Las Vegas Bowl Preview

By Ryan Liss “The Sportmeister”

www.sportmeisters.com

VEGAS!!!! Nothing possibly could go wrong with this bowl game, as BYU and Arizona face off in Sin City. Or will Mother Nature put all her chips in the middle, as the weather is already wreaking havoc in a game that BYU has been all too familiar with, while Arizona is finally back to Bowl Prominence. The Sportmeister is here to break down the Vegas Bowl.

About BYU: The Cougars are all to familiar with the Las Vegas Bowl, as this is the fourth straight appearance, and they’ve won their past two (2007 v. UCLA 17-16, 2006 v. Oregon 38-8). This is the fifth appearance this decade for BYU, and they have an overall record of 10-15. It’s BYUs third straight year with a 10 win season, as hiccups against TCU and Utah were the only blemishes, but it forced them to finish third and head back to Vegas. They are an offensively led team, behind the arm of QB Max Hall, who finished with 3629 yards, 34 touchdowns, and a 69.6% completion rate. The receivers benefited greatly from this, as they had two 1,000 yard receivers in WR Austin Collie (1419 yards, 15 TDs), and TE Dennis Pitta (1025 yards, 6 touchdowns). Look for Collie to try to go over 100 receptions for the season in this game as well. RB Harvey Unga has done a spectacular job with the running game, racking up 1061 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 4.8 average this season. He’s also contributed in the receiving game, having 41 catches for 303 yards and four touchdowns.

About Arizona: Another offensively minded team, Arizona is making their first bowl appearance since 1998, when they defeated Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. They hold a 6-7 record in their bowl history. The Wildcasts got here thanks to four wins in their first five games, and an upset over then No. 25 California helped as well. However, two losses in their last three games brought them back to reality at 7-5, but still happy to be back in a bowl game. Arizona operates primarily out of a spread offense and the numbers back that up. QB Willie Tuitama has thrown for 2763 yards and 21 touchdowns, with only eight interceptions. RB Nic Grigsby is a small runner, but has used that to his advantage in gaining 1066 yards and 12 touchdowns. WR Mike Thomas and TE Rob Gronkowski are the main targets, combining for 1441 yards and 14 touchdowns.

About The Bowl: If you like points, this game is for you! Both defenses do not match up with their opponents style, so it will be interesting to see who can adjust the quickest to the other. Offensively, both teams are in the top 20 in points scored (BYU 19th 35.3, UA 16th 37.1) but and while BYU has the passing advantage (No. 9, 317.8 ypg), Arizona has the rushing game in their favor (48th, 164 ypg). However, the running style of BYUs Unga matches up more favorably against a weak front four, especially behind behemoths such as 348 pound LG Ray Feinga. This advantage for BYU means they can get to the LBs quicker and neutralize them, allowing Unga to gain the speed and power that makes it so difficult for him to take down. It will be the use of the BYU running game to force the CBs up and put 8 in the box, to prevent Hall (13 interceptions), from turning the ball over to CBs Marquis Hundley and Devin Ross, who each have three interceptions, and are best known for their man-to-man abilities. Much like BYU, it will be Arizona’s run game that is the key advantage on their offense, as Grigsby’s elusiveness counter-attacks the 3-4 of BYU that uses their LBs to handle the running game of their opponents. Look for Grigsby and backup Keola Antolin to each break one or two long gains this season. While Thomas is the main target, I look for 6-6 Gronkowski to be the focus on Tuituama’s mind, especially if the pass protection can’t holdup.

The Pick: BYU 41-28. BYU has been here before and their expecting bigger and better out of themselves. Arizona has some tools to keep it close, but in the end, BYU pulls away hands down.

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