Shrine Bowl preview (Casper Star-Tribune).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have been lucky enough to watch some Shrine Bowl practices this week — two by each team. And while I think the North has the advantage this year, the South has impressed me with how it has approached the week.
The North offense strikes me as one that is steady and consistent, but I am not sure how explosive it will be. Meanwhile, the South offense has shown it can strike from anywhere at anytime, but I do worry about the South’s ability to consistently put together time-sustaining drives.
Defensively, the North squad will be strong against the run but will have to prove they can stop the South’s potent passing attack to win. The South defense, though, has to punch up its run-stopping efforts to keep the North from just handing off, gaining five yards a pop and piling up 50 points in the process.
Overall, the North has more depth and has shown more consistency on both sides of the ball, which is why I think the North wins. The South will need its playmakers to make big plays — and it will need to keep the North off-balance to keep the North’s consistent play inconsistent.
–patrick