Underdog Dynasty - Underdog Bowl Game Previews, How to Watch and MoreAn unofficial The American, Conference USA, Sun Belt, and Independent football bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52546/ud_favicon.png2021-12-28T08:00:00-05:00http://www.underdogdynasty.com/rss/stream/97961512021-12-28T08:00:00-05:002021-12-28T08:00:00-05:002021 Birmingham Bowl: Media Day Recap and Storylines
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<img alt="Memphis v Houston" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pDo2YME3XlUP0d_CtgNhRinfw_E=/0x23:3000x2023/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70322793/1182910703.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Dana Holgorsen, Bryan Harsin, and several players took the podium to discuss the 2021 Birmingham Bowl between Houston and Auburn.</p> <p id="LTt4e4">Bowl season kicks off Tuesday with the 2021 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. After facing a cancelation in 2020, the Birmingham Bowl is back with a highly-anticipated matchup between the AAC runner-up Houston Cougars (11-2) and the Auburn Tigers (6-6) of the SEC.</p>
<p id="2fcxfA">Despite a disparity in the records, this one is expected to have the makings of a close game. <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a> lists Auburn as a 2-point favorite in the Birmingham Bowl and projects the contest to wind up on the lower scoring side, with a point total of 50.5*.</p>
<p id="cim4GP">To discuss the matchup between Houston and Auburn, head coaches Dana Holgorsen and Bryan Harsin, as well as several players, took to the podium Monday in Birmingham for media day.</p>
<p id="B1qXHq"><em>* Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>draftkings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="cWOeRh">
<h2 id="glexaZ"><strong>Brand new building in Birmingham</strong></h2>
<p id="rhD5mF">Unlike previous Birmingham Bowls, the 2021 iteration of the game will not be held at Legion Field. Instead, this year’s event transpires at Protective Stadium, the new 47,000-seat stadium which serves as the home base for UAB. The venue broke ground in October and is set to host a sizable crowd for the Birmingham Bowl, which features a local team in Auburn.</p>
<p id="V3s09K">“This Protective Stadium... they did a first class job on this stadium,” Holgorsen said. “I imagine there will be a lot of Auburn people here, but that just comes with the territory as far as where you play at from a geography perspective. It’s no different than when we had to go play at Cincinnati. We had a decent little following that came to support the Cougars and I expect the same thing.”</p>
<p id="Z3QdRb">Auburn played in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl. Unsurprisingly, the game set its attendance record that season, drawing a crowd of 59,430 to watch Auburn defeat Memphis, 31-10. Auburn expects another crowd decked in blue and orange as the team travels roughly 110 miles away from campus to close its 2021 season.</p>
<p id="x8knPB">“Our fanbase is tremendous. We know that from being at Jordan-Hare,” Harsin said. “We’re looking forward to having a packed house because it’s a great bowl game. It’s two good teams. It’s an opportunity for our guys to finish the season and also to do it right here in Alabama as well.”</p>
<h2 id="oAbyvZ"><strong>Next man up</strong></h2>
<p id="Wd3O3x">Houston’s rapid turnaround was largely in part caused by defensive improvement. The Cougars exhibit one of the most prolific defenses in college football, ranking 17th in containing the air and 11th in containing the ground. However, Houston will be without two of its top defenders for its postseason matchup. Defensive tackle Logan Hall and All-American cornerback Marcus Jones were the Cougars’ two opt-outs for the bowl game. To replace the electrifying Jones, the team looks toward cornerbacks Alex Hogan and Art Green to thrive in their increased opportunities.</p>
<p id="jEIgAP">“Anytime you lose a guy like Marcus it’s a hit, but that happens all the time whether it’s through injuries or graduation or whatever it is,” Holgorsen said. “Marcus did a great job when he was here but Alex and Art both have played a lot of meaningful football this year. Even when Marcus played in a lot of those games, (defensive coordinator) Coach (Doug) Belk did a great job of moving (Damarion) Williams to safety and Marcus to nickel which means are corners were Art Green and Alex Hogan. That happened a lot so those guys developed throughout the course of the year and they’re ready to become every down players for us.”</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Southern Methodist at Houston" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dRBAQovSS3HG5dONex-qPJKSV5Y=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23129733/usa_today_17062726.jpg">
<cite>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>Houston cornerback Alex Hogan registered two interceptions in the regular season and tallied a season-high 8 tackles in a thrilling win over SMU.</figcaption>
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<p id="8nGKlb">For Auburn, cornerback Roger McCreary, outside linebacker Zakoby McClain, and offensive tackle Brodarious Hamm are among its opt-outs. McCreary earned First Team All-SEC honors, while McClain made an appearance on the Second Team. Operating without the team’s top cornerback and leading tackler, Auburn is focused on ensuring the current group ends the season on a high note.</p>
<p id="hFd7ca">“The postseason is a privilege. Everybody’s situation is different. It’s about those guys in the room preparing to go play in this game,” Harsin said. “Anytime you’re working with a group of people that are finishing something, that’s the focus and you want to make sure you finish it right.”</p>
<h2 id="eRPQ3n"><strong>Auburn offense vs. Houston defense</strong></h2>
<p id="jyiw26">Auburn lost its primary starting quarterback Bo Nix to the transfer portal, but the Tigers still display valuable experience at the quarterback position. LSU transfer T.J. Finley started the final two games of the season for Auburn and totaled 600 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception in his sophomore campaign. While Finley is expected to start and receive the majority of reps, the Cougars are on alert for usage of Dematrius Davis — Auburn’s backup quarterback from the Houston area, who has yet to take a collegiate snap.</p>
<p id="olHLkY">“Bowl games are like first games — you don’t know what to expect,” Holgorsen said. “We know Dematrius Davis is a great player. We recruited him out of high school and watched him win state championship after state championship after state championship. He brings a little bit of something different to the table for them so we’ll be prepared if that happens.”</p>
<p id="3dAAfX">In games Finley started, Auburn leaned heavily toward the running game. The Tigers are one of six SEC teams to currently showcase a 1,000-yard rusher in Tank Bigsby. The star halfback totaled 227 rushing yards in his two most recent games, and after allowing Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford to accumulate 187 yards in the AAC Championship Game, Houston must prevent Bigsby from doing the same.</p>
<p id="3Y1YH6">“He’s a great back,” Anderson said of Bigsby. “Some guys on the team know him from Georgia. We expect them to go out and run the ball. We didn’t do our job last time with that, but we’ll do our job to try to stop him. He’s a great back though.”</p>
<p id="aZTf9r">One of the trademarks of the 2021 Houston defense is the ability to apply pressure. The Cougars rank fifth in the FBS in sack output, and they’ll be pitted against an Auburn offensive line which only yields 1.75 per contest. When it comes to positional matchups in the Birmingham Bowl, the clash between these two units should be the most vital.</p>
<p id="MbwTNW">“Every football game is won or lost in the trenches in my opinion,” Auburn tight end John Samuel Shenker said. “Obviously, they have a great team. You don’t win 11 games if you’re not a good football team. I think they’re a great pass rush team, obviously, but I think we’re ready to attack them in the trenches. That’s kind of our motto this week, to win the trenches.”</p>
<p id="QnbwN2"></p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/28/22856418/2021-birmingham-bowl-media-day-recap-and-storylines-houston-cougars-auburn-tigers-holgorsen-harsinSteve Helwick2021-12-27T15:00:00-05:002021-12-27T15:00:00-05:00Three questions heading into the 2021 Birmingham Bowl
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 04 American Championship Game - Houston at Cincinnati" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uKYrAWAMqOmjpXZqo1anD1fQ9SU=/0x0:2449x1633/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70321065/1237014181.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Can Houston win its first bowl game since 2015 without the contributions of a consensus All-American?</p> <p id="opPeF8">The 2021 Houston Cougars season has been a special, resurgent year for the program under head coach Dana Holgorsen. For the first time since 2015, the team attained double-digit victories. For the first time since 2015, the team appeared in the AAC Championship Game. But one feat Houston has not achieved since 2015 involves winning a bowl game.</p>
<p id="7h7XRi">The Cougars receive the opportunity to break its 4-game bowl skid Tuesday when battling Auburn in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. Houston exhibits a 12-2 record while Auburn is middling at 6-6. Yet, the Tigers are pegged as the projected winner in their home state.</p>
<p id="cWnJWN">According to <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>, Auburn is slated as a 2-point favorite over Houston*. Similar to Houston, the Tigers have struggled in bowl games recently with a 2-6 record since 2013. One of those wins was the 2015 Birmingham Bowl when Auburn pulverized a 9-3 Memphis team in 31-10 fashion despite entering with a 6-6 record.</p>
<p id="malMjY">Before the game kicks off Tuesday, we investigate three of the most pressing questions entering the 15th iteration of this bowl game.</p>
<p id="wAugMY"><em>* Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>draftkings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5fsXPN">
<h2 id="cZkqyt"><strong>Who steps up in place of Marcus Jones?</strong></h2>
<p id="S3rVTm">Houston features a consensus All-American on its roster, but the Cougars won’t have the luxury of Marcus Jones in Birmingham. One of the nation’s best cornerbacks and return specialists opted out of the remainder of the season to focus on NFL Draft preparation, so Houston must find ways to replace his production. As a cornerback, Jones accumulated five interceptions (tied for second most in FBS) and a team-best 13 pass deflections. As a return specialist, Jones is the only player in the country to run back multiple kick returns and multiple punt returns for touchdowns in 2021.</p>
<p id="YemM9K">Houston’s defense operated without Jones twice this season. In games against Rice and Navy, Holgorsen opted to play Jones as a receiver instead of cornerback and other defensive backs received valuable playing time as a result. One of those corners is Alex Hogan, who should be a key cog in the Birmingham Bowl. The former Texas Tech recruit registered two interceptions this season including a 91-yard pick six in the Rice game when Jones’ contributions were limited to offense and special teams. Hogan also proved vital against an SMU offense with heavy wide receiver utilization, tallying a career-best eight tackles against the Mustangs.</p>
<p id="utKDZ5">With the depth chart shifting after Jones’ departure, another cornerback required to step up is junior Art Green. He accumulated 15 tackles this year and also corralled an interception in the Rice game.</p>
<p id="rKputo">On special teams, the featured kick returners are set to be wide receiver Nathaniel Dell and running back Ta’Zhawn Henry. Dell and Henry rank second and third on the Cougars in kick return yardage this season, fielding a combined 17 kickoffs. Since Jones fielded every Houston punt this year that was not blocked, the fulfiller of that role is more ambiguous. Dell seems like the prime candidate to replace the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year, but whoever functions as the punt returner has massive shoes to fill since Jones ranks sixth in the FBS in punt return average.</p>
<h2 id="RnD37t"><strong>What type of game should we expect out of T.J. Finley?</strong></h2>
<p id="BBTOvT">Bo Nix started the first 10 games of the season for Auburn, but the third-year starting quarterback recently announced a transfer to Oregon. Thus, T.J. Finley — the team’s starter for the team’s final two contests — will retain his role as the No. 1 quarterback for the Birmingham Bowl.</p>
<p id="Y5scde">Finley completed 56 percent of his passes in the regular season with 600 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. His first notable moment at Auburn transpired when he sparked a comeback in Week 4 against Georgia State. Finley shed off a potential fourth down sack and threw the game-winning touchdown to upend the Panthers. In November, he recorded starts against South Carolina and Alabama. Although Auburn lost both games, the LSU transfer showed signs of promise throughout. Against the Crimson Tide, he delivered two touchdown strikes and nearly guided the Tigers to a landmark upset over the current No. 1 team in the rankings. However, Alabama prevailed in four overtimes.</p>
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<img alt="Alabama v Auburn" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OBT7rRK0bIt82x5nDSMluwKlaSU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23128500/1355899799.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley has a season-high of 188 passing yards and a career-high of 271 passing yards. The latter occurred during his 2020 campaign at LSU.</figcaption>
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<p id="f927uc">Finley’s mobility was limited that game due to an injured ankle, <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/1471605830743216132?s=20">but that injury has healed significantly over the past month</a>. With Finley remaining in the lineup, what should be expected of the Auburn offense?</p>
<p id="9aU58R">The 6’7” quarterback threw for 188 and 137 yards in his two starts, so Houston shouldn’t anticipate the Tigers to rely on the aerial attack for 300+ yards. Instead, the Cougars should prepare for a series of crossing routes and quick screens, so open field tackling will be an important facet of the defense when pitted against Auburn.</p>
<p id="r4HvaQ">Even with a healthy ankle, Finley doesn’t leave the pocket too often as a rusher. He has five career rushing yards and has only surpassed 10 yards with his legs once — a 16-yard scamper vs. Georgia State. Thus, designating a QB spy in the Houston defense doesn’t appear to be an optimal strategy.</p>
<p id="tMitki">Auburn has shown an inclination to keep things grounded with Finley in the lineup. Running back Tank Bigsby averaged 25.5 carries in Finley’s starts, and that average exceeds his maximum amount of attempts in games Nix started this season (23). If recent trends persist, Houston’s 11th ranked rushing defense will have plenty of work cut out for them with Bigsby serving as the focal point of Auburn’s offense.</p>
<h2 id="Jddmyz"><strong>Can Houston limit crucial second half turnovers?</strong></h2>
<p id="R9HDX1">Houston is 11-2. Without costly second half interceptions, the Cougars may have secured an undefeated regular season record and possibly challenged Cincinnati in the AAC Championship Game.</p>
<p id="igwvSs">Quarterback Clayton Tune tossed four picks in the opener against Texas Tech, and the Red Raiders cashed in those turnovers for 17 points. Such mistakes prevented Houston from finishing the regular season unbeaten. Even after a disastrous outlier performance, Tune responded with poise and proved why he’s one of the premier quarterbacks in the AAC. Tune refrained from throwing an interception in eight of his regular season games, unlocking the potential of Houston’s offense en route to an 11-1 record heading into the AAC Championship Game.</p>
<p id="RXonUg">In the AAC Championship Game, Houston hung tight with Cincinnati in the first half due to stellar play from Tune. However, one costly third quarter interception in a one-score contest swung the momentum into Cincinnati’s favor. Bearcats inside linebacker Joel Dublanko snagged a line-drive bullet pass to stall the Cougars’ offense, and Cincinnati answered with a touchdown two plays later to open the deficit to 15 points. If Houston manages to avoid these errors, the Cougars will be a completely different team in Birmingham.</p>
<p id="FuaI3b">Auburn doesn’t force many turnovers, as the Tigers are situated in the bottom 10 of the FBS with a mere 10 takeaways this season. In order to secure its first bowl victory since 2015, Houston must ensure Auburn does not add to that total, especially in a tightly-contested second half. When Tune is playing at a high-level, Houston’s offense enters a new gear. He boasts a 68.5 percent completion rate and displayed an incredible touchdown-to-interception ratio of 24-to-4 during the 11-game win streak.</p>
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<p id="vU1bJw">The 2021 Birmingham Bowl kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at the brand new Protective Stadium. The contest between Houston and Auburn will be broadcast on ESPN.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/27/22855120/three-questions-heading-into-the-2021-ticketsmarter-birmingham-bowl-houston-cougars-auburn-tigersSteve Helwick2021-12-27T09:00:00-05:002021-12-27T09:00:00-05:00Opinion: Let East Carolina and SMU play each other in a bowl game
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<img alt="East Carolina v SMU" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xPjAWuifbAHJPvwJIwjHDXKYB8I=/0x0:3215x2143/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70319914/1186734039.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Following their bowl cancelations Sunday, the Pirates and Mustangs deserve an opportunity to compete in a postseason environment.</p> <p id="iKG5gZ">On Sunday morning, shattering news struck two AAC programs almost simultaneously.</p>
<p id="NbX0hT">Within a two minute span, The Action Network’s breaking news reporter Brett McMurphy dropped two massive reports. <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1475132091591442442?s=20">At 10:51 a.m. ET</a>, he announced the inaugural Fenway Bowl between SMU and Virginia would be canceled due to COVID-19 issues within Virginia’s program. <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1475132678123003906?s=20">At 10:53 a.m. ET</a>, he reported the Military Bowl between East Carolina and Boston College would be canceled due to COVID-19 issues within Boston College’s program.</p>
<p id="VWX5ye">The Fenway Bowl in Boston was scheduled for an 11 a.m. ET kickoff on Dec. 29 and the Military Bowl in Annapolis was scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Dec. 27. Now that each AAC team’s ACC opponent cannot participate due to COVID-19 issues, there’s one practical solution — let SMU and East Carolina play each other in a bowl game.</p>
<p id="2EB44s">Whether the location is Fenway Park or Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium or elsewhere, both teams operating on the East Coast should work with each other and with bowl organizers to plan a postseason matchup this December. Both rosters have been practicing tirelessly for weeks in preparation for their biggest game of the season, and all that work can come to fruition if this idea is implemented.</p>
<p id="DYMB06">Bowl games and bowl victories are especially important to the college football landscape, and these programs — especially the seniors — deserve to finish out in a postseason environment if a safe and effective solution can be found. The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl already acted quickly in finding a replacement to play Wake Forest. After Texas A&M opted out of the game due to a shorthanded COVID-19 laden roster, the bowl fulfilled the vacancy with a 5-7 Rutgers team that wasn’t even holding practices. Impromptu scheduling decisions have been commonplace in the pandemic era and it’s time to make such decisions regarding these AAC cancelations.</p>
<p id="1bzTFX">When East Carolina <a href="https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/11/15/22782350/2021-east-carolina-ecu-pirates-complete-long-trek-back-to-bowl-eligibility-2014-greenville-nc-aac">clinched bowl eligibility in mid-November</a>, it meant the world to the program. The Pirates had not witnessed a bowl game since 2014, but this year’s team finally scaled the mountaintop to claim its first winning season in seven years. Bowl appearances have been rare occurrences lately in Greenville and postseason victories have been even less common, as East Carolina only has two bowl wins in the last 20 seasons. Receiving the opportunity to build on that number is essential for a program that earned the opportunity to compete in the Military Bowl.</p>
<p id="FVtvCl">Although SMU has been more common in the bowl rotation in recent years, it’s been a while since the Mustangs brought hardware back to Dallas. SMU received a bid to the 2020 Frisco Bowl but could not participate due to COVID-19 issues within the program. Prior to Virginia’s COVID-19 issues, the Mustangs had a golden opportunity at securing the first postseason win since the 2012 Hawaii Bowl.</p>
<p id="bFfMZR">While East Carolina vs. SMU is an intra-conference matchup, the two AAC opponents did not duke it out on the field in 2021. Thus, a potential bowl game between the Pirates and Mustangs will serve as a fresh matchup and the winner will take home its first bowl victory in at least eight years. With 7-5 and 8-4 records, respectively, it’s also an evenly matched contest which should provide high entertainment value. There is a recent precedent in terms of intra-conference bowl games. Nevada and Colorado State clashed in the 2015 Arizona Bowl despite sharing membership in the Mountain West — however, the teams did not square off in the regular season.</p>
<p id="NSgEq0">On Sunday night, a third ACC team joined Virginia and Boston College in opting out of its bowl game due to COVID-19 complications. Miami (FL) withdrew from its Sun Bowl matchup vs. Washington State, but as the Cougars search for a replacement team, McMurphy stated East Carolina and SMU <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1475132678123003906?s=20">have no plans to resume their seasons</a>.</p>
<p id="ySr0No">However, teams have reversed course on such decisions before. Before accepting the TaxSlayer Bowl invite, Rutgers was originally <a href="https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1473725488480854032?s=20">reported to deny the opportunity</a>. Thus, anything remains on the table. And the fitting way for East Carolina and SMU to settle their accomplished seasons is to settle it on the gridiron with a trophy on the line.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/27/22854882/let-east-carolina-pirates-ecu-smu-mustangs-play-bowl-game-fenway-military-covid-19-cancelation-2021Steve Helwick2021-12-26T10:00:00-05:002021-12-26T10:00:00-05:002021 Birmingham Bowl Preview: Houston Cougars vs. Auburn Tigers
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 04 American Championship Game - Houston at Cincinnati" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9uMLJPSs0ygcHSFY4OklR4hi2Sg=/0x0:2449x1633/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70317436/1237084759.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cougars look to cap stellar season with first bowl win since 2015.</p> <h2 id="yJUjbf"><strong>Game Notes</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="TL5pSq">
<strong>Time and Date: </strong>Tuesday, December 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET</li>
<li id="p5yHZo">
<strong>Network:</strong> ESPN</li>
<li id="VRxPzc">
<strong>Location:</strong> Protective Stadium — Birmingham, AL</li>
<li id="qeMzzU">
<strong>Spread: </strong>Auburn (-2.5), per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="FKI6cj">
<strong>Over/under:</strong> 51.5, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="gwSctE">
<strong>Houston moneyline:</strong> +105, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="PgpLa8">
<strong>Auburn moneyline:</strong> -125, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="XAXNDB">
<strong>All-time series:</strong> Auburn leads, 5-1</li>
<li id="gL9N4X">
<strong>Last meeting:</strong> Auburn 7, Houston 0 — October 27, 1973</li>
</ul>
<p id="l1aMz7"><em>* Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>draftkings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="REATlU">
<h2 id="9oCEl1"><strong>Setting the scene</strong></h2>
<p id="fm7pvK">The Birmingham Bowl is the second of three matchups on the 2021 bowl docket to feature an SEC team and an AAC member that is also a future Big 12 institution.</p>
<p id="h2ReiP">Houston and Auburn both dropped competitive matchups to College Football Playoff qualifiers in their most recent outings, but one of the programs will rebound with a coveted bowl victory in Central Alabama. Head coaches Dana Holgorsen and Bryan Harsin accounted for several bowl victories at their former stops, but both program leaders hope to garner their first trophy at their current university.</p>
<p id="Exl0pI">Unlike past Birmingham Bowls, this one won’t transpire at Legion Field. The setting will instead be UAB’s brand new 47,000-seat venue, Protective Stadium, which showcased its first football game as recently as October.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="yUL9HW">
<h2 id="HcoZmh"><strong>Houston Cougars outlook</strong></h2>
<p id="AvjLaa">Houston finally experienced the season it envisioned when hiring Dana Holgorsen to a lucrative deal on New Year’s Day of 2019. The Cougars overcame a Week 1 defeat to Texas Tech and rattled off 11 consecutive victories and secure a spot in the AAC Championship Game for the first time since 2015. While a disappointing Cincinnati downed the Cougars by two scores in the conference title matchup, this has still been a special campaign for Holgorsen and Co. However, the season can be improved upon with the addition of a trophy. Houston doesn’t have much hardware to display from recent postseasons, and the Cougars aim to win their first bowl game since 2015.</p>
<p id="8nti2l"><strong>Offense</strong></p>
<p id="xi0lc2">Houston demonstrated the ability to pile on the points during its 11-game win streak. The Cougars enter Birmingham as the 13th strongest scoring offense in the country, posting an average of 37.3 points per contest.</p>
<p id="sq9R1u">Quarterback Clayton Tune delivered his greatest season to date, and he currently holds a 68.5 percent completion rate with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 28-to-9. Tune’s 5-game stretch from Oct. 7 to Nov. 13 featured 14 touchdown passes and zero picks, and that sequence unleashed Houston’s offense at the peak of its powers. As time progressed, Tune regained mobility while recovering from an early-season injury. This facet of his game was heavily utilized against Cincinnati and the quarterback creates more plays by scrambling around the pocket as each calendar day passes.</p>
<p id="c1bLp4">Tune’s aerial game is essentially the engine of Houston’s offense. Running the ball is by no means a liability, but the Cougars rank 85th in rushing yards per game with an average of 3.8 yards per carry. Still, true freshman Alton McCaskill has demonstrated much promise in his first season out of high school. The Conroe, TX native is 117 yards away from reaching 1,000 and he is a certified touchdown machine with 16 rushing scores this year — good for ninth in the FBS.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 04 American Championship Game - Houston at Cincinnati" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aksLDf1xR2U5BYPifUcpdK5j8RA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23126334/1237062070.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>True freshman running back Alton McCaskill produced a pair of 120-yard rushing games in November in his opening act to the collegiate game.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="NnttPB">The most prominent skill position player on this offense is the team’s leading receiver, Nathaniel “Tank” Dell. The 5’10”, 155-pound star ranks first on the Cougars in every major receiving category by a longshot. His 80 receptions, 1,179 yards, and 12 touchdowns are more than double of anyone else on the team. When Dell isn’t the targeted receiver, Houston’s typical options are wideouts Jeremy Singleton and Jake Herslow (893 combined receiving yards and nine combined receiving touchdowns), or tight end Christian Trahan (second on the team with 34 receptions).</p>
<p id="Nf01ug"><strong>Defense</strong></p>
<p id="9aNqK7">Led by defensive coordinator Doug Belk, vast improvement on the defensive side of the ball allowed the Cougars to capture their winningest season since 2015. Permitting 21 points per game, Houston boasts the 25th best scoring defense in college football. The Cougars excel in a multitude of areas on defense, exhibiting the 17th and 11th ranked units in stopping opponents’ passing and rushing attacks, respectively.</p>
<p id="5Wk62F">Unfortunately for the Cougars, they’ll be lining up without their All-American. Marcus Jones cited NFL Draft preparation as a reason for opting out of the remainder of his best season to date. Recognized as the Paul Hornung Award winner for most versatile player in the nation, Houston will miss his presence in multiple facets of the game. One of those areas is on special teams, as Jones is the only player in the FBS with multiple kick return and multiple punt return touchdowns this season. Additionally, he serves as the Cougars’ premier cover corner and is tied for second in the nation with five interceptions.</p>
<p id="okIA0W">Houston’s other starting cornerback, Damarion Williams, will operate as the team’s shutdown specialist with Jones out of the lineup. Williams is situated as second on the unit in tackles and touts a stat-line which includes eight pass breakups and an interception this year. One other significant name in the secondary is zone coverage master Gervarrius Owens, who was showered with All-AAC honors for totaling 44 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of interceptions this year.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Navy at Houston" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mC9dx4U8IpqKTxv5ENTf0FaBRu4=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23126337/usa_today_16828328.jpg">
<cite>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>Cornerback Damarion Williams will hold a larger role with Marcus Jones out of the lineup for the Cougars.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="0ubXam">The Cougars contain the run at a high level, holding membership in an exclusive group of teams to allow under 107 rushing yards per game. Much of Houston’s tackling around the line of scrimmage stems from inside linebacker Donavan Mutin, who shook of a brutal injury in late November to return for the AAC Championship Game. Also, the Cougars wreak plenty of havoc on the defensive line, a unit which inspired the defense’s branding as “Sack Ave.” Fittingly, Houston ranks fifth in the FBS in sacks per game, and the four players that accrue the most are all featured on the defensive line — defensive ends D’Anthony Jones and Derek Parish lead the way with 11 combined sacks in 2021.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="tYckuo">
<h2 id="V6ckyB"><strong>Auburn Tigers outlook</strong></h2>
<p id="ZKbB63">Auburn’s first season under longtime Boise State coach Bryan Harsin launched to a promising 6-2 start. While a potential Sugar Bowl bid appeared on the table for the Tigers after a 31-20 win over Ole Miss, November brought a brutal reality to the plains. Auburn dropped each of its final four games, and several of them were in gut-wrenching fashion. After blowing a 28-3 lead to Mississippi State and losing in four overtimes to arch-nemesis Alabama, the Tigers look to right the ship in the Birmingham Bowl. The Tigers must win to claim their first bowl win since 2018 and to extend their streak of eight consecutive winning seasons.</p>
<p id="98oCSC"><strong>Offense</strong></p>
<p id="R8TBvC">Auburn recently lost its starting quarterback of three years, Bo Nix, to the transfer portal. Nix took his talents to Oregon, leaving T.J. Finley as the undisputed starting quarterback for the Birmingham Bowl. Finley is set to start the Tigers’ season finale after playing on an injured ankle in the Iron Bowl, where he nearly guided Auburn to a massive upset over eventual SEC champion Alabama. The former LSU quarterback started the final two games of the regular season, and albeit losses, he showed some poise with three touchdown passes and skillful decision making in those starts.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="NCAA Football: Auburn at South Carolina" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lKDCzZohP02PLsNU0fj7LHpMrc8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23126340/usa_today_17205167.jpg">
<cite>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>T.J. Finley started Auburn’s final two regular season games and will look for his first win as the Tigers’ starting quarterback this Tuesday.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="UebfQ2">Around the time Nix entered the portal, rumors suggested another key transfer in the offense was on his way out. However, running back Tank Bigsby <a href="https://twitter.com/nwilborn19/status/1474502502334836743?s=20">shut down such chatter</a> and committed to remain at Auburn. The 1,000-yard back was an essential piece to the Tigers this year, producing five 100-yard games and 10 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. Bigbsy’s 140 yard performance against Ole Miss was his most important to date and he’ll look to replicate that against Houston’s relentless run defense.</p>
<p id="LCupLt">The Tigers’ 63rd ranked yards per game offense produces numbers hovering around the FBS median in both the air and ground. While Bigsby is the definitive leader of Auburn’s rushing attack, the wealth is distributed rather evenly across the receivers. Three different receivers currently display between 35 and 40 receptions and between 474 and 523 yards. Kobe Hudson leads the pack in both receptions and yardage, but Houston’s shorthanded secondary must also keep tabs on Shedrick Jackson and Georgia transfer Demetris Robertson in order to stifle the entire group.</p>
<p id="znn69x">The offense didn’t trend in a favorable direction as the regular season wound to a close, accruing 3, 17, and 10 points in the regulation period of three of its final four outings. Re-energizing the unit in bowl practices is essential to recover from an ugly November and topple Houston.</p>
<p id="c2APRt"><strong>Defense</strong></p>
<p id="8d8US0">While Auburn’s offense witnessed a rough finish to the regular season, the defensive unit strung together several sharp performances in spite of the team’s 4-game losing streak. The Tigers did not yield an offensive touchdown in a 20-3 loss to Texas A&M and they limited Alabama’s fourth ranked scoring offense to a mere 10 points prior to the overtime periods.</p>
<p id="5uJg13">Auburn yields 22.2 points per game with a particular specialty in suffocating opposing running backs. The Tigers field a top 20 defense in rushing yards allowed per carry, and they stand among the top 10 in fewest touchdowns allowed on the ground. The same story cannot exactly be said for the secondary though, which surrenders 242.7 yards per game to quarterbacks at a 64.3 percent accuracy clip.</p>
<p id="5UIGke">If there’s one way to increase the stock of this Auburn defense, it involves heightened turnover production. The Tigers are one of the bottom 10 FBS teams in takeaways produced and the only other bowl eligible team with that distinction is Kentucky. However, smart offensive football caused Auburn to cough up only 11 turnovers this season, so the Tigers’ differential of -1 is not of concern.</p>
<p id="MUnuMn">Similar to Houston, the Tigers bring a powerful pass rush to the table in this matchup. Auburn produces 2.83 sacks per game and edge rusher Derick Hall has the most sacks to his name of any player in this matchup with nine. Hall and the Tigers’ front seven hold plenty of real estate in opposing backfields with the 14th most tackles for loss in the FBS. Lining up on the other edge is another dangerous backfield invader in T.D. Moultry. That combination should provide ample concern for a Houston offensive line which gives up 2.92 sacks per game.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6t6eylvELmkUAn7xqdXmCjVFCak=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23126344/usa_today_17243329.jpg">
<cite>Gary Cosby / USA TODAY NETWORK</cite>
<figcaption>Derick Hall erupted against Alabama for a season-best three sacks. Hall recorded a share of a sack in 10 of 12 games this season.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="mXsyvh">Auburn will be missing a pair of prominent starters on defense. Outside linebacker Zakoby McClain and starting cornerback Roger McCreary are among the list of Tigers to opt out of the remainder of the 2021 season. Without notable faces in the linebacking corps and secondary, that calls on the team’s star safety Smoke Monday to fulfill the skillsets left behind in those vacancies. Monday provided excellent pass coverage with five pass breakups and an interception during Auburn’s regular season. Yet, the senior can hit like a linebacker and many running backs were stopped in their tracks during Monday’s eight tackles for loss this year.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="QF5i4r">
<h2 id="sPD979"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="3S0Npt">Auburn is somewhat of a wild card pick every time it takes the field. Although the Tigers will be without several crucial defensive starters, when they play at their peak on that side of the ball, not many offenses can get their way.</p>
<p id="OZVJNr">The high level of play from Auburn on that side of the ball cannot go unnoticed during its November losing streak. The Tigers produce sacks and tackles for loss at a high rate, and the matchup against Houston’s offensive line suggests Auburn is ready to amplify those numbers in Birmingham.</p>
<p id="ZJLteD">For Houston, the key to victory involves preventing turnovers. Second half interceptions have played a major role in pushing the Cougars toward both of their losses this year. With a talented passing attack, Houston certainly can expose the Auburn secondary without Roger McCreary. However, quarterback Clayton Tune should face a heap of pressure throughout this one from the Auburn front seven, so emphasizing screens and quick passes is of utmost importance.</p>
<p id="fdYpmS">Auburn’s defense will be the prevailing unit in Birmingham, and that’s how the Tigers will emerge in a close, low-scoring affair against the AAC runner-up.</p>
<p id="S97loF"><em><strong>Prediction: Auburn 24, Houston 20</strong></em></p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/26/22853879/2021-birmingham-bowl-preview-houston-cougars-vs-auburn-tigersSteve Helwick2021-12-23T23:44:46-05:002021-12-23T23:44:46-05:002021 Hawaii Bowl will not be played after Hawaii opts out
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA FOOTBALL: NOV 19 Hawaii at Fresno State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/l3ZiXaqYXmKDo1I0ryAx-7IYA-k=/0x43:3907x2648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70313121/627017156.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rick Dodd/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>UH cited an uptick in COVID cases, as well as transfers and injuries, that led to the decision to not play.</p> <p id="q53ZoC">College football’s greatest Christmas Eve tradition will not transpire in 2021. The EasyPost Hawaii Bowl is the first bowl game this season to receive a cancelation.</p>
<p id="VNmuxf">As first reported by <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNRittenberg/status/1474214018386743296?s=20">ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg at 10:03 p.m. ET on Dec. 23</a>, Hawaii withdrew from its Dec. 24 postseason matchup against Memphis due to a recent increase of COVID-19 cases, as well as an onslaught of injuries and transfers.</p>
<p id="DcFUmo">Hawaii follows Texas A&M as the second team to opt out of its bowl game this season. Memphis already made the trip to Hawaii, and unless any schedule adjustments are made, the Tigers’ season is over at 6-6.</p>
<p id="Sl8O4U">The Hawaii Bowl released an official statement Thursday night, less than 24 hours before kickoff. This is the second consecutive season the Hawaii Bowl will not operate, although in 2020, the bowl was canceled before a matchup was set.</p>
<div id="vth5Lj">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/dgILRhDu8n">pic.twitter.com/dgILRhDu8n</a></p>— EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl (@HawaiiBowl) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawaiiBowl/status/1474220043441369088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2021</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="VlrHfH">Prior to the cancelation, Memphis was slated as 10-point favorites* over Hawaii, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>, in a spread which kept increasing as time progressed. Hawaii had won two of its last three bowl games as underdogs and until the cancelation was made official Thursday night, the Rainbow Warriors were looking to overcome the odds again.</p>
<p id="iFH3Sd">There will be no bowl game played on Dec. 24 and bowl season continues on Christmas Day with the Camellia Bowl between Georgia State and Ball State.</p>
<p id="MQhtla"><em>* Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>draftkings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/23/22852663/2021-hawaii-bowl-will-not-be-played-after-hawaii-opts-out-memphis-football-covidSteve Helwick2021-12-23T17:45:00-05:002021-12-23T17:45:00-05:002021 Hawaii Bowl Preview: Memphis Tigers vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
<figure>
<img alt="East Carolina v Memphis" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wAo4hr9TLOFGVBcn7JS0fTa2CEQ=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70312412/1236548141.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Memphis needs a victory to capture an eighth consecutive winning season and second straight bowl win.</p> <h2 id="ufHhns"><strong>Game Notes</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li id="TL5pSq">
<strong>Time and Date: </strong>Friday, December 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET</li>
<li id="p5yHZo">
<strong>Network:</strong> ESPN</li>
<li id="VRxPzc">
<strong>Location:</strong> Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex — Honolulu, HI</li>
<li id="qeMzzU">
<strong>Spread: </strong>Memphis (-10), per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="FKI6cj">
<strong>Over/under:</strong> 54.5, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="gwSctE">
<strong>Memphis moneyline:</strong> -365, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="PgpLa8">
<strong>Hawaii moneyline:</strong> +280, per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="XAXNDB">
<strong>All-time series:</strong> No previous meetings</li>
</ul>
<p id="l1aMz7"><em>* Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>draftkings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="UbGAah">
<h2 id="Ml1L1g"><strong>Setting the scene</strong></h2>
<p id="Y2al7z">After a hiatus in 2020, college football’s greatest Christmas Eve tradition is back in the works. The Hawaii Bowl returns to center stage of the college football world as the sporting world’s premier Dec. 24 festivity.</p>
<p id="LjPr9i">For the fourth time since 2016, the Hawaii Bowl is slated to host the local Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (6-7, 3-5 Mountain West), which will battle the Memphis Tigers (6-6, 3-5 AAC) for a coveted postseason win. Hawaii gained bowl eligibility at 6-7 thanks to the creation of the Frisco Football Classic, which was designed to fulfill postseason destinations for all 83 bowl eligible teams. Thus, the Rainbow Warriors are bowling for the fourth consecutive season with their sights set on a third straight postseason victory.</p>
<p id="T70YPT">Meanwhile, Memphis extended its AAC-best bowl streak to eight consecutive years. With a victory in Honolulu, the Tigers will string together their eighth winning season in a row to prolong the most prosperous stretch in program history.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="vgIkZI">
<h2 id="3xZGiR"><strong>Memphis Tigers outlook</strong></h2>
<p id="Upz8Qs">Last season, Memphis snapped its five game bowl skid to defeat Florida Atlantic in the first and only edition of the Montgomery Bowl. The 2020 Tigers team featured a senior laden roster and many key members of that team did not return for 2021.</p>
<p id="nrQ7VK">Most notably, the Tigers were forced to transition from the program’s all-time leading passer Brady White to a new quarterback to guide the 2021 team. True freshman Seth Henigan stepped into the vacancy and led Memphis to the 16th ranked passing offense just one year after graduating from Ryan High School in Denton, TX. Henigan produced a pair of 400-yard games in his first taste of the collegiate level and guided Memphis to bowl eligibility with a 336-yard, 3-touchdown performance to upend Tulane in the Tigers’ most recent outing.</p>
<p id="ZnvRvs">Henigan will be operating without his primary target Calvin Austin III, who opted out of the season to focus on the NFL Draft. Austin, the AAC’s second leading receiver with 1,149 yards, was responsible for a bulk of the Tigers’ receiving production. This leaves Memphis’ top receiving threat as Sean Dykes from the tight end role. Dykes caught his first pass as a Tiger in 2016, but this will be his first bowl as the featured tight end. His 48 receptions, 657 yards, and seven touchdowns lead all Memphis players set to take the field in Honolulu.</p>
<p id="D78mya">Other skill position players Memphis must rely on include wide receivers Javon Ivory and Eddie Lewis. Ivory missed the regular season finale but proved crucial with 67 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ November upset over SMU. Lewis has emerged as a viable deep threat after issuing two touchdown receptions stemming from over 70 yards this year.</p>
<p id="ffJjKl">The Tigers placed less emphasis on the running game as the year progressed, and the team is likely operating without Brandon Thomas who missed three of the final four games. Thus, Rodrigues Clark is set to serve as the primary tailback in this one after accumulating 387 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2021. Marquavius Weaver and Asa Martin should be thrown in the mix, but Memphis’ recent trends suggest it will lean heavier toward the air.</p>
<p id="Tpk0IA">Coaching turnover has been a recurring theme in Memphis over the past decade, and the Tigers lost a key staff member earlier this month. Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre accepted the head coaching job at FIU, so defensive backs coach Charles Clark with serve as the interim. On Clark’s side of the ball, the Tigers are led by their First Team All-AAC inside linebacker J.J. Russell. Russell currently graces the FBS top 10 in total tackles with 123 on the season, but that’s not the only high-ranking statistic featured on Memphis’ defense. Cornerback Greg Rubin also marinates in the top 10 of the FBS in deflections with 14. He’ll look to provide additional pass breakups to bolster Memphis’ 102nd ranked passing defense against Hawaii’s pass-happy offense.</p>
<p id="hlzixS">Holding opponents on third downs was not an area of expertise for Memphis. Only four FBS teams allow teams to convert at a higher rate than the 48 percent yielded by the Tigers. Memphis resides in the bottom 20 of the FBS in defensive fourth down conversion percentage, so preventing Hawaii from gaining new life on critical downs is of utmost importance.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="DwemJ8">
<h2 id="ytb5f4"><strong>Hawaii Rainbow Warriors outlook</strong></h2>
<p id="vCdqpg">Hawaii stands one win away from completing its fourth consecutive season finishing .500 or better. The Rainbow Warriors disposed of an AAC team as underdogs in last year’s postseason, defeating Houston 28-14 in the New Mexico Bowl, and they’ll look to do the same once again.</p>
<p id="D1JTve">The MVP of last year’s bowl was running back/wide receiver hybrid Calvin Turner Jr., who is set to play his final collegiate game this Christmas Eve. Turner scored a pair of home run touchdowns in the victory, acting as the recipient of a 75-yard pass in the first quarter and a 92-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Turner’s role should only amplify in the Hawaii Bowl due to the absence of running back Dae Dae Hunter, who already completed a transfer to Liberty. The versatile Turner serves as a rusher, a receiver, and a kick returner, and he’ll look to build on his 316 rushing yards and 876 receiving yards in his sendoff performance as a Rainbow Warrior.</p>
<p id="CnYE2u">Hunter is one of two key Hawaii offensive starters to already announce a transfer. The Rainbow Warriors’ starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro is also unavailable after declaring a transfer to San Jose State. Cordeiro’s decision promotes true freshman Brayden Schager to No. 1 on the depth chart. Similar to Henigan, Schager is one year removed from his high school career in the Dallas area. He received ample playing time in his first year, firing 107 passes for 615 yards in the regular season. Schager delivered a pair of touchdowns as the architect to the Rainbow Warriors’ signature upset over Fresno State in October.</p>
<p id="KCZNR2">Schager will aim to shatter his career-high of 219 passing yards while operating with a multitude of options. Receivers lining up alongside Turner include Nick Mardner, who leads the team with 913 yards on an average of 19.8 yards per reception, and Jared Smart, who showcases 414 receiving yards on the season.</p>
<p id="MN5w94">On the other side of the ball, Hawaii must correct its pass defense issues in order to pull off the upset. The Rainbow Warriors rank in the basement of the FBS at 125th in passing yards allowed per game. If there is any silver lining to the secondary, it’s that the unit produces turnovers at a high rate. Only four FBS teams have collected more takeaways this season than Hawaii’s 27.</p>
<p id="Djj6n6">The ringleader of the turnover generation is strong safety Khoury Bethley, who is tied for second in the country in interceptions. Bethley converted those picks into 120 return yards, which is third in the FBS. The junior produced plenty of havoc plays in addition to interceptions, totaling four sacks and two forced fumbles this year. Such game-changing plays are vital to Hawaii as it seeks to improve the Mountain West’s perfect 4-0 bowl record.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="n76h2f">
<h2 id="2IOPyD"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="fRnBrv">Don’t underestimate the power of Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. The Rainbow Warriors are 2-1 in the event since 2016, and in both of their wins, they were pegged as underdogs by Vegas. Hawaii is operating under a true freshman quarterback in Brayden Schager, but Schager was also the starter of the Rainbow Warriors’ most impressive win of 2021, a 27-24 triumph over Fresno State. Hawaii has notable playmakers including Calvin Turner Jr. and Khoury Bethley scattered across both sides of the ball, so the lack of Chevan Cordeiro and Dae Dae Hunter shouldn’t hurt too much.</p>
<p id="ECeA7a">Memphis presents plenty of offensive talent as well, even without the team’s primary superstar in Calvin Austin III. The Tigers can score with ease, but defending opponents’ passing attacks doesn’t always come easy for Memphis. However, the Tigers’ lack of rushing prowess late in the season suggests that Hawaii’s offense will be more multi-dimensional. Still, this game is bound for shootout territory, and the virtual home team has enough firepower to pull off the upset in Honolulu.</p>
<p id="3pfXDG"><em><strong>Prediction: Hawaii 38, Memphis 33</strong></em></p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/23/22850723/2021-hawaii-bowl-preview-memphis-tigers-hawaii-rainbow-warriors-dec-24-christmas-eve-aac-mwcSteve Helwick2021-12-23T01:16:05-05:002021-12-23T01:16:05-05:00Army edges Missouri in Armed Forces Bowl, 24-22, on game-winning field goal
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 22 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl - Missouri v Army" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/czzjrfNe3Kl2luv8mc69AFvdZjA=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70309361/1237391884.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Senior QB Jabari Laws leads the Black Knights on a 1-minute, 11-second drive to take down Mizzou at the buzzer.</p> <p id="hvFw3c">Army is renowned for its signature triple option scheme. The Black Knights rank second in the country in time of possession, and they rarely break out the hurry-up offense.</p>
<p id="vMKGsx">However, when Missouri claimed a 22-21 lead with 1:11 left, that contrasting style was required for Army. To deviate from normality even more, the Black Knights were forced to operate without their starting quarterback Christian Anderson for the game’s final drive, so Jabari Laws checked into the contest. It couldn’t have been a better sendoff for the senior.</p>
<p id="QGdpsd">Laws guided Army down the field with a pair of first down completions and a 13-yard rush. By the time the Black Knights sent out the field goal unit, three seconds remained. Cole Talley stepped up to the occasion and sunk a 41-yard field goal to snatch the victory. Celebration ensued as Army officially earned the title as 2021 Armed Forces Bowl champions with a 24-22 comeback over Missouri.</p>
<p id="D85oR8">“I know there’s a lot of great stories in college football, but I really don’t think there are much more that are better than that,” Army fullback Jakobi Buchanan said. “All of Jabari’s work that goes unseen, and just for him to go out like that... a minute, 30 when I know a lot of people counted us out — ‘There’s no way they can march down the field with that kind of offense,’ but he led the offense to perfection. He got us into field goal range with some really good plays and then Cole just made it.”</p>
<p id="KwdYV4">Right before Army’s warp-speed drive to finish Missouri off, the Tigers pushed the Black Knights to the brink. In his first career start, quarterback Brady Cook led the Tigers on an 83-yard drive which consumed just 1:33 of clock. The redshirt freshman fired a 6-yard touchdown pass to Keke Chism to push his team to a 22-21 victory.</p>
<p id="ey8Dhg">“I thought he played really well, very calm and collected, had great composure,” Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said of Cook. “He did a really nice job on that last drive to give us a chance to win the game. Overall, I thought Brady played pretty well.”</p>
<p id="SF6UZX">However, an overthrow intended for running back Dawson Downing on the 2-point attempt left the door ajar for Army to win with a field goal.</p>
<p id="tzjqJ9">“It was a play that we’ve repped a bunch of times and I felt comfortable with it,” Cook said of the 2-point attempt. “I felt some interior pressure and went to the tailback. I just misjudged it. It was a bad throw.”</p>
<p id="mCXkoD">Cook’s touchdown connection to Chism signified Missouri’s only points of the second half. The Tigers were in complete control early by establishing a dominant ground game. Pitted against the nation’s 12th ranked defense, Missouri accumulated 155 yards on 24 carries in the first half, exceeding the 111.8 yards Army allows per contest. Cook launched the scoring effort on the opening drive by executing a handoff into a speed option. He faked out the Army defense for a 30-yard touchdown.</p>
<p id="cDC8U1">Even when the Tigers’ offense was clicking, finishing drives was an issue. Missouri didn’t punt in the first half, but First Team All-SEC kicker Harrison Mevis sunk a series of chip shot field goals from 22, 25, and 39 yards — a testament to the strength of Army’s defense in critical situations. Missouri entered the half holding onto a 16-7 lead, but the disparity between the teams did not prolong further.</p>
<p id="nP3Gq6">“There was really never a doubt in my mind. We knew what we had to do coming out of halftime,” Buchanan said. “We had to get the offense going, defense making plays, and we had to make more plays ourselves. Eventually, that’s what he did.”</p>
<p id="bGzc7G">In the second half, the Black Knights’ fortified their run defense and held Missouri to just 40 yards on the ground. They stopped a key 4th and 1 at the Army 43 yard-line — a vital moment which subsequently provided Army its first lead. The Black Knights also collected the lone takeaway of the contest as strong safety Marquel Broughton forced a fumble around midfield and outside linebacker Andre Carter recovered to stall a late Tiger drive.</p>
<p id="TquJwJ">“Basically, (free safety Cedrick Cunningham) knocked our d-line over and when he did that, I knew that I didn’t have an actual man and I could just go in and set the edge,” Broughton said, recalling the momentum-swinging 4th and 1 stop. “Without him doing that, I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”</p>
<p id="flWAEk">Army cycled through three quarterbacks in the Armed Forces Bowl, finishing with Laws on the final drive. Christian Anderson earned the start and demonstrated phenomenal playmaking as a passer and a rusher. He delivered a perfectly-placed 42-yard deep ball to Tyrell Robinson on Army’s second drive of the contest and then capped the drive with a 22-yard rush around the edge.</p>
<p id="ERPCUR">The Black Knights later turned to Tyhier Tyler, who was responsible for the team’s only passing touchdown Wednesday. Down two points with 10:20 remaining, head coach Jeff Monken opted to gamble on 4th and 2. Instead of opting for a go-ahead field goal, Army had greater aspirations. Tyler scrambled outside the pocket and found Brandon Walters in the end zone for an uncontested touchdown reception — handing Army its first lead of the contest, 21-16.</p>
<p id="D2eU7D">Buchanan played a crucial role for an Army team which converted all five of its fourth down attempts. Buchanan was automatic in short yardage situations, plunging for 68 yards on 21 attempts. He extended his jaw-dropping streak to 258 consecutive handoffs without losing a yard. His most notable carry of the night involved a 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter where he utilized his 6’0”, 260 pound frame to truck a Missouri defender right before the goal line.</p>
<p id="9mv5GR">“It’s what they do best. They’re some of the best in the country in it,” Missouri inside linebacker Blaze Alldredge said. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to grit up a little bit more. There were a couple times where we gave up some leaky yards and they’ve got some big boys. We come from the SEC, we’re used to big boys... A lot of it came down to 1-on-1s that we lost.”</p>
<p id="pNSPOf">After falling to Army in heartbreaking fashion, Missouri continues its quest for its first bowl victory since 2014. For the Black Knights, emerging on top in these big games has become quite common under Monken. For the fourth time in six years, Army will deliver bowl hardware back to West Point. It is also the third Armed Forces Bowl win over that timespan, but the feeling never gets old for the players.</p>
<p id="wi81Ep">“It’s a great feeling,” Broughton said in his postgame press conference. “They’re probably still down there yelling and screaming and listening to music and jumping around. It feels great for me but it feels even better for (the seniors), knowing it was their last game.”</p>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/23/22851089/army-black-knights-edge-mizzou-tigers-2021-armed-forces-bowl-24-22-game-winning-field-goal-dec-22Steve Helwick2021-12-22T16:30:00-05:002021-12-22T16:30:00-05:002021 Hawaii Bowl: Memphis vs. Hawaii Players to Watch
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 25 UTSA at Memphis" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ByS0uN5U3mWXaMhsRdfBMWli-hY=/0x0:4106x2737/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70307861/1235546087.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Two true freshman quarterbacks from the Dallas area headline the 2021 Hawaii Bowl matchup between the Tigers and Rainbow Warriors.</p> <p id="gm0BxI">It’s the greatest Christmas Eve tradition in sports.</p>
<p id="uuinxj">After a hiatus due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Hawaii Bowl is back in the rotation to grace our television screens the night before Christmas.</p>
<p id="pfRg3P">The creation of an additional bowl game, the Frisco Football Classic, catapulted Hawaii (6-7, 3-5 Mountain West) into bowl eligibility. Thus, for the 10th time in the bowl’s history and for the fourth time in six seasons, the Rainbow Warriors will remain home for the Hawaii Bowl. Taking a flight to the islands is Memphis (6-6, 3-5 AAC) which is participating in a bowl for the eighth consecutive season.</p>
<p id="xBXE5M">In an essential road game for the Tigers, Memphis is currently listed as an 8.5-point favorite per <a href="https://dksb.sng.link/As9kz/ju2q?_dl=https%3A%2F%2Fsportsbook.draftkings.com%2Fgateway%3Fs%3D780828136%26wpcid%3D163240%26wpcn%3Dinarticle%26wpsrc%3DVox%26wpcrid%3DCFB&pcid=163240&pscn=CFB&pcrn=Inarticle&psn=Vox"><strong>DraftKings</strong></a><strong>*</strong>. The point total is listed as 55.5, which would have been exceeded in exactly five of the last 10 Hawaii Bowls. In a matchup between the AAC and Mountain West, let’s take a look at the players to watch in Honolulu this Friday night:</p>
<p id="jCLg8C"><em>* Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://draftkings.com/sportsbook"><em><strong>draftkings.com/sportsbook</strong></em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
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<h3 id="HADugt"><strong>Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis</strong></h3>
<p id="y1AIlL">Replacing the program’s all-time leading passer Brady White is no easy task, but Memphis effectively filled the quarterback vacancy with a talented true freshman. In his second game since graduating high school, an 18-year old Seth Henigan already proved his ability to thrive at the FBS level by delivering 417 passing yards and five touchdowns in a shootout win over Arkansas State. Henigan excelled as a pocket passer all season long and he enters the Hawaii Bowl as the 17th leading passer in the FBS. Additionally, the youngster boasts an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 25-to-8. His 336 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season finale against Tulane were instrumental in sustaining the AAC’s longest bowl eligibility streak.</p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Navy at Memphis" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wsNRBFTdy33q9TUH01IUCDkjkb0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23121230/usa_today_16954830.jpg">
<cite>Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>Seth Henigan is 58 passing yards away from producing one of the five most prolific quarterback seasons in Memphis history.</figcaption>
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<h3 id="xrJ74w"><strong>Brayden Schager, QB, Hawaii</strong></h3>
<p id="b1wS79">Starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro announced his departure from Hawaii on Dec. 1, and 10 days later, he found a home within the Mountain West at San Jose State. That leaves the Rainbow Warriors without their main signal caller for the Hawaii Bowl, and Brayden Schager is the next man up. Just like Henigan, Schager is a true freshman from the Dallas metroplex area. The quarterback earned substantial playing time in October and served as the starter for Hawaii’s statement upset over Fresno State. In his final game with true freshman status, Schager looks to build on a résumé which features 615 passing yards and two touchdowns on a 60.7 percent completion clip.</p>
<h3 id="aS7aDF"><strong>Sean Dykes, TE, Memphis</strong></h3>
<p id="psKTwU">Memphis will be without its All-AAC talent Calvin Austin III following the star receiver’s decision to opt out the remainder of the season in preparation of the NFL Draft. Bereft of the Luxury of the AAC’s second leading receiving yards leader, Memphis will have to turn to other options to bolster the nation’s 16th ranked passing offense. That leaves tight end Sean Dykes with an increased role. The senior caught his first pass as a Tiger in 2016 and he’ll likely catch his last Friday in Honolulu. Dykes leads all active Memphis players for the Hawaii Bowl in receptions (48), yards (657), and touchdowns (7), and the strong-armed tight end thrives off of drawing mismatches with opposing linebackers.</p>
<h3 id="gLAW3Q"><strong>Calvin Turner, WR, Hawaii</strong></h3>
<p id="7T0mC6">Calvin Turner Jr. is no stranger to dominating bowl season. The senior running back/wide receiver hybrid won MVP honors in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl win over Houston last Christmas Eve. Turner collected a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and capped off the scoring effort for the afternoon with a 92-yard kick return touchdown. The versatile Turner produced 60 rushing yards, 88 receiving yards, and 104 kick return yards in that statement performance. Hawaii’s leading rusher Dae Dae Hunter already transferred to Liberty, so Turner should see an expanded role in the rushing attack. Turner produced 316 rushing yards and 876 receiving yards in the regular season, and he’ll look to utilize his talents to secure another bowl MVP in his collegiate sendoff performance.</p>
<h3 id="kYJHQF"><strong>J.J. Russell, ILB, Memphis</strong></h3>
<p id="eHn2rS">Memphis’ defense locked up one First Team All-AAC selection, and that honoree lines up in the heart of the defense. J.J. Russell produced stellar numbers all season long for the Tigers with a team-leading 123 tackles — tied for ninth in the FBS. The senior produced one sack, one interception, and one forced fumble in his strongest season to date. Russell registered double-digit tackles in half of his games this season, so when it comes to halting Hawaii’s rushing attack, Russell should be a name the PA announcer reiterates early and often.</p>
<h3 id="aCdMcK"><strong>Khoury Bethley, SS, Hawaii</strong></h3>
<p id="b0ezD6">Khoury Bethley is an interception machine. Only Oregon’s Verone McKinley has picked off more passes than the five Bethley secured this season. And when it comes to turning interceptions into improved field position, not many do it better than Hawaii’s star safety. Bethley ranks third in the FBS in interception return yards with 120 on the year. Interceptions aren’t his only way of inflicting damage on opposing offenses. He forced two fumbles this year, including one to set up Hawaii’s fourth quarter go-ahead field goal to beat Fresno State. Bethley is also second on the roster with 99 tackles, complemented with other eyebrow-raising statistics such 4.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.</p>
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Hawaii Bowl-Brigham Young vs Hawaii" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ymW-lD4SuwFCJ6UWlexYwWPzHj0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23121224/usa_today_13836699.jpg">
<cite>Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
<figcaption>Khoury Bethley has stepped up to the occasion in bowl season before. Bethley intercepted BYU QB Zach Wilson in the final seconds to seal a 2019 Hawaii Bowl victory for the Rainbow Warriors.</figcaption>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/12/22/22849676/2021-hawaii-bowl-memphis-tigers-hawaii-warriors-players-henigan-schager-dykes-turner-russell-bethleySteve Helwick