Around this time last year (actually, 359 days ago to be exact) was when I actually started posting frequently on this blog. Now after almost a year of speculating on different stories, analyzing teams and games, and writing for a loyal following of four, we are back to the time of year that I enjoy most. Bowl season really is one of my favorite times of year (other than the first weekend of March Madness). Many of you may not be interested in the Little Caesar's Pizza Bowl the day after Christmas, but I am. Maybe it's because I am a true fan of the game; honestly though, I think it may be a combination of that and the fact that it gives me a valid reason to stay home and not shower or change my clothes from the day before.
You may be thinking "why do you honestly care about a game that is sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union?" If you are honestly asking this question, please close your browser and never come back to this site.
Now, for those of you that play ESPN's College Bowl Mania, and thus understand the importance of the three bowl games being played tomorrow, here are my picks for those games. Seriously though; if you are one of those people who think the question I posed in the last paragraph is actually legitimate, you don't have any business being here. At least, you don't until around January 1st.
New Mexico Bowl
BYU vs. UTEP
Since this is the first game of the bowl season, I don't have much but the stats to go off of when analyzing this one. UTEP stumbled in the second half of the season, primarily because quarterback Trevor Vittatoe was injured. Granted, four of their five losses during that half of the season came on the road. However, BYU's story is almost the exact opposite; they have won four of their last five, and only lost by a point to Utah in their season finale. Since Vittatoe still isn't one-hundred percent, I have to go with the Cougars in this one. I have BYU for 15 points in College Bowl Mania game.
Final Score: 30-24 BYU
uDrove Humanitarian Bowl
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State
Like many games early on in the bowl season, this matchup is pretty much a toss-up. I would have liked Northern Illinois in this game. That was before they lost to the "other" Miami in the MAC Championship game, and then learned that their head coach, Jerry Kill, would not be coaching them in their bowl game after accepting the position of Minnesota's head coach. All this, combined with the fact that Fresno State has to have a little bit of an advantage on that crazy blue turf in Boise (they play there every other year in the regular season), makes me slightly more confident in the Bulldogs in this one. I have Fresno State here, but only for 8 points.
Final Score: 48-45 Fresno State
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Ohio vs. Troy
At least thus far, I'm not being very kind to the MAC. While Ohio is probably superior to Troy in every way but their nickname, going to New Orleans is a treat for the Bobcats. For the men of Troy, who have previously been to this bowl in 2006 and 2008, it is more of a business trip. In the early bowl matchups, it seems that a good offense will trump a good defense (which totally goes against my usual saying, but whatever). So the question will be, do you like Troy's offense (best in the Sun Belt), or Ohio's defense (total yards per game given up is fourth best in the MAC)? I know that the MAC is known for their stellar defensive performances week in and week out, but I'm going to have to go with the offense here. I have Troy for 5 points.
Final Score: 38-34 Troy
In the spirit of early season bowl matchups that would mean nothing without the College Bowl Mania game, I will leave you with this video. Doesn't it sound a lot like Frankie from those old Budweiser commercials? Ah...classic.
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label utep. Show all posts
Showing posts with label utep. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
NCAAF: Conference USA Preview
Overview
Conference USA is very similar to the MAC in many ways. Both conferences have talented but not elite players, and both conferences are a breeding ground for up-and-coming coaches. However, this (specifically for the 2010-2011 season) is what separates the conferences: Case Keenum. The Houston Cougars, a member of Conference USA, is on the national radar to begin the season for the first time in two decades thanks to the gunslinger Keenum. Conference USA will be getting significant exposure this season if Keenum lives up to his lofty preseason expectations (he is on the short list of Heisman contenders). If it weren't for Keenum, Conference USA may be an afterthought. However, they've presented their Case as to why their worth paying attention to, and it's a pretty good one.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
Even with Keenum, Houston can't really be considered a legitimate title contender. Their strength of schedule isn't good enough to propel them high enough in the rankings, and that's assuming they go undefeated, which is unlikely in itself. Houston will probably be the class of C-USA, but they won't be the class of the entire nation.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
East Carolina
Skip Holtz is no longer the coach of the Pirates, but at least for the next few years, you can't count them out of the C-USA race. These players are still Holtz's recruits, are he recruited pretty well. ECU will need to fill major gaps on defense, but if they can do that, then they may be fighting for yet another birth in the C-USA championship game.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Texas Tech (November 27th)
A rematch of a great game from last year, the winner gets some Texas style bragging rights. New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville doesn't run the "Air Raid" style offense that Mike Leach ran, so this game may not turn out to be an offensive show like many people would expect. However, if Case Keenum is still in the Heisman race at this late stage in the season, a breakout performance could be all he needs to bring the first Heisman Trophy to Houston since Andre Ware won it in 1989.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Southern Mississippi (November 20th)
Just one week before their showdown with Texas Tech, Houston has an equally important matchup with the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. This game will probably prove to be very important, as it could determine whether or not these teams get a chance to play for the C-USA title. Last year Houston won a shootout at home. Expect nothing less this year, as both teams have a quarterback with a cannon for an arm.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Central Florida (9-3, [6-2])
2. Southern Mississippi (8-4, [6-2])
3. East Carolina (7-5, [6-2])
4. UAB (4-8, [4-4])
5. Marshall (3-9, [3-5])
6. Memphis (1-11, [0-8])
West Division
1. Houston (9-3, [6-2])
2. Tulsa (8-4, [6-2])
3. Southern Methodist (5-7, [4-4])
4. UTEP (5-7, [3-5])
5. Rice (1-11, [1-7])
6. Tulane (1-11, [0-8])
Championship Game (Houston vs. Central Florida)
Winner: Central Florida
In case you missed one of my college football previews, I have put an archive on the left side of the site so that you can find which conference preview you missed more easily. Also, remember to vote on all the polls if you have not done so yet. Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read my work.
- K. Becks
Conference USA is very similar to the MAC in many ways. Both conferences have talented but not elite players, and both conferences are a breeding ground for up-and-coming coaches. However, this (specifically for the 2010-2011 season) is what separates the conferences: Case Keenum. The Houston Cougars, a member of Conference USA, is on the national radar to begin the season for the first time in two decades thanks to the gunslinger Keenum. Conference USA will be getting significant exposure this season if Keenum lives up to his lofty preseason expectations (he is on the short list of Heisman contenders). If it weren't for Keenum, Conference USA may be an afterthought. However, they've presented their Case as to why their worth paying attention to, and it's a pretty good one.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
None
Even with Keenum, Houston can't really be considered a legitimate title contender. Their strength of schedule isn't good enough to propel them high enough in the rankings, and that's assuming they go undefeated, which is unlikely in itself. Houston will probably be the class of C-USA, but they won't be the class of the entire nation.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
East Carolina
Skip Holtz is no longer the coach of the Pirates, but at least for the next few years, you can't count them out of the C-USA race. These players are still Holtz's recruits, are he recruited pretty well. ECU will need to fill major gaps on defense, but if they can do that, then they may be fighting for yet another birth in the C-USA championship game.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Texas Tech (November 27th)
A rematch of a great game from last year, the winner gets some Texas style bragging rights. New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville doesn't run the "Air Raid" style offense that Mike Leach ran, so this game may not turn out to be an offensive show like many people would expect. However, if Case Keenum is still in the Heisman race at this late stage in the season, a breakout performance could be all he needs to bring the first Heisman Trophy to Houston since Andre Ware won it in 1989.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Houston vs. Southern Mississippi (November 20th)
Just one week before their showdown with Texas Tech, Houston has an equally important matchup with the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. This game will probably prove to be very important, as it could determine whether or not these teams get a chance to play for the C-USA title. Last year Houston won a shootout at home. Expect nothing less this year, as both teams have a quarterback with a cannon for an arm.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Central Florida (9-3, [6-2])
2. Southern Mississippi (8-4, [6-2])
3. East Carolina (7-5, [6-2])
4. UAB (4-8, [4-4])
5. Marshall (3-9, [3-5])
6. Memphis (1-11, [0-8])
West Division
1. Houston (9-3, [6-2])
2. Tulsa (8-4, [6-2])
3. Southern Methodist (5-7, [4-4])
4. UTEP (5-7, [3-5])
5. Rice (1-11, [1-7])
6. Tulane (1-11, [0-8])
Championship Game (Houston vs. Central Florida)
Winner: Central Florida
In case you missed one of my college football previews, I have put an archive on the left side of the site so that you can find which conference preview you missed more easily. Also, remember to vote on all the polls if you have not done so yet. Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read my work.
- K. Becks
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