On Christmas Eve, football fans can look forward to the 2024 Hawaii Bowl, featuring a matchup between the South Florida Bulls (6-6) and the San Jose State Spartans (7-5). This game marks a clash between teams from the American Athletic Conference and the Mountain West. Bulls head coach Alex Golesh has skillfully led the team through a challenging season, which included the absence of quarterback Byrum Brown due to injury for much of the year. Although Brown has been sidelined since late September, he has not been officially ruled out for this game. Meanwhile, the Spartans, under the direction of head coach Ken Niumatalolo, began the season strongly with a 4-1 record and capped off their regular season with a victory over Stanford.
Kickoff for this exciting bowl game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET in Honolulu, and the Spartans are currently favored by 1.5 points in the latest betting odds. The over/under is set at 64.5, indicating a high-scoring matchup.
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As for South Florida, the potential return of quarterback Byrum Brown could significantly enhance their performance. However, even if he is unavailable, backup Bryce Archie has gained critical experience this season and is expected to competently guide the Bulls. Additionally, USF faced strong teams early in the season, including matchups against Alabama and Miami, but they managed to finish strong, winning four of their last six games.
San Jose State, on the other hand, will be without standout receiver Nick Nash, who led the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns but has opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. This loss may impact the Spartans’ ability to score, but they still retain a strong roster with receiver Justin Lockhart stepping up and quarterback Walker Eget, who has demonstrated immense capability in recent games.
While the Bulls will travel over 4,000 miles to play in Hawaii, the Spartans have experience playing in the islands, which could give them an edge. Coach Niumatalolo’s familiarity with the region adds an extra layer of motivation for his team.
In summary, as the teams prepare for this thrilling matchup, speculation surrounds the impact of key players and coaching strategies. The Hawaii Bowl presents an exciting opportunity for both teams to showcase their talent and resilience. This game not only promises an entertaining evening for college football fans but also a chance for both programs to end their seasons on a high note.