JCMoneySports

The Liberty Bowl should be a great game to watch...if you like punts.   With both teams in the top 11 in the nation in time of possession we're likely to see a lot of game management on both sides of the ball between two teams who are top 30 in the nation in turnover margin.  They take care of the ball and the weather isn't expected to be a factor.

Rice runs the ball.  It's how they won the C-USA title.  It's how they've won the majority of their games.  The problem is, they haven't been running the ball against the SEC.  And now they have to.  In a setting with a lot of cowbells.  If forced to throw, which I think they will do only if they have to, they're relying on the 101st ranked passing attack in the country to beat a defense that's playing in a home environment and held Alabama to only 20 points.  In fact, over their last 3 games, the Bulldogs are allowing an average of 15 points per game all against SEC opponents and that included 2 overtime games.

But Rice's defense is no joke either, ranking 13th in the nation in passing yards allowed.  And, in the C-USA, there are more than a few teams that can throw the ball around so I put more value in that stat than maybe one would at first glance in comparison to the SEC.

I couldn't find a big discrepancy on special teams with both of the schools ranked lower/middle of the pack in punting, punt returns, etc. so I expect there won't be too many explosive special teams plays here either to hurt the total.

We're on the under 50.

We're looking at balance, motivation and strength of schedule today in playing Arizona in the Advocare V100 bowl. 

Balance: Boston College has none.  While stud RB Andre Williams will most likely get his yards, I struggle to find what the Eagles will do if Arizona loads the box.  Their lone offensive WR weapon is Alex Amidon and no other Eagle even has 10 receptions on the year.  Amidon, who kind of resembles a Wes Welker, will most likely be doubled by ASU ball hawk Tra'Mayne Bondurant and we'll see how Amidon does against top tier DB coverage in ASU who ranks 22nd in the nation in picks.  And that's in the Pac 12.  Arizona's rush D ranks 70 which looks like it could be a problem with Williams running for the Eagles but breaking down their last 2 games, they were able to hold Oregon and ASU to under 200 yards.  That may sound like a lot, but if you've watched either team play you know they run two of the most up-tempo offenses in the nation.  Boston College will most likely look like a JV running attack after facing the Ducks and the Sun Devils.

Arizona, meanwhile, has a dual threat QB in B.J. Denker who should be able make his fair share of plays against a B.C. team that ranks 104 in pass efficiency defense and considering their schedule that doesn't bode well for the Eagles.  They do get their share of sacks ranked 15th in the nation, but Arizona is 27th in pass sacks allowed and the D-lines in the Pac-12 are pretty stout.  The combination of a lot of sacks and horrible pass efficiency D means we'll probably see a few Eagle blitzes smoked by Carey screens.  I'll set the over under for Ka'deem Carey screen TD passes at 1.5 and lean to the over.

Motivation and strength of schedule:  Boston College comes off a tough loss after blowing a lead to Syracuse, but they've won 4 of the last 5.  That sounds like a good run, but 3 of those wins came against NC St, New Mexico St. and Maryland.  Hardly "storm the field" types of victories that would generate momentum anyhow.