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Boca Raton Bowl 2018: 5 Bold Predictions for UAB vs. Northern Illinois

By John Mitchell

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Bill Clark of the UAB Blazers reacts to pass interference called on his defense against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Bill Clark of the UAB Blazers reacts to pass interference called on his defense against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second quarter at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. The under hits with ease

While this game feels like a toss-up on which team ultimately comes away with a victory, the under feels like it may be stealing money.

According to oddsshark.com, the consensus total is 42.5. I don’t see that number ever being in true jeopardy on Tuesday night.

Both teams allow less than 21 points-per-game, and each defense has held far more potent offenses in check throughout the season.

I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 16-13 or 20-17 sounds right for this game, and both of those final scores would be comfortably under the total.

Vegas favors the Blazers by 2.5, and I wouldn’t go anywhere near betting that number in either direction. If Spencer Brown is able to find some moderate success, then UAB could cover that 2.5. If he is held in check, then Northern Illinois should be able to win outright.

The one worry I have is the strong end of the season from Huskies sophomore QB Marcus Childers. He threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in the MAC Championship win over Buffalo, and if he is on-target as well against UAB as he was in that game, then the Huskies may be able to find the offense to put some points on the board.

Buffalo sported a passing defense that is on par with UAB, giving up three yards per game more through the air than the Blazers.

I feel like UAB will be up to the task defensively to slow down Childers and that passing offense, while the Huskies will sell out to slow down Brown, leading us to a low-scoring war-of-attrition that could be decided by which team is actually able to find the endzone.

If you’re a junkie looking for a betting fix on the Boca Raton Bowl, grab the under.

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