Connecticut Vs. Oklahoma: 2011 Fiesta Bowl Game TV Time & Predictions

The 2011 Fiesta Bowl college football game between the Connecticut Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners is scheduled for January 1st (8:30 PM EST) at University of Phoenix Stadium. ESPN will broadcast this game. Connecticut is not ranked in the BCS, but enjoys an 8-4 record; Oklahoma ranks #7 in the country, with a strong record of 11-2. This article offers TV time and predictions for the 2011 Fiesta Bowl football game between Connecticut and Oklahoma.

1) Connecticut-Oklahoma Matchup

Saturday's Fiesta Bowl is set to showcase two conference champions in the Connecticut Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners. The two teams do not have a long history against each other. The Huskies are currently enjoying a 5-game winning streak. The Sooners have won 4 in a row including the Big 12 championship game. As the Big 12 is a lot more competitive than the Big East, Oklahoma is a heavy favorite to win this game.

2) Zach Frazer vs. Landry Jones

The last college football game of New Year's Day 2011 pits senior quarterback Zach Frazer against one of the top QBs this season in Landry Jones. Statistically, Oklahoma's Landry Jones is head and shoulder (and limb) above Connecticut's Zach Frazer. For the season, Jones has accumulated 4289 passing yards, 35 TDs, and a QB rating of 145. Frazer, on the other hand, has been limited to mostly ball holding. The Huskies' quarterback has amassed to date 1202 passing yards and 5 TDs.

3) Randy Edsall vs. Bob Stoops

On paper, the match-up between the Connecticut Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners is as lopsided as it could get. Oklahoma is the champion of one of the most formidable conferences in college football. In fact, there are five BCS-ranked teams in the Big 12. In contrast, Connecticut is the champion of the mediocre Big East conference. Furthermore, the Huskies lag behind the Sooners in most major statistical categories. This is truly a match-up of David and Goliath.

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If Connecticut is to pull off what would be the year's biggest upset, the school will have to find a way to contain Laundry Jones and Oklahoma's terrific passing game. Fortunately, Randy Edsall's team has fared decently against teams with a good passing game. Overall, the Huskies rank 23rd in points allowed holding their opponent to 21 points or less seven times this season. On the offensive front, it is an entirely different story. Edsall's crew generally does not fare well offensively against the better teams. Connecticut ranks 60th in points scored, though it has enjoyed some pretty lopsided victories. The team's biggest liability this year has been its passing game, which ranks 113th in the country.

Oklahoma comes into this contest, still riding high from their two victories over rivals Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The Sooners will look to end their season with another big win at the 2011 Fiesta Bowl. Bob Stoops' team ranks well in most statistical categories. Oklahoma is 17th in points scored and 35th in points allowed. Considering how competitive the Big 12 has been, these are impressive rankings. The team's biggest strength this year has been its passing game. Landry Jones and company rank 4th overall in passing yards, averaging nearly 337 yards a game.

My prediction for the 2011 Fiesta Bowl college football game between the Connecticut Huskies and Oklahoma Sooners: Bob Stoops' team wins 33-17. Kickoff time for the game is 8:30 PM EST. ESPN will broadcast this contest.

Reference:
ESPN.COM