The bowl season has already cranked up, but I’ve decided on the 24 of what I consider the highest quality bowls this season that I will preview and predict. First up is tomorrow’s matchup between the UAB Blazers and the BYU Cougars in the Independence Bowl. Here’s a look at that game along with “the decision.”

Reg Season, 221-99, 69%, ATS, 163-154, 51%

Radiance Technology Independence Bowl

UAB (8-4) vs. BYU (10-2)

Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA.

2:30 PM CT

ABC

Roy Philpott, Cole, Carc

BYU by 6 1/2

The guys from the Southside had a nice regular season with some good victories, but some tough defeats as well. They’re playing now in the state of the art Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham, and that’s got to be a big boon for recruiting. The resources are in place for Bill Clark to do well. They just need to start winning important matchups.

Unfortunately for the Blazers, they’ll be without 1,185 yard, 12 TD rusher DeWayne McBride against BYU. He’s injured and not available. So they’ll rely on Jermaine Brown on the ground and Brown is capable. He has rushed for 584 yards and 7 TDs. Dylan Hopkins will try to get something done through the air, and he’s certainly capable, the only problem is it’s predicted to rain during the game with winds up to 15 MPH, so it may be tougher for Hopkins and his talented receiving corps of Gerrit Price (32-656, 8 TDs) and Trea Shropshire (25-683, 6 TDs) to execute as efficiently and create explosive plays. Hopkins has had an excellent year completing 136-of-212 passes, 64%, for 2,085 yards, 15 TDs against 6 Ints. Inside linebacker Noah Wilder leads the defense in tackles with 86 and has an int. Outside backer Alex Wright leads the team in tackles for loss with 7 1/2 and sacks with 6. Safety Grayson Cash has 3 ints to lead the team and has taken one of those back to the house.

BYU is a formidable opponent. Running back Tyler Allgeier has rushed for 1,414 yards and 20 TDs. He’s a load. Quarterback Jaren Hall has completed 189 of 296 passes, 64%, for 2,583 yards, 20 TDs against 5 ints. He’s also rushed for 307 yards and 3 TDs. His favorite targets are Neil Pau’u (46-526, 6 TDs) and Puka Nacua (42-796, 6). Gunner Romney is also a weapon with 31 receptions for 539 yards and 3 TDs. He’s been hurt some, but is a prolific receiver as well. Linebacker Ben Bywater leads the defense with 93 tackles. Safeties Malik Moore and Jakob Robinson lead the defense with 3 ints apiece.

Final analysis and Decision

You never know with weather forecasts, but as of now, it looks like it’s going to be rainy and windy some of this game, which is going to lead to more of a ground and pound contest than an aerial one. It’s hard to go against BYU’s physical style of play though the Blazers are a physical team, too. I like Allgeier and Hall to be the difference in the game where there may be some turnovers that turn out to be critical. I like the Cougars in Shreveport.

BYU 21, UAB 14