College Football – Write up
NCAAF
Write-up
2007-2008 Bowl Analysis
Bowl game for January 5, ‘08
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Saturday, January 5
#30-- International Bowl, Toronto, 1/5
Ball State allowed 521 rushing yards to Navy (but won the game 34-31 in OT); they gave up 298 to Central Michigan (lost 58-38), 222 to Western Kentucky, 324 in 28-17 loss at Illinois and 214 in win vs Toledo. Cardinals have an excellent +19 turnover ratio; in two games, Ball was even in turnovers- they were plus in other 11, and you just don't see that happen much. However, if they can't turn Rutgers over, they are going to give up 300 rushing yards, and they aren't going to win. Ball lost 41-40 at Nebraska; they covered three of four as an underdog this season.
Rutgers is probably disappointed to be in this bowl after being big shots LY, but coaches are also preaching that most teams in country are done playing, while Knights aren't. Don't like Teel, Rutgers' QB; his backup Lovelace is runner who could do some damage here. Bottom line on this game is that Rutgers will try to run ball down Cardinals' throats; if they protect the ball, let Rice run wild, they're going to score lot of points here. Navy ran ball for over 500 yards against this team. Rice has to have really big eyes going into this contest.
Nothing says Happy New Year like a bowl game in Toronto; the Ball State rush defense is going to get so much Rice thrown at it they're going to think they're in Vietnam. Key to game is Ball St creating turnovers, getting Rutgers in long yardage situations so Teel has to throw ball-- that is Rutgers' weak point. If Rice is allowed to run amok, Cardinals are going back to Muncie losers. I'm not crazy about laying double digits in second-tier bowl, so if you must invest in this, take a shot at the over.
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NCAAF
Write-up
2007-2008 Bowl Analysis
Bowl game for January 5, ‘08
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, January 5
#30-- International Bowl, Toronto, 1/5
Ball State allowed 521 rushing yards to Navy (but won the game 34-31 in OT); they gave up 298 to Central Michigan (lost 58-38), 222 to Western Kentucky, 324 in 28-17 loss at Illinois and 214 in win vs Toledo. Cardinals have an excellent +19 turnover ratio; in two games, Ball was even in turnovers- they were plus in other 11, and you just don't see that happen much. However, if they can't turn Rutgers over, they are going to give up 300 rushing yards, and they aren't going to win. Ball lost 41-40 at Nebraska; they covered three of four as an underdog this season.
Rutgers is probably disappointed to be in this bowl after being big shots LY, but coaches are also preaching that most teams in country are done playing, while Knights aren't. Don't like Teel, Rutgers' QB; his backup Lovelace is runner who could do some damage here. Bottom line on this game is that Rutgers will try to run ball down Cardinals' throats; if they protect the ball, let Rice run wild, they're going to score lot of points here. Navy ran ball for over 500 yards against this team. Rice has to have really big eyes going into this contest.
Nothing says Happy New Year like a bowl game in Toronto; the Ball State rush defense is going to get so much Rice thrown at it they're going to think they're in Vietnam. Key to game is Ball St creating turnovers, getting Rutgers in long yardage situations so Teel has to throw ball-- that is Rutgers' weak point. If Rice is allowed to run amok, Cardinals are going back to Muncie losers. I'm not crazy about laying double digits in second-tier bowl, so if you must invest in this, take a shot at the over.
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