PapaJohns.com Bowl Preview
29 Dec
By Ryan Liss “The Sportmeister”
www.sportmeisters.com
Missed a blog yesterday, so my bad. Oh well, I couldn’t even told you who played, but I can tell you that we have a decent matchup between NC State and Rutgers in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, so let’s take a look.
PapaJohns.com Bowl
NC State vs. Rutgers
Dec. 29th, 3pm, Birmingham
About NC State: The Wolfpack were the lowest of the low in the ACC Atlantic, yet pulled off a four game winning streak to come back from 2-6 to finish the season at 6-6. When they needed to play they did, including upsets over then No. 15 East Carolina (30-24), then No. 24 Wake Forest (21-17), and then No. 22 North Carolina (41-10). This is their first bowl since 2005, but they have won three in a row, so they do have a winning streak going. Overall they are 13-10 in bowl appearances. QB Russell Wilson led the team with 1769 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only 1 interception. WR Owen Spencers, Jarvis Williams, and George Bryan each had 4 touchdown receptions this season. RB Andre Brown had 728 yards and six touchdowns, to include a 4.4 yards per carry average. DE Willie Young leads the team with six and a half sacks on the season. LBs Robbie Leonard (95 tackles) and Ray Michael (94 tackles) will continue to contain the run game as they have done all season.
About Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are also a team that most thought to be done earlier in the season, as a 1-5 record all but did them in. But an astonishing six game winning streak, including a smackdown against then No. 17 Pittsburgh, brought them to a fourth place Big East finish and a bowl appearance. For Greg Schiano’s squad, this is their fourth straight bowl, and only their fifth in school history (2-2). They have won two in a row though. QB Mike Teel is the man under the center, and has performed well, throwing for 3099 yards and 23 touchdowns. During the six game win streak, he has thrown 20 of his 23 touchdowns. WR Kenny Britt is his top target, with 81 catches for 1252 yards and six touchdowns. Tim Brown also contributes with 565 receiving yards and six touchdowns. RBs Kordell Young and Jourdan Brooks combine for 1030 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. The loss of DE Jamall Westerman (biceps tear), will force DT Pete Tverdov (four sacks) and OLB Ryan D’Imperio (four and a half sacks) to step up.
About the Game: The big matchup is QB Teel of Rutgers vs. the young secondary of NC State. Look for heavy Cover 2 and Cover 3 zone matchups, to allow S J.C. Neal and Clem Johnson more time to get in position. However, with the receiving options of Rutgers, it will take a huge game from the secondary to keep Teel from torching them. The best way to do that? Get pressure from Young, and blitz heavily, considering the inconsistency of Rutgers run game will not be an effective tool. LBs Michael and Leonard will need to see the whole field and take away any underneath coverage when not blitzing. For NC State, Wilson doesn’t make many mistake, and the improved play of WRs Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams should show some benefits, especially considering Wilson will have more time due to Westerman’s injury. Keep an eye on 275 lb. TE Anthony Hill, an NFL prospect as a red zone receiver, as he should get some looks in the flat and middle zone.
The Pick: Rutgers 41-17. I like the Rutgers offense more than I like the NC State defense.
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