Rutgers seeks fitting end to magical season

NCAA Football Betting Lines

12/24/2006 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 16th-ranked Rutgers Scarlet Knights are set to make their second straight bowl appearance for the first time in school history, as they take on the Kansas State Wildcats in the Texas Bowl from Reliant Stadium in Houston.

The Knights have had one of the best seasons in the program's history and if not for a heart-breaking triple-overtime loss to West Virginia in their regular season finale they would actually be representing the Big East in a BCS Bowl. Still, the team has had a tremendous run up to this point and it has already won 10 games for just the second time in the program's 137 years of existence. Included in those wins, was the program's first victory over a team ranked in the top-10, as it defeated then third-ranked Louisville 28-25. The Knights will try to add to their record-breaking campaign as they go for their first-ever bowl win. Rutgers has lost its previous two bowls games, dropping a 34-18 decision to Arizona State in 1978 and a 45-40 shootout to the Sun Devils in the 2005 Insight Bowl.

As for KSU, it posted a 7-5 mark during the regular season to earn its first bowl bid since participating in the 2004 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Wildcats own an even 6-6 mark in 12 previous bowl games appearances, although they have lost two of their last three bowl contests.

This game will mark the first-ever meeting between Rutgers and Kansas State on the gridiron.

The Knights' offense revolves around the run game, and they are averaging a solid 177.6 ypg on the ground thus far. Of the offense's 37 touchdowns scored, 27 have come via the ground attack. Leading the charge for Rutgers is Ray Rice, who finished seventh in the Heisman voting after rushing for 1,624 yards and 19 touchdowns in 12 games. The speedy tailback has recorded nine 100-yard rushing games this season, including three 200-yard performances. Fullback Brian Leonard is also another weapon for Rutgers in the backfield and he has rushed for 379 yards and five touchdowns. While Leonard may not been the most explosive player with the ball, he does have excellent hands, as he leads the Knights with 36 catches. Getting the ball to Leonard is quarterback Mike Teel, who has been asked to manage the offense, not carry it. Teel however, has struggled with consistency and he has completed 55.2 percent of his throws for just 1,876 yards with 10 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.

Defensively, the Knights have been simply outstanding this season, as they are limiting their opponents to just 14.7 ppg and only 259.8 total ypg. The unit has had success against both the run (106.8 ypg) and pass (152.9 ypg), and it has posted 13 interceptions against just eight passing touchdowns. Overall, Rutgers has forced 28 turnovers, in addition to recording an impressive 38 sacks. Courtney Greene and Devraun Thompson are currently tied for the team- lead in tackles with 80 apiece. Greene also heads the club with four interceptions, while Thompson has 10.5 TFLs to his credit. Another player worth noting is Ramel Meekins, who lead the squad with 13.5 TFLs and eight sacks.

The Wildcats have lacked some explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball this season, and they enter the game averaging 23.8 ppg and a modest 328.0 total ypg. The unit is rushing for a decent 122.2 ypg, while airing it out for 205.8 ypg. KSU however, has struggled to hang onto the ball at times, committing 27 turnovers, including 18 interceptions. Quarterback Josh Freeman has accounted for 13 of those interceptions against a mere six touchdowns. Overall, Freeman has completed only 52.2 percent of his throws for just 1,651 yards in 10 outings. His main target has been Jordy Nelson, who leads the squad with 35 catches and 466 receiving yards. As for the ground game, it is paced by tailback Leon Patton. The up and coming freshman has rushed for 595 yards and six touchdowns behind an impressive 5.9 ypc average this season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wildcats have had success this season, limiting their opponents to 22.7 ppg and 334.5 total ypg. The unit has proven to be a bit vulnerable against the run (143.4 ypg), but has done a good job in stopping the pass (191.1 ypg). Forcing turnovers and getting to opposing quarterbacks has certainly been a strength of this unit, which has 26 forced miscues and 40 sacks to its credit. Brandon Archer is the team's top tackler at the moment with 97 stops, and he also has 2.5 sacks to his name. Ian Campbell however, is this unit's most important player and he has been able to get pressure in the backfield on a consistent basis, posting team-highs of 16.5 TFLs and 11.5 sacks.

Rutgers has had a great run and it should be able to complete its record- breaking campaign with a win over KSU. The Knights' ability to run the ball successfully and play outstanding defense is what separate's these two schools.

Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Rutgers 31, Kansas State 17