The 2012 Military Bowl features San Jose State versus Bowling Green. (Photo: courtesy of Ariel Rayman)
The San Jose State Spartans (10-2, 5-1 WAC) are gunning for seven straight wins tomorrow as the team is set to face-off against the Bowling Green Falcons (8-4, 6-2 MAC) in the 2012 Military Bowl. This is a much anticipated bowl game featuring a Spartan’s offense that averages 35.3 points per game pitted against a Falcon’s defense that yields a stingy 15.8 points per game.
In 2010, San Jose State was a paltry 1-12. Coach Mike MacIntyre turned the Spartans around which caught the eye of Colorado who ultimately hired MacIntyre on December 10. With the departure of MacIntyre, the Spartans will take the field under interim coach Kent Baer, who is also packing his bags after the game for Colorado. Baer will have QB David Fales under center with hopes of building off of his 170.9 passer rating. This season he has thrown an impressive 31 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The offense is averaging over 327 yards per game.
On the Bowling Green side of the ball, defensive tackle Chris Jones hopes to disrupt QB Fales and the Spartan’s backfield and build upon his 12.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss this season. The Falcons, who have one of the nation’s top pass defenses (holding teams to a seventh best 289.7 yards per game), struggle on offense. Falcons QB Matt Schilz, who is making his 31st consecutive start, has had difficulty this season throwing 14 TDS with 12 INTs. The team is averaging only 23.2 points per game.
This is the first meeting between the Spartans and Falcons. The weather looks to be cold with possible precipitation. Despite the elements, Bowling Green will have its hands full as Spartan’s QB Fales and RB De’Leon Eskridge will present enough firepower for San Jose State to overcome the surging Falcons. The Falcons, who are 2-5 all-time versus the WAC, have not won a bowl game since 2004.
The Vegas line is San Jose State by 7. Expect to see the Spartans win 27-17.
