Saturday, December 16, 2017

2017 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

Last game on Saturday is the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, in which the Arkansas State Red Wolves play the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders!  The analysis below is based on the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model.  The model uses data provided at www.cfbstats.com.

Prediction
Given the overall productivity of the two programs, the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model gives a slight edge to the Arkansas State Red Wolves.  Below is a look at each of these two football programs during the 2017 regular season.

Arkansas State Red Wolves
The Red Wolves finished the regular season at 7-4 and played against an "easier" strength of schedule (SOS) as compared to the "league" average SOS, meaning that Arkansas State's SOS was between one to two standard deviations greater than the "league's" average SOS.  This season the Red Wolves's best victory was over #61 ranked New Mexico State by a score of  (37-21); and their other six victories were against teams that are currently ranked #100 or higher!  Arkansas State's worst loss was to #118 ranked Nebraska by a score of (36-43).  Arkansas State has the #27 ranked team in total production with the #28 ranked offense and the #47 ranked defense from the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model.

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
The Blue Raiders finished the regular season at 6-6 while being only one of four teams currently playing against a "much easier" strength of schedule (SOS) as compared to the "league" average SOS, meaning that Middle Tennessee's SOS was greater than two standard deviations above the "league's" average SOS.  For this season the Blue Raiders' best victory was over#89 ranked Florida International by a score of (37-17).  Marshall's worst loss was to #94 ranked Vanderbilt by a score of (6-28).  Middle Tennessee State has the #65 ranked team in total production with the #85 ranked offense and the #35 ranked defense from the Complex Invasion College Football Production Model.

2017 Bowl Games
R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Cure Bowl
Las Vegas Bowl
Gildan New Mexico Bowl