2011 Sun Bowl: Georgia Tech and Utah Is Battle of Elite Running Attacks

While our New Year’s Eve is full of bowl games, there is only one that is stealing the attention of the everyday people with no horse to back, searching for a great college football game.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against the Utah Utes may be that game.

Both teams boast a solid middle-of-the-pack defense, but it’s their run games that put them in the position to play each other in the 2011 Hyundai Sun Bowl. The winner of the running back matchup will win this game.

John White, Utah

With over 1,400 yards and 16 total touchdowns, junior John White has been the highlight of the Utes mediocre season.

While running attacks are important to teams, few have the statistical data to reaffirm that stamen like Utah has. The Utes are 7-0 when White rushes for over 100 yards and 0-5 when he doesn't.

Expect Georgia Tech to stack the box and bring as many as nine players at a time to the line of scrimmage in hopes of catching the Utes in the backfield and stifling their run offense.

Tevin Washington, GT

It was about halfway through the season that the Yellow Jackets decided to turn Tevin Washington into Tim Tebow and just rush him 25 times a game and give him six pass opportunities.

While Georgia Tech’s 8-4 record is solid, they were disappointing for as much talent as they had. Abandoning the original season game plan was a tough move, but it was something the coaching staff needed to do.

Now that the Yellow Jackets are running the spread-option offense, Washington has broken out and had monster games on the ground. He will need another to beat Utah.

Prediction: Utah 24, Georgia Tech 18

As good as Georgia Tech has been running the ball, the combination of no pass game and a stellar Utah run defense will have Tevin Washington and the Yellow Jacket offense stifled all day.

With John White getting loose at least a few times, the Utes should expect to control the clock and use their stellar run offense to maintain possession and control the scoreboard.

While this game won’t have the hype around it that many other holiday bowls have, this could be the most exciting bowl of the entire 2011 season.

Check back for more on the NCAA football as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s College Football Page to get your fill of college football.

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