Armed Forces Bowl Betting Odds

Opening Line: Cougars -5 / Falcons +5

Time: 12 PM EST Thursday December 31, 2009 on ESPN

In a rematch of last year's Armed Forces Bowl the Air Force Falcons face the Houston Cougars. This game is an interesting match up, as Houston has the nation's top ranked pass offense and Air Force has the nation's top ranked pass defense. Houston won 2 of their last 3 games, but lost their season finale. The Cougars were 0-1 against ranked teams this season. The Falcons lost their last game of the season, but had won their previous 4 and they were 0-3 against ranked teams. This game will be held at Fort Worth's Amon G. Carter Stadium, where Air Force is 0-6 all time.

Air Force was 6-4-1 ATS and Houston was 7-4-1 ATS.

Houston lost their last game of the season to East Carolina 38-32 and Air Force lost to BYU 38-21.

Houston's high powered passing offense is led by QB Case Keenum (5,449 yds 43 TD) and his 2 main targets of James Cleveland and Tyron Carrier each averaged over 11 yards per reception this season and combined for 187 receptions. They will be facing an Air Force defense, which ranks 10th in the nation overall and 1st against the pass only giving up an average of just over 148 passing yards per game. Keenum led the nation in total offense (429.3 yards per game), passing (419.2) and touchdown passes (43). The Cougars are all about the pass, as their rushing offense only ranks 83rd in the nation. If the Cougars are stymied by the Falcons' secondary Air Force will be in great shape.

Air Force has the nation's 77th ranked offense and they are just the opposite of Houston, as they are all about the run with the nation's 3rd ranked rushing offense. They rarely pass the ball, as their passing offense is ranked 118th out of 120 FBS schools. Air Force is led by the duo of Jared Tew (797 yds 7 TD) and QB Asher Clark (736 yds 5 TD). This is not a good match for Houston's defense, which ranks 108th in the nation, as their rushing defense ranks 118th. If they cannot stop the run, which they have not been able to do all season, it will allow the Falcons to control the clock and keep Keenum and company on the sidelines.

Air Force is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and Houston is 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.


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