Wed, 12/22/10, 8PM EDT, TV: ESPN
Point Spread: Boise State -17
Total: 58
The Broncos are 6-4 in bowl games, but have registered a 2-4 record in the last six due to one, three, four and six point losses. Boise State will also be playing its third straight postseason game against a team from the Mountain West Conference, splitting the last two years with the TCU Horned Frogs. Defensively, the team has allowed just 27 red zone opportunities in 2010, with the opponents scoring just 15 times. The 56 percent success rate for opponents is the nation’s second-best mark. In fact, Boise was the only team in the country to finish the regular season ranked in the top five in both total offense and total defense. The Broncos also ranked second-nationally in scoring offense (46.67) and fourth in scoring defense (13.58).
Utah has compiled an impressive 12-3 record in bowl games and currently boasts the nation’s longest active bowl win streak at night games. The streak is actually the second-longest in the history of college football,
just two games back of Florida State’s 11 consecutive bowl victories. The Utes captured two-straight games against San Diego State and BYU heading into this marquee battle on Wednesday night. The Utes will be missing starting quarterback Jordan Wynn for this contest, as he’s needing surgery on his throwing shoulder and will be out for the next six months. Senior backup Terrance Cain is more than capable in leading the team to victory, posting a 9-1 record as the Utes starter when given the opportunity. This is a proud program that has won at least 10 games for a third year in a row and will likely give a huge effort in keeping the school’s bowl streak alive.
Bettors will be interested in knowing that the Utes are 7-1 ATS in bowl games, while the Broncos are 4-1 ATS versus the Mountain West Conference.
