The 2012 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman has a scheduled start time of 3:00pm ET this afternoon. The game, which features San Jose State and Bowling Green, will be played at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. and broadcast live on ESPN. Military Bowl San Jose State vs. Bowling Green Odds are favoring the Spartans at -7.5 against the spread; the game total is set at 45 points. Bowling Green is drawing +250 money line odds ($100 wins $250) while San Jose State is a -300 play to win outright ($300 wins $100).
San Jose State placed fourth in the WAC last year but it took a major step forward nonetheless, finishing the season with a 5-7 record after producing just one win in 2010. The Spartans, who last appeared in a bowl in 2006, took their progression a few steps further this year by placing second in the WAC behind Utah State and closing out their regular season slate with a 10-2 record.
Head Coach Mike MacIntyre, who was in his third year at SJST, was offered and accepted the job at Colorado as a result of his team’s success, leaving bowl coaching duties in the hands of defensive coordinator Kent Baer.
While the change may matter in the long run, it probably will not this afternoon. San Jose State ranks 28th in scoring and 25th in points per game allowed and it has faced its share of stiff competition this season, squaring off against the likes of Stanford, Utah State, San Diego State, Navy, BYU, and Louisiana Tech. The Spartans beat all of those teams with the exception of Stanford and Utah State.
Bowling Green, which placed second in the MAC East with a 6-2 conference record, finished the season with an 8-4 record, helping the school reach its first postseason contest since the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl (lost 42-43 to Idaho).
The Falcons record was especially impressive considering their start as they dropped three of their first four games. The team’s 7-1 closing run came mostly against sub-par competition, though, which has raised doubts about its chances this afternoon opposite San Jose State.
The Spartans, who ranks higher in almost every meaningful statistic, have, unquestionably, played a more grueling schedule, and should cruise to victory today.
Military Bowl Odds:
San Jose State Spartans -7.5 (-110), Over 45 (-110), -300 (Moneyline)
Bowling Green Falcons +7.5 (-110), Under 45 (-110), +250 (Moneyline)
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