It is time to clear off the space a late-night copy of Eddie & the Cruisers 2: Eddie Lives! is occupying on your DVR and get ready to capture a few of the better bowl games coming in the next few weeks (trust me, record these as the Arena Football League may or may not be around to satisfy your college-football junkie needs in the spring as it has in the past).
Granted, the bowl season leaves a lot to be desired this season with a slew of 7-5 vs. 6-6 teams from conferences with no viable connection to one another or the bowl site. However, just like an overall disappointing year at the box office or the record store, there are a few gems in the piles and piles of bowl games that are more than worth your time to view (or record and save for later).
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl – Tuesday, December 23, 8 p.m. EST on ESPN
Boise State (12-0) vs. TCU (10-2)
Both Chris Peterson (Boise St.) and Gary Patterson (TCU) have surfaced as names in more than one or two of the coaching searches near the end of this season. Peterson’s early success in Broncoland was attributed to maintaining the talent left behind by now Colorado coach Dan Hawkins. However, the emergence of redshirt-freshman QB Kellen Moore proves he and his staff can recruit and coach solid talent at Boise St. Couple this with an off-the-chart winning percentage (92%, 13-0, 10-3, 12-0 in 3 seasons), it is no wonder why other teams pursue the leader of the blue turf machine.
Patterson’s record may not be as sexy at Peterson’s, but there is no denying the solid football team he has built at TCU. Since taking over for Dennis Franchione at the end of the 2000 season, Patterson has lead the Horned Frogs (props for the one of the most unusual mascots in collegiate athletics) to six bowl games posting four wins. Patterson’s teams do it with defense, consistently ranking near the top. According to the NCAA, TCU is ranked #2 in total defense this year behind only the machine of the Southern California Trojans.
But the coaches just pace the sidelines – this game is about the players: The Boise State offense vs. the TCU defense. The Horned Frogs feature a couple of dynamic defenders in Sr. LB Jason Phillips and Jr. DL Jerry Hughes who will want to exert a lot of pressure on the young Boise St. QB Kellen Moore. Though not really used as a running threat, Moore has evaded pressure this season with the help of a great offensive line which has surrendered only 11 sacks in 12 games. Moore’s 70% completion rate ranks him 10th nationally. The Broncos in blue can also run the ball effectively averaging over 160 yards+ a game this season. The key to this game is how much pressure and turnover opportunities TCU can create vs. how many points Boise State can produce. Watch this one as you may see one or both of these coaches at the helm of some of the bigger named teams in the nation in the very near future.
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
Good stuff, Jay. I'm very much looking forward to the Poinsettia Bowl tomorrow night.