Bronco Chase's Bowl Picks, 2nd Edition

The bowl season kicked off Saturday with three games, all of which turned into boring blow outs. I was at the Humanitarian Bowl and Fresno State played so bad. I saw it coming. Anyway, for the sake of saving time and energy, I won't go into detailed write ups of each game. I will just post the logo of the winning team, what my prediction was, and the actual score. If I predicted the winner correctly, the final score will be highlighted and italicized. Then I will continue on and give you a new batch of picks for some of the upcoming game. Let's get started.

New Mexico Bowl
My prediction was BYU wins 31 to 28
Final score: Cougars 52, Miners 24




uDrove Humanitarian Bowl
My prediction was Northern Illinois wins 35 to 28
Final score: Huskies 40, Bulldogs 17




R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
My prediction was Ohio wins 28 to 27
Final score: Trojans 48, Bobcats 21




Group total: 2-1
Season Total: 67-18

______________________________________________________________________________________


As a reminder: if the word "prediction" has stars, then it is an upset. It will look like this:

*Prediction*:

Also, I have analyzed some of the games with a write up, but not all of them. I wrote on all the bowls were WAC teams are involved and the BCS Bowls. The others just have when, where, the bowl name, who's playing, and a score prediction. Finally, I am including these bowls in my season long record.

Decmember 21st at 6 PM
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s St. Petersburg Bowl
St. Petersburg, Florida

(8-4, 5-3 C-USA)
vs.

(6-6, 3-4 Big East)



Line: Cardinals favored by 3
*Prediction*: Golden Eagles 31, Cardinals 28

December 22nd at 6 PM
MAACO Bowl Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada

(10-2, 7-1 MWC)
vs.

(11-1, 7-1 WAC)



Line: Broncos favored by 17
If you look back to the beginning of the season, the Las Vegas Bowl is not the place that Boise State thought they would be playing their bowl game. The fans and probably the players had visions of another BCS game in their heads, most likely of the National Championship sort. But it was not meant to be. One of the greatest, most talented teams in Bronco history is relegated to a pre-Christmas bowl destination against yet another Mountain West opponent. But, there is plenty to be excited about. Do you know how many teams would kill to be in the position that Boise State is in right now? Ranked in the top 10, extremely talented, huge and supportive fan base, and the opportunity to take it to a team that has been ranked in the top 25 almost all season. At one point, the Utes were 5th in the nation. I for one, am stoked to see my Broncos play one more game this year and to see what Austin Pettis, Titus Young, Jeremy Avery, Jeron Johnson, Darrell Acrey, Winston Venable, Ryan Winterswyk, and the rest of the seniors do for their last game in a Bronco uniform. Any fan who is not excited is not really a fan. Speaking of uniforms, Boise State will be wearing a new batch of Nike Pro Combat duds, completely new. They were designed for them and three other teams in the nation. I like them. Check them out here.

If Boise State is to win, they must have the same mentality that I have. This game means everything to the kids playing it and they need to get out there and prove it. Kellen Moore's leadership and Chris Petersen's perfectionist coaching style will not allow the team to come out flat and play poorly. I do not see that happening. The Broncos will perform their best and luckily for us, their best is really good. Kellen Moore will not be stopped. Doug Martin needs to return to his soul-crushing and linebacker blowing up ways for Boise State to have success. I think that will happen. Here is what scares me and should concern the Broncos (note-I know Coach Pete and his coordinators/assistant coaches have talked and game planned for all of them): Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide are really good, really physical running backs. Boise State has had problems towards the end of the season stopping big running backs (see Lennon Creer, Vai Taua, and Kerwynn Williams). Ute quarterback Terrence Cain is very mobile. He is not Colin Kaepernick mobile, but will be tough to contain. Utah has won 9 bowl games in a row. That is amazing. Also, the Broncos tend to not play well in non-BCS Bowl Games. I am confident that the coaches have found ways to fix their problems and prepare themselves for the game. Just like the players, I very much prefer a pre-New Year's non-BCS game. Have fun in the Kraft Bowl Nevada on January 9th. Anyway, if Boise State plays up to the level that they are capable of on both sides of the ball, they will win and will win pretty handily. I can see the game being close, but barring a huge mental lapse, I don't see the Broncos losing.
Prediction: Broncos 34, Utes 24


December 23rd at 6 PM
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
San Diego, California

(9-3)
vs.

(8-4, 5-3 MWC)



Line: Aztecs favored by 5
Prediction: Aztecs 38, Midshipmen 31

December 24th at 6 PM
Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl
Honolulu, Hawai’i

(10-3, 7-1 WAC)
vs.

(9-3, 9-2 C-USA)




Line: Rainbow Warriors favored by 11
Two of the best offenses in the nation face off on the islands. Hawai’i ranks 9th in the nation in total offense and Tulsa ranks 10th. In other words, there will be a lot of points scored and not much defense played. The Rainbow Warriors have the top ranked passing game and will test the Golden Hurricane secondary in ways that they never knew. At the same time, Tulsa is a little more balanced with running and passing, but get the job done and get into the end zone. Unfortunately for the Golden Hurricane, Hawai’i is playing basically another home game.
Prediction: Rainbow Warriors 49, Golden Hurricane 35

Total coming in: 67-18

Check back in and get plenty more bowl coverage! Go Broncos!