Cal vs Miami

Game:  Cal vs Miami

Schedule:  Miami

Offensive Passing:  Miami (Insignificant; both -)
Defensive Passing:  Miami (Significant; Miami 13th)

Offensive Rushing:  Cal (Significant; Cal +)
Defensive Rushing:  Cal (Significant; Cal +)

Home Field lean:  Cal

Game:
Cal's strength is in the running game… offensively and defensively.  Cal will control the ground game and thus, control the game.  It may not happen quick, but I think Cal will cover this one.

PICK:  Cal - 10 (medium)

Total:
I like this one to go over as Miami will not be able to do too much on the ground and I believe will have to play from behind (throw)… adding some late "back door" pts or pts off turn overs to help out.

PICK:  Over 51 (medium)

GL All!

? Florida Atlantic vs Central Michigan ?

Schedule:  Central Michigan (Insignigicant; Both -)

COACHES: Florida Atlantic - Howard Schnellenberger
(Central Michigan - Butch Jones (0-1 in bowls); FAU - Howard Schnellenberger (5-0 in bowls))

Offensive Passing:  Central Michigan (Insignificant; Both teams +)
Defensive Passing:  Florida Atlantic (Medium significance; Both teams -)  NOTE:  Central Michigan 119th in yards given up/game)

Offensive Rushing:  Florida Atlantic (Insignificant; Both teams -)
Defensive Rushing:  Central Michigan (Medium significance; Central Michigan Avg, Florida Atlantic -)

Other factors:
Bigger, Better Talent:  Insignificant
Home Field lean:  Central Michigan
Motivation: Insignificant
SACKS:  FAU has not given up but 12 sacks! SIGNIFICANT!!

Game:
The ball should be flying around with both teams capable of success in the air and neither very good at stopping the pass.  With this much potential for passing success, I think the rushing stats are insignificant as any thing could happen for either team running the ball when both teams are expecting the pass.  Central Michigan does have a slightly more difficult schedule, better record, and home field advantage.  Yet, FAU finished the season out on a more positive note.  I don't think that is an accident as Howard Schnellenberger is 5-0 in bowl games.  With Central Michigan fully capable of shutting down FAU's runnin... [More]