TODAY’S BOWL GAMES
Fort Worth Bowl
Cincinnati vs. Marshall
Where: Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas.
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Records: Cincinnati 6-5, Marshall 6-5.
Key stats: Cincinnati averaged 39.3 points in its six wins but 15.2 in its five losses. Marshall is 14th in the nation in rushing defense (105.8 ypg).
About Cincinnati: The Bearcats, who have 19 senior starters, began 2-4 before coming on late in the season. QB Gino Guidugli (240.2 ypg, 24 TDs, seven picks), TB Richard Hall (86.4 ypg) and WR Hannibal Thomas (nine TDs) are the key offensive players. Guidugli missed the regular-season finale with a broken bone in his throwing hand, but is expected to start tonight. The run defense isn’t much, but the pass defense has been solid. E Trent Cole (7 1/2 sacks, 20 1/2 tackles for loss), SS Doug Monaghan and LB Jamar Enzor are the guys to watch on defense.
About Marshall: The Thundering Herd started 0-3 and lost two games in November to fall out of the hunt in the MAC. The defense was sterling throughout, but the offense was mediocre. E Jonathan Goddard had a season to remember: 78 tackles, 16 sacks, 28 tackles for loss. There’s a nice tandem at safety in FS Chris Royal and SS Curtis Keyes. The offense didn’t show much until late in the season. WR Josh Davis is a big-timer (81 catches), but he averaged just 10.5 yards per catch. QB Stan Hill is way too inconsistent. RB Earl Charles has some skills.
The buzz: Pressure on the quarterbacks is crucial, especially from Cincy’s point of view. Hill can be forced into mistakes, and if Marshall relies too much on the run, it won’t win.
The line: Cincinnati by 1 1/2 .
Las Vegas Bowl
UCLA vs. Wyoming
Where: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas.
Time: 6:45 p.m.
TV: ESPN.
Records: UCLA 6-5, Wyoming 6-5.
Key stats: UCLA is 23rd in the nation in rushing offense (190.3 ypg). Wyoming is 84th in the nation in rushing defense (184.0 ypg).
About UCLA: The Bruins have a nice 1-2 punch at tailback in Maurice Drew (88.1 ypg) and Manuel White (69.2 ypg). They must have good nights because QB Drew Olson won’t beat anyone with his arm. TE Marcedes Lewis is a big-time weapon. The defense has been horrible, ranking 106th overall. The line has been overrun with an alarming frequency, meaning LBs Spencer Havner and Justin London must make a ton of tackles.
About Wyoming: The Cowboys are bowling for the first time since 1993, and they’re here despite losing four of their final six regular-season games. WR Jovon Bouknight (88.0 ypg, seven TDs) is a good receiver. It’s vital that QB Corey Bramlett get time to throw. The Cowboys’ tailback-by-committee approach with Ivan Harrison and Joseph Harris has had its moments. The run defense was horrendous in the last half of the season, with each of the final five foes rushing for at least 209 yards and at least two TDs.
The buzz: Wyoming will score some points, assuming UCLA doesn’t chew up the clock with its running game. Wyoming needs to force at least three turnovers to keep this close.
The line: UCLA by 12.
–Orlando Sentinel