Dec. 23, 2007Prediction: Fresno State vs. Tulsa
WAC vs. Conference USA
Analysis:
The Hawaii Bowl generally banks on the local team playing in their own bowl. That won't be the case this year as the Warriors head to a BCS game. The bowl committe will have to settle on Fresno State as an alternative. Fresno State will be eager to return to a bowl after missing out in 2006. Head coach Pat Hill's teams are used to knocking off a ranked team or two almost annually and they should return to that form in 2007. Their take-on-all-comers attitude will see them play at Texas A&M, Oregon and Kansas State in non-conference play. More consistent play from quarterback Tom Brandstater will be one of the keys to the season.
Tulsa returns only 10 starters from their Armed Forces Bowl squad of a year ago, which will make things tough on the Golden Hurricane. Luckily they return both their leading rusher and passer from a season ago. Running back Courtney Tennial will have another good season if he can reach 14 rushing touchdowns as he did a season ago. And count on quarterback Paul Smith being elevated from 2nd team All-Conference USA to 1st team this season.
