Vegas College Football Bowl Predictions Part II (Christmas to New Year’s): Georgia-Louisville and More

Nov 22, 2014; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini players LaKeith Walls (22), Davontay Kwaaning (37), and Eric Finney (14) celebrate their victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Memorial Stadium. Illinois beat Penn State 16 to 14. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl- Dallas, Texas

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Line: Louisiana Tech by 6

Saturday Blitz Vegas Bowl prediction: Illinois Wins 45-41

Without Wes Lunt for Illinois, the game being played in Dallas, Louisiana Tech’s high-powered offense going up against Illinois’s absolutely terrible defense, it seems only logical for the Bulldogs to be the favorite as a mid-major against a Big Ten program. But that’s not going to be the case in this situation.

What is underrated is that Reilly O’Toole appears to have figured out the offense and settled into his role with Illinois, and he will be fine in this game as Lunt’s replacement against a defense that is getting far too overhyped for one decent performance against Marshall. And Illinois’s defense, while terrible, is capable of making just enough plays to win.

Don’t mistake this pick, Louisiana Tech will score and score a lot. But it won’t be unmatchable for Illinois. The Fighting Illini are very excited and possibly extremely determined to win this bowl game to get to 7-6.

And that is exactly what they are going to do. Mark it down here.

Next: Quick Lane Bowl Prediction: North Carolina vs. Rutgers