The 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl features the 5-4 West Virginia Mountaineers against the 3-7 Tennessee Volunteers. Here is the 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Preview.
West Virginia Mountaineers (5-4)
Neal Brown‘s West Virginia Mountaineers had a solid season getting to a 5-4 record. They had one win with an above .500 record in TCU. All four of their losses came to the teams that came in the first four spots in the Big 12.
The offense has scored 26.8 points per game, which is below average. They pass for 277.2 yards (ranked 26th) and pass for 145.4 yards per game (ranked 80th).
Bowling Green-transfer Jarrett Doege has led the Mountaineer offense this season. He has 2,428 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions on 64.2 percent completion. Six different pass-catchers have over 200 receiving yards. Winston Wright leads the team with 45 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns. Bryce Ford-Wheaton and T.J. Simmons both have been huge contributors with over 300 receiving yards.
Leddie Brown is the lead tailback for West Virginia. He has 945 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the season. When he needs a breather, Alec Sinkfield fills in. He has helped out with 327 yards and three touchdowns.
The Mountaineers allow 20.4 points per game, which was great, especially in the Big 12. They allow 171 passing yards (ranked eighth) and 126.2 rushing yards per game (ranked 24th). Linebacker Tony Fields II leads the team in tackles with 88. Safety Tykee Smith and cornerback Alonzo Addae each have five passes defended and two interceptions. Defensive tackle Darius Stills and defensive end Jared Bartlett each have 3.5 sacks.
Army Black Knights (9-2)
Army had a great season, reaching nine wins with only two losses. Their two losses came to Cincinnati and Tulane, who are both solid teams. They were able to defeat Tulane and UTSA for solid wins.
The Army offense scores 27.3 points per game, which is solid production from their triple-option scheme. They pass for 43.6 yards (ranked 127th) and rush for 281.3 yards per game (ranked 4th).
Three different quarterbacks have over 100 passing yards for the Black Knights. Christian Anderson, Jemel Jones, Cade Ballard and Tyhier Tyler have all been under center for Army. Two receivers have over 100 receiving yards for the Black Knights in Tyrell Robinson and Michael Roberts.
The rushing attack is what makes Army great. They have seven players with at least 200 rushing yards this season. Tyler leads the team with 502 rushing yards and has added two scores. Jakobi Buchanan, Robinson and Anderson all have over 400 rushing yards.
Defensively, the Black Knights allow 14 points per game as one of the best defenses in the country. They give up 149.9 passing yards (ranked first) and 121.2 rushing yards per game (ranked 20th). Linebacker Jon Rhattigan leads the team with 78 total tackles. Linebacker Arik Smith has the team lead with 3.5 sacks. Defensive back Julian McDuffie has been a ball-hawk with six passes defended.
Prediction
West Virginia has proven this season that they can beat the teams that they should beat. They have had time to prepare for Army’s triple option attack, which should help them defend well. The Mountaineers just have to score 20 points and they will win the game.
West Virginia Mountaineers 28 Army Black Knights 14
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