Arkansas vs. East Carolina College Bowl Picks – 2010 Auto Zone Liberty Bowl: The 2010 Auto Zone Liberty Bowl has a great matchup between Conference-USA Champion East Carolina Pirates and the University of Arkansas Razorbacks of the SEC. Arkansas feels it has a team on the cusp of BCS greatness and looks to use today's Liberty Bowl game to launch itself into the limelight for next season. East Carolina wants to show America that it can compete on the level of the SEC. Kickoff for the Liberty Bowl is set for 5:30 p.m. on ESPN.
For East Carolina to have a chance they must contain Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett. The third year sophomore signal caller is directing the offensive unit and is doing more than averaging a record every time he sets foot on the field. In 12 games as a Razorback, Mallett has set or matched 16 different school records. He leads the SEC and ranks 15th nationally in total offense (282.2). He also leads the league and ranks eighth nationally in passing yards per game (285.2) and he is first in the SEC and sixth nationally in pass efficiency (157.8). D.J. Williams ranks tied for 23rd in the SEC in receptions per game (2.58) and 24th in receiving yards per game (33.25). He ranks third on the Arkansas roster in catches with 31 for 399 yards, a total that ranks fourth on the team. Mitch Petrus anchors the line, starting all 12 games at offensive guard for the Razorbacks.
If Arkansas has a weakness it's on defense. And that unit took a hit with the suspension of two key starters during bowl preperations this week.
East Carolina is led offensively by senior quarterback Patrick Pinkney. He has averaged 238.6 yards, posted a 62.6 completion percentage and tossed 10 TDs. He’s also been interception-free in the past four contests. Darryl Freeney has broken out with 36 catches for 568 yards and three TDs in his last six outings, an average of 15.8 yards per grab. RB Dominique Lindsay established career bests in rushing attempts (31) and rushing yards (172) against Tulsa, which followed 144-yard and 139-yard outings against SMU and Memphis, respectively. He averaged 112.7 rushing yards per game in the last six C-USA tilts (676 yards).
College Bowl Picks: We look for Mallett to have a big game versus the Pirates today. Take the Hogs and give the 7 1/2-points.
