BOWL TIME

The bowl season continues tonight with a single game featuring one of the more underrated LBs in college football as well as one of the best young receivers in the country.

Friday, December 22

New Orleans Bowl, New Orleans; 8 PM ET; ESPN

Troy (7-5) vs Rice (7-5)
There is a better than even chance that no one from this game will be selected at this year’s draft, however, pro scouts likely will still be keeping an eye on the Troy-Rice matchup in the New Orleans for future reference. In particular, they will be watching Rice’s super sophomore WR Jared Dilliard (#81, 5-11, 170) who exploded on the national scene this fall setting school single-season marks for receptions (82), yards (1,176), and TD catches (20); Dilliard also tied an NCAA record by catching a scoring pass in 12 consecutive games this season, while his overall streak of 14 consecutive games with a TD pass is the second longest in NCAA history.

In fact, they maybe should rename this one the ‘future bowl’ as virtually all the best players on both teams are underclassmen. In addition to Dilliard, for example, Rice will be led by a fellow sophomores QB Chase Clement (#16, 6-1, 185) and undersized OLB Brian Raines (#31, 5-11, 195). Meanwhile, junior QB Omar Haugabook (#16, 220), the Sun Belt offensive player of the year, leads the ‘other’ Trojans. Haugabook also has a good young target in junior WR Gary Banks (#17, 6-0, 195). Seniors to watch in this one include Rice DE Courtney Gordon (#98, 6-3, 250) and OT Rolf Krueger....

NEWS AND NOTES

Clemson CB Duane Coleman has been charged with simple possession of marijuana following a traffic stop.....

Georgia Tech senior Reggie Ball is one of two YellowJackets veterans to have been academically ineligible for the school’s Gator Bowl game.....

Southern California RT Kyle Williams missed practice earlier this week because of "personal issues." Williams, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound fifth-year senior, started every game this season, but was called for three false starts in the Trojans' 13-9 loss to UCLA which knocked them out of BCS title contention. Williams is expected to return to practice today.....

Texas CB Aaron Ross, a top prospect for the 2007 draft, was taken to an Austin hospital Thursday morning after he apparently was involved in a wreck on his way to football practice. Ross had been found disoriented after he reportedly fell asleep at the wheel while driving to practice. Ross has since been released.....


More to come