AutoZone Liberty Bowl

December 31 st 3:30 ET

On December 31 st the home of the blues will become a battleground for two of the most exciting to watch teams in college football. CUSA champion Tulsa will faceoff against Iowa State, for a second time this year, the first time ISU won 38-23. Tulsa will be coming into this game after an overtime win, against UCF, to claim their conference title, while Iowa State is recovering from a tough loss to West Virginia. Expect to see more passing from Iowa State, since it worked so well last time. Also you’ll see Tulsa’s offense rely more on the run this time.

Tulsa ’s 2012 season started on a bad note with the loss to the cyclones, but quickly recovered with a seven game win streak due in part to their two running backs, Ja’Terian Douglas and Trey Watts, who have switched in and out during games at certain field position. Trey Watts is usually on the field until his team reaches the opponent’s red zone, or there’s a need for a power back, and that’s where Douglas comes in. Even though Douglas is the same height and almost same weight as Watts, 5-11 190pds, he plays like he’s twice his own actual size. Being able to hit the gaps is important and he can get it done. The other leaders of the offensive attack include quarterback Cody Green, who has thrown for just about 2500 yards and 17tds, and the dangerous six foot five wide receiver Keyarris Garrett. Garrett is playmaker without a doubt, he can take any pass thrown to him be it good, or bad, and gain yards which makes him the star receiver for the Golden Hurricane with 9tds this year. Tulsa’s defense is lead by linebacker DeAundre Brown. Brown isn’t only a factor in sacks, 9 this year, but he’s also a disruptive force in the backfield having deflected 8 passes this year. That will come in handy if ISU decides to have quick passing routes down the middle of the field.

Who knows where they’ll pass? Better yet who knows who going to be throwing the ball? Steele Jantz, who was presumed to be the starter this year, has shared the majority of playing time with teammates Sam Richardson and Jared Barnett. Most likely the freshman, Richardson, will be starting since in his past two games he has thrown for 7tds and over 310 yards passing, along with 150 yards rushing with one touchdown. Richardson will looking to scramble a lot in this game, knowing the Tulsa defense will be trying to contain him with defensive ends crashing in, making the opportunity for quick screen passes. The clones rushing game has been on and off this year, they’ve changed running backs almost too much. They have an average of 154 rushing yards per game, making them 71 st in the country.

On their defensive front Iowa State has depth, but unfourtantly earlier this season, in their game against Baylor, they lost both their star player, Jake Knotts, to a career ending shoulder injury. Knott would still be named to the All Big 12 team, along with fellow Cyclones; Defensive Back Durrell Givens, and Linebacker A.J. Klein, no relation to Kansas State’s QB Colin Klein. The two senior defenders have filled the huge gap left by Knott, who led the defense. Givens has three interceptions this year two were Landry Jones’s, Oklahoma, and the other pick was against Tulsa, when he snagged Cody Green’s pass. While Klein has one interception this year, 87 yards, and one sack.

Usually people like to take the loser in a rematch, thinking that they know what they did wrong, they’ll do better this time. Well guess what …they’re wrong. Iowa State has improved dramatically on offense, even with their problems on defense this is their game to lose.

My Prediction Iowa State 28 Tulsa 13