New Year’s Six Vegas College Football Bowl Predictions Part I
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Mickey Baucus (68) hoists the territorial cup in celebration after beating the Arizona State Sun Devils 42-35 at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Vizio Fiesta Bowl- Glendale, Ariz.
No. 20 Boise State Broncos vs. No. 10 Arizona Wildcats
Line: Arizona by 3
Saturday Blitz Vegas Bowl Prediction: Arizona Wins 34-17
There is nothing wrong with having a Group of Five team in the New Year’s Six. There’s nothing wrong with having multiple Group of Five teams. This isn’t an indictment against that concept. This is an indictment against the fact that there is not one single powerful team that Boise State has beaten all year despite having a good overall strength of schedule, and therefore, without a major quality win, there’s not a shred of evidence to prove these guys belong here.
Boise State got blown out by Ole Miss to start the year, and then they lost to Air Force. Rich Rodriguez’s Wildcats are going to have their way with Boise State, particularly with Anu Solomon throwing to Cayleb Jones and handing the ball off to Terris Jones-Grigsby and Nick Wilson against that incredibly soft Boise State defense.
And speaking of defense, just like Ole Miss did at the beginning of the year, the physical Arizona front seven led by Scooby Wright III will spend the entire day disrupting the Boise State offense. Grant Hedrick will have a couple of nice plays given the very efficient passer that he is, but the Broncos will not be able to throw it for the most part because of the pressure Arizona will invoke on them.
Therefore, they’re going to have to run the ball a lot with Jay Ayaji. And while he’s good, this offense relies on balance and not being one-dimensional. That makes this game work in the favor of the Wildcats.
And because they are also playing essentially at home, victory should be no trouble.
Next: Orange Bowl Prediction: Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss