Previewing the Quick Lane Bowl: New Mexico State vs. Bowling Green
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This is the preview for the Quick Lane Bowl
New Mexico State vs. Bowling Green (-3, 48.5)
Date: Monday, December 26, 2:30 p.m. ET
Ford Field (Detroit)
Betting splits: 58% of handle, 47% of bets on New Mexico State +3.5
This is one of the unlikeliest bowl matchups when you consider that New Mexico State was considered one of the weakest independents (and among the worst teams overall in the country) while Bowling Green was picked in the bottom half of the Mid-American Conference.
Yet, both made it to bowl eligibility at 6-6 and meet here in the Quick Lane Bowl with Bowling Green around a 3.5- to 4-point favorite. The Falcons finished tied for second in the MAC East and got the crucial sixth win with a 42-35 win at Toledo as 14.5-point underdogs before losing to Ohio in the regular-season finale. QB Matt McDonald (2,639 passing yards, 22 TDs) leads the pass-happy offense that should enjoy the indoor Ford Field.
Program rebuilder Jerry Kill got NMSU to a bowl, but probably wouldn’t have happened yet if not for a midseason game that was canceled vs. San Jose State. They subbed out SJSU for FCS opponent Valparaiso, who the Aggies beat 65-3.
NMSU is a live dog that averaged more points per game (25.6 to 23.8), and the defense allows fewer points per game (24.3 to 33.3). It helps that QB Diego Pavia–who threw 11 TD passes in his last five games – was looking doubtful, but now he’s expected to play. The Over/Under seems a little low at 48.5 points. – Dave Tuley
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