GMAC Bowl Prediction

This game is a battle of the giants. UTEP (8-3) and Toledo (8-3) hail from the mighty Conference USA and the tenacious Mid-American Conference, respectively. If either team played in the ACC or SEC, they would not have reached six wins. Regardless, they do not play in either conference, and they did reach six wins. So, like it or not, here they are.

Most are billing this as a good ole shootout, and I see no reason to think it will be otherwise given these teams propensities to find the endzone early and often and the GMAC's history of high-scoring affairs. It should be fun to watch. UTEP relies much more heavily on the pass (6th nationally) than Toledo, but the Rockets make up for this with a very good rushing offense (12th nationally). Both teams should score plenty of points. Toledo's pass defense is good enough to keep UTEP in check for most of the night, and the Miners' run defense will not offer much resistance to the Rockets' running backs. This should allow Toledo to build a steady lead as the game progresses. However, as with most pass-heavy offenses, UTEP will never be out of striking distance. It can put up some points in a hurry.

This is one of the better pass defenses that UTEP has faced all year. Tulsa gave the Miners fits and nearly pulled out a victory. Toledo has a better offense than Tulsa, and should be able to match the Miners point for point. If the defense does its job for the Rockets, Toledo will win this game. Still, it could go either way.

Finally, we must factor in some intangibles. Toledo ended the season with an emotional, double-overtime victory over Bowling Green. Meanwhile, UTEP slid into December with losses to UAB and Southern Methodist. However, they've had a month off to remember how to play football. When teams slide, it's always extremely difficult to measure how they'll fare in the post-season. I think UTEP will be a little flat, the Toledo pass defense will keep Miners' QB Jordan Palmer in check, and the Rockets leave Mobile with a close victory. Toledo 34 - UTEP 31.