College Bowls 2000

Breaking down the Mobil Alabama Bowl
ESPN.com news services

No. 16 TCU (10-1) vs. Southern Miss (7-4), 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Line: TCU by 7.
Coaches: Gary Patterson (debut as TCU head coach) and Jeff Bower (66-47-1 in 10th year).
Payout: Each school gets $750,000.
Bowl records: TCU is 6-10-1. Southern Miss is 4-5.
Series history: Tied, 1-1.
Last meeting: TCU won, 19-17, in 1989.
Last game: TCU won at SMU, 61-7, on Nov. 24. Southern Miss lost at home to East Carolina, 14-9, on Nov. 24.
Stat that matters: Horned Frogs led nation in scoring defense (9.6) while Golden Eagles were 8th (16.6). But TCU was also 11th in nation in scoring (37.3) while Southern Miss ranked 57th (26.0)
Fast facts: Frogs want big debut for defensive coordinator Patterson, who became head coach when Dennis Franchione left for Alabama. ... Victory gives TCU first 11-win season since winning national title in 1938. ... RB LaDainian Tomlinson (22 TDs, led nation with 2,158 yards rushing) is backbone of offense while unheralded defense (led nation in total defense, 245.7) is anchored by DE Aaron Schobel (54 tackles, 6.5 sacks), DT Shawn Worthen, LB Shannon Brazzell. ... Once ranked 12th, Eagles faded badly down stretch losing 3 of last 4. Solid defense (3rd in nation in total defense, 268.2) is led by DE Cedric Scott (12 of team's 60 sacks), NT DeQuincy Scott (64 tackles, 11 for loss), S Leo Barnes (5 ints.). QB Jeff Kelly (2,381 passing, 15 TDs, 10 ints.) is capable if given time.

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