NFL Tickets
The 2015 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will kick off on Friday, January 2, at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN between the Pittsburgh Panthers from the ACC and the Houston Cougars from the AAC.
Pittsburgh made it to a bowl game by defeating the Miami Hurricanes in Miami in the last game of the season, but lost four games this season by a touchdown or less. Receiver Tyler Boyd and running back James Connor carried this team at times, but, when the defense stepped up, the Panthers rarely lost. Connor, Boyd and quarterback Chad Voytik are all sophomores, so a bowl win could be huge for a potential contender in the ACC next season.
Houston has been a tale of two teams all season long. The offense has been consistent for the most part, but either the defense shows up or it doesn’t. There has been only one game all season long in which an opponent scored more than 20 points and the Cougars still won. Running backs Kenneth Farrow and Ryan Jackson are meant to control the clock, so when Houston plays from behind, it loses.
Luckily for Houston, the AAC schedule included a lot of teams with very inconsistent offenses. Unfortunately for Houston, the Panthers are everything but inconsistent.
The Panthers should easily roll over Houston. The Cougars’ stout running attack and improved quarterback play should keep them in the game early, but Pittsburgh boasts too many stars on the offensive side of the ball for Houston’s defense to contain. Expect a lot of scoring, but the Panthers to come out on top behind a running performance by Conner that puts him well over 150 yards.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 38, Houston 24
Taylor Sturm is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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