Position-by-position matchups

Matchups

Quarterbacks

ECU senior Patrick Pinkney was instrumental in the Pirates' early-season wins over Virginia Tech and West Virginia. A nimble 6-foot, 198-pounder, Pinkney is a dual threat, although his rushing yards are only about half of what they were in 2007. UK sophomore Mike Hartline will return to the starting lineup after watching freshman Randall Cobb run the show the last four games. Hartline isn't blessed with overwhelming physical tools, but he can be an effective game manager if UK can get the running game going and the receivers make a few plays.

Advantage: East Carolina

Running backs

ECU sophomore Jonathan Williams ran for 380 yards in seven games, but he was suspended indefinitely in late October because of legal problems. The Pirates will go with a thunder-and-lightning combination of 223-pound bruiser Brandon Simmons (430 yards, six TDs) and 5-foot-9, 187-pound scatback Norman Whitley (667 yards, four TDs). With UK backup Moncell Allen suspended for academic reasons, senior Tony Dixon and junior Alfonso Smith will split time. Those are the only two scholarship backs available for the Cats.

Advantage: East Carolina

Wide receivers

ECU's top receiver from last year, Jamar Bryant, was forced to shut it down after five games because of legal issues, and sophomore Dwayne Harris, who had a team-high 58 catches, suffered a season-ending broken foot in the 10th game at Southern Miss. The most accomplished target will be senior tight end Davon Drew, who has 38 catches for 575 yards and three scores. The dire straits of UK's receivers can be broken down in one statistic — six of the Cats' 10 TD catches have been made by players who are out (Dicky Lyons Jr., Randall Cobb, Derrick Locke, DeMoreo Ford).

Advantage: East Carolina, but barely

Offensive line

Kentucky senior left tackle Garry Williams has anchored the O-line for three seasons and will be looking to impress NFL scouts in his last game as a Wildcat. UK hasn't been overpowering in the running game, but it has pass-protected better than anyone in the SEC, allowing a league-low 12 sacks. The Pirates have allowed 25 sacks while rushing for 3.4 yards per carry.

Advantage: Kentucky

Defensive line

UK tackle Myron Pryor has been dominant when healthy. Pryor has had time to let a bothersome ankle heal, so the 6-1, 310-pound senior should be back to his old self. The D-line will be the biggest strength for both teams. Defensive end Jeremy Jarmon and tackle Corey Peters are game-changers for the Wildcats. ECU defensive end C.J. Wilson racked up 18.5 tackles for loss, including 10.5 sacks. End Zack Slate and tackle Jay Ross both have five sacks apiece and earned All C-USA honors.

Advantage: Even

Linebackers

UK junior Micah Johnson leads the Wildcats in tackles (72) and tackles for loss (11.5) despite missing two games and being slowed in several others by a high ankle sprain. Braxton Kelley has been nearly as productive on the weak side with 68 tackles, and he has combined with strongside linebacker Johnny Williams for 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. ECU is led by the 1-2 punch of senior outside linebacker Pierre Bell and junior middle linebacker Nick Johnson. Bell has 92 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss while Johnson has 89 stops with 10 tackles for loss.

Advantage: Even

Secondary

This could be junior cornerback Trevard Lindley's final game at UK, as the consensus All-SEC selection stands to be a first-day selection in next spring's NFL Draft. Lindley has made big plays in UK's last two bowl games. Senior David Jones had a pretty good year opposite Lindley at corner, but strong safety has been a sore spot for Kentucky. ECU free safety Van Eskridge is both a solid tackler (89 stops) and ball hawk (seven pass deflections, four interceptions). The Pirates shut down Tulsa's high-octane passing game in the C-USA championship game.

Advantage: Even

Special teams

Kentucky punter Tim Masthay garnered first-team All-SEC honors and can change a game. He also consistently sends his kickoffs into the end zone. The top return men for each team will be in street clothes — ECU's Harris and Williams, and UK's Lyons and Cobb. East Carolina has a good punter in junior Matt Dodge (43.5 yards per kick), but kicker Ben Hartman is just 19-for-29 on field goals, including 3-for-9 from 40 to 49 yards. UK place-kicker Lones Seiber (9-for-16) has also been inconsistent.

Advantage: Even

Chip Cosby