Music City Bowl Preview

Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Boston College vs Vanderbilt
Wednesday, December 31, 3:30
on ESPN
LP Field - Nashville

Why you should watch:

• Vanderbilt is in their first bowl since 1982
• Boston College has won 8 straight bowl games
• 2 really good defenses
  

Why you shouldn't watch:

• 1 really good defenses = little to no scoring
  
• You are surely napping by now in anticipation of a long night
  

Streaks and Scheduling Notes:
Boston College:

• 9-4 (5-4)
  
• 10th straight bowl game (8-1); won last 8
  
• Won 4 out of last 5 games (only lose to VaTech in ACC Championship)
  
• 4-2 away from home this season
  

Vanderbilt:

• 6-6 (4-4)
  
• 1st bowl since 1982
  
• Lost 6 of last 7 games
  
• 3-3 away from home this season
  

Key Stats, Figures, and Players:
Boston College:

• Offensively they suck. No really they are not in the top half of the country in ANY major category.
  
• Defensively they are really good. The 6th scoring defense, 7th against the run, and 7th in pass efficiency defense. And against the pass they are 25th so not too bad either.
  
• Watch out for LB Mark Herzlich. He is leading the team in tackles with 105. He also has 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 7 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 touchdowns. WOW...that's a good season!
  
• RB Montel Harris has rushed for 832 yards and 5 touchdowns. And yes he is really the only offensive weapon worth mentioning.
  

Vanderbilt:

• Offensively they are actually worse than BC. They are easily one of the worst offenses in the FBS.
  
• Defensively they aren't bad. Their weakness though is run defense.
  
• CB D.J. Moore is a ball hawk in the secondary. He has 6 interceptions on the season.
  
• S Ryan Hamilton is probably the best player on the defense. He has 100 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, and 1 touchdown off an interception.

Who Wins:

Boston College....Vanderbilt does have a chance but it isn't a very good one. They would need some turnovers and a very supportive crowd. Fortunately the game is basically a home game. But it won't be enough. Their offense isn't going to score more than 13 points against the Eagles.