UAB with a sparkling performance against BYU in a 31-28 Independence Bowl victory. Super stuff from the Blazers. A key fumble off a big pass play late in the game by BYU cost them, and the Blazers made some clutch plays on offense late in the game, none bigger than the 4th and 7, 14 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dylan Hopkins to wide receiver Trea Shropshire with 6:17 late in the game for what was the game winning TD. DeWayne McBride also rushed for 183 yards on 28 carries, which included a 64 yard house call. He is just a sophomore, Hopkins is a junior, and Shropshire is a junior. Stud tight end Gerrit Price is a senior and he’ll have interest from the NFL. A lot to be excited about if you’re a UAB fan. An excellent 9-4 season, a highly promising 2022, an American Conference affiliation in 2024, and an outstanding, brand new home venue, Protective Stadium. So, excellent stuff on the Southside.
Here are predictions for the next 3 bowl games.
Tonight
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl
UTSA (12-1) vs. San Diego State (11-2)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
6:30
ESPN
Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Tiffany Blackmon
SDSU by 3
I was all ready to pick UT-San Antonio, the Conference USA championship winner, after UAB impressively defeated BYU and Western Kentucky blasted App State in their respective bowl games, UAB in the Independence Bowl and Western KY in the Bahamas Bowl. But 1,400 yard rusher Sincere McCormick has decided to opt out of this game, so I’ll take the favorite in this one. The line has swung from UTSA by 2 1/2 to SDSU by 3
SDSU 28, UTSA 24
Tomorrow
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Missouri (6-6) vs. Army (8-4)
Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX.
7 PM CT
ESPN
Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker, Kris Budden
Army by 5 1/2
I’m going to take the Cadets in a close one.
Army 34, Mizzou 31
Thursday
Union Home Mortgage Gaspirilla Bowl
UCF (8-4) vs. Florida (6-6)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
6 PM
ESPN
Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Taylor Davis
FL by 6 1/2
The Gators may not be as motivated, but they’ll have enough to defeat the Knights.
Florida 31, UCF 28
10 Responses
Dear Dave, I was wrong on UAB. What a great win. Like your picks. Just waiting until December 31. WT
I’m sure you are, WT. Still, some pretty good games in the meantime.
Yes that was a Great win by UAB!
Army will be looking for an SEC win.
Go Gators here in Tampa. Big turnout.
Merry Christmas.
Great win for the Blazers! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Fellas!
Superb outing for the Blazers. That was no slouch in BYU. Could the Gus Bus show up against the Gators?? I like your picks.
It was great to see UAB come through with the big win and prove they can compete with the big boys. Should help put more fans in the stands and one day sell out Protective Stadium. Onward and upward from here!
Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Bama G, and D!
Thanks for the previews DW! Like your picks. UAB game was great. Big win for their program!
Thanks, Teo!