Ball Statevs
Rutgers
12 p.m. Toronto, Canada ESPN2
Line: Rutgers -11.0, Total 63
Rutgers
12 p.m. Toronto, Canada ESPN2
We take a break from the BCS to step outside the United States for the International Bowl. Rutgers is an overwhelming favorite as a preseason Big East favorite goes to take on MAC middle of the road Ball State.
After the excitement of the Orange Bowl, look for this one to mimic the Rose and Sugar Bowls as the favorite is sure to dominate. Look for Rutgers to run wild on the Cardinals. Rutgers will use a steady diet of rice, Ray Rice, to dominate the time of possession and total yards. While many Rutgers fans were expecting more than 7 wins and a bowl invitation to Toronto, this is still a huge step-up from where the Scarlet Knights were just a few short seasons ago. If Ray Rice sticks around for his senior season, 2008 could be huge. Louisville is down, USF will be a tough opponent, and WVU might not be the same juggernaut they have been (even though Rutgers has shown they can beat Pat White and Steve Slaton). A win in Toronto coupled with Rice returning really will springboard this team to a top 25 preseason ranking.
On the other side of the field, the Cardinals are in a bowl for the first time since 1996. This is also the first time the team has finished with a winning record in that same time span. Ball State looked good, even in losing, when playing Illinois and Nebraska on the road. They almost pulled off the upset of the Huskers back in September when people were still buying into the Huskers being an elite team.
Rutgers will be able to eat up huge chunks of yards onthe ground, but they'll also look for QB Mike Teel to make some plays throwing the ball. He won't have to do much, but if he can keep from making mistakes (which has been a problem for him during the season) Rutgers will win in a walk. Ball State will have the advantage in the passing game with studs in WR Dante Love and TE Dauris Hill, who have combined for 20 touchdowns on 143 catches.
I would hope for Ball State to keep this one close but it just won't happen. Ray Rice is going to run wild and get lots of attention from NFL Scouts. Look for Rutgers to get close to covering the total by themselves as they win big.
After the excitement of the Orange Bowl, look for this one to mimic the Rose and Sugar Bowls as the favorite is sure to dominate. Look for Rutgers to run wild on the Cardinals. Rutgers will use a steady diet of rice, Ray Rice, to dominate the time of possession and total yards. While many Rutgers fans were expecting more than 7 wins and a bowl invitation to Toronto, this is still a huge step-up from where the Scarlet Knights were just a few short seasons ago. If Ray Rice sticks around for his senior season, 2008 could be huge. Louisville is down, USF will be a tough opponent, and WVU might not be the same juggernaut they have been (even though Rutgers has shown they can beat Pat White and Steve Slaton). A win in Toronto coupled with Rice returning really will springboard this team to a top 25 preseason ranking.
On the other side of the field, the Cardinals are in a bowl for the first time since 1996. This is also the first time the team has finished with a winning record in that same time span. Ball State looked good, even in losing, when playing Illinois and Nebraska on the road. They almost pulled off the upset of the Huskers back in September when people were still buying into the Huskers being an elite team.
Rutgers will be able to eat up huge chunks of yards onthe ground, but they'll also look for QB Mike Teel to make some plays throwing the ball. He won't have to do much, but if he can keep from making mistakes (which has been a problem for him during the season) Rutgers will win in a walk. Ball State will have the advantage in the passing game with studs in WR Dante Love and TE Dauris Hill, who have combined for 20 touchdowns on 143 catches.
I would hope for Ball State to keep this one close but it just won't happen. Ray Rice is going to run wild and get lots of attention from NFL Scouts. Look for Rutgers to get close to covering the total by themselves as they win big.
Line: Rutgers -11.0, Total 63
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