Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg
Florida International (8-4) vs. Marshall (6-6)
V 
S. 
8 PM, ESPN, Tuesday, Dec. 20, St. Petersburg, FL
Why Watch: C’mon, It’s the Beef Bowl! Get a look at one of the top up and coming young coaches in the business. FIU head coach Mario Cristobal has taken the Panthers to their second bowl game ever, in as many years. A BCS level gig is not far down the line for Cristobal. Also, watch if you like speed. Both teams have track speed players on both sides of the ball.
Who to Watch: It’s not often small school teams feature early round NFL Draft talent, but both FIU and Marshall have just that. For the Panthers, it’s dynamic wideout T.Y. Hilton. The senior has been a four year playmaker in the receiving and return game, bringing in 950 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns this season. For the Herd, defensive end Vinny Curry closed out his senior campaign with 11 sacks, after 12 last season. Curry also forced five fumbles and blocked three kicks.
How it’s Going Down: Ranked No. 101 in total offense in the country, the Herd struggle to put up points, having scored over 28 points just twice on the season. The Panthers have plenty of offensive firepower with Hilton and 1,100 yard rusher Kedrick Rhodes being their most dangerous. If FIU gets the running game going with Rhodes, look for big plays out of Hilton in the passing game. Seniors in key positions and a home crowd feel will give the Panthers enough to get past a rising, and young, Marshall team. It may just be Cristobal’s last win as FIU’s coach. Pick: Florida International 31 – Marshall 17
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