2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Friday December 31, 3:30 PM ET
#25 UCF (10-3, 7-1 CUSA) vs Georgia (6-6, 3-5 SEC)
Through UCF Rose Colored Beer Goggles:
UCF travels to Memphis with it’s first ever BCS ranking. They have much to prove in this game as rumor of a Big East invite has made the INTERNET rounds. In a season of firsts, it should be pointed out that a bowl victory for them would also be a first. Vegas has taken that into account, pegging the Knights as 6.5 point dogs to a school that finished .500 overall and had a losing in-conference record. Even though past performance is not an indication of future returns, the odds-makers think this game is the exception and the rich Georgia tradition will carry the Dawgs to a winning season. On the other side of the coin, UCF coming up short in bowl games obviously means they will never win a bowl game (insert sarcasm aimed at said odds-makers). Read the rest of this entry →
Army's triple-option led by QB Trent Steelman should sneak up on SMU in the Armed Forces Bowl. (Icon SMI)
Southern Methodist Mustangs (7-6, 6-2 CUSA, 1st Place West, 2nd Place Overall)
vs. Army Black Knights (6-6)
As an interesting kickoff to the preview, both these teams have already faced an offensive clone of their opponent and lost: SMU lost @ triple-option Navy 21-28 in Week 3 and Army was downed at home by run-and-shoot Hawaii 28-31 in Week 2. So both these defenses have already had a taste of what is in store for them this Thursday. The main thing about the triple-option is that it is just so tough to prepare for in one week mid-season, especially if you’ve never seen it before. A guy or two out of position can lead to a breakaway TD. SMU has at least some familiarity with the offense and has had 3 weeks to prepare.
Meanwhile, the time off has not made Army’s DBs any quicker or faster. They might be able to diagnose tendencies, but no one has grown 6 inches or carved a few tenths off their 40-time since early December. The advantage here goes to SMU (Note: SMU has actually played Navy 3 times over the last 3 years and have gone 0-3 vs the triple-option). Read the rest of this entry →
New Mexico Bowl, 2pm Kickoff Saturday December 18 on ESPN
BYU Cougars (6-6, 5-3 Mountain West 5th Place) vs UTEP Miners (6-6, 3-5 CUSA West, 4th Place West 8th Place Overall)
From high scholl all-star to starting bowl QB in less than a year, BYU QB Jake Heaps. (Icon SMI)
The Cougars and the Miners have had a pretty similar seasons on the whole, but there is a definite sense that each squad is headed in different directions. BYU could be in for a good 2011 and might become BCS-worthy in 2012 and beyond. This was UTEP’s shot as the CUSA title with all the seniors in place, now it is back to square-1 in what might be a long couple of seasons…
The QBs will be the key to the game: how will young BYU QB Jake Heaps respond to the complex Miner D that has limited so many passing attacks this season? If the last 4 games are any indication, Heaps should do just fine as he has really taken care of the ball with only 1 INT over that span.
On the other side, Trevor Vittatoe is no where close to 100%, so how effective will he be? BYU isnt great at generating pressure this year (only 19 sacks) so will they be able to get to the gimpy Vittatoe before he can get a shot off downfield to Kris Adams?
Expect this game to be close throughout, both teams are among the least penalized, and both convert a high percentage of 3rd downs (mid-40′s). Read the rest of this entry →
Come on over during the Texas shootout Friday Night to discuss last minute fantasy lineup changes, the Case Keenum phenomenon, news of the day, or your game-used jerseys for sale.
They may be ending the Space Shuttle program at NASA, but Houston will still have a lot of rockets…it just seems that NASA placed them a little closer to downtown on the University of Houston campus.
Conference USA’s top offense will be joined by a slew of CUSA programs producing some of the nation’s best fantasy talent. Of course, the Number One fantasy player from last season, Houston QB Case Keenum (photo, thanksIconSMI), is back for 2010….but, check out the other top fantasy prospects from CUSA…the conference is loaded…
2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Friday December 31, 3:30 PM ET 
