Florida Atlantic-Memphis

the New Orleans Bowl Friday, December 21st, 8:00pm New Orleans, Louisiana
Florida Atlantic (7-5)_____Sun Belt____42.86				Memphis (7-5)_____Conf USA____21.53
Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score	Week	Opponent	oPts	Res, Score
14	@ Troy	134.45	W, 38-32	11	@ Southern Mississippi	53.31	W, 29-26
11	Arkansas State	-63.38	W, 34-31	9	@ Tulane	-144.98	W, 28-27
1	Middle Tennessee State	-67.64	W, 27-14	5	Marshall	-158.83	W, 24-21
3	Minnesota	-195.44	W, 42-39	8	@ Rice	-221.20	W, 38-35
8	@ Louisiana-Lafayette	-210.36	W, 39-32	12	Alabama-Birmingham	-232.53	W, 25-9
4	@ North Texas	-309.82	W, 30-20	13	Southern Methodist	-292.91	W, 55-52
13	@ Florida International	-322.15	W, 55-23	3	Jacksonville State	-	W, 35-14
12	@ Florida	377.83	L, 20-59	4	@ Central Florida	266.42	L, 20-56
6	South Florida	316.42	L, 23-35	10	East Carolina	89.72	L, 40-56
5	@ Kentucky	208.61	L, 17-45	1	Mississippi	-39.22	L, 21-23
2	@ Oklahoma State	112.55	L, 6-42	5	@ Arkansas State	-63.38	L, 31-35
9	Louisiana-Monroe	-29.37	L, 30-33	7	Middle Tennessee State	-67.64	L, 7-21

These are the two weakest teams in the bowls, both of them barely finishing in positive territory. They've had rather similar seasons too - same record, one good win for each, a bad loss or two, up and down the whole year, etc. Looking a bit closer though, 4 of Florida Atlantic's 5 losses were to BCS conference teams, while Memphis had a non-conf slate of mainly cream-puffs. So an edge goes to the Owls for having played in tougher matches.

Memphis, after going downhill the first half of the season, is playing well and has won 5 of 6. Streak edge to the Tigers.

Intangibles: This is Florida Atlantic's first bowl ever, and having to adjust to playing in a bowl might help or hurt the team. Memphis has had a rough season, dealing with the tragic death of teammate Taylor Bradford since the beginning of October.

The Line: Memphis +3

The Story: This is a tough call, partly because the teams are so similar. Gut, what do you have to say?

The Call: Florida Atlantic by 7

The Result: Florida Atlantic 44-27 = Another exciting game. Well done by both teams. Good job to you too, gut.