Preview: 2012
Sugar Bowl 78th edition “The Battle in the Big Easy”
Date/Time: January 3, 2012 8:30 PM
(EST)
Michigan Wolverines vs. Virginia
Tech Hokies Favorite: Michigan by 1.5
(10-2) (11-2)
All-Times Series: First meeting between
the two programs
Boomer’s Four
Keys on grabbing some “Sugar”:
1)
Denard
Robinson vs. Logan Thomas
Two
different sized Quarterbacks will go up against each other in this match-up.
Denard Robinson, 6’1’’ 193 lbs., uses his legs just as much as his arm at the
Quarterback position. Robinson tallied 3,219 total yards of offense accounting
for 18 Passing TD’s and 16 Rushing TD’s. Logan Thomas, 6’6’’ 253 lbs., is a
more pro-typical Quarterback. Thomas threw for 2,799 passing yards, with 19
TD’s to 9 INT’s. Thomas, more of a bruising runner then Robinson, accounted for
416 rushing yards and 10 more TD’s on the ground (led the Hokies offense). In a
game that should have plenty of scoring, I like Thomas in this match-up with
the better supporting cast. Advantage:
Virginia Tech
2)
Fitzgerald
Toussaint vs. David Wilson
In
a game that could feature a lot of points, look for the two #1 RB’s to
contribute all night. Toussaint rushed for 1,011 yards (46th in the nation) and
scored 9 times on the ground. Toussaint contributed to an offensive attack that
featured the 12th best rushing offense in the nation (235 yards
per/game) and two 1,000 rushers (see Robinson). It will be interesting to see
if Toussaint can help out and relieve Robinson at times during the game. Wilson
rushed for 1,627 rushing yards (5th in the nation) and scored 10
total TD’s. From what I saw of Wilson this year he is very quick and with any
sort of space could take it to the house on any given play. I factor in the
“big-play” for this one, believing Wilson is the more “big-play” running back
then Toussaint. Advantage: Virginia Tech
3)
Michigan’s
Special Teams vs. “Beamer Ball”
For this key I am going to go off the
beaten path, and talk about Special teams. A factor, that is rarely talked
about, but always seems to be the difference in a close game. Checking out the
stats, between both teams, only the Hokies had the lone returning TD (vs.
FCS-opponent Appalachian St., Michigan fan’s should know that program, haha).
Michigan’s placekicker connected on 10 of 14 FG’s and 52 of 53 XP’s. Virginia
Tech used three different placekickers over the season, kicking 14 of 20 FG’s
and 45 of 46 XP’s. In the end, I believe “Beamer Ball” will have a factor in
the game. Advantage: Virginia Tech
4)
Brady
Hoke vs. Frank Beamer
I think we all know were this is
going, but I’ll throw in a couple stats on the two Head Coaches for your
reading enjoyment. Even though, I hate Michigan Wolverines football with a
passion, what can you say about what Coach Hoke has done in one season with the
program. Rarely, ever did you see Coach Hoke wear a headset on the sideline, he
led the Wolverines to a 10-2 record and a much improved defense, 7th
in the nation in points against (17.2 per/game). Coach Hoke is 1-2, in 3 bowl
game appearances (two with Ball State, one with San Diego State). Coach Beamer,
250 career wins, is currently the winningest coach in the FBS. He has a bowl
game record of 8-10 with a 1-4 mark in the current BCS bowl games. Even though,
I do not agree that these two teams should be in this game (look at the
rankings), I still think it will be a good game to watch.
