Football Central's Bowl Preview Series

[mascho]

Yes ladies and gentlemen, bowl season is upon us. Football Central has you covered with previews of each and every game. Up first - The Las Vegas Bowl between Colorado State and Utah.
 

 
These two squads both arrive in The City of Second Chances on down notes – and for very different reasons. Utah stood in contention for the PAC-12 South Division title following their win over USC, but losses to Arizona State, Oregon and Arizona erased any hopes of a berth in the conference championship game. For the Rams, the recent departure of Head Coach Jim McElwain for the University of Florida marred the success of their 10-2 season. Dave Baldwin, CSU’s offensive coordinator the past three years, will guide the Rams as interim coach this weekend.

 

 

[IdiotKicker]

By "Football Central", he really means Mark Schofield. Just so you guys know.

 

[mascho]

The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. 
 

 
Both squads enjoyed a resurgence in 2014. Western Michigan looks to “keep rowing the boat” in their first bowl game since 2011. The Broncos, steered by 34-year-old Head Coach P.J. Fleck, piloted a tremendous turnaround after finishing a dismal 1-11 last year in his first season at the helm. Air Force also saw a major rebound, as the Falcons responded to last season’s 2-10 mark with a strong campaign, including wins over Army and Navy to secure the Academy’s first Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy since 2011.

 
Western Michigan's Jarvion Franklin is worth a look. Only a freshman but one heck of a running back.

 

[brandonchristensen]

I've been working the Las Vegas Bowl all week. I'm at the Pep Rally tonight and tomorrow I'm shooting the first half on the field. Wherever the players have been, I've been right there.
 
Been a long week so far. Today they had some ESPN people (Jaws) at the luncheon after the presser. 
 
Is Colorado expected to win? They seem to be a lot more into it than Utah...

 

[brandonchristensen]

Wowzers, wasn't expecting that domination by Utah...

 

[mascho]

Miami Beach Bowl Preview:
 

BYU’s season was a play in three acts, each four games long. The Cougars stood at 4-0 after Act 1 with victories over two Power Five conference teams (Virginia and Texas). Entering their fifth game against Utah State in Provo, with the nation wondering what the playoff committee might do if an independent finished undefeated, the Cougars lost their starting quarterback — and then their unbeaten streak. BYU would drop four straight before finishing the season with four consecutive victories.
 
Memphis finished as co-champion of the American Athletic Conference with a 7-1 league record, and makes its first bowl appearance since 2008. Back in September the Tigers stood toe-to-toe with then-No. 11 UCLA before falling to the Bruins by a touchdown.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Halfway through the first quarter, and we are on pace for 224 points.

 

[kenneycb]

And they say Marlins Park is a pitchers park.

 

[mascho]

More bowls, more previews. Today we have the Boca Raton Bowl and the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

 

[mascho]

Two more previews today. I take a look at the Bahamas Bowl while Nomario previews the Hawaii Bowl.
 
Heading into today FC is 7-1 with their selections. Gets tougher from here, however.

 

[mascho]

Okay, so I didn't quite nail the Bahamas Bowl. I did predict the Western Kentucky win and that their QB would put on a show...just didn't think Central Michigan's Cooper Rush would throw seven TDs in a losing effort.

FC now at 8-1. Go get 'em Nomario.

 

[mascho]

Previews for today's action:
 
Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl (Illinois v. La. Tech)
 
Quick Lane Bowl (UNC v. Rutgers)
 
Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl (UCF v. NC State)
 
Selections in bold.
 
With Rice winning on Christmas Eve Football Central heads into today with a 9-1 record this bowl season. 

 

[Super Nomario]

With Rice winning on Christmas Eve Football Central heads into today with a 9-1 record this bowl season. 

Got the Rice score close but way off on Fresno. Rice's defense looked terrific and Burrell couldn't do anything (10 of 20 for 44(!) yards and 2 picks, 3 sacks). I think Bryce Callahan made himself some money with the job he did on Josh Harper.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Quick question: how can bitcoin, which isn't a company, sponsor a bowl?

 

[mascho]

Quick question: how can bitcoin, which isn't a company, sponsor a bowl?

I just want to know how they paid for the rights...

 

[Super Nomario]

Quick question: how can bitcoin, which isn't a company, sponsor a bowl?

It looks like a company called "Bitpay" is the leading sponsor.

 

[Senator Donut]

I just want to know how they paid for the rights...

You guessed it.

 

[mabrowndog]

A slew of interesting games and matchups today. Read all about 'em...
 
* Military Bowl - VA Tech vs Cincinnati
* Sun Bowl - Duke vs Arizona State
* Independence Bowl - Miami vs South Carolina
* Pinstripe Bowl - Boston College vs Penn State
* Holiday Bowl - Nebraska vs USC