R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
 |
vs.
|
 |
Ohio +105 (8-4, 6-2) versus Troy -125 (7-5, 6-2),
Saturday 5:30PM ET ESPN, Superdome in New Orleans LA
Click Here for FREE Expert Bowl Picks
The 2010 edition of the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl features two high-scoring offenses as the Ohio Bobcats from the Mid-American Conference take on the Troy Trojans from the Sun Belt Conference.
This is the first ever meeting between these two schools. This game marks the third appearance by the Trojans in the New Orleans Bowl over the past five seasons. They defeated Rice 41-17 in 2006 and lost to Southern Miss in overtime 30-27 two seasons ago. The men of Troy are 1-3 all-time in FBS-level bowl games, losing last season in the GMAC Bowl to Central Michigan.
The Ohio Bobcats are 0-4 lifetime in bowl games, and lost to former conference rival Marshall in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit last year. Frank Solich’s Ohio squad had a chance to play in the MAC title game but lost their last regular season game at Kent State, allowing Miami of Ohio to win the Eastern Division.
Don’t be alarmed if Ohio fans boo every time their quarterback makes a great play: that’s because his name is Boo Jackson. His 1,688 passing yards and 15 touchdown tosses along with his club-high seven rushing touchdowns would make anyone stand up and cheer. Vince Davidson leads the Ohio ground game, gaining 513 yards and scoring six touchdowns. Phil Bates also added 503 yards of rushing to compliment Davidson. Terrence McRae is the leading receiving threat for the Bobcats, catching 32 passes for 481 yards and nine scores.
Defensively, Donovan Fletcher brings the pain from the secondary. He’s second on the team in tackles with 68, and was a terror with five interceptions (including one for a touchdown) and eight passes defended. Chad Clemens leads in tackles with 72, while Stafford Gatling comes at teams like a machine gun, registering a team-best 6 ½ quarterback sacks.
For the Trojans, they have been a pass-first team for years under coach Larry Blakeney, and this year is no exception. Quarterback Corey Robinson threw for 3339 yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 62.4 percent of his passes and was named the freshman of the year in the Sun Belt Conference. It helps that his main target in the passing game was first team all-league selection Jerrel Jernigan. The senior wide out has carved a unique place in school and league history, as the all-time leader in both for receptions, receiving yards, and all-purpose yards. This season was another terrific one for Jernigan, as he compiled 77 receptions for 774 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 306 yards and two rushing scores, threw a touchdown pass, and contributed 901 return yards with both a punt and a kickoff return.
In fact, 11 different players caught at least one touchdown pass for Troy this season.
Defensively, Xavier Lamb leads the way with 87 tackles, and a name that should sound familiar is that of Jonathan Massaquoi. His cousin is Cleveland wide receiver Mohammad Massaquoi, but Jonathan is making a name for himself. The sophomore defensive end recorded 11 quarterback sacks and was named first-team all-SBC.
In this one we have contrasting styles. I think Ohio will use its ground attack while Troy will look to spread Ohio out and take advantage of match ups.
The odds makers have the Troy Trojans as a -1.5 point favorite with an over/under of 57.5.
MATT’S PREDICTION – Troy 46, Ohio 41
Ohio Bobcats Betting Trends:
- Ohio is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Troy Trojans Betting Trends:
- Troy is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
- Troy is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Troy’s last 9 games
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.