PAPAJOHNS.COM BOWL PREVIEW

December 29, 2008


Two college football teams left for dead at one point earier this season will meet this afternoon in Birmingham (AL) for the Papajohns.com at 3 PM. The match-up of Big East and ACC is a common theme this year's NCAA Bowl games as West Virginia met North Carolina in the Meineke Bowl and Cincinnati will also meet Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. The Big East will look to go 2-0 in these games today after the Mountaineers beat UNC, 31-30, on Saturday.

Rutgers started off the season 1-5 and looked pathetic in doing so. However, six wins in a row later, RU was finishing second in the Big East and 7-5 on the season.

The key in the turnaround was quarterback Mike Teel, who rebounded from a poor start that had many calling for him to be benched. Teel threw 20 touchdowns and for 1,737 yards in the last five games. In their season finale 63-14 win over Louisville, Teel connectec for 7 touchdown passes.

Back in Octoeber, North Carolina State also looked like a team headed nowhere. The Wolfpack were 2-6 and 0-4 in the ACC. They have won four games in a row, including their season finale over Miami, 38-28, to become bowl eligible and get the match-up with the Scarlet Knight.

Current NCAA football odds list the Scarlet Knight at 6 1/2 point favorites in tonight's match-up. Look for Rutgers to continue their season turn-around and come up victorious in the Papajohns.com bowl tonight.

Prediction:

Rutgers 37
NC State 28