BOWL WEEK 1
(Games from 12/15 to 12/26)
RECORD: 6-2
Here are the 8 Bowl Games in Week 1 along with our Picks, Predictions and Game Analysis. Happy Bowl Season!
NEW MEXICO BOWL
Saturday December 15th, 1:00, ESPN
In Rich Rodriguez’s first year, the Arizona Wildcats pulled off some huge wins over Oklahoma State, USC, and Washington but were also pushed around in the surprisingly strong Pac-12, finishing 4th in the South Division. Senior QB Matt Scott was a yard-machine, accounting for over 3700 total yards and 29 touchdowns. The problem for the 'Cats was on the other side of the ball, allowing 34 points a game (103rd overall) which could mean trouble against a very talented Wolfpack offense. Nevada is a better squad than their 7-5 (4-4 MWC) record states, behind exceptional play from QB Cody Fajardo, who is just 19 yards away from 1000 RUSH yards. He has run the pistol rush offense well, and has highly touted RB Stefphon Jefferson (1703 yd, 22 TD) behind him in the backfield. This game will come down to which defense can make more impact plays, as this should be a scoring explosion. Take the over in this one; look for Arizona to score late to win it…Arizona by 3
IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Saturday December 15th, 4:30, ESPN
This game features one of the most underrated teams in the nation, the Utah State Aggies (10-2), whose only two losses came by a combined 5 points (Wisconsin and BYU). Their defense is elite, ranking top 10 in scoring; they play with intensity and energy on every snap. Meanwhile, the Aggie offense has two dynamic playmakers and is led by dual-threat QB Chuckie Keeton. They got a tough draw in Toledo, a tough MAC team who already knocked off a ranked Cincinnati squad. Like their opponents, all 3 losses were by a touchdown, and they were in the thick of the MAC race all year. We wonder if Utah State be motivated to play in the same bowl game in consecutive years (’11 Potato Bowl loss to Ohio 23-24) as this has had adverse effects on teams in the past. However, it is very difficult to pick against this Aggie defensive unit and their leader at QB...Utah State by 9
POINSETTIA BOWL
Thursday December 20th, 8:30, ESPN
Despite a tough schedule, the stingy BYU defense finished 5th in the nation! Bronco Mendenhall again fields an aggressive unit that never takes a play off. The trouble for the Cougars was an offense that was stagnant at times due to untimely injuries to QB and leader Riley Nelson. Backup James Lark has stepped in and has played well so far, but faces a tough test against the home-field-advantage SanDiego State Aztecs. These Aztecs finished in a three-way tie for the Mountain West title- but have been quite one-dimensional on offense, lacking an effective passing game. Look for the tough front seven of BYU to shutdown the rush attack and force QB Ryan Katz to beat them through the air- a tough challenge for this offense. We have been very optimistic about the Cougars all year as we picked them to upset #10 Oregon State and beat rival Utah. Although we missed on both of those, look for Mendenhall’s defense to win this one...BYU by 4
BEEF 'O' BRADY'S BOWL
Friday December 21st, 7:30, ESPN
Both Central Florida and Ball State are among the best non-AQ teams in the country representing Conference USA and the MAC, respectively; however, UCF will make the move to the Big East next season. Central Florida has a talented roster, which helped them land in our preseason top 25 rankings, while Ball State was in the hunt for the MAC title alongside Kent State and Northern Illinois. Central Florida gave Ohio State a run for its money before Braxton Miller took over in their September matchup. The offenses featured in this game are both explosive, both averaging 35 points/game, but Ball State’s defense is giving up about 9 points/game more than UCF’s defense is allowing. UCF’s talent on offense is deep, including eight players with more than two receiving touchdowns and a two-headed monster at RB in Latavius Murray and former Miami Hurricane Storm Johnson. Ball State’s unit features two studs in WR Willie Snead and RB Jahwan Edwards. George O’Leary’s Golden Knight defense must key in on Edwards as he has averaged only 53 yards in losses, compared to his 129 yards in wins. UCF has a solid rush defense and will certainly need to show up to cap off this season with a win. Central Florida by 10
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Saturday December 22nd, Noon, ESPN
East Carolina returns to a bowl after missing one last year to face the Ragin’Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette, which won its first bowl game against San Diego State last season. Louisiana-Lafayette started the season off with a pedestrian 4-3 record including an embarrassing 24-65 loss to Oklahoma State in its second game. After their loss to Arkansas State, the Ragin’ Cajuns went 4-1 to close the season, the loss being a close 27-20 defeat to the Florida Gators in Gainesville. Louisiana-Lafayette’s attack features a solid offense that averages nearly seven yards/play and a lethal 95% red zone success rate. Its defense has struggled this season giving up more than 27 points/game and will be tested against this East Carolina offense led by sophomore QB Shane Carden, who boasts a 67% completion percentage and a 21:9 touchdown to interception ratio. The Pirates were outscored 171-64 in losses when they played quality opponents. Unfortunately for East Carolina, the Ragin’ Cajuns present too much firepower and speed on offense. Louisiana-Lafayette by 7
LAS VEGAS BOWL
Saturday December 22nd, 3:30, ESPN
Pacific Northwest opponents Washington and Boise State will head down south to Vegas for one of the most intriguing matchups in Week 1. Washington’s offense struggled this season to the surprise of many, as Keith Price put in a pedestrian season en route to a 7-5 season. Steve Sarkisian desperately needs a win here to erase the bitter memory of their debacle in the Apple Cup, losing to lowly rival Washington State. On the other side, Boise State enters at 10-2 and a co-championship of the Mountain West Conference. By recent standards, this Bronco team has been a disappointment, losing their “big game” to start the season (loss to Michigan State) and losing command of an outright title in their loss to San Diego State. Despite the major drop-off in offensive production with the departure of Kellen Moore, Petersen’s Boise State defense was again in the top 10 nationally. Look for the Bronco defense to suffocate the inept Husky offense, and the defensive line to destroy the poor UW front. In a low scoring struggle, Boise State is able to make the defensive stand to win…Boise by 4
HAWAII BOWL
Monday December 24th, 8:00, ESPN
SMU coach June Jones makes a return trip to the Islands- where his legendary tenure was highlighted by an undefeated season and Sugar Bowl appearance for the Hawaii Warriors. He has brought his alma mater back to bowl season, a huge feat for the victims of the Pony Exce$$ death penalty. However, he faces an elite offense and co-champs of the Mountain West Conference – the Fresno State Bulldogs. QB Derek Carr (brother of David) has excelled this year for the Dogs, throwing for 3742 yards and 36 Touchdowns. His RB Robbie Rouse (1468 yards 12 TD) will most likely be joining him in the League on Sundays. SMU has struggled defensively all season, and gave up 59, 48, and 42 to Baylor, Texas A&M, and UCF respectively. With another high-powered offense, I don’t see much changing here. Look for Carr to put together some solid draft highlights and light up the Mustangs on Christmas Eve…Fresno State by 13
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL
Wednesday December 26th, 7:30, ESPN
The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky have earned their first trip to a bowl game and will face Central Michigan of the MAC conference. A key to this game—and every bowl game—will be the mentality of the two teams. Central Michigan has been a common feature to the annual bowl lineup and may not be too excited to be facing a team with little program prestige like Western Kentucky. On the flip side, will Western Kentucky treat this game like a Super Bowl as we expect? Or will they feel that their goals have already been attained just by reaching this game? Western Kentucky is the weaker team on paper, only winning one game against a winning FBS program, while Central Michigan has a deeper roster and plays in a tougher conference. Western Kentucky will probably have the advantage in the trenches featuring one of the nation’s best pass-rushers in Quanterus Smith, who has tallied 12.5 sacks this season. Central Michigan must be able to establish the run, its bread and butter, with Zurlon Tipton if it wants to have success on the Hilltopper defense. Look for WKU to play physical, inspired football and knock off the Chippewas. Western Kentucky by 3