Tulsa-Ball State: Mitch Picks the GMAC Bowl—Jan. 6, 2009

The GMAC Bowl: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

Ball State (12-1) vs. Tulsa (10-3)

Jan. 6, 2008, 8 EST

The Line: Tulsa -3

Overview

For those looking for an offensive show, they may have come to the right place. These are two teams who have put up points all year long and look to finish out the season with more of the same and a bowl victory.

While I'm not sure this is where either of these teams truly wanted to be, as they were both double-digit favorites in their losses in their conference championship games, they are in a nice bowl at least as far as matchups go.

Ball State saw their dream of an undefeated season go down the tubes with three lost fumbles that went the distance for six the other way in the MAC Championship game against Buffalo. While the Cardinals weren't in BCS consideration, as their strength of schedule wasn't considered tough enough, running the table is no small feat when playing an entire D-I schedule.

While Ball State had been tested for a half here and there over the course of the season, QB Nate Davis was always able to rally the team to victory, which in the end was by a comfortable margin. It is important to note that Ball State head coach Brady Hoke left before this game to take the same position at San Diego State and Stan Parrish will take over for this game.

Tulsa started the season looking like no one was going to beat them. It was an air show every weekend, with QB David Johnson putting up gigantic numbers and the offense putting up a lot of points week after week. The Golden Hurricane were somewhat exposed by Arkansas, who looked like they were twice the size of the Tulsa players when they lined up on the field.

While Tulsa's offense never slowed down, it was their defense that let them down in their three losses this season.

See Mitch's GMAC Bowl pick against the spread.