Kentucky Wildcats
With a team that was predicted to finish as low as last in the SEC, Hal Mumme should be recognized for the job he did with the Wildcats. Kentucky was 5-2 at one point before losing three of its last four, but the program has much to celebrate, considering this is the first time the Wildcats have gone to back-to-back bowls since 1983-84. QB Dusty Bonner was one of the biggest surprises this season, stepping in for Tim Couch. Bonner shocked many with his efficiency, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,266 yards, topping SEC quarterbacks with a 137.0 pass-efficiency rating. His 26 touchdowns doubled his 13 interceptions, more impressive considering he played with a depleted wide receiving corps for most of the season. Bonner quickly came to rely on TE James Whalen, who set the NCAA receptions record with 90 catches. The athletic tight end is the key ingredient in the Wildcat passing game, and his 10 touchdowns demonstrate how much of an asset he is in the red zone. The Wildcats are not without their problems however, with a running game that ranks 110th out of 114 Division 1A teams. The rebuilt offensive line has a lot to do with the problems on the ground. The unit has also been a disappointment in pass protection, allowing 53 sacks.

Defensively, the Cats are improved, but the progress has not been rapid. The team is more athletic than a year ago on this side of the ball, but the personnel is still mostly young and inexperienced, making too many costly mistakes. Scoring defense took a dip this season from 31.7 points per game to 29.4, but it still ranks last in the SEC. Senior LB Jeff Snedegar is the marquee player on defense as well as the emotional leader. Snedegar fought back from a shoulder injury to lead the team in tackles with 84, and also contributed with four sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Syracuse Orangemen
The Cuse backed its way into a bowl game despite losing four of the last five games and two in a row to finish the season. The team could never seem to find an identity, and the level of play has been inconsistent from game one. There is no telling who will show up for the bowl game: the 5-1, ranked-in-the-top 25 team, or the 1-4 team which only managed to beat Temple at home in its last five games.

The transition period was difficult after losing five players from last season's offense. Coach Paul Pasqualoni's decision to not select a starting quarterback and stay with him caused a lot of problems for a unit that was in desperate need of some leadership. Troy Nunes and Madei Williams bring two different styles to the table, but it seemed as if Nunes had more to offer and had a better grasp of the offense. The Orangemen offense is built around the quarterback running the football and handling the option style. Nunes has emerged as the obvious guy for the job because he proved he could not only run, but advance the ball downfield in the air, passing for 1,298 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 230 yards. But the team continues a three-man rotation with Nunes, Williams and starting TB Dee Brown. Brown has been the only consistent player on offense this season, rushing for 741 yards on 145 carries (a 5.1 yard average), with two 100-yard games and four touchdowns.

The defense has had to carry this team for the majority of the season, and held up remarkably well considering the short fields it had to work with and the fact it spent so much time in the game. The group is made up of gifted athletes who possess speed and experience. It finished 13th nationally in total defense, 28th against the run and 18th against the pass. Seven of Syracuse's 11 opponents were held to 18 points or less. The unit is led by senior LB Keith Bulluck. Bulluck led the league in tackles with 135 despite being suspended for one game. The physical specimen and pro prospect was remarkably consistent and proved to be a big-play threat as well.

Keys to the game
1. The Orangemen pass rush. Syracuse has a chance to win this game with its pass rush alone. The Wildcats rely on the timing of their passing game to move the ball down the field. The Orangemen have the athletes to match up with Kentucky's receiving corps, and should be able to get a strong rush from its athletic front seven against a Kentucky offensive line that allowed 53 sacks.

2. The production of Wildcat wide receivers. TE James Whalen is the team's leading receiver and undoubtedly the most important player in the Kentucky passing game. However, the Orangemen are more athletic than most opponents and will be able to use a linebacker and a safety to keep Whalen in check. This means that the Wildcats' injury-riddled receiving corps is going to have to give the offense some more production on the outside. The unit has shuffled around all season long, and dropped passes and inconsistent routes have haunted it, especially during the team's late season slide.

3. Syracuse's quarterback position. A three-man rotation is probably what Paul Pasqualoni is going to use in the game, so the team needs to make the best of it, rallying around whichever quarterback is in the game at the present. Each of the three brings different qualities to the table, but Troy Nunes is perhaps the most effective. Madei Williams and Dee Brown are excellent athletes and are tremendous threats with the ball, but Nunes is more of a dual threat because of his ability to throw the ball. The Orangemen are going to have to be more one-dimensional against an athletic Kentucky defense that is capable of shutting down the option if it is the lone threat.

War Room Edge: Syracuse Orangemen
Both the Orangemen and the Wildcats got off to fast starts only to slump at the seasons' end. The Wildcats are an improving team, however, with a lot of youth and a tremendous offensive scheme. The Orangemen, on the other hand, have the athletes, but have yet to put it together as a team. This game is going to turn into a track meet, featuring two teams with contrasting styles but similar motives. The Wildcats are more structured and may make less mistakes, but Syracuse has the defensive athletes to play in coverage. This game could get sloppy on both sides of the ball, with the Orangemen making more mistakes than their counterpart, but Syracuse wins because talent plays out.

Material from The War Room. Visit their web site at http://www.nflwarroom.com