Poinsettia Bowl Kicks Off College Football Bowl Season

The football bowl season is almost upon us, as the first in a long line of college matchups takes place Thursday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl will pit the Navy Midshipmen against the Utah Utes, the first ever meeting between the two football programs.

The sudden end of college football's regular season, combined with the couple weeks since that has caused withdrawal pains in college fans nationwide, do as much to promote this game as the nondescript matchup. The Poinsettia Bowl, with its ridiculously awkward official name, was created in 2005 by organizers of San Diego's Holiday Bowl; in usual California excess, what worked well with one bowl must have seemed even better with two.

The game is committed to pairing a Mountain West Conference team with an opponent; interestingly, Navy has worked a deal to appear not only this season, but in 2008, 2009, and 2010, if the squad is bowl-eligible. The large number of naval bases and personnel in the San Diego area is considered key to this agreement, and gives the game what organizers hope is a guaranteed audience.

Navy is the leading rushing team in the country, and one of the highest-scoring offenses, so there will be excitement for neophytes that only appreciate points being scored. Utah has allowed less than 100 yards rushing average over its last ten games, and enters with a six game streak of bowl victories. Both teams have 8-4 records from the regular season.

Utah is a touchdown favorite in the game, with the total running around 65. Casino Gambling Web sports analyst Marty Michaels reveals the smart money is looking for a shootout, with both teams unable to stop the other, and Navy to hang close, if not win outright.

December 20, 2007
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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