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If last year's Bahamas Bowl is any indication, viewers all across the country are in for another MAC versus Conference USA treat. Western Michigan and Middle Tennessee State bring their high powered offenses into paradise in search of a coveted post season win, and the winner may need to score a ton of points to find it.
The Broncos and Blue Raiders come in bearing numerous similarities. Both teams average over 30 points per game and carry 7-5 records. Each team is giving up over 25 points per game on defense and each program is even appearing in its seventh bowl game. The difference? WMU is still seeking that elusive first bowl victory.
Quick Game Info
Game Date,Time: Thursday, December 24th. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Location: Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas
TV/Stream: The game will be broadcast on ESPN and is available online at ESPN3.com
Radio: 96.5 FM (Kalamazoo); 94.1 FM (Jackson, Lansing, Battle Creek); 101.3 FM (Grand Rapids); 1130 AM (Detroit)
Odds: Western Michigan -4.5. The Broncos are 7-5 against the spread in 2015
Players to Watch
Jamauri Bogan (RB, WMU): Bogan's emergence may have come as a surprise to many what with the former MAC Player of the Year entering the season ahead of him on the depth chart. But when Jarvion Franklin was unable to return to his form from a year before, Bogan was more than able to fill the production void left. Bogan's 836 yards and 12 touchdowns are both team highs for rushing.
Corey Davis (WR, WMU): Davis isn't exactly a household name just yet, but Thursday's game could be his first giant step to becoming so. Davis caught 82 passes for over 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns and his play on the field may have a few people wondering if this is the last college football game for Davis as he could take his talents to the NFL in the spring.
Brent Stockstill (QB, MTSU): You could say Stockstill's career has gotten off to a pretty good start. The freshman from Murfreesboro, Tennessee threw for over 3500 yards, completing 66.7 percent of his 451 passing attempts. Add in 27 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions and the Blue Raiders may have the perfect formula to attack a WMU secondary prone to giving up big plays
Richie James (WR, MTSU): James is the Blue Raiders' leading receiver with 100 catches and 1220 yards. While he hasn't broken many big plays down the field this season - just two receptions over 60 yards - he will haul in a lot of passes and force defenses to make tackles in open space.