2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl Preview from the Sports Mac

The 2011 bowl season is full of intriguing matchups and it starts with one in the American Southwest.  The Gildan New Mexico Bowl has traditionally be one of the games on the opening weekend.  This has usually been a tight game with three of the five contests decided by fewer than eight points.  This year, the New Mexico Bowl has two teams that have traditionally struggled, but are continuing their recent upswings. Wyoming is also in their second New Mexico Bowl in three years, back after a thrilling 35-28 overtime win over Fresno State back in 2009. 

Both teams have played well coming into this game, with the Owls winning their last three games and the Cowboys won three of their last four, with the loss on the road at Boise State.  So, which team will continue the winning momentum to end 2011 and carry it into 2012?  Read below for the preview of the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

Temple Offense vs. Wyoming Defense:  The Owl offense has revolved around one player all season.  Senior RB Bernard Pierce ended the regular season sixth  in the nation in rushing at over 125 yards per game.  When he has been productive, Temple usually wins.  But when he hasn’t, that is when the Owls have struggled scoring.  Pierce’s four lowest rushing totals of the season, including three times held under 100 yards, are Temple’s four losses this season.  There is good news, however for Pierce and the rest of the Owl offense.  Wyoming has struggled mightily stopping the run all year long, finishing as thee sixth worst run defense in the country, giving up 230 yards per game on the ground.  If Pierce finds a rhythm early and gets off to a fast start, it could be a long day for the Cowboy defense.

Edge: Temple Offense

Wyoming Offense vs. Temple Defense:  Wyoming has shown good balance on offense, averaging 185 yards rushing and 214 yards passing for the season.  Brett Smith is the leader under center, doing it with both his arm and legs, as he runs for almost 54 yards to keep defenses guessing. The important thing for Smith is to make sure he keep the Cowboy offense balanced, because they’re facing one of the better defenses in the country this season.  The Owls are 15^th in the nation in total defense and even stingier giving up points, as the two teams in the BCS Championship Game are the only ones who have given up less this season.  Wyoming will have to come up with ways to keep the Temple defense guessing and make sure they make the most of their offensive possessions.

Edge: Temple Defense

Special Teams: Temple has two very good players that give them a decided advantage here.  Brandon McManus is fifth  in the nation in punting this season at almost 46 yards per kick.  Meanwhile, Matt Brown is in the Top 25 nationally in both kickoff and punt returns and is the kind of difference maker that can play a big role in a bowl game. Wyoming has had problems this season here, with a net punting average of under 37 yards per punt and they are just 81^st nationally in kickoff returns.  That spells trouble for the Cowboys.

Edge: Temple

Coaches:  Steve Addazio has done a nice job in his first year as a head coach, leading the Owls to just their fourth bowl game ever after taking over for Al Golden, who left to coach at Miami (Fla.).  Dave Christensen has a couple of winning seasons and bowl games in three years at Wyoming, and has had a nice bounce back year after struggling with just a 3-9 record.  He is producing winning seasons at a place that is not exactly a football hotbed.

Edge: Wyoming

This and That:  Wyoming should have a definite advantage having been to Albuquerque just two years ago and getting a dramatic win.  It’ll be a good pre-Christmas trip for Cowboy fans who can just take a short flight over Colorado to enjoy northern New Mexico.  This will be a long trip for Temple, coming all the way from Philadelphia, and they might not have a lot fans at University Stadium.

Edge: Wyoming

What you’ll see in the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl: Pierce and the Temple offense will play ball control with the seventh best rushing attack in the FBS.  This will keep the defense fresh and it will be able to keep Wyoming QB Brett Smith.  The Cowboys will need to hit some big plays to stay in the ballgame, and they might get a couple, but it won’t be enough and the Owls have a nice end to Steve Addazio’s first year.

Line: Temple by seven

The Sports Mac Prediction: Temple 31, Wyoming 14

I’ll be live tweeting during this game.  You can follow me @TheSportsMac.