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Memphis vs. Bowling Green

Producing points shouldn't be a problem in this one, as both Memphis and Bowling Green possess explosive offenses. The Tigers' ticket to Mobile means a second consecutive bowl trip after a 32-year draught. Memphis beat North Texas 27-17 in last year's New Orleans Bowl.

This is the seventh bowl game for Bowling Green, which edged Northwestern 28-24 in last year's Motor City Bowl. It was the Falcons' first bowl opportunity in more than a decade. This is the first-ever meeting between these two schools.
Memphis rebounded with three straight wins to end the regular season after piling up more than 600 yards of total offense in a tough 56-49 loss to Louisville at the Liberty Bowl on Nov. 4. Tommy West's Tigers placed nine players on either first or seond team All-C-USA, led by running back DeAngelo Williams, who was named the league's co-Offensive Player of the Year. Williams rushed for 1,828 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season and is the nation's third-leading rusher at 166.2 yards per game. Williams had nine 100-yard games and is averaging a robust 6.2 yards per carry. He needs 172 yards in the GMAC Bowl to become just the 11th player in NCAA history to run for 2,000 yards in a single season. Williams is the all-time leading rusher in Memphis history, and ranks second in C-USA history, with 3,942 yards.

While Williams is obviously the focal point of the Memphis attack, quarterback Danny Wimprine is more than just a competent passer. Wimprine directs a Memphis attack ranked 10th in the nation in total offense at the end of the regular season, averaging 464.5 yards per game. West has led Memphis to eight or more wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in more than 40 years.

Like West, Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon appears to be another head coach on the fast track. The former Urban Meyer assistant has kept the momentum rolling at BG, thanks in large part to an offense that was virtually unstoppable in the MAC during the regular season.

The Falcons lost quarterback Josh Harris to the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, but sophomore Omar Jacobs picked up the slack this year, winning the MAC Offensive Player of the Year award while directing the nation's fourth-ranked offense (501.64).

Jacobs threw an eye-popping 36 touchdowns with only three interceptions this season at Bowling Green and finished fourth in the country in passing efficiency (167.8 rating).

The Falcons rank second nationally in pass offense (335.6) and fourth in scoring offense (43.6). Jacobs has a quartet of veteran receivers to throw to and tailback P.J. Pope is a standout rusher, pass catcher and kick returner who had 1,439 all-purpose yards this season.

Up front, BG is led by All-MAC first-teamer Rob Warren at left tackle and Scott Mruczkowski is considered one of the top five centers available in this year's NFL draft. A pair of seniors in linebacker Jovon Burkes (team-high 80 tackles) and strong safety Keon Newson (66 tackles, 5 interceptions) leads the Falcons defense. A note of caution for Memphis: BG had a combined eight interceptions in their last three regular season games.

Bowling Green by 3

Kickoff: Dec. 22, 8 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

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