Gator Bowl: Virginia vs. Texas Tech

Teams: Virginia vs. Texas Tech
Date: Jan. 1, 2008 at 1 p.m. Eastern
Location: Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.

Analysis
Virginia’s Al Groh has saved his job with a thrilling 9–3 campaign that included five wins by one or two points. But Groh and his team haven’t faced a challenge quite like Texas Tech and its pass-happy offense.

The Red Raiders keep plugging in quarterbacks, and those quarterbacks keep producing astronomical numbers. Graham Harrell has amassed 5,298 yards and 45 touchdowns, with 21 of those scoring tosses going to super freshman Michael Crabtree. Last we saw the Red Raiders, they were denying then-No. 3 Oklahoma a shot at a national championship with a 34–27 upset in one of the biggest wins of the Mike Leach coaching regime.

Virginia has a solid defense, but the Cavs haven’t faced a passing offense anything like Tech’s, having avoided Boston College in conference play this season. And while Tech’s run defense is a bit leaky, the Cavs haven’t shown the ability to run the football with any consistency.

But while the stats seem to favor Texas Tech, don’t discount the Cavs’ propensity for winning close games this year. That’s an admirable trait to possess come bowl season.

Breakdown: Virginia
Campus Location: Charlottesville, Va.
Distance to Jacksonville: 668 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 7–9
2007 Season: 9–3, 6–2 ACC

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 93 (126)
Pass Offense: 80 (203)
Scoring Offense: 86 (24)
Rush Defense: 21 (113)
Pass Defense: 33 (210)
Scoring Defense: 13 (19)
Turnover Margin: 40 (0.25)

Additional Notes:
After starting the season on the hot seat, Virginia coach Al Groh earned ACC Coach of the Year honors and a contract extension … Virginia continues to use the tight end position as well as anyone. Cavalier tight ends Tom Santi, Jonathan Stupar and John Phillips combined for 87 catches this season.

Breakdown: Texas Tech
Campus Location: Lubbock, Texas
Distance to Jacksonville: 1,343 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 9–20–1
2007 Season: 8–4, 4–4 Big 12

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 119 (61)
Pass Offense: 1 (476)
Scoring Offense: 6 (42)
Rush Defense: 78 (171)
Pass Defense: 17 (196)
Scoring Defense: 51 (26)
Turnover Margin: 92 (-0.50)

Additional Notes:
The Red Raiders are 4–1 in their last five bowl games and have scored 38 points or more in all four of those wins … After the Big 12 slapped Mike Leach with a $10,000 fine for ripping the officials following Tech’s loss to Texas, a group of alumni set up a fund to pay the fine for him.

Prediction: Texas Tech by 7

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