BOWLNANZA!: The GMAC Bowl

Ohio (9-4) vs. Southern Miss (8-5)

In ex-Nebraska coach Frank Solich's second year, Ohio's probably been the biggest surprise in the MAC, going from 4-7 to a MAC East title. Much like Nebraska under Solich, Ohio's getting it done with the run, evidenced by the leading rusher (Kalvin McRae, 1215) gaining more yards than the starting QB (Austin Everson, 1181.) Still, the Bobcats' offense has been more or less the opposite of effective, finishing just outside the bottom 10 in yardage and easily being the worst of any bowl team. The defense is a better story, however, finishing #31 in yardage and just outside the top 20 against the pass. Ohio may be lucky to be here, but there are less deserving teams.

Southern Miss is usually a defensive power year-in year-out, but the Golden Eagles have been somewhat mediocre on that side of the ball, finishing at only #40 in yardage. USM's main strength has been the play of freshman RB Damion Fletcher, who racked up 1330 yards (2nd among freshmen) en route to 9 touchdowns. Still, that defense is getting things together -- after being torched by Florida, Tulsa, Houston, and Virginia Tech early in the year, USM's held their last three opponents under 300 yards, including annihilating the Tulane D and holding them to 85.

USM's defense, again, is getting things together, and with the ineffective Ohio offense, that matchup probably won't be pretty. Ohio could win a defensive struggle, but while the Bobcats' defense isn't half bad, their strength is against the pass, and USM's star is a running back. Fletcher will probably be the player of the game, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't have a huge game by any means. This could be one of those games where neither offense gets anything done, either on the field or for the viewer. But I could be wrong.

My Pick: Southern Miss
Confidence (out of 5): 2