2007-08 Bowl Coverage

Davis Sports Deli's

New Orleans Bowl Preview

By: Joshua Fischman

New Orleans Bowl Preview

Event: New Orleans Bowl - New Orleans, Louisiana

Time: December 21, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. (PST)

Matchup: Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis

FAU Football Notes

QB Rusty Smith has been a stud for the Florida Atlantic Owls, throwing for 27 TDs and only 8 INTs on the season. He is also averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game.

Sophomore wide receiver Cortez Gent has emerged out of nowhere. In 2006, Gent had a total of 66 receiving yards. In the last three games of 2007, Gent averaged 139 yards per game through the air and scored 5 touchdowns.

Florida Atlantic has played a tough schedule, losing to three ranked opponents in Kentucky, South Florida and Florida, and beating a tough opponent in Troy. Despite losing all of their games against ranked opponents, the game were good preparation for a tough bowl opponent in Memphis.

Florida Atlantic does not have a good defense and often give up a lot of points (33.8 points surrendered per game).

Memphis Football Notes

The Memphis Tigers have nice senior leadership in starting QB Martin Hankins and RB Joseph Doss. Both seniors have put up very good numbers but lack significant bowl experience.

Other than a close defeat of Southern Miss and a 16-point loss at East Carolina, Memphis' schedule has been pathetic.

Memphis has won three games in a row, with the last win -- over SMU -- coming on an overtime field goal. The Tigers definitely will have momentum coming into the New Orleans Bowl.

Memphis' defense is mediocre at best and suspect at worst. The 2007 Tigers are also known to give up a lot of points (31.2 per game).

Did You Know?

Did you know that the MVP of the 2003 New Orleans Bowl was a hometown player from the University of Memphis...QB Danny Wimprine? Wimprine went to waste away in Canda (in the CFL) and has now returned home after signing a contract with the Arena Football League's New Orleans Voodoo. If Wimprine isn't at the game this Friday supporting his alma mater, I will dye my hair purple!

Prediction and Analysis

On paper, the teams are very evenly matched. So when the paper doesn't give me a winner, I consider the intangibles.

Memphis has two very good starting seniors on offense (Hankins and Doss). In addition, Doss turns 22 two days before the bowl game. However, neither Hankins nor Doss has seen much action in a bowl game. Hankins has never appeared in one, while Doss has played in two (but only as a back-up).

Now let's look at some intangibles for FAU. The Owls will be playing in their first ever bowl game and will be doing so on the heels of a victory against a very good Troy football team. Sophomore QB Rusty Smith has been very hot of late for the Owls.

Florida Atlantic will defeat Memphis in a close game in which neither team will have trouble scoring. I predict that FAU will win 38-31 with Rusty Smith taking home the hardware.

If you liked this Bowl Season Preview, you may also like our 2007 Bowl Blog by Aaron Fischman.

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Davis Sports Deli's New Orleans Bowl Preview By: Joshua Fischman New Orleans Bowl Preview Event: New Orleans Bowl - New Orleans, Louisiana Time: December 21, 2007 at 5:00 P.M. (PST) Matchup: Florida Atlantic vs. Memphis FAU Football Notes QB Rusty Smith has been a stud for the Florida Atlantic Owls, throwing for 27 TDs and only 8 INTs on the season. He is also averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game. Sophomore wide receiver Cortez Gent has emerged out of nowhere. In 2006, Gent had a total of 66 receiving yards. In the last three games of 2007, Gent averaged 139 yards per game through the air and scored 5 touchdowns. Florida Atlantic has played a tough schedule, losing to three ranked opponents in Kentucky, South Florida and Florida, and beating a tough opponent in Troy. Despite losing all of their games against ranked opponents, the game were good preparation for a tough bowl opponent in Memphis. Florida Atlantic does not have a good defense and often give up a lot of points (33.8 points surrendered per game). Memphis Football Notes The Memphis Tigers have nice senior leadership in starting QB Martin Hankins and RB Joseph Doss. Both seniors have put up very good numbers but lack significant bowl experience. Other than a close defeat of Southern Miss and a 16-point loss at East Carolina, Memphis' schedule has been pathetic. Memphis has won three games in a row, with the last win -- over SMU -- coming on an overtime field goal. The Tigers definitely will have momentum coming into the New Orleans Bowl. Memphis' defense is mediocre at best and suspect at worst. The 2007 Tigers are also known to give up a lot of points (31.2 per game). Did You Know? Did you know that the MVP of the 2003 New Orleans Bowl was a hometown player from the University of Memphis...QB Danny Wimprine? Wimprine went to waste away in Canda (in the CFL) and has now returned home after signing a contract with the Arena Football League's New Orleans Voodoo. If Wimprine isn't at the game this Friday supporting his alma mater, I will dye my hair purple! Prediction and Analysis On paper, the teams are very evenly matched. So when the paper doesn't give me a winner, I consider the intangibles. Memphis has two very good starting seniors on offense (Hankins and Doss). In addition, Doss turns 22 two days before the bowl game. However, neither Hankins nor Doss has seen much action in a bowl game. Hankins has never appeared in one, while Doss has played in two (but only as a back-up). Now let's look at some intangibles for FAU. The Owls will be playing in their first ever bowl game and will be doing so on the heels of a victory against a very good Troy football team. Sophomore QB Rusty Smith has been very hot of late for the Owls. Florida Atlantic will defeat Memphis in a close game in which neither team will have trouble scoring. I predict that FAU will win 38-31 with Rusty Smith taking home the hardware. If you liked this Bowl Season Preview, you may also like our 2007 Bowl Blog by Aaron Fischman.