MWC Bowl Previews

NEW MEXICO BOWL

Wyoming (6-6) Breakdown:

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Mountain West Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	86	128.00	Nevada	362.25	6	Air Force	273.58
Passing Offense	103	170.67	Houston	450.00	8	BYU	288.92
Total Offense	112	298.67	Houston	581.23	9	TCU	469.08
Scoring Offense	111	16.92	Boise St.	44.15	8	TCU	40.67
Rushing Defense	91	170.50	Texas	62.15	8	TCU	80.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	69	130.91	Alabama	88.81	6	TCU	90.28
Total Defense	83	395.58	TCU	233.25	7	TCU	233.25
Scoring Defense	75	27.25	Alabama	11.00	5	TCU	12.42
Net Punting	13	38.24	Georgia	42.84	2	Air Force	39.40
Punt Returns	12	13.88	LSU	18.64	1	Wyoming	13.88
Kickoff Returns	T-46	22.55	TCU	30.62	4	TCU	30.62
Turnover Margin	20	.58	Rutgers	1.67	2	Air Force	1.42
Pass Defense	73	225.08	Air Force	148.67	6	Air Force	148.67
Passing Efficiency	112	104.35	Cincinnati	166.19	9	TCU	162.16
Sacks	78	1.67	Pittsburgh	3.75	7	TCU	2.67
Tackles For Loss	73	5.42	Middle Tenn.	8.83	4	Utah	7.00
Sacks Allowed	107	2.92	Boise St.	.38	8	TCU	.83

Fresno State (8-4) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Western Athletic Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	7	231.58	Nevada	362.25	2	Nevada	362.25
Passing Offense	79	204.33	Houston	450.00	6	Hawaii	337.00
Total Offense	19	435.92	Houston	581.23	6	Nevada	521.58
Scoring Offense	14	34.33	Boise St.	44.15	3	Boise St.	44.15
Rushing Defense	111	212.42	Texas	62.15	7	Nevada	114.67
Pass Efficiency Defense	74	132.22	Alabama	88.81	4	Boise St.	103.53
Total Defense	97	411.67	TCU	233.25	5	Boise St.	299.62
Scoring Defense	81	27.83	Alabama	11.00	4	Boise St.	17.69
Net Punting	11	38.71	Georgia	42.84	2	Boise St.	38.82
Punt Returns	40	10.78	LSU	18.64	4	Louisiana Tech	12.33
Kickoff Returns	70	21.41	TCU	30.62	5	Boise St.	27.27
Turnover Margin	T-105	-.75	Rutgers	1.67	6	Boise St.	1.46
Pass Defense	32	199.25	Air Force	148.67	3	Boise St.	172.77
Passing Efficiency	28	141.75	Cincinnati	166.19	3	Boise St.	164.23
Sacks	120	.75	Pittsburgh	3.75	9	Nevada	2.33
Tackles For Loss	82	5.25	Middle Tenn.	8.83	3	Boise St.	7.46
Sacks Allowed	39	1.50	Boise St.	.38	3	Boise St.	.38

Preview by Coach Duncan

Kicking off the bowl season for 2009-2010 is the New Mexico Bowl coming to us from the campus of Albuquerque's own New Mexico Lobos. The 6-6 Wyoming Cowboys of the MWC take on the 8-4 Fresno State Bulldogs out of the WAC. This is the first time these two teams have played since their WAC days and the 1999 creation of the Mountain West Conference. The Bulldogs won the last meeting in 1997 by a score of 24-7 and the overall series is tied 3-3.

This game could actually look worse then the last time the teams played due to the presence of Fresno's star running back Ryan Matthews. He has the career school record for touchdowns at 36, he is second all-time in rushing yards, and he also has a school record 10 100 yard rushing games in a season this year. Obviously after putting up stats like this, the junior running back is considering a jump to the NFL. A great performance in this game could certainly catapult him closer to the top of the RB chart.

Fresno will also be looking for great performances from QB Ryan Colburn who has 2333 passing yards, 18 TD's, and 11 INT's this season. Look for kicker Kevin Goessling to have another good game as well. He has hit his last 15 straight field goals after missing his first FG try. He is 22-24 going back to last season. Coming off of a big last second victory over Big 10 Illinois look for the Bulldogs to continue pounding the ball.

Wyoming will be led by true freshman QB Austyn Carta-Samuels. He has 1752 passing yards with 7 TD's and 4 INT's this season. Another true freshman, RB Alvester Alexander, is the teams leading rusher this season with 503 yards and 6 TD's. Junior David Leonard is the teams leading receiver with 70 receptions, 645 yards, and 1 TD.

ILB Brian Hendricks will get the job of leading the defense in trying to stop Matthews. Hendricks, the teams leading tackler, looks to rebound and have a great end to the season after missing several games this year due to injuries.

Look for Fresno to have a huge advantage in this game due to the presence of Matthews. If you have not had a chance to see this young man play then don't miss it here because it could very well be the last time you see him in a Bulldogs uniform as he attempts to run all over this low-rated rushing defense. Wyoming must take advantage of its plus-7 turnover ratio if they hope to have a chance; that is certainly better then Fresno's minus-9 ratio. If the Cowboys can generate some turnovers, consistently move the ball, and keep Fresno's defense on the field, they could pull out the upset victory.

I expect to see Fresno State win this ball game by a good margin, but I hope to see Wyoming keep it close. First year coach Dave Christensen has done a great job getting Wyoming to a bowl considering the youth he has playing, but his first bowl victory will most likely not come at the expense of long time coach Pat Hill.

Final score: Fresno State 35

Wyoming 17

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

BYU (10-2) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Mountain West Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	60	148.17	Nevada	362.25	4	Air Force	273.58
Passing Offense	12	288.92	Houston	450.00	1	BYU	288.92
Total Offense	18	437.08	Houston	581.23	2	TCU	469.08
Scoring Offense	12	34.75	Boise St.	44.15	2	TCU	40.67
Rushing Defense	23	112.00	Texas	62.15	2	TCU	80.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	47	122.12	Alabama	88.81	4	TCU	90.28
Total Defense	35	331.08	TCU	233.25	4	TCU	233.25
Scoring Defense	34	21.67	Alabama	11.00	4	TCU	12.42
Net Punting	38	36.97	Georgia	42.84	6	Air Force	39.40
Punt Returns	93	6.44	LSU	18.64	7	Wyoming	13.88
Kickoff Returns	T-46	22.55	TCU	30.62	4	TCU	30.62
Turnover Margin	66	-.08	Rutgers	1.67	6	Air Force	1.42
Pass Defense	65	219.08	Air Force	148.67	5	Air Force	148.67
Passing Efficiency	4	161.57	Cincinnati	166.19	2	TCU	162.16
Sacks	T-53	2.00	Pittsburgh	3.75	3	TCU	2.67
Tackles For Loss	102	4.67	Middle Tenn.	8.83	8	Utah	7.00
Sacks Allowed	T-54	1.75	Boise St.	.38	6	TCU	.83

Oregon State (8-4) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Pacific-10 Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	64	144.17	Nevada	362.25	6	Oregon	236.08
Passing Offense	21	275.25	Houston	450.00	1	Oregon St.	275.25
Total Offense	28	419.42	Houston	581.23	3	Stanford	441.42
Scoring Offense	22	32.42	Boise St.	44.15	3	Oregon	37.67
Rushing Defense	25	114.25	Texas	62.15	3	Arizona St.	108.58
Pass Efficiency Defense	60	128.75	Alabama	88.81	6	Southern California	106.25
Total Defense	50	352.92	TCU	233.25	6	Arizona St.	297.58
Scoring Defense	51	23.42	Alabama	11.00	5	Southern California	20.42
Net Punting	37	36.98	Georgia	42.84	5	UCLA	37.76
Punt Returns	72	8.09	LSU	18.64	8	Arizona	16.40
Kickoff Returns	38	23.08	TCU	30.62	5	Stanford	28.69
Turnover Margin	T-27	.50	Rutgers	1.67	1	Oregon St.	.50
Pass Defense	87	238.67	Air Force	148.67	6	Arizona St.	189.00
Passing Efficiency	15	147.33	Cincinnati	166.19	1	Oregon St.	147.33
Sacks	106	1.25	Pittsburgh	3.75	9	Arizona	2.83
Tackles For Loss	73	5.42	Middle Tenn.	8.83	8	UCLA	7.83
Sacks Allowed	88	2.42	Boise St.	.38	9	Stanford	.50

Preview by CoachDuncan

The 2009 Las Vegas Bowl features two things it has never had before, two ranked teams to play; it is the 10-2, #14 (highest ranking) ranked BYU Cougars and the # 16 (highest ranking) Oregon State Beavers. And on top of that, BYU is the highest ranked team to even play in this bowl game as the Cougars come here for the 5th straight time.

This game also carries a cursory interest for BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall as he played safety/linebacker for Oregon State the last time these two teams met in 1986. Oregon State won that ball game 10-7 in Provo, Utah.

On offense BYU is led by all-conference QB Max Hall, who has passed for more yards in his career then anyone in school history save for 1991 Heisman winner Ty Detmer. He is also the winningest QB in school history at 31 wins. He has 3368 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Harvey Unga leads at RB as the #1 rusher in school history with yet another 1000 yard season; currently at 1016 yards with 10 touchdowns. Dennis Pitta, the All-American tight end rounds out this potent offensive attack as the teams leading receiver with 57 catches, 784 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He is also the NCAA record holder for career receiving yards by a tight end with 2856.

The defense is led by defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen, safety Scott Johnson, and linebackers Matt Ah You, Terrance Hooks, and Jordan Pendleton. This defense has gelled well this season with Johnson leading the way.

Oregon State is led by second team All-American RB Jacquizz Rodgers who had 1377 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. QB Sean Canfield has a 70% completion rate this year as he has thrown for 3103 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. WR James Rodgers could be the key as BYU tries to shut down the run. This season the Oregon State school record holder for all-purpose yards (2213) also set a single game school record for the most all-purpose yards (303). He has 54 catches, 1004 yards, and 9 touchdowns on the year.

They are led defensively by defensive tackle and 1st team all-Pac 10 Stephen Paea from Timpview High in Provo, Utah and Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. Expect him to have a big game and get to Hall a few times. CB Brandon Hardin is also going to be key for the Beavers. This sophomore will be playing a lot due to several injuries in the secondary and the team will need him to step up and have a great game for them to win.

BYU is 2-5 in bowl games since 1998 and only 2-2 under Coach Mendenhall, but this game could be one of their better chances to win a bowl. I expect both teams to come out playing hard as they are both fired up to prove that this years success was merely continuing a tradition of winning rather than a fluke. I expect to see Oregon State win a close game in the end by less then seven points.

Oregon State 24

BYU 20

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Utah (9-3) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Mountain West Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	45	169.42	Nevada	362.25	3	Air Force	273.58
Passing Offense	55	220.17	Houston	450.00	4	BYU	288.92
Total Offense	54	389.58	Houston	581.23	3	TCU	469.08
Scoring Offense	47	29.25	Boise St.	44.15	3	TCU	40.67
Rushing Defense	57	141.33	Texas	62.15	4	TCU	80.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	9	100.10	Alabama	88.81	2	TCU	90.28
Total Defense	20	314.17	TCU	233.25	3	TCU	233.25
Scoring Defense	19	19.67	Alabama	11.00	3	TCU	12.42
Net Punting	34	37.08	Georgia	42.84	5	Air Force	39.40
Punt Returns	60	8.77	LSU	18.64	4	Wyoming	13.88
Kickoff Returns	59	21.98	TCU	30.62	7	TCU	30.62
Turnover Margin	46	.25	Rutgers	1.67	4	Air Force	1.42
Pass Defense	14	172.83	Air Force	148.67	3	Air Force	148.67
Passing Efficiency	57	129.81	Cincinnati	166.19	3	TCU	162.16
Sacks	46	2.17	Pittsburgh	3.75	2	TCU	2.67
Tackles For Loss	19	7.00	Middle Tenn.	8.83	1	Utah	7.00
Sacks Allowed	34	1.42	Boise St.	.38	5	TCU	.83

California (8-4) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Pacific-10 Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	37	175.58	Nevada	362.25	3	Oregon	236.08
Passing Offense	50	223.42	Houston	450.00	4	Oregon St.	275.25
Total Offense	46	399.00	Houston	581.23	5	Stanford	441.42
Scoring Offense	47	29.25	Boise St.	44.15	5	Oregon	37.67
Rushing Defense	27	117.08	Texas	62.15	4	Arizona St.	108.58
Pass Efficiency Defense	82	134.83	Alabama	88.81	7	Southern California	106.25
Total Defense	70	378.00	TCU	233.25	7	Arizona St.	297.58
Scoring Defense	54	24.50	Alabama	11.00	7	Southern California	20.42
Net Punting	26	37.51	Georgia	42.84	2	UCLA	37.76
Punt Returns	25	12.35	LSU	18.64	3	Arizona	16.40
Kickoff Returns	91	20.34	TCU	30.62	7	Stanford	28.69
Turnover Margin	T-27	.50	Rutgers	1.67	1	Oregon St.	.50
Pass Defense	108	260.92	Air Force	148.67	9	Arizona St.	189.00
Passing Efficiency	58	129.74	Cincinnati	166.19	5	Oregon St.	147.33
Sacks	36	2.33	Pittsburgh	3.75	4	Arizona	2.83
Tackles For Loss	41	6.25	Middle Tenn.	8.83	5	UCLA	7.83
Sacks Allowed	T-73	2.25	Boise St.	.38	5	Stanford	.50

Preview by CoachDuncan

The #23 ranked (highest ranking) 9-3 Utes return to the Poinsettia Bowl for the first time since 2007 (when they beat Navy 35-32) to try and extend the nations leading bowl game winning streak from eight to nine games when they play the 8-4 California Bears.

The Bears, who have never played in the Poinsettia Bowl, are led offensively by QB Kevin Riley who threw for 2636 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions this season His only weakness is that he has been sacked 26 times this year, so the Utes should be coming after him. He has played well this year and has taken on a little bit more with the loss of Jahvid Best for the last three games. Best will not play again this game after his season ending concussion in the game against Oregon State. However, their running game has been far from dead as RB Shane Vereen has come on strong with 830 yards and 10 touchdowns to pick up the slack. WR Marvin Jones, Riley's favorite receiver, leads the receivers with 38 catches, 607 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

Defensively they are led by LB Mike Mohamed, the Pac 10 leader in tackles and All-American candidate CB Syd'Quan Thompson; expect to see Thompson spending a lot of time covering David Reed, Utah's 1000 receiver.

A big advantage for Cal will be head coach Jeff Tedford's addition of offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig who spent a few seasons in the same post at Utah. Expect the Bears to know a lot about what Utah is going to be running.

For the Utes, they have never lost a game after a bye week or a bowl game under coach Kyle Wittingham. In fact, Utah has not lost a bowl game since the formation of the MWC; however, this will be a great test for them, so expect the Utes to be prepared. They are going to have to be because they are 2-4 all-time against Cal and 2-2 in bowl games against the Pac 10. The Utes won the last meeting between the two teams 31-24 in 2003.

On offense the Utes are led by true freshman QB Jordan Wynn who has 991 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions after becoming the starter with 4 games left in the season. He is helped by the 1000 yard combination of RB Eddie Wide, who became the starter when Matt Asiata went down, and WR David Reed. Wide has 1032 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season while Reed has 1085 yards and 5 touchdowns. Reed also needs only 61 yards and 6 catches to become the school record holder for yards and catches in a single season. Also, look for All-American Zane Beadles to lead the offensive line to a big game.

Look for LB Stevenson Sylvester, S Robert Johnson, DE Koa Misi, LB Mike Wright, and DT Kanape Eliapo, who is back from injury, to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Utah will need a big game from it's defense in containing the rushing attack if it hopes to win the game.

Expect this game to be a tough, hard fought contest that should come down to a game winning drive by whoever gets the ball last. They seem evenly matched and it should be a great game. I am giving Utah, with its hometown QB, the nod in this close matchup,

Utah 28

California 21

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

Air Force (7-5) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Mountain West Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	3	273.58	Nevada	362.25	1	Air Force	273.58
Passing Offense	118	82.33	Houston	450.00	9	BYU	288.92
Total Offense	77	355.92	Houston	581.23	4	TCU	469.08
Scoring Offense	53	28.25	Boise St.	44.15	4	TCU	40.67
Rushing Defense	45	136.08	Texas	62.15	3	TCU	80.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	21	110.31	Alabama	88.81	3	TCU	90.28
Total Defense	10	284.75	TCU	233.25	2	TCU	233.25
Scoring Defense	9	15.33	Alabama	11.00	2	TCU	12.42
Net Punting	6	39.40	Georgia	42.84	1	Air Force	39.40
Punt Returns	14	13.26	LSU	18.64	2	Wyoming	13.88
Kickoff Returns	43	22.69	TCU	30.62	3	TCU	30.62
Turnover Margin	3	1.42	Rutgers	1.67	1	Air Force	1.42
Pass Defense	1	148.67	Air Force	148.67	1	Air Force	148.67
Passing Efficiency	79	122.58	Cincinnati	166.19	6	TCU	162.16
Sacks	T-53	2.00	Pittsburgh	3.75	3	TCU	2.67
Tackles For Loss	92	5.00	Middle Tenn.	8.83	6	Utah	7.00
Sacks Allowed	T-5	.83	Boise St.	.38	1	TCU	.83

Houston (10-3) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Conference USA Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	83	131.23	Nevada	362.25	9	UAB	229.92
Passing Offense	1	450.00	Houston	450.00	1	Houston	450.00
Total Offense	1	581.23	Houston	581.23	1	Houston	581.23
Scoring Offense	2	43.92	Boise St.	44.15	1	Houston	43.92
Rushing Defense	112	213.08	Texas	62.15	12	UCF	82.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	65	129.51	Alabama	88.81	4	SMU	122.07
Total Defense	108	442.69	TCU	233.25	8	UCF	348.08
Scoring Defense	88	28.77	Alabama	11.00	6	UCF	20.67
Net Punting	88	34.00	Georgia	42.84	10	East Carolina	39.35
Punt Returns	59	8.81	LSU	18.64	8	SMU	14.53
Kickoff Returns	27	23.78	TCU	30.62	3	Southern Miss.	26.09
Turnover Margin	15	.69	Rutgers	1.67	4	East Carolina	1.00
Pass Defense	77	229.62	Air Force	148.67	2	Tulane	218.00
Passing Efficiency	7	159.56	Cincinnati	166.19	1	Houston	159.56
Sacks	77	1.69	Pittsburgh	3.75	7	UCF	3.08
Tackles For Loss	99	4.77	Middle Tenn.	8.83	10	UCF	7.58
Sacks Allowed	33	1.38	Boise St.	.38	3	East Carolina	.85

Preview by: CoachDuncan

The 2009 Armed Forces Bowl pits two teams who are very familiar with each other. The 7-5 Air Force Falcons against the #25, in the Coaches Poll, Houston Cougars. These two teams played each other twice last year with Air Force winning in the regular season 31-28 and Houston winning here at the Armed Forces Bowl 34-28. The game will match two great strengths against each other as we'll have a chance to see the NCAA's #1 ranked pass offense versus the Air Force Academy's #1 ranked pass defense. Something has to give in this game and we're all in for a real treat as we sit back and watch to see who comes out on top.

For the Air Force Falcons, they are led by 2008 MWC Freshman Player of the Year Tim Jefferson at QB. He is a dual passing and rushing threat as he has 687 passing yards with 5 TD's and 2 INT's and 387 rushing yards with 3 TD's. He has had some injury troubles this year, most recently some bruised ribs in the final regular season game against BYU. But he is healthy now and ready to go. This is a much better team when he is taking the snaps and he'll need a huge day with this triple option offense to have a chance at the win. If he can keep the ball in the Falcon's hands and help keep the Houston offense on the bench, they could sneak out a win.

Jefferson is joined in the backfield by FB Jared Tew and QB Asher Clark. Tew earned his first start in this game last year and promptly rushed for 149 yards, both an Air Force and Armed Forces Bowl record. He has 797 yards and 7 TD's this season and he leads the rushing attack for the team. Clark is the teams 2nd best rusher with 736 yards and 5 TD's. He is not a passing threat as evidenced by the lack of a single passing attempt this season. This team doesn't throw the ball much, but they seem to be effective when they have to be.

The defense is led by the CB tandem of Anthony Wright Jr. and Reggie Rembert; the best CB combo this teams has seen in many years. They will need a huge day against these talented Cougar WR's if they are going to keep this offense in check and keep them out of the end zone.

For the Houston Cougars, they are led by 2010 Heisman hopeful and 2009 CUSA MVP and Sammy Baugh winner Case Keenum. He was also a 2nd team All-American this season. Putting up some amazing numbers as he has completed 71% of his passing en route to 5449 passing yards with a staggering 49 TD's and 9 INT's. Those are numbers that any QB would be ecstatic to put up let alone someone with an eye to a successful NFL career after college. He is a dandy and he could very well shine in this game.

Two of his favorite targets, James Cleveland and Tyron Carrier, lead the receivers into this game with some staggering numbers of their own. Cleveland racked up 101 catches, 1182 yards, and 14 TD's. He is in the top 10 nationally in catches and receiving yards per game with these numbers. Carrier is not too far behind with 86 catches, 998 yards, and 7 TD's. Most teams would love to have a 1000 receiver, these guys should be blessed with 2 not too far into this game. They are a talented pair that are obviously able to find the ball with ease.

RB's Bryce Beall and Charles Sims have some solid rushing stats between them with 669 yards and 7 TD's for Beall and 632 yards and 9 TD's for Sims. Not gaudy numbers, but with a QB like Keenum, spreading the ball around to include the rushing game is pretty tough.

The Cougar defense is led by LB Marcus McGraw as he currently ranks #14 in the nation with 123 tackles. Expect him to have a big game attempting to shut down this option attack.

Even though Houston is only 8-10-1 lifetime in bowls, expect them to win this game. Air Force can lay claim to being the team who came the closest to beating TCU this season by losing 20-17, but expect this high octane offense from Houston to simply wear down and run away from this young and talented Air Force team.

Houston 42

Air Force 24

Tostito's Fiesta Bowl

TCU (12-0) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Mountain West Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	5	256.50	Nevada	362.25	2	Air Force	273.58
Passing Offense	67	212.58	Houston	450.00	6	BYU	288.92
Total Offense	4	469.08	Houston	581.23	1	TCU	469.08
Scoring Offense	4	40.67	Boise St.	44.15	1	TCU	40.67
Rushing Defense	3	80.50	Texas	62.15	1	TCU	80.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	2	90.28	Alabama	88.81	1	TCU	90.28
Total Defense	1	233.25	TCU	233.25	1	TCU	233.25
Scoring Defense	6	12.42	Alabama	11.00	1	TCU	12.42
Net Punting	101	33.46	Georgia	42.84	8	Air Force	39.40
Punt Returns	20	12.93	LSU	18.64	3	Wyoming	13.88
Kickoff Returns	1	30.62	TCU	30.62	1	TCU	30.62
Turnover Margin	41	.33	Rutgers	1.67	3	Air Force	1.42
Pass Defense	4	152.75	Air Force	148.67	2	Air Force	148.67
Passing Efficiency	3	162.16	Cincinnati	166.19	1	TCU	162.16
Sacks	21	2.67	Pittsburgh	3.75	1	TCU	2.67
Tackles For Loss	55	5.75	Middle Tenn.	8.83	3	Utah	7.00
Sacks Allowed	T-5	.83	Boise St.	.38	1	TCU	.83

Boise State (12-0) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Western Athletic Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	20	194.46	Nevada	362.25	3	Nevada	362.25
Passing Offense	30	266.00	Houston	450.00	3	Hawaii	337.00
Total Offense	8	460.46	Houston	581.23	2	Nevada	521.58
Scoring Offense	1	44.15	Boise St.	44.15	1	Boise St.	44.15
Rushing Defense	40	126.85	Texas	62.15	2	Nevada	114.67
Pass Efficiency Defense	12	103.53	Alabama	88.81	1	Boise St.	103.53
Total Defense	13	299.62	TCU	233.25	1	Boise St.	299.62
Scoring Defense	16	17.69	Alabama	11.00	1	Boise St.	17.69
Net Punting	10	38.82	Georgia	42.84	1	Boise St.	38.82
Punt Returns	37	10.97	LSU	18.64	2	Louisiana Tech	12.33
Kickoff Returns	5	27.27	TCU	30.62	1	Boise St.	27.27
Turnover Margin	2	1.46	Rutgers	1.67	1	Boise St.	1.46
Pass Defense	13	172.77	Air Force	148.67	1	Boise St.	172.77
Passing Efficiency	2	164.23	Cincinnati	166.19	1	Boise St.	164.23
Sacks	72	1.77	Pittsburgh	3.75	3	Nevada	2.33
Tackles For Loss	13	7.46	Middle Tenn.	8.83	1	Boise St.	7.46
Sacks Allowed	1	.38	Boise St.	.38	1	Boise St.	.38

Preview by CoachDuncan

The 2010 Fiesta Bowl will forever be known as the BCS Buster Bowl as it is the first BCS bowl game ever to feature two non-BCS schools in the Boise State Broncos and the TCU Horned Frogs. This may be a rematch of last year's Poinsettia Bowl game won by TCU 17-16, but these are not the same two teams. Both teams have drastically improved on both sides of the ball and are undefeated to this point so expect a fantastic ball game for the chance to finish #2 in the rankings.

The game will see two of the nations best as Boise State is ranked #8 in total offense and #13 in total defense while TCU is ranked #4 in total offense and #1 in total defense. The Horned Frogs have given the Broncos their only loss in the last two seasons and the Broncos are itching to show that last year's game is not a representation of who they really are.

TCU is led by QB Andy Dalton who has 2484 passing yards, 22 TD's, 5 INT''s along with 432 rushing yards and 8 TD's. He is the key to the offense and this junior QB has done nothing but get stronger as they season has gone on. He leads RB's Joseph Turner (732 yards, 11 TD's) and Matthew Turner (667 yards, 8 TD's) out of the backfield and with his ability to run or throw the ball, it is difficult to know exactly where the ball is at any given moment.

WR Jeremy Kerley is the electrifying kick returner that you may have seen in some highlight videos this season. He is the best return man in the MWC and averages 121.8 all-purpose yards per game and has scored a TD as a wide receiver, running back, and punt returner. This guy is all over the field so look for him to make an impact in this game at some point.

The defense is led by consensus first team All-American DE Jerry Hughes. He had 11.5 sacks this season for 7th in the NCAA after leading the NCAA with 15 last season. He is the MWC defensive player of the year, the Lott Trophy winner, and the Ted Hendricks Award winner. This young man should make an easy transition to the NFL level and have a very nice game here to end his college career. LB Daryl Washington is the teams leading tackler with 99 tackles as well as 3 INT's. This team relies a lot on its defense, but with the potent offense it has found this season, they are a formidable opponent.

The Boise State Broncos are led by first team All-American QB Kellen Moore. Only a sophomore this young man has a name you had better learn and remember because you will be hearing a lot about this young man in the years to come. Already being considered one of the Heisman hopefuls next season, he has 3325 passing yards, 39 TD's, and 3 INT's. He is the national leader in passing efficiency and is one of the best QB's in all of college football.

RB Jeremy Avery is the first place you want to look if Moore doesn't have the ball. This junior has 1131 yards on 197 carries this season to go along with 6 TD's. He also has 1 receiving TD, so he is a solid dual threat back. Look for TB Doug Martin to play a large roll in this game. In the last three games after returning from injury he has rushed for 37 carries, 332 yards, and 8 TD's. Obviously this team is stronger when they can spread the ball around with both of these back healthy.

WR's Titus Young and Austin Pettis are integral to Moore's success as they have both had great seasons. Young has 71 catches for 969 yards and 10 TD's. Pettis meanwhile has 62 catches for 850 yards and 14 TD's. However, Pettis was hurt in the Nevada game and his return for the Fiesta Bowl is questionable. This could be a critical injury as they need him in order to have solid play over the middle while taking pressure off Young.

The defense is led by another strong DE in Ryan Winterswyk. He has 8.5 sacks this season and 16.5 tackles for loss. The Frogs need to keep him out of the backfield and away from the ball carriers so they can have a chance at consistent positive yardage.

The only thing more scary than how good these two teams are this season is the fact that both teams return most of their respective lineups for next season. This is a rematch we could see again next year potentially for the whole ball of wax in the national championship. It may seem like a long shot, but stranger things have happened in college football.

We should expect a fantastic game between these two teams, but it is hard to say if it is going to be a low scoring defensive game or a shootout given the two teams rankings on both sides of the ball. I would aim for somewhere in the middle as both teams work hard to keep the other contained. TCU is the stronger team overall and I see them pulling away in the end for the much closer then it looks 14 point win.

TCU 35

Boise State 21


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