Liberty Bowl 2011: Bold Predictions for Vanderbilt vs. Cincinnati

The Auto Zone Liberty Bowl will be a battle between a middle-of-the-pack SEC Vanderbilt team against the Big East-tying champs Cincinnati Bearcats. 

No one is really talking about this game, but it will end being one of the best bowl games this year. 

This is a game that features Aaron Rodgers’ little brother, solid running backs and programs that are on the rise. 

Here are some of the bold predictions in this game.

Jordan Rodgers Will Throw for over 300 Yards

The poise, confidence and the talent to win games. The younger brother of Aaron Rodgers and junior quarterback for the Commodores will show the world that he is just as talented as his older brother.

He will throw his first 300-plus-yard game this season and have two touchdowns for the day. Rodgers also has the ability to do some damage on the ground and will do so against the Bearcats with over 50 yards rushing.  

Look for Rodgers to have his best game of the season, as it sets him up to be one of the best quarterbacks next season. 

Isaiah Pead Rushes for over 150 Yards

The senior Bearcat running back is looking to go out in his final collegiate game with a bang. Isaiah Pead will run for over 150 yards against a big and tenacious Vanderbilt defense. 

Pead has rushed for over 150 yards in three games this season, including his 155-yard game on only 14 carries against a stout Tennessee defense. His offense relies heavily on him,  and he will see a lot of carries.  

The kid will be pumped in his final game and will do whatever it takes to bring a win to Cincinnati.

Vanderbilt’s Defense Wins This Game

The Vanderbilt defense is big and strong. They play similar to the rest of the SEC teams in the conference by bashing and wearing on opponents' offenses. 

This defense will get at least four sacks in this game against the inexperienced quarterback Munchie Legaux. Coach Franklin will call a lot of blitzes and look to confuse the young quarterback with different looks on the defensive end. 

The Vanderbilt defense will also force two interceptions and a fumble loss in this game that will ultimately give Rodgers great field position and a win for the Commodores.

Zac Stacy Will Go Wild in the Passing Game

Zac Stacy had his first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career, and although he is a solid running back, I can see him being used as a receiver in the Liberty Bowl.  

The Bearcats will look to slow down Stacy on the ground by stacking the line, so look for Stacy to line up as a receiver on numerous plays.  

Stacy will be the guy to give the Cincinnati defense a different look, as coach James Franklin will try to do something different in the final game of the season. Look for numerous screen passes and quick dump-off passes to Stacy, as he will use his speed to gain a lot of yards.

He will have his biggest receiving day of his career, catching for over 75 yards in this game.

Special Teams Scores a Touchdown in This Game

Special teams play wins games, and I can see one of these teams getting a bonus by getting a touchdown in this game through special teams.  

Vanderbilt has a great return man in Andre Hal, who accumulated 689 yards and a touchdown and averaged 23.8 yards per return. The guy is fast and knows how to get through tight windows. I feel as though he might be the guy to score the touchdown in this game.  

But, Cincinnati also has Ralph Abernathy returning kicks. He has racked up 745 yards and averaged 24 yards a return. This will be the perfect stage for Abernathy to score his first return touchdown of the season, as he has had numerous attempts during the regular season.

One of these guys will score through special teams, and it will be electrifying. 

Vanderbilt Wins by Two Field Goals and Proves SEC Dominance

Vanderbilt did not do so well in SEC play with a 2-6 record, but was dominant in out-of-conference play, going undefeated.  

The Commodores will show the Bearcats their aggressive style by using their size and strength against their Big East opponent, who relies on finesse.  

I still believe that this will be a close game that will result in a two-field goal win for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Liberty Bowl Will Be One of the Best Bowl Games This Year

The Liberty Bowl game will go down as one of the best bowl games of the season. The two teams feature outstanding running backs who are quick and accumulate a lot of yards on the ground. 

The Commodores also feature stud quarterback Jordan Rodgers, who will look to torch the Bearcats defense in the passing game. 

These are two programs that are moving in the right direction in their rise to college football stardom. Expect these two teams to show the country that they belong by giving us a very engaging and exciting bowl game.