Ohio Bobcats vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks
Dec. 28, 2 p.m., ESPN
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, La.)
Line: Louisiana-Monroe -7
Louisiana-Monroe is enjoying its best season since becoming an FBS program in 1994 with an 8-4 record and 6-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. Ohio expected to play for a Mid-American Conference, but injuries weakened the Bobcats to the point where they lost four of their final five games.
Sexiness: Piper Perabo
Piper Perabo is known for starring in movies like Coyote Ugly and The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, and more recently on TV in Covert Affairs. She’s not necessarily a household name, but once you see her you can’t forget her. If you watch this game, there might be some players that you may never forget.
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Ohio
Aces: QB Tyler Tettleton is still one of the lesser-known dual-threat players in the nation. He has accounted for 2,513 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing just three interceptions.
Deuces: The Bobcats secondary will be tested by the Warhawks prolific passing attack. Coach Frank Solich will need this unit to have one of its best performances of the year to pull off the upset.
Wildcard: If Ohio is healthy enough, then the team that opened the season 7-0 and defeated Penn State at Beaver Stadium could notch its second consecutive bowl win. The problem with this theory is Ohio has lost 10 players to season-ending injuries and won’t have standout running back Ryan Boykin
Louisiana-Monroe
Aces: QB Kolton Browning, a lefty, is a key reason why the Warhawks were so tough to beat this season. He threw for 2,830 yards and an impressive 27 touchdowns. He did miss two games because of injury and the Warhawks lost both of them. He also rushed for 441 yards and seven touchdowns.
Deuces: WRs Brent Leonard and Je’Ron Hamm teamed up to snag 155 passes for 1,904 yards and 16 touchdowns. Leonard ranks seventh in the nation with 97 receptions for 1,042 yards and 10 scores.
Wildcard: Monroe’s defense is simply average, so if the group underperforms then it just might open the door for Ohio to keep this one close.
So you don’t forget…: Louisiana-Monroe beat an SEC team (Arkansas) and should have defeated another (Auburn). Then there was the close game with Baylor as well (47-42 loss). So we know the Warhawks have confidence and can play some football.
Crystal Ball: The MAC has struggled in bowl games this year and that trend is not likely to get any better in this game. This game is shaping up to be another blowout loss for the league.
Score: Monroe 31, Ohio 17
