New Mexico Bowl 2010: UTEP vs. BYU Preview and Prediction

On Dec. 18, it all starts again. The 2010 bowl season promises to be a good one. There are plenty of good matchups, controversies and stories to follow.

With the 2010 New Mexico Bowl, we will see two former rivals from the Western Athletic Conference go at it once again. Since, University of Texas-El Paso left for the Conference-USA. BYU left for the Mountain West Conference. 

This will be BYU's final season in the MWC, as they plan to become independent in the 2011 season. This was a move to create more television exposure. Best way to generate buzz going into the future? Win your bowl game.

UTEP makes its first bowl appearance since 2005.

UTEP started the year 5-1, but finished 1-5. Not exactly with momentum on their side, although strength of schedule increased in the second half. Watch for senior quarterback Trevor Vittatoe to play inspired football, hoping to end his career on a positive note, as he put up better numbers his freshman and sophomore season.

Kris Adams has been his favorite target for years, and looks to end his senior year on a high note as well. Their defense plays inspired football and should keep them in the game.

By their own standards, BYU had a down year, they were out of MWC championship conversation early. They made a bowl game by beating a lot of weaker competition in their conference. It looked like they were hitting their stride, but lost their finale to Utah by a point.

Where this team will be mentally is tough to tell. Though not great, the defense plays well when the offense can sustain drives. Jake Heaps will have to put together a consistent ball game, he's struggled with putting up the numbers BYU needs him to.

If he does succeed, it will be because of J.J. Di Luigi, the do-it-all junior who leads the team in rushing yards and receptions. Look for him to be a player of the game candidate.

Prediction

BYU has a slight home-field advantage in this one. I don't know if they'll need it. I think it should be a good game, as the Las Vegas Bowl has been over the years, but I see BYU winning with better defense and a good dose of Luigi.

BYU 30, UTEP 26