1998 Ad

Sporting News, The, Dec 28, 1998

ADVANTAGE:          QB   RB   WR   OL   DL   LB   DB   ST

USC                  X    X    X    X    X    X    X    X
Texas Christian

SEASON RESULTS

USC (8-4)

vs. Purdue                W        27-17
vs. San Diego St.         W         35-6
vs. Oregon State          W        40-20
at Florida State          L        10-30
vs. Arizona State         W        35-24
vs. California            L        31-32
at Washington St.         W        42-14
at Oregon                 L        13-17
vs. Washington            W        33-10
at Stanford               W         34-9
at UCLA                   L        17-34
vs. Notre Dame            W         10-0

TCU (6-5)

at Iowa State             W        31-21
vs. Oklahoma              L         9-10
vs. Air Force             W        35-34
vs. Vanderbilt            W (2 OT) 19-16
vS. Fresno State          W        21-10
at SMU                    L         6-10
at Colorado State         L        21-42
vs. Wyoming               L        27-34
vs. Rice                  L        12-14
at Tulsa                  W         17-7
at UNLV                   W        41-18

TSN VERDICT: USC 33, TCU 13 The Trojans have too much athletic ability for the Horned Frogs. USC's defense will suffocate TCU's one-dimensional offense.

PEACH BOWL

Virginia vs. Georgia

5 p.m. ET, December 31, Atlanta, ESPN

Why you should watch: TSN's Freshman of the Year, Georgia QB Quincy Carter, tests his talents against a stout Virginia defense. Also on display: Georgia's Champ Bailey, the nation's top two-way talent. Virginia runs well with Thomas Jones and Antwoine Womack.

GEORGIA: The Bulldogs straggle to run the ball, so a lot is asked of QB Quincy Carter. That usually would spell trouble, but Carter, 21, isn't a typical freshman. He has a strong arm and great speed. Though it wasn't by design, Champ Bailey has emerged as Georgia's top receiver. The Bulldogs will try to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. Tony Small is another capable wideout. Carter also has an excellent target in 6-5 TE Larry Brown. Olandis Gary is the team's most capable back. After him, Carter is the most dangerous runner. The offensive line was banged up down the stretch, but standout left tackle Matt Stinchcomb, who missed the second-to-last game of the season, will be ready. Georgia's defense is capable against the run and pass. Bailey can shut down any No. 1 wideout. OLB Orantes Grant is always around the ball and is a regular visitor in opposing backfields. FS Kirby Smart is a ballhawk.

VIRGINIA: Thomas Jones has quietly put up a monster season. He's the ACC's only 1,000-yard rusher and he scored 15 touchdowns. He has been able to stay fresh thanks to Antwoine Womack, a backup who made second-team All-ACC. The running game has helped compensate for a middling passing attack. After throwing 20 touchdown passes last season, QB Aaron Brooks threw 12 this year. Much of that has to do with a so-so receiving corps, though, and Brooks is capable of huge games and is a good scrambler. HIS favorite target is Terrence Wilkins, who had 811 yards receiving but only one touchdown. The offensive line is stellar, as TE Casey Crawford, T Robed Hunt and G Noel LaMontagne were first-team ACC picks. Virginia's defense is equally tough against the run and pass. DE Patrick Kerney is one of the nation's best. If you want to find LB Wali Rainer, just follow the ball.