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Las Vegas Bowl Preview
By Jeff Zell
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Who: No. 19 BYU (10-2) vs. Oregon (7-5)
Where: Las Vegas
When: Thursday, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
WagerWeb.com line: BYU -3
Matchup: With BYU ranked No. 5 in total offense and Oregon ranked as No. 8 in the same category, which defense will step to the occasion? Or better yet, who will get the ball last? In the past 12 years, neither team has had unprecedented success at bowls. Oregon is 4-7 SU in bowls, while BYU is 2-6. Another interesting subplot is Oregon offensive coordinator Gary Crowton facing the team he once led as head coach and against BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, who was Crowton's defensive coordinator.
Why BYU Wins: After their 1-2 start, the Cougars are red hot, winning nine in a row. Senior QB John Beck is the key to victory. Beck’s 3,510 yards and 30 TDs rank him No. 2 in passer efficiency in the country, behind only Hawaii's Colt Brennan. The defense has to find a way to stop the Ducks' running attack of Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson, who are averaging nearly 190 yards a game combined. Against the No. 3 rushing team in the country, Air Force, BYU held the Falcons to 30 yards below their average in a 33-14 victory.
Why Oregon Wins: The three-game slide at the end of the season was the result of “the snowball effect.� Coach Mike Bellotti will have his team back on track. Belloti is not naming a starting QB, Dennis Dixon or Brady Leaf, and will make the Cougars prepare for both (although Leaf is expected to start). Stewart and Johnson are a pair of workhorse RBs who won’t be stopped by a Mountain West Conference defense. The BYU pass attack will be countered with the No. 10 pass defense in the nation, which has been tested throughout the season by aerial attacks from USC, Cal and Arizona State.
Prediction: BYU 31-27
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