College Bowl Preview (Part II)
By Corey Hunter
Belk Bowl
Cincinnati Bearcats Preview:
Dec 5, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Chris Moore (15) runs the ball during the overtime quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Bearcats go bowling this year looking for double-digit wins for the 6th time in 7 years. The Bearcats have benefited from playing a relatively weak schedule as they played only one team ranked in the top-25 at the time of the game (No.19 Louisville, which the Bearcats lost).
After senior QB Munchie Legaux went down early in the season, head coach Tommy Tuberville turned to senior Brendon Kay who threw for more than 3,100 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added 6 rushing touchdowns. On the ground the Bearcats were paced by running backs Hosey Williams, Ralph Abernathy, and Tion Green. Those three combined for nearly 1,500 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. Through the air, the Bearcats were led by Shaq Washington, Anthony McClung, Chris Moore and Mekale McKay. These four receivers caught 201 passes for over 2,700 yards and 22 touchdowns. The North Carolina secondary had better be on itstoes with this team or they will find themselves behind early.
North Carolina Tar Heels Preview:
Nov 30, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Quinshad Davis (14) catches a touchdown in the third quarter. The Duke Blue Devils defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 27-25 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
North Carolina looked all but dead after its heartbreaking 27-23 loss to Miami. The loss left the Tar Heels with a record of 1-5. North Carolina’s fortunes did not improve much either as senior quarterback Bryn Renner went down with a season-ending injury after the eighth week. In stepped sophomore Marquise Williams, who was more mobile than Renner. The result, the Tar Heels won four of their last five games with Williams at the helm.
Not only did Williams compile 14 touchdowns in just a third of a season, but he also led the team in rushing with 490 yards. Williams and the rest of the Tar Heels will have to be ready for Cincinnati’s eighth-ranked defense. The Bearcats have allowed just 313 yards of total offense per game. If North Carolina can solve the defensive puzzle put to them by Cincinnati, it will have a good shot at pulling off the bowl win and giving them a winning season.
Bowl Outlook:
This might be one of the most evenly matched bowl games of the season. The Bearcats were very much under the radar all year and a season ending loss to Louisville is all that prevented them from playing in a higher profile bowl game. Head Coach Tommy Tuberville has done a good job in keeping the Bearcats focused after losing their starting quarterback. While their schedule was relatively weak compared to other top teams in the AAC, they still managed to win the games that were in front of them.
A season ending loss has Cincinnati reeling just a bit heading into the Belk Bowl. Meanwhile, North Carolina has won five of their last six games. However, a loss in their season finale against rival Duke has the Tar Heels entering the Belk Bowl also with a sour taste in their mouth.
On paper, Cincinnati possesses the more potent offense and the better overall team defense, but those numbers belie the week schedule Cincinnati has faced. In this game, I see the contest coming down to the final minutes where North Carolina has the edge in place kicking. The Bearcats were second from the bottom nationally in field goal percentage making only six of 15 while North Carolina made 13 of 17 attempts. As such, look for the Tar Heels to win on a late field goal.
Score: Cincinnati – 23 North Carolina – 24