The 2015 San Diego County CU Poinsettia Bowl features two teams that are used to bowl games in recent years: the Boise State Broncos and Northern Illinois Huskies. Boise State (8-4) and NIU (8-5) are having relatively down years considering success in the past handful of seasons, but there's always potential in any game. For all of the info you need, including the live stream link, TV schedule, betting line and a prediction, read on.
Game Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Line: -8 Boise State; 56 O/U
NIU Players to Watch:
Offense: Kenny Golladay, RS Junior WR
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound behemoth of a wideout has been dominant all year long, catching 71 passes for 1,122 yards and 10 touchdowns -- and that's even with quarterbacks getting injured and struggling. Ultimately, that'll be the biggest question mark for Golladay: can someone get him the ball?
Original backup to the starter Ryan Graham is expected to be healthy enough to play after missing the MAC Championship in which they were held to a measly 14 points. If Graham can pick up that pace and get it out wide to Golladay, the Huskies might have a chance.
Defense: Shawun Lurry, Sophomore CB
If you haven't heard, Lurry is perhaps the top playmaking cornerback in the nation. With a Division-I-leading nine interceptions through 13 games, this kid can play. He's not a big guy at just 5-foot-8, but he's athletic and his ability to read the play and then make it is extraordinary. It's rare to find a guy who gets four or five interceptions in one season, let alone nine.
What's even crazier is he has a 30.3 yards per return average, with one pick-six.
BSU Players to Watch:
Offense: Jeremy McNichols, Sophomore RB
McNichols is on a tear the past seven weeks, rushing for over 100 yards in each game. Even more impressive is that he's scored in every game this year. That comes out to a dominant 1,244 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. McNichols is involved in the passing game as well, grabbing 46 receptions for 364 yards and another five scores.
A year from now, this guy is going to be one of the better backs coming out of the draft.
Defense: Darian Thompson, Senior FS
Thompson, believed to be one of the best safeties coming out of this upcoming draft class, is no joke. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound free safety is a solid tackler and ball hawk in the defensive backfield. His ability to do anything that could be asked of a safety is astounding.
In 12 games this year, he's second on the team in total tackles with 63. Add to that an unbelievable 7.5 tackles for a loss, one sack and a team-leading five interceptions. Thompson may be the best player on the field today.
Prediction:
Ultimately, Boise State has just been the better team over past years. While NIU has made it to bowl games eight-straight seasons, they've lost six of them. Without stability at quarterback, they may not be able to score much against a stingy Broncos defense that has 22 total interceptions this year. Boise State is favored by over a touchdown, and that may be blown out of the water.
Final Score: Boise State 37, NIU 17
