Hogs speed will be difference in Capital One

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Posted 5:46PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2006

ATLANTA - No. 12 Arkansas, the Southeastern Conference runner-up, and its star, Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden, will try to snap a two-game losing streak in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day, taking on No. 6 Wisconsin, which tied for second in the Big Ten Conference. The Razorbacks are one of nine SEC teams in bowl competition, two of which will be playing in Bowl Championship Series games after the traditional Jan. 1 bowl games No. 2 Florida vs. No. 1 Ohio State for the national championship on Jan. 8 and No. 4 LSU vs. No. 11 Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3. The SEC Seer will deal with those two games later in the week. McFadden finished second to Ohio State's Troy Smith in the Heisman voting after leading the SEC in rushing with 1,558 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Razorbacks (10-3) have lost two games in a row their regular season finale to LSU and then the SEC championship game to Florida. Wisconsin (11-1) had its only loss at the hands of Rose Bowl-bound Michigan, whose only loss was to Ohio State. The Badgers and Buckeyes did not meet this season. Wisconsin will try to repeat as the champion of the Capital One, played in Orlando, Fla. Last year the Badgers disposed of Auburn 24-10. Coach Houston Nutt says he'll use both of his quarterbacks to see which has the hot hand. Sophomore Casey Dick will start and freshman Mitch Mustain, who had an 8-0 record in games he started, will take the field on Arkansas' third series. ``Both of them had great attitudes, both of them worked extremely hard and both of them deserve to play,'' Nutt said. Wisconsin also has a strong running game, headed by Big Ten rushing leader T. J. Hill, a freshman who averaged 127.8 yards per game fifth best in the nation. The key storyline for several of the bowl games involving SEC teams against teams from the midwest will be team speed. Arkansas is a 1.5-point favorite. The Hogs have the speed in this one. Arkansas 21-14. Elsewhere around the SEC for teams playing on Jan. 1 or before: Alabama (plus 2) vs. Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28: Joe Kines is the interim coach for the Tide, taking over from the fired Mike Shula. 'Bama has lost three in a row and a different guy on the sideline at this time won't make any difference. Bobby Reid passes the Cowboys to victory. Oklahoma State 24-17. Kentucky (plus 9.5) vs. Clemson in Music City Bowl on Dec. 29: Clemson appeared headed for a better bowl before stumbling down the stretch. Kentucky is just happy to be going to a bowl. The Tigers, led by James Davis, have too much talent for the Wildcats. Clemson 27-20. South Carolina (minus 6.5) vs. Houston in Liberty Bowl on Jan. 29: Kelvin Kolb led the Cougars to the Conference USA crown by passing for 3,423 yards and 27 touchdowns. He had only three interceptions while completing 266 of 393 passes. Kolb and the Cougars will discover that Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks are better than anything they faces so far. South Carolina 24-10. Georgia (plus 2.5) vs. No. 14 Virginia Tech in Chick-Fil-A Bowl on Dec. 30: The Bulldogs have a two-game winning streak over nationally-ranked teams Auburn and Georgia Tech. They also have had time to rest some injured players, primarily place kicker Brandon Coutu, who will return to action with a game-winning field goal. Georgia 21-20. No. 17 Tennessee (minus 4) vs. Penn State in Outback Bowl on Jan. 1: Penn State's biggest injury was to coach Joe Paterno a broken leg that sidelined him at the end of the season. He's expected back, but Phillip Fulmer has more weapons in the Vols' arsenal. Erik Ainge will pass the Vols to victory. Tennessee 28-20. No. 10 Auburn (minus 1.5) vs. No. 22 Nebraska in Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1: The Big 12 Conference runner-up has turned into a passing team under coach Bill Callahan, riding the arm of Zac Taylor to a 9-4 record. Taylor passed for 3,071 yards and 25 touchdowns. Those are impressive figures, but he won't maintain his average per game against the speedier Tiger defense. Brandon Cox and Kenny Irons lead the Tigers to victory. Auburn 24-17. Last Seer totals: 1-0 straight, 1-0 spread. For year, 84-12 straight, 51-34 vs. spread.