EMU QB Taylor Powell torched Kent State and CMU at to finish out MAC play. Idaho Potato Bowl – San Jose State -3.5 vs Eastern Michigan - Eastern Michigan couldn’t find the slightest bit of consistency over the first two months, but the team found ways to get the job done in a phenomenal finishing kick. Just when it seemed like the wheels might come off, it went 4-1 to to finish 7-4 and tied with Toledo in the MAC West. All of a sudden, the inconsistent team was able to consistently win.
It was a bit different for San Jose State, Early on in seemed like San Jose State would be the star of the Mountain West, and possibly be in the run for a New Year’s Six spot. It started 4-1 with a close loss at Auburn, and was 6-2 with the conference there for the taking. But the other Spartans went 1-2 to close out the season, finishing 7-4 and tied with San Diego State for 2nd in the MWC West.
Sr. Taylor Powell is the starting quarterback for Eastern Michigan and put together his two best games at the end of the regular season. Powell torched both Kent State and Central Michigan, completing 54 of 75 passes for 581 yards and six touchdowns. He isn’t much of a runner though, and that’s where we might see backup Austin Smith. Smith averaged 4.2 YPC, and he has shown some flashes as a passer.
It was a bit different for San Jose State, Early on in seemed like San Jose State would be the star of the Mountain West, and possibly be in the run for a New Year’s Six spot. It started 4-1 with a close loss at Auburn, and was 6-2 with the conference there for the taking. But the other Spartans went 1-2 to close out the season, finishing 7-4 and tied with San Diego State for 2nd in the MWC West.
Sr. Taylor Powell is the starting quarterback for Eastern Michigan and put together his two best games at the end of the regular season. Powell torched both Kent State and Central Michigan, completing 54 of 75 passes for 581 yards and six touchdowns. He isn’t much of a runner though, and that’s where we might see backup Austin Smith. Smith averaged 4.2 YPC, and he has shown some flashes as a passer.
But he will be under constant pressure from Viliami Fehoko The Spartans have a pair of talented defensive linemen in Viliami Fehoko (the MWC defensive player of the year) and Cade Hall, both of whom are future NFL draft picks. With Powell’s lack of ability to run, expect to see plenty of pressure from the SJSU DL. The Spartans rank fifth nationally with 36 sacks on the season, and the Eagles ranked 85th in pass protection after giving up 30 sacks for 223 yards in losses. It could be a long day for the Huron passing game.
The Hurons will counter with MAC Defensive Player of the Year, DE Jose Ramirez. (6-2, 254). He has had even better backfield production than Fehoko: No. 2 in the nation in sacks (12.0) and No. 3 in tackles for loss (19.5).
SJSU QB Chevan Cordeiro had a solid season. He completed 61% of his passes for 2,884 yards with 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s a dynamic playmaker, running for eight touchdowns, but he was sacked 40 times as the offensive line had some trouble pass blocking. That offensive line had a lot of trouble in the run game too. San Jose State averaged just 3.4 YPC and 97.3 YPG on the ground.
The Hurons will counter with MAC Defensive Player of the Year, DE Jose Ramirez. (6-2, 254). He has had even better backfield production than Fehoko: No. 2 in the nation in sacks (12.0) and No. 3 in tackles for loss (19.5).
SJSU QB Chevan Cordeiro had a solid season. He completed 61% of his passes for 2,884 yards with 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s a dynamic playmaker, running for eight touchdowns, but he was sacked 40 times as the offensive line had some trouble pass blocking. That offensive line had a lot of trouble in the run game too. San Jose State averaged just 3.4 YPC and 97.3 YPG on the ground.
Jose Ramirez was EMU's first ever defensive player of the year Actually, neither team is anything to write home about on offense as they rank 95th (EMU, 360.2 yards per game) and 96th (SJSU, 365.5 yards per game) in total offense. But the Spartans do have the better defense (26th nationally, giving up 333 yards per game compared to EMU's 54th ranking, giving up 367 yards per game).
Weather should favor the snow belt Hurons over the California Spartans - The Eagles will be more used to playing in the cold (mid 20’s wind chill) and possible snow that we will see in Boise on Tuesday, giving them an edge
Eastern has won only one Bowl game in its history, ironically against San Jose State in the 1987 California Bowl. I doubt that will provide much emotional edge to San Jose State but I will include the Spartans, with their better defense deciding the day, in a Money Line Parlay with the Boca Raton Bowl below.
I also lean towards the under of 55.0 but betting unders is hard. Yesterday the Marshall vs UConn under would have been easy money except that UConn’s first play was a fumble recovery to their 16 followed later in the quarter by a pick six.
If you have the stomach for it, it might be worth a look.
Weather should favor the snow belt Hurons over the California Spartans - The Eagles will be more used to playing in the cold (mid 20’s wind chill) and possible snow that we will see in Boise on Tuesday, giving them an edge
Eastern has won only one Bowl game in its history, ironically against San Jose State in the 1987 California Bowl. I doubt that will provide much emotional edge to San Jose State but I will include the Spartans, with their better defense deciding the day, in a Money Line Parlay with the Boca Raton Bowl below.
I also lean towards the under of 55.0 but betting unders is hard. Yesterday the Marshall vs UConn under would have been easy money except that UConn’s first play was a fumble recovery to their 16 followed later in the quarter by a pick six.
If you have the stomach for it, it might be worth a look.
Liberty's Durrell Johnson leads the nation in tackles for loss Boca Raton Bowl - Toledo -5.0 vs Liberty – Liberty was one of the hottest teams in the country, starting out 8-1 with wins over Arkansas and BYU and a one point loss to Wake Forest. But they have been a complete disaster over the final three weeks of the regular season, going 0-3 will losses to UConn and getting pounded by 35 points by New Mexico State, allowing nearly 600 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in the process.
Part of the reason for the slide was the loss of RB Dae Dae Hunter, who went down for the season with a torn knee ligament in Liberty’s upset victory over Arkansas. The ground game has not been as explosive since that point.
Either Kaidon Salter or Johnathan Bennett will get the start under center for the Flames. Salter seems to be the more likely option as a freshman, but the two split snaps over the last couple regular season games. Interceptions have been a problem for both signal callers, Liberty team that is tied for the fourth-most turnovers in the FBS in 2022, having lost 11 fumbles and thrown 15 interceptions. That will be a problem against a Toledo defense that led the MAC with 12 picks.
Liberty is no slouch on defense. Sixth-year DE Durrell Johnson leads the nation in TFL with 22.5 in only 12 games. However, the depth at defensive line is a concern after three backups decided to enter the transfer portal. Additionally, top linebacker Ahmad Walker decided to hit the transfer portal, so the Flames could have a hard time against the run on Tuesday night.
Part of the reason for the slide was the loss of RB Dae Dae Hunter, who went down for the season with a torn knee ligament in Liberty’s upset victory over Arkansas. The ground game has not been as explosive since that point.
Either Kaidon Salter or Johnathan Bennett will get the start under center for the Flames. Salter seems to be the more likely option as a freshman, but the two split snaps over the last couple regular season games. Interceptions have been a problem for both signal callers, Liberty team that is tied for the fourth-most turnovers in the FBS in 2022, having lost 11 fumbles and thrown 15 interceptions. That will be a problem against a Toledo defense that led the MAC with 12 picks.
Liberty is no slouch on defense. Sixth-year DE Durrell Johnson leads the nation in TFL with 22.5 in only 12 games. However, the depth at defensive line is a concern after three backups decided to enter the transfer portal. Additionally, top linebacker Ahmad Walker decided to hit the transfer portal, so the Flames could have a hard time against the run on Tuesday night.
Toledo's dynamic DeQuann Finn looks to be healthy again Toledo entered the season as the favorite to win the MAC and did just that, beating Ohio in the championship game. The Rockets have one of the most dynamic dual-threat Group of Five quarterbacks in DeQuan Finn.
Toledo blew out each of its first three conference opponents, but then Finn hurt his ankle in a loss to Buffalo. Neither Finn nor the offense was the same from that point forward, yet he was good enough to lead Toledo to a MAC Championship. When Dequan Finn was healthy, Toledo had one of the most dangerous offenses in the MAC. He looks to be the healthiest he has been in two months.
However, similar to Liberty, Toledo also has struggled with ball security, committing just one less turnover (25) compared to the Flames, although the Rockets have played 13 games.
Liberty looks to be in disarray with Hugh Freeze moving on to Auburn, injuries and transfers. I’ll go with Toledo with a healthy Finn to win as the other half of my money line parlay.
I’m also going to put a quatloo on the over 51.5. Both teams play at an incredibly fast pace and are susceptible to explosive plays.
The Sax Man has entered a Bowl Pool using the spread. Here's his picks
San Jose State -4.0 vs Eastern Michigan
Liberty +4.0 vs Toledo
South Alabama -4.5 vs Western Kentucky
Air Force +4.0 vs Baylor
Houston -7.0 vs UL Lafayette
Remember the 2023 GO JUMBO trip is Nov 11th at the Westgate SuperBook
Toledo blew out each of its first three conference opponents, but then Finn hurt his ankle in a loss to Buffalo. Neither Finn nor the offense was the same from that point forward, yet he was good enough to lead Toledo to a MAC Championship. When Dequan Finn was healthy, Toledo had one of the most dangerous offenses in the MAC. He looks to be the healthiest he has been in two months.
However, similar to Liberty, Toledo also has struggled with ball security, committing just one less turnover (25) compared to the Flames, although the Rockets have played 13 games.
Liberty looks to be in disarray with Hugh Freeze moving on to Auburn, injuries and transfers. I’ll go with Toledo with a healthy Finn to win as the other half of my money line parlay.
I’m also going to put a quatloo on the over 51.5. Both teams play at an incredibly fast pace and are susceptible to explosive plays.
The Sax Man has entered a Bowl Pool using the spread. Here's his picks
San Jose State -4.0 vs Eastern Michigan
Liberty +4.0 vs Toledo
South Alabama -4.5 vs Western Kentucky
Air Force +4.0 vs Baylor
Houston -7.0 vs UL Lafayette
Remember the 2023 GO JUMBO trip is Nov 11th at the Westgate SuperBook
