|
BOWLS:
There are a record 68 teams in 34 bowls. That means 51 teams failed to qualify and four-Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Arkansas-are from the SEC.
SEC COACHES ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM:
Alabama (10), Florida (9), Georgia (6), Kentucky (5), LSU (5), Ole Miss (5), Arkansas (4), South Carolina (4), Tennessee (4), Auburn (2), State and Vandy (2).
AP ALL-SEC TEAM:
Alabama had six players on the first team. Florida's Tim Tebow was the Offensive Player of the Year and Tennessee's Eric Berry was the Defensive Player of the Year. Receiver Julio Jones was the Freshman of the Year. Nick Saban was the Coach of the Year. Florida has four players on the first team. Georgia and LSU had three each.
ESPN HOME DEPOT AWARDS:
Tebow won the Maxwell Award; Alabama's Andre Smith won the Outland Trophy and Alabama's Saban won the Coach of the Year award.
PREVIEWING THE BOWLS INVOLVING SEC TEAMS
FLORIDA VS. OKLAHOMA IN THE BCS NATIONAL TITLE GAME IN MIAMI ON JAN. 8:
This is a game between two great offenses. Both teams won their conference titles. The Gators have the ninth ranked defense allowing 279 yards per game and OU has the No. 65 ranked defense allowing 359 ypg. Florida is No. 18 in offense averaging 442 ypg and Oklahoma averages 562 ypg. OU leads the nation averaging 54 ppg and Florida is No. 3 scoring 45 ppg. The Sooners are the first team in NCAA history to average at least 60 points in five straight games. OU running back DeMarco Murray hurt his knee in the Big 12 title game and never returned while Florida receiver Percy Harvin never played in the SEC title game due to a sprained ankle.
The Gators have several assistants being mentioned as possible coaching candidates: Steve Addazio was mentioned as a possibility with Syracuse, but Saints' Doug Marrone is expected to be hired. Receivers coach Billy Gonzalez has been associated with Tennessee/Kansas State. Defensive line coach Dan McCarney has been mentioned with San Diego State. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong had been associated with Mississippi State and Central Florida. Mullen went to Mississippi State and Central Florida officials said Thursday that George O'Leary would remain as coach. Florida Coach Urban Meyer told an Orlando radio station that Notre Dame is still his dream job.
UTAH (12-0) VS. ALABAMA (12-1) in the SUGAR BOWL IN NEW ORLEANS on JAN. 2:
Can the Tide find motivation after losing a difficult game to Florida? The Tide has a big advantage at the line of scrimmage. Tailback Glen Coffee will need the time to rest his ailing hamstring. The Utes finished with their second unbeaten season in five years. Utah senior quarterback Brian Johnson is No. 4 in the Mountain West in total offense averaging 232 yards per game. Kicker Louie Sakoda leads the conference in scoring with 115 points. Receiver Freddie Brown has 65 catches for 775 yards. The Utes are No. 31 in total offense averaging 405 yards per game. Alabama is No. 56 averaging 367 ypg. The Tide is No. 3 in total defense allowing 256 ypg and Utah is No. 18 allowing 295 ypg. Defense was Utah's strength this season. Their offense has been inconsistent even though the Utes scored 30 or more points in nine of 12 games. Coach Kyle Whittingham is an Urban Meyer disciple. Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen will coach in the bowl game despite taking the head coaching job at Utah State.
TEXAS TECH (11-1) VS. OLE MISS (8-4) in the COTTON BOWL in DALLAS on JAN. 2:
This will be the final game in the Cotton Bowl before the bowl moves to the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium next season. The Rebels, who won their last five games, were rewarded for a fine season with a trip to the Cotton Bowl. This is the first bowl game for Ole Miss since the 2004 Cotton Bowl. Former Florida Gator Jamar Hornsby has committed to Ole Miss following his year at East Mississippi Community College where he was the second leading tackler with 111. He was dismissed from Florida after he was charged with misdemeanor charges of credit card fraud.
Rebel Coach Houston Nutt said he is nervous about final exams. If Ole Miss had gone to a bowl game last year, around 30 players would have been academically ineligible.
Texas Tech, who ended the season in a tie for the Big South title, beat Texas for its only loss of the season. The Ole Miss challenge will be to slow down Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, a Heisman Trophy candidate, who averages 417 yards passing per game. Texas Tech's offensive line allowed only 11 sacks this season. Ole Miss is No. 62 in pass defense allowing 209 ypg. The Rebels are No. 15 overall in total defense. They have struggled at cornerback. The Rebels will need defensive lineman Greg Hardy to pressure Harrell.
KENTUCKY (6-6) VS. EAST CAROLINA (9-4) in the LIBERTY BOWL IN MEMPHIS on JAN. 2:
This is the 50th anniversary of the Liberty Bowl. The Wildcats, who lost six of their last eight, face East Carolina, the Conference USA champs. Mike Hartline is the likely starter at quarterback since Randall Cobb had his knee scoped. Wildcat defensive end Jeremy Jarmon will healthy for the game. This is Kentucky's third straight bowl game, which has not happened since 1949-1951. East Carolina beat heavily favored Tulsa to the win the title. The Pirates won six of their last seven games. East Carolina's defense limited Tulsa, who was leading the nation with 576 yards, to 399. They also beat Virginia Tech and West Virginia in September. Defensive lineman C. J. Wilson is No. 16 in the nation in sacks. East Carolina Coach Skip Holtz is reported to be interviewing for the Syracuse job this week.
MICHIGAN STATE (9-3) VS. GEORGIA (9-3) in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1:
The Capital One Bowl is the highest paying non-BCS bowl with a payout of $4.25 million. Bowl officials admitted that they chose Georgia over Ole Miss because the Bulldogs had a better conference record. The Bulldog defense has to improve after allowing 38 points or more in four of the final five games. Bulldog running backs coach Tony Ball could be a candidate for the open position at Chattanooga, his alma mater.
Michigan State, who is coached by South Carolina graduate Mark Dantonio, lost to Ohio State and Penn State. This is State's first New Year's Day bowl in nine years. They are led by Javon Ringer, one of the finalists for the Doak Walker Award. The game will be billed as a battle between Ringer, who has 1,590 yards and 21 scores, and Knowshon Moreno, who has 1,338 yards and 16 touchdowns. Both backs were up for the Doak Walker award. Spartan quarterback Brian Hoyer has nine touchdowns and eight picks.
BOSTON COLLEGE (9-4) VS. VANDERBILT (6-6) in the MUSIC CITY BOWL in NASHVILLE on Dec. 31:
The Commodores are in their first bowl game since 1982, but it won't be much of a trip since the game is in Nashville. Vandy comes into the game having lost six of its last seven games. Don't expect an offensive explosion. B.C. is No. 94 in total offense averaging 318 ypg and the Commodores are No. 117 in total offense averaging 260 ypg. Vanderbilt is No. 29 in total defense allowing 318 ypg and B.C. is No. 6 allowing 273 ypg. Vandy is No. 3 in the SEC in sacks with 30, but the B.C. offensive line has allowed only 16, the fewest in the conference.
Boston College lost the ACC title game last Saturday to Virginia Tech. The Eagles had a nine-win season that included three shutouts. B. C. is playing in its tenth straight bowl game and working on an eight- game bowl winning streak. The Eagles, ranked No. 6 in total defense allowing 274 ypg, have scored eight defensive or special teams touchdowns. Quarterback Dominique Davis will need the extra month of practice. He threw two picks in the ACC title game. Tailback Montel Harris gained 832 yards this season.
GEORGIA TECH (9-3) VS. LSU (7-5) in the CHICK -FIL-A BOWL in ATLANTA ON DEC. 31:
This might be a nightmare matchup for LSU and a literal home game for Tech. The Tigers struggled toward the end of the year on defense and Tech, the highest ranked ACC team in the BSC at No. 15, is one of the hottest teams in the nation on offense. As they did against Georgia, Tech wants to show that they are a more physical and possibly strong team than the Tigers. Tech tailback Jonathan Dwyer averaged 110 yards per game, the only back in the ACC to average over 100 yards per game. Yellow Jacket coach Paul Johnson was named the ACC Coach-of-the-Year. Safety Morgan Burnett led the nation in interceptions with seven.
LSU, who comes in having lost three of its last four, is 4-0 in the Chick-Fil-A bowl. Four LSU juniors-receiver Brandon LaFell, running back Charles Scott, offensive tackle Ciron Black and defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois- are considering an opportunity to declare for the NFL draft. Tech is No. 23 in total defense allowing 312 ypg and LSU is No. 35 allowing 326 ypg. The Tigers gave up more than 30 points in three of the last four games. Georgia Tech is No. 3 nationally in rushing offense averaging 282 ypg.
Names for a possible opening for Tiger defensive coordinator are Phil Bennett of Pitt, Ed Oregon of the Saints, John Chavis formerly of Tennessee, former Syracuse coach Greg Robinson, Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads and UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker. Coach Les Miles said there would be no changes before the bowl game. Tailback Charles Scott said he was leaning toward returning for his senior year. He has rushed for 1,109 yards and 15 touchdowns.
IOWA (8-4) VS. SOUTH CAROLINA (7-5) in the OUTBACK BOWL in TAMPA on JAN. 1:
South Carolina is hoping to end the season on a winning note after losing the last two games to Florida and Clemson. The Gamecocks won consecutive Outback Bowls in 2001 and 2002. This is the first meeting between the two teams. Coach Steve Spurrier is the first coach in school history to lead the Gamecocks to a bowl game in three out of his first four seasons. If South Carolina wins, Spurrier, who is 7-7 in bowl games, will have 29 victories, the highest win total of any coach in school history. Usually it takes eight wins to secure a New Year's Day bowl, but with the SEC being down the Gamecocks were able to play on the first day of the year.
South Carolina's defense will be challenged to stop Iowa running back Shonn Greene, who averages 144 ypg. Iowa's four losses have come by a total of 12 points. The Hawkeyes won four of their final five games. Their best win came over previously unbeaten Penn State.
AUBURN: The Tigers are not going to a bowl, but they have attracted quite a bit of attention after the ouster of Tommy Tuberville, who received a $5.8 million buyout. Several names have come up in the search such as Jimbo Fisher ($5 million buyout) from Florida State, Paul Johnson from Georgia Tech, but reports have stated Auburn officials are moving in other directions. Tiger officials interviewed Georgia assistant Rodney Garner Sunday. Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley, Miami offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, Tulsa's Todd Graham, Ball State Coach Brady Hoke, Buffalo's Turner Gill and TCU's Gary Patterson have also interviewed. There have also been rumors that Steve Spurrier has been contacted. A Mobile TV station reported that Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp was going to take the job.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen, who will make $1.2 million per year, has replaced Sly Croom. Jets receiver coach Noel Mazzone, Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Florida's Strong, former Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden, Dooley of Louisiana Tech, Gill of Buffalo, Skip Holtz of East Carolina, Gus Malzahn of Tulsa, Tuberville of Auburn, Ellis Johnson of South Carolina, and Chris Petersen of Boise State were mentioned as possibilities. It has also been reported that Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson turned the job down.
Sly Croom admitted that he had worked out a plan to bring Al Borges on as offensive coordinator. Bulldog quarterback Wesley Carroll has asked for and been given his release from the program. Carroll started in 2007, but was benched midway through this past season for Tyson Lee.
TENNESSEE: Former Coach Phil Fulmer has been hired as a special assistant (fund raiser) to the president. He will receive $37,000 per month for three months. The UT faculty said it sends the wrong message. Marrone, who was rumored to be a part of Coach Lane Kiffin's staff, will reportedly take the Syracuse job. Ed Orgeron and Jets' assistant Bill Callahan are mentioned as possibilities.
ACC BOWLS
VIRGINIA TECH VS. CINCINNATI IN THE ORANGE BOWL:
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor needs to protect the ball in this game and grind with tailback Darren Evans. Tony Pike, the Bearcat starting quarterback, began the season as the No. 5 quarterback.
CLEMSON VS. NEBRASKA IN THE GATOR BOWL:
The Tigers have won three straight under Dabo Swinney. Clemson has played better behind a healthy offensive line. Nebraska has won five of six games behind quarterback Joe Ganz.
Former Clemson defensive coordinator Vic Koenning has joined the Kansas State staff with Bill Synder. Former Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads and Chavis have talked to Tiger coach Dabo Swinney. Chavis met for the second time with Swinney this week. He also brought his wife along. Chavis might also have a chance at the LSU job. A Clemson recruit also told a reporter than Swinney mentioned Alabama's Steele as a possibility.
FSU (8-4) VS. WISCONSIN (7-5) IN THE CHAMPS SPORTS BOWL:
The Noles have not played in Orlando since playing Wake Forest in November of 1996. Kicker Graham Gano won the Lou Groza Award. The Noles will have to begin replacing seven starters on defense including three of four starters in the secondary. Defensive end Everette Brown is expected to leave early for the NFL. Junior linebacker Dekoda Watson and junior defensive tackle Budd Thacker will likely ask for a draft projection, but are expected to return.
Wisconsin has depended on running backs P J Hill and John Clay all season. The Badgers have been more effective since Dustin Sherer replaced Allan Evridge at quarterback.
MIAMI VS. CAL IN THE EMERALD BOWL:
Miami is trying to rebound from consecutive losses to end the season. They will have to improve the rushing defense against Cal tailback Jahvid Best. Miami's defensive line might have an advantage against the injured Cal offensive line.
NAVY VS WAKE FOREST IN THE EAGLEBANK BOWL:
The two teams have already played this season. Navy won No one has scored on Navy since Notre Dame on Nov. 15.
RUTGERS VS. N C STATE IN THE PAPAJOHNS BOWL:
These are two hot teams. Rutgers started 1-5 and N C State began 2-6. Rutgers averaged 46 ppg and won by a margin of 29 points in its last two games. The Wolfpack averaged 31 ppg in their last four games.
NEVADA VS. MARYLAND IN THE ROADY'S HUMANITARIAN BOWL:
Nevada is averaging nearly 300 yards rushing per game on the strength of Colin Kaepernick, the WAC player of the year.
OTHER COACHING JOBS
- SYRACUSE: Marrone is reportedly the hire.
- BOWLING GREEN: Clawson will be named on Friday.
- MIAMI OF OHIO: Shawn Watson, the offensive coordinator at Nebraska, Curt Cignetti from Alabama and LSU offensive line coach Greg Studwara are possibilities.
- NEW MEXICO STATE: Terry Bowden has been mentioned
BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.
E-MAIL BRENT AT brentbeaird@comcast.net
|
