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Tuesday, January 1, 2008

A Very Quick Gator Bowl Preview

VIRGINIA (9-3) vs. TEXAS TECH (8-4) - Jan. 1, 2008, 1pm ET (CBS)
As you've undoubtedly read by now, the Red Raider offense is by far the most powerful the Cavaliers have faced this season...by a mile. Literally. Texas Tech gained 1,819 more yards this season than the most prolific offense the Hoos faced all year, Georgia Tech. Ponder that for a minute.

On the positive side for Virginia, Mike Leach's crew only faced one team this season that ranked in the Top 50 in total defense (Oklahoma). And, that victory over the Sooners 43 days ago was the last game the Raiders played. Tech was also stymied by a less-than-stellar Mizzou defense in October, a game in which the Tiger pass rush disrupted Red Raider QB Graham Harrell's timing and rhythm. The Cavs have a defensive line that can do much the same.

Unfortunately, UVA does not have an offense that can mount any semblance of a comeback should Tech get a comfortable lead. In summary, too much has to go wrong for the Raiders to lose this one, and too much right has to go for right Virginia to win it. A bad bowl season for the ACC looks to get a little worse, I fear.

Texas Tech 31, Virginia 23

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Groh blew the game for UVa - no challenge to the fumble to start the second half (result - 7 points for TT) and letting a green freshman try a screen pass deep in thier own territory - a terrible call. Groh needs to go.

Marcus said...

Not challenging that fumble was inexcusable. I assume he was trying to save a timeout, but in thinking of what it might take to win late in the 4th quarter, he contributed to the loss early in the 3rd.

Anonymous said...

you can't challenge the fumble in college since they ruled the runner down. groh was complaining to them about it but was told he couldn't challenge.

screen pass wasn't a terrible call with the way had gone it was the execution that was poor. Lalich should've been in the shotgun to get him more time.