The Sugar Bowl Preview pits Michigan and Virginia Tech, and SportsOptions.com offers up a brief look at the players, team stats and some unique trends.
(259) MICHIGAN vs. (260)VIRGINIA TECH (+3, 51) 8:30 PM – BCS – Sugar Bowl – Superdome – New Orleans, LA
Michigan (10-2 SU/8-4 ATS) had a resurgent season under first-year coach Brady Hoke, capped by 40-34 victory over Ohio State in the regular season finale. Michigan went 5-7 in 2009 and 7-6 last year before this season’s turnaround under Hoke. The Wolverines showed more balance on offense this year with Denard Robinson joined by running back Fitzgerald Toussaint as a 1,000-yard rusher. Robinson’s numbers are down from last season, but he threw for 18 touchdowns for the second straight season as Michigan increased its time of possession by nearly five minutes per game. He ran for 170 yards and two scores and threw for three more in the win over the Buckeyes that ended Michigan’s seven-game skid in that series. The Michigan offense was among the best in the nation as they averaged a healthy 423 ypg and 235 rushing yards per contest (# 12). The biggest surprise was the defense, which gave up 317 ypg (#18) and 17.7 ppg (# 7).
Virginia Tech (11-2 SU/4-9 ATS) claimed a BCS bid despite losing 38-10 to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. After being ranked No. 13 in the preseason polls, Virginia Tech went on to win the ACC’s Coastal Division, climbing as high as No. 5 in the nation. Despite losing in the ACC title game, the Hokies still hold the No. 11 spot in the final BCS Standings. Virginia Tech is the only team in the country with 10 wins in each of the last eight seasons and they also have 14 straight years with eight or more wins, also best in the nation. The Virginia Tech defense has something to prove after the loss to Clemson. The Hokies allowed 313 ypg this season (# 13), but they gave up 457 yards to the Tigers in the ACC Title game. Offensively, VT put up 415 ypg this season (# 38), led by ACC player of the year David Wilson, who averaged 125.2 yards rushing for the nation’s sixth-best mark. Wilson, however, put up a season-low 32 yards against Clemson. The Sugar Bowl could be the last game for the junior, who is thinking about leaving early for the NFL. Starting cornerback Jayron Hosley has already decided to forgo his senior season and will enter the NFL Draft this spring. This will be the Wolverines’ fifth appearance in a BCS bowl game. U-M has compiled a 1-3 record in BCS bowl games, winning the 2000 Orange Bowl against Alabama (35-34 in overtime) and losing to Southern California in the 2004 and 2005 Rose Bowl and Texas in the 2006 Rose Bowl (38-37). The Allstate Sugar Bowl will mark the Hokies’ 25th bowl appearance, including each of the last 19 years.
The Wolverines have lost five of their last six bowl games, but the players seem motivated for a better showing than last season’s 52-14 loss to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. Michigan is 9-2 ATS against non-conference teams and 6-2 ATS as a favorite. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, is 14-6 ATS as an underdog, but the Hokies are on a current 4-10 ATS run dating back to last season. Lay the small spot…
Related posts:
NCAAF - NCAA football betting: Sugar Bowl (James Payton) 
0
NCAAF - College football betting: Orange Bowl Preview (Tony Finn) 0
NCAAF - College football betting: Chick-Fil A Bowl Preview (Tony Finn) 0
NCAAF - College football betting: Sun Bowl Preview (Tony Finn) 0
NCAAF - College football betting: Poinsettia Bowl Preview (Tony Finn) 0
RSS
Google
MyYahoo!
MyMSN
NewsGator
BlogLines