Picking Every 2016-17 College Football Bowl Game Against the Spread

Las Vegas Bowl Presented by Geico
Houston (9-3, 5-3 AAC) vs. San Diego State (10-3, 6-2 MWC)
Dec. 17 – 3:30 p.m., ABC
Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

Average Line: Houston, -3

The line on this game has tightened up since Tom Herman accepted the job at Texas and Major Applewhite was promoted to head coach of the Cougars.

Houston actually had aspirations of being a possible Group of Five playoff team, and their victories over Oklahoma and Louisville (the reason both teams probably were eliminated from the playoff) are the biggest positives on their resume. Unfortunately, losses to Navy, SMU and Memphis derailed lot of Herman’s plans for this season.

The Aztecs topped Wyoming in the Mountain West Championship game, and can win their second consecutive bowl game with a win over Houston.

As disappointing as the season may have turned out for Houston, they still have Greg Ward Jr. at quarterback, a guy who can make things happen on the field. There will be very little change in how the Cougars approach and play this game with Applewhite at the helm.

The difference-maker in this game could very well be Houston freshman defensive lineman, Ed Oliver, who won the AAC Freshman of the Year, as well as first team All-American honors.

Prediction: Houston and Applewhite have a lot to prove, and this is a team who can score points in big bunches when they are right. Given the rest they’ll have they should easily cover 3 points.

Next: Camellia Bowl