So its bowl season again. I can't believe the football season is almost over but lets take a look at the upcoming bowl game and our local teams and who they are playing.
- The First bowl game that includes a local team is the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl where after a 14 year wait the Utah State Aggies (7-5) of the WAC will face the mighty Ohio Bobcats (9-4) of the MAC. This game is on the 17th of December at 3:30 on ESPN. Ohio finished 1st in the MAC East and lost to Northern Illinois in the MAC title game. Ohio is lead by MAC all second team WR LaVon Brazill who over the season recorded 1042 yards and 10 TD's, look for him to be very involved in the offense. They have a very good Offensive line but a young QB Sophmore Tyler Tettleton who threw for 3,086 yards and 26 TD's. There Defense is sturdy and should be tough for Utah State. But Utah State is a good team. They finished 2nd in the WAC and ended the year on a 5 game winning streak. The Aggies are lead by 2 great players, Jr RB Robert Turbin and Sr LB Bobby Wagner. Turbin is the driving force behind the #6 nationally ranked running attack in the country. He has 1416 yards and 19 TD's and he splits carries with 2 other very good running backs. Wagner is the leader of a very strong defense and should reek havoc on the Bobcats. Wagner has 62 solo tackles, 4 sacks and 2 picks this year. This should be a close game but i see Ohio coming up with the win 24-17 but it could be flipped very easy.
- They next game on the schedule is the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl which is December 30th on ESPN at 10 AM where the BYU Cougars (9-3) will face the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (8-4) who were 2nd in C USA's west division behind Houston. Tulsa is lead by Sr QB G.J. Kinne who has 2,876 yards and 25 TD's as well as ran for 405 yards. It should be a real test for BYU trying to stop him and WR's Willie Carter and Bryan Burnham who combined for 1605 yards receiving and an average of over 14 yards per catch. Tulsa also comes with a duel backfield where a pair of Sophomores Ja'Terian Douglas and Trey Watts combine for 1727 yards. BYU is looking to finish off its season with its 5th season in the last 6 years with 10 or more wins. BYU is lead by JR QB Riley Nelson who has been the emotional leader since being but in the game against Utah State and leading them to a win. BYU found a running game behind Michael Alisa and J.J Di Luigi. Cody Hoffman and Ross Apo are a big threat vertically to attack the Tulsa secondary and JD Falslev will be going across the middle all day long. BYU's Defense should be able to play well behind a strong D-Line and a deep Linebacking core. This should be a good game and I think as long as BYU does not commit mistakes they should keep it close and i think they pull it off in the end. Look for a real close game with the final score favoring BYU 34-31.
- The last game featuring a local team will be on Saturday December 31st at 12 PM where we have the University of Utah (7-5) playing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-4) from the ACC. Georgia Tech is a option team that will test the Utah run defense. But Utah is used to playing option teams because they had to face Air Force every year for so long in the WAC and MWC. Georgia Tech has a great QB Tevin Washington who not only leads the team in Passing (1515) but in rushing yards as well (890). Stephen Hill is there top receiver with 785 total yards. But I wouldn't expect Georgia Tech to throw the ball that often. Utah is lead by the #1 defense in the Pac 12 and should be up to the challenge. They have had a very up and down season this year but there defense has kept them in alot of games this year. The offense is lead by RB John White IV who rushed for 1404 yards this year and kept the offense relevant. The leaders on this Utah defense are DT Star Lotulelei, DE Derrick Shelby LB Chaz Walker and Saftey Brian Blechen. If this Utah team can play like they did at the end of the season (minus the Colorado fiasco) they should be able to keep up with a very good Georgia Tech and in the end pull out the win. I see Utah winning another close one 17-14
I think Turbin is a stud and that Utah State will destroy Ohio. Byu has their hands full with Tulsa and the way BYU plans for their bowl games I wouldn't be surprised if they lose this game. I feel that the score will be close in the end. Utah though is playing a very tough Georgia Tech team and I think that they get beat by at least two touchdowns or more if white isn't healthy by then.
ReplyDeleteAll 3 teams have a great chance to win. I do agree with you Utah state should win but Ohio is a good MAC team for whatever that is worth. BYU is playing in stride and should be good. Tulsa has a very good team and a great passing game which could give BYU some problems but BYU's corners lead the nation in pass break ups. If White is hurt for Utah there will be problems. BUT having said that Georgia Tech does not have a Great Defense and i think Vakapuna and Asiata in the backfield will be fine and as long a Hays does not screw it up utahs D will be able to stop or at least slow down the Yellow Jackets triple option.
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