Hawaii Bowl: Betting Odds and Prediction for Blue Raiders vs Aztecs

Santa Claus will get to watch two 7-5 teams clash as his sleigh passes over Hawai’i on Christmas Eve, as the San Diego State Aztecs will meet the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl on Saturday night. The Aztecs finished with three wins in their last four games, although their regular season ended with a thud as they fell, 13-3, to Air Force. However, before that setback, they had taken down UNLV, San Jose State and New Mexico in succession. Middle Tennessee was looking like they would miss out on bowl eligibility after losing at Louisiana Tech by 16 on November 15, but they beat Charlotte, FAU and FIU in succession to earn the berth. Don’t lock in your College Football betting decision on this game until you read our prediction.

 

NCAA Preview: EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl (Saturday, December 24)
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs San Diego State Aztecs

 

When: Saturday, December 24, 2022, 8:00 pm ET
Where: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN Radio
Live Stream: Sling TV
NCAA Odds: San Diego State -7 / O/U 49.5 // Middle Tennessee +222 / San Diego State -278

 

→ Why should you bet on the Blue Raiders?

Middle Tennessee has only one loss against a team with a record below .500, but they did not beat any teams that made bowl eligibility this season. Their offense puts up 29.7 points per game, 59th overall. The passing game (267.2 yards per game, 32nd overall) is stronger than their running game (123.1 yards per game, 106th overall). Quarterback Chase Cunningham as thrown for 2,920 yards, completing 67.4% of his passes and posting a 19:9 TD:INT ratio. Jaylin Lane (59 catches, 829 yards, 4 TD) is the top receiver, while Izaiah Gathings (53 catches, 490 yards, 2 TD) has also put up solid numbers.

In the running game, Frank Peasant has led the way with 747 yards and nine touchdowns. Darius Bracy has chipped in 257 yards and four scores. The defense permits 28.1 points per game, 82nd overall. The run defense is ranked 26th in the nation (121.9 yards per game), but the passing defense has given up 291.3 yards per game (129th overall). Tra Fluellen is the top tackler (97) from the safety position, and defensive end Jordan Ferguson leads the team with 8 ½ sacks. Safety Teldrick Ross leads the team with 16 passes defensed, and cornerback Decorian Patterson has some gaudy numbers with six picks and 11 passes defensed.

 

→ Why should you put your money on the Aztecs?

The Aztecs did have five losses, but four of those came against teams that had winning records and qualified for bowl games as well (the exception was Arizona, a Pac-12 team). They beat two teams with winning records (Toledo and San Jose State). Offense has been a challenge, as they only score 21.3 points per game (110th in the nation). The rushing game has been better (150.8 yards per game, 68th overall) than the passing game (170.9 yards per game, 119th overall).

The Aztecs haven’t really had a featured back, but five different players have rushed for at least 200 yards. Led by Jordan Byrd (389 yards, 3 TD). Jaylon Armstead (313 yards) is the top rusher in terms of average (6.0 yards per carry). Quarterback Jalen Mayden has an uncomfortable seven interceptions to go with his 10 touchdown passes, and Tyrell Shavers is the top receiver with 581 yards and three touchdowns. Three other receivers have at least 200 yards on the year. On defense, the Aztecs have been tougher, permitting 20.2 points per game (20th in the nation). They are led by linebacker Michael Shawcroft with 77 total tackles; he also has 5 ½ sacks. Jonah Tavai leads the team with nine sacks. Cornerback Dallas Branch has three interceptions to lead the team.

 

→ Final Score and Prediction

San Diego State has faced tougher opposition on the whole this season, and their defense should be able to put the clamps on Middle Tennessee. I predict a final score of Aztecs 27, Blue Raiders 17.

 

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