Triple Option

By Michael Maynard

DXL Frisco Bowl (7 PM CT, ESPN, Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TX): San Diego State vs. Ohio (-2.5)

Why I Care: Best chance to end the favorites streak.  So far the favorites are 7-0 in bowl games, which is unprecedented because the matchups are created to feature equally matched opponents.  5 of those matchups were never really in question, Alcorn State gave NC A&T a decent effort, and Eastern Michigan was one Shai Werts 4th down scramble away from winning.   Ohio could win and make it 8-0 for the favorites going into another toss up in the Gasparilla Bowl, but San Diego State could easily upset the Bobcats and it wouldn’t be much of an upset.  I’m just tired of watching blowouts so this better be a good game. 

Why You Should Care: Both teams had disappointing 2018 campaigns in relation to previous successful seasons.  Ohio and San Diego State both played for their conference championships two years ago, while San Diego State won the Mountain West and Ohio lost a close game to eventual NY6 representative Western Michigan.  Ohio crushed UAB last year in the Bahamas Bowl after tying for the MAC East lead, and SDSU lost to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl.   San Diego State started the year better, and Ohio ended the year better.  Ohio won 5 of their last 6, while SDSU lost 4 of their last 5.  However in a game almost 4 weeks after either team’s final game, no team really carries momentum into the game, positive or negative.  San Diego State RB Juwan Washington follows Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny as the electric running back for the Aztecs.  He and Ohio dual-threat QB Nathan Rourke are the impact players to watch.  See stats to show the great matchup of Ohio’s offense and SDSU’s defense.

Team Stats: 

San Diego State: 7-5, 4-4 MWC (1-4 WEST).  BER: 3-4.  OPPG: 22.3, DPPG: 21.8, Pt. Diff: +7

Ohio: 8-4, 6-2 MAC (4-1 EAST).  BER: 2-4.  OPPG: 41.2, DPPG: 26.7,  Pt. Diff: +174

Game Notes:

• This is the second edition of the Frisco Bowl in Frisco, TX, also the home of Dude Perfect.  The bowl game previously was known as the Miami Beach Bowl played at Marlins Park.  It is the first of 7 bowl matchups in Texas, second to Florida (8).
• So far in bowl games, the Mountain West is 2-0 and the MAC is 0-2.
• Both HCs are among the longest tenured in the FBS.  Rocky Long is in year 8 at SDSU, while Ohio’s Frank Solich is in his 14th season in Athens.
• SDSU has been eligible in 9 straight bowl games.  In that time span, Ohio has also made bowls in 8 of those seasons.
  
• San Diego State has not scored nor allowed more than 31 points in a game this season.  Ohio is 7-0 when they score more than 31 points.

Published December 19, 2018 @ 6:16 PM C.T.
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