Texas Bowl Preview
30 Dec
By Ryan Liss “The Sportmeister”
www.sportmeisters.com
Hmmm…think the NFL network is proud to be broadcasting this game tonight? They might be, we don’t know, but what we do know is we have a matchup between Western Michigan and Rice, two teams not well known in the college football ranks, but who did what they had to to get to a bowl.
Texas Bowl
Western Michigan vs. Rice
Dec. 30th, 8pm, Houston
About Western Michigan: Another MAC participant, Western Michigan had one of there more successful season to date, and are in a bowl for the first time since 2006, looking for their first win in their last four tries. After an opening-season loss to Nebraska, the Broncos reeled off six straight wins, and three wins in their last four games puts them at 9-3 and on the outskirts of the first 10-win season in school history. QB Tim Hiller did a phenomenal job leading the team, throwing for 3427 yards and 34 touchdowns, with most of the balls going to WR Jamarko Simmons, who led the team with 98 catches for 1134 yards and seven touchdowns. Juan Nunez also contributed with seven touchdowns and 661 receiving yards. RB Brandon West has rushed for 970 yards and eight touchdowns with a 5.1 yard per carry average. He also can block against the pass extremely well, and should neutralize any blitz packages Rice throws out.
About Rice: The Rice Owls are looking for their first bowl win in nearly fifty years, and are hoping to do it in the Texas Bowl, as well as winning 10 games for the first time since 1949. After starting the season 3-3, Rice exploded on their way to a six game winning streak. They have a top QB in Chase Clement, who has thrown for 3812 yards and 41 touchdowns, while also rushing for 621 yards and 11 touchdowns as well. The Owls also boast two of the top wide receivers in Jarrett Dillard (1224 yards, 19 touchdowns) and James Casey (1217 yards, 12 touchdowns). Look for RB C.J. Ugowke to also contribute with a 5.0 yard per carry average.
About the Bowl: Rice uses Clement to perfection, with designed keepers and rollout passes to options Dillard and Casey, and with Western Michigan thin in the secondary, they will need to try to get pressure and contain Clement as much as possible. However, look for Ugowke to benefit the most from the added pressure on Clement. On the other side of the ball, Rice uses a 4-2-5 defense to contain the passing game, but their secondary, who are designed to stop the run, assists in a team giving up an average of 5.0 yards per carry. A key matchup to monitor is the offensive line of Western Michigan, giving up only 14 sacks all year, against the front four of Rice, which needs to get pressure on Hiller to force West to stay in the backfield, preventing him from getting some long gains.
The Pick: Rice 38-28. I like the options of the passing game that Rice has, and cannot see Western Michigan getting the pressure on Clement to stop him.
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