Weekend Bowl Game Preview

* I'll send out all the picks to you guys as well, but I'm just previewing this weekend's games today*

So we've got 5 games this weekend for the Bowl Challenge as well - all worth 1 point each, so not going to win you the pool - but you can defintiely get off to a good start.

NAVY-WF
I like Navy - the rest have WF in this one. Navy beat them in the regular season. Navy, like every other year, runs the ball really well. Both teams had up and down seasons, WF really struggled to score points earlier in the year and only averaged 20 ppg on the season. 103rd in D1 offense...not good. Both teams were +16 in turnovers, so both are probably a bit overrated. Navy always plays well in bowl games, and getting 3 points made this an easy one for me.

FRESNO-COLST
I have COLST, the rest have FRESNO. Basically, this one looks really even to me so take the points. CSU throws it a lot, Fresno is more of a runner. CSU overachieved this year right, Fresno defintiely under achieved. Hill may be moving on from Fresno, they have had some serious turnover problems, they've lost 3 of their last 5, and were actually outscored this year overall. I just think this is the classic case of a team that expected big things, lost a couple big early games, and will not play well in this low end bowl.

MEM-USF
USF is basically playing a home game in this one. JG is the only one who took MEM. MEM has a Top 25 offense, and have won 3 of 4 coming in. USF was a major disappointment this year losing 4 of 5 coming in. Turnovers have killed them (-7), but they do play nice D. I think their D (14th in Nation) shuts down the MEM running attack and their core players on offense play well at home. They are a young enough team, that they might still show up even though it isn't where they epxected to be this year.

BYU-AZ
This should be a good one. I am the only one who likes AZ. My power ratings have them as a 10 pt favorite. Both teams have really strong offenses, but AZ's defense is defintely a notch above BYU. AZ pass defense vs. BYU pass offense should tell the story - tie breaker, it's in Vegas...Mormons don't like Vegas.

TROY-SOMISS
MK has SOMISS, all else have TROY. I just think TROY is a better team. Both offense are really strong and fairly balanced. Troy's defense is much better and their lines could make the difference. Troy is Top 5 in Sacks for and Sacks Vs....while SOMISS doesn't get any sacks on D and is 76th in sacks allowed. I think Troy comes out and cruises to an easy win in this one.

Next week I'll look at all the 2 point games.

Happy Bowling!