toledo (-3) over utep
memphis (-5.5) over akron
utep flat out imploded to end the season. the conference usa title was theirs for the taking before they fell apart against uab and smu, giving up 75 points combined in those two losses. on paper, they're a good team. but injuries took (and are still taking) their toll on the miners. running back tyler ebell is not going to be playing so thats one less weapon toledo has to worry about.
on the toledo side, this is a big game for gradkowski because he gets another chance to impress pro scouts in a bowl game. last year, he busted his thumb in the mac championship game and it never healed in time for the uconn game. for those that remember, he tried to play through the injury but he just couldnt grip the ball and his passes were fluttering all over the place. he eventually gave way to marques council (last years backup) and toledo was routed.
for those who prefer some numbers -
toledo qualifies as a strong rushing dog, as they hold nearly a 100-yd edge in that department over utep.
and although all games are certainly exclusive from one another, the mac has never lost in this bowl game. thats doesnt mean toledo goes out and wins by 20. but the rockets ARE aware of this and have mentioned it so its just a little more incentive for them.
==
gonna go with the chalk in the motor city bowl as well. hate to lay a lot of points before the new year, but just dont see these dogs hanging within a touchdown.
akron came back and won the mac championship game against northern illinois, but that cant hide the fact that garrett wolfe ripped them a new ass to the tune of 270 yards. and as good as wolfe is, deangelo williams might be even better.
akron's defensive numbers were improved this year, but some of that was because of a favorable schedule down the stretch. however, central michigan's ontario sneed went for 183 yards on the ground and miami's brandon murphy went for 184. so thats a bit of a red flag for the zips defense.
akron qb luke getsy started the season strong, then slumped badly before finishing strong. it'll be interesting to see how he handles joe lee dunn's defense because getsy has been prone to some questionable decision making at times this year. he'll definitely see some new looks.
just get the feeling the memphis running game will do in the motor city bowl what the northern illinois running game SHOULD have done in the mac title game -- control the game and wear down the zips defense.
that's it for the 2005 portion of the season. enjoy the games fellas.
memphis (-5.5) over akron
utep flat out imploded to end the season. the conference usa title was theirs for the taking before they fell apart against uab and smu, giving up 75 points combined in those two losses. on paper, they're a good team. but injuries took (and are still taking) their toll on the miners. running back tyler ebell is not going to be playing so thats one less weapon toledo has to worry about.
on the toledo side, this is a big game for gradkowski because he gets another chance to impress pro scouts in a bowl game. last year, he busted his thumb in the mac championship game and it never healed in time for the uconn game. for those that remember, he tried to play through the injury but he just couldnt grip the ball and his passes were fluttering all over the place. he eventually gave way to marques council (last years backup) and toledo was routed.
for those who prefer some numbers -
toledo qualifies as a strong rushing dog, as they hold nearly a 100-yd edge in that department over utep.
and although all games are certainly exclusive from one another, the mac has never lost in this bowl game. thats doesnt mean toledo goes out and wins by 20. but the rockets ARE aware of this and have mentioned it so its just a little more incentive for them.
==
gonna go with the chalk in the motor city bowl as well. hate to lay a lot of points before the new year, but just dont see these dogs hanging within a touchdown.
akron came back and won the mac championship game against northern illinois, but that cant hide the fact that garrett wolfe ripped them a new ass to the tune of 270 yards. and as good as wolfe is, deangelo williams might be even better.
akron's defensive numbers were improved this year, but some of that was because of a favorable schedule down the stretch. however, central michigan's ontario sneed went for 183 yards on the ground and miami's brandon murphy went for 184. so thats a bit of a red flag for the zips defense.
akron qb luke getsy started the season strong, then slumped badly before finishing strong. it'll be interesting to see how he handles joe lee dunn's defense because getsy has been prone to some questionable decision making at times this year. he'll definitely see some new looks.
just get the feeling the memphis running game will do in the motor city bowl what the northern illinois running game SHOULD have done in the mac title game -- control the game and wear down the zips defense.
that's it for the 2005 portion of the season. enjoy the games fellas.
