In the second weekend of bowl games, there is a contest between two underachieving team. These teams are the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the South Florida Bulls. Both teams started the season with above average expectations and both teams failed to reach those expectations despite qualifying for a bowl game. Both teams managed to win at least six games and will look to add a bowl game victory to improve their season’s resume.
Texas Tech’s success is due to senior quarterback Nic Shimonek. This season, Shimonek threw for 30 touchdowns along with over 3,500 yards and only eight interceptions. Shimonek spent last season as the backup to first-round NFL Draft pick Pat Mahomes but did show signs of excellence when he threw for six touchdowns and only one interception in limited snaps. Shimonek has tremendous arm strength which suits Texas Tech’s offense perfectly due to its desire to spread opposing teams out in the passing game. Expect Shimonek to perform extremely well against this average South Florida defense.
South Florida’s success is primarily due to quarterback Quinton Flowers. In only 11 games this season, Flowers threw for 2,600 yards and had 21 passing touchdowns along with only six interceptions. However, Flowers also had extremely impressive statistics in the running game as he ran for 972 yards and ten rushing touchdowns. Flowers is the heart and soul of South Florida’s offense and he will need to use his mobility early and often if the Bulls plan on winning this contest.
As for my prediction, I have to side with Texas Tech. Anytime a team with only six wins is matched up in a bowl game against a nine win team, one has to watch out for the six win team. Texas Tech has an explosive offense that should perform extremely well against the Bulls. Although Flowers is a great college quarterback, he only completed 53.4% of his passes this season which suggests that he has a tendency to be inaccurate. I will take Texas Tech in a shootout victory.
Texas Tech vs. South Florida: Game Time, TV Channel & Viewing Details
Event: Texas Tech vs. South Florida
Date: Saturday, December 23, 2017
Start Time: 12:00 P.M. EST
Location: Legion Field in Birmingham, AL
Broadcast: ESPN
How to Watch Texas Tech vs. South Florida On Your Tablet Or Mobile Device
You can live stream the game on the WatchESPN app.
You can download the WatchESPN app on Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, and the Windows Store. The Fox Sports Go app is also available on the following devices: Apple TV, Roku, Android TV and Fire TV.
How To Live Stream Texas Tech vs. South Florida Online Without Cable Subscription
You can also live stream the game through Sling TV free trial. Just click on the Sling website and click “Watch Now 7 Days Free” for the free trial. Choose the Sling Orange package, which costs $20 per month and comes with ESPN, along with many other sports channels.
