Sunday, December 26, 2010

2010 NCAA Football Playoffs Championship Game Preview

The finals of the playoffs will be played on January 1st. Below is the finals matchup.

2 Arkansas (SEC) vs 3 Boise State (WAC)  in the Rose Bowl

Arkansas
Arkansas finished 2nd in the SEC West to Auburn with a 10-2 record.  Arkansas's primary weapon is quarterback Ryan Mallett.  He threw for over 3,272 yards during the regular season while completing 67.2% of his passes.  This along with 27 TDs to only 9 Ints.  Mallett who played so poorly in their early season game against Alabama has played exceptionally well through the playoffs.  He's supported by running back Knile Davis who was player of the game in their semi-final matchup.  Davis rushed for over 1,000 yards during the season with 12 TDs.  Davis has been very consistent in the playoffs and made some key plays.

If Arkansas has a weak point it is their defense.  They gave up over 340 yards per game in the regular season.  Luckily for them they will not be facing Oregon as their run defense is not too good giving up 4.1 yards per carry during the regular season.


Boise State
Boise finished 3rd in the WAC with a 10-1 record.  Like Arkansas their main line of attack is in the air behind their quarterback Kellen Moore.  Moore threw for 3,506yds on 71% completion rate.  He tossed 33 TDs to only 5 Ints.  Moore has had an incredible season and has been fantastic in the playoffs.  He too is backed by a thousand yard rusher, Doug Martin, who ran for 1,113yds this season with 11 TDs. 

Unlike Arkansas the Boise defense has been very stingy all season only allowing 259 yards per game and only allowing 2.9 yards per carry. 


These two teams play very similar styles.  Both teams are pass first offenses with solid lead running backs.  Boise seems to have the edge here on defense, but Arkansas did face much more explosive offensive opponents during the regular season then did Boise.  This should be a fairly even matchup.

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