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Nick's Pick for the 2006 GMAC Bowl

Ohio (9-4) vs. Southern Miss (8-5)

Sunday, January 7th @ 8 pm kickoff (EST) - Mobile, AL - ESPN

Notes:

• The MAC is 5-0 versus Conference USA in the GMAC/Mobile Bowl and has won by an average of 19 points per contest – overall the MAC has dominated Conference USA in bowls posting an 8-2 record
• In just his second season, Frank Solich will lead Ohio University into its first bowl game since 1968 - Solich was 58-19 at Nebraska prior to his stint at OU; the Bobcats went 4-7 in his first season before going 9-3 during the regular season and then losing to Central Michigan on November 30 in the Mid-American Conference championship game.
• The Bobcats posted their first winning season since 2000 when they were coached by current Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe
• Ohio has lost its only two previous bowl appearances falling to Richmond in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl and to West Texas State (now known as UTEP) in the 1962 Sun Bowl.
• Ohio had a seven-game winning streak snapped with the loss in the MAC title game; the Bobcats were forced to use three quarterbacks since Everson was lost to an ankle injury and backup Brad Bower missed a couple of series due to leg cramps - Everson hopes to be back under center and will have junior tailback Kalvin McRae at his disposal. McRae, who has a school-record 15 rushing touchdowns, gained only 76 yards against Central Michigan after topping 100 in every game of the winning streak.
• The ground game is something that Southern Miss relies on heavily with freshman Damion Fletcher having rushed for 1,330 yards and nine touchdowns.
• The Golden Eagles' biggest weapon in their passing attack is All-Conference USA first team selection Shawn Nelson, a tight end who had a team-high 506 yards receiving.
• Southern Miss is making its fifth straight bowl appearance and has won the last two, beating North Texas and Arkansas State in the New Orleans Bowl.
• The Golden Eagles also finished as runners-up in their conference this year, losing to Houston 34-20 in the C-USA championship game on December 1st.
• The Golden Eagles are unfamiliar with the Bobcats since the teams have never met but Solich is 2-0 against Southern Miss from his days at Nebraska.

Nick’s Pick: Ohio 21 – Southern Mississippi 20

Line: Southern Miss by 6

Comment: This should be a very even contest with both teams featuring strong running games and solid defenses. Unlike many of the previous GMAC Bowls that featured offensive explosions, this game should be relatively low scoring, perhaps even going into OT. Give a slight nod to Ohio and Frank Solich’s preperation over a very seasoned and talented Southern Mississippi team.

2006 Ohio Results
Sat, Sep 2 Tennessee-Martin W 29-3

Sat, Sep 9 at Northern Illinois W 35-23

Sat, Sep 16 at Rutgers L 7-24

Sat, Sep 23 at Missouri L 6-31

Sat, Sep 30 Bowling Green L 9-21

Sat, Oct 7 Western Michigan W 27-20

Sat, Oct 14 at Illinois W 20-17

Sat, Oct 21 Buffalo W 42-7

Sat, Oct 28 at Kent State W 17-7

Sat, Nov 4 at Eastern Michigan W 16-10

Thu, Nov 16 Akron W 17-7

Fri, Nov 24 at Miami (OH) W 34-24

Thu, Nov 30 Central Michigan L 10-31 <MAC Championship Game>

2006 Southern Miss Results
Sat, Sep 2 at (7) Florida L 7-34

Sat, Sep 9 Southeastern Louisiana W 45-0

Sat, Sep 16 North Carolina State W 37-17

Tue, Sep 26 at UCF W 19-14

Tue, Oct 3 at Tulsa L 6-20

Sat, Oct 14 Houston W 31-27

Sat, Oct 21 at Virginia Tech L 6-36

Sat, Oct 28 East Carolina L 17-20

Sun, Nov 5 at Memphis W 42-21

Sat, Nov 11 at Tulane W 31-3

Sat, Nov 18 UAB W 25-20

Sat, Nov 25 Marshall W 42-7

Fri, Dec 1 at Houston L 20-34

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