PREMIUM
Rogers' Holiday Bowl SPECTACULAR >>> 6-1 Bowl Run!
(NCAAF) Minnesota vs. Washington State,
Point Spread: 10.00 | -106.00 Minnesota (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 10.00 | -106.00 Minnesota (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: A pair of 8-4 teams, Minnesota and Washington State, will square off in Tuesday's Holiday Bowl. Minnesota will play in a bowl game for a program record-tying fifth straight season (almost didn't but more on that in second) while Washington State bounced back from two early losses to contend in the Pac-12 before closing with back-to-back losses to Colorado and rival Washington.
Washington State: Mike Leach's "Air Raid" offense is led by QB Luke Falk, who completes 71.0% of his passes, throwing fro 4,204 yards with 37 TDs and just 10 INTs. He's led the Cougars to an average of 40.3 PPG )14th), despite a running game which contributes a modest 128.0 YPG which ranks 114th. Falk should be successful throwing the ball, as the Gophers have struggled against the pass this season, with only one Big Ten team giving up more passing yards per game than their 228.2 and they have only eight 'picks.' The Washington State defense allows 27.2 PPG, ranking 55th of 128 FBS schools.
Minnesota: It's been an awkward time at Minnesota with the distraction of a recent boycott by the Golden Gophers following the suspension of 10 their teammates.Minnesota ended its two-day boycott Dec. 17, after the team were assured the players accused of involvement in an alleged sexual assault case will get a fair hearing. An upset win would cure some of the pain the program has endure, as Minnesota hasn't won nine games since the 10-win season in 2003. Minnesota surely has no QB the likes of Falk, as Mitch Leidner has just 2,040 passing yards (half of Faulk's total!) and nearly twice as many interceptions (12) as TDs (seven). The Gophers run the ball better than the Cougars (most teams do), led by Rodney Smith who has rushed for 1,084 yards (4.9 YPC) and 15 TDs (team averages 186.4 YPG to rank 54th). Minnesota averages 30.3 PPG (59th) and allows 22.9 PPG (31st).
The pick: Preparing for Leach's "Air Raid" offense is tough enough under normal circumstances but with the distraction of players being suspended plus a possible bowl boycott costing the team a few practices, prep has been made even more difficult. I'll also note that Leach's playbook is something that is foreign to what the Minnesota defense has faced in Big 10 Ten play. However, I believe motivation will be high on the Minnesota side ("win one for their teammates!") plus the Gophers' bowl experience is a big plua (5th straight appearance!). Minnesota's first-year head coach Tracy Claeys failed to record a single marquee victory during the regular season but he may get one here in San Diego. Take the big points and make Minnesota an 8* play.
Washington State: Mike Leach's "Air Raid" offense is led by QB Luke Falk, who completes 71.0% of his passes, throwing fro 4,204 yards with 37 TDs and just 10 INTs. He's led the Cougars to an average of 40.3 PPG )14th), despite a running game which contributes a modest 128.0 YPG which ranks 114th. Falk should be successful throwing the ball, as the Gophers have struggled against the pass this season, with only one Big Ten team giving up more passing yards per game than their 228.2 and they have only eight 'picks.' The Washington State defense allows 27.2 PPG, ranking 55th of 128 FBS schools.
Minnesota: It's been an awkward time at Minnesota with the distraction of a recent boycott by the Golden Gophers following the suspension of 10 their teammates.Minnesota ended its two-day boycott Dec. 17, after the team were assured the players accused of involvement in an alleged sexual assault case will get a fair hearing. An upset win would cure some of the pain the program has endure, as Minnesota hasn't won nine games since the 10-win season in 2003. Minnesota surely has no QB the likes of Falk, as Mitch Leidner has just 2,040 passing yards (half of Faulk's total!) and nearly twice as many interceptions (12) as TDs (seven). The Gophers run the ball better than the Cougars (most teams do), led by Rodney Smith who has rushed for 1,084 yards (4.9 YPC) and 15 TDs (team averages 186.4 YPG to rank 54th). Minnesota averages 30.3 PPG (59th) and allows 22.9 PPG (31st).
The pick: Preparing for Leach's "Air Raid" offense is tough enough under normal circumstances but with the distraction of players being suspended plus a possible bowl boycott costing the team a few practices, prep has been made even more difficult. I'll also note that Leach's playbook is something that is foreign to what the Minnesota defense has faced in Big 10 Ten play. However, I believe motivation will be high on the Minnesota side ("win one for their teammates!") plus the Gophers' bowl experience is a big plua (5th straight appearance!). Minnesota's first-year head coach Tracy Claeys failed to record a single marquee victory during the regular season but he may get one here in San Diego. Take the big points and make Minnesota an 8* play.
