EagleBank Bowl Preview

By Ryan Liss “The Sportmeister”

www.sportmeisters.com

Ok, this is the first in a series of 34 bowl previews that I will be doing for InGameNow. Basically, for some games, like Oklahoma vs. Florida, the story writes itself. For others, like Florida Atlantic vs. Central Michigan, you have to find the appeal for fans outside of those two schools. So we’re going to take an in-depth look at the two teams and the matchup, and at the end, I’ll pick a winner. Arguments are always accepted at ryan@sportmeisters.com. Onto the matchups!

EagleBank Bowl

Wake Forest vs. Navy

Dec. 20th, 11 AM, RFK Stadium

About Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons return to the bowl landscape, after winning the 2007 Meineke Car Care over UConn. This is the third straight year of bowl eligibility, and only their 9th year overall. Wake Forest started off the year hot, winning 4 of their first 5 games, with their only loss coming against their Bowl Opponent, Navy. However, two straight conference losses quickly spun Wake Forest out of the ACC Atlantic lead, and a late season loss to NC State removed them from contention. The team is led by QB Riley Skinner, who has thrown for 2181 yards and 12 touchdowns. DJ Boldin is his primary receiving target, with 77 catches for 782 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively they are led by LB Aaron Curry, the 2008 Butkus Award Winner, who amassed 101 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and an interception throughout 2008. In order for Wake to win, they will need to greatly improve upon their 20.3 points per game, and the 103rd ranked offense (315.8 yards per game)

About Navy: The Midshipmen can run, and run quickly. 1st in the NCAA with 298.3 yards per game, they have the potential to end the season with two 1,000 yard rushers in Shun White (1,021 and 8 touchdowns), and Eric Kettani (932 yards, 4 touchdowns). Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada and Jarod Bryant split time at QB due to Kaheaku-Enhada’s hamstring injury, but he had the reins against Army and looks to be fully healed and ready to go. In their first season following Coach Paul Johnson’s departure to Georgia Tech, the Midshipmen started off slowly, with losses to Ball State and Duke, but reeled off three straight wins, including an upset over then No. 16 Wake Forest. After a missed attempt at a second straight victory over Notre Dame, the Midshipmen shut out their last two opponents, and now sit at 8-4. For Navy, this is their first bowl game since 2004 (Emerald), and their 12th overall (6-5).

About The Bowl: Most teams get to see each other for the first time in a while when the bowl matchups come out, but despite a clause that prevented it, we get a rematch to open up the bowl season. On Sept. 27th, the Midshipmen held off the Demon Deacons 24-17, to give them their first victory over a ranked program in 23 years. For the Deacons, this is the first time in 63 years that they will play an opponent twice in one season. The key matchup in this game is Wake Forest’s anemic offense versus the recently reenergized Naval defense. During the first meeting, Navy forced QB Riley Skinner into 4 interceptions, and Wake Forest into six turnovers overall, with five coming in the first half. Wake will need to limit the turnovers and kick-start their running game, which left the game with 43 yards rushing.

The Pick: Navy 27-17. Navy’s defense has been kick started after their early season debacles, and with two straight shutout games, they will look to pick apart the Demon Deacons for the second time this year. The healthy return of Kaheaku-Enhada will only enhance the running ability of the Midshipmen.

InGameNow is sponsoring the Gunaxin Blog Bowl. Check them out for more coverage of the EagleBank Bowl.