 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Minor bowls provide intriguing games
Posted: Wednesday December 22, 1999 12:27 PM
With all the attention on the BCS bowls, many have conceded that the lesser bowls have no meaning. Whatever your opinion, be careful not to overlook the fact that there are some very intriging matchups. How about the Oahu Bowl featuring 7-4 Oregon State and 8-4 Hawaii. The story here is two former NFL coahes making an immediate impact on the college level. June Jones escaped Ryan Leaf and helped Hawaii equal the most incredible turnaround in college history. The Rainbows went from NO wins last season to eight this year. Dennis Erickson, fired by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, has Oregon State back to respectbility. It's the Beavers' first winning season since 1970 and this game will be a shootout. Both offenses are prolific. Hawaii's Dan Robinbson has thrown for almost 4,000 yards, but State counters with little-known, but effective running back Ken Simonton. The Beavers' balance wins this one. Is Marshall for real? The 12-0 Herd head to the Motor City Bowl to take on the team that invented the passing game, BYU. You want exciting offenses? Chad Pennington leads a Marshall offense that averaged 475 yards and 35 points a game. But the key has been the timely running of Doug Chapman. Chapman averages 4.2 yards a carry, opening up passing lanes for Pennington. BYU's Kevin Feterick is a capable quarterback, but Marshall is for real. The Herd go to 13-0 In the "No Defenses, Please" Bowl, Georgia takes on Purdue in the Outback Bowl. Georgia is lucky to be in this game, losing three of its last four. You have to wonder how motivated they'll be. Even coach Jim Donnan admitted that this has been a very disapointing season. Georgia QB Quincy Carter has been solid, and will face a Purdue defense that is last in the Big Ten in pass defense. But Georgia's defense isn't much better and they are facing Drew Brees. The team with the ball last will win. I like Purdue. Finally Georgia Tech and Miami square off in the Gator Bowl. If you haven't had the chance, enjoy one last performance by Joe Hamilton. The Heisman runner-up accounts for 350 yards a game. The 'Canes are good on defense, but must deal with the multiple Tech formations that Hamilton engineers. Miami is hurt by the loss of Kenny Kelly at quarterback, but Ken Dorsey has filled in nicely. Look for WR Santana Moss and TE Daniel Franks to have huge days against a Tech Defense that gave up over 30 points 6 times this season. No none of these teams have an impact on the national championship, but if you like football, these games will certainly be fun to watch.
| ||||||||||||||||
