Ground Forces

Although I incorrectly picked last night’s game and am now 3-5 for the bowl season, I cannot complain with last night’s result. Most of you probably did not stay up to watch it (come on…it’s the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, right?), but if you did hit the hay early, you missed out. It was definitely the best bowl finish of the season, and may end up being one of the more exciting endings even when all the bowls have been played. Also, FIU coach Mario Cristobal is now one of my favorite coaches for calling the hook and latter play used to convert a key fourth down the “Boise State”.

I cannot afford to lose this afternoon’s game. Here is my pick for the December 27th bowl game.

Advocare V100 Independence Bowl

Air Force vs. Georgia Tech

They may be called the Air Force Academy, but they are more of a force in the running game than through the air. Georgia Tech’s offensive attack is also predicated on the run, as Tech coach Paul Johnson is the former coach of Navy, known for their nasty triple option.

You probably won’t see quarterbacks slinging the ball around the field in this one, but it should still be a pretty entertaining game. It has been hyped as one of the “faster” games in the bowl season, as both Air Force and Georgia Tech run the triple option and will look to grind out yards on the ground as the clock continues to run.

One thing to keep in mind is that Yellow Jackets quarterback Joshua Nesbitt will not be playing, at least to start the game. It is a major setback for any team when they do not have their starting quarterback, but can be an even bigger setback for a team that runs an offense such as the triple option.

Due to Nesbitt being out, and the discipline that Air Force has, I think that the Falcons will be able to win this one. It should be noted that last year when I picked against the Falcons, I was sorely disappointed. Hopefully tonight they can help me out in a big way. I have the Falcons for a whopping 29 points in the College Bowl Mania game.

Final Score: 34-28 Air Force

– K. Becks