Independence Bowl preview
December 27, 2009
Prior to the start of the regular season, most expected the Big 12 to challenge the SEC as the best conference in football. The two will put their bragging rights on the line come Jan. 7, 2007 when Alabama and Texas square off in the BCS Championship from Pasadena. Does the one victory assure greatness over another group? Fortunately for us, we won?t have to answer that question since the two powerhouse conferences will meet three times this postseason.
Oklahoma State and Mississippi will tangle in the Cotton Bowl from Dallas on Jan. 2 but not before Texas A&M (6-6 straight up, 6-5 against the spread) and Georgia (7-5 SU, 4-7 ATS) battle from Shreveport, LA on Monday in the Independence Bowl.
The matchup between the Aggies and Bulldogs doesn?t appear to be sexy on paper, evidenced by their records, but the oddsmakers are expecting a shootout at Independence Stadium. The total is hovering around 66 points and if the offensive units come to play, this number could be eclipsed easily.
The Big 12 didn?t have as many juggernauts in its stable this season opposed to last year but a few of the schools knew how to rack up numbers, including Texas A&M. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson (3,672 total yards, 36 total TDs) led an offense that was ranked first in the Big 12 and fifth nationally in total yards (465). The unit averaged 33.9 points per game and Johnson was intercepted just six times in 12 games.
With these prolific offensive numbers, it makes you wonder how the Aggies lost six games. The answer is simple, the defense. Mike Sherman?s squad gave up 431 YPG and 32.7 PPG, which were both ranked dead-last in the Big 12. The team gave up 30-plus points in eight games, twice allowed 40-plus points and also surrendered 60-spots to Kansas State and Oklahoma.
The majority of the defensive issues for the unit came on the road. A&M gave up an average of 48 PPG in its four games outside of College Station, which produced a 1-3 record both SU and ATS. Total players watched the ?over? easily cash in all four. Besides having a swiss-cheese style defense, the Aggies do boast the nation?s leading sack machine in junior Von Miller (17 sacks).
Sherman and his defense is hoping Miller can step up in the bowl game when they face a Georgia team that has the ability to light up the scoreboard as well. Despite losing Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) and Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos) to the NFL, quarterback Joe Cox (2.426 yards, 22 TDs) hasn?t broken the record books but he?s done a decent job behind center. The signal caller helped Georgia close the year with bursts of 38, 31, 27 and 30 points in its final four games.
Cox was complimented with a solid running game towards the end of the season, which was led by freshman Washaun Ealey (637 yards) and sophomore Caleb King (534 yards, 5 TDs). When Cox wasn?t handing off this season, he was connecting with wide receiver A.J. Green (47 catches, 6 TDs). Green (shoulder) missed three of the four final games of the year but is expected to be healthy on Monday. Just his presence should keep men out of the box and help Cox with the deep ball.
Similar to A&M, the Dawgs have had major issues on defense. The unit allowed 26.4 PPG, which ranked 10th in the SEC and 70th nationally. Georgia gave up 34 points or more in five games this year, including three dismal performances of 40-plus points. Head coach Mark Richt was so disappointed with the defense, he decided to let go of his defensive coordinator and two other staffers after the season. Richt said he?ll help create the defensive scheme against the Aggies, which might not be a great idea since he?s a former quarterback and offensive coordinator. And, most would find it hard to come up with a solid strategy behind raw assistants.
The one statistic that stands out the most to this writer is Georgia?s turnover margin, which is minus-17 (10/27) in 12 games. In case you?re wondering, only Miami-Ohio (minus 24) was worse nationally.
Despite the below-average defensive numbers for both schools, the books still have the Bulldogs listed as seven-point favorites. Georgia hasn?t fared well as a ?chalk? this year, going 2-4 ATS.
Georgia blasted Hawaii in the 2007 Sugar Bowl and then beat Michigan State in last year?s Capital One Bowl on New Year?s Day. It?s hard to imagine the team getting up for the Independence Bowl and it could be overlooking a 6-6 Texas A&M squad as well. On the other side of the football, I expect the Aggies to be excited for this matchup. The school is hoping to snap a three-game bowl losing streak and put the program back on the map, especially under the guidance of head coach Mike Sherman, who will be bowling for the first time,? said Fox.
Common opponents are another angle bettors look at and fortunately they have two, Arkansas and Oklahoma State. The Aggies were outclassed against both of the schools and weren?t able to contain the Razorbacks (19-47) or the Cowboys (31-36). Georgia couldn?t muster up any offense against Oklahoma State (10-24) but it did find away to light up the scoreboard in a road victory over Arkansas (51-42).
ESPN2 will be providing national coverage of this game which starts at 5:00 p.m. EST. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-forties at kickoff with clear skies.
December 27, 2009
Prior to the start of the regular season, most expected the Big 12 to challenge the SEC as the best conference in football. The two will put their bragging rights on the line come Jan. 7, 2007 when Alabama and Texas square off in the BCS Championship from Pasadena. Does the one victory assure greatness over another group? Fortunately for us, we won?t have to answer that question since the two powerhouse conferences will meet three times this postseason.
Oklahoma State and Mississippi will tangle in the Cotton Bowl from Dallas on Jan. 2 but not before Texas A&M (6-6 straight up, 6-5 against the spread) and Georgia (7-5 SU, 4-7 ATS) battle from Shreveport, LA on Monday in the Independence Bowl.
The matchup between the Aggies and Bulldogs doesn?t appear to be sexy on paper, evidenced by their records, but the oddsmakers are expecting a shootout at Independence Stadium. The total is hovering around 66 points and if the offensive units come to play, this number could be eclipsed easily.
The Big 12 didn?t have as many juggernauts in its stable this season opposed to last year but a few of the schools knew how to rack up numbers, including Texas A&M. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson (3,672 total yards, 36 total TDs) led an offense that was ranked first in the Big 12 and fifth nationally in total yards (465). The unit averaged 33.9 points per game and Johnson was intercepted just six times in 12 games.
With these prolific offensive numbers, it makes you wonder how the Aggies lost six games. The answer is simple, the defense. Mike Sherman?s squad gave up 431 YPG and 32.7 PPG, which were both ranked dead-last in the Big 12. The team gave up 30-plus points in eight games, twice allowed 40-plus points and also surrendered 60-spots to Kansas State and Oklahoma.
The majority of the defensive issues for the unit came on the road. A&M gave up an average of 48 PPG in its four games outside of College Station, which produced a 1-3 record both SU and ATS. Total players watched the ?over? easily cash in all four. Besides having a swiss-cheese style defense, the Aggies do boast the nation?s leading sack machine in junior Von Miller (17 sacks).
Sherman and his defense is hoping Miller can step up in the bowl game when they face a Georgia team that has the ability to light up the scoreboard as well. Despite losing Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) and Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos) to the NFL, quarterback Joe Cox (2.426 yards, 22 TDs) hasn?t broken the record books but he?s done a decent job behind center. The signal caller helped Georgia close the year with bursts of 38, 31, 27 and 30 points in its final four games.
Cox was complimented with a solid running game towards the end of the season, which was led by freshman Washaun Ealey (637 yards) and sophomore Caleb King (534 yards, 5 TDs). When Cox wasn?t handing off this season, he was connecting with wide receiver A.J. Green (47 catches, 6 TDs). Green (shoulder) missed three of the four final games of the year but is expected to be healthy on Monday. Just his presence should keep men out of the box and help Cox with the deep ball.
Similar to A&M, the Dawgs have had major issues on defense. The unit allowed 26.4 PPG, which ranked 10th in the SEC and 70th nationally. Georgia gave up 34 points or more in five games this year, including three dismal performances of 40-plus points. Head coach Mark Richt was so disappointed with the defense, he decided to let go of his defensive coordinator and two other staffers after the season. Richt said he?ll help create the defensive scheme against the Aggies, which might not be a great idea since he?s a former quarterback and offensive coordinator. And, most would find it hard to come up with a solid strategy behind raw assistants.
The one statistic that stands out the most to this writer is Georgia?s turnover margin, which is minus-17 (10/27) in 12 games. In case you?re wondering, only Miami-Ohio (minus 24) was worse nationally.
Despite the below-average defensive numbers for both schools, the books still have the Bulldogs listed as seven-point favorites. Georgia hasn?t fared well as a ?chalk? this year, going 2-4 ATS.
Georgia blasted Hawaii in the 2007 Sugar Bowl and then beat Michigan State in last year?s Capital One Bowl on New Year?s Day. It?s hard to imagine the team getting up for the Independence Bowl and it could be overlooking a 6-6 Texas A&M squad as well. On the other side of the football, I expect the Aggies to be excited for this matchup. The school is hoping to snap a three-game bowl losing streak and put the program back on the map, especially under the guidance of head coach Mike Sherman, who will be bowling for the first time,? said Fox.
Common opponents are another angle bettors look at and fortunately they have two, Arkansas and Oklahoma State. The Aggies were outclassed against both of the schools and weren?t able to contain the Razorbacks (19-47) or the Cowboys (31-36). Georgia couldn?t muster up any offense against Oklahoma State (10-24) but it did find away to light up the scoreboard in a road victory over Arkansas (51-42).
ESPN2 will be providing national coverage of this game which starts at 5:00 p.m. EST. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-forties at kickoff with clear skies.
