Free Pick: Independence Bowl at Shreveport 12/18/21

UAB 8-4 vs NO.12 BYU 10-2

This matchup features a decent, but somewhat disappointing UAB, against the No.12 ranked BYU Cougars. It should be a mismatch right? Again, as in so many bowl games, we have to determine who will come out with the most motivation and emotion.

THE MATCHUPS:

UAB: The Blazers were one of the favorites in the C-USA and probably weren’t as good as they thought they would be. They suffered non-conference losses to Georgia (that was expected) and Liberty (who was a so-so team). The baffling loss came against 3-9 Rice at Birmingham. So, they obviously have some deficiencies. They are putting up 29 points and 385 total yards of offense which is respectable and defensively they are good. And, it is safe to assume, that they will be much more motivated to play this game than their opponent..

BYU: The Cougars have good wins against Utah, Arizona, Washington State, and Utah State. Their two losses came against 11-2 Baylor and Boise State. Their schedule has been decent but not much better. However, they are the better team in this game. They are scoring 34 points and averaging 458 total yards per game. Their offense is balance behind the passing of Jaren Hall, (2,583 yards and 20 touchdowns), and running back, Tyler Allgeier (1,409 yards and 20 touchdowns). points per game. Defensively, they aren’t as good as they have been in the past, but they are still good enough to give the Blazers some problems. The question I have is simple. Will they be properly motivated to play in this game or are they thinking they should have been in a better bowl?

OVER/UNDER: 54.5 Combined Team Points This is a line that is just about right. I’m thinking 27-20, 31-21, something like that.Very cautiously, we like UNDER the combined totals.

POINT SPREAD: BYU is a 7-point favorite If BYU is properly motivated and emotionally ready, they should cover this spread. But that is a big if, and I’m betting UAB will have all the psychological advantages going up against the ranked Cougars. I just don’t know if the Blazers are good enough to win.

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS PICK: BYU -7