New Mexico Bowl Preview & Predictions

[Philip Ferguson]

https://247sports.com/college/north-texas/ContentGallery/North-Texas-Mean-Green-vs-Utah-State-Aggies-Ten-things-to-watch-126286230/#126286230_10

MeanGreen247 prediction

North Texas 42, Utah State 35...in overtime

I'm seeing a trend with the most recent predictions, and they are going in UNT's favor!  #GMG

[UNTLifer]

1 hour ago, southsideguy said:

who is oc/dc for Utah State for the game?  I know they have an interim coach and I thought Wells' staff left with him.  

Their OC is staying, at least for the bowl game, and will be calling plays and serving as their interim head coach. He'll be the one that looks like a surfer. 

[DeepGreen]

This is going to be a tough game for us.

[FirefightnRick]

2 hours ago, Philip Ferguson said:

https://247sports.com/college/north-texas/ContentGallery/North-Texas-Mean-Green-vs-Utah-State-Aggies-Ten-things-to-watch-126286230/#126286230_10

MeanGreen247 prediction

North Texas 42, Utah State 35...in overtime

I'm seeing a trend with the most recent predictions, and they are going in UNT's favor!  #GMG

Because the experts have finally spent quality time studying each team and learn who we are.

Everyone’s concentrating on MF...and rightly so.  But I’ve thought all along that USU hasn’t faced a back as good as Torrey and if he’s fed the rock he will be the difference in this game.

RUN THE DAMN BALL!

 

Rick

Edited December 13, 2018 by FirefightnRick

[Philip Ferguson]

https://www.apnews.com/3f1e12cdd1974f68b6d9e24fb721cf80

This bowl has been decided by one score eight times in its 12-year history, often with unpredictable twists and turns. Think “Breaking Bad,” but nobody dies ... NORTH TEXAS 35-28.

[Philip Ferguson]

"The Mean Green is going to be ready to run through a wall for Seth Littrell."

 

[MeanGreenTexan]

56 minutes ago, Philip Ferguson said:

"The Mean Green is going to be ready to run through a wall for Seth Littrell."

 

I wonder if this guy would change his mind if he actually knew their OC is staying on for the bowl game & calling plays.

[greenminer]

Torrey gets 200 yards and we get a 2-possession win.

43-35

If Torrey is stopped or *cough* not used, we could lose in a very ugly way.

[Philip Ferguson]

https://sports.yahoo.com/north-texas-vs-utah-state-new-mexico-bowl-preview-predictions-132615536.html

PREDICTIONS

Nick Bromberg: North Texas 31, Utah State 30
Sam Cooper: Utah State 38, North Texas 34
Pat Forde: North Texas 35, Utah State 34

[Philip Ferguson]

https://sportschatplace.com/cfb-picks/2018/12/15/north-texas-vs-utah-state-new-mexico-bowl-12/15/18-college-football-pick-odds-and-prediction

I’m not sure how much stock I can put into the Aggies without Wells calling the shots, so I’ll take a shot with North Texas as I feel the Mean Green can definitely keep this one within a touchdown if not win it outright.
 

[UNTLifer]

Question, did Wells call the plays or was it the OC, Shaggy from Scooby Doo, that is still there?

[MeanGreenTexan]

I watched this video:

And Mason's comments at the end struck me. 

This will be the first game NT has NOT been favored in since Arkansas.  The expectations are off of the Mean Green's shoulders now, and firmly on USU's.

So the pressure is off.   They can go out and "have fun" (re: play loose, without expectations).   This should work well for us, especially if we're within 1 score in the 4th quarter.  And I fully expect to be close since we've not trailed by more than 1 score for the entire year.

If the rest of the team feels like Mason, I'm starting to think this game will go one of 2 ways:
1. The game will end in a hurry because the guys will come out loose & ready, pour on a bunch of points quickly, and make USU believe they can't win without their coach & fold.
2. The game will be extremely close & NT digs out the win like they often did last year when they didn't have expectations (Army, ODU, UTSA...).

[Philip Ferguson]

20 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

I watched this video:

And Mason's comments at the end struck me. 

This will be the first game NT has NOT been favored in since Arkansas.  The expectations are off of the Mean Green's shoulders now, and firmly on USU's.

So the pressure is off.   They can go out and "have fun" (re: play loose, without expectations).   This should work well for us, especially if we're within 1 score in the 4th quarter.  And I fully expect to be close since we've not trailed by more than 1 score for the entire year.

If the rest of the team feels like Mason, I'm starting to think this game will go one of 2 ways:
1. The game will end in a hurry because the guys will come out loose & ready, pour on a bunch of points quickly, and make USU believe they can't win without their coach & fold.
2. The game will be extremely close & NT digs out the win like they often did last year when they didn't have expectations (Army, ODU, UTSA...).

The Arkansas reference made me think back to earlier in the season.  I remember early on, the "experts" said UNT had no chance against Arkansas.  Then, as we got closer and more thorough analysis was done, the opinions began to shift.  I remember watching the game with the feeling that we had a very good chance at winning it.  In reading the expert opinions over the past few days, it seems the same thing is happening.  The next 30 hours will be nerve racking!  #GMG #TheShowGoesOn 

[RBP79]

Arkansas was way over confident. When talking with their fans before the game they were too! Afterward most wouldn't acknowledge my existence. USU.... I don't feel they're that over confident. Seems their fans aren't Ethier.

 

[UNTLifer]

2 hours ago, RBP79 said:

Arkansas was way over confident. When talking with their fans before the game they were too! Afterward most wouldn't acknowledge my existence. USU.... I don't feel they're that over confident. Seems their fans aren't Ethier.

 

My entire family prior to me, I am the first Texan, is from Arkansas.  Not one of them has said a word to me about our win.

[Philip Ferguson]

UDD usually has great analysis IMO - this is no exception.  But, I hope their final score prediction is wrong.

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2018/12/14/18140019/new-mexico-bowl-2018-preview-betting-line-utah-state-aggies-north-texas-mean-green-cusa-football

For any fan of either team, 2018 was an impressive season to remember, no question. Both teams put up huge numbers and finished near the top of their respective conference, which is always a plus. But on paper, there’s a reason neither team won their conference, and despite their impressive records, they still have some work to do before either can win a conference title.

But first, we have one more game in 2018, and it’s going to be a good one. As much as we’d love to leave the prediction there, and go on about how much fun these teams will be to watch, alas, the very nature of sport dictates that there must be a winner. No matter the final score, we’re all winners here.

Final Score: Utah State 28, North Texas 24

[Philip Ferguson]

YES!

https://www.cbssports.com/video/player/collegefootball/1398245955903/0/previewing-the-matchup-between-utah-state-and-north-texas

[Philip Ferguson]

https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2018/12/14/new-mexico-bowl-betting-preview-north-texas-vs-utah-state/

I like it!

[97and03]

The more I read about this game, the more it strikes me how similar these teams are. Pass to set up the run. Three man front on D with an aggressive attacking style that leaves DBs sometimes vulnerable. Similar QB stats. Similar defensive stats. 

The coaching situation favors us; the altitude favors them. 

This is such a toss-up.