TANGERINE BOWL
GEORGIA TECH vs. SYRACUSE ? December 21st, 7:30 pm
This game matches two 6-5 teams who each played pretty tough schedules to make it here. Georgia Tech?s losses were all to teams that are in bowls including two that finished the regular season in the Top 10. Four of Syracuse?s losses also came against bowl bound teams and if not for a sloppy game against Temple, would be playing in the Fiesta Bowl instead of Pittsburgh who the Orangemen beat by a score of 38-31 on November 6th.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have not exactly lit up the scoreboards this year as they have averaged a mere 19.4 points per game which just happens to match the average number of points they have allowed. This offense has only reached 30 points once all season and has been held to less than two touchdowns in 4 separate contests. Sophomore QB Reggie Ball has been inconsistent with his 49% passing game and 17 interceptions on the year to go along with only 14 passing touchdowns. A bright spot for the Techsters has been for their defensive effort; finishing with a 15th overall ranking and 21st against the run. Tech held half of their opponents to under 100 yards rushing this season with only North Carolina and Virginia topping 200 on the ground.
While Tech?s defense has been recognized as being very tough, Syracuse averaged 190 yards on the ground, 165 yards through the air and 24.8 points per game. The running back tandem of Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes has been lights out contributing to the Orangemen rushing for 1,064 yards rushing in their last four games and combined for 17 rushing touchdowns this season. If Tech is going to stop this running attack, they are going to have to overpower a very good offensive line which is anchored by Matt Tarullo at center and Adam Terry at tackle. Both of these bruisers are 1st team Big East players for the second consecutive year.
The Orangemen are excited to get this bowl bid after a two year drought and the team should rally around HC Paul Pasqualoni who was able to hold on to his job at Syracuse by putting together a nice finish down the stretch. Syracuse split their eight games against bowl teams this season while Georgia Tech won only one of their six. Georgia Tech finished their season with losses to Virginia and Georgia while Syracuse had a solid late season run to earn this spot. For two teams that are somewhat evenly matched I think that Syracuse has the edge in this game and will gladly take the points and the team with momentum.
The Verdict: Syracuse (+4.5)
GEORGIA TECH vs. SYRACUSE ? December 21st, 7:30 pm
This game matches two 6-5 teams who each played pretty tough schedules to make it here. Georgia Tech?s losses were all to teams that are in bowls including two that finished the regular season in the Top 10. Four of Syracuse?s losses also came against bowl bound teams and if not for a sloppy game against Temple, would be playing in the Fiesta Bowl instead of Pittsburgh who the Orangemen beat by a score of 38-31 on November 6th.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have not exactly lit up the scoreboards this year as they have averaged a mere 19.4 points per game which just happens to match the average number of points they have allowed. This offense has only reached 30 points once all season and has been held to less than two touchdowns in 4 separate contests. Sophomore QB Reggie Ball has been inconsistent with his 49% passing game and 17 interceptions on the year to go along with only 14 passing touchdowns. A bright spot for the Techsters has been for their defensive effort; finishing with a 15th overall ranking and 21st against the run. Tech held half of their opponents to under 100 yards rushing this season with only North Carolina and Virginia topping 200 on the ground.
While Tech?s defense has been recognized as being very tough, Syracuse averaged 190 yards on the ground, 165 yards through the air and 24.8 points per game. The running back tandem of Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes has been lights out contributing to the Orangemen rushing for 1,064 yards rushing in their last four games and combined for 17 rushing touchdowns this season. If Tech is going to stop this running attack, they are going to have to overpower a very good offensive line which is anchored by Matt Tarullo at center and Adam Terry at tackle. Both of these bruisers are 1st team Big East players for the second consecutive year.
The Orangemen are excited to get this bowl bid after a two year drought and the team should rally around HC Paul Pasqualoni who was able to hold on to his job at Syracuse by putting together a nice finish down the stretch. Syracuse split their eight games against bowl teams this season while Georgia Tech won only one of their six. Georgia Tech finished their season with losses to Virginia and Georgia while Syracuse had a solid late season run to earn this spot. For two teams that are somewhat evenly matched I think that Syracuse has the edge in this game and will gladly take the points and the team with momentum.
The Verdict: Syracuse (+4.5)
