Three Games on a Friday

Today's News Links:

Oregon Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti announced his retirement earlier today.  The 2013 Valero Alamo Bowl will be his last game after a 24-year career with the Ducks.  Full story here.

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was pulled over after police clocked him doing 84 mph in a 55 mph zone.  Full story here.

Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops will make his ninth BCS Bowl appearance in fifteen years when the Sooners play Alabama next week in the Sugar Bowl.  That is more than any other coach in the BCS era.  Full story here.

Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez will not play in the upcoming Gator Bowl because of his injuries. Full story here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the time that I am writing this post, the MILITARY BOWL, PRESENTED BY NORTHRUP GRUMMAN, is at halftime.  Marshall (C-USA) currently leads Maryland (ACC) 17-13.  This is the last year Maryland will appear in the postseason as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.  In July 2014, both Maryland and Rutgers will become members of the Big Ten in all sports.

At 6:00PM Eastern, the TEXAS BOWL at Houston's Reliant Stadium features Syracuse (ACC) vs. Minnesota (Big Ten).  According to ESPN's pregame analysis, 2013 is the first year that Syracuse has played a bowl game in the state of Texas since their victory in the 1960 Cotton Bowl.  After earning a 6-6 record in their first year as a member of the ACC, the Orange face a team that surprised the country.  Minnesota in the preseason was projected to finish last in the Big Ten Legends division.   Instead, they earned an 8-4 record that included going 4-0 in non-conference games, along with conference wins against Northwestern, Nebraska, Indiana, and Penn State.  Indeed, the Gophers defense only allowed 14 points in their loss to then #11 ranked Michigan State.  Syracuse's offense for 2013 has only averaged 22.8 points per game, while Minnesota's offensive line has averaged 26.4 points per game.  ESPN's Mark Schlabach has Minnesota winning by four points with a final score of 28-24.

Later this evening, the FIGHT HUNGER BOWL at AT&T Park in San Francisco (kickoff at 9:30PM ET) features Brigham Young vs. Washington.  Both teams finished the 2013 season with 8-4 records.  However, the Huskies will be without their head coach, Steve Sarkisian.  Instead, Marques Tulasosopo, the first-year Quarterbacks coach, will serve as interim head coach until Chris Petersen officially takes over the program.  Tonight's game pits two teams that are evenly matched in more ways than their overall W-L records.  Both the Cougars and Huskies offensive squads are in the top 15 in terms of total yards per game (BYU averages 495.3, 15th nationally; Washington averages 514.3, 9th nationally).  On the defensive side of the ball, the Huskies have only given up 23.4 points per game while the Cougars average is a bit lower:  21.3 points per game.  It looks like this is anybody's game.  ESPN's Mark Schlabach has gives BYU only a one-point advantage.  His projected final score:  28-27.