3 reasons why USA will win... and 3 reasons they won't

[MobileBama]

From the Mobile Press Register:

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014 ... cart_river

Here are three reasons why South Alabama can add to the history of its first bowl appearance by picking up its first win in a bowl game ... and three reasons why Bowling Green will emerge with the victory:

WHY SOUTH ALABAMA WILL WIN

1. OFFENSIVE APPROACH: While there is plenty of film on South Alabama's offensive for the Falcons to study, there's zero film of the Jags with Bryant Vincent as offensive coordinator to be viewed. Advantage, Jags. Sure, Bowling Green coaches can look at UAB film as well as USA film and try to mesh the two for a gameplan, but the truth is they don't know what to expect. For a team that gives up 500 yards and 34 points a game, that's a problem. And South Alabama has big-play capability

2. DEFENSIVE PUNCH: All season long, the Jags' defense has been the backbone of South Alabama's team and this game will likely be no different. There is a comfort level and determination with the group that seems to rise to the level of its competition, especially late in the game. Look for that to take place Saturday night. This is a group that enjoys these types of games.

3. CARPE DIEM: OK all you "Dead Poets Society'' fans, you know that means "Seize the day.'' In this case it means the intangibles favor the Jags. There has been a noticeable increase in intensity at South Alabama practices, especially on the offensive side of the ball and there are plenty of good, tangible reasons for picking the Jags to win. But there's a recognition of the moment by this team that is also a driving force , while not one that serves to be overbearing or has produced added pressure.

WHY BOWLING GREEN WILL WIN THE GAME

1. ON A FAST TRACK: The Falcons' offense is the fastest in the country in going from one play to the next and it has enjoyed good success in doing so. Not only do they get to the next play in a quick manner, but they move the chains and they have the ability to score quickly. That pace of play may be troublesome for the South Alabama defense, which has played well all season long.

2. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Bowling Green is making a bowl appearance for the third consecutive season, so all the hype, all the outside influences that go hand-in-hand with a bowl game appearance is nothing new to the Falcons. They know the drill and they know how to separate that aspect of the bowl from the practice and preparation for the game. That can be a big plus for a team, especially when the opponent is making its first-ever bowl appearance. South Alabama players seem to be handling that aspect well, but this is old hat for the Falcons, who have a better comfort zone this week.

3. SOMETHING TO PROVE: Bowling Green enters the game with a huge chip on its shoulder. They have lost their last three games, including a tough 51-17 loss to Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game. A loss to South Alabama -- a first-time bowl participant that is in just its sixth year of playing football - would add a big wet blanket to the end of the Falcons' season and how it is viewed. The falcons need this game, need this win and they will enter the game with that mindset fully in place.

[Flipper]

A little heavy on the Oprah Winfrey style touchy feely stuff for a football article.....

[Falcon Commander]

MB Thanks for posting the article.

Do you have your Sugar Bowl Tix??

[MobileBama]

"Do you have your Sugar Bowl Tix??"

I do. Looking forward to making the short drive and hopefully beating OSU. Should be a great game.

[apollo]

Most of the writers are actually picking us to win this game....I really don't have a feel for it. Personally I think we'll probably lose and play poorly, but I'd love to see some type of improvement and competitiveness.

[TG1996]

Let it fly.

I hope we used some of the bonus practices (though really, isn't it supposed to be 15 or something, but we will have had 14 days between games?) to work on things that will be useful in 2015, but that we come out tomorrow night, throw it all at the wall and hope something sticks. We need a win, but a loss in a pinball game like the Humanitarian Bowl would be a step up from the past month.

Have fun guys and ROLL ALONG!