3* UL Lafayette +3.5
2* Appalachian State +1
1* New Mexico -7
1* San Diego State +3
Since the first set of games are a week out I though I'd slap some thoughts on paper about these wagers.
ULL- After missing out on the Bowl season last year the Rajuns' are back in the New Orleans Bowl. They have a strong following in football, and I expect their fans to travel very well here. Last year Southern Miss was playing Washington on a Bowl game, and with 13 of 22 starters back from that team expectations were high. I give ULL the edge on both sides of the ball, and a check mark on motivation.
App State- I don't claim to know what the hell a Camellia Bowl is, but I do know it's one of the better match-ups on this Day. So they did pretty good in getting these teams together. Both squads should have no lack of motivation playing next Saturday. This will be just the 2nd Bowl game for The Mountaineers who won last year's Bowl game. The Rockets will be in their 3rd straight, and have won the two prior. I have both these teams graded out fairly evenly on offense. Then I give Appalachian State the edge on defense. With Toledo showing a rushing defense of 5 YPC away from home. That's Appy State's wheel house on offense. Even if State goes to the favorite side of this I still like them.
N.Mexico- A lot of years the first Bowl game of the season is a match-up of a couple stinkers. Then it usually turns out to be a shot-out on offense. This match-up may very well be no different as both defense aren't anything to write about other than they stink. Bob Davie's squad just missed winning just their 2nd Bowl game ever and first since 2007 when they lost by 8 to Arizona last year in this Bowl. While this is UTSA's first ever Bowl game I give the motivation, and experience edge to The Lobo's.
SDST- Last year Houston was waxing Florida State in their Bowl and getting talk of being part of the FOUR. Since then they've lost their coach, and are playing the first weekend of the Bowl season. That's a rather big 180 degree turn. SDST isn't playing in a Bowl game they prefer either after losing to Wyoming. However I give them the edge here on both sides of the ball while I think Houston just wants to get the season over with.
May The Winners Be Yours!
Doc