The 2024 Frisco Bowl is set to take place on Tuesday, featuring a matchup between the No. 25 Memphis Tigers and the West Virginia Mountaineers. This game marks an exciting moment for the Tigers, who have achieved the impressive feat of winning 10 games in consecutive seasons under the leadership of head coach Ryan Silverfield. Memphis will be aiming for their third bowl victory in a row.
In contrast, West Virginia is entering a transitional phase, coming off a 6-6 season and having recently appointed former Mountaineers standout Rich Rodriguez as their new head coach, following the dismissal of Neal Brown. One notable absence from the Mountaineers’ lineup will be linebacker Josiah Trotter, who has committed to Missouri after entering the transfer portal.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The latest odds show the Tigers favored by 5 points, with an over/under set at 60 points.
Memphis is expected to perform well, showcasing a potent offense led by quarterback Seth Henigan, who amassed 3,208 passing yards and 23 touchdowns while maintaining a low interception rate. Additionally, running back Mario Anderson has proven to be a key playmaker, contributing 1,290 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, alongside a notable receiving effort as well.
On the defensive side, the Tigers have shown strength by forcing 24 turnovers throughout the season, with standout performances in recent victories over UAB and Tulane, where they forced multiple turnovers.
Conversely, West Virginia’s interim coaching staff, led by Chad Scott until Rodriguez assumes full control, is likely to continue using a strong running game, as evidenced by their success in previous games that featured this strategy. Quarterback Garrett Greene, alongside rushers Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson, all had over 600 rushing yards and significant touchdown contributions this season.
In terms of strategy, the simulation model has predicted a focus on the point total reaching over 60 as well as a trend favoring one side of the spread.
As fans prepare for this exciting bowl game, there’s a sense of hope for both teams. Memphis looks to maintain its momentum and continue building its winning culture, while West Virginia navigates its coaching transition with resilience and determination.
The culmination of skillful athletes and eager coaching minds in this bowl game reinforces the ever-competitive nature of college football and the thrill of postseason matchups.