http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=5921851

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (8)

Ohio vs. Troy, Dec. 18, New Orleans 

Why Watch: To see two solid old coaches, Larry Blakeney of Troy and Frank Solich of Ohio, who keep winning well off Broadway. And to check out Troy jack-of-all-trades Jerrel Jernigan, who has scored touchdowns this season rushing, receiving, passing, and on punt and kickoff returns.

Mascot Edge: Rufus the Bobcat over T-Roy the Trojan. You don't want to mess with Rufus -- not after he went into The Horseshoe and assaulted Brutus Buckeye earlier this season in front of 100,000 enemy fans. Ohio changed Rufus guys after that incident, but the threatening aura remains. 

Uniform Edge: Troy's maroon is mildly more aesthetically pleasing than Ohio's green with white helmets.

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Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMIBeware T-Roy the Trojan: Rufus the Bobcat takes no prisoners, as Brutus Buckeye learned in September.

 Moderately Useful Dash Fact: Neither coach is exactly a bowl master; Solich is 2-5 in bowl games, Blakeney 1-3. The Bobcats had won seven straight until mailing in the last game of the regular season, a 28-6 loss to Kent State. The teams had two common opponents this season, Bowling Green and Louisiana-Lafayette. Ohio's combined winning margin in those games was 31, Troy's 10.

 Dash Pick: Ohio 24, Troy 22.

Last Edited: 12/16/2010 12:13:56 PM by OUbobcat9092