Orange Bowl Preview.

This 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl is a very intriguing one to me, and one that promises to be an exciting one up to the very end. You have two teams, that come into the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl, with two very different strengths. Georgia Tech's offense is averaging 443 yards (307 of them on the ground) and 35 points per game who are going up against the Iowa defense who only gives up 287 yards and 16 points per game. Both teams rank in the top 15 nationally in those respective categories. On the other hand, the same two teams and bringing in less than stellar units on the other side. Iowa is coming into this game ranked 93rd in total offense, while Georgia Tech's defense has been anything and everything but dominating.

GEORGIA TECH:

The star is Jonathan Dwyer, yes, but the nucleus that holds the whole juggernaut together is Josh Nesbitt. Nesbitt is only 9 yards shy of eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark on the ground, giving Georgia Tech two 1,000 gainers. Nesbitt has also rushed for 18 TDs, and has showed an even greater understanding of running Paul Johnson's veer/triple-option offense. An amazing stat, coming into the game tonight, for the Yellow Jackets is that not only have they NOT punted in their last 22 possessions but they have only been stopped on a three-and-out 14 times on the entire season, both are simply amazing! It is, of course, no secret that Georgia Tech likes to rush the ball but the "trick-play" weapon that they have in their bag of tricks is the forward pass. Catching most of those passes may be the best Wide Receiver in all the land Demaryius Thomas. On the year he has caught the ball 46 times for 1,154 yards, the obvious number one target for Nesbitt, and no one has been able to slow him down. I fully expect for Demaryius Thomas to be a factor in tonight's game! Iowa's defense is strong, but I do think Georgia Tech will be able to move the ball effectively against the Hawkeyes. There are several keys to the game, one of which being Georgia Tech's ability to control the clock. The Tech offense being able to control the clock relies heavily on the Yellow Jackets defense and it's preparedness. If Iowa, lead by Ricky Stanzi can get up early it forces Georgia Tech into a game they don't want to play in, coming from behind. Expect to see Derrick Morgan lined up all over the field tonight. He plays mostly on the left side but shows his versatility with his ability to move to the right side or even drop back as a hybrid linebacker. If Georgia Tech can move him around enough and he is able to apply pressure on Stanzi, it changes the landscape of the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. Deeper into the secondary Morgan Burnett will be patrolling and reading Stanzi to try and come up with a few big plays. As the ACC Championship game did, the Orange Bowl, too, may come down to Special Teams and on the Georgia Tech side Scott Blair has been tested.


IOWA HAWKEYES:

Like Georgia Tech, Iowa would like to control the clock but unlike the Yellow Jackets they do not have as much of a big-play ability. This does not bother the Hawkeyes though, where they are happy nickel and diming you all the way down the field. Ricky Stanzi returns to action for the Hawkeyes after being out for nearly two months, which obviously will help the Iowa offense, who has averaged 221.3 passing yards per game. Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos are the top targets of Stanzi, who collectively have brought in nearly 1,300 yards receiving on the year. You also have true freshmen running backs Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson who are very talented and physical, but at the same time only rank 103rd in the country. Iowa has talent on the offense but have not performed highly all year long. The possibility is there going against a less than average defense, but the same possibility is there for the Tech defense to come up big and bring home an Orange Bowl Championship. The defense for the Hawkeyes is where their success lie. Fundamentally sound, and extremely physical is what I would classify this Iowa defense as. Defensive Ends Broderick Binnis and Adrian Clayborn are without a doubt NFL talent who will be very tough for the Georgia Tech Offensive Line to withhold. Behind the defensive line are hard-hitting and extremely agile players in Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds who will have to be accounted for at all times. A match-up to watch tonight is how Binnis, Clayborn, Karl Klug, and Christian Ballard, who make up a very potent defense line, go up against a smaller, more-agile, offensive line who uses cut-block techniques in blocking for the Tech offense. If the Hawkeye defensive line are unable to pentrate the offensive line of the Yellow Jackets, it may prove to be a VERY long game for the defense. It starts up front, period. In the kicking game, like Blair from Georgia Tech, Daniel Murray has made his fair share of big-time kicks, and missed his fair share when it didn't. In the 2010 FedEX Orange Bowl, they all matter! Another key match-up for the Hawkeyes will be their utilization of TE Tony Moeaki. Yes, he has caught four touchdowns on the season but his great-ability all year long to be a blocker will be HUGE tonight! I expect to see Moeaki follow Morgan wherever he lines up. With Moeaki teaming up with either Bryan Bulaga or Kyle Galloway, both 315-pound plus lineman, you would think Derrick Morgan should be held in check.



NFL PROSPECTS I WILL BE WATCHING TONIGHT:

As an avid NFL-Follower and especially NFLDRAFT enthusiast I always pay attention to the players in any given game that I feel will play at the next level. Below are the players I will be watching:

Iowa:

1) Bryan Bulaga: Injuries have concern many but in the end if he decides to come out, he should be a high pick.
2) Kyle Calloway
3) Pat Angerer
4) Amari Spievey
5) A.J. Edds

Georgia Tech:

1) Derrick Morgan
2) Jonathan Dwyer
3) Demaryius Thomas
4) Morgan Burnett



THE GAME PREDICTION:

Do you think Georgia Tech remembers this game last year versus LSU, and trust me Paul Johnson will NOT let that type of game happen again. When I break down this game, when I dissect the film, it boils down to where it all starts, the trenches. Iowa has a very talented, as I discussed, defensive line, but after looking at it all I just do not see them having a profound impact upon a smaller, more-agile cut-blocking offensive line. Also, though the Iowa defense is VERY good as fundamentally sound as they are, that just may be the death toll. Iowa's fundamentals may cause them to allow gaps to open up by simply covering who they were "suppose" to be on. Thus comes out the beauty of the offense that Paul Johnson runs. The wizard and the mastermind behind it all, will fully take advantage of a very physical Iowa defense by veering them to death. As weak as the Georgia Tech defense is, the Iowa offense is just as weak and with Stanzi returning the Iowa offense will take a while to get off the ground (Both literally and figuratively).

I don't see Georgia Tech running away with this game but in the end, Iowa will tired out and the Yellow Jackets will be crowned 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl Champs.

Georgia Tech: 27
Iowa Hawkeyes: 20





Beer of choice tonight: Bell's Java Stout

ENJOY THE GAME!