Staff Picks: The Hawaii Bowl
There is a big opportunity in front of the Blue Raiders heading into the Hawaii bowl against the Aztecs of San Diego State.
The staff took a hiatus from picking during the last game of the regular season.
Braden McPherson, Rickey Fuquay, and Publisher Matt Dossett are all 7-4 on the season as it pertains to the picks.
Here are the staff picks for the Hawaii Bowl!
Matt Dossett: 7-4 on the season
The Blue Raiders have the opportunity to solidify this season as an all around success. There is something to said about winning eight ballgames in one season. Bowl games typically do not define failure or success for the entire season, but I do think a victory in this game would rubber stamp the season as a success.
San Diego State is a squad that is physical and likes to bludgeon you in the trenches. I would guess that San Diego State is more physical than any team that MT has squared off against in league play.
Look for the Aztecs to implement a ground and pound rushing attack. Jordan Byrd is a versatile tailback who has 91 rushes for 389 yards. Keenon Christon is formidable as well. He has 70 rushes for 261 yards.
I think that MT will counter SDSU's physicality with a dynamic offense of their own. Look for the teams to go tit-for-tat. I think that MT will muster up just enough offense to garner the victory. Look for an instant classic.
MTSU 35
SDSU 34
Braden McPherson: 7-4 on the season
For the Middle Tennessee football program, the 2022 campaign was nothing short of a roller coaster ride. After a 2-4 start to the season, which included a ranked upset on the road over the Miami Hurricanes, the Blue Raiders were victorious in four of the last five contests clinching a Bowl berth for a second consecutive year. Middle Tennessee 7-5 (4-4) will meet San Diego State 7-5 (5-3) of of the Mountain West conference in the Hawai’i Bowl.
The Aztecs ended the season winners in five of seven contests, which ultimately rewarded them with a ticket to the postseason. This is going to be a tough matchup for Rick Stockstill and staff as the Blue Raiders will seek bowl game victories in back-to-back seasons. Vegas currently has the spread as a Middle Tennessee touchdown underdog. I tend to agree with them on this one.
SDSU 30
MTSU 21
Rickey Fuquay: 7-4 on the season
Middle Tennessee finds themselves in a bowl game for the second year in a row thanks to a game-winning pick by Redshirt Freshman Safety Jakobe Thomas to avoid a major upset against Florida International.MTSU and San Diego State will meet for the first time ever in the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve.
The Blue Raiders and Aztecs come into this matchup having won three out of four in the month of November to make it to the postseason. MT comes into matchup on a three game-winning streak; however they have yet to defeat a team with a winning record this year.SDSU comes into this game ranked eighth in the Mountain West Conference in total YPG (321.8) and fourth in the MWC in total YA (335.4).Even though the Blue Raiders defeated Toledo 31 to 24 in the Bahamas Bowl last year, I don't trust them in the postseason. This game will be tight; however the Aztecs will come through in the clutch.
SDSU: 28
MTSU: 21