Memphis QB Seth Henigan torched Iowa State's defense in last year's bowl gig with 364 passing yards and four TDs. Imagine how he might fare against the 120th-ranked pass defense, which is missing portal-bound LB Josiah Trotter, the No. 2 tackler. The Tigers beat Iowa State by 10 points, following wins by 15 and 28 in bowls the previous two years under coach Ryan Silverfield. Motivation is no issue for them in the postseason. On offense, West Virginia QB Garrett Greene fesses up to a dismal 13/11 ratio for TD throws and interceptions. The Tigers' +16 turnover figure is second-best in FBS and far better than the Mountaineers' -6. Interim boss Chad Scott has never served as a head coach.

I realize I'm not getting the best number, but with players opting out of bowl games daily, there's good reason to wait. The Mountaineers are undergoing a coaching transition, and new/old coach Rich Rodriguez won't be coaching the bowl game. Meanwhile Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan, who has 102 career TD passes and needs just three more to break the AAC record of 104, will be closing out his college career mere miles away from where he grew up in Denton, Texas. He leads an offense that ranks 19th in the country in scoring (35.2 points per game) and has a promising matchup against a West Virginia defense that ranks 124th against the pass (268.9 yards per game) and gives up 31.1 points per game (106th).

We admit some intrigue with WVU, which is in the process of bringing in a new coach (Rich-Rod; in his case also an old Mountaineer coach), and are impressed that few Mounties have entered the portal before this bowl, suggesting a buy-in for interim HC Chad Scott and a chance to impress the new Rodriguez regime. Also, not sure about consensus opinion that Memphis will come out firing tonight after the rousing win over Tulane in the reg-season finale. Gunslinger QB Seth Henigan (3208 YP) finishes his career tonight and has won two straight bowl starts, but we've seen many minor bowls in the past where there has been no carryover from the end of the regular season. Play West Virginia (at Frisco, Tex)

In terms of motivation in Tuesday's Frisco Bowl, it would appear that Memphis has it all in trying to win 11 games for only the second time in school history and finishing ranked for the first time this decade. West Virginia has/or will lost a ton of guys to the portal and draft with HC Neal Brown fired after the RS finale and replaced by Rich Rodriguez after the bowl. It's actually hard to know how many WVU guys won't play, but it is clear that Memphis is in way better shape in that regard. Record-setting QB Seth Henigan plays his final collegiate game for the Tigers just outside of his hometown.

This one seems fairly cut and dry to me. A quality Group of 5 team with most of its players available for the bowl game vs. a disappointing Power 4 team with an interim coach and a slew of opt-outs. West Virginia is 1-5 when it turns the ball over multiple times, while Memphis is second in the nation in turnover margin (+16). The Tigers have won three straight bowl games and this is the final collegiate game for quarterback Seth Henigan, who is currently 15th in NCAA all-time passing yards. Expect Henigan to light up the Mountaineers' defense, which was among the worst in the Big 12 against the pass. Memphis 37, West Virginia 24

No team has lost more players to the transfer portal than the Mountaineers after firing head coach Neal Brown. The Tigers' high-powered offense, 35.2 points per game, should exploit West Virginia's vulnerable defense that allows 31.1 points. Memphis Senior QB Seth Henigan (Texas native) and running back Mario Anderson form a potent offensive duo that will challenge the Mountaineers' 106th-ranked defense. Memphis is riding a wave of momentum, starkly contrasting West Virginia's interim head coaching issues. The Tigers are highly motivated, aiming to defeat a Power-5 team, and their bowl game success (3-0 run) further strengthens their chances to win. The players have a strong affection for head coach Ryan Silverfield, who stands to earn a $50,000 bonus with a victory.