Memphis -4.5 over North Texas
Tough going against my alma mater again.But this is a tough game to capp.
You have 2 almost mirror teams going at each other.Both are running teams.Both play good defense.But ones passing game is much better then the others.
NT with Cobb leading the nation in rushing rank 35th in the country in yds with 157.Cobb leads the nation in rushing avg.He has had 8 str 100 yds game and four 200 yds games.He also missed to 2 games early on.
But NT's passing game is their weakness.Hall who has a great pass.eff of 60% avg's only 137 yds passing.And he throws everything short.NT is ranked 110th out of 117 in passing. So Cobb is the key and Hall only passes when defenses put 8 guys in the box.
NT's Wr's are ok.They have dropped a few easy ones.
NT defense is led by Booger Kennedy,the 5'9 315 pound fire hydrant.He is awesome.Has over 66 tackles,17 for losses.Everyone doubles teams him including the Texas's and OU's this yr.
But NT's 3 LB's are excellant led by SBC Def Pl of yr Hurd. DB's are a little above avg.DL is solid.NT ranked 22nd in the country in total defense and 17 th vs the run.
Now you have to also remember that 8 games were against some weak comp.NT beat UL-Laf,UL-Monroe,Idaho,Mid Tenn,Utah St,Ark St,Troy St and just beat New mex St 13-10 a few weeks ago.So from a defensive stand point none of the above had great offenses.NT also played OU 37-3,Ark 31-7 and Air Force 34-21 and lost.
On the flip side of those SBC teams NT offense was inconsistent.They basically Cobb'ed everybody with a running game.
Memphis meanwhile surprised everyone and is in its 1st bowl game since 1971.led by the No1 all purpose back in the country in Williams.He was Co- Pl of Yr in USA conf.Had over 1,400 yds.But was hurt in the Cincy game where he had over 364 all purpose yds.He is out tomr.But memphis has a solid Qb in Wimprine.From Nawlins he had thrown for over 7,000 yds and 58 tds in 3 yrs.memphis was 15 th in the nation on offense with 453 yds per game.But where they have the edge over Nt is there defense was ranked 11th better then NT's and 20th overall in allowed pts per game at 20.
Tigers avg 190 yds on the ground and 263 in the air.Wimprine's fav target is also hurt Avery.He might play.He caught 8 td's and had over 700 yds.
Replacing Williams is LSU transfer Parquet.He had 164 yds in last weeks loss to So Fl.He is a solid replacement.
OL is solid and did a great job protecting Wimprine and opening holes for Williams.
Defense allowed only 10 rushing Td's and 2.9 a carry.Pass defense was pretty good.LB's are led by Coot Terry their stud.
Also defense held teams to only 29% 3rd down conversions.
Have a lot more but don't want to bore you.
Dickey is a good coach.Has been to this bowl for the 3rd time.But he is conservative.Cobb left,Cobb up the middle,Cobb sweep,Cobb draw,Hall 5 yd pass,Cobb up the middle,etc,etc,etc,Hall over throws 20 yd pass,Cobb right.....
DC Joe Lee Dunn who West brought over to take charge of the Tiger defense will be able to stop Cobb and make Hall throw.
If that happens the Mean green are in trouble.
On the other hand NT's defense is solid but must contain an excellant offense with Wimprine.Already the TE Douchette has made known they will be doubling "Booger".I can see memphis scoring more on NT's defense then NT's offense scoring on memphis defense.
NT will be facing the best defensive team they seen in 2 months.Memphis has played a tougher schedule.They beat Houston,Tulane,Louisville,Cincy and ECU.Not great teams but better then the UL's Lafs and Monroes.
They both have a common oppenent in Ark St.NT won 58-14 and Memphis won 38-16.
I think just maybe Memphis might be a little hungrier since this is there 1st time on Bourbon St.NT lost the 1st yr, and won lyr.
Not a big play..My heart is mean green but I think memphis wins this game by 10-14 pts. I think its a low scoring game.Maybe 21-10.
Memphis -4.5 for 4 boxes...
Tough going against my alma mater again.But this is a tough game to capp.
You have 2 almost mirror teams going at each other.Both are running teams.Both play good defense.But ones passing game is much better then the others.
NT with Cobb leading the nation in rushing rank 35th in the country in yds with 157.Cobb leads the nation in rushing avg.He has had 8 str 100 yds game and four 200 yds games.He also missed to 2 games early on.
But NT's passing game is their weakness.Hall who has a great pass.eff of 60% avg's only 137 yds passing.And he throws everything short.NT is ranked 110th out of 117 in passing. So Cobb is the key and Hall only passes when defenses put 8 guys in the box.
NT's Wr's are ok.They have dropped a few easy ones.
NT defense is led by Booger Kennedy,the 5'9 315 pound fire hydrant.He is awesome.Has over 66 tackles,17 for losses.Everyone doubles teams him including the Texas's and OU's this yr.
But NT's 3 LB's are excellant led by SBC Def Pl of yr Hurd. DB's are a little above avg.DL is solid.NT ranked 22nd in the country in total defense and 17 th vs the run.
Now you have to also remember that 8 games were against some weak comp.NT beat UL-Laf,UL-Monroe,Idaho,Mid Tenn,Utah St,Ark St,Troy St and just beat New mex St 13-10 a few weeks ago.So from a defensive stand point none of the above had great offenses.NT also played OU 37-3,Ark 31-7 and Air Force 34-21 and lost.
On the flip side of those SBC teams NT offense was inconsistent.They basically Cobb'ed everybody with a running game.
Memphis meanwhile surprised everyone and is in its 1st bowl game since 1971.led by the No1 all purpose back in the country in Williams.He was Co- Pl of Yr in USA conf.Had over 1,400 yds.But was hurt in the Cincy game where he had over 364 all purpose yds.He is out tomr.But memphis has a solid Qb in Wimprine.From Nawlins he had thrown for over 7,000 yds and 58 tds in 3 yrs.memphis was 15 th in the nation on offense with 453 yds per game.But where they have the edge over Nt is there defense was ranked 11th better then NT's and 20th overall in allowed pts per game at 20.
Tigers avg 190 yds on the ground and 263 in the air.Wimprine's fav target is also hurt Avery.He might play.He caught 8 td's and had over 700 yds.
Replacing Williams is LSU transfer Parquet.He had 164 yds in last weeks loss to So Fl.He is a solid replacement.
OL is solid and did a great job protecting Wimprine and opening holes for Williams.
Defense allowed only 10 rushing Td's and 2.9 a carry.Pass defense was pretty good.LB's are led by Coot Terry their stud.
Also defense held teams to only 29% 3rd down conversions.
Have a lot more but don't want to bore you.
Dickey is a good coach.Has been to this bowl for the 3rd time.But he is conservative.Cobb left,Cobb up the middle,Cobb sweep,Cobb draw,Hall 5 yd pass,Cobb up the middle,etc,etc,etc,Hall over throws 20 yd pass,Cobb right.....
DC Joe Lee Dunn who West brought over to take charge of the Tiger defense will be able to stop Cobb and make Hall throw.
If that happens the Mean green are in trouble.
On the other hand NT's defense is solid but must contain an excellant offense with Wimprine.Already the TE Douchette has made known they will be doubling "Booger".I can see memphis scoring more on NT's defense then NT's offense scoring on memphis defense.
NT will be facing the best defensive team they seen in 2 months.Memphis has played a tougher schedule.They beat Houston,Tulane,Louisville,Cincy and ECU.Not great teams but better then the UL's Lafs and Monroes.
They both have a common oppenent in Ark St.NT won 58-14 and Memphis won 38-16.
I think just maybe Memphis might be a little hungrier since this is there 1st time on Bourbon St.NT lost the 1st yr, and won lyr.
Not a big play..My heart is mean green but I think memphis wins this game by 10-14 pts. I think its a low scoring game.Maybe 21-10.
Memphis -4.5 for 4 boxes...
