Bowl Games!
Predictions by Jacob A!
by Jacob A.
Jacob A. has given us his insightful predictions on a few upcoming bowl games!
Florida vs. Cincinnati
This sure isn’t where Florida wanted to end their season. And this is a pretty good spot for Cincinnati if they can put coaching distractions behind them. These are two of the best offenses in the country. Cincinnati ranks 6th in the nation in total offense while Florida ranks 12th in the nation. Both have excellent quarterbacks in Tony Pike who threw for 2,350 yards and 26 touchdowns and Tim Tebow threw for 2,413 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 13 more touchdowns. Both have star wide receivers Mardy Gilyard from Cincinnati with 1,150 yards on 80 receptions, 11 of those receptions going for touchdowns. Armon Binns from Florida has 859 yards on 56 receptions and 10 touchdowns; Riley Cooper also plays a big role for Florida catching 8 touchdowns. So now you are asking yourself why Florida is the favorite. Well, Florida gives up 12.2 points per game and Cincinnati gives up 22.4 points a game. Florida gives up just 248 yards a game while Cincinnati gives up 366 yards a game. Catching on? Not to mention Florida does have Tim Tebow who I’m pretty sure doesn’t want to end his collegiate career with a loss. I also don’t see Cincinnati matching up with Florida’s athleticism.
Prediction: Florida 42 – Cincinnati 21
Match-up to Watch: Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati Wide Receiver) vs. Joe Haden (Florida’s shut down corner)
TCU vs. Boise State
Sure this isn’t two top powerhouses up against each other. But it is two top tier programs moving up the charts. So this game may not interest you but it sure interests me. TCU is coming in averaging 40.7 points per contest and only allowing 12.4 points per game. Boise State averages 44.2 points per game and only allowing 17.7 points per game. Boise State is ranked 1st in the nation in scoring meanwhile TCU is ranked 6th in defensive scoring. TCU has outstanding defensive players lead by Jerry Hughes who has 11. 5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Andy Dalton leads the offense with his 4th ranked passer rating and he has only thrown 5 interceptions. It helps him when he can just hand the ball off to one of the three running backs: Joseph Turner, Matthew Tucker, and Ed Wesley who have combined for 2,029 and 23 touchdowns. Now how will Boise State stop them? Well, Boise State also has a good defensive lineman Ryan Winterswyk who has accumulated 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. Now, Boise State has a very explosive offense which is led by Kellen Moore who has thrown for 3,325 yards and 39 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. They have many outstanding receivers as well in Austin Pettis and Titus Young. This could be a shootout.
Prediction: TCU 35 – Boise State 17
Key Match-up: We are going down to the trenches for this game Kellen Moore has only been sacked 5 times this year and TCU has sacked the opposing team 33 times.
Oregon vs. Ohio State
Well this is my favorite match-up. This is an even match-up. Oregon ranks 7th in scoring offense and 25th in total offense they can do a lot of different things. Jeremiah Masoli has passed for 2066 yards and 15 touchdowns. Masoli has also rushed for 659 yards and 12 touchdowns. Oregon’s running back LaMichael James has rushed for 1476 yards and 14 touchdowns. In receiving Oregon is led by Jeff Maehl and tight end Ed Dickson. The Ohio State defense will have a tough time trying to stop the Ducks. The Buckeyes rank 5th in scoring defense and 5th in total defense. Cameron Heyward is a very good defensive lineman. Ohio State has a team total of 23 interceptions. Ohio State’s offense is lead by Terrelle Pryor who has thrown for 1821 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has also run for 707 yards and 7 touchdowns, this leads the team. The Ducks are lead by Kenny Rowe who has 8.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Prediction: Oregon 24 Ohio State 20
Key Match-up: Oregon has only allowed 12 sacks this year. Ohio States Cameron Heyward could be a forced to be reckoned with.
