College football prepares for bowl games

Monday, December 14, 1998

College football prepares for bowl games

PREVIEW: Approaching match-ups considered on game-by-game
basis

By Rocky Salmon

Daily Bruin Staff

Dec. 19 – Las Vegas Bowl

San Diego St. (7-4) vs. N. Carolina (6-5)

3 p.m. (ESPN2) Las Vegas, Nev.

The Aztecs may have four losses, but those came against
Wisconsin, BYU, Arizona and USC – which all made it to a bowl. Even
though the Aztecs have not made a bowl trip since the Marshall
Faulk days of 1991, this team is as explosive as its predecessor.
Led by wide receiver Damon Gourdine, who has two kickoff returns
for touchdowns, the Aztecs finished third in the WAC.

North Carolina started off the season with three straight
losses, including a shoot-out with Stanford. But the team has
bounced back under first-year coach Carl Torbush to go 5-3 in the
ACC. Quarterback Oscar Davenport has a formidable target in Na
Brown, who hauled in six touchdown receptions.

Dec. 23 – Motor City Bowl

Marshall (11-1) vs. Louisville (7-4)

5 p.m. (ESPN) Pontiac, Mich.

The Stampeding Herd have a stellar quarterback in Chad
Pennington, who has thrown for 3429 yards and 24 touchdowns. Behind
him in the pocket is running back Doug Chapman, who has 15
touchdowns this year and over 1000 yards. Imagine if they still had
Randy Moss.

Louisville’s quarterback, Chris Redman, leads the nation with
400.9 yards passing per game. Leroy Collins has found the end zone
19 times to help the Cardinals lead the nation in total offense at
559 yards per game. On a game two days before the Christmas games,
this offensive battle should hold you over.

Dec. 25 – Aloha Bowl

Oregon (8-3) vs. Colorado (7-4)

12:30 p.m. (ABC) Honolulu, Hawaii

Those poor Ducks were making arrangements to go to San Diego
when UCLA slipped up. Now quarterback Akili Smith, co-Pac-10 Player
of the Year, will lead the nations’ seventh-ranked scoring offense
into Hawaii. The Ducks garnered two losses when star running back
Reuben Droughns went down with an injury, leaving all the pressure
on Smith – and he has responded.

The Buffaloes have regrouped after a horrendous last year behind
the inconsistent play of quarterback Mike Moschetti, a transfer
from Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, who has thrown for 15
touchdowns. With the return of Marlo Barnes, injured earlier in the
year, the Buffs have a formidable running back who can keep the
Colorado defense off of the field. Look for another explosive game
as the Ducks and Buffaloes do battle in Hawaiian sunshine.

Dec. 25 – Oahu Bowl

Air Force (11-1) vs. Washington (6-5)

5:30 p.m. (ESPN) Honolulu, Hawaii

This is the second half of Hawaii Bowl Day, in which two
exciting quarterbacks will square off. Air Force runs the wishbone
behind Blane Morgan, who is not as much a passer but a runner. On
the year he has 10 touchdown throws and 15 touchdown runs. He has
only 111 attempts in the air while running 145 times. Morgan may
still be hobbled by a sprained ankle, but the high-flying Falcons
are an exciting team.

The Huskies were supposed to battle UCLA for the Pac-10 title
but they ended up slipping into fifth place. Brock Huard has passed
for 1,924 yards on the season with 15 touchdowns, but has not found
a consistent receiver to connect with. At times, Huard is replaced
with Marques Tuiasosopo, who ends up running a wishbone-like
offense. On the year he has run for 330 yards with an average of
7.7 yards a carry.

Dec. 26 – Heritage Bowl

Beth-Cookman (8-2) vs. Southern (8-3)

9:30 a.m. (NBC) Atlanta, Ga.

Beth.-Cookman is visiting a Bowl for the first time in 21 years.
Patel Troutman, the supposed quarterback, has thrown five
touchdowns to 10 interceptions. But his strength is not his arm but
rather his legs as he has run for 1045 yards and 15 touchdowns.
When he does throw it, he sends the ball to James Adderly, who is
200 yards shy of 1000 receiving yards on the season.

Southern will try to win its fourth Heritage Bowl in the last
five years. This year’s offense has blown up with deadly weapons.
Tiger quarterback Sam George has stellar stats, passing for 1,935
yards and 20 touchdowns. Behind George in the backfield is Steve
Wufford, who has rushed over 1,000 yards on the season. The Tigers
will look to roar after Christmas.

Dec. 26 – Insight.com Bowl

West Virginia (8-3) vs. Missouri (7-4)

5 p.m. (ESPN) Tucson, Ariz.

The Mountaineers have lost their last six bowl games, but have
an ace in quarterback Marc Bulger. This Mountaineer has thrown for
27 touchdowns and 3,178 yards. What’s even more impressive is that
he has spread the ball around to his receivers, as three receivers
have caught more than five touchdowns. Amos Zereoue is a big-time
running back with 1,430 yards, averaging 5.5 yards. This is the
player who opens up the passing game.

Making their first trip to the bowl once called the Copper Bowl,
the Tigers have a young backfield tandem that resembles West
Virginia’s. Behind quarterback Corby Jones, who has passed for
1,281 yards, and running back Devin West, with 1,578 yards, the
Tigers made it through a tough Big 12 schedule with a winning
record. This Bowl will be decided by a deuce, a tandem of running
back and quarterback.

Dec. 29 – Music City Bowl

Virginia Tech (8-3) vs. Alabama (7-4)

2 p.m. (ESPN) Nashville, Tenn.

With all this offense flying around in the bowl games, the
Hokies can quench the thirst for old-fashioned grind it out and
tough defense.

This is a team that knows how to find the ball and the
quarterback. Led by junior defensive end Corey Moore, who had 67
tackles and 14 sacks, the defense was ninth in the nation.

Even more impressive is the 45 sacks and 23 interceptions, which
leads the nation, the Hokie defense has caused all year. This is a
team that symbolizes Big East football.

The Crimson Tide are all about Shaun Alexander, who ran for
1,276 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is the most explosive player on
the Alabama team, which is only 11-11 under head coach Mike Dubose.
He will needs to win more, including this bowl game, if he wants to
get an extension like Hokie head coach Frank Beamer’s.

Dec. 29 – Micron PC Bowl

N.C. State (7-4) vs. Miami (8-3)

4:30 p.m. (TBS) Miami, Fla.

The Wolfpack have one of the most potent offenses in college
football. Wide receiver Larry Holt set the all-time ACC record with
88 catches for 1,604 yards. The man who has thrown to him this
year, Jamie Barnette, has racked up 3,161 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Wolfpack should be able to capitalize on a Miami defense that
has given up 111 points to Syracuse and UCLA in the past two
games.

The Hurricanes have been hot and cold the last two games on
offense. Against Syracuse they only managed 13 points but they
burned UCLA for 49 points.

Only one name needs to be mentioned when the Hurricanes are
spoken of – Edgerrin James. His last game, where he scampered for
299 yards, showed why many scouts are impressed with his running
ability. Quarterback Scott Covington has been one of the reasons
why the offense is inconsistent. Unless a Hurricane defense shows
up, then the Wolfpack will howl over the thundering winds.

Dec. 29 – Alamo Bowl

Kansas St. (11-1) vs. Purdue (8-4)

5:30 p.m. (ESPN) San Antonio, Texas

"The Alamo Bowl is one of those up-and-coming Bowls," said
Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder after his team lost a date with
the Fiesta Bowl. All year long the Wildcats had a shot at the
national championship behind the play of Michael Bishop, who passed
for 2,944 yards and ran for 748.

His favorite receiver is Darnell MacDonald, who had 1,092
receiving yards. But the real question and worry is whether the
Wildcats will be emotionally up for playing against unranked
Purdue. They had a chance to go to the Fiesta; a few hours later,
they were sent to the Alamo Bowl.

The Boilermakers have the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
(after throwing for 3,753 yards and 36 touchdowns) in Drew Brees.
Purdue has the nation’s 16th-ranked offense. Kansas State’s is
ninth-ranked. But the difference here should be the Wildcat
defense, which held the opponent to 11.3 points per game.

The Boilermakers have had an up and down year and will need an
amazing performance from Brees for a Purdue victory.

Dec. 30 – Humanitarian Bowl

Idaho (8-3) vs. Southern Miss. (7-4)

Noon (ESPN2) Boise, Idaho

With a nickname like the Vandals, you would think Idaho had a
strong defense. Au contraire. Rather, this team has a powerful
offense led by a punishing running back in Joel Thomas, who has
accumulated 1,229 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Vandals rarely go to
the air as the quarterback has thrown 10 picks to his 11
touchdowns. What will benefit the Vandals will be playing at home
with the crowd behind their back against a team that has traveled
from afar.

The Golden Eagles has a deadly trio in quarterback Lee Roberts,
running back Derrick Nix and wide receiver Sherrod Gideon. Roberts
has passed for 2,680 yards and 22 touchdowns, with his favorite
Eagle being Gideon, who has over 1000 yards receiving and 13
touchdowns. To keep the defense honest and not focus in on the
passing, Nix has rushed this year for 1,180 yards. To top it off,
their four losses came against undefeated Tulane, Alabama, Texas
A&M and Penn State.

Dec. 30 – Holiday Bowl

Nebraska (9-3) vs. Arizona (11-1)

5 p.m. (ESPN) San Diego, Calif.

This game has more excitement to it than most of the BCS Bowl
games, as both teams are powerhouses. In fact, the game is so hyped
that it sold out a day after the teams were announced, which is the
first time a Holiday Bowl ever sold out. The Cornhuskers this year
have stayed with their tradition of running, and Correll Buckhalter
leads the team with 799 yards.

But this Nebraska team revolves around its defense. Defensive
end Mike Rucker will be crucial, as the Cornhuskers team has
limited opponents to three yards per carry, and Arizona running
back Trung Canidate will be pivotal if the Wildcats are to win.

Arizona is still reeling after thinking they were going to the
Rose Bowl. After UCLA’s loss they were sent to the Holiday Bowl.
But this is one of the best games of the Bowl season.

The Wildcats have a deadly duo of quarterbacks in Ortege Jenkins
and Keith Smith. Their biggest target is Dennis Northcutt, who has
great hands and blazing speed. Watch out for this one as the
Wildcats will roar in San Diego as they smart from their Rose Bowl
miss.

Dec. 31 – Liberty Bowl

Tulane (11-0) vs. BYU (9-4)

10:30 am (ESPN) Memphis, Tenn.

The Green Waves has a tsunami on offense. Quarterback Shaun King
has helped Tulane lead the country in scoring offense and total
offense. He has passed for 3,219 yards and 36 touchdowns.

King has two receivers who have grabbed over 10 touchdowns: P.J.
Franklin (1,169 yards and 10 TDs) and Jajuan Dawson (947 yards and
12 TDs).

But since Tulane coach Tommy Bowden left and will not be around
for the game, his assistant will have to step in.

This will be the game to prove to the nation that their
undefeated record is not due to a soft schedule.

The Cougars also have a high-scoring quarterback of their own in
Kevin Fetteryk, with 2,460 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Cougars have won the last six straight by scoring at least
36 points, and have a stable coach in LuValle Edwards. Even in an
off year, BYU can knock off the Green Waves to run its wins to
double digits.

Dec. 31 – Sun Bowl

USC (8-4) vs. TCU (6-5)

11 a.m. (CBS) El Paso, Texas

USC comes into this bowl after placing fourth in the Pac-10. The
Trojans are aided by a strangling defense led by Daylon McCutcheon
and Chris Claiborne, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year.
Claiborne will be needed to stop TCU running back Basil Mitchell,
who ran for 1,111 yards. The last time the Trojans went to a Sun
Bowl they lost to Michigan State in 1990. This could be a good test
for freshman quarterback Carson Palmer, as he gets to taste the
postseason play before next year rolls around.

The Horned Frogs will be aiming for a victory to silence the
critics who are complaining about a 6-5 team making a bowl game
when teams in the same conference who had better records and
defeated them, like Wyoming, don’t get a chance to play.

What happened was that since the game is in El Paso, home to WAC
conference team Texas El Paso, the people who decided who plays in
the bowl ignored 8-4 Wyoming because the Cowboys were breaking away
from the WAC. So now the game has gone from potential excitement
with USC vs. Wyoming to bland and boring.

Dec. 31 – Peach Bowl

Virginia (9-2) vs. Georgia (8-3)

2 p.m. (ESPN) Atlanta, Ga.

ACC versus SEC. Old school football and old school traditions.
The two teams met in 1995 in the Peach Bowl, and the Cavaliers won
34-27. This Virginia team does not rely on offense but on
defense.

In fact, two players have been named All-Americans for their
play on defense. Patrick Kerney, a senior, led the ACC in sacks
with 14 and had 59 tackles including 20 for losses. His sidekick
Anthony Poindexter was named to the squad because of his 73 tackles
but he suffered a season-ending injury which might have major
implications against Georgia.

The Bulldogs have a good quarterback in Quincy Carter, who threw
for 16 touchdowns. But that is not their biggest threat – that
distinction goes to a man who should be nicknamed "Slash," as he
fits into the mould of Champ Bailey. He is a three-way threat,
playing running back, wide receiver and defensive back. This man is
a deadly threat, as he has accumulated better stats than Heisman
Trophy winner Charles Woodson did last year. If you want to watch
an exciting player who has raised up past hard times then flick
this game on.

Dec. 31 – Independence Bowl

Mississippi (6-5) vs. Texas Tech (7-4)

5:30 p.m. (ESPN) Shreveport, La.

Mississippi is only one of two teams with a 6-5 record to be in
a bowl game.

However, its schedule was hard, with losses coming against
Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi St. and Auburn.

Ole Miss was third in total offense in the SEC, but only gained
265 yards in its last game against archrival Mississippi State.
Quarterbacking for the Rebels is Romero Miller, who passed for over
2,000 yards but also threw 11 picks. The strength of this team lies
in its running back, Deuce McAllister, who ran up 1,082 yards on
the season and seven touchdowns.

The Red Raiders also have their strength in the backfield in
Ricky Williams. No, it’s not Patrick Henry’s Ricky Williams who
just broke the rushing record, but another running back who is
stands only in the five feet range. A small back with a lot of
heart, Williams has 1,582 rushing yards on the season with 13
touchdowns.

If you cannot wait the extra day for the Cotton Bowl to see
Texas’ Ricky Williams then feast your eyes on this back.

Jan 1 – Outback Bowl

Kentucky (7-4) vs. Penn St. (8-3)

8 a.m. (ESPN) Tampa, Fla.

The Wildcats had harsh losses against SEC powers Tennessee,
Florida, Arkansas and Georgia. But the Wildcats have someone
everyone across America should get to see before he enters the
draft early – quarterback Tim Couch. He has lit up opponents for
4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns. With his strong arm, his offense is
in the top five in total offense per game at 530 yards. His
favorite target has been Craig Yeast, who has hauled in 14
touchdown passes and 1,311 yards receiving.

The Nittany Lions have a fearsome defense, third in the Big Ten
in total defense and scoring defense, giving up only 14 points a
game. It will be up to an athletic trio of linebackers to contain
Yeast and Couch from connecting on big plays.

The leader of this linebacking corp is Big Ten Defensive Player
of the Year LaVar Arrington, who had 65 tackles, seven sacks and
two interceptions. Playing behind him in the secondary is David
Macklin, who racked up six interceptions and should pose a
formidable foe against the record-setting Couch. With Coach Joe
Paterno on their side, Penn St. has the upper hand.

Jan 1 – Gator Bowl

Georgia Tech (9-2) vs. Notre Dame (9-2)

9:30 a.m. (NBC) Jacksonville, Fla.

The Yellowjackets come into this game with a high-flying offense
anchored by a tremendous quarterback and his battery mate, a quick
wide receiver. At quarterback, Joe Hamilton has passed for 2,166
yards and 16 touchdowns, but even more impressive is receiver Dez
White.

As a receiver, White has caught 45 passes for 959 yards and nine
touchdowns. White is the Yellowjackets’ game-breaker, as he also
returns punts and kicks. Georgia Tech had a great year in which it
could finish with double-digit victories, the first time since it
won a co-national championship with Bobby Ross as head coach.

For the Fighting Irish, this is a bowl game they would rather
have missed. But with USC humiliating them in front of a national
audience 10-0, the Irish were ousted out of their BCS hopes and
instead accepted the Gator Bowl, losing out on $11 million.

Unlike in the USC game though, quarterback Jarious Jackson has
been cleared to play. He is the player that makes the Irish tick.
On the season Jackson has 1,740 yards passing and 12 touchdowns but
his stats don’t tell the real story.

The true meaning is his leadership ability and the fact that he
does not turn the ball over (only six times this year).

Behind him, Autry Denson has made himself into a good running
back, surpassing the 1,000 yard mark.

For the Irish, the Gator Bowl may be a deadly trap, as the
Yellowjackets have been poisonous on offense.

Jan. 1 – Citrus Bowl

Michigan (9-3) vs. Arkansas (9-2)

10 a.m. (ABC) Orlando, Fla.

After capturing a share of the national championship last year,
this year the Wolverines were supposed to romp through the Big Ten.
Lo and behold, the team struggled early as the defense got run
over.

But they have consistently improved over the season behind
quarterback Drew Henson and Anthony "A-train" Thomas, who has
bounced back from injuries just in time for the bowl game. Thomas
has been a major player, gaining 800 yards and 12 touchdowns. The
defense has also rebounded and now is fourth in total defense in
the Big Ten and will need to come up with a big performance against
the Hogs.

The Razorbacks shocked the whole country in almost running the
table in the SEC before falling one win short of the SEC title
game. It was the Hogs that almost knocked Tennessee from the BCS
picture before they lost to Tennessee on a quarterback fumble. No
fumble, no Volunteers in the Fiesta Bowl and Arkansas could be
undefeated. But with the loss, the Hogs seemed to have lost their
focus as they fell to Mississippi a week later by three points. The
Hogs may have a great offense led by quarterback Clint Stoerner,
who has passed for 26 touchdowns and 2,626 yards – but this game
will be decided by the Hogs’ defense, which was third in the SEC in
total defense, giving up 300 yards per game.

If the Razorbacks win, then head coach Houston Nutt will have
pushed his team to double-digit wins in his first year. It will be
interesting to see if the team can rebound from two heartbreaking
losses.

Jan. 1 – Cotton Bowl

Texas (8-3) vs. Mississippi St. (8-4)

8 a.m. (FOX) Dallas, Texas

This game will be America’s last chance to see record breaker
(26 records, in fact) Ricky Williams one last time in the college
ranks before he goes pro. Williams broke Tony Dorsett’s rushing
record against Texas A&M to clinch a Cotton Bowl berth for
Texas. However, the Longhorns have not won a bowl game since
Williams arrived, and look for Williams to bust out with a huge
game against a Mississippi defense that gave up 142 yards per game
on the ground.

The problem with Mississippi State is to see if it can bounce
back from a loss to Tennessee in the SEC title game. The Bulldogs
also have a great rusher who would love to do nothing better than
to steal the spotlight from Williams. James Johnson was SEC’s
leading rusher with 1,383 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Johnson was a major factor in pushing the Volunteers to the
breaking point in the SEC title game.

With the Bulldog fans already buying all their tickets, the
Cotton Bowl will be fan friendly to Mississippi, which could be the
difference in the game. Oh, hold on. Never mind – Texas has Ricky
Williams.

Jan. 1 – Sugar Bowl

Texas A&M (11-2) vs. Ohio St. (10-1)

5:30 p.m. (ABC) New Orleans, La.

The Aggies are coming off of a stunning victory over Kansas
State that knocked the Wildcats out of the Fiesta Bowl. Starting
quarterback Randy McCown suffered a broken collarbone and will not
be ready to play against the Buckeyes, but Brandon Stewart is fit
to go. Stewart led the Aggies to the win against Kansas State by
passing for 323 yards. Behind Stewart, the Aggies have a decent
rushing attack with Dante Hall, who has 1,024 yards on the year and
eight touchdowns.

On the other side of the field, the Buckeyes head coach feels
snubbed by the BCS, and believes his team should get the shot at a
national championship. But his team is rearing to play. Faltering
against Michigan State, his team has too much talent to lose any
more games.

With first-team Big Ten quarterback Joe Germaine, first-teamers
Mike Wiley and David Boston, Ohio St. is loaded on offense. This is
an offense which is precise and explosive. However, the offense has
a nice counterpart in the defense. The Buckeye defense is led by
linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer, cornerback Damon Moore and safety
Antoine Whitfield.

A win against this team shows that your team has talent and can
play with the big boys. Even with a snub by the BCS, the Buckeyes
will come out gunning.

Jan. 2 – Orange Bowl

Syracuse (8-3) vs. Florida (9-2)

5 p.m. (ABC) Miami, Fla.

Watch out for these offensive fireworks. Both teams love to move
the ball and score. The Orangemen are led by quarterback Donovan
McNabb, who helped rack up 66 points on Miami and on the season
passed for 2,234 yards and 22 touchdowns, as well as ran for 438
yards. McNabb is the read deal and is the reason why Syracuse was
third in the nation in scoring at 42.5 and averaged 430 yards a
game.

If you want scoring and offense turn on this game.

The Gators are just like the Orangemen, even though they have
rotated their starting quarterbacks. Doug Johnson has passed for
2,346 yards, while Jesse Palmer has thrown 14 touchdowns.

The question is who will start against Syracuse. No matter who
is playing quarterback, the Gators have racked up 460 yards a game
but only have managed 37.5 points a game. which is lower than
Syracuse’s.

At wideout is Terry McGriff, who has become a big play receiver
snagging 10 touchdowns and 1, 357 yards a game.

It used to be one of the biggest bowls of the early ’90s – this
game will not disappoint, as touchdowns are sure to fall like New
Year’s resolutions.

Jan. 4 – Fiesta Bowl

Tennessee (12-0) vs. Florida St. (11-1)

5 p.m. (ABC) Tempe, Ariz.

The Volunteers were supposed to make a run at the national title
last year with Peyton Manning quarterbacking the team, but the team
lost and ended up in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska trying to
play the spoiler.

This year, things are a little bit different.

Recording their first 12-win season in school history, the Vols
control their own fate. Tee Martin has come in to replace an
irreplaceable Peyton Manning.

He has responded with Manning-esque numbers: 2,164 yards passing
and 19 touchdowns.

But the biggest surprise has come at running back, as Travis
Henry has stepped in after Jamal Lewis was injured. Henry has
racked up 970 yards for a 5.5 yard per carry average.

In Peerless Price, the Vols have one of the country’s most
underrated wide receivers as he has gained 920 yards receiving.

If the Vols win, Tennessee will go crazy – but if they lose,
debate will surface.

Florida State did not think it had a shot at the Fiesta Bowl and
the national championship on Dec. 4, but then the weekend
happened.

First UCLA lost. Then Kansas State faltered, and suddenly the
Seminoles were making emergency plans to Tempe.

The Seminoles lead the series, having won the only meeting 10-0
in 1958 with the Vols.

Quarterback Chris Weinke was on pace to pass for 3000 yards when
he suffered a season-ending injury.

In steps Marcus Outzen, who is still trying to learn the
offense. Fortunately for him, he has a stellar receiver in Peter
Warrick (1,232 yards; 12 touchdowns).

With a new quarterback, the pressure falls on the Seminole
defense to pick up the pace and this defense can respond. Florida
State’s defense has always been speedy and athletic, and this unit
is no different.

Led by linebacker Dan Woldrop and cornerback David Feaster, this
team can shut down Tee Martin and the Vols’ offense.

So if the Vols win, they are national champions, but if they
don’t, controversy will arise.

Assuming that every other 10-1 team wins, then Ohio State,
Kansas State, Arizona, UCLA and Florida State will all have a claim
to the national crown.

However, Florida State will get first place in the ESPN Coaches
Poll, leaving the AP Poll the chance to vote for a co-champion.

What does this mean? It means we are one step closer to a
play-off system.

In fact, said Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden, "The clamor
for a play-off system will get louder and I am for a four-team
play-off system."

This year has proven one thing: the BCS may have been a step in
the right direction but it is only a baby step.

A play-off system would alleviate controversy and that may come
about if the Vols fall on

Jan. 4.

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