Thus far, it seems as if one team is showing up ready to play in these bowl games, while the other team must have had too much to eat at the team banquet the night before (or, too much partying on Bourbon Street, for all you Ohio fans). To kick off the bowl season this past Saturday, we were treated to three blowouts. Although I'm not overly surprised (in years past, there have been numerous early bowl blowouts), I hope that the games are more exciting before we hit Christmas.
Although the games haven't been much to watch, I am proud to say that I haven't completely fallen behind in my College Bowl Mania group after the first weekend. One thing that I did notice about this year's version of the game is that they do not include people's overall record in picking the games, nor do they show how many possible points you can end up with. That's a little disappointing, but I guess they are pulling out all the stops to get people to actually watch the GoDaddy.com Bowl.
For the next few days, only one bowl game per night will be played. Here is my pick for the December 22nd bowl game.
Beef O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl
Southern Mississippi vs. Louisville
This bowl game, like many of the other early season bowl matchups, is a toss-up. Louisville is likely ecstatic to even be playing in a bowl game, after being picked by some (this author included) to finish last in the Big East. Their reward? A trip to St. Petersburg, where they get to play one of the more underrated programs in Southern Mississippi.
Southern Miss is no stranger to postseason play. This is their ninth straight season playing in a bowl game, and their seventeenth consecutive winning season. In order to get back on the winning side in bowl games, they're going to need to pound the ball against Louisville. The Cardinals have one of the better defenses in the Big East, but have a problem stopping the run. If Southern Miss can establish the running game, it may be a long night for Louisville.
Like Southern Miss, Louisville will want look to get the running game going early. Running back Bilal Powell is one of the better runners in college football, and will look to make the most of his first action in postseason play. However, it will be a tough task for Powell; Southern Miss is no slouch on defense, and their run defense is the unit's strength.
I have learned from past experience that it is wise to take the team from the stronger conference in games like these. However, I think that Southern Miss has the defense capable of containing Powell, and will have their way with Louisville's defense on the other side of the ball. Additionally, it is arguable whether the Big East is really that much stronger than C-USA anyway. At any rate, I'm confident that this game will be better than the first three. I have Southern Miss for 11 points in the College Bowl Mania game.
Final Score: 27-21 Southern Miss
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label southern miss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label southern miss. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
NCAAF: Conference USA Preview
Overview
Conference USA is very similar to the MAC in many ways. Both conferences have talented but not elite players, and both conferences are a breeding ground for up-and-coming coaches. However, this (specifically for the 2010-2011 season) is what separates the conferences: Case Keenum. The Houston Cougars, a member of Conference USA, is on the national radar to begin the season for the first time in two decades thanks to the gunslinger Keenum. Conference USA will be getting significant exposure this season if Keenum lives up to his lofty preseason expectations (he is on the short list of Heisman contenders). If it weren't for Keenum, Conference USA may be an afterthought. However, they've presented their Case as to why their worth paying attention to, and it's a pretty good one.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
Even with Keenum, Houston can't really be considered a legitimate title contender. Their strength of schedule isn't good enough to propel them high enough in the rankings, and that's assuming they go undefeated, which is unlikely in itself. Houston will probably be the class of C-USA, but they won't be the class of the entire nation.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
East Carolina
Skip Holtz is no longer the coach of the Pirates, but at least for the next few years, you can't count them out of the C-USA race. These players are still Holtz's recruits, are he recruited pretty well. ECU will need to fill major gaps on defense, but if they can do that, then they may be fighting for yet another birth in the C-USA championship game.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Texas Tech (November 27th)
A rematch of a great game from last year, the winner gets some Texas style bragging rights. New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville doesn't run the "Air Raid" style offense that Mike Leach ran, so this game may not turn out to be an offensive show like many people would expect. However, if Case Keenum is still in the Heisman race at this late stage in the season, a breakout performance could be all he needs to bring the first Heisman Trophy to Houston since Andre Ware won it in 1989.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Southern Mississippi (November 20th)
Just one week before their showdown with Texas Tech, Houston has an equally important matchup with the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. This game will probably prove to be very important, as it could determine whether or not these teams get a chance to play for the C-USA title. Last year Houston won a shootout at home. Expect nothing less this year, as both teams have a quarterback with a cannon for an arm.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Central Florida (9-3, [6-2])
2. Southern Mississippi (8-4, [6-2])
3. East Carolina (7-5, [6-2])
4. UAB (4-8, [4-4])
5. Marshall (3-9, [3-5])
6. Memphis (1-11, [0-8])
West Division
1. Houston (9-3, [6-2])
2. Tulsa (8-4, [6-2])
3. Southern Methodist (5-7, [4-4])
4. UTEP (5-7, [3-5])
5. Rice (1-11, [1-7])
6. Tulane (1-11, [0-8])
Championship Game (Houston vs. Central Florida)
Winner: Central Florida
In case you missed one of my college football previews, I have put an archive on the left side of the site so that you can find which conference preview you missed more easily. Also, remember to vote on all the polls if you have not done so yet. Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read my work.
- K. Becks
Conference USA is very similar to the MAC in many ways. Both conferences have talented but not elite players, and both conferences are a breeding ground for up-and-coming coaches. However, this (specifically for the 2010-2011 season) is what separates the conferences: Case Keenum. The Houston Cougars, a member of Conference USA, is on the national radar to begin the season for the first time in two decades thanks to the gunslinger Keenum. Conference USA will be getting significant exposure this season if Keenum lives up to his lofty preseason expectations (he is on the short list of Heisman contenders). If it weren't for Keenum, Conference USA may be an afterthought. However, they've presented their Case as to why their worth paying attention to, and it's a pretty good one.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
Even with Keenum, Houston can't really be considered a legitimate title contender. Their strength of schedule isn't good enough to propel them high enough in the rankings, and that's assuming they go undefeated, which is unlikely in itself. Houston will probably be the class of C-USA, but they won't be the class of the entire nation.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
East Carolina
Skip Holtz is no longer the coach of the Pirates, but at least for the next few years, you can't count them out of the C-USA race. These players are still Holtz's recruits, are he recruited pretty well. ECU will need to fill major gaps on defense, but if they can do that, then they may be fighting for yet another birth in the C-USA championship game.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Texas Tech (November 27th)
A rematch of a great game from last year, the winner gets some Texas style bragging rights. New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville doesn't run the "Air Raid" style offense that Mike Leach ran, so this game may not turn out to be an offensive show like many people would expect. However, if Case Keenum is still in the Heisman race at this late stage in the season, a breakout performance could be all he needs to bring the first Heisman Trophy to Houston since Andre Ware won it in 1989.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Southern Mississippi (November 20th)
Just one week before their showdown with Texas Tech, Houston has an equally important matchup with the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. This game will probably prove to be very important, as it could determine whether or not these teams get a chance to play for the C-USA title. Last year Houston won a shootout at home. Expect nothing less this year, as both teams have a quarterback with a cannon for an arm.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Central Florida (9-3, [6-2])
2. Southern Mississippi (8-4, [6-2])
3. East Carolina (7-5, [6-2])
4. UAB (4-8, [4-4])
5. Marshall (3-9, [3-5])
6. Memphis (1-11, [0-8])
West Division
1. Houston (9-3, [6-2])
2. Tulsa (8-4, [6-2])
3. Southern Methodist (5-7, [4-4])
4. UTEP (5-7, [3-5])
5. Rice (1-11, [1-7])
6. Tulane (1-11, [0-8])
Championship Game (Houston vs. Central Florida)
Winner: Central Florida
In case you missed one of my college football previews, I have put an archive on the left side of the site so that you can find which conference preview you missed more easily. Also, remember to vote on all the polls if you have not done so yet. Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read my work.
- K. Becks
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