Big East: 2011 Fiesta Bowl preview
Fiesta Bowl: UConn (8-4) vs. Oklahoma (11-2)
December, 31, 2010
12/31/10
10:00
AM ET
By
Ted Miller | ESPN.com
Here's a look at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl from a Connecticut perspective:
WHO TO WATCH: Quarterback Zach Frazer needs to come up big for UConn to win. Sure, All-American running back Jordan Todman is the Huskies' money guy, and his offensive line is outstanding. Todman should have some success against a mediocre Oklahoma run defense, which ranks 63rd in the nation, giving up 151.8 yards per game. But if Frazer doesn't keep the Sooners honest with a passing threat by making plays downfield, Todman won't be able to do enough to allow the UConn offense to keep up with the high-scoring, balanced Sooners. Frazer only threw five TD passes this year. He might need a couple to keep UConn in this game.
WHAT TO WATCH: The UConn secondary vs. Sooners quarterback Landry Jones will be an interesting matchup. While there was a lot of concern about the Huskies secondary -- particularly at safety -- in the preseason, the results have been generally strong. UConn ranks fifth in the nation with 19 interceptions and 16th in the nation in pass efficiency defense. And four of those interceptions became pick-6s, which is a good way to overcome a middling offense. The Huskies will need to force Jones to make some mistakes. Jones is prolific; he's passed for 4,289 yards and 35 TDs this year. But he, at times, can let some throws get away from him, see 11 interceptions. The Huskies need to win the turnover battle, and their secondary might be where that starts.
WHY WATCH: Everyone expects the Sooners to roll. You know: Just like they did in 2007 when Boise State notched an upset for the ages in an extraordinarily entertaining Fiesta Bowl. Did you ever regret watching that game? Further, this is an interesting measure for the Big East. Folks have been beating up on the conference all season. This is a good opportunity for it to take a swing back at its critics.
PREDICTION: UConn will make things competitive into the second half, but Oklahoma just has too much firepower. The Huskies' offense won't be able to keep up and the defense will wear down. Sooners roll late, 42-24.
WHO TO WATCH: Quarterback Zach Frazer needs to come up big for UConn to win. Sure, All-American running back Jordan Todman is the Huskies' money guy, and his offensive line is outstanding. Todman should have some success against a mediocre Oklahoma run defense, which ranks 63rd in the nation, giving up 151.8 yards per game. But if Frazer doesn't keep the Sooners honest with a passing threat by making plays downfield, Todman won't be able to do enough to allow the UConn offense to keep up with the high-scoring, balanced Sooners. Frazer only threw five TD passes this year. He might need a couple to keep UConn in this game.
WHAT TO WATCH: The UConn secondary vs. Sooners quarterback Landry Jones will be an interesting matchup. While there was a lot of concern about the Huskies secondary -- particularly at safety -- in the preseason, the results have been generally strong. UConn ranks fifth in the nation with 19 interceptions and 16th in the nation in pass efficiency defense. And four of those interceptions became pick-6s, which is a good way to overcome a middling offense. The Huskies will need to force Jones to make some mistakes. Jones is prolific; he's passed for 4,289 yards and 35 TDs this year. But he, at times, can let some throws get away from him, see 11 interceptions. The Huskies need to win the turnover battle, and their secondary might be where that starts.
WHY WATCH: Everyone expects the Sooners to roll. You know: Just like they did in 2007 when Boise State notched an upset for the ages in an extraordinarily entertaining Fiesta Bowl. Did you ever regret watching that game? Further, this is an interesting measure for the Big East. Folks have been beating up on the conference all season. This is a good opportunity for it to take a swing back at its critics.
PREDICTION: UConn will make things competitive into the second half, but Oklahoma just has too much firepower. The Huskies' offense won't be able to keep up and the defense will wear down. Sooners roll late, 42-24.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
Matt Fortuna
Fortuna joined ESPN.com in 2011 after working for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where he covered college sports. He grew up in New York and is a Penn State graduate.
