After a somewhat rocky start to the afternoon, Day 2 of Bowl Mania did not disappoint, either.
Western Kentucky pulled off the largest fourth quarter comeback in bowl history when it erased a three touchdown deficit against Old Dominion yesterday in Charlotte. Things looked rather bleak from the onset, with the Hilltoppers spotting the Monarchs a 28-point lead before getting things together in the second half and ultimately securing the victory in overtime.
Around The Corn’s prediction of the game was wildly off, but such things happen when six turnovers are committed in a game.
In the Von Hugendong Bowl Mania group, America’s Picks (an entry created by choosing the winner of each game based on how the entirety of the game’s entries leaned and assigning confidence levels according to the percentage of entries that picked said winner) currently leads the way.
Who said that being a follower doesn’t pay off?
Let’s take a quick look at the game taking place on Tuesday evening.
Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
UT-San Antonio vs. Marshall (Tuesday, 9 PM ET – ESPN)
The Roadrunners were hoping to have competed for an AAC title, and although they did not make it to the conference championship game this season, the number of key players opting to play in this game suggests there is a good reason why Jeff Traylor has seemingly decided to stay with the program for at least another year. The bulk of UTSA’s offensive production will suit up, including fifth-year senior Frank Harris at quarterback and leading receiver Joshua Cephus. Those two alone will be a handful for the Marshall defense, but the Roadrunners are balanced offensively and will keep defensive coordinator Jason Semore on his toes.
Marshall fans will recognize the last name on the jersey of its quarterback for this game – redshirt freshman Cole Pennington is the son of former NFL player and Marshall great Chad Pennington. The results from the younger Pennington have left something to be desired thus far; no touchdowns and six interceptions in three games this season. However, Pennington will look to use this game as a launching pad for next season, where he figures to be in the mix to be the Thundering Herd’s opening game starter in 2024. Against UTSA’s solid defense, the going could be rough for one more game before it gets better. Unless Marshall is able to soften the defense with the run game, something it employed fewer times than all but two Sun Belt teams this season, Pennington is likely to be pressured early and often until he proves he can beat the Roadrunners over the top.
Around The Corn’s Pick: 31-20 UT-San Antonio
Bowl Mania Confidence: 26 points
