Air Force 30, Baylor 15

The Academy rushed 276 yards and 3 TDs and the defense stymied the Baylor offense in the Falcons’ victory at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in a bitterly cold Fort Worth. Fort Worth was having the wind chill below zero temperatures that people in the Southeastern part of the country are experiencing now, but it didn’t bother the Falcons. They were ready. Brad Roberts rushed for 116 yards and 2 TDs and quarterback Haaziq Daniels rushed for 81 and a score. Daniels had a TD pass and a critical 68 yard completion to wide receiver Amari Terry that was a game changing play. Troy Calhoun completes his 5th, 10 win season at Colorado Springs. Spectacular. He said of his seniors that they endured a lot and he’s proud that they’ll be defending the country in the future. Beautiful.

The Blog moved to 3-3 straight up and 2-3 ATS.

Two games today. Here’s a look at the action along with predictions.

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Louisiana (6-6) vs. Houston (7-5)

Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA., 65,000

2 PM CT

ESPN

Dave, Deuce, Harry Lyles Jr.

Whistles, C-USA, Scott Hardin

Houston by 7

Ragin’ Cajuns

After winning the Sun Belt last season under now Florida coach Billy Napier’s guidance, the Ragin’ Cajuns took a step back this season. But they’re playing 212 miles from Lafayette, so they should have a lot of energy for this game. Quarterback Chandler Fields completed 89 of 157 passes, 57%, for 954 yards, 10 TDs against 4 ints. He took Ben Wooldridge’s place when Wooldridge went out with an injury for the season after completing 138-of-244, 57%, for 1,661 yards, 15 TDs against 5 ints in 10 games. The favorite target of Fields and Wooldridge is and was Michael Jefferson, who caught 51 passes for 810 yards and 7 TDs. But Jefferson is opting out for the draft. Neal Johnson has 22 receptions for 277 and 2 TDs. And John Stephens, Jr. added 11 for 237 and 3 TDs. Jacob Bernard posted 11 for 191 and 2, 6’s. Running back Chris Smith rushed for 580 yards and 3, 6’s. Terrence Williams added 365 and a score. The defense is led by linebacker Jordan Quibodeux, 6’0”, 217, who posted 101 stops on the season. Zi’Yon Hill-Green led the team in tackles for loss with 12 1/2 for -44 yards. Hill-Green, a 6’1”, 274 defensive end, also posted 7 sacks for -30 yards. Linebacker Andre Jones, 6’5”, 258, good size, led the defense in sacks with 7 1/2 for -54 yards. The Ragin’ Cajuns were ball hawks in the secondary with 15 ints as a unit. Linebacker Kris Moncrief, 6’1”, 242, led the defense with 4 ints for 71 yards. Cornerback Caleb Anderson only had one pick, but it was for a 54 yard pick 6.

Houston

The Cougars didn’t have the season they expected, but they still had their moments. They had a 3 game winning streak in the middle of the season, and won 2 in a row at the end of the season before losing to Tulsa in their final game of the season, 37-30. Quarterback Clayton Tune, 6’3”, 220, completed 316-of-469 passes, 67%, for 3,845 yards, 37 TDs against 10 ints. He can be a stud, but he can struggle at times, too. Tune led the team in rushing with 491 yards and 5 TDs. Running back Stacy Sneed added 474 yards and 5 TDs as well. Nathaniel Dell lit it up at wide receiver catching 103 passes for 1,354 yards and 15 TDs. He’s declared for the Draft, but will play. I know Dana Holgerson and his team are hoping he plays hard. Matthew Golden caught 36 passes for 567 and 7 TDs. KeSean Carter added 35 for 497 and 4 TDs. And Samuel Brown posted 41 for 471 and 4 TDs. The Cougars allowed 33 points per game on the season. The Ragin’ Cajuns allowed 22. Linebacker Donavan Mutin led the defense in tackles with 79 and added 5 TFLs. Defensive End D’Anthony Jones, 6’2”, 270, led the team in TFLs with 12 1/2 for -48. Houston posted 7 ints, with DB Jayce Rogers leading the way with 2 for 82, one he took back to the house.

I’m Taking my Talents too….

This should be a good contest for most of the game. The weather at kickoff is going to be 23 degrees, and it’ll feel like 11, with the wind at 13 MPH. I like a lower scoring game than you would think when Houston plays, but I’ll go with the favorite, though it’s tough to tell how motivated they’ll be. I’ll take my chances with Coach Holgerson, Tune and the Cougars.

Houston 28, Ragin’ Cajuns 17

Union Home Mortgage Gaspirilla Bowl

Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Missouri (6-6)

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, 65,890

5:30 PM CT

ESPN

Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, Lericia Harris

Stripes, Big 12, Kevin Boitmann

Wake by 2 1/2

There are opt outs on the Missouri side, particularly on defense and a key wide receiver. Wake has a couple of guys sitting out. Wake’s Sam Hartman has completed 247-of-392 passes, 63%, for 3,421 yards, 35 TDs against 11 ints. Missouri’s Brady Cook has completed 218 of 334 passes, 65%, for 2,509 yards, 13 TDs and 7 ints. His favorite target today will be 2022, 5 star freshman wide out Luther Burden III, who posted 38 receptions on the season for 329 yards and 6 TDs. Hartman will rely on A.T. Perry, who caught 70 passes for 980 yards and 11 TDs. He’s 6’5”, so he will be a lot for the Tigers DBs to contend with. Cody Shrader led Mizzou in rushing with 690 yards and 8 TDs. Justice Ellison led the Demon Deacons in rushing with 675 yards and 5 TDs.

Final Decision

With Missouri missing several defensive starters, the Tigers may have a hard time stopping the Demon Deacons offense. Wake is pretty leaky on D, so the Tigers should have succession offensively as well. The weather will be 49 at kickoff with wind at 12 MPH, so wind will be a factor. I still like some points to be scored. Give me Hartman, who might come back for his 6th year and transfer, or try to take it to the next level, or come back to Wake.

Wake Forest 34, Missouri 31