The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are entering the Popeye’s Bahamas Bowl red hot on the heels of four straight victories. They take on the Western Michigan Broncos, who will be hard-pressed for a win after losing their past six bowl games in school history. It’s going to be quite a shootout between these two teams. Can Western Michigan finally win its first ever bowl game? Or will Middle Tennessee spoil their party?
It’s going to be an exciting Christmas Eve with some bowl action to keep you occupied. Check out our complete preview for San Diego State vs. Cincinnati in the Hawaii Bowl.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs. Western Michigan Broncos Preview
Where: Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau
When: Thursday, December 24, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (+5) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (-5); total 63.5 – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (7-5)
If Middle Tennessee is to win this bowl game, then they’ll need their passing offense to go guns blazing from the get-go. Freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill has been solid this season, completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 3,678 yards with 27 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He’s passing for a good 8.2 yards per attempt.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Stockstill has a handful of weapons to help him unravel a beatable Western Michigan secondary. Richie James has been great, leading the team with 1,220 yards receiving. Ed’Marques Batties, in the meantime, has been a strong scorer on the team with 13 receiving scores. James and Batties should give Stockstill prime targets to score touchdowns against a Western Michigan defense, which has allowed 21 passing scores (78th in the FBS).
The ground game hasn’t been as dominant with running back Jordan Parker leading the team with just 468 yards and six touchdowns. But he could break out in this game considering the Broncos are allowing 5.31 yards per carry and 186.6 yards per game (86th in the nation) this season.
Middle Tennessee also happens to be solid on the other side of the ball. They’re allowing just 5.2 yards per play this season (38th in the FBS). Limiting Western Michigan’s offense will put far less pressure on the Blue Raiders’ freshman quarterback.
The Blue Raiders are 4-0 ATS in their last four games.
Betting on the Western Michigan Broncos (7-5)
Western Michigan isn’t doing much on defense this season. But they have the explosive offense that can help keep them in games. The Broncos rank 21st in the nation in total offense, gaining 480.9 yards per game.
Key to Western Michigan’s success this season is their ability to control the game with a balanced attack. The Broncos have a solid quarterback, Zach Terrell, who has passed for 3,225 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. He has a solid duo in the receiving corps with Daniel Braverman and Corey Davis each finishing the regular season with 1,200-plus yards with a combined 23 touchdowns.
The Broncos also have a solid running back, Jamauri Bogan, who has 836 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Having solid playmakers on both the passing and rushing attacks should help the Broncos control the game and keep Middle Tennessee’s offense off the field. The Broncos rank second in the nation in time of possession, holding the ball for 34:32 per game.
While the offense will certainly do much of the work for Western Michigan, they do have a solid playmaker on the other side of the ball. Sophomore defensive back Darius Phillips has proven solid in picking off opposing quarterbacks. Phillips has five interceptions this season (17th in the FBS), including a pick-six.
The Broncos have won seven of their last 10 games as favorites.
Writer’s Prediction
Middle Tennessee (+5) upsets Western Michigan to win the Bahamas Bowl. Create a betting account now and win big this thrilling bowl season.
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