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Home of the Arizona Wildcats, the Barstool Arizona Bowl returns after a 2021 hiatus. Wyoming returns to the Arizona Bowl, where they defeated Georgia State 38-17. Ohio is making their postseason return, when they last appeared at the 2019 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Ohio knocked off Nevada 30-21.
When: Friday, December 30th @ 4:30 PM ET
Where: Tucson, Arizona
Who: Ohio vs. Wyoming
Spread & Total: Ohio -2.5; O/U 41.5
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Tale of the Take: Ohio Bobcats
Ohio will be without quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year. While that is the only expected loss for Ohio, it is a massive hit losing your top player. The Bobcats will turn to CJ Harris, who was able to start the last two games for Ohio. Harris completed 51.9% of his 52 attempts for 359 yards, a touchdown and interception.
Defensively, only East Carolina ranks worse in passing defense. 28 passing touchdowns allowed ranks 124th nationally. Ohio surrenders, on average, 7.9 yards per attempt, bottom-20 nationally. They did manage to force 11 interceptions and sack opposing quarterbacks 32 times.
Opt Outs: N/A
Transfer Portal Departures: N/A
Players to Know:
RB Sieh Bangura
All-MAC Third Team Offense. 197 carries for 940 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. Added 23 receptions for 208 yards (9.0 YPC) and 2 receiving touchdowns
WR Sam Wiglusz
All-MAC First Team Offense. Leads the team with 69 receptions for 850 yards (12.3 YPC) and 11 touchdowns
Tale of the Tape: Wyoming Cowboys
Wyoming has the 4th worse scoring offense among bowl eligible teams. Two who have ranked worse in scoring offense (Miami of Ohio and UConn) have already played, both losing. To make matters worse, what Wyoming does well is the run game. And they will be without their top four running backs in this game. Titus Swen was dismissed from the team and entered the NFL Draft. Dawaiian McNeely and D.Q. James are out with injuries. And Joey Braasch is in the transfer portal. No other running back has a carry on the season. And the passing offense is 3rd worse among bowl teams. Starter Andrew Peasley is completing 51.4% of his 245 attempts, averaging 5.7 YPA. He has 9 touchdowns to 8 interceptions on the year. They will also be without top receiver Joshua Cobbs. He is the only receiver with over 25 receptions and 400 yards.
Wyoming’s defense is what kept this team bowl eligible. They allowed just 19.8 PPG in conference play. Wyoming only won one game this year when surrendering over 20 points, a 40-37 double-overtime game against Tulsa. They are 1-4 when an opponent hits 20 points, and are 2-5 against bowl teams.
Opt Outs: N/A
Transfer Portal Departures:
RB Titus Swen
(Leads team with 207 carries for 1,039 yards and 8 touchdowns. Added 14 receptions for 108 receiving yards)
RB Joe Braasch
(4th-string running back; 29 carries for 91 yards on the ground)
WR Joshua Cobbs
(Leading receiver with 35 receptions for 407 yards and 2 touchdowns)
DE Oluwaseyi Omotosho
(46 tackles (7.5 for loss). 2nd most sacks on the team with 6.5)
CB Keonte Glinton
(26 tackles, 4 pass deflections)
CB Cam Stone
(Team lead with 10 pass deflections and 2 interceptions, returning one for a score)
Player to Know:
LB Easton Gibbs
All-Mountain West Football First Team. Leads team with 111 tackles (8.0 for loss). Recorded 2 sacks this season and returned a fumble for a touchdown
DE DeVonne Harris
5th on the team with 51 tackles (13.0 for loss). 8.5 sacks leads the team
Bowl Game Trends:
- Wyoming’s Craig Bohl is 3-1 in bowl games
- Both teams have won their last 3 bowl games
Game Synopsis:
I’ve mentioned this in other articles, but I don’t know how Wyoming scores. Their offensive strength is running the ball, and no current running back has a carry this season. Peasley is mobile, rushing for 445 yards on 55 carries for the season. And while Ohio’s pass defense is putrid, Peasley only topped 200 yards passing once this season; he hit 256 passing yards in a double-overtime win over Tulsa. Ohio’s Harris at least has two starts under his belt against bowl teams, along with everyone healthy on both sides of the ball. I think Ohio is the victor in the Barstool Arizona Bowl.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Ohio
Bowl Mania Confidence: 14/43
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