BAHAMAS BOWL (Nassau, Bahamas) -- Playing underdogs in second-tier bowls is customarily a sound strategy and there are multiple reasons for siding with UAB. The Bobcats' Frank Solich has a 2-8 straight-up record as a head coach in the postseason. The team's top ground gainer, A.J. Ouellette is doubtful with a shoulder injury, while No. 2 rusher Dorian Brown (hip) and No. 2 receiver Brendan Cope (ankle) are banged up. Yet all those concerns are trumped by two factors: the Blazers' rush defense is a pushover and the Bobcats average a whopping 5.6 yards per carry. UAB is just happy to be playing in a bowl game. This is gravy to them.

BAHAMAS BOWL (Nassau, Bahamas) -- A storybook season for UAB continues in the Bahamas and Ohio University just might view this trip as a vacation. Ohio's season ended in disappointment with back-to-back losses after it appeared likely it would win the division and play for the MAC championship. The Bobcats lost as a 15.5-point favorite at Akron and as a 6-point favorite at Buffalo. Ohio will be without lead rusher A.J. Ouellette, which is a one-point drop-off. I have Ohio by three but hope UAB finishes the season with a win.