Arkansas
(9-2 record; Houston Nutt, 1st year) |
Michigan
(9-3 record; Lloyd Carr, 4th year) |
School's Bowl Record: 9-16-3
Coach's Bowl Record: 0-0
Last Bowl Appearance: December 30, 1995 (Lost to North Carolina 20-10 in Carquest Bowl)
Record in Citrus Bowl: First appearance |
School's Bowl Record: 1-2
Coach's Bowl Record: 14-15
Last Bowl Appearance: January 1, 1998 (Beat Washington State 21-16 in Rose Bowl)
Record in Citrus Bowl: First appearance |
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Offensive Stud |
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Clint Stoerner, QB, Jr. (167-312, 2,629 yards, 26 TDs, 8 INTs): Broke school records for completions and touchdowns, plus had impressive TD/INT ratio.
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Tai Streets, WR, Sr. (60 catches, 906 yards, 11 TDs): Lanky (6' 4", 194 pounds) receiver with great hands became go-to guy; watch him in jump-ball situations.
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Defensive Stud |
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Zac Painter, Rover, Sr. (74 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 INTs): Former cornerback quickly adapted to newly created position -- only two picks entering season.
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Sam Sword, LB, Sr. (112 tackles, 3 sacks, 11 TFLs): Rock-steady inside 'backer has led team in tackles for three straight years. |
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Player to Watch |
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Anthony Lucas, WR, Jr. (43 catches, 1,004 yards, 10 TDs): Big (6'3", 196 pounds) target matched his career totals in one season; whopping 23.3 yards per catch.
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Aaron Shea, FB, Jr. (16 carries, 73 yards rushing; 14 catches, 144 yards, 1 TD receiving): Coverted tight end grew into role as season progressed; crunching blocks are key to running game.
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Key Stats |
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No. 7 nationally in rushing defense (95.5 ypg); No. 16 in scoring defense (16.5 ppg).
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No. 15 nationally in total defense (299.3 ypg); No. 14 in scoring defense (17.0).
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Surprise Stat |
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Razorbacks' point total (359) was highest since school-record 402 in 1970.
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Wolverines need to win this game to avoid fifth four-loss season in last six years, interrupted only by 1997's co-national championship.
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1998 Turning Point |
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November 14 -- Stoerner's late fumble handed Tennessee a 28-24 victory. A week later the Hogs were knocked out of the SEC title game by Mississippi State.
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November 7 -- After six straight uninspiring victories, Wolverines showed they were for real by shutting out Penn State 27-0.
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Key to Victory |
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Keep Michigan from scoring any big-play touchdowns. |
Reduce miscues (i.e., penalties and turnovers) and don't play conservatively.
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Outlook |
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The Razorbacks have lost six straight bowl games, but this is a new era in Arkansas football. These two clubs seem very evenly matched, and this could be one of the best games of the postseason.
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If the Wolverines play well, they have the edge because of experience. But Arkansas has shown that it is a completely different program now. Expect a battle between two tough defenses and diverse offenses.
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