2012 College Bowl Picks: Washington vs Boise State Odds and Predictions – Free MAACO Bowl Picks

2012 MAACO Bowl Odds and Picks: Washington vs Boise State Predictions – Free College Bowl Picks 12/22/12: Boise State and Washington recently agreed to meet in the regular season in each of the next two seasons, but the programs will get a head start when the face off in the MAACO Bowl Saturday. The 19th-ranked Broncos (10-2, 7-1 MWC) have won the MAACO Bowl two years in a row and have already wrapped up their seventh straight 10-win season while the Huskies (7-5, 5-4 Pac-12) are looking for their first postseason win since 2010. With a long history of knocking off major conference opponents, the Broncos are 5 ½-point favorites as they go for the MAACO Bowl three-peat.

For Washington, finding consistent offense was an issue all season. The regression of quarterback Keith Price had a lot to do with the struggles. After tossing 33 touchdowns last year, he has just 18 entering the bowl game. Meanwhile, running back Bishop Sankey actually had a solid season in his first as a starter and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins is one of the best at his position in the country, but up and down play from Price has the Huskies scoring less than 24 points per game. On the flip side, Washington’s defense was solid for most of the year, allowing just 23.8 points per game and holding six opponents to 15 points or less.

Unlike in years past, Boise State was a defensive-minded team this season. The Broncos enter the bowl game with the sixth-best scoring defense in the country, giving up less than 15 points per game. Meanwhile, the high-powered offense that averaged more than 44 points per game in each of the past two years with Kellen Moore under center averaged just over 30 points per game with first-year starter Joe Southwick. The running game actually moved to the forefront of the offense in Moore’s absence with D.J. Moore scoring 15 times for a ground attack averaging more than 170 yards per game.

The Huskies Win If:

Washington’s offense hasn’t been reliable all year, and there is no reason to expect it to suddenly pile up points. That being said, the Huskies’ defense has delivered its share of clutch performances. If the Washington defense comes up with one of its special efforts Saturday and holds Boise State to right around the 20-point mark, the Huskies have a shot. When Washington does have the ball, Price needs to have one of his best showings of the year. More importantly, he absolutely has to avoid turnovers. If the Huskies spot the Broncos some easy scores, they are going to be in trouble. If they play mistake-free football on offense and turn the game into a defensive battle, they have a shot to win.

The Broncos Win If:

When the Broncos have struggled it has been because their offense has provided next to nothing in terms of support, and their offense has struggled when the ground game has sputtered. If Boise State establishes Harper and the rushing attack early in the game, it will make life easier for Southwick and help the offense reach another level. Defensively, the Broncos need to take advantage of a juicy matchup against a struggling Washington offense. If Boise State’s offense can just manage a solid effort and the defense plays at the same level it has all year, the Broncos will stifle the Huskies and slowly pull away.

Bottom Line:

The Huskies were one of the most unpredictable teams in the country this season. They looked stout in victories over top-10 teams Stanford and Oregon State, but they were blasted by LSU, Oregon and Arizona. Overall, the lack of offensive firepower for Washington is a big concern in this matchup. Granted, the Broncos aren’t the offensive juggernaut they have been in recent years, but their defense has locked down every opponent this season. Even in their two losses, the Broncos only allowed an average of 19.0 points per game. More importantly, Southwick has found his stride lately, throwing seven touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three games after throwing an interception in each of the five previous contests. A strong defensive showing from Washington could make things interesting, but in the end, the Boise State offense is as good as it has been all year and the Huskies just don’t have the offensive weapons to crack the Boise State defense.

Prediction: Boise State Broncos (-5 ½) Cover the Spread

Washington vs Boise St Vegas Odds and Total
Date: 12/22/12
Line: Boise St -5
Total: Over/Under 45.5
Television: 3:30 PM EST on ESPN

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