College Bowl Predictions: Temple vs. Wyoming in Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico

When: Dec. 17, 2011 | 2:00 PM ET

Predicted Outcome: Temple 24, Wyoming 17

Temple Breakdown

Temple plays ball the old fashioned way; by running the rock and playing defense. They have one of the nation's top runners in Bernard Pierce who has accounted for 1,381 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Temple is ranked third in the nation in scoring defense behind LSU and Alabama and give up an average of 13.8 points per game.

They have had a relatively easy schedule, playing only one team currently ranked in the top 25, a 14-10 loss to Penn State.

Temple finished the season at 8-4, second in the eastern division of the MAC.

Wyoming Breakdown

Wyoming is a much more balanced team. They have about a 50-50 split between their rush and pass attacks.

Their best and most dynamic player is their quarterback Brett Smith, who is an efficient passer and leads the team in rushing touchdowns.

Wyoming has had a much harder schedule then Temple, having played three teams currently ranked in the top 25—TCU, Nebraska and Boise State (all losses). 

At 8-4 the Cowboys finished third in the Mountain West, behind TCU and Boise State.

Game Breakdown

If Wyoming is going to win they need to do two things: Move the ball with a balanced offense and avoid turnovers.

These two things are going to be very difficult to do seeing how they haven't faced a team with a defense like Temple's and come out on top.

For the owls to win they need to do what they do best, run the ball and play D.

Wyoming has faced some of the nation's top running attacks during the regular season (Nebraska, Utah St. and TCU) and lost all three games.

Temple's physical style on both offense and defense is going to be too much for the Cowboys to handle.