East Carolina Pirates
ECU's trip to the Mobile Alabama Bowl is the school's fourth postseason appearance in the '90s. Currently ranked 20th in the coaches poll, the Pirates finished the season at 9-2. QB David Garrard, who threw for 2,400 yards and completed 60 percent of this passes, leads the ECU offense. Garrard is a mobile passer with good arm strength and broad vision.He's the best quarterback in Conference USA outside of Chris Redman. On the ground, ECU boasts a running game that highlights Jamie Wilson, a shifty back who tallied 865 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 99. Throughout the season the East Carolina offensive assault was balanced and averaged 406 yards of production a contest. The receiving corps features LaMont Chappel, Marcellus Harris, Keith Stokes and Arnie Powell; all four rank among the league leaders in receptions. On the defensive side of the football, coordinator Tim Rose's aggressive scheme -- comprised of in-your-face coverage and a hostile blitz package -- had the Pirates ranked 38th in total defense.

Texas Christian Horned Frogs
TCU coach Dennis Franchione and his team are headed to their second consecutive bowl. RB LaDainian Tomlinson has given defensive coordinators nightmares all season. Just a few weeks removed from a 406-yard rushing performance against Texas-El Paso, the explosive Tomlinson finished the season averaging 9.4 yards a carry and 168 yards an outing on the ground, both tops in the Nation. TCU' offense works out of a multifaceted package, one that has seen Tomlinson account for 45 percent of its production. Casey Printers adds a passing threat at QB and can open things up once defenses over commit to stopping Tomlinson. On defense, the Horned Frogs play a 4-2-5 scheme, revolving around safety Reggie Hunt, a Jim Thorpe Award candidate.

Keys to the game
1. Tomlinson's ability to open up TCU's offense. Inevitably, the Pirate defense will key on running back LaDainian Tomlinson, and as he goes, so go the Horned Frogs. With the extended period of preparation time expect ECU defensive coordinator Tim Rose to put together a solid plan, more than likely deploying line backer Pernell Griffin to "spy" on Tomlinson, shadowing him from boundary-to-boundary. QB Casey Printers is an adequate signal caller, but cannot shoulder the load all by himself. If Tomlinson is slowed, the Texas Christian offense could stop moving completely.

2. ECU's use of Gerrard outside the pocket. David Garrard likes to throw on the move and he's very good at it. Garrard's a mature quarterback; he knows when it's time to put the ball away and head upfield. Rolling out Garrard will force the TCU corners and let their movement dictate his, throwing to the fields deep third when they commit and using his feet to gain yardage when they don't. When making these decisions Garrard must be aware of TCU safety Reggie Hunt's whereabouts, because Hunt will try to hide in coverage in an attempt to bait Garrard into making errant passes.

3. ECU's kickoff coverage. TCU is atop the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 27.3 yards an effort. East Carolina will try to keep the ball out of the hands of kick returner Reggie Hunt in order to prevent fireworks. Hunt averaged just less than 35 yards a return and brought one back 95 yards for a TD against Fresno State. TCU's offense focuses heavily on a ground attack and with that comes a reliance on field position. A good return from Hunt at the beginning of a half after an ECU score can provide for an emotional boost and is conducive to the TCU offensive attack. East Carolina will need to cover kickoffs with high intensity, but more importantly, the responsibility of staying in their assigned lanes will be key.

War Room Edge: East Carolina Pirates
Tim Rose is far too good of a defensive coordinator to squander such sufficient preparation time. LaDainian Tomlinson will get some production on the ground, but not enough to allow the 'Frogs to dictate the games tempo. Once TCU falls behind and Tomlinson isn't able to bring them back, they'll turn to a one-dimensional offense. It won't be able to put enough points on the board to hang with David Garrard and the Pirate offense.

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