Christmas Eve will mark the 2nd edition of the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl in Nassau, Bahamas. Last season was a tremendous first step for the bowl, as Central Michigan and Western Kentucky staged a wildly entertaining shootout with Western Kentucky emerging with a 49-48 victory. This season could have even more offensive fireworks, as the Western Michigan Broncos and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders both boast offenses that average 34+ points per game. Both schools are loaded with talented underclassmen, so both teams are looking to use this bowl game as a springboard to even greater success in 2016.
Position Matchups
Quarterback
It has been quite a ride for Western Michigan quarterback Zach Terrell. Just two years ago, Terrell was the wet behind the ears quarterback of Western Michigan as it staggered its way through a miserable 1-11 season. Two years later, Terrell is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football and the field general of the Co MAC-West champs. Terrell has completed 66.8% of his passes for 27 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, and the junior has really turned it on during conference play, where he has thrown 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
While Terrell plays the role of battle tested vet, Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill plays the role of precocious youngster. Stockstill, a redshirt freshman and son of head coach Rick Stockstill, beat out incumbent starter Austin Grammer during fall camp and never relinquished the job. Stockstill’s freshman season has been nothing short of spectacular, as he has thrown for 3,678 yards, good for 11th in the nation, while also tossing 27 touchdowns versus just eight interceptions.
This is a very underrated quarterback matchup between two highly efficient young quarterbacks, but the edge goes to Western Michigan due to Terrell’s experience.
Edge: Broncos
Running Back
The run game hasn’t been a huge priority this season for the Blue Raiders, as they have been content to ride the arm of Brent Stockstill to most of their victories. When they do run the ball, they will rely on the three man rotation of Jordan Parker, Shane Tucker, and Desmond Anderson. Parker leads the way with 468 rushing yards and six touchdowns, but all three have been effective at various times throughout the season, as all three have at least one 100-yard game.
Western Michigan also relies on a three man rotation, as freshmen Jamauri Bogan and Levante Bellamy joined sophomore stud Jarvion Franklin to form a formidable trio. Bogan, despite being just 5’7″, has emerged as the go to back, tallying 836 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns this season. All told, the trio has combined for an impressive 2,004 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
Edge: Broncos
Wide Receiver/Tight End
This game will feature two of the best wide receiver units in all of college football, as Middle Tennessee’s duo of Richie James and Ed’Marques Batties takes on Western Michigan’s pairing of Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman.
James, another redshirt freshman, found an immediate chemistry with fellow freshman Brent Stockstill on his way to finishing third in the nation with 100 catches on the season for 1,220 yards and six touchdowns. Batties finished the season just short of 1,000 receiving yards with 960, but finished 6th in the nation with 13 touchdown catches.
While James and Batties have been tremendous this season, no pair of receivers has been as prolific as Western Michigan juniors Daniel Braverman and Corey Davis. The duo has combined to catch 185 passes for 2,510 yards and 23 touchdowns on the season.
The X factor here is Middle Tennessee’s Terry Pettis, who at 6’5″ and 230 pounds functions as a flexed out tight end in Middle Tennessee’s offensive scheme. He provides Stockstill with a dangerous third option if James and Batties are covered.
Even
Offensive Line
Left guard Jaylen Hunter leads the way for the Blue Raider offensive line, as the first team all-Conference USA guard is the lone senior of a line that kept Stockstill well-protected throughout conference play.
Western Michigan’s offensive line is anchored by senior left tackle Willie Beavers, a first team All-Mac selection and the only senior on a young but talented offensive line that paved the way for a rushing attack that averaged just under 200 yards per game.
Slight Edge: Broncos
Defensive Line
While both teams are loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball, the matchup may come down to which defensive line can get step up and get some pressure on the quarterback.
The pass rush has been an issue all season for the Broncos, as they are 119th in the nation with just 14 sacks on the season. Senior Jarrell McKinney is the best of the bunch, but he has tallied only 1.5 sacks through 12 games.
Middle Tennessee hasn’t been much better at getting to the quarterback this season, as the Raiders rank 88th in the nation with just 21 sacks this season. While they haven’t been great at getting to the quarterback, Middle Tennessee has been stout against the run, ranking 34th in the nation in rush defense. Honorable mention all-CUSA nose guard Patrick McNeil is the best of the bunch, while junior Chris Hale leads the team in sacks with 4.
Edge: Blue Raiders
Linebackers
Sophomore middle linebacker Caleb Bailey leads the way for the Broncos linebackers with 74 tackles on the season. He is flanked by junior Austin Lewis (62 tackles), and sophomore Jason Sylva, who came off the bench late in the season to replace star sophomore Robert Spillane, who missed the final four games of the season with injuries.
While no senior is on the two deep at linebacker for Western Michigan, Middle Tennessee trots out senior starters at all three of their linebacker positions. T.T. Barber is the leader of the bunch with 88 tackles, 4 sacks, and an interception on the season. He is joined by Cavellis Luckett (65 tackles), and Trey Wafford (48 tackles, 2 sacks).
Edge: Blue Raiders
Secondary
This is the area on defense where the Blue Raiders shine, as they rank 14th in the country with 16 interceptions on the season. Senior safety Kevin Byard (61 tackles,4 interceptions) leads the way for an opportunistic secondary.
Western Michigan’s secondary struggled early in the season but came on late to finish the season ranked 68th in passing defense. The Bronco secondary is led by sophomore Darius Phillips who has put together an impressive sophomore campaign with 46 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and five interceptions.
Slight Edge: Blue Raiders
Special Teams
Andrew Haldeman and J. Schroeder give Western Michigan a pair of solid senior kickers, with Schroeder averaging 42.1 yards per punt on the season and Haldeman converting 16 of 20 field goals. The return duties are handled by sophomore Darius Phillips, who averaged 23 yards per return on kickoffs and took one back for a 100-yard touchdown.
Kicking has been relatively smooth sailing for the Blue Raiders this season, as Cody Clark has made 11 of 15 field goals and has been perfect on all of his extra points. Punting has been another story, as a pair of freshmen have shared the punting duties this season. Trevor Owens first claimed the starting job, but was benched after a rough outing in Middle Tennessee’s blowout loss to Western Kentucky. Fellow freshman Matt Bonadies took his place and has been solid through six games, averaging 40.6 yards per punt. Jeremiah Bryson is in charge of return duties, where he has averaged 23.7 yards per kickoff return.
Edge: Broncos
Final Take
The “battle in the Bahamas” is quickly forming an identity as a spot for talented mid-major schools to have thrilling shootouts. It happened last season when Western Kentucky edged Central Michigan, and it appears destined to happen this year between the Broncos and Blue Raiders. Both teams feature tremendous quarterbacks and receivers, and neither team has an overly impressive defense. This game will likely come down to which defense can pressure the quarterback into a mistake. For that reason, I’ll take the Blue Raiders in a wild one.
Middle Tennessee: 44
Western Michigan: 41
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