The Central Florida Knights and the Arkansas State Red Wolves prepare for battle in Orlando for the Autonation Cure Bowl. The match-up between the AAC Conference and the Sun Belt Conference is set to go down on Saturday, December 17th at 5:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed on the CBS Sports Network. As of this article, the Knights are a -5.5 point favorite and the game’s total is set at 49.
First of all, Central Florida finds themselves playing in the Autonation Cure Bowl after a horrendous 0-12 campaign last year. After an impressive come-back season, coach Scott Frost’s name is being thrown around for other coaching jobs. For now, it seems that he will stay in Orlando and build up a program to be proud of.
Central Florida (6-6):
The Knights have struggled to find any consistency at the quarterback position this year. Quarterback McKenzie Milton thrown for just 1,808 yards and nine touchdowns with seven interceptions. McKenzie will run the ball, carry the pigskin 91 times for over 150 yards and three scores.
The running game also hasn’t been much better in 2016, totaling only 151.9 yards over the ground (96th). Tail backs Jawon Hamilton and Dontravious Wilson have combined for just under 950 yards and 12 trips to the back of the end zone. Wilson is coach Scott Frost’s favorite option in the red zone, tallying a team-high eight touchdowns.
Three wide outs try to patch-work the Knights passing attack. This year, the trio has reeled in 106 balls for 1,460 yards and eight more touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Tre’Quan Smith leads the unit with 54 catches for just over 800 yards and six scores.
Defensively, the Knights have been a welcome surprise, yielding just 24.1 points per match. Linebacker Shaquem Griffin has also been a monster, racking-up 11 sacks and 85 total tackles on his way to becoming named AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Arkansas State (7-5):
The Red Wolves come into this bowl game after overcoming an 0-4 start to their 2016 season. Arkansas State made a key switch at the quarterback position and the offense started to turn things around. Signal-caller Justice Hansen has made the difference, throwing for 2,514 yards on 185 completions with 16 touchdowns and eight picks.
Running back Warren Ward also has helped the offense move the chains, and has had seven trips to the promised land. This year, he has galloped for 867 yards and could have a big day against a Knights defense that allows 181.25 yards per game. Tail back Johnston White pitched-in with almost 500 yards and another five touchdowns.
Justice Hansen isn’t picky about who he distributes the ball to. Five different wide outs have caught at least 20 passes and all of them have been rewarded with touchdowns. Tight end Blake Mack is his favorite target, nabbing 33 balls for 585 yards and three touchdowns.
The Red Wolves are excellent at keeping opposing schools off of the scoreboard. They only give way to only 22.2 points per game. Arkansas State also allows just 374.5 yards per contest. Therefore, the Red Wolves will give the Knights offense all they can handle in the 2nd Annual Cure Bowl.
Trends and Notes:
The Knights are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The Red Wolves are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The Under is 6-1 in the Knights last 7 games overall.
The Under is 4-0-1 in the Red Wolves last 5 games overall.
This is only the second edition Autonation Cure Bowl, as the San Jose State Spartans defeated the Georgia State Panthers 27-16 in last year’s game.
Central Florida actually plays their home games right down the road in Bright House Networks Stadium.
Game Prediction:
This will essentially be a home game for the Knights on Central Florida. Coach Scott Frost has turned this program around in short order. Surprisingly, it’s been the defense that has lead this team to the Autonation Cure Bowl.
Arkansas State also found away to turn their season around after a disastrous 0-4 start. Justice Hansen has kept them on the right track and their defense has stepped up to the plate. The Red Wolves are deserving of this bowl match-up.
Both programs found ways to right their ships and now get a chance to finish the season on a high note. Las Vegas doesn’t expect a lot of offense in this game and I don’t either. The over/under 49 is too much for teams that win their games with their defenses. Take the under 49 in this grudge-match. Also, Central Florida is still learning how to win so bet the scrappy Red Wolves to at least cover the +5.5.
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