Gator Bowl Game Preview

Great running backs carry their teams to the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.

Gator Bowl Game Overview:
The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Clemson Tigers both had loads of expectations entering the 2008 NCAA season but playing in the tough ACC and Big 12, respectively, the teams fell to disappointing records. Loaded with talent destined for the NFL on defense and offense, both teams are looking to prove to the world of college football that they demand the respect their storied programs deserve. Gator Bowl tickets will give fans of college football a chance to see two angry and hungry teams looking for a win.

Clemson Tigers Offense:
With an advanced Pro-Set offense, the Clemson Tigers like to attack opponents with the passing game or the running game. Thunder-n-lightning running back combo featuring powerful James Davis and quick C.J. Spiller give the Clemson Tigers a dynamic attack. When the runners fail to find much ground, the responsibility falls to QB Cullen Harper, believed by many to be the top NFL-ready senior quarterback in football. WR Aaron Kelly has been the favorite target of Cullen Harper for years, and the two seniors could amaze fans with Gator Bowl tickets.

Clemson Tigers Defense:
Long known for their great defensive lines, the Clemson Tigers are still fielding a solid unit after many significant injuries. Freshman DE Da’Quan Bowers is a physical marvel with excellent pass-rushing skills to go with a 6-foot-5, 270-pound frame. Gator Bowl tickets will feature NT Dorell Scott, who is a load in the middle and eats up space and blockers like few others in the NCAA. OLBs Scotty Cooper and Kavell Conner have been solid and have good experience in Bowl Games. Safeties Chris Clemons and Michael Hamlin wall off a veteran secondary that plays well with the intense pressure up front.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Offense:
The Nebraska Cornhuskers plan to thrill fans with Gator Bowl tickets and pound the defense with their own RB combination of Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu. They are not very different in styles, but both can carry the load and catch the ball. QB Joe Ganz is the heart of the Nebraska Cornhuskers offense and shows good command of his receivers. WRs Nate Swift and Todd Peterson are both three-year starters who can read and react to any coverage. TE Mike McNeil rounds out a solid unit of Nebraska Cornhuskers pass catchers.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Defense:
The “Black Shirts” have always been the pride of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the unit can control the line of scrimmage. Gator Bowl tickets will feature NT Ndamukong Suh, who is the best player of the Black Shirts and uses his titanic size and power to collapse the line inwards. DE Pierre Allen is a great rusher from the outside and is a big reason the defense has gotten 30 sacks. Designed to protect against the speed of the spread offense, the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense is built around lateral mobility. Safeties Rickey Thenarse and Larry Asante are a tough tandem in the secondary.

Clemson Tigers Game Plan:
Since the Nebraska Cornhuskers defense is built to defend the pass, getting the rushing attack of C.J. Spiller and James Davis going is the key early. NT Ndamukong Suh has to be doubled on every play to allow the runner to find holes and cutback lanes. James Davis should get a majority of the carries early as the between-the-tackles running of the sturdy back should wear down the Black Shirts early and set them up for the speed of C.J. Spiller once their legs get heavy and their ribs get bruised. Fans with Gator Bowl tickets know that QB Cullen Harper must be careful with the football against a greedy defense.

The Clemson Tigers field one of the better defenses in college football and fans with Gator Bowl tickets can expect them to make every yard gained a real challenge. Clogging the middle of the field with Dorell Scott will force the runners outside and to the fast OLBs who won’t miss the tackle. The veteran experience in the secondary, powered by the safety team will be a big help in shutting down QB Joe Ganz, but the signal caller still needs to be pressured. S Michael Hamlin will see plenty of action in the box and will also shadow TE Mike McNeil in third-down situations.

Nebraska Cornhuskers Game Plan:
The Clemson Tigers defense lives to force the turnovers, and they will feast on the poor passes of QB Joe Ganz if he is pressured too often. Since the big play will probably not be there, then it will be up to RBs Marlon Lucky and Roy Helu to gain most of the yardage. With headhunting S Michael Hamlin coming into the box often, TE Mike McNeil needs to establish himself as a threat over the middle early to clear out the tough DB. With the talent at WR and the experience of Joe Ganz, the play-action pass could be deadly in the second half if the run is putting the pedal to the metal.

Having seen the spread offense from start to finish in the regular Big 12 season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers Black Shirts know how to deal with a slew of good receivers. The biggest concern on their list will be James Davis and C.J. Spiller. NT Ndamukong Suh must earn his All-Big 12 award if Nebraska Cornhuskers fans with Gator Bowl tickets want to see their defense succeed. If the big man can crush the line up the middle then the LBs will have free reign to bottle up the explosive Clemson Tigers runners. WR Aaron Kelly has to be jammed at the line to slow his impeccable speed.

Gator Bowl Game Outlook:
The Clemson Tigers and Nebraska Cornhuskers are having down years, but there is much in the future to look forward to. Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini has turned the program around in his first year and has earned his Coach of the Year Award with the discipline and the work ethic he instills in his players. Coach Dabo Swinney replaced Tommy Bowden halfway through the Clemson Tigers season and has quickly earned the respect of every player and fan. These two coaches will have their teams on top in 2009, but they will give fans with Gator Bowl tickets their money’s worth in Jacksonville.

When all is said and done, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have the advantage. A big reason for this is Bo Pelini and the fact that his philosophies and system have had a year to germinate in the minds of his players. Experience in the toughest conference in college football, the Big 12, also provides the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a trial by fire that cannot be gained in anything but games against elite talent. Fans with Gator Bowl tickets will get one of the best Bowl Game experiences around thanks to two hungry teams, but the Nebraska Cornhuskers will win in the end.