New Year's Day Storylines

SI Staff | Dec 28, 2006

New Year's Day Storylines /

New Year's Day Storylines

Last Dance For Meachem and Connor?

Tennessee vs. Penn State Tennessee junior receiver Robert Meachem has said he will wait until after the Outback Bowl to decide whether or not to enter the NFL Draft. Penn State junior LB Dan Connor has brushed aside questions about his future.

Is Penn State underrated?

Tennessee vs. Penn State Although Penn State has not been ranked since mid September, many Nittany Lions fans believe their team is better than advertised. And considering all four of Penn State's losses came to teams that are currently ranked in the top 11, maybe they're right.

Big Red remix

Nebraska vs. Auburn The last time Nebraska played in a January bowl game -- in 2002 -- the option ruled. In just his third year on the job, Bill Callahan has morphed the Cornhuskers into a pass-happy West Coast offense team, and a pretty good one at that, ranking eighth in total yards average.

Irons' Bowl

Nebraska vs. Auburn After leading the SEC in rushing in 2005 with 1,293 yards, Auburn's Kenny Irons has mustered just 821 this season. With running mate Brad Luster suspended for this game, Irons should receive a boatload of carries and could end his career on a positive note.

Razorbacks restlessness

Arkansas vs. Wisconsin Parents of QB Mitch Mustain, TE Ben Cleveland and WR Damian Williams -- all freshmen from the same high school -- expressed their displeasure with the direction of Houston Nutt's offense in a December meeting with Arkansas AD Frank Broyles. Williams has decided to transfer, but how will Mustain and Cleveland perform in the Capital One Bowl?

Go crazy, Calvin

Georgia Tech vs. West Virginia That nation's best receiver vs. the 100th-ranked pass defense. If Taylor Bennett (filling in for Reggie Ball, who's academically ineligible) can put the ball in the same area code as Calvin Johnson, the junior should have a huge day in what will probably be his final college game.

Next year's No. 1?

Michigan vs. USC Both the Wolverines and Trojans are loaded with talented underclassmen who will be back next season. Will this game decide next year's preseason No. 1 team?

USC's Pasadena pain

Michigan vs. USC The last two times USC has played in the Rose Bowl haven't been too memorable: a loss to Texas in the 2005 national title game and a shocking defeat to UCLA that knocked the Trojans out of this year's title game.

Perfection for Petersen?

Boise State vs. Oklahoma Bob Stoops receives regular praise for the job he's done with Oklahoma this season, but where's the love for Boise State's Chris Petersen? All the first-year head coach did was guide the Broncos through an undefeated season and earn just the second BCS bid for a mid-major school.

All Day's last day

Boise State vs. Oklahoma After missing Oklahoma's last seven games, Adrian Peterson will return to the Sooners' backfield against Boise State. It's all but certain that Peterson will bolt to the NFL after this season. Will Peterson close out a legendary college career in style?

Published Dec 28, 2006

SI STAFF