2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl Preview
2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl Preview
The Sugar Bowl is likely to have a sweet matchup. Two of the more
decorated programs in history, and a pair of the toughest defensive
units in the country in 2011, will face off in New Orleans when Michigan
of the Big Ten takes on ACC runner-up Virginia Tech.
This bowl will be the first-ever meeting between the teams.
Our Sugar Bowl odds show Michigan as a 2.5-point spread favorite, while the total has been set at 50.5 points.
Michigan
The Wolverines ended their regular season with three consecutive
wins, the most recent a 40-34 rivalry win against Ohio State to win 10
games under first-year coach Brady Hoke, ending up second in the Big Ten
Legends Division (6-2). The Wolverines were 2-2 as a visitor, getting
beat by Michigan State and Iowa.
The Wolverines rate seventh nationally in scoring defense (17 points per contest) and surrender 318 yards per contest (189 through the air, 129 via the run) while recording 28 sacks and forcing 27 turnovers three of which were taken back for touchdowns (Brandon Herron and Courtney Avery, fumbles; Herron, pick).
Kenny Demens leads the defense with 86 stops (22 more than anyone
else), while Ryan Van Bergen has five sacks and three fumble recoveries.
Thomas Gordon has four fumble recoveries, and Avery and J.T. Floyd each
have two picks.
Virginia Tech
The Hokies reached the conference title game once again (7-1, won
Coastal Division), but had their seven-game victory streak broken with a
38-10 defeat to Clemson. Virginia Tech is 6-1 as a visitor, winning the
first six such games. Both of Tech’s defeats this season came versus
Clemson.
The Hokies rate eighth nationally in points against (17 ppg) and
surrenders 314 yards per game (206 through the air, 108 rushing) while
recording 38 sacks and enticing 22 turnovers.
Antone Exum leads the defense with 85 stops and two forced fumbles,
while James Gayle has a team-high seven sacks. Jayron Hosley has three
picks and two forced fumbles.
The Hokies rate 55th nationally in points (28 ppg) while totaling 416 yards per game (227 passing, 189 rushing).
David Wilson anchors the ground game with 1,627 yards and nine TDs on
6.1 yards per carry, while Logan Thomas completes 59 % of his throws
for 2,799 yards and 19 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The offensive
line has allowed 15 sacks. Jarrett Boykin anchors the receivers with 57
receptions for 731 yards and five TDs, while Danny Coals has 52
receptions for 787 yards and three scores.
View the free bowl picks at BetFirms and see if our experts can’t help you beat the college bowl lines this year.
