Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CFB Picks, CFB Free Picks, CFB Predictions 12/23/25
- rbowe7447
- Dec 23, 2025
- 3 min read
2025 FRISCO BOWL
UNLV vs. OHIO (UNLV -6.5, 66.5)
As Ohio gets ready to play UNLV in the Frisco Bowl on Tuesday night in Frisco, Texas, it is facing a similar predicament to the more well-known circumstance at Michigan that cost Sherrone Moore his head coaching job.
On Wednesday, the Bobcats' administration fired Brian Smith with cause, ending his one and only season as coach. Accusing him of engaging in an extramarital affair with an Ohio student and violating school alcohol policy, the school placed him on leave on December 1 before releasing him.
Ohio (8-4) has moved on, even though Smith's lawyer contests every allegation the university made in the letter of termination. The interim coach, defensive coordinator John Hauser, is tasked with motivating the team to focus on a quality opponent.
"Keeping them locked in, doing a ton of good-on-good where we can get better offensively and defensively," Hauser responded when asked about the Bobcats' preparation. "We have been getting the effort we want from the lads.
"Going to the bowl game is a treat for us. It's quite serious, yet it's also entertaining. Everyone in our organization wants to send our seniors off in a proper manner because this is their final game.
Hauser seems to have the depth chart for this game intact, in contrast to some interim coaches who must deal with a lot of exits through the portal. Thus, Ohio can rely on running back Sieh Bangura and quarterback Parker Navarro to continue producing, as they have done throughout the season.
Navarro added 843 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in addition to throwing for 2,232 yards and 14 touchdowns. Chase Hendricks caught 67 catches for 950 yards and seven touchdowns, while Bangura gained 1,243 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
UNLV's first-year coach Dan Mullen carried on Barry Odom's efforts from the previous two seasons. The Rebels finished 10-3 and lost 38-21 at Boise State on December 5 in their third consecutive Mountain West Conference title game.
Mullen, who formerly oversaw the teams at Florida and Mississippi State, stated that his team is thrilled to have another game.
Mullen remarked, "They want to get back out there and play again," "The chance to travel and discover new things is what makes bowl games special. Many of the guys on our team have never had the opportunity to visit that region of the nation."
Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Anthony Colandrea, a transfer from Virginia, leads UNLV with 3,275 yards and 23 touchdowns from his passing and 621 yards and nine touchdowns from his running. Colandrea adapted well to Mullen's spread assault and produced career highs in most categories.
While 6-foot-4 receiver Jaden Bradley caught 54 catches for 869 yards and four touchdowns, Jai'Den Thomas excelled on the ground with 985 yards and 12 touchdowns on just 137 carries.
The Rebels will need to perform at their highest level in order to prevail, if recent experience is any indication. Ohio has won six straight bowl games, which is second only to Minnesota's eight-game winning streak.
FREE PICK: SIEH BANGURA OVER 97.5 RUSHING YARDS
Bangura led Ohio with 1,243 yards this season. Ohio has the 9th-best rushing attack in the FBS averaging nearly 230 yards per game. Bangura went Over this prop in 5 of his last 6 games. The only game he didn't go Over he landed on 97. He cashed this prop in 7 of 12 games this season. He goes up against a UNLV defense that gave up 175.2 rushing yards per game. That ranked 101st in the nation.
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