Category: Cheez-It Bowl

Mountain West Football: Bowl Season Winners and Losers

We look at the biggest winners and losers from the Mountain West’s seven bowl games.

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Mountain West Football: Bowl Season Winners and Losers

We look back to take stock of the biggest winners and losers from the Mountain West’s seven bowl games.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Some encouragement and some letdowns from the postseason that was.

Well, it had to end sometime.

The Mountain West wrapped up bowl season with a 4-3 record and certainly brought with it a great deal of excitement. While it’s naive to tease out a lot of meaning from what amounts to seven exhibitions, we can still look back one last time to see who stood out and who might be thinking a lot about what might have been in the long off-season.

Here are Mountain West bowl season’s winners and losers.

Winners

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl – Utah State wide receiver Siaosi Mariner. He didn’t get all that much attention in the vacuum to replace all of last year’s pass-catching star power, but Mariner’s bowl performance — seven catches, 113 yards, two touchdowns — helped to put a bow on what was arguably the best season by an Aggie wide receiver in the last ten years.

New Mexico Bowl – San Diego State running back Jordan Byrd. The Aztecs thumping Central Michigan was easily the most surprising result of the Mountain West’s bowl season, but the most pleasant part of that surprise was the surge from a running game that often scuffled in 2019.

Byrd, making a return home to his native New Mexico, finally put up the kind of numbers (17 carries, 139 yards and a touchdown) we’d been accustomed to seeing from San Diego State in years past, providing a glimmer of encouragement that, along with a young receiving corp, the pieces are in place to make a leap forward next fall.

Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl – Boise State defensive end Chase Hatada.  A lot of things weren’t pretty in the desert, but the senior Hatada finished his collegiate career with perhaps his finest effort. While Curtis Weaver was relatively quiet against Washington, Hatada finished with six tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.

SoFi Hawaii Bowl – Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald. Despite being briefly benched for some reason, McDonald put on an aerial show that rivaled some of the best performances of Hawaii quarterbacks past. In the process, he set the new Mountain West record for passing yards in a bowl game by throwing for 493 yards and four touchdowns on 28-of-46 pass attempts. It seems almost certain, then, that something will have to give in the Warriors’ ongoing quarterback shuffle, but we’ll probably have to wait until summer to learn more.

Cheez-It Bowl – Air Force running back Kadin Remsberg. Tailbacks in the Falcons offense don’t often receive a typical RB1 workload, but if anyone doubted that Remsberg had played at an all-conference level for two straight years before Air Force’s win over Washington State, consider that doubt removed.

Remsberg’s 26 carries were both a career high and the most by a Falcons runner this year and he made them count, rushing for 178 yards and a late touchdown that sealed the deal against the Cougars.

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl – Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay. Well, this one is an easy call. Any time someone accounts for nearly 300 yards of total offense like Valladay did against Georgia State (204 yards rushing and 7.8 yards per attempt, 91 receiving yards on three receptions, and two touchdowns), that someone is definitely a winner.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Nevada wide receiver Elijah Cooks. Like Mariner, Cooks quietly put together a strong 2019 and saved the best for last. While the Wolf Pack may have come up short against Ohio, you can’t place too much blame on the junior wide receiver, who finished with 14 catches, 197 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets.

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PODCAST: 2019 Mountain West Bowl Show Part 2

Get caught up with the latest Mountain West bowl news.

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PODCAST: 2019 Mountain West Bowl Show Part 2

A pair of recaps and a preview.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Air Force, Hawaii come away with wins.

Jeremy flies solo once again to recap the Cheeze It and Hawaii Bowl, plus he previews the Arizona Bowl between Georgia State and Wyoming. In the bowl recaps it starts with Hawaii earning a 38-34 victory over BYU. The Warriors offense had a huge game throwing the ball from Cole McDonald who was turnover-free in the game.

The Warriors defense also stood out with three turnovers of their own. There was some technology issues in the game that could have made things a bit different but the bowl game was lacking the proper tech.

Air Force vs. Washington State lived up to the hype with the Falcons running at will and the Cougars offense slinging the ball quite well. Air Force had a classic 20-play, 12-plus minute drive that went over the first and second quarters for a touchdown. The Falcons defense also made a few big plays by stopping Washington State on multiple fourth downs.

We also preview the Arizona Bowl between Wyoming and Georgia State which will feature strength vs. strength with the Cowboys defense vs. the Panthers offense and vice versa with weakness vs. weakness. Also, there is some confusing information regarding Wyoming’s starting quarterback.

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2019 Cheeze-It Bowl Expert Picks

2019 Cheeze-It Bowl Expert Picks Find out who likes who between Air Force and Washington State Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Bowl game picks The Cheez-It Bowl features run option attack with Air Force and the wide open passing attack which …

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2019 Cheeze-It Bowl Expert Picks

Find out who likes who between Air Force and Washington State

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Bowl game picks

The Cheez-It Bowl features run option attack with Air Force and the wide open passing attack which features Washington State. This is one of the

Staff Picks

Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State (+3)

Jeremy: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 30, Washington State 23

Josh F: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 28, Washington State 24

Matt K.: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 38, Washington State 35

Ted M: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 37, Washington State 31

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Washington St

Score: Washington St 42 Air Force 35

Roger Air Force 30 Washington State 28

Erik: SU/ATS: Air Force

Sean: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 35, Washington State 28

USA TODAY

This is split down the middle with three going for Air Force and three for Washington State.

Los Angeles Times

Air Force 42-38

The Action Cookbook

The robots patrolled the streets and the skies, in cities devoid of human life. The few that escaped the assault hid in the mountains, too afraid to even light fires to warm them in the frigid desert nights.

CBS Sports

Since the start of the decade, service academy teams are 12-5 against the spread in bowl games. No team enjoys defending the option over four quarters in an exhibition, and I think as long as the Falcons can hold their own against the Cougars’ passing attack they will wear down Washington State and pull away for the win. Pick: Air Force (-2.5)

Four writers go with Washington State and two go with Air Force.

ESPN

The pre-playoff bowl game that captured America’s hearts and minds is back. This time, we get Mike Leach, a resurgent Air Force team and, of course, Cheez-Its. The teams won’t combine for nine interceptions again and should score more than two touchdowns, but there will be drama right down to the end. Anthony Gordon and his receivers challenge Air Force, but everyone knows defense wins Cheez-It Bowl championships, and Air Force has the edge there.

Prediction: Air Force 37, Washington State 31

Athlon Sports

Two picked Washington State and one for Air Force


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2019 Cheez-It Bowl Game Preview: Keys To An Air Force Win vs. Washington State

The Falcons take on the Washington State Cougars in what should be one of the year’s most entertaining bowl games.

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2019 Cheez-It Bowl Game Preview: Keys to an Air Force Win vs. Washington State

Can Air Force ground the Air Raid?

Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire

A bowl game with true parity.

2019 CHEEZ-IT BOWL: Washington State Cougars (6-6, 3-6 Pac-12) vs. Air Force Falcons (10-2, 7-1 Mountain West)

WHEN: Friday, December 27, 2019 — 8:15 PM MT/7:15 PM PT

WHERE: Chase Field; Phoenix, Arizona (48,686)

PAYOUT: $1,625,550 per team

TV: ESPN

STREAMING: You can get a free seven-day trial of FuboTV by clicking here.

RADIO: The Air Force broadcast can be found in and around Colorado Springs on 740 AM (KVOR), on 104.3 FM in Denver, and elsewhere on the American Forces Network. The Washington State broadcast can be found throughout the Pacific Northwest on the affiliates of the Washington State Sports Network, which includes flagships 104.3 FM (KHTR) and 920 AM (KXLY) in Pullman and Spokane, respectively.

Alternatively, the radio broadcast can be streamed online via TuneIn.

SERIES RECORD: This is the first meeting between Air Force and Washington State.

WEBSITES: GoAirForceFalcons.com, the official Air Force athletics website | WSUCougars.com, the official Washington State athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Air Force | Washington State

ODDS (via OddsShark): Air Force -3

SP+ PROJECTION: Washington State by 0.2 (50% win probability)

FEI PROJECTION: Air Force by 9.7

As the sun is about to set on another college football season, there is still one last mission in front of the Falcons: Defeat the Washington State Cougars. For Air Force to reach the 11-win mark for the first time (they have won 10 and 12 in a season), they must be prepared to defend the pass, early and often.

Likewise, if Wazzu would like to end the 2019 campaign with a winning record, they had better be prepared to not only defend the run, but remain disciplined at all levels of their defense.

With such contrasting styles of play, it’s understandable why the Cheez-It Bowl has garnered so much attention. Whatever your appetite is for offense, it will be on the menu.

Three Keys to an Air Force Victory

1. Pass Efficiency > Pass Yards

It is well documented that essentially anytime you play against a Mike Leach-coached team, your secondary will be tested. Facing the top passing offense in the country, the Falcon secondary will have to be sharp. Healthy disruption of Anthony Gordon’s pocket by all-conference standouts Mosese Fifita, Kyle Johnson and Demonte Meeks will go a long way. And, oh yeah, there is also that Jordan Jackson fellow.

It’s really important to understand, too, that the Cougars pass game isn’t the only one that will be on display Friday. As accomplished as their offense is, Air Force showcases the most efficient passing offense in the country. Consider that they will match up against a Cougar pass defense which is one of the worst (statistically) in all of FBS.

And in case you’re wondering, the Falcon defense ranks in the top 40 when it comes to stopping the pass. It’s prudent to also point out that the Air Force ranks 16th in overall defense. Both are monumental strides from last year.

2. Do What You Do

I know we just exhausted some effort in outlining the importance of Air Force’s offensive pass efficiency. But the reality is that success is widely predicated on the success of their ground attack. That’s their bread and butter, if you will.

The general nature and success of the Falcon football team goes as the run game does. It can chew up clock, limiting possessions for the opposing offense. All the while, it can completely wear down and outright demoralize the defense.

This is who Air Force is. They showcase the third-most productive rushing attack in the country. If you haven’t watched this team play, don’t expect to see straight designed pass plays to support that highly efficient passing offense. What you can expect is to see a physically and mentally fatigued defense from the running attack have a lapse a few times through the game, which the Falcons have made a living on exposing with the big pass play.

3. Think Hawai’i

Now, I realize that the run-and-shoot offense of Hawai’i is not the same as the Air Raid that Wazzu deploys. However, by volume of passes they will have to defend, it’s a pretty fair benchmark. And even though Cole McDonald racked up over 400 yards, it was in a losing effort. More than that, it was in a completely dominant Air Force win.

The Falcon defense forced two turnovers, one of which being one of the highlights of the NCAA season in another Zane Lewis 99 yard INT returned for a touchdown. Air Force doesn’t have to have a defensive score to win (though it certainly would help), they just need to stay the course and impose their will offensively.

The first read (Fullback Dive) is the catalyst to the Triple Option offense. When, that aspect of the attack is going, it makes for a very long day for the defense. From there, the Falcons can unleash a litany of weapons. Get the dive going, get the offense going.

Prediction

Like many, I am really excited to see how these contrasting styles play out. Wazzu has had extra time to prepare for the triple option, which should certainly be an advantage over conventional prep time.

I believe that the Falcons defense could and may surrender another 400 yard passing game. And frankly, that may be fine based on how they want to dictate the game. The defense could allow this type of yardage and still have a good showing, ask Nick Rolovich.

In the end, D.J. Hammond III is in command of a lethal offensive attack. The Coug’s are and I believe will be a formidable opponent for the Falcons on Friday. But I don’t think Washington State is going to be able to have any sustained success at staving off a relentless assault from the Hammond led offense.

Air Force earns their first 11-win season.

Air Force 35- Washington State 28

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Cheez-It Bowl: A Washington State Q&A With Theo Lawson

We learn more about the Air Force Falcons’ bowl opponent, the Washington State Cougars, with Theo Lawson of the Spokesman-Review.

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Cheez-It Bowl: A Washington State Q&A With Theo Lawson

We learn more about Air Force’s bowl opponent, the Washington State Cougars, with Theo Lawson of the Spokesman-Review.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

One of the bowl season’s most fun matchups.

College football’s bowl season is now well underway and the Mountain West’s seven-game slate heads into the back end when the Air Force Falcons and Washington State Cougars face off in the Cheez-It Bowl on Friday, December 27.

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You’ll be hard-pressed to find two teams who are more different, especially on offense, which means this year’s iteration of the bowl could be much different, as well. Despite finishing just 6-6, Wazzu will lean hard on what it does best and the Falcons will need to do

To learn more about the Cougars, we reached out to Theo Lawson of the Spokesman-Review.

Mountain West Wire: The 2019 Cougars may not have received quite the same level of preseason hype as a program like Nebraska, but Washington State began the year ranked in the preseason top 25 and were expected to be a factor in the Pac-12 North. Can you briefly explain how Wazzu instead ended up at 6-6 and how head coach Mike Leach has responded to falling short of those expectations?

Theo Lawson: The Cougars opened the year with three sub-par opponents (NMSU, Northern Colorado, Houston) so the optimism really carried until week four against UCLA, when WSU gave up a 32-lead to lose 67-63 in what was the highest-scoring game in Pac-12 history. That was the first time you could sense the defense would really be a problem for this team and it never improved from there. Two weeks later, defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys resigned without much notice and the Cougars lost five of six games between Sept. 21 and Nov. 9. The offense has produced at a high clip all season, but the defense simply hasn’t held up its end of the bargain – the UCLA game being the prime example. Anthony Gordon threw for nine touchdowns, the Cougars scored 63 points … and lost.

MWwire: In a game of such drastic offensive contrasts, one thing that jumps out is that Washington State had the Pac-12’s worst run defense on a per-play basis and currently sits in the bottom five nationally by defensive stuff rate. Linebacker Jahad Woods, with ten tackles for loss, appears to be a standout despite this, but who else in the front seven do you believe has the best chance to have a big impact in disrupting the Air Force ground game and why?

Lawson: Generally, I think the Cougars will struggle mightily against the triple option. Woods is usually reliable and embodies the “Speed D” motto that former DC Alex Grinch introduced years back. But Woods is the only All-Pac-12 performer on this defense, so I hesitate to name anyone else. Dallas Hobbs, a redshirt sophomore nose tackle, is someone who’s progressed quite a bit this season, jumping from second/third on the depth chart to the unquestioned starter at that position.

But, as I alluded to, this is a team that’s struggled against the run, and it’s also one that hasn’t seen anything remotely close to the type of attack they’ll face with Air Force.

MWwire: Washington State also enters the bowl game having given up more 30-yard pass plays than anyone else in the Pac-12 and while Air Force doesn’t throw much, their receivers have generally maximized those limited opportunities all season. Where has that issue come from this fall and who, in particular, might need to have a strong performance to keep the Falcons from exploiting it?

Lawson: The explosive plays – what I’ve been counting as a 20-yard pass or 15-yard run – have definitely been the biggest head-scratcher for the Cougars this season. There’s been a handful of cases where a defensive back just gets beat by a faster wide receiver, but most of the time the explosives have been assignment-based. Mike Leach has called it “playing with eight” – eight defenders doing their job, three of them not. For something that would seem so easy to fix, it’s been a huge problem from really the start of the season all the way through the Apple Cup against Washington. I know Air Force likes to keep the ball for long stretches of time and win the time of possession battle, but there could be some opportunities for quick scoring drives this Friday.

MWwire: What kind of a role does running back Max Borghi play in this year’s iteration of the Air Raid? His rushing numbers (121 attempts, 6.53 YPC) seem like what you’d expect, but it appears noteworthy that he enters the bowl game 12th among all FBS pass catchers with 81 receptions.

Lawson: Leading FBS running backs in receptions is a hallmark of Air Raid running backs and James Williams did it last year with 83 in 13 games. Borghi has soft hands and a special ability to make the first defender miss. He supposedly leads the country with 25 missed tackles forced after the catch, but he’s also more of a traditional running back than some of the others Leach has had in Pullman and someone I think could thrive in an offense that requires him to run the ball 20-plus times. Four 100-yard games in a single season may not seem like much – especially up in Colorado Springs – but Borghi’s the first running back to do it at WSU under Leach and his 6.5 ypc lead the conference.

MWwire: A pass-heavy offense doesn’t work without protection and, with a 2.7% sack rate that ranks second nationally, the Cougars offensive line appear to have that covered in spades. Who is the standout from that unit?

Lawson: There isn’t really a weak link on the offensive line, but right tackle Abraham Lucas is easily the top player and someone who I think will have an opportunity to leave college early after his junior season for the NFL Draft. The Cougars like to recruit tall, quick offensive linemen who can put on weight and shape their bodies once they get on campus. Lucas is listed at 6-foot-7, 256 pounds on his 247Sports.com recruiting profile, but he’s put on about 70 pounds since arriving in Pullman and the Cougars list him at 6-foot-7, 324. Andre Dillard, who was a first-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, came to WSU at 240 pounds and left at 310. So, if Lucas can follow the Dillard trajectory, he could be one of the top tackles in the country by his senior season. At this rate, though, he may not make it that far.

MWwire: Last year’s Cheez-It Bowl was a messy ode to college football, but this year’s matchup definitely looks like it’ll be miles different. How do you generally expect the game to unfold?

Lawson: I’m fairly confident Air Force will rush for 300 yards or more and I tend to think WSU won’t have too much trouble throwing the ball around the yard in Gordon’s final college game. The Cougars really ought to avoid turnovers in this one against an Air Force team that tries to limit offensive possessions. If they’re successful in that area, I believe they’ll be able to match the Falcons on the scoreboard and this could turn into an 80- or 90-point desert shootout. But, based on the fact the Cougars haven’t beat an opponent with a winning record this season – and 10 wins is nothing to scoff at – I’ll probably choose Air Force when I make my official pick later on in the week.

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Mountain West Bowl Picks and Prediction

Find out what the best picks are?

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Mountain West Bowl Picks and Predictions

Bowl season is close to being underway.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Bowl picking time!

Don’t let anyone tell you that the college football bowl season has too many games. There is a finite number of these contests and we must cherish them all so more bowl games the better.

Plus, it gives us another opportunity to make some bowl picks for Mountain West games since odds for the bowl games have been updated after being out for a few weeks.

Frisco Bowl: Utah State vs. Kent State (+5)

This one is a bit interesting since Utah State had a few players get in trouble with law enforcement as Jordan Love, Gerold Bright and Sean L. Carter were charged with possession of marijuana. There is no work on them not playing this game on Friday but if they play the Aggies should be able to top Kent State since Utah State has the better overall talent on the field.

Pick against the spread: Utah State

New Mexico Bowl: San Diego State vs Central Michigan (+3.5)

San Diego State is going to be led by its defense, no surprise there, but the really good news is that quarterback Ryan Agnew is expected to be healthy and ready to go in the bowl game this weekend against Central Michigan.

This is going to be a battle of the strengths as the Aztecs are allowing just 12.8 points per game and the Chips are putting up 31.9 points per game. Usually, the Aztec defense can slow down any attack and look for that to be the same.

Pick against the spread: San Diego State

Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington (-3.5) 

Washington head coach Chris Petersen is not happy his final game is against his former team. The Huskies were a preseason top 20 team but now that distinction belongs to the Broncos. The big question for Boise State is who will play at quarterback. Redshirt senior Jaylon Henderson was the third quarterback to start the year but he is now the starter and is 4-0 as a starter.

This Huskies team might be the best Henderson has faced and the Washington defense just might be able to find a way to slow down Henderson with a few weeks to prepare. Even with that time, the Boise State defense should be able to slow down a Washington offense that is 61st in yards per play.

Pick against the spread: Boise State

Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. BYU (-1.5)

This one could go a lot of different ways because Hawaii sometimes plays to the level of competition, and BYU has been up and down but mostly up as of late. The Warriors have won low-scoring games like the 14-11 victory over San Diego State and have won shootouts like the 42-40 shootout vs. San Jose State.

BYU recently played San Diego State and managed just three points but that was against a really good Aztecs defense. Expect this game to have a decent amount of points as the Cougar offense has shown this year to put together some solid drives.

Pick against the spread: Hawaii

Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State (+3)

This game is going to be one of the most interesting of all of the bowl seasons. The contrast of styles makes it a must-watch with the Falcons run-option attack vs. Mike Leach’s “air raid” attack. The Air Force defense will give up points and yards but its offense will counter that behind QB Donald Hammond III by controlling the time of possession.

Pick against the spread: Air Force

Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Georgia State (+7.5)

Wyoming has an issue at quarterback as they are down to only Levi Williams as starter Sean Chambers is out and Tyler Vander Waal announced his intention to transfer. The Cowboys defense will keep them in any game and will do so against Georgia State. The Panthers do have an offense that will make it tough on the Cowboys with QB Dan Ellingtion who has a modest 21 touchdowns to seven picks, and also its running back Tra Barnnett who has 12 rushing touchdowns on 1,389 yards.

Pick against the spread: Georgia State

Idaho Potato Bowl: Nevada vs. Ohio (-7.5)

The Nevada Wolf Pack have been all over the board this year with multiple major blowouts or close games. It seems there is no real in-between. What will make this game difficult to win is that the Wolf Pack are down four starters who were involved in the altercation vs. UNLV in the season finale.

The Mountain West determined that defensive backs Austin Arnold and Daniel Brown, defensive lineman Hausia Sekona, and linebacker Gabriel Sewell were all in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship rule.

Arnold earned a two-game suspension, Brown and Sekona were each handed one-game suspensions, and Sewell will be suspended for one half.

Pick against the spread: Ohio

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What Mountain West Bowl Games Provide A Betting Value?

What Mountain West Bowl Games Provide A Betting Value? Not all bowl games are created equal. Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire What games earns your cash? The Mountain West bowl season is approaching quickly and the odds for the games have …

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What Mountain West Bowl Games Provide A Betting Value?

Not all bowl games are created equal.

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

What games earns your cash?

The Mountain West bowl season is approaching quickly and the odds for the games have fluctuated and finally have settled and with the lines fairly stable we will provide the best value of games to put a few bucks down for some college football betting. Since the betting season has started, we believe that this will be helpful for many of our readers.

There are seven Mountain West bowl games and we will rank these from the worst value to the best betting value in our opinion.

7. Frisco Bowl: Utah State vs. Kent State (+5)

This one would be much higher but with the news that a trio of Aggie players have been charged with possession of marijuana. There is no word yet on if Jordan Love, Gerold Bright and Sean L. Carter will play this Friday. If they play the five-point line seems like a good bet for the Aggies but now anyone looking to toss a few bucks may want to steer clear of this game.

6. Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. BYU (-1.5)

Former WAC rivals meet on Christmas Eve. This one could be tight but only if the BYU offense can make waves against a Warriors defense that is just so-so. This Warriors offense is arguably the best passing attack BYU has seen all year. However, the Hawaii offense can get placed in check against teams with decent to solid defenses.

Also, to consider is that BYU ended the season pretty good but the final game was poor performance against San Diego State where they scored three points. If that team shows up then Hawaii should win big but if the good BYU team that beat Boise State then this will be a close one.

5. Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State (+3)

Talk about contrasting styles. The pass-happy Cougars attack against a Falcons ground game that is one of a kind. The Falcons being a favorite is a slight surprise but Air Force has 10 wins, a quarterback in Donald Hammond III that not only runs well but passes well. The Falcons defense does give up 7.5 yards per attempt and Washington State averages 8.0 yards per pass attempt. This game will come down to what defense makes a stop against the opposing teams strength.

4. Las Vegas Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington (-3.5) 

This will be an emotional game for Chris Petersen who is stepping down as the Huskies head coach and it might be a bit awkward for him to go up against his former team.

Nov 29, 2019; Fort Collins, CO, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Jaylon Henderson (9) and offensive lineman John Ojukwu (70) celebrate a score in the second quarter against the Boise State Broncos at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

There is no word on what quarterback will play for Boise State but Jaylon Henderson has been playing at a high level in his starts in the final third of the season. The Huskies were a preseason top 20 team so there is talent there but they have not met expectations.

3. Arizona Bowl: Wyoming vs. Georgia State (+7.5)

The confidence level is high on this one since the Wyoming defense is one of the best in the nation. The offense has been good running the ball but the quarterback position is not in good shape.

Sean Chambers is out with an injury and Tyler Vander Waal announced he is transferring. It may not matter too much in this game but the line is pretty big and the Cowboys are not a team that will blow out other teams so expect it to be within a touchdown.

2. Idaho Potato Bowl: Nevada vs. Ohio (-7.5)

This is a lot of points for Ohio to be favored. They score a lot of points and put up 34.7 points per game. The Wolf Pack are only averaging 21.3 per game but they have had five games of scoring 30 or more points. Expect this to be a shootout as Ohio gives up 27 points per game and Nevada allows 32.1 points per game. Expect points but not a blowout.

1.New Mexico Bowl: San Diego State vs Central Michigan (+3.5)

San Diego State’s defense is really, really good and can shutdown nearly any defense they face. The Aztecs also are getting back QB Ryan Agnew who is expected to be healthy but the big question is still running back Juwan Washington who has been hobbled by an ankle injury most of the year. Central Michigan puts up nearly 32 points per game but they have not seen a defense like the Aztecs and will struggle to score. 

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First Look at The Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State

A Bowl of True Parody No Bowl features more contrasting styles than the Cheez-It Bowl Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire Who: Washington State Cougars vs. Air Force Falcons When: Saturday, December 27, 2019 (8:30 p.m. MT) Location: Phoenix, Arizona …

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A Bowl of True Parody

No Bowl features more contrasting styles than the Cheez-It Bowl

Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire

Who: Washington State Cougars vs. Air Force Falcons

When: Saturday, December 27, 2019 (8:30 p.m. MT)

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Stadium: Chase Field (seating capacity 48,686)

Payout: $1,625,550 per team 

How We Got Here

After back to back disappointing seasons which saw Air Force miss the Bowl season in 2017 and 2018, the Falcons rebounded in grand fashion in 2019. Air Force won a total of 10 games the previous two seasons combined, before matching that win total this season and posting a 7-1 conference record.

The Coug’s on the other hand started the season off strong at 3-0, before losing a game to UCLA in spectacular fashion. This was a game which they held a 35-17 lead to start the second half, scored 63 points and still lost the game. This was emblematic of Wazzu’s season this year, which they concluded with a 6-6 record.

Meet the Competitors

The Washington State Cougars compete out of the Pac-12 Conference’s North Division. They are coached by one of the most creative offensive minds in all of football, Mike Leach. This is a team that isn’t just entertaining because of their stat stuffing, air-raid offense. The Cougars have finally found consistent success since landing Leach, earning Bowl invitations in six of his seven years in Pullman.

The United States Air Force Academy Falcons play in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. Air Force, like the other military Academies are known for running the triple option offense, which in practice is as opposite their foes in this Bowl match-up as could be. While the Falcons may have been absent the Bowl season the previous two years, under Troy Calhoun, they have earned Bowl invitations in 10 of his 13 seasons as head coach.

National Treasures

This game has all the makings of an absolute classic with the contrasting styles and each teams ability to score. But we can talk more about that in the preview, closer to the game. What can’t be overstated is how this game features two of the best coaches on the West Coast.

And this Bowl also features two of the quirkiest coaches to ever adorn the whistles. Reporters and pundits alike have to be salivating at the potential sound bytes that will emanate from Leach and Calhoun.

History

Interestingly enough, these two teams have never faced each other, so there is no historical context. The Falcons did however face one of the most prolific passers in NCAA history, Case Keenum and the Houston Cougars in back to back Bowl games, in 2008 and 2009.

This was during Kevin Sumlin’s “hay day” as a coach, where his offenses were racking up yards and points at a torrent pace. Air Force split the two games, losing one and winning the other. Air Force also faced the Jared Goff led air raid attack for the Cal Golden Bears back in 2015, and it didn’t go so well.

All of this to say, even though they may have never played Wazzu, or do not face a true air raid passing offense on a regular basis, they have experienced it in the Calhoun era. And they can certainly expect another dose of it in Arizona.

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Mountain West Football: Every 2019 Bowl Gift Package, Ranked

Bowl games are important, but the swag for every player matters just as much. Which gifts are the best among the seven Mountain West bowls?

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Mountain West Football: Every 2019 Bowl Gift Package, Ranked

Bowl games are important, but the swag for every player matters just as much. Which gifts are the best among the seven Mountain West bowls?

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

If you won’t give the players money, at least make it worth their while.

It’s a well-established fact that every bowl game is precious (even if some games are a little more precious than others), but it is also true that this does not necessarily hold for the customary gift packages given to players instead of, you know, just paying them cash for their labor.

Sports Business Daily has the full rundown of what every single bowl is giving to its participants and what becomes readily clear is that the big time games give the best stuff. This makes it especially important for the lower-tier bowls to make their decisions count and, this year, some did a lot better than others.

Here are the indisputable swag rankings for this year’s slate of bowl games.

7. Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl

The swag: Gift suite; socks; beanie; portable charger

Do you remember the “Christmas Party” episode of “The Office” where, before Michael Scott suggests a game of Yankee Swap, Creed forgets to get Jim a gift for Secret Santa and just throws a dirty and too-small button-up in a plastic bag for him? That’s what this set of swag is. You should expect more from the conference’s premier bowl and hope next year’s replacement, the new bowl in Los Angeles, is taking notes.

6. Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl

The swag: Gift suite; Herschel Supply Co. Chapter travel kit; New Era insulated beanie

This is a fairly modest package overall, but it is worth noting it’s miles better than socks (seriously, don’t give socks as a gift during the holidays). One has to wonder, though, whether the travel kit is filled with even smaller travel swag. If so, then this ranking is perhaps a spot too low.

5. SoFi Hawaii Bowl

The swag: Gift suite; Kahala aloha shirt; Oakley backpack and sunglasses; performance T-shirt; beach towel; surf trunks

As usual, the participants here get a load of swag with the local flavor, which you might describe every year as a “high floor” gift package.

4. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl

The swag: Gift suite; Justin cowboy hat; football; college football 150th anniversary coin; lapel pin; Blingware cup; beanie

The Frisco Bowl gets points for originality, especially with regards to swag that is unique to the locale. Whether everyone actually looks good in a cowboy hat is another question entirely, but outside of the purview of this thought exercise.

Blingware’s merchandise actually looks pretty neat, too, the kind of stuff you might consider giving to the diehards in your family for Christmas. A solid overall effort from the folks in Texas.

3. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

The swag: Gift suite; Thule Achiever computer backpack; Herschel Supply Co. hip pack; beanie; coin

Computer backpacks are underrated, almost like a solid center for your offensive line, so Spuddy Buddy and his friends get props for recognizing that niche value. The package as a whole is also uniquely suited to the climate, so recipients will get immediate use out of everything right away and thereafter.

2. New Mexico Bowl

The swag: Gift suite; Oakley Holbrook sunglasses; Oakley Gearbox backpack; beanie; water bottle

The sunglasses and backpack are an impressive investment, and the latter gift gets extra points for being the kind of gift that has both utility and durability. Everyone else seems pretty nondescript, but this is a clear win for San Diego State and Central Michigan.

1. Cheez-It Bowl

The swag: GoPro Hero 7 with accessories and carrying case; Fossil watch; Oakley sunglasses; Ogio Shuttle Pack backpack; “History of The Bowls: Celebrating the Good of The Game” book; Ice Shaker insulated bottle; Branded Bills cap and travel case

The Cheez-It Bowl just gets it. Everyone else could learn something here.

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Mountain West Football: Every 2019 Bowl Game, Ranked

Every bowl game is precious, but we determine which of the Mountain West’s seven bowls are just a little more precious.

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Mountain West Football: Every 2019 Bowl Game, Ranked

Every bowl game is precious, but we determine which ones are just a little more precious.

Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

Which ones will be must-see television?

There weren’t a lot of surprises when the Mountain West Conference unveiled its slate of seven bowl games on Sunday afternoon but, all in all, there’s a lot of good football on our hands in December and January!

Mountain West Wire’s official stance is that “any bowl game is a good bowl game”, but that’s not going to prevent us from determining which bowl games are… better. Which matchups are the best ones over the next month?

Here’s what I think.

7. Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl – Utah State vs. Kent State

The Mid-American Conference in 2019 may be best described as an egalitarian paradise. Akron might have been the worst team in college football and just two teams managed eight wins overall, but ten of the 12 MAC teams had between three and six wins in conference play. It may be neat to have had such a wide-open field, but it also means there aren’t a plethora of truly inspiring teams in that field.

Utah State, meanwhile, didn’t have quite the season many imagined it might back in the summer, but at least Jordan Love will (presumably) have one last opportunity to light up the scoreboard. It’s fine, but fine doesn’t always equal exciting.

6. Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Nevada vs. Ohio

Most of the excitement will derive from whichever Wolf Pack and whichever Bobcats team decides to show up on January 3. Ohio, like Kent State, clawed their way to a bowl from that same MAC morass but may have been the conference’s biggest disappointment, requiring two blowouts over Bowling Green and Akron just to get to 6-6 after losing a litany of heart-breakers.

If both offenses come out on fire, this bowl could easily surpass its standing here, but there’s also the danger that Nevada could fall victim to yet another lopsided defeat against one of the Group of 5’s most capable quarterbacks, Nathan Roarke. We’ll see.

5. New Mexico Bowl – Wyoming vs. Georgia State

 

4. SoFi Hawaii Bowl – Hawaii vs. BYU

For the second straight year, we get something of a WAC throwback and, even better, this bowl is back where it belongs on Christmas Eve. It’ll be a chance for the Warriors to even the overall score just a little bit, too, in a series that’s been particularly lopsided as of late.

The Cougars have also had a penchant for creating close games, with seven of their 12 contests being decided by ten points or fewer. If nothing else, it’s still the best excuse you’ll have to duck your family for a few hours right before the holiday.

3. Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl – San Diego State vs. Central Michigan

Now we’re talking. The Aztecs defense didn’t suffer the same November swoon that befell them in 2018 and while SDSU fell short of the division title, their reward is to face the very capable MAC runners-up.

After languishing with one of the worst offenses in the country last fall, Jim McElwain turned the Chippewas attack into one of the best in the conference, finishing third on a per-play basis while more than doubling the points scored per game. It will be an underrated “offense vs. defense” tilt in Tucson, so make sure you don’t overlook this game.

2. Mitsubishi Las Vegas Bowl – Boise State vs. Washington

“Chris Petersen’s last ride” is a fine narrative, but what’s more intriguing is the potential for a real defensive showcase. The Huskies may not have the big names like last year’s iteration, but young talents like Cameron Williams and Joe Tryon make for a fascinating contrast with established stars like Curtis Weaver and Kekoa Nawahine.

Alternatively, it could be a quarterback showcase. Jaylon Henderson has more than earned the right to start for the Broncos one last time, but perhaps Hank Bachmeier will find his way back under center to duel Jacob Eason, who’s been up and down this fall. Either way, it should be a fun one.

1. Cheez-It Bowl – Air Force vs. Washington State

The triple option and the Air Raid? Say no more.

The Cougars have perhaps never been more themselves than they were this year, leaning on the pass more than any other team in the country, while the Falcons’ ground game has rarely been more efficient than it has been this fall. It could be one of bowl season’s biggest point bonanzas when all is said and done.

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