Oregon will have to win the Las Vegas Bowl without star running back Royce Freeman.
Bowl season kicks off today with five games on the slate. Here are my bowl picks for the first day of bowl season.
New Orleans Bowl: Troy (-6) vs. North Texas, total 61.5: Troy has been a regular at the New Orleans Bowl. The Trojans sport one of the nation’s best defenses giving up only 17.5 points per game. The Trojans defense must play well because they are going up against a North Texas offense that averaged 36 game.
Troy must find away to slow down North Texas running back Jeffery Wilson. Wilson rushed for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.
This game will be close but I think Troy’s defense has the athletes to match up with North Texas. That is why I am taking the Trojans to win as a touchdown favorite. Defense wins championships and Troy has a distinct advantage defensively.
Cure Bowl: Georgia State vs. WKU (-4.5), total 49: Expect a slug fest in this one. Neither scores a lot and neither team plays great defense. This will be a 27-20 type of game. That type of game favors Western Kentucky because they have better athletes on the perimeter and are more explosive after the catch.
I am taking the Hilltoppers as a -4.5 point favorite.
Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Oregon (-6.5) total 63: This will be the best game of the day. Oregon is favored by 6.5 but with running back Royce Freeman not playing, new coach Mario Cristobal and the Ducks will turn to dynamic quarterback Justin Herbert to lead an offense that will be one dimensional with out the star running back.
The Ducks must find a way to keep up with a Broncos offense that has averaged 32.7 points and can make big plays. The key for Boise State will be not turning the ball over. The Broncos have had a tendency this season to turn the ball over at inoppotune times.
I expect a shootout in this one. Both teams can score and both defenses have been generous. That’s why I’m taking Boise State. The Broncos have their full complement of players and they don’t need to worry about stopping Royce Freeman. I’m taking the Broncos as a dog.
New Mexico Bowl: Marshall vs. Colorado State (-3.5) total 53: Something has to give in this one as the Colorado State offense butts heads with the Marshall defense. Colorado State has averaged 33.7 points per game while the Marshall defense is only surrendering 19.7 points per game.
I’m putting my money on Nick Stephens and the Rams. Marshall hasn’t seen an explosive offense like Colorado State’s. I don’t think they will be able to keep up. Put your money on the Rams as a favorite.
Camellia Bowl: Arkansas State (-3) vs. Middle Tennessee, total 57: Arkansas State is favored and rightfully so. The Red Wolves are explosive on offense and want to turn games into track meets.
Middle Tennessee State doesn’t mind playing a wide open style but that might not be a good idea against the explosive Red Wolves. Middle Tennessee State doesn’t play good enough defense to allow this to become attack meet.
That’s why I’m going to put my money on Arkansas State. They are slightly better offensively and that will be the difference.