ROADY’S HUMANITARIAN BOWL – Dec. 31st, 2:00 EST
Georgia Tech vs. Fresno State –
Now that Boise State has graduated to bigger and better bowl pastures, the H-Bowl folks have to bring in outsiders to luscious Boise, and they’ve got a contest this year that should compete for the bottom ladder run in bowl attendance and interest. From the ACC, the Ramblin’ Wreck was a walking, talking definition of “mediocrity” this season, finishing 7-5 with a 4-4 conference mark. Tech’s only win over a winning team came in late September, when it somehow beat Clemson, 13-3. From the WAC, Fresno State almost nipped Texas A&M early, then rebounded from a 1-2 start to finish 8-4. Of course, a 6-2 WAC record isn’t world-beater stuff, but when the two losses are to Boise State and Hawaii, you clap your hands, tip your hat, and say “nice year.” Whichever one of these teams wins in Boise will finish on an up note and feel good; the loser will realize how average their season truly was.
The Bulldogs of FSU have a kick return specialist with a name as flashy as his game. A.J. Jefferson, the nation’s leading kickoff return man, averaged 35+ yards per return this year, and ripped off TDs in back to back contests against Utah State and Hawaii. Jefferson’s success with the pig won’t make or break Fresno in this game, but it’ll be fun to watch. Fresno State’s defense doesn’t look great when you crunch the numbers on a national scale; 26.92 ppg allowed is nothing to write home about. However, in the offenses-on-crack world of the WAC, that number is good for 3rd in the league, and illustrates that the Bulldogs should be able to stay competitive, especially against a lukewarm attack like Georgia Tech’s. The D is led by bruising senior LB Marcus Riley, a top 25 tackler nationwide and of the most effective and consistent stoppers in that league. The rush D isn’t top notch, at 88th nationally, and that means Tech RB Tashard Choice should get his chances. Choice produced one of the more unheralded seasons of the year, rolling up 110 yards or more in 8 games and giving Taylor Bennett one of the best insurance policies in the country. To top it off, Fresno certainly hasn’t seen a pass rush like Tech’s, which was tops in the nation in sacks, led by linemen Vance Walker and Darrell Robertson.
You’ve always got to be careful of teams excited to play taking on teams in a let down game. I can’t imagine that, in the midst of coaching turnover and coming off an ACC divisional title last year, the mood around Atlanta is buzzing over Boise. Fresno gets an upset that defies explanation. Fresno State 28, Georgia Tech 23.
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