Heart of Dallas Bowl Preview: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles vs Washington Huskies
Written By David Hess (Follow me on Twitter @DavidHess311)
When: 2:20 PM ET, Saturday, December 26, 2015
Where: Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas
Lines: Washington -8.5
Total: 62
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What a turnaround it has been for the Southern Miss Golden eagles as they came into the year having won just 4 total games the last three year, but they walked away with a 9-4 record on the year and trip to the Conference USA Title game, which they lost 45-28 to Western Kentucky. The biggest improvement on the team this year was an offense that put up no more than 20 ppg and 365 ypg the last the years, but they come into this game averaging 519.8 ypg (10th in nation) and 40.6 ppg (12th). That is a heck of a jump and it has been due to the play of Nick Mullens, who has thrown for 4145 yards this year with 36 TDs and just 12 INTs. This is a very good offensive team. The Golden Eagles have also improved their defensive pay as well as they have allowed just 364 ypg and 24.2 ppg this year after giving up 451 ypg and 35 ppg last year. This is the most improved team in the nation this year, but remember they did take on the 125th rated schedule in the land.
The Washington Huskies mediocre 6-6 year after posting an 8-6 mark in Chris Petersen’s first year. The Huskies did finish strong as the had blowout wins over Oregon State and Washington State to get to 6-6 and become bowl eligible. Washington got very inconsistent play from their offense this year, but the defense was solid and remember they play in the Pac-12 12 vs a bunch of explosive offensive teams. Washington comes in ranked 29th in the nation in yards allowed and 12th in points allowed, giving up just 17.8 ppg. Phil Steele actually has this defense rated 6th in the nation. The offense really exploded in their final two games, scoring 97 points, but for the most part it has been an average offensive team that ranks 71st i total yards and 61st in scoring, putting up 29.5 ppg on the year. This team is hard to beat if their offense plays like it did in the last two games as their defense is just too good to let opposing offenses get much off them.
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[230] Washington -8.5 over Southern Miss
looking at the raw stats you would think that the Golden Eagles have the edge up, but after further review the call on the field has been reversed. The Huskies took on 10 bowl teams this year and faced the 32nd ranked schedule in the nation, while the Golden Eagles have taken on just 5 bowl teams and the 125th ranked schedule in the land. That means they put up those stats vs very weak competition, especially their offense, which didn’t face a defense higher than 51st in the nation. Now they will take on one of the best in the nation. Southern Miss was just 1-4 SU vs bowl teams this year and the 4 losses were by an average of 16 ppg. The stats on the surface say one thing, but digging a bit deeper we find they they are misleading . Washington is the better team here and they have the added motivation of playing for a winning season, plus they also have a Chris Petersen on the sideline, who is 5-0 ATS in bowls off a win of 30 or more. Huskies roll here.
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