The 2020 New Mexico Bowl features 4-4 Hawaii against the 3-4 Houston Cougars. Here is the 2020 New Mexico Bowl Preview.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4-4)
Hawaii has had a solid season to get to .500. They have wins over two teams who are .500 or above this year in Fresno State and Nevada. Their lone loss to a team who was below .500 came to Wyoming.
The offense hasn’t been as high-powered as in past years, as they average just 26 points per game. They pass for 243.4 yards (ranked 49th) and rush for 155.1 yards per game (ranked 77th).
Chevan Cordeiro has taken over at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors this season. He has passed for 1,947 yards, 11 touchdowns and six touchdowns on 62.1 percent completion. Cordeiro has four receivers that have over 200 yards receiving this season. Running back Calvin Turner leads all pass-catchers with 29 receptions for 458 yards and five touchdowns.
Cordiero leads the team in rushing with 450 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Miles Reed leads all running backs with 346 yards and one touchdown. Turner is a do-it-all back who has 271 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go with all of his receiving yards.
The defense has allowed 29.3 points per game, which has held the team back at times. Hawaii allows 190.6 passing yards (ranked 20th) and 230.9 rushing yards per game (ranked 116th). Linebacker Darius Muasau leads the team with 93 tackles and also sits atop the team with 3.5 sacks.
Houston Cougars (3-4)
No team had to deal with more postponements this year than Houston. The Cougars beat one team above .500 in Tulane. All four of their losses are to solid teams: BYU, Cincinnati, UCF and Memphis.
Houston scores 32.2 points per game, ranking 42nd in the country. They pass for 268.1 yards (ranked 33rd) and rush for 155.3 yards per game (ranked 76th).
Clayton Tune has been a solid starter for the Cougars at quarterback. He has 1,832 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 60.7 percent completion. Three different receivers have over 300 receiving yards this season. Keith Corbin leads the team in catches and yards with 27 and 352 respectively. Marquez Stevenson is targeted for touchdowns with four on the season.
The Cougars have several running backs who contribute, but Kyle Porter leads the way with 394 yards and four touchdowns. Tune has helped out with 269 yards and five touchdowns. Mulbah Car, Chandler Smith and and Kalen walker all have over 100 rushing yards as well.
The defense allows 32.6 points per game. They allow 172.7 rushing yards (ranked 73rd) and 244.6 passing yards per game (ranked 81st). Linebacker Grant Stuard led the team with 61 total tackles. David Anenih has been the team’s best pass rusher with 4.5 sacks.
Prediction
Hawaii has had an up and down season on both sides of the ball. Houston, on the other hand, has scored over 32 points per game against a very tough schedule. They have done this with several of their games getting postponed. The Cougars will be ready to play and will win a close game.
Houston Cougars 35 Hawaii Warriors 31
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