Las Vegas Sports Consultants called this game a pick em’ with a total set at 61. Action has since made Nevada a 2 ½ point favorite in the contest with the total now hovering around 63 ½. ESPN will provide coverage of the Hawaii Bowl from Aloha Stadium starting at 8:30 p.m. ET on Christmas Eve.
-Nevada (8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS) comes into the game having won four of its last five capped off by a big 38-35 home win over Fresno State to get a share of the WAC title. They are making their first bowl appearance since the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl.
-Central Florida (8-4 SU and 8-4 ATS) is off a loss in the Conference USA title game. The Golden Knights failed to cover as three point dogs’ on their home field in Orlando in the schools first ever title game. Despite the 44-27 loss, UCF has won five of its last six. After going 0-11 last season, Central Florida will be making its first bowl appearance in school history.
-Nevada's offense is averaging 33 points per game and they lead the country in time of possession with 33:26 per game. Quarterback Jeff Rowe is the team leader and has 2,671 yards passing and 20 touchdowns. In the past four games, Rowe has thrown eight touchdowns with only one interception.
-UCF quarterback Steve Moffett has thrown for 2,624 yards and 19 touchdowns and has two good receivers -- Brandon Marshall (63 catches, 985 yards) and Mike Walker (64 catches, 855 yards) -- as targets. (Walker is questionable for the game with a knee injury). Freshman running back Kevin Smith, who has 976 yards and six touchdowns, must play well to keep the offense balanced.
-It’s the UCF defense that has raised some eyebrows recently with a +12 turnover ratio in their last five games.
-The experts predict a high scoring game as these teams combined to average 60 points per game while allowing a combined 58 points per game.
-Nevada (8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS) comes into the game having won four of its last five capped off by a big 38-35 home win over Fresno State to get a share of the WAC title. They are making their first bowl appearance since the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl.
-Central Florida (8-4 SU and 8-4 ATS) is off a loss in the Conference USA title game. The Golden Knights failed to cover as three point dogs’ on their home field in Orlando in the schools first ever title game. Despite the 44-27 loss, UCF has won five of its last six. After going 0-11 last season, Central Florida will be making its first bowl appearance in school history.
-Nevada's offense is averaging 33 points per game and they lead the country in time of possession with 33:26 per game. Quarterback Jeff Rowe is the team leader and has 2,671 yards passing and 20 touchdowns. In the past four games, Rowe has thrown eight touchdowns with only one interception.
-UCF quarterback Steve Moffett has thrown for 2,624 yards and 19 touchdowns and has two good receivers -- Brandon Marshall (63 catches, 985 yards) and Mike Walker (64 catches, 855 yards) -- as targets. (Walker is questionable for the game with a knee injury). Freshman running back Kevin Smith, who has 976 yards and six touchdowns, must play well to keep the offense balanced.
-It’s the UCF defense that has raised some eyebrows recently with a +12 turnover ratio in their last five games.
-The experts predict a high scoring game as these teams combined to average 60 points per game while allowing a combined 58 points per game.
