2007 Gator Bowl Preview, College Football Bowl Games

Game Preview
Courtesy of the ACC

The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is the site of this New Year’s Day clash between Virginia and Big 12 opponent Texas Tech. The Cavaliers and Red Raiders will square-off in a 12 noon game on Jan. 1 that will be nationally televised by CBS.

The Cavs are making their second appearance in the Gator Bowl, but their first to the Jacksonville bowl game site since 1991. Virginia has earned a bowl berth in five of the last six years.

Virginia currently owns a 7-9 bowl record, while the Red Raiders are 9-20-1 in postseason bowl games.

Texas Tech is 2-1 in head-to-head action against ACC teams in bowl games and an even 2-2 against the current membership. The last time the Raiders faced an ACC opponent was in 2002 when they defeated Clemson 55-15 in the Mazda Tangerine bowl.

The Virginia defense, which registered four or more sacks in a game five times in 2007, is led by Ted Hendricks award-winner Chris Long. The Raider offense ranks 17th in the nation in sacks allowed (15), while the Cavalier defense ranks sixth nationally in total sacks (40).

Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell leads the nation in total offense (436.3/gm) and passing yards (5,298) and ranks sixth in passing efficiency (160.5)...Raiders true freshman WR Michael Crabtree, named this year’s Biletnikoff award-winner as the nation’s top receiver, ranks first in the NCAA in receptions per game (10.42) and receptions yardage (155.08).