid defensive backfield to frustrate opponents. Pierre Parker and Kasey Ross were a terror for opposing quarterbacks, as both players recorded four interceptions on the season.

This should be a solid defensive matchup between two teams with less than impressive offensive units. If the Pirates cannot control the play of Grothe, then ECU will have a tough time capturing a victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: South Florida 26, East Carolina 14

[TMAC951]

New Mexico (6-6) vs. San Jose State(8-4)



Saturday, December 23rd - 4:30 p.m. (et)
From The Sports Network

By Gregg Xenakes, Associate College Football Editor

GAME NOTES: Benefiting from the New Mexico Bowl at their own University Stadium in Albuquerque, the UNM Lobos make it to the postseason this year against the San Jose State Spartans. Thanks to a three-game win streak in October the Lobos put themselves in perfect position for an invitation to the postseason, but then the squad dropped back-to-back outings versus TCU and BYU in Mountain West Conference play, which meant they needed a win over San Diego State in the regular season finale to make the cut. Under pressure, UNM came out on top by scoring a season-high 41 points in a 27-point blowout of San Diego State at home in this same stadium. As for the Spartans, a team that had been the doormat in the Western Athletic Conference for so long, they were competitive in every single game except one this season and along the way nearly knocked off undefeated Boise State at home. The squad closed out the regular season with back-to-back wins over Idaho and a slumping Fresno State program to finish 8-4 overall and 5-3 in league play. For a team that was begging fans to come out to the game, the Spartans win all but one of their seven home games this season, which is one of the reasons why head coach Dick Tomey was recently signed to a contract extension. As far as its history in bowl games, SJSU has been absent from the postseason since 1990 when the squad crushed Central Michigan by a final of 48-24 in the California Bowl. Overall the Spartans are 4-3 in bowl games, beginning with a 20-0 shutout of current WAC foe Utah State during the 1957 Raisin Bowl. As for the Lobos, they've fallen in four straight trips to the postseason with a 34-19 setback against Navy in the 2004 Emerald Bowl. The last bowl win for New Mexico was a 28-12 decision against Western Michigan in the 1961 Aviation Bowl, leaving the squad with a 2-6-1 mark in the postseason. These two programs met annually between 1967-1976 and began their relationship back in 1954 with a 16-14 win by the Spartans. The most recent meeting took place in 1998 with SJSU capturing a 37-20 triumph at home to push their lead in the series to 9-4-1.

With a 6-6 record the Lobos just made the cut for the postseason, which is pretty remarkable in itself considering the issues the program had at the quarterback position in 2006. Signal-callers Chris Nelson, Donovan Porterie and Kole McKamey all saw action under center for the group, but it appears as though Nelson will be getting the ball for this particular outing with Porterie still recovering from a sprained left ankle. Nelson completed exactly half of his pass attempts for 155.9 ypg and 11 touchdowns, against six interceptions, while Travis Brown emerged as the top receiver in terms of catches with 57 for 784 yards and four scores. Brown, an All-MWC First Team selection, was actually second on the squad in yardage and touchdowns behind Marcus Smith who put up 787 yards and eight TDs on 47 receptions, enough to earn him all-conference honorable mention. Just a sophomore, running back Rodney Ferguson earned himself a spot on the All-MWC First Team as well thanks to leading the league in rushing with 94.3 ypg, even though the rest of the program accounted for just 15.4 ypg on the ground to rank 95th in the nation in rushing overall. Were it not for the scoring explosion over a weaker SDSU squad in the finale, the Lobos wouldn't even be close to the 22.7 ppg they are currently scoring to rank fifth in the league.

The pass defense for the Lobos was exposed quite a number of times this season, giving up 239.8 ypg to rank last in the conference and 102nd in the country. Although, DeAndre Wright (All-MWC 2nd Team) couldn't be blamed for too much of that considering he led the team with four interceptions. The same goes for Quincy Black who not only posted three picks and was one of four players to return interceptions for a touchdown this season, he also led the team in total tackles with 113 to earn himself a spot on the All-MWC First Team. Tyler Donaldson, who recorded the only safety of the season for the Lobos, led the unit with five sacks and tied for the lead with nine tackles for loss. However, even with his active play in the backfield, the Lobos still ranked sixth in the conference and 81st nationally in TFLs with just over five per game. The sack totals turned out better for the group though, amounting to 2.3 per game to rank third in the league and 42nd in the country. In terms of total defense, the Lobos were ranked second-to-last in the nine-team conference with 361.8 ypg allowed, which led to a hefty 24.3 ppg permitted as well which left the group 72nd in the nation.

Except for a couple of games where it was necessary for the Spartans to try and keep up with opponents by passing the ball, SJSU had a powerful rushing attack this season. Although, averaging 184.3 ypg to rank second in the WAC and 15th in the nation had a lot to do with the 342 yards gained against a weak Stanford squad in the second game of the season and a stunning 476 yards posted versus Louisiana Tech, one of the worst defenses in all of college football. Named to the All-WAC Second Team for the second year in a row, running back Yonus Davis gained an astounding 6.3 yards per carry to finish with 984 yards and six touchdowns for the program. Not to be overlooked though is Patrick Perry who picked up 444 yards and actually led the program with his seven rushing scores. Handing the ball back to the duo was Adam Tafralis who completed an impressive 65.9 percent of his attempts for 2,075 yards and 18 scores, while getting picked off just seven times in 258 attempts. The pairing of James Jones and John Broussard did much of the damage down the field for SJSU with Jones leading the team with 63 catches for 787 yards and eight scores, while Broussard converted his 48 grabs into 738 yards and six TDs as one of the most consistent possession receivers in the league.

He may have missed out on the league's defensive player of the year award, but as far as the Spartans were concerned, there was no one better in the secondary than junior defensive back, Dwight Lowery who tied for the national lead with nine interceptions through 12 games. For that he was named an All- WAC First Team member. Add in Chris Owens and his four picks and the Spartans had two of the best cover men in the business, which is one of the main reasons why the team ranked third in the conference with a turnover margin of plus .42 this season. The run defense could have learned a thing or two from Lowery and Owens though because the guys up front allowed opponents to average 150.1 ypg to rank 84th in the nation through 12 games. Doing his best two play the entire field and cover up for the mistakes of others was Matt Castelo who easily led the team in tackle with an astounding 147 to go along with a couple of forced fumbles and an interception. With an average of 12.25 stops per game, Castelo placed first in the Western Athletic Conference and third in the nation in that department, being named to the All-WAC Second Team.

The constant shifting at quarterback was not easy for the Lobos to deal with this season, but they made it work just enough to become bowl eligible. Should New Mexico choose to take shots down the field they'd better be ready for Lowery and Owens to make things difficult.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: San Jose State 27, New Mexico 20

[TMAC951]

Tulsa (8-4) vs. Utah (7-5)



Saturday, December 23rd - 8:00 p.m. (et)
From The Sports Network

By Gregg Xenakes, Associate College Football Editor

GAME NOTES: With a perfect 5-0 record in bowl games since 1999, the Utah Utes try to keep the good times rolling as they compete against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Utah, which defeated Georgia Tech in the 2005 Emerald Bowl by a score of 38-10, finished with a record of 5-3 against the rest of the Mountain West Conference this season, but was only 7-5 overall with non-conference losses to UCLA in the opener and an undefeated and nationally-ranked Boise State bunch which is involved in a BCS contest this season just as Utah was a couple of years ago. The Utes finished the regular season on a down note with a narrow 33-31 setback to nationally-ranked BYU on November 25 at home. As for the Golden Hurricane, they placed third in the West Division of Conference USA with a record of 5-3. Against non-conference opponents, the Hurricane turned in a 3-1 effort, with the lone setback being to the same BYU squad to which Utah fell victim. Tulsa struggled down the stretch in 2006 though, losing three straight league games before blowing out Tulane in the regular-season finale, 38-3, at home. This game marks the third bowl appearance in the last four seasons for the Golden Hurricane, which is making the postseason in back- to- back seasons for the first time since turning the trick in 1964-65 in the Bluebonnet Bowl. As far as a series history between these two teams is concerned, Tulsa holds a 2-1 edge over the Utes, claiming a 21-13 victory in the most recent contest back in 1997 in Oklahoma.

The offense for the Golden Hurricane begins with junior signal-caller Paul Smith, a Second Team All-CUSA selection following a regular season in which he crafted the passing attack for Tulsa into the fifth-best in the league. Averaging 232.2 ypg through the air, the Hurricane completed almost two- thirds of their pass attempts, en route to 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Wideout Idris Moss reeled in a team-high 54 balls for 772 yards, and even though he had just a single receiving touchdowns, was still named a second team all-conference member. As good as the passing attack was for Tulsa, the squad made the greatest strides with a running game that just wouldn't quite. Led by Courtney Tennial who carried the ball 165 times for 792 yards, the running backs averaged 167.6 ypg, but more importantly a total of 28 touchdowns. Half of those scores were credited with Tennial, and yet he still struggled for league recognition for his accomplishments. The Golden Hurricane had the second-highest scoring offense in Conference USA this season, trailing only Houston with an average of 28.9 ppg.

Four times the Tulsa defense held opponents to seven points or less in 2006, a testament to the squad's pass defense for the most part. Considering all but one of those contests was a blowout, opponents would have been forced to pass time and time against just to try and catch up, and yet the Golden Hurricane still ranked sixth in the nation in yards allowed through the air with 152.5 ypg. Bobby Blackshire led the group with his three interceptions, but overall the team accounted for just seven picks over 12 games. Perhaps foes were afraid to pass the ball because of the presence of Nick Bunting in the middle of the field. An all-conference performer each year he's played, Bunting was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year earlier this month as he placed third on the team with 65 tackles, adding 4.5 stops for loss and a pair of sacks for the squad. Not to be overlooked is Robert Latu who made 8.5 of his 34 total stops behind the line of scrimmage and also led the team with six sacks, even though Tulsa still ranked 90th in the nation in sacks per game and was 110th in TFLs with a mere 4.2 per outing.

With a number of outstanding quarterbacks performing at top levels this season in the Mountain West, Brett Ratliff was overlooked by many for his accomplishments. Thought to be a backup heading into this season, Ratliff had to take over the offense once it was obvious that Brian Johnson was not making it back from a serious knee injury. Ratliff simply completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 213 ypg and 22 touchdowns, against only eight interceptions. Although just a sophomore, Brent Casteel proved to be the best outlet for Ratliff's efforts, turning 38 receptions in 582 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. Derrek Richards placed seventh in the conference with receptions per game with close to four and a half, which led him on to six scores as well. The Utes didn't put too much stock in running the ball once Ratliff showed he could get the job done through the air, averaging just 138.4 ypg and picking up 13 touchdowns along the way. Darryl Poston was responsible for team highs with 546 yards and five TDs on the ground, helping the Utes to produce the third- highest scoring offense in the MWC at 28.2 ppg. The big guys in the trenches, including all-conference lineman Tavo Tupola, allowed their quarterback to be sacked barely once per game, ranking them 10th in the nation in that department.

There wasn't much mystery heading into the 2006 campaign who the top defender in the MWC was, because Eric Weddle made it look easy as he repeated as the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Just the second player ever to earn the award in back-to-back seasons, Weddle ranked first in the conference and 10th in the nation with his six interceptions and was also responsible for 58 tackles along the way. But more than just being a large part of the puzzle for a defense that ranked fourth in the league in total defense (327.8 ypg), Weddle also took his turn on offense when needed. The senior cornerback scored four rushing TDs on the season to go along with the two he scored on interception returns and the one from a fumble recovery. Lineman Kelly Talavou was also an all-conference First Team member in the MWC thanks to his 7.5 TFLs and three sacks, all on just 37 stops up front. Steve Tate led the team in total tackles with 92, while Martail Burnett recorded a team-best 8.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. It may not fall directly under the heading of either offense or defense, but the fact that punter/kicker Louie Sakoda averaged 43.9 yards per punt meant that he was helping the punt game rank first in the nation this season.

This game will be fought at the line of scrimmage as the Golden Hurricane try to run the ball as much as possible to keep possession and wear down Utah. However, with the top defenders in their respective conferences roaming the field for both squads nothing is going to come easy. Expect Ratliff to have a little more success and Weddle to have more of an impact in more ways than one as the Utes capture the victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Utah 24, Tulsa 17