Bowl Season Predictions, Part 3

Two bowls will be played Saturday afternoon.

The New Orleans Bowl kicks off at noon with East Carolina (8-4) against Louisiana-Lafayette (8-4). Both teams finished the regular season with three consecutive wins, prior to that streak, East Carolina got blown out by Navy 56-28 while Louisiana-Lafayette fell to Florida 20-27 on a last second TD off a blocked punt. The Ragin’ Cajuns are making their second consecutive appearance in the New Orleans Bowl and it’s in their back yard. All that adds up to the Cajuns being 6 point favorites.

My pick: Louisiana-Lafayette.

Later in the afternoon, the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl pits the Boise State Broncos (8-4) against Washington Huskies (7-5). Both teams have excellent pass defenses. Boise gives up just 163.4 ypg in the air (4th in the nation). Add the nation’s 38th ranked rushing defense (141.3 ypg) and the Broncos are 9th in the nation overall.

Washington yields 188.9 ypg in the air (15th nationally) and 164.3 ypg on the ground (64th in the nation) for an overall ranking of 31st on defense. Neither team has an over powering offense. Boise is 73rd overall while Washington is 97th in the nation on offense. The Broncos are 5-point favorites.

My pick: Boise State.