Motel 6 Cactus Bowl: Boise State Broncos vs. Baylor Bears

The Motel 6 Cactus Bowl is the fourth and final bowl game to be played on Dec. 27. It is also the 21st bowl game of a 40-game season. (That number does not include the final championship game.) Our 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl free pick offers the Boise State Broncos vs. the Baylor Bears.

The Boise State Broncos (10-2 Overall, 6-2 Mountain West Conference) barely missed the MWC title game. They beat Washington State 31-28 and started the season with seven straight wins. They finished the season with a 27-20 loss to the Air Force Academy.

For the Baylor Bears (6-6 Overall, 3-6 Big 12 Conference), the 2016 season started well as they notched six straight wins. Then came six straight losses, all of which were to Big 12 opponents. The Bears finished eighth in the Big 12.

Boise State Broncos

Look for the Boise State Broncos offer a balanced attack. They’re scoring an average of 35.6 PPG. QB Brett Rypien (61.8 COMP%, 23 TDs, 6 INTs) and RB Jeremy McNichols (295 ATT, 1,663 YDs, 5.6 AVG, 23 TDs) will be primary in the Bronco attack. Look for McNichols, who also has four touchdowns as a receiver, to slash through Baylor defenders. Boise State has two 1,000-plus yard receivers. Thomas Sperbeck (72 ATT, 1,193 YDs, 16.6 VG, 9 TDs) is the leader in receptions, while Cedrick Wilson (50 REC, 1,041YDs, 20.8 AVG, 10 TDs) leads in receiving touchdowns.

On defense, the Broncos are limiting teams to 22.7 PPG. Boise State has recorded 27 sacks, 76 TFL, 48 PD. They have just 6 INTs, 3 FF, and 3 QB hurries. Their turnover margin is -7.

Baylor Bears

The Bears will rely on QB Zach Smith (56.1 COMP%, 10 TDs, 6 INTs) to ably handle the offense. Top receivers are KD Cannon (73 REC, 989 YDs, 13.5 AVG, 11 TDs) and Ishmael Zamora (58 REC, 786 YDs, 13.6 VG, 7 TDs). There are three accomplished running backs on the roster. Terence Williams (160 ATT, 945 YDs, 5.9 AVG, 11 TDs) is the team’s top performer on the ground. The Baylor offense is averaging 34.9 PPG.

The team defensive squad is allowing 30.4 PPG. They have 28 sacks 89 TFL, and 12 FF. Also, the Bears have grabbed 10 INTs, made 36 QB hurries, and defended 47 passes. Their turnover margin is -7.

2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl Free Pick

We like the Boise State Broncos in our 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl free pick. Take them at -7.0. Bet the over at 69.

The 2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl will be played at 10:15 p.m. ET on Dec. 27 at Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ. The game will be carried by ESPN.

2016 Motel 6 Cactus Bowl Free Pick: Boise State at -7.0 and the over at 69