2011 Music City Bowl Matchup
2011 Music City Bowl Matchup
Nashville is known as Music City, and the center of country music. In
Nashville, December 30 will feature two up-and-coming college football
programs in the Music City Bowl as Mississippi State of the SEC takes on
Wake Forest of the ACC.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the schools on the football field.
A quick look at the latest Music City Bowl odds shows Mississippi
State favored by 7 points, while the over/under has been set at 48
points.
Mississippi State
Mississippi State had one of the more brutal schedules in the nation,
but managed to win six games to become bowl eligible. The team took on
five teams ranked in the most recent top-25 polls, including No. 1 LSU
and No. 2 Alabama, losing all five games. Recently, MSU won the Egg Bowl
vs. Mississippi, 31-3. Overall, the Bulldogs were 3-3 as a visitor this
season.
On defense, the Bulldogs rank 19th in the country in points allowed
(20 ppg), giving up 356 yards per game (195 through the air, 161
rushing) while recording 21 sacks and generating 20 turnovers two of
which were taken back for scores (Johnathan Banks and Darius Slay,
interceptions).
Cameron Lawrence paces the defense with 114 stops (22 more than any
other player), chipping in two sacks, two picks, two forced fumbles and a
recovery, while Fletcher Cox has four sacks, 49 stops, a forced fumble,
a blocked kick and a fumble recovery. Banks has five picks, three
forced fumbles and 64 tackles.
Offensively, the Bulldogs rank 73rd in the country in points scored
(25 ppg) while gaining 355 yards per contest (186 passing, 169 on the
ground). Chris Relf and Tyler Russell have combined to connect on 57 %
of their passes for 2,117 yards and 17 touchdowns with 11 picks.
Chris Smith and Arceto Clark anchor the pass-catching group with 58
combined receptions for 687 yards and five scores, while Vick Ballard
anchors the running attack with 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns on 5.6
yards per tote.
Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons began the season 4-1, but staggered to a 1-4 finish
to the season, capped by a 41-7 home defeat to Vanderbilt in the
regular-season finale. Wake tied for second in the ACC Atlantic Division
(5-3). Overall, Wake was 2-3 as a visitor this year.
The Deacons rank 62nd nationally in points (27 ppg) while gaining 375
yards per contest (256 via the pass, 119 on the ground). Tanner Price
has completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,803 yards and 20 touchdowns
with six interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 29 sacks.
Chris Givens leads the receivers with 74 grabs for 1,276 yards and
nine TDs, with Michael Campanaro adds 63 grabs for 705 yards and two
touchdowns. Brandon Pendergrass paces the running attack with 750 yards
and eight touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry.
Defensively, Wake Forest ranks 70th in the country in points allowed
(28 ppg), giving up 399 yards per game (236 passing, 163 rushing) while
recording 10 sacks and enticing 17 turnovers.
Cyhl Quarles anchors the defense with 96 tackles (31 more than anyone
else), chipping in two fumble recoveries, while Josh Bush has six
interceptions with 56 tackles. Kyle Wilber has 3.5 sacks and three
forced fumbles, chipping in 65 stops, a blocked kick and a fumble
recovery.
To find out who is going to win this game check out the free college bowl picks at BetFirms. We have some of the top college football handicappers in the nation who offer their advice.
