December 21st 5:30 PM (Eastern)
Boise, Idaho (Bronco Stadium)
Buffalo Season Review
If they have to do it all over again I'd be hard pressed not to imagine the Bulls choosing a fierce kick in the nuts over their first two game stretch to start the season where they drew Ohio State and Baylor. Ouch. The combined score between the two losses was 110-33, giving Buffalo a rough start to a long season. Credit coaching and big nut cups though as the Bulls responded well to the low blows and rattled off seven straight wins becoming legitimate contenders heading into November. They stumbled a bit after that losing to Toledo and Bowling Green and finished with a record of 8-4 with a 6-2 conference record.
Buffalo's heart and soul of their team is their defense as they ranked second in the conference allowing just 22.3 points per game. The heart and soul, of that heart and soul, is linebacker Khalil Mack, and after further digging and countless hours of research I determined his heart and soul was in in fact an actual heart and soul. Mack, who will be one of the first 15 players drafted next year, had 94 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks on the season. The Bulls last bowl game was back in 2009 when they lost 38-20 to Conneticut in the International bowl.
San Diego State Season Review
After the first three weeks of the season anyone in their right mind would have thrown their lottery ticket that read "Aztecs" straight in the trash after a miserable 0-3 start to Eastern Illinois (who we now are starting to understand has quite the talent at quarterback in Jimmy Garappolo), Ohio State, and Oregon State. But, with a win against New Mexico State the following week the Aztecs gained some momentum and ripped off seven wins in their last nine games (one of the two losses came against undefeated Fresno State). Beating some impressive teams along the way such as Boise State and San Diego State causing one to uncrumple that lotto ticket as it may be worth something after all finishing their season with a 7-5 record and 6-2 in conference play.
San Diego State has the perfect balance of offensive weapons in quarterback Quinn Kaehler, running back Adam Muema, and wide receiver Ezell Ruffin. Kaehler threw for 17 touchdowns while Muema and Ruffin both topped 1,000 yards on the season. The Aztecs last bowl game was last year in the Poinsettia Bowl where they lost to BYU 23-6.
Game Matchup
This is a game of strength vs strength as the Aztecs have firepower on offense and the Bulls are known for having one of the stingiest defenses around. Just like all games the turnover battle will play a huge role in who is crowned winner. Knowing that, the edge in this game is leaned towards Buffalo as they ranked tied for fourth in the nation with +1.3 turnover margin, while the Aztecs are tied for 118th with a -1.0 margin. Even worse news for San Diego State is the fact that the Bulls own a top-10 red zone defense and the game will be played in frigid conditions outside in Boise, another factor that favors Buffalo as they are a cold climate team.
If this game comes down to the wire however, put your money on the Aztecs. They have already played in four-overtime games this season and went 3-, showing the ability to win close games in pressure situations. San Diego State head coach Rocky Long is ready to snap his bowl drought after losing his first two bowl appearances as coach for the Aztecs. The two losses dropped Longs record to 1-6 all time in bowl games.
Draft Impact
All in all this game isn't one that will appeal to many as it ranks near the bottom of "must see" games during the bowl season. However, this will be many people's last (and probably first) chance to see linebacker Khalil Mack from Buffalo play before he enters the NFL draft next season. Mack started his senior season off with a show against one of the nations best offenses in Ohio State. Mack posted nine tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown showing he would be dominating his competition all year no matter the opponent.
Mack is an athletic monster who can run sideline-to-sideline and is consistently blowing plays up in the backfield, proved by his 75 tackles for loss over his career which ties Jason Babin for the NCAA record. Mack won the Lambert award and was runner up for the Butkus award. Unless your a diehard fan for either one of these teams, focus your attention on Mack as he is hands down the biggest star of the game and is sure to give you some splash plays through out the day.