College Football bowl season continues to heat up with another exciting weekend of fixtures. This weekend’s slate is headlined by an exciting affair in the Armed Forces bowl as the 8-4 Houston Cougars take on the 10-2 Army Black Nights. Memphis versing Wake Forest and Troy taking on Buffalo are two more intriguing fixtures that round out this place nicely. Get your Christmas season started off right with our 3 best college football bets this weekend.
Memphis Tigers
Memphis enters the Birmingham Bowl off the back of a stellar 8-5 season that saw them end up second in their conference. Despite a solid campaign, they were no match for an undefeated UCF side in the AAC Championship game. QB Brady White has led the way offensively, throwing for over 3100 yards and 25 touchdowns. RB Derrell Henderson will be a huge miss in this one, having totalled over 1900 yards and 22 touchdowns on the campaign. Defensively, Memphis has been a bit of a mixed bag this season. They really struggled last time out, allowing a whopping 8 touchdowns to UCF.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest enter the Birmingham Bowl off a middling 6-6 season, capped off with a 59-7 win against Duke. QB Jamie Newman was very efficient in this one, completing 18/23 passes for 4 touchdowns. RB Cade Carney was also excellent in that one, going off for 223 yards and 2 touchdowns. The pass defence was also incredibly impressive in this one, holding Duke to just 3.1 yards per carry. Wake Forest’s secondary has been impressive all season and allowed just 4 yards per attempt last time out.
Prediction: Memphis -3.5
Despite the loss of Henderson, I think Memphis is the significantly better team in this one. They’ve had a much better campaign and should still be able to run the ball effectively. I’d recommend getting in before this number goes to 4.
Houston Cougars
The Cougars enter the Armed Forces Bowl off a relatively impressive season that saw them finish 8-4. A run-heavy offence, the Cougars offensive line has consistently paved the way for strung rushing performances each week. QB D’Erik King should be commended for his efficient play, throwing for 2900 yards and 36 touchdowns to just 6 picks. Where the Cougars will have to step up in this one is on defence. They struggled hugely against Memphis last time out, allowing 52 points and 7 touchdowns. The rush defence was particularly gashed, allowing over 400 yards on the ground.
Army Black Knights
The Black Knights enter the Armed Forces bowl off a very solid 10-2 season. This was capped off by a 17-10 win over their arch-rival Navy last time out. The rushing attack has been excellent all season, consistently registering 300-yard days. Kelvin Hopkins is a phenomenal option QB, throwing just 3 picks all season. Defensively, the Black Nights have been very consistent all season. For their past 4 games, they’re yet to allow an opponent over 14 points. If the pass defence can hold up in this one, they’ve got a very strong chance of taking it out.
Prediction: Houston +4.5
After a huge win over Navy last time out, I wonder just how motivated Army will be for this one. Houston are a very capable team with a fantastic Quarterback at this level. Through the key numbers of 3 and 4, I’ve got no issues backing them here.
Buffalo Bulls
The Bulls enter the Dollar General Bowl after a respectable 10-3 season that saw them finish atop the MAC East. QB Tyree Jackson had a very solid campaign, throwing for over 2850 yards and 27 touchdowns this season. Kevin Marks and Jaret Patterson have combined to form an excellent Running Back duo, combining for 25 touchdowns on the campaign. The Bulls defence has also been very solid of late, allowing 17 points or less in 5 of their last 7 games. Their rush defence in particular has been excellent, holding Northern Illinois to just 3 yards per carry last week.
Troy Trojans
Troy enter the Dollar General bowl with a respectable 9-3 record that saw them finish 1st in the Sunbelt East conference. QB Sawyer Smith has had a relatively middling season, only throwing for 1349 yards and 10 touchdowns. RB B.J. Smith has more than carried the way, going over 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns on the campaign. Troy’s defence has also been outstanding all season, allowing 22 or less in each of their last 8. The pass defence in particular has been very strong, allowing just 4.7 yards per attempt to Appalachian State last week.
Prediction: Buffalo -2
Ultimately, I think the Bulls are the much better side in this one. They’ve got the much better Quarterback and a defence that has been very strong lately. Laying less than a field goal, the value is on Buffalo here.