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Football University: Humanitarian Bowl preview

Today’s second bowl game of the day, the Humanitarian Bowl, features Fresno State (8-4) against Georgia Tech (7-5) but this game might not be only about showing the talent of the players. Georgia Tech has a new head coach, Paul Johnson from Navy, but in this game it will be headed by Jon Tenuta. After being in the business for a while Tenuta might be looking forward to a chance at calling the shots. We’ll see after the game if the opportunity was a positive or negative one.

I believe that Tenuta and the Yellow Jackets will win this game and three from the Power Picks panel agree with me (two do not). The Vegas oddsmakers also have Georgia Tech as the favorite, by 5.5 points. I think the reason Georgia Tech is the favorite for me (as well as Vegas) is that they just have the better talent on the field. The Jacket’s Tashard Choice is a great runner, one that would definitely have been better if Georgia Tech could throw the ball. His backup and the future at that position, Johnathan Dwyer, is also a very good player. Together they could wear Fresno down from the first snap to the last whistle. These two players are going to make or break the bowl game for Tech.

On the other side of the ball it’s all up to one position and, just like Tech, it’s about the running backs. The injured Ryan Matthews isn’t expected to play for the Bulldogs so it’s going to be up to the back’s by committee for this game. If Fresno State can still run they could definitely surprise Georgia Tech in this game, but that is a big “if”. The Bulldog defense has to win the war of the trenches and not allow Tech to run on them and get ahead early. With a running back like Tashard Choice, holding a lead is not a problem. However, if Fresno State puts Tech in a position where they have to throw and go away from the run they will dictate the game.

It’s all going to come down to one thing when it’s all said and done: how the Yellow Jackets come to play this game. They have the talent to win this game, but do they have the mentality? They have an interim coach and they’re in a bowl game that most people don’t care to be in. Do they have what it takes to put all that aside and play this game as if it meant more than it really does? I think they will and the final score will prove me right as Georgia Tech wins 27 to 21 behind the great game of their two backs.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 31st, 2007 at 10:59 am and is filed under NCAA football, Sports Picks (Football), Georgia Tech, News (Football), Fresno State, Football, ESPN, 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.