CFB - New Orleans Bowl - FLA ATLANTIC vs. MEMPHIS (8:00 PM ET – ESPN2)

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2007-12-21

Florida Atlantic is playing in its first ever bowl game at the New Orleans Bowl, but that didn’t stop oddsmakers from installing the Owls as a 2-1/2 point favorite over Memphis. The Sun Belt has never been favored in this game against Conference USA, so FAU will be breaking new ground for itself, plus blazing a trail for its league. Both teams were 7-5 in ’07 and the Owls got here by winning their season finale at Troy, 38-32 as a 16-point underdog. The Tigers won their final three games of the campaign to earn their second trip to New Orleans for this bowl game. Both teams own horrific defensive numbers, with FAU allowing 33.7 PPG, and Memphis having yielded 50+-points three times. The Tigers’ offense excelled down the stretch, passing for 359.3 YPG in its L6 games.

MEMPHIS
The Memphis Tigers sit at 7-5 this year, rebounding well after a miserable 2006 where they finished just 2-10. HC Tommy West has made Memphis a winner though, as the Tigers have averaged eight wins a season three of the last four seasons. Led on offense by a pair of prolific WRs, the Tigers can stretch the field and expose defenses by giving the ball to RB Joseph Doss. WRs Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton have combined for 105 receptions, 1,554 yards, and 15 scores. The guy throwing them the ball isn’t too bad either. QB Martin Hankins has thrown four touchdowns in three of his last four starts. DE Freddie Barnett has been a menace at times, accumulating 2.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss. The highlight of DE Barnett’s season came against Arkansas State when he took a fumble recovery to the house. 88 yards later, this junior scored his first touchdown of his career on defense. Memphis has been on a bit of a hot streak lately, winning four of its last five, including a 55-52 shootout over SMU. Five of Memphis’ seven wins were by a field goal or less, so keep that in mind if you are rolling the dice on the Tigers.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC
The Owls from Florida Atlantic are enjoying their first winning season since 2004. At 7-5, the Owls surprised many by upsetting Minnesota and Troy to earn their first-ever bowl trip. However, the Owls were 1-4 in non-conference, and that’s a problem. Led by HC Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic poses a threat to go the distance via the play action, primarily due to the fact that QB Rusty Smith can throw the long ball with anyone. QB Smith has thrown 27 touchdowns on the year, including a 5-touchdown performance against the Golden Gophers back in September. On defense, the Owls are led by freshman CB Tavious Polo. CB Polo was able to snag seven interceptions on his way to a great rookie season. LB Frantz Joseph is the hardest hitter on defense though. The Owls have committed fewer penalties than their opponents as well. Florida Atlantic is somewhat of an enigma as the nation has no idea who these Owls are, but on December 21st, we expect to see QB Rusty Smith put the Florida Atlantic Owls on the map by showing up and competing in the 2007 New Orleans Bowl.

THE GAME
Finally, the 2007 New Orleans Bowl should pan out to be a dandy, as we have two offensive squads going toe-to-toe. Florida Atlantic is averaging 30.1 points a game while Memphis is putting up 29.4. Owls’ opponents have found it difficult to pass on them, primarily due to the ball hawking of CB Tavious Polo, but opponents have put up more than 2,000 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on this same Owls’ defense. Look for Memphis’ RB Joseph Doss to get carries early and often to wear down the Florida Atlantic front seven. When Doss gets 19 or more carries, he averages 171.5 rushing yards and 1 touchdown a game. On the other hand, Memphis themselves have struggled against the run. Owls’ RB Charles Pierre should open up the running lanes and set the Memphis secondary up for some play action passing. At the end of the day, it all comes down to who has made the least amount of mistakes. On paper, the Owls are more mistake-prone than the Tigers, giving up more interceptions and lost fumbles than them, so Florida Atlantic should look to protect the ball. This may end up being one of those games where whomever scores last wins.