The bowl slate continues on this week, with Wednesday featuring two contests. Louisana Tech will take on Georgia Southern, then this evening, 5-3 Florida Atlantic (FAU) will battle 7-3 Memphis in the Montgomery Bowl. The spread is just nine points, and many are expecting it to be closer than that.
Date: December 23
Time: 6:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Place: Montgomery, Alabama (Cramton Bowl)
Tigers riding late-season momentum- Memphis' season did start the way many expected it to, with the program being shut down for over two weeks following the season opener against Arkansas State due to COVID. But once the Tigers returned to the field, they managed to win five of their last seven games, including three games that were decided by three points or less. This bowl appearance is the program's seventh straight, a school record.
Strong defense will allow the Owls to soar- If FAU plays the level of defense it has all season, the Memphis offense will be in for a real challenge. The Owls allow an average of just 16.5 points per game. Senior linebacker Leighton McCarthy has been the centerpiece, recording nine of the team's 23 sacks.
Watch out for Austin- Quarterback Brady White has been instrumental in the success of this Memphis offense, 3,086 passing yards and 28 touchdowns through the air this season. But it is his top wideout, Calvin Austin III that will cause the most problems for the FAU secondary. A probable first or second round pick in this spring's NFL Draft, Austin III leads the team in receptions (60), receiving touchdowns (10), and receiving yards (1,025).
Prediction: Florida Atlantic's defense will hold the Owls in the game through a half, maybe three quarters, before Memphis pulls away for a 34-21 win.
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