Sport: College FootballPick Selection: #307 TROY (+) over Rice by 10
#307 TROY (+) over Rice by 10 at 8 PM EST
If you believe that defense wins championships, then it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that a good "D" can help win a bowl game too.
Without question, Rice is the worst defensive bowl team in the bunch. So far this season, the Owls have surrendered an average of 32.6 points and 417.7 total yards per game. On the ground, the opposition has chewed up an average of 191.2 yards per game at the alarming rate of 5.3 yards per carry. And, via the air, foes have pitched it for an average of 226.5 yards per game.
Offensively, Troy has enough talent at the skill positions to exploit this weak Rice stop unit. Trojans quarterback and Sun Belt Player of the Year Omar Haugabook did his fair share of damage in conference action this season and he will post some big numbers in this contest.
If you're looking for an intangible, consider this: Experience is a huge factor in a bowl game and Troy holds that trump card. Rice head coach Todd Graham is in his first year and the Owls haven't been bowling since 1961. Meanwhile, Troy skipper Larry Blakeney has coached or played in 12 bowl games in his career!
Technically speaking, the Trojans fit a college bowl system of mine that boasts a marvelous 49-18 ATS record. Because this angle has additional plays in the days to come, I'm not at liberty to reveal the parameters involved. With experience on the sidelines and strong technical support, I'll call for the upset. Take TROY. Thank you and best of luck, Tom Stryker.
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