Gildan New Mexico Bowl
Wyoming Cowboys vs. Temple Owls
Dec. 17, 2:00 pm ET
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
Website: http://www.
TV: ESPN
Line: Temple -7
Wyoming and Temple may not get quite the name recognition, but this battle of two 8-4 teams brings college football back to your television. For that alone, be grateful.
Making This All Possible
Even Canadian companies know that college football is where it’s at. Gildan Activewear Inc., is a clothing company headquartered in Montreal.
Get to know: Wyoming
Wyoming, out of the Mountain West Conference, returns to the Gildan New Mexico Bowl two years removed from its 35-28 victory in double overtime against Fresno State in 2009. At 8-4 overall, Wyoming finished 5-2 in the MWC this year, behind TCU and Boise State, both of which are leaving the conference next season. The Cowboys enter the bowl game having won three of their last four games.
Get to know: Temple
Temple, from the Mid-American Conference, will be playing in just its fourth bowl game in program history and first since the 2009 EagleBank Bowl, when the UCLA Bruins took down the Owls.
Temple – like Wyoming – comes into this game on a hot streak, having won its last three games.
You Should Know…
You do not naturally think of Wyoming and Temple playing each other, ever; but they have. The two schools faced off in Laramie back in 1990, with Wyoming coming out victorious, 28-23.
Temple is 1-2 against the current MWC schools, while Wyoming is 6-2 all-time versus the MAC.
If You’re Going
For the night owls: Check out the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino located just off I-25 south of Albuquerque. It has it all: restaurants, hotel, casino and, of course, bars.
For the cowboys: Check out the Petroglyph National Monument, full of sights and sounds. The monument contains more than 20,000 images pecked in stone. Some are recognizable as animals, people or crosses, while others are more mysterious.
Hungry? You will want to mosey on over to the Frontier Restaurant (2400 Central Ave SE), an iconic 1971 diner located right across the street from the University of New Mexico. You can stand in line, pick up or find you a seat. The Frontier offers low-priced authentic Mexican and American fare, and much in between. Expect to begin salivating once you walk in the Frontier’s door. The red-and-yellow accented, barn-shaped building is pretty cool, too.
If You’re Watching At home
The Marble Brewery located in Albuquerque makes an Oatmeal Stout that will properly give you the flavor of something local. It’s just five percent alcohol by volume. It pours black and has delectable chocolate qualities with a great foam. You easily could drink several of these stouts; and you can. Enjoy.
Prediction
I think this game comes down to defense, and Temple has more of it. Expect a close one through the first half – maybe three quarters – before Temple starts putting the vice on.
Temple – 34 Wyoming- 20
