Bowl Musings Part 1

I didn't really like any of the games on Saturday. Good thing I stayed away too, because I would have taken a painful loss on Utah St. A better sampling of games is coming up in the coming days...not tomorrow mind you, but in the coming days. Having said that, I'll start with......

1. Florida International -4 v Marshall: This epic tilt is taking place in Tampa/St Pete in that monstrosity that the Devil Rays play in. ( I know it's just the "Rays" now, but I'm stubborn.) Marshall has been one of those teams that despite a lack of talent, coaching smarts and overall manners and grooming, they manage to stay in games. However, having said that, I think the odds are against them in this one, as FIU holds edges in just about every statistical measure. Their talent appears to be better, they have much better special teams, and they appear to be a team and program on the rise. Marshall doesn't even really belong in a bowl, finishing 6-6 out of Conference USA. FIU is going to have an emotional edge playing close to home, they'll have the best player on the field (TY Hilton), and their lines, especially their defensive line will have ther way with the Thundering Herd, who gave up more than their fair share of sacks. Apart from a flukish win at Louisville earlier in the year, Marshall spent most of their season getting pummelled away from home. Also, FIU QB Wes Carroll sports a 14/4 ratio, which led to FIU being 9th in the country in avoiding turnovers. FIU is just a better team, and unless Marshall catches some serious breaks, they will succumb to the Panthers by at least a TD.

2. Louisiana Tech +10 v TCU :Louisiana Tech has been a scrappy bunch all year, and will certainly look at this game as a chance to put themselves on the map in coach Sonny Dykes's second year. They have won and covered 7 games in a row, pulling off some impressive wins away from home in that stretch. On the other hand, I don't know if TCU is going to give La Tech their best shot, as they could have justified a bigger bowl. Also, i think La Tech has the ingredients to throw the ball on TCU's porous secondary and plays good enough defense to slow down TCU's offense, though TCU will undoubtedly get their points. An outright would be a surprise, but is not out of the question here, in my opinion.

I lean to Boise(-14) in the Las Vegas Bowl over Arizona St mostly because of the complete collapse of ASU in the final 4 games of the year. It's possible they might not even show up, as their dick of a new coach doesn't really conjure up feelings of excitement. Also, they've been absolutely torched through the air in recent weeks by average offenses..I really shudder at the thought of that secondary facing Kellen Moore and company. That troubles me. Having said that, ASU has lots of offensive talent, and Boise has been somewhat disappointing this year on defense. For that reason, I can't wholeheartedly endorse laying the points........I also lean to Nevada(+7) in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve. I'll take 7 with a team that has outgained its opponents by 150 yards per game. Southern Miss is good, but this offense is hard to prepare for and So Miss's coach Fedora has already checked out. They also are a bit disappointed to be in this bowl, despite the sweet locale. I think the chances are much better that Nevada comes more ready to play, since HC Chris Ault is generally all business. That's it for now. I'll have some additional plays later on...take care.