MWC and WAC Bowls -- January 3.

I am updating this page as the bowls are played.  Since Eastern Washington is in the FCS championship game I've added them as well.

MWC:

New Mexico Bowl:

BYU 52 UTEP 24

You knew that the Cougars were ready to play on this one when JD Faslev had that monster punt return to set up BYU's first scoring drive.  Once BYU got a 24-3 lead, the game was never close, even though UTEP looked to make things interesting before halftime.

Lost in the shuffle:  BYU PK Mitch Payne became the leading scorer in BYU history with 7 XPM and 1 FG.

Offensive MVP: QB Jake Heaps
Defensive MVP: CB Andrew Rich

Independence Bowl:

Air Force 14 Georgia Tech 7

Air Force intercepted a Ga Tech pass late in the 4th quarter to preserve victory in a defensive battle that featured only a combined 607 total yards.  Georgia Tech completed only 5 passes.  Most were on that final drive. 

MVP: QB Tim Jefferson

Poinsettia Bowl

San Diego State 35 Navy 14

Ronnie Hillman has given the MWC a second freshman MVP with his four touchdown performance in the Poinsettia Bowl.  (Makes me wish for the Ty Detmer vs Marshall Faulk days.)  His 288 yards against Navy were his best to date.  He had 3 rushing touchdowns and 1 receiving touchdown as the Aztecs cruise.

MVP: San Diego State RB Ronnie Hillman

Rose Bowl

TCU 21 Wisconsin 19

The Horned Frogs staved off overtime when Tank Carder swipped away Wisconsin's 2-point conversion attempt in the waning moments of the Rose Bowl.  I helped prove that TCU belongs with the Big Boys of college football and sealed the Big 10's winless New Year's Day.  That was not all that Carder did in Pasadena, he was the Badgers worst nightmare. 


MVP: DE Tank Carder

MWC vs WAC

Las Vegas Bowl

Boise State 26  Utah 3

The Boise State offense was not spectacular because it did not need to be.  The game was settled due to a combination of the Utes lackluster output vs the Boise State defense that was the difference.  BSU is a good as advertised this year, except for the kicking game in Reno.  These two powers could meet in next year's Las Vegas Bowl, but I think the Utes will learn from this experience and get something a little better.

MVP: Boise State RB Doug Martin


Other WAC:

Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii 35 Tulsa 62

This one was not a offensive as the experts predicted.  Tulsa's defense came through in the second half and Hawaii could not keep pace.  In the third quarter, Tulsa scored on three consecutive possessions and won by five scores.  Tulsa also forced 5 turnovers.


MVP: WR Damaris Johnson

Humanitarian Bowl

Northern Illinois 40 Fresno State 17

NIU pulled away from Fresno in the second half.  It was 40-10 in the 4th quarter before Colburn and Co. knew what hit them.  The Huskies win 11 games for the first time in school history.

MVP: QB Chandler Harnish

Lost in the Shuffle: The NIU defense held Robbie Rouse to 32 yards on 14 carries.  Well below is 5.5 yards per carry for the season.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Nevada vs Boston College

Time for Colin Kaepernick and Via Taua to load the pistol one last time.  The opponent will be the Boston College Eagles from the ACC who had to win 5 straight at the end of the season to become bowl eligible.  They did it with defense.  BC's offense is nothing close to as spectacular as their defense.  They will have to hold this powerful Nevada offense to under 20 points to win.  Could happen, if Kaepernick gets a cold?  Wolfpack 35-10.

What the so-called experts say, "It's strength vs. strength in this one...Nevada's running attack vs. Boston College's run defense." -- College Football News


Predicted finishes
Mountain West 4-1 So far2-1
WAC 3-1 So far1-2

Big Sky Conference

FCS Championship Game

Delaware vs Eastern Washington

EWU is better down the stretch than just about anyone thought.  They were able to put up 41 points against Villanova in the semi-finals without star running back Taiwan Jones.  I have no word if he will be back for the championship game which will be held on January 7th.  The Eagles chances likely rest upon the effectiveness of the running game and need the junior for Antioch carrying the load on offense.  Delaware got to the finals by forcing 5 Georgia Southern turnovers.  Their offense was not spectacular in the semi-finals because they did not have to be.  This has been so all season.  In the final analysis, I am not sure I like EWU's chances with Taiwan Jones on crutches on the sidelines like he was against Villanova.  He will bring that extra dimension to the offense that EWU will need to win the game.  Right now, I am assuming that he will not play.

Delaware 24 Eastern Washington 17