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EVENTS
CNNSI.com GROUP
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Marquee Matchup SI's Ivan Maisel on the key showdown in Tempe.
Sports Illustrated college football writer Ivan Maisel breaks down the key matchup for each of the four Bowl Championship Series games. Notre Dame right offensive tackle Kurt Vollers vs. Oregon State left end DeLawrence Grant Grant is one-half of the best pass-rushing ends in the Pac-10. He and LaDairis Jackson are proof that Beavers coach Dennis Erickson still believes that bulk should be sacrificed for quickness on the defensive line. The 6-foot-3, 264-pound Grant and the 6-3, 258-pound Jackson combined for 16 sacks, 12 hurries and another 14 tackles-for-loss. Grant, an all-league player, usually attracted more blockers than did Jackson, yet Grant still had four hurries. The Fighting Irish have a senior-dominated offensive line that stayed healthy all season. More important, it kept freshman quarterback Matt LoVecchio injury free all season. The 6-7, 307-pound Kurt Vollers is a solid player, a guy who waited his turn in South Bend, got the opportunity to start late in his junior year and has been in the lineup ever since. It's worth noting that starting tight end Jabari Holloway will miss the Fiesta Bowl with a knee injury. While Dan O'Leary, who shared the job with Holloway, is capable, he isn't quite the blocker that Holloway is. That may come into play as the Irish attempt to keep Grant and Jackson off of LoVecchio. Other marquee matchups: Rose | Sugar | Orange
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