Bowl Predictions: Outlook for All Mountain West Conference Bowl Games
This season in football has been a very successful one for the Mountain West Conference. Five teams have finished with six wins, and will play in various bowls.
BYU will face off in the New Mexico Bowl with the UTEP Miners.
The Utah Utes will battle with the Boise State Bronocs in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas.
For the first time since joining the Mountain West in 1999, San Diego State is bowl eligible. The Aztecs will face Navy at the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.
Air Force Falcons have received their seventh bowl bid since joining the Mountain West, and will play in the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana versus Georgia Tech of the ACC.
TCU will play in back-to-back BCS bowl games. They will be representing the Mountain West in the Rose Bowl versus Wisconsin.
Now, lets take a closer look ate each MWC bowl matchup.
BYU Cougars Vs. UTEP Miners New Mexico Bowl
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It become official in late August, BYU would become the fourth independent school to play football. BYU will leave the MWC in all sports next year. Obviously, BYU did not have a good last year, finishing 6-6. During the early stages of the season, the Cougars had a four game losing streak, dropping their first four games of five. They finally ended the skid with a 24-21 victory against the Aztecs. BYU would end up finishing with six win, just making bowl eligibility.
The UTEP Miners have also become a team affected by conference realignment. The Mountain West has been rumored to send an invitation to UTEP, but nothing is official yet. However, the Miners have also had a disappointing season, matching the Cougars record at 6-6.
BYU is heavily favored over the Miners, obviously due to the offensive advantage of the Cougars. Defensively, the Miners have given up about 25 points a game. In some cases, this is no problem, because the offense is able to outscore the defensive average. In this case, the Miners are ranked 60th in Passing, and 69th in Rushing. These totals could hurt the Miners. Due to lack of offensive productivity, the Miners have lost numerous games.
If BYU can successfully run the football, and not turn the ball over, this game should be an easy victory. The Cougars will try to end their MWC era on a high note.
My Prediction: BYU should have an above average offensive game against the Miners. UTEP's only hope is to step up offensively, and counterattack the Cougars.
Final Score: BYU: 27, UTEP: 13
Catch the New Mexico Bowl: University Stadium, December 18, 2010 at 11:00 PST on ESPN
Utah Utes Vs. Boise State Broncos MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
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Utah came in as one of the two Mountain West superpowers, but showed it's weakness during tough times. Their two losses came back-toback, dropping games against TCU and Notre Dame. When it was all said and done, the Utes were 10-2. Utah finished as the runner up in the conference. After this successful season, Utah will switch over to the Pac-12. They must play one more game as a member of the MWC; The MAACO Bowl Las Vegas.
Boise State was in the running for BCS glory, when Kyle Brotzman, Broncos kicker, missed two easy chip shots to lock up a victory against the Nevada Wolfpack. Nevada, led by Colin Kapernick, powered the Wolfpack to the biggest upset of the year, defeating a Top 5 team. A BCS birth went out the window. Boise State now finds themselves in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas, facing the Utes, the team the Broncos are replacing in the Mountain West.
Geographically, no real home field advantage is in place. However, what will be in place is one great matchup. Statistically, Kellen Moore should not have trouble with the Utes' defense, which has been inconsistent all year. If the Broncos can put a well constructed passing attack, the Broncos should blow right past the Utes.
My Prediction: Easily said, Kellen Moore will throw for over 300 yards, a put the Broncos offense back on track for national respect. The Utes will play a forgettable game, and depart for the Pac-12.
Final Score: Boise State: 38, Utah: 21
Catch the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium, December 22, 2010 at 5:00 PST on ESPN
SDSU Aztecs Vs. Navy Midshipmen SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl
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The Aztecs have had a turn-around season unlike any other. Head Coach Brady Hoke has replicated exactly what he had accomplished for Ball State. The Aztecs have finished 4th in the MWC. However, losses versus Top 25 teams have hurt SDSU. The Aztecs fell short of what would have been the greatest upset this season, losing 40-35 to TCU.
Navy has also encountered an excellent season. Some disappointment comes from this year. The Midshipmen have gone from a 10 win season in 2009 to an eight or nine win season in 2010. Nevertheless, Navy has earned a bid to the Poinsettia Bowl in Southern California. They still have one more game on the schedule before the bowl game; the epic Army-Navy game.
The Aztecs will hold a slight advantage. Because Qualcomm Stadium is the home of SDSU, expect a large Aztec fan turnout. Navy does have a chance to have a decent size fan attendance, due to the fact that San Diego contains a large Naval base. Since the Aztecs have earned bowl eligibility for the first time being in the Mountain West, expect the Aztecs to come out of the gate strong. Their offense should be able to run all over the Midshipmen defense.
The only thing keeping these two games close, is the SDSU defense. While the offense is as strong as a Top 25 school, their defense is what continues to lose games. If Navy can put together a great aerial attack, the Midshipmen can keep this game very close.
My Prediction: The Aztecs are just too strong offensively. Their weapons on offense will plow over Navy's defenses.
Final Score: SDSU: 37, Navy: 23.
If the Aztecs can achieve victory in the Poinsettia Bowl, don't be surprised if SDSU is ranked in the AP Top 25 come next season. They must work on becoming a clutch team over the offseason.
Catch the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl: Qualcomm Stadium, December 23, 2010 at 5:00 PST on ESPN.
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Air Force Falcons Vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Independence Bowl
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Air force faces Georgia Tech in this years Independence bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Falcons have appeared in four straight bowl games, while the Jackets have maintained a 14 year streak.
Air Force finished the season optimistically, with an 8-4 record. The Falcons finished third in the Mountain West. During mid-season, the Falcons suffered a three game losing streak, but countered with a three game winning streak to finish strong. Most importantly, the Air Force Falcons won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, an honor they have not coveted since 2002.
After a promising 2009 year, the Jackets entered 2010 season ranked 17th in the country. By week three, they were not ranked in the Top 25, due to the three point loss to Kansas.
While trying to salvage their spoiled season, the Jackets soon went from bad to worse, losing three straight, and dropping their last four games out of five. Georgia Tech also lost the battle to Georgia 42-34. This loss put the Jackets at 6-6, and barely bowl eligible.
Both teams are facing a tough opponent. The Jackets are a run heavy, pass never team. Georgia Tech is the number one rushing team in the country, racking up on average 327 yards per game. Surprisingly, Air Force is ranked second in the country, gaining about 318 yards a game.
The Jacket's defense is not strong. Georgia Tech gives up on average about 26 points per game, ranked 60th in the U.S. The Falcons are much stronger defensively, and the key to this game may be how to pass the ball more efficiently.
My Prediction: If Air Force's defense can keep the Jackets to under 200 yards, and possibly cause Georgia Tech to become one dimensional, the Falcons can come up with the victory. I believe the Jackets defense is not strong enough to hold the Falcons to under 400 yards of total offense.
Final Score: Falcons: 41, Yellow Jackets: 28
Catch the Independence Bowl: Independence Bowl Stadium, December 27, 2010 at 2:00 PST on ESPN2
TCU Horned Frogs Vs. Wisconsin Badgers Rose Bowl
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The Horned Frogs have played one great season. TCU has gone undefeated for the second straight season, and was one spot away from the BCS Championship Game. This season, they will face off in the Rose Bowl against their toughest opponent yet: Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has also played a heck of a season. Their only blemish comes against Big Ten rival Michigan State, falling 34-24. Even with this heartbreaking loss, the Badgers are ranked 5th, and took the Big Ten with ease.
This game will be an intriguing one. Both schools have showed to be dominant in their respective conferences, and will have a shot to display their ability on the national stage. There is no better place to do so other than in the Rose Bowl.
TCU will have it's hands full with a top scoring and heavy rushing team. Statistically, TCU is the best defense in the country, averaging about 11 points per game. While this stat may shock some, it should not. Most teams that TCU play are not high caliber, to say the least.
Wisconsin will face a powerful offense as well, but their experience playing more competitive teams is an advantage. TCU, led by Andy Dalton, have put together a crafty passing attack. This could fool the Badger defense.
My Prediction: Even though TCU was a BCS team last year, their lack of experience against Top 5 universities is a disadvantage. The Badgers will come well prepared, and take this game.
Final Score: Wisconsin: 31, TCU: 17.
Catch the Rose Bowl: Rose Bowl Stadium, January 1, 2011 at 2:00 PST on ESPN.
Recap and Final Thoughts
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This years bowl season will be an eventful and exciting one. Almost every bowl this year is intriguing, and worth watching.
Here is the recap of my predictions:
New Mexico Bowl--BYU: 27, UTEP: 13
MAACO Bowl Las Vegas--Boise State: 38, Utah: 21
SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl--SDSU: 37, Navy: 23
Independence Bowl--Falcons: 41, Yellow Jackets: 28
Rose Bowl--Wisconsin: 31, TCU: 17
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