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FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL: OHIO VS. UTAH STATE

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pits Utah State against Ohio in Boise, Idaho. Utah State was a tough out all season and was very close to having a dream season lower level FCS teams dream about. Utah State finished 7-5, in a season of several close calls. The Aggies blew a lead in the fourth quarter against Auburn, lost by one point to Colorado State, were defeated by three points to BYU and fell by a touchdown to eventual WAC champion Louisiana Tech. Since losing to the La Tech, the Aggies are on a five game winning streak.

Ohio enters this match up with victories in five out of its last six games. Tyler Tettleton has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the MAC. The sophomore threw for 3,086 yards and 26 scores, while adding 635 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. His dual-threat ability has been a huge asset in the development of Ohio’s offense this year. Tettleton is a major problem at quarterback for the Bobcats, expect a lot of points in this game.

Utah State will counter with bruising running back Robert Turbin who is built like a cyborg. Turbin rushed for 1,416 yards and 19 scores on 229 attempts this season, while catching 16 passes for 164 yards and four touchdowns. If Chuckie Keeton plays as expected look for USU to roll. Keeton by the way is one of the more impressive freshman quarterback that you will ever see. I think a lot of bigger programs wish they had signed the poised freshman out of Houston. He will be making his return after being injured against Hawaii earlier this year.

Look for Ohio to put up a fight with the elusive Tettleton but Utah State has faced better competition all season and is battle tested. The Aggies have run the ball well all year, look for that trend to continue as they maul the Bearcats 35-17 in Boise.

New Mexico Bowl Preview: Wyoming vs Temple

Temple and Wyoming are gunning for 9 wins seasons. Both programs are not perennial powers but have had very successful years. Wyoming leans on freshman quarterback Brett Smith. Smith led all freshman in the country averaging 261 yards per game in total offense. The MWC freshman of the year averaged 208 yards per game in the air, throwing for 18 touchdowns against 8 interceptions his future at Wyoming is very bright.

Temple leans on stud tailback Bernard Pierce, Pierce rushed for 1,381 yards and 25 touchdowns (third-best in the nation) this season despite missing one game with a concussion. For his career, the junior has school records of 52 touchdowns and 312 points scored. His 3,470 career rushing yards are second in school history. How many players in this day and age are arguably the best player in the history of the program? Pierce is that type of talent.

The good news for Wyoming is that the defense ranks fifth in the country in both forced turnovers and turnover margin. The bad news is that they have been gutted on the ground all year. Wyoming gives up 230 yards a game on the ground. Wyoming’s 115th ranked run defense should be a safe haven for Pierce look for him to end his career in style with at least 200 yards on the ground.

A Temple victory would give the Owls nine wins for just the fourth time in the school’s history but second in the past three seasons. Look for the Temple upswing in recent years to continue as Wyoming couldn’t stop a faucet from running much less a football team. Temple wins big in Pierce’s going away party. 30-6

New Orleans Bowl: SDSU vs Louisiana Lafayette

ULL has not been to a bowl game in 41 years. Mark Hudspeth has led the Ragin Cajuns to their first winning season since 1995. Look for the party for the Ragin Cajuns to stop abruptly against the Ronnie Hillman led Aztechs. Rocky Long has matched last seasons record when the Aztechs where coached by Michigan’s Brady Hoke. Rocky Long’s 3-3-5 defense is no laughing matter either as the stats may not be magical but they give teams fits.

Ronnie Hillman is the real deal, reminds many of a former Aztech Marshall Faulk. Hillman is as explosive as they come as the number three rusher in the country, averaging 138 yards per game. He averages 5.7 yards every time he touches the ball and has found the end zone 19 times on the ground. He’s one of the most dynamic runners in the country with a 99-yard rushing touchdown and a 71-yard receiving touchdown to his credit. If Hillman gets a crack in the open expect to see Elbows and Ankles and little else, Hillman has a special top end gear. Aztech QB Ryan Lindley is no slouch either the Sr. has thrown for 2,740 yards with 20 touchdowns against only 8 picks on the season.

I have not mentioned the Cajuns much because there is no reason for it. The Aztechs are clearly the more talented team and should blow ULL out in short order. Expect a big day by Hillman and company as SDSU wing big 56-17.

Enjoy the start of the Bowl Season

Broccoli

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