New Mexico Bowl
BYU (6-6) vs. UTEP (6-6)
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2 PM, ESPN, Sat. Dec. 18, Albuquerque, NM
Why Watch: BYU’s first shot at freedom beings with the New Mexico Bowl. The Cougars are heading for independence next season, but I’m sure they were hoping their first audition wasn’t against UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl.
Who to Watch: Offensively, watch BYU running back JJ Di Luiji. The junior led the Cougars in both rushing and receiving. Luiji brought in 819 yards on the ground to go with 422 receiving. Defensively, watch UTEP defensive back, Travaun Nixon. Nixon led the Minors in interceptions with three, and pass deflections with 11. He also brought in 69 tackles. Nixon is explosive with the ball in his hands, bringing in 283 total return yards.
How it’s Going Down: I have to believe that BYU is holding the upper hand here, and that the Cougars want to show their move towards independence wasn’t a mistake. After beginning the season losing four of their first five, BYU finished the year winning four out of five. The Minors are on heading in the opposite direction and hoping starting quarterback Trevor Vittatoe is back to full strength. Pick: BYU 27 – UTEP 20
uDrove Humanitarian Bowl
Northern Illinois (10-3) vs. Fresno State (8-4)
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5:30 PM, ESPN, Sat. Dec. 18, Boise, ID
Why Watch: Don’t shy away because of the names here. These are two terrific college football teams. The Huskies bring along one of the best offenses and rushing offenses in the country ranked No. 7, averaging 264 yards a game on the ground. Fresno features one of the better tailbacks in the county, in sophomore Robbie Rouse.
Who to Watch: Both teams are going to try to win the ground battle. Rouse is back to full strength after missing the last game of the year for Fresno. The Huskies feature a dynamic rusher of their own in senior, Chad Spann. Spann rushed for 1,293 yards to go with 20 touchdowns this season. Keep an eye on Fresno defensive end Chris Carter as well. Carter brought in 11 sacks this season, to go along with 16.5 tackles for a loss.
How it’s Going Down: Northern Illinois was one of the hottest teams in the country at one point, having knocked off nine straight wins before the MAC Championship game. Fresno has been no slouch this season, though, taking down both Cincinnati and Illinois, while taking Nevada down to the wire. The Bulldogs have been known to raise thier play in big occasions under head coach Pat Hill and that’s exactly what they’ll do here. Pick: Fresno State 31 – Northern Illinois 24
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Ohio (8-4) vs. Troy (7-5)
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9 PM, ESPN, Sat. Dec. 18, New Orleans, LA
Why Watch: I’m still searching for a real good reason to watch. What I’ve came up with is this: It’s a football game. Neither of the two have been real exciting this season, but it should be fun to watch strictly by the fact that Ohio wins games with its defense and Troy with its offense. The two are completely different on opposite sides of the ball.
Who to Watch: One of the best kept secrets when it comes to NFL Draft prospects plays for Troy and his name is Jerrel Jernigan. The 5-foot-9 speedster led Troy in receiving for the third straight season, bringing in 77 balls for 774 yards. Another player to keep an eye on is Troy defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi. The sophomore racked up 17.5 tackles for loss, along with 11 sacks on the year.
How it’s Going Down: I actually like the upset here. Troy has been good in bowls over the years, or in what few they’ve been to, but my gut says Ohio. The defense for Troy has given 400+ yards seven times this season, giving up more than 520 yards on three occasions. Because of that, Ohio should still be able to score even with their dismal offense. Pick: Ohio 30 – Troy 28
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