Humanitarian Bowl
Background:
Fresno State leads the series 1-0, with a Silicon Valley Classic victory on Dec. 31st, 2002.
Georgia Tech: Loss to Georgia
Fresno State: Wins at Kansas State and New Mexico State
Georgia Tech Advantages:
Has beaten a powerful Clemson team.
They were just a smidgen away from beating Maryland and Virginia.
They pride themselves on a 12th ranked defense.
The players will want to put on a good impression for their new coach, Paul Johnson. Especially the offense.
Tashard Choice dominated the ACC in rushing....athough that might not say much.
Their defensive coordinator is running the team....which will probobly make the defense really good.
Georgia Tech Disadvantages:
Aside from the Clemson win, their other wins were either over Division II or non-bowl opponents.
The ACC is an incredibly easy football conference.
Their coach got booted after losing 6 straight years to Georgia.
Playing in the Deep South, some of the players have never even seen snow, and they may just have to play in it.
Fresno State Advantages:
They've beaten a Big 12 opponent, Kansas State.
Fresno State has had recent post season success, and has won more than one Humanitarian Bowl before.
They played then ranked Texas A&M close, and have only been blown out by Oregon.
They are an incredibly balenced team, not relying on one superstar to do everything like a lot of mid-major bowl teams.
The QB, Tom Brandstater, has had a decent season.
Fresno State Disadvantages:
They have beaten 0, that's right, 0 Bowl eligible teams.
Neither their offense nor defense really stand out statistically speaking.
All of their statistics should be looked at skeptically given their easy schedule.
Writer Predictions:
Jason Frost: TBA
OKLuschen: TBA
Zorgon: Georgia Tech. Fresno State is really only in a bowl because the WAC needed a 3rd horse. It was really a two team conference this year, and now that one of those top dogs (Boise State) has been embarrassed, what makes me think the distant 3rd place bulldogs will win? Georgia Tech is not a great team by any means, but they're probobly in the Top 35. I will give Fresno some credit though, as they have played a lot of games close. There is a distinct possibility of upset, but I think I'm gonna have to go with the overdogs by a 10 point or so margin.
Georgia Tech 1, Fresno State 0
