ARMED FORCES BOWL PREVIEW

16. ARMED FORCES BOWL (Fort Worth)
Dec. 31/noon ESPN

Houston Cougars (Houston)(10-3) (CUSA Record: 6-2)

Head Coach: Kevin Sumlin

Key Players: Case Keenum, QB; James Cleveland, WR;

Comments: 4-2 v. bowl teams, including OSU and Texas Tech from Big 12; sixth straight bowl invite; beat Air Force last year in same bowl; Keenum threw for 5,449 yards, 43 TDs, 6 INTs;

Cleveland's his favorite target and has 1182 yards and 14 TDs. Tyron Carrier took it to the house on three kickoff returns. Cougars have the #1 passing offense in the country.

Air Force Falcons (Colorado Springs) (7-5) (WAC Record 5-3)

Head Coach: Troy Calhoun

Key Players: Tim Jefferson, QB;

Comments: 1-5 v. bowl teams; 3-point losses to Navy & TCU back-to-back; Jefferson missed part of finale with back injury; Falcons are 0-6 on the TCU field where the game is played; defense is 10^th in nation and 1^st in pass defense.

Line: Houston -4½

My Pick: HOUSTON has too much firepower for the Falcons, who went 10 quarters without an offensive touchdown early in the year.