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Illustration by Alvaro Tapia Hidalgo

No experience, no problem at Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State

Nick Saban's Crimson Tide, loaded with first-year starters, was the youngest team in its conference in August, as were Clemson and Ohio State in theirs. How did they become the top seeds?

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images
15hMatt Fortuna

Seven Miami players don't make bowl trip

Seven Miami football players did not make the trip Saturday to the Russell Athletic Bowl because of what the program called a "failing to meet the standards of expectations set by the program."

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Hawai'i pulls off tricky fake punt for first down (0:46)
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Austin Carr: Proud of the chip on our shoulder (0:54)
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Joe Mixon still haunted by decisions, not worried about the NFL right now (2:09)
AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Sorry, Big Ten: You're overrated

Don't be surprised if the Big Ten bubble bursts this bowl season. For a variety of reasons, the league has been overrated all year, and the truth may come out this postseason.

AP Photo/Joe Raymond
2dAdam Rittenberg

ADs from FBS forming political action committee

A political action committee made up of ADs from the FBS will support congressional candidates who can advocate for the best interests of college sports.

Now

Dave Tuley ESPN Staff Writer 

Hawai'i beats Middle Tennessee State 52-35 on its home field in Hawai'i Bowl. The ViewFromVegas is the Rainbow Warriors did it as 7.5-point underdogs and +250 on the money line. The game went over the betting total of 70 points. Favorites have won 10 of the 14 bowls so far, but underdogs lead 10-4 ATS. Unders dip to 9-5.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Hawai'i's 52 points are a season high.

Hawai'i delivers awesome fake punt play

Hawaii special teams seriously impressed on this play. On fourth-and-3, the Rainbow Warriors lined up in a confusing formation where Makoa Camanse-Stevens threw to Ammon Barker for a 21-yard reception.

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David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Hawai'i's Nick Rolovich is coaching with reckless abandon on this drive. After that fake punt, he calls another fourth down throw. His team converts and scores. The Warriors are playing away from tendency in their first bowl game since 2010, and it's working.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Hawai'i just executed one of the nuttiest fake punts ever: The Warriors lined a second player up behind their punter, and required a 20-plus yard diagonal long snap -- followed by a perfect throw -- to convert.

Middle Tennessee closes gap with TD

Brent Stockstill throws to Dennis Andrews in the end zone, and he reaches to get the grab and keep hold of the ball for the touchdown. Middle Tennessee trails Hawaii, 38-28 in the third quarter.

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David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Here comes Middle Tennessee: The Blue Raiders rank No. 12 nationally with 317 pass yards per game, so brace for plenty of throws as they attempt to mount a comeback at Hawai'i. It's 38-28 after an MTSU touchdown.

Brown heaves one into end zone for TD

Dru Brown throws a 39-yard bomb downfield to Marcus Kemp for another Hawai'i touchdown. The Rainbow Warriors lead 35-21.

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Lee pushes into end zone to trim Hawaii lead

Brent Stockstill throws a short pass to Ty Lee, who sneaks it in up the right sideline into the end zone for the touchdown. Middle Tennessee ends the Rainbow Warriors' scoring streak to cut the deficit to 28-21.

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David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Hawai'i averaged 26.5 points per game this season -- 35 in the first half in this bowl against MTSU.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

We have fireworks: Hawai'i QB Dru Brown was too nonchalant as he ran out of bounds, so MTSU LB Darius Harris drilled him. Brown didn't appear to be out of bounds, but officials flagged Harris anyway, and they also flagged Hawai'i players for leaving their bench area in retaliation.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Middle Tennessee offense ranked No. 16. Hawai'i defense ranked No. 115. But so far, the Warriors' defense has risen to the occasion with two picks and a fourth down stop.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Bowl games break trends: Hawai'i was ranked No. 121 nationally in turnover margin, but the Warriors are +2 in the first half against Middle Tennessee -- including that pick six which has made it 28 unanswered points for them.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Middle Tennessee WR Richie James becomes the fourth player in the nation to reach 100 catches this season. The Blue Raiders' pass attack promises to make this a wild game.

Hawaii ties it up to end the first quarter

Steven Lakalaka avoids the pileup at the goal line and runs it in for the score. Hawaii and Middle Tennessee State are tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.

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David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

If Middle Tennessee can't find a way to cover 6-foot-5, 240-pound Hawai'i TE Metuisela 'Unga, the Warriors will maintain control of the tempo in this game. 'Unga has hauled in a pair of big catches downfield.

David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

Hawaii's -11 turnover margin coming in was the worst of all bowl teams, but the Warriors' Jalen Rogers delivered an acrobatic interception to fuel the tying score against Middle Tennessee. As promised, points are raining down on this 14-14 game.

Hawaii gets on the board

Off the turnover, the Rainbow Warriors find the end zone as QB Dru Brown lobs up a pass to Metuisela 'Unga for an 18-yard touchdown.

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James takes flea flicker to the house

Off the flea flicker, Brent Stockstill throws deep to Richie James, who runs it in for a whopping 79-yard touchdown. Middle Tennessee stretches its lead to two touchdowns early in the first quarter.

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Blue Raiders mark scoreboard first

I'Tavius Mathers runs it around the edge and slams past two defenders to get the ball just inside the pylon for the touchdown. Middle Tennessee leads the Hawaii Bowl with the first score, 7-0.

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David Lombardi ESPN Staff Writer 

We're expecting more offense as Middle Tennessee visits Hawai'i in tonight's bowl game, and the Blue Raiders' first drive did not disappoint: They tore through the Warriors' defense to grab a 7-0 lead.

Dave Tuley ESPN Staff Writer 

ICYMI on Friday: Old Dominion (-6) beat Eastern Michigan 24-21, Louisiana Tech (-7) beat Navy 48-45 and Troy (-6) beat Ohio 28-23, but the ViewFromVegas is all three winning favorites failed to cover the closing spreads. Faves have won 10 of 13 bowls so far, but underdogs leads 9-4 ATS (69.3 percent). Overs went 2-1 on Friday, but unders still lead 9-4. In today's only bowl, Middle Tennessee State is -7 against Hawaii (playing at home in Aloha Stadium) with an over/under of 72 points.

Chunn scores third TD of game

Jordan Chunn punches through up the middle for the four-yard touchdown. Troy leads the Bobcats 28-17 towards the end of the third quarter.

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