Gopher Bowl Preview

Gopher Bowl 2006


Halifax Spitfires (1-10) at Golden Goblins (5-6)

Can a team with one win be surging? The Halifax Spitfires certainly think so. The Spitfires lost their first 9 games of the Big Ten Fantasy Football season but they won in week ten, shortly after jettisoning their team leader and high scorer Lawrence Maroney. Maroney’s criticism of the teams quarterbacking had worn thin in the Spitfires locker room and he was let go as the team looked toward the future. The team responded with its only win of the season. Tony Pittman and Tony Hunt have thrived in Maroney’s absence, causing many of the Spitfire faithful to wonder whether the season would have been different without the locker room distractions now apparent coming from Maroney.

For the Golden Goblins, the Goblet is half full (or, more likely, according to Coach Carhart, half empty). Participants in the Blue Ox Bowl in the previous two years, a third place finish and 5-6 record has to be disappointing. However, this team has clearly reloaded and there is guarded optimism that 2006 might be the year that the Goblins win the whole thing. Moreover, it is hoped that the Goblins can be dominant beyond 2006. The team is stocked with Freshman and Sophomore talent that includes Troy Smith, Tyrell Sutton and James Hardy – possibly the most productive three players going into next season. A win in the Gopher Bowl to end the season on a high note is just what the Goblins and their young, inexperienced team needs to build on for a 2006 run for the Ox.

Breaking down the match-up

Spitfires:

Tim Brasic vs. Northwestern. Brasic may have more trouble with this match-up than it appears. He does run the ball and that added to Brasic’s pedestrian passing numbers has produced a serviceable starter all season. Playing from behind might push these numbers up. Prediction: 210 yards, 1 TD, 60 yards rushing – 19 fantasy points.

Tony Pittman vs. Michigan. Pittman has come on as defenses have tried to stop QB Troy Smith. This is a huge game for both teams and Ohio State is hoping to get a BCS at large berth with a win. That ussually means Michigan will sneak up and destroy the Buckeyes hope but not this year. Prediction: 120 yards rushing, 2 TD – 24 fantasy points

Tony Hunt vs Michigan State. This is a favorable match up for the Spitfires. Penn State needs a win, Michigan State is a team in free fall. Tony Hunt will have his best game of the season. Prediction: 170 yards rushing, 45 yards receiving, 3 TD – 38 fantasy points

Kevin Grady vs. Ohio State. Not so favorable. Ohio State has the best defense in college football. Grady will see action but Michigan will be behind all game. Prediction: 40 yards rushing, 10 yards receiving – 5 fantasy points.

Shawn Herbert vs. Illinois. This is a tough call. Northwestern will score, they will score a lot, and I believe they will look to get B squared a big game to go out on. But will Herbert be the beneficiary? I think yes. Prediction: 130 yards receiving, 3 TD – 31 fantasy points

Ted Ginn, Jr vs. Michigan. Another tough call, Ginn has been a monumental disappointment for the Buckeyes this season. He’s unreliable and this is a big game that OSU needs. Ginn will be invisible on offense. Prediction: 25 yards receiving – 2 fantasy points.

Random extra reciever – 5 fantasy points

Random Big Ten Kicker – 8 fantasy points

Golden Goblins:

Troy Smith vs. Michigan. This one is simple. Huge game for Ohio State = huge game for Troy Smith. Prediction: 180 yards passing, 90 yards rushing, 1 passing TD, 2 rushing TD – 33 points

Drew Tate vs. Minnesota. Iowa has been inconsistent and so has Tate. This will be a close game, the Gophers will control the clock and Tate will struggle to produce. Prediction: 220 yards passing, 2 passing TD – 17 fantasy points

Tyrell Sutton vs. Illinois. Watch out. This is the key player in the Gopher Bowl. Northwestern’s offense will manhandle Illinois’ defense. Sutton will have a big game – the question will be touchdowns. I think Randy Walker sends off Basanez with a bang – Sutton has years ahead of him, Saturday, is the senior quarterback’s day. 200 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving, 1 TD – 28 fantasy points.

Javon Ringer vs. Penn State. Penn State has a great defense, John L. Smith’s team checks out a half time. Ringer has a bright future but he will struggle Saturday. Prediction: 50 yards rushing, 40 yards receiving – 9 fantasy points.

Jerod Void vs. Indiana. Void, an untalented and useless player in this writer’s opinion, has had a very good fantasy season. A senior playing against a bad Indiana team looks good. But I think Indiana believes they can win this and end Hoeppner’s first season on a high note. They won’t, but they will play a good game for 3 quarters. Prediction: 80 yards rushing, 1 TD – 14 points.

Clinton Soloman vs. Minnesota. Soloman is another player that wants to close out his college career with a bang. Again, this match-up looks good on paper but Soloman will struggle. Prediction: 70 yards receiving – 7 points.

Jeremy Scott vs. Penn State. Tough match-up. Team giving up. Prediction: 50 yards receiving – 5 fantasy points.

Random Wide Receiver -- 5 fantasy points

Ben Jones – 7 points

Predicted Final Score

Spitfires get the upset!

Halifax Spitfires 132
Golden Goblins 116

The catnip will be flowing in Halifax!