WAC 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

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Southern Methodist (7-5) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Conference USA Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	100	112.75	Nevada	362.25	10	UAB	229.92
Passing Offense	28	267.17	Houston	450.00	3	Houston	450.00
Total Offense	61	379.92	Houston	581.23	6	Houston	581.23
Scoring Offense	54	27.92	Boise St.	44.15	5	Houston	43.92
Rushing Defense	88	169.17	Texas	62.15	7	UCF	82.50
Pass Efficiency Defense	46	122.07	Alabama	88.81	1	SMU	122.07
Total Defense	92	404.00	TCU	233.25	6	UCF	348.08
Scoring Defense	90	29.08	Alabama	11.00	7	UCF	20.67
Net Punting	71	35.01	Georgia	42.84	9	East Carolina	39.35
Punt Returns	8	14.53	LSU	18.64	1	SMU	14.53
Kickoff Returns	53	22.21	TCU	30.62	6	Southern Miss.	26.09
Turnover Margin	57	.08	Rutgers	1.67	6	East Carolina	1.00
Pass Defense	82	234.83	Air Force	148.67	3	Tulane	218.00
Passing Efficiency	55	130.20	Cincinnati	166.19	6	Houston	159.56
Sacks	78	1.67	Pittsburgh	3.75	8	UCF	3.08
Tackles For Loss	89	5.08	Middle Tenn.	8.83	9	UCF	7.58
Sacks Allowed	104	2.83	Boise St.	.38	11	East Carolina	.85

Nevada (8-4) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Western Athletic Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	1	362.25	Nevada	362.25	1	Nevada	362.25
Passing Offense	107	159.33	Houston	450.00	8	Hawaii	337.00
Total Offense	2	521.58	Houston	581.23	1	Nevada	521.58
Scoring Offense	5	40.58	Boise St.	44.15	2	Boise St.	44.15
Rushing Defense	26	114.67	Texas	62.15	1	Nevada	114.67
Pass Efficiency Defense	114	155.30	Alabama	88.81	8	Boise St.	103.53
Total Defense	88	398.92	TCU	233.25	3	Boise St.	299.62
Scoring Defense	74	27.17	Alabama	11.00	3	Boise St.	17.69
Net Punting	34	37.08	Georgia	42.84	4	Boise St.	38.82
Punt Returns	115	3.63	LSU	18.64	8	Louisiana Tech	12.33
Kickoff Returns	33	23.34	TCU	30.62	2	Boise St.	27.27
Turnover Margin	70	-.17	Rutgers	1.67	4	Boise St.	1.46
Pass Defense	119	284.25	Air Force	148.67	9	Boise St.	172.77
Passing Efficiency	32	140.75	Cincinnati	166.19	4	Boise St.	164.23
Sacks	36	2.33	Pittsburgh	3.75	1	Nevada	2.33
Tackles For Loss	22	6.92	Middle Tenn.	8.83	2	Boise St.	7.46
Sacks Allowed	4	.75	Boise St.	.38	2	Boise St.	.38

By GoldenEagles98

Key Players:

Nevada

Colin Kaepernick (QB) 1875 yds passing (19 TD, 5 Int) 1160 yds rushing (16 TD)

Luke Lippincott (RB) 1034 yds rushing (7.7 ypc), 9 TD, 2 rec. TD

Vai Taua (RB) 1345 yds rushing (7.8 ypc), 10 TD, 2 rec. TD

Southern Methodist

Shawnbrey McNeal (RB) 1125 yds rushing (5.0 ypc), 9 TD

Emmanuel Sanders (WR) 91 rec. 1215 yds, 6 TD. 15.4 yds per punt return (1 TD)

Chase Kennemer (LB) 126 tackles (11 tfl), 1 sack, 2 Int, 4 fumble rec.

The Hawaii Bowl pits one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country in the Nevada Wolfpack against an up and coming SMU squad, led by offensive guru June Jones. The Wolfpack boast the country's leading rushing offense, gaining over 360 yards per contest on the ground. The attack is led by QB Colin Kaepernick, who is one of the nations leaders in total offense and total touchdowns. Going up against the one of the weaker run defenses in the country, Kaepernick, Vai Taua, and Luke Lippincott should find plenty of running room. If the Mustangs have any success slowing down the Wolfpack rushing attack, tight end Virgil Green and wideout Brandon Wimberly are talented enough to stretch the defense and get into the end zone.

For the SMU Mustangs, big play wideout/punt returner Emmanuel Sanders is one of the most dangerous threats in the country, catching almost 8 passes per contest and scoring 10 touchdowns. However, if the Mustangs look to pull off the upset, Shawnbrey McNeal and the SMU offensive line must control the line of scrimmage and eat up clock against the Wolfpack defense, which only gives up 114 yards per game on the ground. If the Mustangs can hold the football for long stretches then they have a chance to be successful by keeping the rushing attack of the Wolfpack on the sidelines.

SMU has been in many close games this year, and that experience could help if this game goes down to the wire. Don't look for that to be the case though. While the Mustangs should be able to find some success moving the ball, Nevada's offense is too talented and too powerful for the SMU defense to slow them down. While SMU's turnaround is one of the great stories of the college football season, the task at hand is simply too daunting despite the homecoming for June Jones back to the islands.

Nevada 47, SMU 28

Roady's Humanitarian Bowl

Bowling Green (7-5) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Mid-American Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	114	81.25	Nevada	362.25	12	Northern Ill.	202.42
Passing Offense	8	310.17	Houston	450.00	1	Bowling Green	310.17
Total Offense	52	391.42	Houston	581.23	4	Toledo	438.25
Scoring Offense	62	27.33	Boise St.	44.15	5	Central Mich.	33.15
Rushing Defense	103	192.75	Texas	62.15	12	Temple	108.83
Pass Efficiency Defense	50	122.64	Alabama	88.81	5	Ohio	107.90
Total Defense	82	393.75	TCU	233.25	10	Northern Ill.	324.00
Scoring Defense	65	26.17	Alabama	11.00	7	Central Mich.	17.23
Net Punting	94	33.82	Georgia	42.84	4	Ball St.	35.93
Punt Returns	58	8.88	LSU	18.64	6	Central Mich.	13.50
Kickoff Returns	104	19.47	TCU	30.62	11	Temple	23.90
Turnover Margin	T-31	.42	Rutgers	1.67	3	Ohio	1.08
Pass Defense	34	201.00	Air Force	148.67	4	Eastern Mich.	150.50
Passing Efficiency	50	132.01	Cincinnati	166.19	4	Central Mich.	150.47
Sacks	89	1.58	Pittsburgh	3.75	8	Temple	2.75
Tackles For Loss	113	4.17	Middle Tenn.	8.83	13	Kent St.	8.42
Sacks Allowed	82	2.33	Boise St.	.38	11	Central Mich.	1.15

Idaho (7-5) Breakdown

Category	National Rank	Actual	National Leader	Actual	Conf Rank	Western Athletic Conference Leader	Actual
Rushing Offense	49	160.75	Nevada	362.25	6	Nevada	362.25
Passing Offense	11	290.58	Houston	450.00	2	Hawaii	337.00
Total Offense	10	451.33	Houston	581.23	3	Nevada	521.58
Scoring Offense	25	31.83	Boise St.	44.15	4	Boise St.	44.15
Rushing Defense	77	155.58	Texas	62.15	3	Nevada	114.67
Pass Efficiency Defense	117	156.71	Alabama	88.81	9	Boise St.	103.53
Total Defense	105	424.50	TCU	233.25	7	Boise St.	299.62
Scoring Defense	112	35.50	Alabama	11.00	9	Boise St.	17.69
Net Punting	90	33.97	Georgia	42.84	8	Boise St.	38.82
Punt Returns	38	10.93	LSU	18.64	3	Louisiana Tech	12.33
Kickoff Returns	97	19.89	TCU	30.62	8	Boise St.	27.27
Turnover Margin	T-105	-.75	Rutgers	1.67	6	Boise St.	1.46
Pass Defense	114	268.92	Air Force	148.67	8	Boise St.	172.77
Passing Efficiency	10	154.06	Cincinnati	166.19	2	Boise St.	164.23
Sacks	112	1.17	Pittsburgh	3.75	8	Nevada	2.33
Tackles For Loss	117	3.92	Middle Tenn.	8.83	9	Boise St.	7.46
Sacks Allowed	62	2.00	Boise St.	.38	5	Boise St.	.38

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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