MVN - Most Valuable Network

Football University: Chick-fil-A Bowl preview

The Chick-fil-A Bowl is the only bowl game that I’m sure I got my prediction right. The Tigers will win. Either the Auburn Tigers (8-4) or the Clemson Tigers (9-3), now we’ll just have to figure out which one. I could also say that one of the Tommy’s will win, either Clemson’s Tommy Bowden or Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville, and once again I will have to figure out which one will carry home the trophy. With the game being played in a domed stadium, with two good teams matching up, there is only one thing to say about this bowl game: something is going to have to give.

MVN’s Power Picks panelists went 5 to 1 for Auburn, myself included. And, in one of the few times in this bowl season, the panelists (or at least the majority of them) and Vegas have gone in different directions. The oddsmakers have Clemson as a 2^1/2point favorite in the game.

Auburn has the horses at the running back position with the trio of Ben Tate, Brad Lester and Mario Fannin. If these backs can hit the holes and wear down Clemson, this game should be won in Auburn’s favor in a hurry. The offensive line will play a big part in doing this, and for that to happen they must win the battle of the trenches play after play. Putting Auburn in “must” situations will hurt their chances badly. One thing that’s going to help Auburn is the fact that several starters for Clemson will be not playing due to academic issues. Nonetheless, with a line that has 2 frosh and no seniors, winning the battle is not going to be easy.

For Clemson it’s going to come down to one simple thing, each player at the offense position must do their job as best as possible. The line must get it done so that quarterback Brandon Cox can get his passes off without being pressured. The backs must get their yards in order for Auburn’s defense to stay out of “must” situations. The wide receivers have to get any and all passes that are thrown at them. There is no real star here, it must be a full team effort or it will be a team loss when it is all said and done. On defense, Clemson has to stop the running game of Auburn and if they can do that they could be in good shape.

When it’s all said and done I see Auburn winning because they have those players that step up when it’s time to win a game, something that Clemson doesn’t have. I don’t think it’s going to be a blow away victory, it might be a come from behind win for that matter, but I just don’ see Clemson having the personnel to close the deal against Auburn. The final score, 28 to 24.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 31st, 2007 at 6:25 pm and is filed under NCAA football, Sports Picks (Football), Chick-fil-A Bowl, News (Football), BCS, Auburn, Clemson, News & Notes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.