Georgia Tech?s option almost unstoppable

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Georgia Tech?s option almost unstoppable

This year?s Orange Bowl is so absurdly easy as what to watch for it barely needs to be acknowledged, however when scenarios like this occur, often the some other side of the story ends up what really determines the winner. Georgia Tech?s option offense is a sight to behold, ranking 11th in total offense, at 307 yards per game against teams that only surrendered 156 yards per contest on the ground.

Iowa (10-2, 7-4 ATS) was a sturdy defensive squad all season, allowing just 15.5 points per game and was ranked 11th in total defense in the country. On the year the Hawkeyes conceded just 3.5 yards per carry and fundamentally squeezed the life out of most offenses, never allowing more than 28 points in single game.

This is where many people has chosen to focus their attention and unquestionably it will be important, especially if it one-sided for their team. Nevertheless, when the Iowa has the ball and how Georgia Tech defends them will be equally as important.

Ricky Stanzi is expected back at quarterback for Iowa, after missing last two and half contests with injury. If you Goggled the term - winning ugly- you would get a Hawkeyes team picture. Stanzi threw just one more touchdown than interception on the season (15 vs. 14), but always seemed to play his best in the final 30 minutes. The Hawkeyes have underrated pass catchers like TE Tony Moeaki and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, who led team in receptions. If Stanzi can get started, Iowa could move to 6-0 ATS after allowing 17 or fewer points like they did against Minnesota in 12-0 whitewashing.

Georgia Tech?s defense was strictly average against teams that didn?t run the ball well like Iowa; they for the most part held them in check. With the Hawkeyes running backs healed and ready to go, it?s impossible to overlook the fact the Yellow Jackets (11-2, 8-4 ATS) were gouged for 662 yards on the ground their last two games. Iowa might well come out with short passing attack, to loosen up the linebackers from Georgia Tech, before plowing ahead with the running game to test their mettle. Coach Paul Johnson?s club is 15-6 ATS on a grass field over the last two seasons.

All right, I can tell by the look on your face you are not buying this thought process. You are betting this game on one factor either way. Iowa holds Georgia Tech to 200 or less yards rushing and pulls the upset or the Yellow Jackets wear down the Hawkeyes with the constant thumping of the option and makes them jelly-legged and armed like they?ve been shoveling snow for four hours straight.

Iowa has been a sound bowl team, going 7-3 ATS in its last 10 and underdogs are 8-2 ATS in those games. The Hawkeyes are on the receiving end of 5.5-points at Bookmaker.com and have to attack the option. Defensive ends on either side have to work up-field to disrupt, but not getting out of position. The linebackers have to play assignment football and not run to QB Josh Nesbitt, otherwise any of the other speedy backs will go the distance. Iowa is 21-5 ATS versus rushing teams averaging 200 or more rushing yards a game.

Coach Johnson?s team lost twice and when they did they gained 205 and 95 yards on the ground, far below their average. Kirk Ferentz?s team really limited the opponent?s passing in holding them to 60 yards below their average at 165 YPG. Georgia Tech?s passing game always has the element of surprise, which catches opposing teams off guard. Coach Johnson teams are 10-1 ATS vs. defensive teams who give up 17 or less points.

Both schools were superb away from home, with Iowa 4-1 and 5-0 ATS and the Rambling Wreck 6-1 SU and ATS. Underdogs are 5-1 ATS in Orange Bowl?s since 2004.

Power Line ? Georgia Tech by 4
Forecaster ? Georgia Tech covers

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Georgia Tech Bowl History

Georgia Tech Bowl History

Georgia Tech Bowl History

Record: 22-15
Dec. 31, 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl-LSU 38, Georgia Tech 3

Dec. 31, 2007 Humanitarian Bowl-Fresno St. 40, Georgia Tech 28

Jan. 1, 2007 Gator Bowl-West Virginia 38, Georgia Tech 35

Dec. 29, 2005 Emerald Bowl-Utah 38, Georgia Tech 10

Dec. 21, 2004 Champ Sports Bowl-Georgia Tech 51, Syracuse 14

Jan. 3, 2004 Humanitarian Bowl-Georgia Tech 51, Tulsa 10

Dec. 31, 2002 Silicon Valley Classic-Fresno St. 30, Georgia Tech 21

Dec. 27, 2001 Seattle Bowl-Georgia Tech 24, Stanford 14

Dec. 29, 2000 Peach Bowl-LSU 28, Georgia Tech 14

Jan. 1, 2000 Gator Bowl-Miami 28, Georgia Tech 13

Jan. 1, 1999 Gator Bowl-Georgia Tech 35, Notre Dame 28

Dec. 29, 1997 Carquest Bowl-Georgia Tech 35, West Virginia 30

Dec. 25, 1991 Aloha Bowl-Georgia Tech 18, Stanford 17

Jan. 1, 1991 Citrus Bowl-Georgia Tech 45, Nebraska 21

Dec. 31, 1985 Hall of Fame Bowl-Georgia Tech 17, Michigan St. 14

Dec. 25, 1978 Peach Bowl-Purdue 41, Georgia Tech 21

Dec. 18, 1972 Liberty Bowl-Georgia Tech 31, Iowa St. 30

Dec. 30, 1971 Peach Bowl-Mississippi 41, Georgia Tech 18

Dec. 19, 1970 Sun Bowl, Georgia Tech 17, Texas Tech 9

Jan. 2, 1967 Orange Bowl-Florida 27, Georgia Tech 12

Dec. 31, 1965 Gator Bowl-Georgia Tech 31, Texas Tech 21

Dec. 22, 1962 Bluebonnet Bowl-Missouri 14, Georgia Tech 10

Dec. 30, 1961 Gator Bowl-Penn St. 30, Georgia Tech 15

Jan. 2, 1960 Gator Bowl-Arkansas 14, Georgia Tech 7

Dec. 29, 1956 Gator Bowl-Georgia Tech 21, Pittsburgh 14

Jan. 2, 1956 Sugar Bowl-Georgia Tech 7, Pittsburgh 0

Jan. 1, 1955 Cotton Bowl-Georgia Tech 14, Arkansas 6

Jan. 1, 1954 Sugar Bowl-Georgia Tech 42, West Virginia 19

Jan. 1, 1953 Sugar Bowl-Georgia Tech 24, Mississippi 7

Jan. 1, 1952 Orange Bowl-Georgia Tech 17, Baylor 14

Jan. 1, 1948 Orange Bowl-Georgia Tech 20, Kansas 14

Jan. 1, 1947 Oil Bowl-Georgia Tech 41, St. Mary's 19

Jan. 1, 1945 Orange Bowl-Tulsa 26, Georgia Tech 12

Jan. 1, 1944 Sugar Bowl-Georgia Tech 20, Tulsa 18

Jan. 1, 1943 Cotton Bowl-Texas 14, Georgia Tech 7

Jan. 1, 1940 Orange Bowl-Georgia Tech 21, Missouri 7

Jan. 1, 1929 Rose Bowl-Georgia Tech 8, California 7

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Iowa Bowl History

Iowa Bowl History

Iowa Bowl History

Record: 12-10-1
Jan. 1, 2009 Outback Bowl-Iowa 31, South Carolina 10

Dec. 30, 2006 Alamo Bowl-Texas 26, Iowa 24

Jan. 2, 2006 Outback Bowl-Florida 31, Iowa 24

Jan. 1, 2005 Capital One Bowl-Iowa 30, LSU 25

Jan. 1, 2004 Outback Bowl-Iowa 37, Florida 17

Jan. 2, 2003 Orange Bowl-Southern Cal 38, Iowa 17

Dec. 29, 2001 Alamo Bowl-Iowa 19, Texas Tech 16

Dec. 31, 1997 Sun Bowl-Arizona State 17, Iowa 7

Dec. 29, 1996 Alamo Bowl-Iowa 27, Texas Tech 0

Dec. 29, 1995 Sun Bowl-Iowa 38, Washington 18

Dec. 31, 1993 Alamo Bowl-California 37, Iowa 3

Dec. 30, 1991 Holiday Bowl-Iowa 13, Brigham Young 13, tie

Jan. 1, 1991 Rose Bowl-Washington 46, Iowa 34

Dec. 31, 1988 Peach Bowl-North Carolina State 28, Iowa 23

Dec. 30, 1987 Holiday Bowl-Iowa 20, Wyoming 19

Dec. 30, 1986 Holiday Bowl-Iowa 39, San Diego State 38

Jan. 1, 1986 Rose Bowl-UCLA 45, Iowa 28

Dec. 26, 1984 Freedom Bowl-Iowa 55, Texas 17

Dec. 30, 1983 Gator Bowl-Florida 14, Iowa 6

Dec. 31, 1982 Peach Bowl-Iowa 28, Tennessee 22

Jan. 1, 1982 Rose Bowl-Washington 28, Iowa 0

Jan. 1, 1959 Rose Bowl-Iowa 38, California 12

Jan. 1, 1957 Rose Bowl-Iowa 35, Oregon State 19

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Iowa braces for Ga Tech offense in Orange Bowl

Iowa braces for Ga Tech offense in Orange Bowl

Iowa braces for Ga Tech offense in Orange Bowl

MIAMI (AP) -It was breakfast time, and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive coordinator Norm Parker sat at a table trying to explain the challenge of stopping Georgia Tech's triple option.

Parker waved his cup of morning coffee.

``This is the quarterback,'' he said.

He grabbed a jug of orange juice.

``That's the fullback,'' he said.

An empty glass became a defensive end, and a water bottle became a linebacker. Soon Parker was pushing the containers around, trying to contain the Yellow Jackets.

That will be the goal for Iowa in the Orange Bowl on Tuesday night.

``If you're a football purist, this thing is really sort of fun,'' said Parker, a coach for 45 years. ``This triple-option stuff sort of started in the late '60s. Georgia Tech has taken this offense and made it better and better and better. And when a lot of people got away from the triple option, they stayed with it. So now what was very common is sort of new.

``I'm having fun preparing for it. But all the fun I'm having now might not be that much fun the night of the game.''

For opponents, playing the No. 9-ranked Yellow Jackets (11-2) can be no fun at all. Tech ranks second in the nation in rushing yards per game at 307.2, 11th in total offense at 442.7 yards and 11th in scoring at 35.3 points.

No. 10-ranked Iowa (10-2) relied on a stingy defense to earn a Bowl Championship Series berth for the first time in seven years. The Hawkeyes rank 10th in scoring defense at 15.5 points per game, and 11th in total defense at 286.7 yards.

But this is the first time in Kirk Ferentz's 11 years as head coach that the Hawkeyes have faced a triple option. It may help that they've had a month to prepare for the Yellow Jackets.

``The good news is we've had time,'' Ferentz said. ``The bad news is we can't come close to simulating what they do with the precision, speed and the expertise. We're getting a lot of looks at it, I guess; it's just not the look we'll be seeing on the 5th, that's for sure.''

For the Hawkeyes, other bowl results are ominous. Navy and Air Force also run the triple option, and both won New Year's Eve games, scoring a combined 82 points.

Why don't more teams run the triple option?

``I think the reason people got away from it is because it wasn't fancy enough for the public,'' Parker said. ``They didn't want to see the fullback run up the middle with the ball. The public wants to see the ball in the air and whoop-de-doo and all that kind of stuff.''

To prepare for Georgia Tech, Iowa's defense practiced against a scout team that ran the option with quarterback Dakota Getz, a freshman who played that position in high school but is now a tight end. It'll be a bit different when the Hawkeyes try to stop Yellow Jackets quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who ran for 991 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

In the triple option, Nesbitt keeps, hands off on a dive play or pitches wide. Tech's biggest threat is junior Jonathan Dwyer, who topped 1,300 yards rushing for the second consecutive season and has 36 career touchdowns.

``Words can't describe how exciting the offense is to be a part of - to know in any part of the game a big play is going to happen,'' Dwyer said.

Not all of Tech's big plays come on the ground. They're averaging 23.2 yards per completion and have gained at least 50 yards on passes 11 times.

``They don't throw the ball much,'' Iowa safety Tyler Sash said. ``But every other time that they do, it seems like it's a touchdown or big play.''

Tech's Demaryius Thomas, who has totaled 1,154 yards on only 46 receptions, frowned when asked what it's like to play on a team known for its ground game.

``You get used to it,'' Thomas said. Then he smiled. ``When I get my chances, I take advantage of them.''

The Yellow Jackets were held below 200 yards on the ground only once - on the same field where they'll play Tuesday. They netted 95 yards rushing in a 33-17 loss to the Miami Hurricanes in September.

``That was our third game in 12 days, and we were just worn out,'' Nesbitt said.

In the weeks since, they've topped 40 points four times, and beat Clemson 39-34 in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

Unstoppable? Center Sean Bedford said it feels that way.

``There are times we feel like with this offense, it doesn't matter what you throw at us - we're going to be able to put it in the end zone,'' Bedford said.

While the Hawkeyes haven't faced a team like Tech, the Yellow Jackets haven't faced a team like Iowa. Nesbitt said the Hawkeyes will be by far the most physical defense he has gone against.

The Hawkeyes shut out Minnesota in their regular-season finale and held three other bowl-bound teams to 10 points or less.

``They're big,'' Nesbitt said. ``I think they intimidate their opponents just by how hard they hit you and their size. Also they can move. So we're going to have our hands full.''

Nesbitt said the Yellow Jackets didn't add any wrinkles to the playbook during the December layoff, and will rely on what worked during the regular season. They ran the ball 83 percent of the time, which helped them lead the nation in time of possession at more than 34 minutes per game. They had only 14 three-and-outs, fewest in the nation.

The Yellow Jackets won by such scores as 42-31, 49-44, 56-31 and 30-27 twice. The result: Their biggest bowl berth since 1967.

``Everybody says they want to run the ball, but everybody doesn't have the patience to do it, and we do,'' offensive coordinator Brian Bohannon said. ``That's who we are. We're going to live and die by running the football.''

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Orange Bowl preview

Orange Bowl preview

Orange Bowl preview
January 4, 2010

Bettors face the daunting task of picking a winner on Tuesday when Iowa (10-2 straight up, 7-3 against the spread) meets Georgia Tech (11-2 SU, 8-4 ATS) in the Orange Bowl. Both clubs have only been stopped twice this season and the Hawkeyes (4-1 SU, 5-0 ATS) and Yellow Jackets (6-1 SU, 6-1 ATS) have both been solid wagers on the road as well, which says a lot about a team.

Even though this matchup looks even on paper, the betting public is favoring the Yellow Jackets. Sportsbook.com opened Tech as a 3 ?-point favorite in early December and the line has jumped up to 5 ? a month later at most outfits.

Gamblers often make the mistake of backing teams that put up big offensive numbers and that could be the case with Georgia Tech here. Head coach Paul Johnson and the Jackets own the second-best rushing attack in the country behind running back Jonathan Dwyer (1,346 yards, 14 TDs) and quarterback Josh Nesbitt (991 yards, 18 TDs). However, they?ll be facing an Iowa defense that only surrendered 122 rushing yards per game. Most would expect the Hawkeyes to load up the line and attempt to slow down the Jackets? option offense. If that happens, Nesbitt will be forced to throw the football and Iowa owns the edge with a solid secondary.

The Jackets averaged 35.3 points per game but only 17 and 24 in their two losses. In Iowa?s 12 games, they only gave up 20-plus points on four occasions. It would be asking a lot from Iowa to hold Georgia Tech under 20 points, but it is possible. The key to beating Tech is to slow them down and then hope your offense can put up at least 30 points, which could also be asking a lot from the Hawkeyes. Especially since they only cracked that barrier three times, and that was against Iowa State (35), Michigan (30) and Indiana (42).

Iowa does have two things going for them in this matchup offensively. First, they get quarterback Ricky Stanzi (2,186 yards, 15 TDs, 14 INTs) back under center and they face a Georgia Tech defense (24.8) was very suspect this year, in particular against the pass.

Jimmy Boyd believes Stanzi is a difference maker and it showed when he wasn?t on the field. He explained, ?If Stanzi didn?t go down with an ankle injury when the Hawks were leading 10-0 against Northwestern late in the Big Ten season, Iowa may have been Rose Bowl bound, as it nearly won at Ohio State the following week with its inexperienced backup QB. Stanzi is expected back for this game, and I expect him to make the most of this opportunity to get back out on the football field after watching his team struggle offensively in his absence.?

Regardless of Stanzi?s performance, the key to this game comes down to Iowa?s defense against Georgia Tech?s option attack. Looking at the bowl season so far, the option schools have both dominated on the gridiron and most would agree Tech owns the best option attack nationally.

Air Force ran over Houston 47-20 in the Armed Forces Bowl and Navy ripped Missouri 35-13 in the Texas Bowl. The one difference in those contests and Tuesday?s battle is the line. The Falcons and Midshipmen were both underdogs, while the Yellow Jackets are the favorites. We?re not taking anything away from the two military schools, but it?s fair to say that Houston and Missouri overlooked their opponents.

Will the roles be reversed and G-Tech overlook another so-called boring school from the Big Ten? The 11-school group has taken its fair share of criticism over the years and deservingly so, but they have produced a 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS mark in this year?s bowls. And the three losses came by 1, 3 and 10 points. The ACC has gone 3-3 both SU and ATS in its six bowl appearances so far.

The turnaround in Atlanta is largely attributed to Johnson?s system but bettors should be aware that his teams are 0-3 in their last three bowls, which includes his past two stops at Navy and his first year with the Jackets. Last year, Georgia Tech received a lot of attention at the ticket counter when it met LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl but the game was never close as the Tigers scored a 35-3 dominating victory. The loss extended the Jackets? losing streak to four in bowl games. The defense has surrendered 38, 38, 40 and 35 during this stretch.

Iowa owns an all-time bowl record of 12-10-1 and head coach Kirk Ferentz has helped those numbers with a 4-3 bowl ledger during his tenure. Last year, Iowa blitzed South Carolina 31-10 in the Outback Bowl. In Ferentz?s seven bowl appearances, he?s gone 6-1 ATS and the one loss should be noted since it happened against USC (38-17) in the same venue, the 2002 Orange Bowl.

Georgia Tech (6-5) and Iowa (7-4) have both leaned toward the ?under? this season. The total for this game is hovering between 50 and 51 points. Temperatures in South Florida have dipped into the fifties this week but clear skies are expected at kickoff.

Virginia Tech snapped a three-game losing skid for the ACC last year in the Orange Bowl by defeating Cincinnati 20-7. The victory also snapped an eight-game losing skid in BCS games for the ACC as well. The last three battles in the Orange Bowl have all went ?under? the total, rather easily too.

Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m. EDT, with Fox providing national coverage.

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Iowa QB Stanzi ready to face Ga. Tech

Iowa QB Stanzi ready to face Ga. Tech

Iowa QB Stanzi ready to face Ga. Tech
January 3, 2010

MIAMI (AP) -The Iowa Hawkeyes were counting down the final seconds in the latest in a series of improbable victories, and offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe stood on the sideline, trying to absorb what he had just witnessed.

O'Keefe turned to his defeat-defying quarterback, Ricky Stanzi.

``I can't remember coaching a guy who threw four interceptions before,'' O'Keefe said.

``Coach,'' Stanzi replied, ``I threw five.''

With Stanzi, it's easy to lose count. The junior threw 14 interceptions during the regular season, part of a high-wire act that had Iowa fans on the edge of their seats. He also led the No. 10-ranked Hawkeyes (10-2) to eight come-from-behind wins, which is why they're in the Orange Bowl on Tuesday night against No. 9 Georgia Tech (11-2).

``It's like being at the amusement park on the wildest roller coaster,'' O'Keefe said.

Stanzi (pronounced STAN-zee) will be back in the lineup after missing the past 2 1/2 games with a sprained right ankle that required surgery. The Hawkeyes were 9-0 when he got hurt.

``If he was there the whole season, they might be playing for the national championship,'' Georgia Tech linebacker Sedric Griffin said. ``He can beat us, so we have to get after him early.''

Freshman James Vandenberg filled in for Stanzi, who returned to practice in early December and said he's now 100 percent. But he hasn't played in two months.

``I hope to be able to go out there and pretend it's like riding a bike and nothing has changed,'' Stanzi. ``If things are little rusty, I'll just have to shake it off and get on to the next play.''

He has been shaking things off all season. The sideline conversation at the end of the five-interception game, related by O'Keefe, came after Stanzi went 3 for 3 for 177 yards and two scores in the fourth quarter to rally Iowa past Indiana.

A week earlier at Michigan State, he went only 11 for 27 but directed three late scoring drives and threw a touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt on the final play for a 15-13 win.

``With Stanzi, you never know what's going to happen,'' McNutt said. ``He's like a boxer you can never give up on. He might get knocked down two times in the first round, but he could take you the distance and knock you out in the 12th.

``Even if we're down by 20 in the fourth quarter, you can look in his eyes and he hasn't given up on us. So we don't give up on him.''

Stanzi has thrown for 2,186 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, and the Hawkeyes may need to do a lot of scoring to keep up with Georgia Tech's triple option. The Yellow Jackets rank 11th in the nation in total offense and have scored at least 30 points nine times.

But Georgia Tech also has allowed 24.8 points per game and 21 touchdown passes. To compensate for injuries, defensive coordinator Dave Wommack switched to a 4-3 scheme after three games, but while All-American end Derrick Morgan is a disruptive presence, holes in the Tech defense persist.

``I can't say that it has improved as the year's gone on,'' Wommack said. ``We've got some kids that have worked hard, but we're deficient in some areas, there's no question about that.''

A big night from Morgan would help hide the shortcomings. He has 12 1/2 sacks this season and was chosen Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.

Stanzi has been sacked 21 times and tends to throw better rolling out. Most of his interceptions were the result of poor decisions rather than inaccuracy, O'Keefe said.

``Some of it was him trying to make plays, feeling like he had to make something happen and carry the team,'' O'Keefe said.

The Yellow Jackets are well aware that Stanzi's prone to committing turnovers, but they also know he's tough to rattle.

``He'll make a mistake and then come right back and throw for a touchdown,'' cornerback Mario Butler said. ``He's so poised.''

Stanzi, a two-year starter with a 17-4 record, has led the Hawkeyes to four wins by a total of eight points this season. He developed a tendency to play poorly in the first half, but in three victories he threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to give Iowa the lead.

``He's a tough-minded, resilient guy, and kind of the embodiment of our team in that it might not be pretty, but you find a way to get it done,'' linebacker A.J. Edds said. ``It's good to have him back out there, knowing if things do get a little hairy at times, he's a guy who can roll with the punches.''

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Ga Tech Yellow Jackets (8-1) (4-0 H) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) (4-0 A)

Ga Tech Yellow Jackets (8-1) (4-0 H) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) (4-0 A)

Ga Tech Yellow Jackets (8-1) (4-0 H) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) (4-0 A)

Game Time: 8:10 p.m. EDT Tuesday, January 5

Stadium: Land Shark Stadium Surface: Grass

RECORD ANALYSIS
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
Iowa Hawkeyes HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL

Year-to-Date 6 - 1 4 - 1 10 - 2 2 - 3 5 - 0 7 - 3 3 - 3 1 - 4 4 - 7
Last 5 games 2 - 1 1 - 1 3 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 0 3 - 1 1 - 2 1 - 1 2 - 3
YTD vs. Conf. 3 - 1 3 - 1 6 - 2 1 - 2 4 - 0 5 - 2 2 - 2 1 - 3 3 - 5
STRAIGHT-UP VS. SPREAD OVER/UNDER
Ga Tech Yellow Jackets HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL HOME AWAY TOTAL
Year-to-Date 5 - 1 6 - 1 11 - 2 2 - 3 6 - 1 8 - 4 1 - 4 4 - 2 5 - 6
Last 5 games 1 - 1 3 - 0 4 - 1 0 - 2 3 - 0 3 - 2 0 - 2 2 - 0 2 - 2
YTD vs. Conf. 4 - 0 4 - 1 8 - 1 2 - 2 4 - 1 6 - 3 1 - 3 2 - 2 3 - 5
AWAY VS. SPREAD HOME VS. SPREAD
Year-to-Date FAV DOG GRASS TURF FAV DOG GRASS TURF
Iowa Hawkeyes 1 - 0 4 - 0 4 - 0 1 - 0 2 - 3 0 - 0 2 - 3 0 - 0
Ga Tech Yellow Jackets 4 - 0 1 - 1 6 - 1 0 - 0 1 - 3 1 - 0 2 - 3 0 - 0

TEAM LOGS/SCHEDULE:
( * = overtime)

Iowa Hawkeyes
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/05/09 Sat NIOWA 17 - 16 W -0 -0 W 1 NL NL G
09/12/09 Sat @IAST 35 - 3 W -7.5 -6.5 W 25.5 44.0 48.0 U -10.0 G
09/19/09 Sat AZ 27 - 17 W -6 -4.5 W 5.5 41.0 41.5 O +- 2.5 G
09/26/09 Sat @PAST 21 - 10 W +11 +9.5 W 20.5 41.5 40.0 U -9.0 G
10/03/09 Sat ARST 24 - 21 W -21.5 -21.5 L -18.5 45.5 45.5 U -0.5 G
10/10/09 Sat MI 30 - 28 W -7 -9 L -7 48.0 47.5 O +-10.5 G
10/17/09 Sat @WIS 20 - 10 W -2 +1 W 11 46.0 46.5 U -16.5 T
10/24/09 Sat @MIST 15 - 13 W +0 +1 W 3 43.0 42.5 U -14.5 G
10/31/09 Sat IN 42 - 24 W -17.5 -17.5 W 0.5 47.5 47.5 O +-18.5 G
11/07/09 Sat NW 10 - 17 L -18 -15 L -22 46.0 45.0 U -18.0 G
11/14/09 Sat @OHST 24 - 27 L +13 +16.5 W 13.5 37.5 38.0 O +-13.0 G
11/21/09 Sat MN 12 - 0 W -13 -12 L 0 43.0 43.5 U -31.5 G

Ga Tech Yellow Jackets
LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY OPP SCORE SU OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
09/05/09 Sat JAXST 37 - 17 W -0 -0 W 20 NL NL G
09/10/09 Thu CLEM 30 - 27 W -3.5 -5.5 L -2.5 43.0 44.5 O +-12.5 G
09/17/09 Thu @MIA 17 - 33 L +4 +4 L -12 55.0 53.5 U -3.5 G
09/26/09 Sat NC 24 - 7 W -3.5 -2.5 W 14.5 46.0 45.5 U -14.5 G
10/03/09 Sat @MSST 42 - 31 W -4 -6 W 5 45.0 49.0 O +-24.0 G
10/10/09 Sat @FLST 49 - 44 W +4.5 +3 W 8 52.0 56.0 O +-37.0 G
10/17/09 Sat VATECH 28 - 23 W -0 +3.5 W 8.5 49.5 54.5 U -3.5 G
10/24/09 Sat @VA 34 - 9 W -4 -6 W 19 48.0 48.5 U -5.5 G
10/31/09 Sat @VANDY 56 - 31 W -10.5 -12 W 13 45.0 48.0 O +-39.0 G
11/07/09 Sat WF 30 - 27 W -16 -14 L -11 60.0 60.0 U -3.0 G
11/14/09 Sat @DUKE 49 - 10 W -8.5 -13.5 W 25.5 59.0 59.0 U 0.0 G
11/28/09 Sat GA 24 - 30 L -9.5 -8 L -14 61.0 57.0 U -3.0 G
12/05/09 Sat @CLEM 39 - 34 W -1 +0 W 5 55.0 56.5 O +-16.5 G

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

LINE OVER/UNDER
DATE DAY VIS SC HOM SC OPEN CLOSE ATS &
MARGIN OPEN CLOSE O/U &
MARGIN G/T
NO PREVIOUS MEETINGS

STATISTICAL AVERAGES:

AWAY/HOME RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
IA (off) 23.0 18 35 125 3.6 29 16 0.6 192 6.6 317 1.4 0.2
GATECH (def) 21.8 15 31 130 4.2 27 16 0.6 182 6.7 312 1.2 0.5
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
IA (def) 12.6 16 36 140 3.9 27 14 0.5 154 5.7 294 2.2 0.4
GATECH (off) 28.8 20 57 313 5.5 12 5 0.4 101 8.4 414 0.8 0.8
ALL GAMES RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
IA (off) 23.1 18 35 109 3.1 30 16 0.5 221 7.4 330 1.6 0.6
GATECH (def) 24.8 17 30 150 5.0 28 18 0.6 207 7.4 357 0.8 1.0
RUSHING PASSING TOT TURNOVERS
PTS FD AT YDS AVG AT CO PCT YDS AVG YDS INT FUM
IA (def) 15.5 16 35 122 3.5 31 16 0.5 165 5.3 287 1.7 0.8
GATECH (off) 35.3 21 58 307 5.3 12 6 0.5 136 11.3 443 0.4 0.9

SCORING AVERAGES:

Iowa Hawkeyes (away) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 2.0 3.6 5.6 5.6 11.8 0.0 17.4
POINTS ALLOWED 3.2 4.0 7.2 0.6 4.2 0.6 5.4

Ga Tech Yellow Jackets (home) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 9.2 5.0 14.2 5.8 7.8 0.5 14.1
POINTS ALLOWED 1.2 7.3 8.5 5.2 7.7 0.0 12.9

Iowa Hawkeyes (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 4.8 4.0 8.8 4.8 9.5 0.0 14.3
POINTS ALLOWED 3.9 5.4 9.3 1.3 4.6 0.3 6.2

Ga Tech Yellow Jackets (all) Q1 Q2 H1 Q3 Q4 OT H2+OT
POINTS FOR 8.2 9.5 17.7 8.8 8.4 0.2 17.4
POINTS ALLOWED 5.3 8.3 13.6 4.6 6.4 0.0 11

VALUE INDEX COMPARISON TO LAS VEGAS LINE:

LV POINTSPREAD VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING LINE EDGE
Iowa Hawkeyes 63.5 -2.0 6.0
Ga Tech Yellow Jackets 57.5
LV OVER/UNDER VALUE INDEX VALUE INDEX
OPEN CURRENT RATING EDGE
OVER/UNDER 41 10 under

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Stanzi back for Orange Bowl

Stanzi back for Orange Bowl

Stanzi back for Orange Bowl
January 5, 2010

Tuesday?s Orange Bowl matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets could hinge on one player.

Georgia Tech is a five-point favorite with a total of 50 ?. FOX will broadcast from Miami at 8 pm ET.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi will be back for No. 10 Iowa (10-2 SU, 7-4 ATS). He played the first nine games, with the Hawkeyes going 9-0 SU and 6-3 ATS.

Stanzi got hurt against Northwestern, a game they might have won if he stayed in. Stanzi missed the last two games, a 27-24 overtime loss at Ohio State, and a 12-0 home win over Minnesota.

The Iowa players have a bounce in their step with their leader back. That?s despite the fact he doesn?t put up huge numbers. Stanzi also has nine interceptions on the year, including five versus Indiana. He must make smart decisions if they hope to win.

Expect Iowa to pound the ball early with Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher. That will give Stanzi a chance to get into the flow.

The defense is Top-10 nationally in both yards and points allowed. Iowa would be happy to play a close, low scoring game into the fourth quarter.

The ?under? was 6-4-1 for Iowa this season, and they never faced a total more than 47 ?-points.

Yellow Jackets running game must be stopped

No. 9 Georgia Tech (11-2 SU, 8-4 ATS) has the nation?s second-ranked rushing attack (307.2 YPG). Running back Jonathan Dwyer has 1,346 rushing yards and dual threat quarterback Josh Nesbitt has 991. Opposing defenses know it?s coming, but it?s still impossible to stop.

Georgia Tech lost 33-17 at Miami in September, being held under 100 rushing yards. The Yellow Jackets then ran over their opponents, literally and figuratively, with an eight-game winning streak (7-1 ATS).

The team did struggle some in their last two games, losing at home to Georgia 30-24 as 9 ?-point favorites. The final game was an ACC Championship win over Clemson (39-24), in which they needed a very late touchdown.

The big issue for Georgia Tech is their run defense. They let up over 300 yards against both Georgia and Clemson. Iowa?s running game is less potent than those, but it?s still a concern.

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

10) Iowa (10-2) vs. (9) Georgia Tech (11-2)

Tuesday, January 5th, 8:00 p.m. (et)

GAME NOTES: The 76th annual Orange Bowl is set for January 5th, as the 10th- ranked Iowa Hawkeyes and the ninth-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets square off at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The Yellow Jackets posted an 11-win campaign and captured their first outright ACC title since 1990, topping Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, 39-34. Paul Johnson's squad opened the season with a pair of victories before suffering its only league loss at Miami on September 17th (33-17). Tech rebounded nicely though, with eight straight victories to capture the ACC's Coastal Division crown and spot in the conference championship game. The team suffered its only other defeat at the hands of rival Georgia (30-24) in the regular season finale, but was able to earn the BCS bowl bid with a thrilling win over Clemson for the conference crown. The season earned Johnson his second straight ACC Coach of the Year award.

Georgia Tech is playing in its 13th consecutive bowl game and is 22-15 in the postseason all-time, including a 3-2 mark in the Orange Bowl. The Yellow Jackets have not had much success in the postseason of late, losing their last four bowl games, including a 38-3 rout at the hands of LSU in last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes were not as fortunate in their bid for a conference championship this year, as back-to-back losses to Northwestern (17-10) and Ohio State (27-24 OT) in November prevented the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl bid from landing in Iowa City. Still, the team reeled off a 10-win campaign, winning nine straight to open the year and ended the regular season on a high, with a 12-0 shutout of Minnesota to place second in the Big Ten and earn the Orange Bowl bid.

Iowa is making its 24th bowl appearance and is 12-10-1 in its previous postseason play. The Hawkeyes have played in the Orange Bowl just one time before, that being a 38-17 loss to USC in 2003.

Iowa is 0-7 all-time against the ACC, while Georgia Tech is 6-6 in 12 matchups against the Big Ten. However, this is the first-ever meeting between these two teams on the gridiron.

Unlike a lot of teams in the Big Ten, Iowa utilized more of a balanced attack this season, instead of relying heavily on the run. The Hawkeyes had their moments when the ground game took center stage, but on the year, the team averaged a rather pedestrian 109.4 yards per game rushing, on 3.2 yards per carry. In addition, Iowa scored just 12 rushing touchdowns, all by tailbacks Adam Robinson (775 yards, five TDs) and Brandon Wegher (528 yards, seven TDs).

The passing attack was much more effective (221.3 ypg) as QB Ricky Stanzi completed 56 percent of his passes, for 2,186 yards and 15 TDs and came up huge late in big games when needed. The receiving corps lacked any real go-to- guy, but there were several reliable outlets on the season, in Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (41 receptions, for 687 yards, two TDs) and Marvin McNutt (30 receptions, for 653 yards, seven TDs).

A strong defense was really the key to Iowa's season, as the team limited the opposition to a mere 15.5 ppg. The team was stingy against both the run at 122.4 ypg, and the pass, where foes managed just 164.7 ypg, ranking eighth nationally in that category. The Hawkeyes thrived on big plays, racking up 29 takeaways this year, including 20 interceptions.

Several All-Big Ten First-Team members highlight the play on defense for Iowa. Linebacker Pat Angerer is one of them, after leading the team in tackles (135), with one sack, one INT and two forced fumbles. The secondary is highlighted by ball-hawking strong safety Tyler Sash (84 tackles, six INTs), while the defensive front's relentless pressure was spearheaded by defensive end Adrian Clayborn (61 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 9.5 sacks). Other defenders of note include LB A.J. Edds (73 tackles, four INTs) and DE Broderick Binns (58 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks).

Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker knows the task at hand, considering Georgia Tech's electric offense.

"It's like coaching 20 years ago," he said, before adding, "but what these guys have done with this offense, they are, without question, they are the gurus of doing it. You've got to look at it and say these guys are really good. I mean, not only are they good at what they do, but they've got good players. They've done a great job."

The Yellow Jackets use a totally different approach to move the football, as they represent one of the most productive rushing teams in the nation thanks to a devastating spread offence. Georgia Tech finished the year second in the nation in rushing, churning out a ridiculous 307.2 yards per game on the ground, on a hefty 5.3 yards per carry.

It certainly helps to have one of the nation's premier tailbacks in Jonathan Dwyer (1,346 yards, 14 TDs) and an ultra-productive QB in Josh Nesbitt (991 yards rushing, 18 TDs). Throw a talented Anthony Allen (597 yards, five TDs) into the backfield, and this is a ground game that can strike at any time.

Nesbitt is critical to what Tech can accomplish on offense according to Coach Johnson.

"The key in any offense is to have a quarterback. Josh has certainly played well this year and he has done a good job running the offense and hopefully he will have a big game next Tuesday. He is a good athlete. Josh is a strong guy and he is very competitive. He is an athletic guy so he is a good runner as well as being able to throw the ball."

Despite the fact that Georgia Tech rarely goes to the air, Nesbitt has thrown for 1,689 yards and 10 TDs this season, thanks in large part to star wideout Demaryius Thomas. The 6-3, 230-pounder creates matchup problems down the field and comes into this game with 46 receptions, for 1,154 yards and eight TDs.

According to Thomas, it is "pick-you-poison" with his ability downfield.

"If you try and play a safety and a corner over the top of me then you don't have enough people in the box to stop the run. When we're running the ball well you have to have eight people in the box. That leaves me one-on-one and our offense is a vertical passing game so we can go deep on them and most of my catches can be for so many yards."

Keeping the defense fresh has been a key to Georgia Tech's success this year and a potent ground game has done just that, with Tech controlling the ball for just over 34 minutes per game. That has allowed the defense to make big plays, including 24 takeaways and 23 sacks.

The unit is highlighted by ACC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American rush end Derrick Morgan. The 6-4, 275-pounder put up a huge campaign, finishing the year with 52 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The linebacking corps is highlighted by standouts Brad Jefferson (team-high 90 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, two forced fumbles) and Sedric Griffin (72 tackles). All-ACC Second-Teamer Morgan Burnett (77 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, four INTs) spearheads the play in the secondary.

Coach Johnson thinks that Iowa will present a unique challenge.

"Defensively, they're probably similar to North Carolina or Clemson in that they're big up front. They're just a good defensive team. Offensively, they kind of have a style of their own. They have some big offensive linemen and they try to run the ball at you and throw some play action. I don't think we've played anyone that resembles what they do offensively."

This game will come down to ball control and if Tech can get its ground game going, look for the Yellow Jackets to end their current bowl skein and finish the season on a strong note.

Predicted Outcome: Georgia Tech 27, Iowa 21

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

NCAA Bowl Game Matchup -- FedEx Orange Bowl

(10) Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2) vs. (9) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2)
Date: Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Kickoff: 8 p.m. (et)
Site: Land Shark Stadium (72,230) -- Miami Gardens, Florida
Surface: Grass (PAT)
Annual: 76th
Projected Payout Per Team: $17,000,000
Television: FOX
Announcers: Dick Stockton, Charles Davis and Chris Myers
Home Record: Iowa 6-1; Georgia Tech 5-1
Away Record: Iowa 4-1; Georgia Tech 5-1
Neutral Record: Iowa 0-0; Georgia Tech 1-0
Current Win/Loss Streak: Iowa 1W; Georgia Tech 1W
Las Vegas Line: Georgia Tech 4 (Total, 51)
All-Time Series: First meeting
Versus Opposing Conference: Iowa vs. ACC (0-7)
Versus Opposing Conference: Georgia Tech vs. Big Ten (6-6)
Bowl Records: Iowa (12-10-1 -- 0-1 in Orange Bowl)
Georgia Tech (22-15 -- 3-2 in Orange Bowl)
2009 National Rankings: Iowa - 10th
Georgia Tech - 9th
Coaches: Iowa - Kirk Ferentz (80-55 at Iowa)
(Career Record, 92-76)
Georgia Tech - Paul Johnson (20-6 at Georgia Tech)
(Career Record, 127-45)

Season Schedule/Results
Iowa Hawkeyes
Sep 5 - W vs. Northern Iowa, 17-16
Sep 12 - W at Iowa State, 35-3
Sep 19 - W vs. Arizona, 27-17
Sep 26 - W at Penn State, 21-10
Oct 3 - W vs. Arkansas State, 24-21
Oct 10 - W vs. Michigan, 30-28
Oct 17 - W at Wisconsin, 20-10
Oct 24 - W at Michigan State, 15-13
Oct 31 - W vs. Indiana, 42-24
Nov 7 - L vs. Northwestern, 10-17
Nov 14 - L at Ohio State, 24-27 OT
Nov 21 - W vs. Minnesota, 12-0
Nov 28 - Open
Dec 5 - Open
Dec 12 - Open
Jan 5 - vs. Georgia Tech, 8:00 PM (Orange Bowl)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Sep 5 - W vs. Jacksonville St, 37-17
Sep 10 - W vs. Clemson, 30-27
Sep 17 - L at Miami-Florida, 17-33
Sep 26 - W vs. North Carolina, 24-7
Oct 3 - W at Miss State, 42-31
Oct 10 - W at Florida State, 49-44
Oct 17 - W vs. Virginia Tech, 28-23
Oct 24 - W at Virginia, 34-9
Oct 31 - W at Vanderbilt, 56-31
Nov 7 - W vs. Wake Forest, 30-27 OT
Nov 14 - W at Duke, 49-10
Nov 21 - Open
Nov 28 - L vs. Georgia, 24-30
Dec 5 - W vs. Clemson, 39-34 (ACC Championship)
Dec 12 - Open
Jan 5 - vs. Iowa, 8:00 PM (Orange Bowl)

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Orange Bowl

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-4, 50.5)

The next meaningful football game to be played at LandShark Stadium after Thursday will be Super Bowl XLIV, so the Orange Bowl representatives have a lot to live up to.

Iowa was in the national championship mix after starting the season 9-0, but lost two of its last three games after the Hawkeyes starting quarterback went down with an injury.

Georgia Tech won the ACC behind the triple-option attack implemented by second-year head coach Paul Johnson. Opposing defenses know a heavy dose of running is coming straight into their grill, but few can stop the onslaught.

What?s my line?

Oddsmakers installed the Yellow Jackets as 2.5-point favorites, but the ACC champs quickly got bumped over the key number to a current spread of 4. The total has not moved much from an opener of 51 and can be found as low as 50.

Ocean?s 11

The nation?s 11th-ranked offense collides with the 11th-ranked defense in this affair.

Georgia Tech?s option offense is run by quarterback Josh Nesbitt who ran for 18 touchdowns this season and threw for another 10. Backs Jonathan Dwyer and Anthony Allen complement each other to create a lethal precision-power combination in the backfield.

The Jackets offense averages more than 440 yards per outing and during an eight-game winning streak in the middle portion of the season posted an average of 39.0 ppg.

Iowa?s defense didn?t see many option looks this year in the Big Ten.

"I'm sure we have played somebody that runs the option, but certainly not to this extent and not with this proficiency," Ferentz told reporters. "I'm not quite sure how you even come close to simulating that in practice. I don't really have any idea how we're going to do that."

Out of air

If you?re looking for a shootout, this might not be the game to watch as neither team throws the ball often.

When Georgia Tech does elect to toss the rock, expect to see Demaryius Thomas on the receiving end. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior hauled in 46 of the team?s 76 completions this year and eight of the 11 receiving touchdowns. Thomas is a legit big-play threat, averaging 25.1 yards per catch.

The Hawkeyes passing game will benefit from the return of quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain, but this guy isn?t going to put a team on his shoulders and beat you through the air.

One of Stanzi?s top targets this season was tight end Tony Moeaki. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound beast of a man snared 26 balls for 302 yards and four scores this season and will most likely be playing on Sunday?s next year.

What?s your motivation?

Even though Iowa was in the championship hunt, the team played above expectations this season and has to be pleased with making it to a BCS game. The last time the Hawkeyes were in a BCS contest was the 2003 Orange Bowl where they lost to USC, 38-17.

Georgia Tech hasn?t won a bowl game since 2004 and coach Johnson is eager to earn his first postseason victory after getting dismantled by LSU, 38-3, in last year?s Chick-fil-A Bowl.

"We have more exposure,? he told the media. ?More people are probably going to watch [the game] than a regular-season game because you're the only one on. It's national TV and a BCS game, so you have a chance to make a statement one way or another."

This is the first ever meeting between these two schools.

Trendy solutions

These were two of the more profitable teams in the NCAA this season, with the Jackets posting an 8-4 ATS record while the Hawkeyes went 7-4 ATS.

Georgia Tech is 3-7 in last its last 10 bowl appearances and 4-6 ATS during that stretch.

Iowa has gone 4-3 straight up in bowls since 2000, going 5-2 ATS in those games.

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Preview:
Iowa vs Georgia Tech
When: 8:20 PM ET, Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Where: LandShark Stadium, Miami, Florida

Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are ranked 12 on offense, averaging 442.7 yards per game. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 307.2 yards rushing and 135.5 yards passing so far this season.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are ranked 93 on offense, averaging 330.8 yards per game. The Hawkeyes are averaging 109.4 yards rushing and 221.3 yards passing so far this season.

Home and Away

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are 5-1 at home this season, 8-1 against conference opponents and 3-1 against non-conference opponents.

At home the Yellow Jackets are averaging 28.8 scoring, and holding teams to 21.8 points scored on defense.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 4-1 while on the road this season, 6-2 against conference opponents and 4-0 against non-conference opponents.

On the road, the Hawkeyes are averaging 23.0 scoring, and holding teams to 12.6 points scored on defense.

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Trends - No. 10 Iowa vs No. 9 Georgia Tech

Trends - No. 10 Iowa vs No. 9 Georgia Tech

Trends - No. 10 Iowa vs No. 9 Georgia Tech

ATS Trends

Iowa

Hawkeyes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Hawkeyes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games as an underdog.
Hawkeyes are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Bowl games.
Hawkeyes are 23-6 ATS in their last 29 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 10-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Hawkeyes are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a S.U. win.
Hawkeyes are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Hawkeyes are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
Hawkeyes are 36-17 ATS in their last 53 games as an underdog.

Georgia Tech

Yellow Jackets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
Yellow Jackets are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Yellow Jackets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games on grass.
Yellow Jackets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Yellow Jackets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win.
Yellow Jackets are 15-5-2 ATS in their last 22 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
Yellow Jackets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Yellow Jackets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 bowl games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Yellow Jackets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Bowl games as a favorite.
Yellow Jackets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as a favorite.

OU Trends

Iowa

Over is 3-0-2 in Hawkeyes last 5 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 7-1 in Hawkeyes last 8 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
Under is 5-1 in Hawkeyes last 6 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 13-3-1 in Hawkeyes last 17 non-conference games.
Under is 13-3 in Hawkeyes last 16 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Hawkeyes last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 4-1 in Hawkeyes last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 11-3-1 in Hawkeyes last 15 games as an underdog.
Under is 20-6-1 in Hawkeyes last 27 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 16-6-2 in Hawkeyes last 24 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 14-6 in Hawkeyes last 20 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 7-3-1 in Hawkeyes last 11 games on grass.
Under is 23-11-2 in Hawkeyes last 36 games overall.

Georgia Tech

Over is 6-1 in Yellow Jackets last 7 Bowl games.
Over is 6-1 in Yellow Jackets last 7 bowl games.
Over is 5-1 in Yellow Jackets last 6 bowl games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Over is 5-1 in Yellow Jackets last 6 bowl games as a favorite.
Under is 4-1-1 in Yellow Jackets last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Over is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
Under is 4-1-1 in Yellow Jackets last 6 games on grass.
Under is 4-1 in Yellow Jackets last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-1-1 in Yellow Jackets last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 6-2-1 in Yellow Jackets last 9 non-conference games.
Over is 5-2 in Yellow Jackets last 7 neutral site games.
Over is 9-4 in Yellow Jackets last 13 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Under is 23-11-3 in Yellow Jackets last 37 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.

Head to Head

No trends available.

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

IOWA

GT

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Iowa-Georgia Tech Preview

Iowa-Georgia Tech Preview

Iowa-Georgia Tech Preview

By PAUL DIGIACOMO,
STATS Senior Editor

(AP) -- Georgia Tech facing Iowa may be the least attractive matchup of the BCS games, but the Orange Bowl could end up being the most intriguing one.

In what appears to be a classic case of a high-powered offense versus a stingy defense, the ninth-ranked Yellow Jackets will try to run their way past the No. 10 Hawkeyes when the teams meet Tuesday night in Miami.

In its second season under coach Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech went 11-2 and beat Clemson 39-34 in the ACC championship game to win the crown for the first time since sharing it with Florida State in 1998. It was the Yellow Jackets' first outright ACC title since 1990.

Johnson's spread option offense has been the key to Georgia Tech's success, while coach Kirk Ferentz's Iowa team shut down its opponents en route to a 10-2 record.

"No question that Iowa's defense is stellar across the board and they've shown that time and time again," Orange Bowl media host Larry Gautier said. "Georgia Tech's offense is a very unique offense. Their strength is their flexbone, wishbone, whatever coach Johnson calls that. Iowa's defense with A.J. (Edds), with Pat (Angerer) and the defensive folks that you have ... it's going to be mano-a-mano at the end of the day."

The Yellow Jackets are 11th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense and will be facing a Hawkeyes squad that is 11th in total defense.

Georgia Tech averages 442.7 yards with 307.2 of them coming on the ground, good for second in the nation. Iowa gives up 286.7 total yards per game, 122.0 rushing.

The Yellow Jackets are 11th in the country with 35.3 points per game while the Hawkeyes are 10th in scoring defense, allowing 15.5 a contest.

"I've seen them a couple of times on television. They've had tremendous success," Ferentz said. "Their statistics are extremely impressive and coach Johnson's done a wonderful job everywhere he's been with the unique attack. And in this day and age especially, it gives him a heck of an edge."

Senior linebackers Edds and Angerer, a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy given to the nation's top defensive player, will face the daunting task of slowing down Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer and quarterback Josh Nesbitt.

Dwyer ran for 1,346 yards and 14 touchdowns while Nesbitt rushed for 991 and 18 scores for the Yellow Jackets, second in the FBS with 46 rushing TDs. Nesbitt has attempted just 11.8 passes per game while throwing 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.

"Georgia Tech brings a great offense to the table, as far as stopping them with our defense," Edds told the Hawkeyes' official Web site. "We will have our hands full, they are a good team and deserve it obviously and they won the ACC, so it should be a great game."

The return of quarterback Ricky Stanzi and top running back Adam Robinson (775 yards) from injuries should help Iowa put points on the board in case this game becomes a high-scoring affair.

Stanzi led the Hawkeyes to a 9-0 start before leaving a 17-10 loss to Northwestern on Nov. 7 with an ankle injury that required surgery.

The junior missed the final two regular-season games - a 27-24 overtime loss at Big Ten champion Ohio State and a 12-0 win over Minnesota - but Ferentz expects Stanzi to be healthy for this game.

"He is doing absolutely fantastic," said Ferentz, recently named Big Ten coach of the year for the third time.

Stanzi's numbers aren't eye-popping, as he's thrown 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, and Iowa is 93rd in the nation in total offense with 330.8 yards per game.

Stanzi, though, showed he could lead the Hawkeyes when it counts, helping them notch a school-record four wins by three points or fewer.

"Their quarterback Stanzi will be back for this game, which will be a big help to them," Johnson said. "They have a good football team. They don't beat themselves and they're very well-coached. I think they've shown a lot of character in that they've come from behind in several games this year and did what they had to do to win.

"It will be a big challenge for us to get ready for Iowa."

Georgia Tech is playing in a BCS bowl for the first time and making its first major postseason appearance since 1967, when it also went to the Orange Bowl.

"We're going to approach the game the same way we have all season," said Johnson, who earned ACC coach of the year honors for the second straight season. "We have more exposure. More people are probably going to watch it than a regular-season game because you're the only one on. It's national TV and a BCS game, so you have a chance to make a statement one way or another."

Iowa's only BCS appearance also was in the Orange Bowl in 2003, losing 38-17 to Southern California.

"The one thing all of us learned at an early age is it's a lot more fun if you play well and look representative," Ferentz said. "You want to look like you did during the season. Unfortunately we didn't do that the last time we were in Miami, and it's a bitter pill to swallow.

"We're thrilled to be returning to Miami. And also, we realize it's going to be a great, great challenge."

These teams have never met.

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

Head to Head Analysis

Lumi · Jan 5, 2010

DUNKEL INDEX 05 JAN 10

DUNKEL INDEX 05 JAN 10

NCAA Football Game Picks
Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
The Hawkeyes look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games as an underdog between 3 1/2 and 10 points. Iowa is the pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Georgia Tech favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Iowa (+5 1/2). Here are all of this week's picks.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5
Time Posted: 10:00 a.m. EST (1/4)
Game 263-264: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 96.395; Georgia Tech 99.965
Dunkel Line: Georgia Tech by 3 1/2; 55
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 5 1/2; 50 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (+5 1/2); Over

Georgia Tech?s option almost unstoppable

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