Tucson, Arizona. Home of the Arizona Bowl, where the Miami RedHawks (Ohio, not Florida, just to be clear) and Colorado State Rams will lock horns. This isn’t exactly a clash of titans, but it’s a bowl game, and that counts for something, right? The RedHawks, sporting an 8-5 record, limp into the postseason after a somewhat uneven season. Colorado State, at 8-4, boasts their best Mountain West record since 2002, a feat that probably sounds more impressive than it actually is.
Colorado State leans heavily on its running game, which has been fairly reliable throughout the season. Miami (Ohio) will counter with quarterback Brett Gabbert, who has tossed 21 touchdowns this year. Whether those touchdowns came against top-tier competition is a question best left unanswered for the sake of pre-game excitement. The RedHawks’ defense has been less than stellar, so expect Colorado State to try and exploit that weakness. The Rams, however, have their own defensive vulnerabilities, making this game potentially a high-scoring affair.
For both teams, a win in the Arizona Bowl would represent a positive end to the season, even if it doesn’t catapult them into the national spotlight. It’s a chance for the seniors to have one last hurrah and for the younger players to gain valuable experience. The ninth edition of the Arizona Bowl might not rewrite history, but it will provide a few hours of entertainment for those who appreciate the chaotic nature of college football. Tune in to The CW at 4:30 PM ET to witness the spectacle.
