Conference USA Bowl Preview - Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

Ball State vs Central Florida

It’s finally here the best time of year BOWL SEASON!

Five teams from the conference will be competing in bowls. The CUSA actually had six bowls but only five qualified with six wins. So here’s why they will win or lose.

The matchup between this two is perfect Ball State is coming into this game with a six game win streak. The rushing attack is almost if not as good as the passing game they have. Looking in the back field of Ball State there’s running back Jahwan Edwards, who scored three TDs rushing versus Miami of Ohio last week, he’s a playmaker, and if I could compare him to any player in the NFL right now I’d say he’s Marshawn Lynch. Edwards can plow through a defensive line like a bowling ball to pins and when he’s through he has the speed to finish. Also in the backfield is quarterback Keith Wenning who has thrown for over 2800 yards and has completed 22 TD passes. He’ll be looking for receiver Willie Snead who has averaged 13 yards per reception and has over 1000 receiving yards on the year. Now looking at Ball State’s defense their secondary is a train wreck. Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman has been anticipating rushes from teams that don’t even have a good running game. If Ball State wants to win they’ll have to put out a 3-4 formation to allow the linebackers to charge gaps to stop the runs as well.

Central Florida is coming into this matchup after a 27-33 overtime loss in the conference championship to Tulsa. The Knights aren’t a team to be taken lightly, many critics say just because they are in a weaker conference then top ranked teams they get wins. Here’s why those critics are wrong. UCF might have one of the most dangerous receiving corps in the country. Why you ask? Since they have seven wide receivers who have over 100 yards and at least two TDs each. But don’t think its all in the catches, sophomore quarterback Blake Bortles has been setting them up with amazing passes. He has 22 passing TDs this year and a completion percentage of 62%. If you’re not a football fan you wouldn’t know that’s pretty dang impressive for a sophomore in the NCAA. Bortles isn’t only a passer but a scrambler too, only when needed, he has 7 rushing touchdowns this year. But if you’ve seen him play before you know when he rolls out of the pocket he can hit a receiver down the field. UCF’s defense is another story they have been playing fairly well this year. And when I mean team I mean assisting tackles, double coverage, and the adjustments on the line. But there’s someone who deserves recognition. Defensive Back Kemal Ishmael or as I like to call him “The little lotto”. Here’s why, when ever you’re going his way you’re taking the chance of being demolished, not to mention his three interceptions this year. Yes the lotto is a chance but he’s standing 5-11 and weighing 200 pounds, when’s the last time you’ve seen someone that size hit a player so hard he never went that way again.

Enough with the short jokes. Overall this game will be one you should tune into if the world doesn’t end that day.

December 21st on ESPN 7:30 eastern

My pick is Ball State winning 38-24