Now that we have had a few days to let the matchups settle it is a good time to look at what the folks in Las Vegas are saying about who are the favorites and underdogs for the Mountain West's seven bowl games.
These odds are via Odds Shark
New Mexico Bowl: Arizona vs. New Mexico (opened at +11.5). This line is all over the place and it has decreased from that 11.5-point favorite in favor of the Wildcats. The line has dipped toward the Lobos but it varies across the board with lines at +8.5, +9.5 and +10.
Cure Bowl: San Jose State (opened at -4) vs. Georgia State. Despite being 5-7, the Spartans opened up as a favorite over the Panthers. This line has changed just slightly toward Georgia State but San Jose State is still a field goal favorite.
Potato Bowl: Utah State (opened at -6.5) vs. Akron. The Aggies are just 6-6 but they are a near touchdown favorite over the Zips. This is one of the few lines that has not changed at all. Utah State will have the larger crowd since Logan, Utah, to Boise, Idaho, is a reasonable four- to five-hour car drive. Plus, the Aggies play defense which is where the edge is given to Utah State.
Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State (-8) vs. Northern Illinois. This bowl game would have been awesome a few years ago, but this year's game is still one of the better matchups in the Mountain West bowl season -- at least in name value. As for the line, this Huskies team is not what they have been over the past few years but they are a team that can cause trouble.
Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State (opened at +2.5) vs. Cincinnati. This is a game of strength vs. strength with the Aztecs defense vs. the Bearcats offense, and then add in the SDSU running game which will cause issues. Despite the perceived advantage for the Aztecs, they are just a 1.5-point underdog which is just one point down from the opening line.
Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force (opened at +6.5) vs. Cal. This is a game of contradictory styles between the Bear Raid and the run-option attack of the Falcons. Jared Goff is an elite quarterback but at times he can throw picks. If the Air Force defense can get some picks -- looking at you Weston Steelhammer -- they could get the upset. The line right now is still at 6.5 points or seven points for Cal.
Arizona Bowl: Nevada (-3.5) vs. Colorado State. Yawn... Only have kidding but this bowl game stinks because it is a conference game. The line has dropped a bit toward the Rams to three points.