College Football: MPC Computers Bowl

[Tinfish]

Bowl Record: 5-3

Teams: Fresno St.(8-3) vs Virginia (8-3)

Line: Virginia –4.5 O/U 51.5

I really like Virginia in this game. Fresno has definitly been playing some good ball of late. They’ve basically relied on a nice running game since Paul Pinegar has thrown 15 INTs on the year. Pinegar hasn’t attempted more then 20 passes in his last 5 games because Fresno’s 15th ranked rushing attack has been leading the way.

This falls right into Virginia’s hands as they have the 19th ranked rushing defense and 15th overall in the country. And that’s playing in a pretty good conference in the ACC. Fresno hasn’t faced a team on its entire schedule that comes close to having as good a defense as Virginia.

Another match-up I like in Virginia’s favor is the 1-2-3 punch of Pearman, Lundy, and the QB Hagans who have helped lead the Virginia rushing attack to #12 in the country. Fresno has done a poor job of stopping the run this year in a pretty weak conference (68th).

I think everyone is high on Fresno because of how they finished the season winning five in a row. My problem with this is that they won those games because they were running the hell out of the ball. Leaving much pressure of Pinegar and basically not making him win the game for you.

Well Fresno isn’t going to be able to run the ball as effictively against Al Groh and his 3-4 scheme. Pinegar will have to throw the ball…and if you watched this kid the first half of the season when he was relied on to throw the ball you’ll know why I’m all OVER the Hoos!

My Play: Virginia -4.5