Another bowl preview, this one gives a shout out to the men and women of our military-
Army (6-6) vs. SMU (7-6)
Bell Helicopters Armed Forces Bowl
Gerald Ford Stadium Dallas, TX
History
The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl is a college football postseason game played at Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas. Previously known as the Fort Worth Bowl and first contested in 2003, the Armed Forces Bowl now matches up teams from the Mountain West Conference and Conference-USA. As part of the bowl’s 2010 arrangement, Army (U.S. Military Academy) is offered a bid to the game if either affiliated conference is unable to fill its slot with a bowl-eligible team.
Army Black Knights
Army will be led by their three headed monster in the backfield: Hassin, Maples, and Mealey lead the triple option attack that tries to grind it out. Look for Maples to have a big game if Army has a chance to pull the upset in this one.
Their Defense is led by star defensive end Josh McNary, the all-time leader in sacks at Army. Look for Army to move him around and try and get pressure and throw off the timing of SMU’s quick pass game.
SMU Mustangs
June Jones leads an SMU team putting together one of their best seasons probably since Craig James and Eric Dickerson. The Mustangs already faced a military academy earlier in the season when they loss to Navy 28-21. And maybe in one of their best performances of the year they held a second half lead against TCU before TCU took over and won the game.
SMU is led by QB Kyle Padron in a version of the run and shoot, a quick paced offense where they will attempt to put the ball in the air alot. They also have their tailback Line who is 39 yds away from the second best rushing season in school history behind only Dickerson.
On defense the Mustangs are led by Sophomore LB Taylor Reed who had a team high 133 tackles include 20 against Navy! Senior LB Pete Fleps added 116 stops on the season- That is a combined 249 tackles between two guys!
Who Are We Picking?
- Eric- SMU
- Jay- Army
- Jeff- Army
- Jim- Army
- Joe- SMU
- Mali- SMU
Obviously I picked SMU so we know who is going to win! SMU opened as a 7 point favorite in ths game, but Army should have pride to play for being in their own bowl, and the fact that no one likes Craig James could sway things in their favor as well. Not much scientific thought went into this pick for many of us, because I can’t say I sat down and watched either of these teams plays ths year, other than SMU against TCU. So do with this as you will.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
