Previewing Friday's bowl games
- Independence Bowl vs. Ohio marks Louisiana-Monroe's first-ever bowl game
- Rutgers puts five-bowl winning streak on the line vs. Virginia Tech in Russell Athletic Bowl
- In Meineke Car Care Bowl, Minnesota and Texas Tech have second bowl meeting in six years
Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
Louisiana-Monroe (8-4) vs. Ohio (8-4)
Time/TV: 2 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.
Covers.com line: ULM by 7½. Sagarin difference: ULM by 9.05.
Bowl records: Ohio 1-5, ULM first bowl. Series: First meeting.
Synopsis: Early on the afternoon of Oct. 6, Ohio became the first team to officially achieve bowl eligibility with its sixth victory. The Bobcats, who opened the season with a win at Penn State, actually improved to 7-0 and spent a week at No. 23 in the coaches poll and entertained dreams of doing what Northern Illinois accomplished, becoming the first MAC squad to break into the BCS. Then came something of a market correction as Ohio dropped four of its last five league contests, the last three to bowl-bound opponents. All of which is to say the Bobcats might be at a disadvantage in the motivation department with this trip to Louisiana against the Warhawks, who are understandably excited to be in the postseason for the first time since elevating to the FBS in 1994. ULM dual-threat QB Kolton Browning figures to have a big day against the Bobcats' defense that didn't hold up well against similar attacks in the MAC. The Warhawks' backfield was hit hard by injuries, so Browning probably will make extensive use of WR Brent Leonard. Watch for backup QB Cody Wells to make spot appearance as well, which might give Browning opportunities to sneak out to the edge for receptions. Ohio QB Tyler Tettleton has had to scramble more than he would like, thanks to some injuries along the front line. If he has time, and if TB Beau Blankenship can get rolling to allow for effective play fakes, he'll be able to get WR Donte Foster involved.
Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando
Rutgers (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6)
Time/TV: 5:30 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.
Covers.com line: VT by 2½. Sagarin difference: Rutgers by 4.08.
Bowl records: Rutgers 5-2, VT 9-16. Series: VT leads 11-3 (won last meeting 48-22 in 2003).
Synopsis: The Hokies extended their streak of bowl appearances to 17 — barely — in what was an uninspiring season by their lofty standards, needing wins against Boston College and Virginia in their last two games to make it to six. Rutgers missed out on claiming the Big East crown outright in its final loss to Louisville, but the season was still a solid start for rookie head coach Kyle Flood. Virginia Tech can point to both sides of the ball to find reasons for its struggles. QB Logan Thomas made plays but tended to give the ball away at inopportune moments, and the defense surrendered 345 yards a game — still third in the ACC but not up to coordinator Bud Foster's usual expectations. WRs Marcus Davis and Corey Fuller must find ways to get open. The ground support behind Thomas was inconsistent, and that doesn't figure to change with LB Khaseem Greene plugging holes for the Scarlet Knights' defense. Rutgers QB Gary Nova had some big games but also his share of picks. The Knights would like to keep it in the hands of TB Jawan Jamison, which will mean a busy day for Tech LB Jack Tyler.
Meineke Car Care Bowl in Houston
Texas Tech (7-5) vs. Minnesota (6-6)
Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Grass.
Covers.com line: TT by 13. Sagarin difference: TT by 12.55.
Bowl records: TT 12-21-1, Minnesota 5-9. Series: TT leads 1-0 (44-41 in 2006 Insight Bowl).
Synopsis: The Golden Gophers did just enough to reach this bowl, beating the teams they were supposed to but failing to make a dent in the top division of the Big Ten. The Red Raiders had a similar campaign in the Big 12 as what appeared to be their breakthrough win against West Virginia had its value diminished. But Texas Tech fans should be pleased by the hiring of favorite son Kliff Kingsbury to succeed Cincinnati-bound Tommy Tuberville. The Minnesota offense ranked third from the bottom in the conference, and QB MarQueis Gray and TB Donnell Kirkwood might have trouble making headway against the Red Raiders' front wall, anchored by DT Kerry Hyder and DE Dartwan Bush. Texas Tech's attack has more explosive potential with QB Seth Doege looking often for WRs Eric Ward and Darrin Moore. Gophers' DE D.L. Wilhite will try to disrupt their timing.
Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams.