International Bowl Preview

International Bowl
Buffalo vs Connecticut
Saturday, January 3, 12:00
on ESPN2
Rogers Centre - Toronto

Why you should watch:

• A good way to start Wild Card Saturday
  
• What else are you going to do?
• Watch Drew Willy play quarterback for Buffalo
  

Why you shouldn't watch:

• Really? It's Buffalo vs UConn
  
• Do some around the house chores...it might be more interesting
  
• You are probably all bowled out by now
  

Streaks and Scheduling Notes:
Buffalo:

• 8-5 (6-3)
  
• 1st ever bowl game
• Won 6 of last 7 games
• 4-3 away from home; 4 straight wins
  

Connecticut:

• 7-5 (3-4)
  
• 3rd bowl game in last 5 years (1-1)
• Lost 5 of last 7 games
• 3-3 away from home
  

Key Stats, Figures, and Players:
Buffalo:

• Offensively they are a decent team that would rather throw the ball. They are top third in the nation in scoring and passing offense.
  
• Defensively they aren't very good. They allow over 150 rushing yards and almost 250 passing yards per game.
  
• QB Drew Willy is the key to the offense. He has thrown for over 3,000 yards and has 25 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions.
  
• RB James Starks is very good too. He has over 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns this season on the ground. He also has over 300 yards receiving.
  
• WR Naaman Roosevelt has 96 receptions for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns this year.
  

Connecticut:

• Offensively they are a running team. They are really bad throwing the ball with only 147 yards per game through the air.
  
• Defensively they are very good. In fact they are the 7th best pass defense in the country allowing only 164 yards per game.
  
• RB Donald Brown is the only offensive weapon they have. He has over 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
  
• DEs Julius Williams and Cody Brown are going to pressure Willy all day long. They have combined for 24.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.

Who Wins:

Buffalo....This is probably my biggest stretch other than Memphis over USF. The Big East is showing they are better than you think during the bowl season so far but I think Buffalo wants this game more. They have NEVER been to a bowl and are going to be amped up. Plus the game is in Toronto which is basically a home game for the Bulls. This could go either way though.