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2022 will be the 12th edition of the First Responders Bowl. North Texas is the only school with multiple appearances, meaning we get two new representatives in this game. Memphis, of the American Athletic Conference, takes on Utah State of the Mountain West.
When: Tuesday, December 27th @ 3:15 PM ET
Where: Dallas, Texas
Who: Memphis vs. Utah State
Spread & Total: Memphis -7.5; O/U 60.5
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Tale of the Tape: Memphis Tigers
Since Ryan Silverfield was introduced as the head coach in 2020, Memphis has been one of the top passing teams nationally. Each year they rank in the top-25, with this year being the lowest at 22. Calvin Austin III helped the last few years, topping 1,000 yards in Silverfield’s first two seasons. But this year, Memphis spreads the ball around. Five players with over 30 receptions and six with at least 300 receiving yards, led by tight end Caden Prieskorn.
Defensively, the Tigers get beat through the air. Four of their six losses came to teams in the top-20 in passing yards per game. Memphis ranks tied for 116th out of 131 FBS programs in defensive sacks. This is tied for the fourth-fewest among bowl eligible teams. While Memphis is better at stopping opponents on the ground, they are 0-3 when allowing a 100-yard rusher this season. Memphis is 3-7 under Silverfield if they allow a 100-yard rusher.
Transfer Portal Departures:
DL Warren Peeples
Players to Know:
S Quindell Johnson
Named to First Team All-AAC. Leads the team with four interceptions and tied for second in pass deflections (four) and tackles (73; five for loss)
LB Xavier Cullens
Named to Second Team All-AAC. Leads team with 104 tackles. Three interceptions, returning two for touchdown. Four fumble recoveries
Tale of the Tape: Utah State Aggies
It has been an injury plagued season for the Utah State offense. Expected starting quarterback Cooper Legas is the team’s third-string option. As a whole, the quarterback room has more interceptions (18) than touchdowns. Calvin Tyler Jr. will be the only running back on Utah State with over 20 carries on the season; Robert Briggs is injured and not expected to play.
Utah State’s 119th ranked run defense is the third worse among bowl eligible teams. Their turnover margin is -7, ranked 113th in FBS.
Transfer Portal Departures: N/A
Player to Know:
RB Calvin Tyler Jr.
All-Mountain West Football Second Team selection. Rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Fourth on the team with 128 receiving yards. Recorded nine 100-yard games in his last two years at Utah State
S Ike Larsen
All-Mountain West Football Second Team selection. Four interceptions to lead the team, returning one for a touchdown. Two sacks and two pass deflections on the season.
Bowl Game Trends:
- The favorite is 11-0 SU and 7-3-1 ATS in the First Responder Bowl
- Both head coaches are 1-0 in bowl games at their current school
Game Synopsis:
Each team’s strength on offense feeds into their opponent’s strength on defense. Turnover margin is in favor of Memphis; they boast a +4 turnover margin (T-38th), while Utah State is -7 (T-115th). Utah State went 5-2 when Legas was the starter, but was 2-2 against bowl eligible teams. Both of those teams – Air Force and San Jose State – ranked outside the top-70 in scoring offense. This is the best scoring offense Utah State has faced since Week 1 against Alabama, where the Aggies lost 55-0. Memphis is not Alabama, obviously, but I think the offense of Memphis gets the job done against Utah State.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Memphis
Bowl Mania Confidence: 21/43
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