Recommendation: Bowling Green -1

Both teams have to be pleased with a bowl appearance, especially
Idaho who a year ago was as bad as anyone in the country.
Bowling Green looked headed for that type of season after
a 1-4 start, but rallied to make the postseason. Fundamentally,
the Falcons are one-dimensional (61% passes) but don’t seem
to mind considering the pass-catch combo of quarterback
Tyler Sheehan (23-to-6 TD-to-INT ratio) and receiver Freddie
Barnes (138 catches, 1,551 yards). The entire aerial attack
for Bowling Green should have plenty of success with Idaho
ranked near the bottom nationally in nearly every conceivable
pass defense category. The Falcons did start the run the ball
late in the season with three straight games over 135 yards.
The effort was rewarded with convincing wins of 35-14, 36-
20 and 38-24. Idaho is also well versed in moving the football
and with quarterback Nathan Enderle expected back, it is not
inconceivable to see both teams trade scores for the entire
game. Defensively, we’ll give the edge to Bowling Green, who
employs a “bend but don’t break”
philosophy that worked against
most MAC opponents. Idaho may
have faced better offenses but it
doesn’t outweigh what is truly a
horrendous stop unit. The Vandals allowed 54 ppg against
the top four passers in the WAC and their opponent here
ranks fifth in the country in passing at over 300 ypg. Overall,
it is tough given the location of the game but in what
expects to be a shootout, you’re better served backing the
better defense. Lay the small price with Bowling Green.





Recommendation: Arizona -1.5

The Cornhuskers averaged only 18 ppg against Big XII competition
and were held to 12 points or less on four separate occasions. Starting
quarterback Zac Lee threw for less than 1,900 yards and only
one receiver, Niles Paul, gained over 300 receiving yards. The bulk of
the offense was handoffs to Roy Helu, who gained more than 1,100
yards . But Nebraska’s defense was good enough to keep them in every
game. In fact, three of the Huskers’ four defeats this season came
by less than a fi eld goal. Led by Heisman fi nalist Ndamukong Suh at
defensive tackle, Nebraska held 12 of its 13 opponents to 20 points
or less. Their ACCU-Stat numbers against the pass were particularly
impressive, holding foes to a remarkable 4.32 yppp. Arizona was an
overtime loss to Oregon away from notching its fi rst ever Rose Bowl
berth. The Wildcats however bounced back strong from the crushing
defeat by knocking off Arizona State and USC in their fi nal two games,
with the defense carrying the load in both contests. The offense had a
lot of question marks heading into the season but when sophomore
quarterback Nick Foles took over as the full-time starter, the results
weren’t too far off last year’s group.
Excelling in Sonny Dykes’ short passing
attack, Foles completed more than
66% of his passes to go with a solid 19-
to-8 TD-to-INT ratio. The Wildcats didn’t
ignore their running game, gaining more than 2,000 yards on the
ground as a team. The difference in this matchup is that Arizona is the
more well-rounded team. Nebraska backers will hang their hats on
the great defensive numbers but the Wildcats are more than capable
of providing good situational defense. Add in the Cornhuskers’ disappointing
fi nish to the season and the play becomes the small favorite