Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Broncos and Beavers on Christmas Eve

Today's News Links:

Just In:  The University of Florida has just hired Duke Offensive Coordinator Kurt Roper to the same position.  Roper will replace Brent Pease who was fired at the end of the season.  Full story here.

The Associated Press has named Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn their 2013 Coach of the Year:  Full story here.

USC head coach Steve Sarkisian announced that he will ask Ed Orgeron to be part of his coaching staff.  In another story from USC, the Trojans junior safety Dion Bailey will enter the 2014 NFL Draft. 

Army has named Jeff Monken, head coach of Georgia Southern, as their new head football coach.  Full story here.

Akron assistant head coach Alan Arrington was killed on Monday in a car accident.  Full story here.

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Happy Holidays to everyone from The Howell Report!  As Santa Claus travels the world delivering gifts (one can track his progress through the NORAD Santa Tracker website), the Boise State Broncos (MWC) and the Oregon State Beavers (PAC-12) have already landed in Hawaii for today's SHERATON HAWAII BOWL, which will air at 8:00PM Eastern on ESPN.  Boise State will be appearing in their 12th straight bowl but they will be without head coach Chris Petersen, who left the team to become head coach of the Washington Huskies.  Instead, linebackers coach Bob Gregory will serve as interim head coach until Bryan Harsin takes over in 2014.

Today's game is anticipated to be a shootout as both the Broncos and the Beavers contain offensive squads that have both averaged 470 yards per game.  Oregon State has the advantage in passing, as they currently boast the 3rd best passing offense in the country, averaging 382.1 yards per game.  Though Boise State's passing average is lower (269 yards per game), they make up the difference with their rushing capabilities (201.8 yards per game vs. 86.0 ypg for the Beavers).  Boise State has averaged roughly 39 points per game (ppg) while Oregon State's average is closer to 35 ppg. By contrast, the defensive squads of both teams have not performed as well.  The Broncos have given up roughly 24 ppg while the Beavers have averaged approximately 32 ppg.  Because of their reliance on the running game, Boise State may have an advantage since Oregon State's defense has given up an average of 193.2 yards per game in rushing alone.  ESPN's Mark Schlabach predicts Boise State winning by four points with a final score of 28-24. 




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