3 things to know for the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Need a brief primer before you attempt to watch all 40 bowl games this season? We’ve got you covered. Here are three things you need to know about the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.
NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL
South Alabama Jaguars (6-6) vs. Air Force Falcons (9-3)
Dec. 30, 5:30 p.m. ET
Campus Insiders
– South Alabama is playing for its first bowl victory in program history. The Jaguars have been around for eight seasons (four in the FBS) and have been to the postseason twice. The last appearance resulted in a 33-28 loss to Bowling Green in the 2014 Camellia Bowl. South Alabama went 4-0 during the nonconference schedule, which included wins against Mississippi State and San Diego State. However, they managed just a 2-4 record in conference play and needed a win against New Mexico State in the regular-season finale to become bowl eligible.
Air Force is on a six-game winning streak. It’s looking to notch the seventh 10-win season in history and the second in the past three seasons.
[Follow Dr. Saturday on social media: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr]
– Air Force’s triple-option offense shouldn’t be too much of a shock to South Alabama since the Jaguars saw that offense against Georgia Southern earlier in the year. In that game, Georgia Southern, which didn’t finish with a winning record, defeated the Jaguars 24-9 and the Eagles rolled up 304 rushing yards. Air Force is averaging 322.8 rushing yards per game, which ranks third in the country. The Falcons have four players with at least 600 rushing yards, including quarterback Arion Worthman. South Alabama is allowing 212.1 rushing yards per game.
– South Alabama is going to have to lean on its passing game since the Air Force rushing defense is allowing just 118.0 yards per game. However, passing against the Falcons isn’t an easy task, especially with Weston Steelhammer, who has six interceptions this season, roaming around. South Alabama quarterback Dallas Davis has thrown for 2,461 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Xavier Davis, the Jaguars leading rusher, has 787 yards and 10 scores.
[Related: NFL draft prospects to watch in the bowl games]
Mascot fight prediction: Both a falcon and a jaguar are predators, but the falcon has the air advantage over the jag. It would be a tough fight between these two mascots, but not many are expecting that to translate to the football field.
Real predictions:
Graham Watson: Air Force 41, South Alabama 24
Nick Bromberg: Air Force 30, South Alabama 20
Sam Cooper: Air Force 34, South Alabama, 17
Chris Herbert: Air Force 34, South Alabama 13
More college football from Yahoo Sports:
– – – – – – –
Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!
