Nevada vs Western Michigan: Quick Lane Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch: Monday, December 27
Nevada vs Western Michigan: Quick Lane Bowl How To Watch
Date: Monday, December 27
Game Time: 11:00 am ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
How To Watch: ESPN, Live stream on ESPN+
Records: Nevada (8-4), Western Michigan (7-5)
Nevada vs Western Michigan Quick Lane Bowl Preview
– Can Western Michigan close out with something strong after a disappointing season? Talent-wise, the Broncos had enough to win the MAC Championship.
The passing game was the MAC’s most efficient, it was great at controlling the clock and the tempo, and the defense was the best in the league allowing just 337 yards per game. So what was the problem?
– There were way too many defensive meltdowns, penalties, and special teams gaffes to mess up several big offensive performances. And that’s what made the team so maddening – it was good enough to beat Pitt, and flaky enough to get blown out by Ball State.
– Nevada, though, is an even bigger mystery after losing head coach Jay Norvell to Colorado State and with star QB Carson Strong opting out.
The three Mountain West losses were all by two points each, but now the offense that was so dominant throughout the season has to prove it can keep up.
– Even without Strong, the passing game should still be dangerous, the Mountain West’s best pass rush will be disruptive, and the No. 1 team in the nation in turnover margin needs to force several mistakes in what will amount to a road game.
Why Nevada, Western Michigan Will Win
Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History
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Why Western Michigan Will Win The Quick Lane Bowl
Nevada is missing its coach, its star quarterback, and even if Jay Norvell and Carson Strong were around this would’ve been a tough matchup.
Western Michigan has the pieces – they just don’t always fit.
The playmakers are there on an offense that can run for yards in chunks. The ground attack got better as the year went on with close to 800 yards in the last three games. The Nevada defensive front is great at getting into the backfield, but it’s nothing special against the run and should be pounded on a bit by all the Bronco options.
Normally the goal would be to control the clock to keep Strong off the field, but Strong isn’t there. Western Michigan should be able to dominate the time of possession battle anyway – it owns the clock for well over 35 minutes per game.
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Why Nevada Will Win The Quick Lane Bowl
Oh poor Nevada.
It doesn’t have its head coach, and it doesn’t have its quarterback. What is it going to do?
6-9, 225-pound Nate Cox got in a little work this season. He might not be strong, but he can crank up the big plays down the field and can even run a little bit.
The offense isn’t going to stop. The ground attack is better than the stats – it showed up against Colorado State in the blowout of a regular season finale.
There will be a running game under interim head man – and former running backs coach – Vai Taua.
Western Michigan might have the No. 1 defense in the MAC, the pass rush, the run D, and the overall stats, but it doesn’t all mesh like it should. There aren’t a ton of takeaways, the run defense got hammered over the last few games, and …
Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History
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Nevada vs Western Michigan: Quick Lane Bowl, What’s Going To Happen
The Nevada defense won’t skip a beat under Taua, but the offensive consistency is a concern.
On the other side, which Western Michigan team will show up? It’s got the skill and experience, but can it put it all together? Painfully inconsistent, there are a whole lot of great things happening but without the overall results.
That will change in what should pass for a home bowl game. Nevada will make this a great game for three quarters, but the Bronco lines will hold up when they have to.
Quick Lane Bowl: Nevada vs Western Michigan Prediction, Lines
Western Michigan 34, Nevada 27
Line: Western Michigan -6, o/u: 56
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
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Quick Lane Bowl History
2020 Canceled
Dec. 26, 2019 Pitt 34, Eastern Michigan 30
Dec. 26, 2018 Minnesota 34, Georgia Tech 10
Dec. 26, 2017 Duke 36, Northern Illinois 14
Dec. 26 2016 Boston College 36, Maryland 30
Dec. 28, 2015 Minnesota 21 Central Michigan 14
Dec. 26, 2014 Rutgers 40 North Carolina 21
Dec. 26, 2013 Pittsburgh 30 Bowling Green 27
Dec. 26, 2012 Central Michigan 24 Western Kentucky 21
Dec. 27, 2011 Purdue 37 Western Michigan 32
Dec. 26, 2010 FIU 34 Toledo 32
Dec. 26, 2009 Marshall 21 Ohio 17
Dec. 26, 2008 FAU 24 Central Michigan 21
Dec. 26, 2007 Purdue 51 Central Michigan 48
Dec. 26, 2006 Central Michigan 31 Middle Tennessee 14
Dec. 26, 2005 Memphis 38 Akron 31
Dec. 27, 2004 Connecticut 39 Toledo 10
Dec. 26, 2003 Bowling Green 28 Northwestern 24
Dec. 26, 2002 Boston College 51 Toledo 25
Dec. 29, 2001 Toledo 23 Cincinnati 16
Dec. 27, 2000 Marshall 25 Cincinnati 14
Dec. 27, 1999 Marshall 21 BYU 3
Dec. 23, 1998 Marshall 48 Louisville 29
Dec. 26, 1997 Mississippi 34 Marshall 31
Nevada vs Western Michigan Preview
Why Nevada, Western Michigan Will Win
Quick Lane Bowl Top Players To Know
