Full Name: MPC Computers Bowl.
Vitals: Nevada University Wolfpack (8-4, WAC 5-3) versus University of Miami (Fl) Hurricanes (6-6, ACC 3-5)
Sunday, December 31, 7:30pm, Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho, ESPN.
Spread: Miami by 3 to 4.
How Nevada Got Here:
By finishing 4th in the WAC. The only good win in the conference was beating San Jose St. Otherwise, no good wins in or out of conference (unless you count beating Northwestern). The Wolfpack has a run-heavy offense, with about 177 yards/game on the ground. QB Jeff Rowe doesn't throw often (19.6 passing attempts/game) but has a 65% completion rate. Nevada has a decent defense, but nothing spectacular.
How Miami got here:
Oh, where to begin. The Hurricanes finished 9th in the ACC. On offense the problems started up front with a bad offensive line that has killed them all season. RB Javarris James finally emerged from a large but disappointing group of running backs. The defense has kept Miami in many of the games, but the inability to score points has been the big problem.
What you absolutely have to know about Nevada:
This is Nevada, not UNLV. The Nevada Wolfpack is based in Reno. The Cattlemen's update is next week, focusing on low stress cattle handling. Their Hydrologic Science graduate school is one of the largest and best in the country.
What you absolutely have to know about Miami:
The University of Miami is the largest private employer in Miami-Dade County (what that says about private business in the area is a different issue). Given that it is Miami, the school has a page for "emergency preparedness" and a disaster preparation and recovery plan (PDF).
What you absolutely have to know about this bowl game:
Since a computer maker is sponsoring the bowl, they are offering a 7% discount on their computers. Of course, they are overpriced and the sale hardly is an improvement (though if they want to offer me a free laptop to to show why they are worth it, I'll listen).
Why to watch:
It's the last bowl game for 2006. It's the only bowl game of the whole day, plus it's the blue turf.
Most important, it's Miami having to go to Boise. The Hurricanes sent to a cold-weather bowl is awesome. If the point that it's expected to be cold, consider what the gift pack included:
• Winter gloves and hand warmers
• Winter skull cap with logo
• Weatherproof parka with logo
Yeah, that drives the point home.
This bowl game is all about Miami. No offense to Nevada, but the interest for this game, the storylines, are all Miami. Larry Coker's final game as coach. His Defensive Coordinator taking over as soon as this game is done.
Score Prediction:
Nevada 25 Miami 18
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nice to see your predictions did not come true... A one point win may not be Miami's style, but a win is a win and we'll take it