cowboyjoe
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GAME OF THE WEEK EXTRA:
http://www.gbnreport.com/bowlwatch.htm
Who to watch in upcoming college football bowl action
December 18
BYU (6-6) versus UTEP (6-6): NEW MEXICO BOWL, Albuquerque; 2 PM; ESPN
The 2010-11 bowl season kicks off with a battle between 6-6 teams in which, at least in terms of the draft, the parts may be better than the whole. In particular, while its unlikely anybody from either program is selected in the early rounds, there are some decent second-tier prospects on both teams. UTEP, for example, may have something of a sleeper in RB Donald Buckram (#3, 5-9, 195), a slasher who almost entered the 2010 draft, but returned to school only to be banged up much of the year. At the same time, WR Kris Adams (#2, 6-2, 195) is a bigplay threat who averaged almost 21 yards per catch this fall and scored 11 times. Other Miners to watch with more free-agent potentia include QB Trevor Vittatoe (#10, 6-2, 220), rangy OT Alex Solot (#70, 6-7, 310), all-conference OG Rod Huntley (#74, 6-3, 320), DE Robert Soleyjacks (#13, 6-2, 260), and SS Wiston Jeune (#29, 6-2, 210). Meanwhile, it was a rebuilding year for BYU which comes to Albuquerque with a very young team. Indeed, the Cougars' best prospect is junior OT Matt Reynolds (#70, 6-5, 330), although he didn't have quite the dominating year expected. Veteran BYU players to watch include SS Andrew Rich (#22, 6-2, 220), DE Vic So'oto (#37, 6-2, 265), LB Shane Hunter (#51, 6-0, 230), and PK Mitch Payne (#38, 6-2, 210), although none rates as more than a fringe prospect.
Northern Illinois (10-3) versus Fresno State (8-4): HUMANITARIAN BOWL, Boise; 5:30 PM; ESPN
The best reason to tune into the Humanitarian Bowl between Northern Illinois and Fresno State, other than Boise's quirky blue field - and no don't adjust your TV sets - could be a battle between NIU's dynamic run game featuring RB Chad Spann (#28, 5-9, 200), a sneaky quick slasher who ran for over 1,300 yards and 20 TDs this fall, against a solid Fresno State defense led by WAC defensive POY DE Chris Carter, an undersized tweener who had 11 sacks this fall. In fact, Fresno State has a number of solid second-tier prospects including QB Ryan Colburn (#15, 6-3, 220), RT Kenny Wiggins (#60, 6-6, 315), RG Andrew Jackson (#69, 6-4, 295), MLB Ben Jacobs (#54, 6-3, 240) and CB Desia Dunn (#5-9, 195). Meanwnhile, Northern Illinois has a decent DE of its own in Jake Coffman (#54, 6-5, 255) who had 6.5 sacks this season, while MLB Alex Kube (#37, 6-0, 230) isn't all that big, but generally seems to be able to find the ball.
Troy (7-5) versus Ohio (8-4): NEW ORLEANS BOWL, 9 PM; ESPN
The best prospect on the opening day of this year's bowl season should be Troy WR Jerrel Jernigan (#3, 5-9, 185), one of the top senior WR prospects for the 2011 draft who had 77 receptions this past fall while averaging 13.7 yards returning punts and 26.1 yards on KO returns. The Trojans also have one of the more dynamic edge rushing duos in college football in DEs Mario Addison (#7, 6-2, 245) and sophomore Jonathan Massaquoi (#94, 6-2, 250) who combined for 20 sacks and 31.5 total tackles for loss this past season. On the other hand, Ohio doesn't have any real draft prospects, but the Bobcats, who have never ever won a bowl, will be looking to make a little history in New Orleans with a win over Troy. And while no one from the program is going to be drafted in 2011, several Ohio players including WR Terrence McCrae (#11, 6-2, 195), DE Stafford Gatling (#36, 6-2, 240), and safeties Donovan Fletcher (#29, 6-0, 200) and Steven Jackson (#42, 6-0, 190) could get free agent looks next summer.
http://www.gbnreport.com/bowlwatch.htm
Who to watch in upcoming college football bowl action
December 18
BYU (6-6) versus UTEP (6-6): NEW MEXICO BOWL, Albuquerque; 2 PM; ESPN
The 2010-11 bowl season kicks off with a battle between 6-6 teams in which, at least in terms of the draft, the parts may be better than the whole. In particular, while its unlikely anybody from either program is selected in the early rounds, there are some decent second-tier prospects on both teams. UTEP, for example, may have something of a sleeper in RB Donald Buckram (#3, 5-9, 195), a slasher who almost entered the 2010 draft, but returned to school only to be banged up much of the year. At the same time, WR Kris Adams (#2, 6-2, 195) is a bigplay threat who averaged almost 21 yards per catch this fall and scored 11 times. Other Miners to watch with more free-agent potentia include QB Trevor Vittatoe (#10, 6-2, 220), rangy OT Alex Solot (#70, 6-7, 310), all-conference OG Rod Huntley (#74, 6-3, 320), DE Robert Soleyjacks (#13, 6-2, 260), and SS Wiston Jeune (#29, 6-2, 210). Meanwhile, it was a rebuilding year for BYU which comes to Albuquerque with a very young team. Indeed, the Cougars' best prospect is junior OT Matt Reynolds (#70, 6-5, 330), although he didn't have quite the dominating year expected. Veteran BYU players to watch include SS Andrew Rich (#22, 6-2, 220), DE Vic So'oto (#37, 6-2, 265), LB Shane Hunter (#51, 6-0, 230), and PK Mitch Payne (#38, 6-2, 210), although none rates as more than a fringe prospect.
Northern Illinois (10-3) versus Fresno State (8-4): HUMANITARIAN BOWL, Boise; 5:30 PM; ESPN
The best reason to tune into the Humanitarian Bowl between Northern Illinois and Fresno State, other than Boise's quirky blue field - and no don't adjust your TV sets - could be a battle between NIU's dynamic run game featuring RB Chad Spann (#28, 5-9, 200), a sneaky quick slasher who ran for over 1,300 yards and 20 TDs this fall, against a solid Fresno State defense led by WAC defensive POY DE Chris Carter, an undersized tweener who had 11 sacks this fall. In fact, Fresno State has a number of solid second-tier prospects including QB Ryan Colburn (#15, 6-3, 220), RT Kenny Wiggins (#60, 6-6, 315), RG Andrew Jackson (#69, 6-4, 295), MLB Ben Jacobs (#54, 6-3, 240) and CB Desia Dunn (#5-9, 195). Meanwnhile, Northern Illinois has a decent DE of its own in Jake Coffman (#54, 6-5, 255) who had 6.5 sacks this season, while MLB Alex Kube (#37, 6-0, 230) isn't all that big, but generally seems to be able to find the ball.
Troy (7-5) versus Ohio (8-4): NEW ORLEANS BOWL, 9 PM; ESPN
The best prospect on the opening day of this year's bowl season should be Troy WR Jerrel Jernigan (#3, 5-9, 185), one of the top senior WR prospects for the 2011 draft who had 77 receptions this past fall while averaging 13.7 yards returning punts and 26.1 yards on KO returns. The Trojans also have one of the more dynamic edge rushing duos in college football in DEs Mario Addison (#7, 6-2, 245) and sophomore Jonathan Massaquoi (#94, 6-2, 250) who combined for 20 sacks and 31.5 total tackles for loss this past season. On the other hand, Ohio doesn't have any real draft prospects, but the Bobcats, who have never ever won a bowl, will be looking to make a little history in New Orleans with a win over Troy. And while no one from the program is going to be drafted in 2011, several Ohio players including WR Terrence McCrae (#11, 6-2, 195), DE Stafford Gatling (#36, 6-2, 240), and safeties Donovan Fletcher (#29, 6-0, 200) and Steven Jackson (#42, 6-0, 190) could get free agent looks next summer.
DAL @ GB
