Armed Forces Bowl 2012: Rice vs. Air Force picks and predictions

Don't expect a lot of passing attempts at this year's Armed Forces Bowl. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't expect any offense.

Between Rice and Air Force, there will be plenty of yards and points churned up on the ground, as two of the nation's premier rushing teams meet in Fort Worth, Texas. With five wins in their last six games, the Owls are riding high coming into this bowl, for which they just barely qualified. But it's their first postseason trip in four years. The Falcons, meanwhile, have lost three of their last four, including losses to Army and Navy.

But Air Force does have one thing in its favor: 329 yards per game gained on the ground, the second-best mark in the nation. It will also hopefully be getting back a healthy Cody Getz. The senior ran roughshod through opposing defenses through the season's first five games, but managed just 326 yards in his final seven contests after suffering an ankle injury against Wyoming.

With a healthy Getz and Connor Dietz running the triple-option, the picks are going Air Force's way. NBC Sports' College Football Talk tabs the Falcons, 28-14, banking on the run game. Over at Scout.com, the pick is also for Air Force, albeit a bit closer, in a 34-27 final score. Scout credits the month off for the Falcons as the deciding factor. And at Yahoo, the pick is that Air Force will run through Rice's defense in a 31-28 win.

The Armed Forces Bowl will take place at 11:45 a.m. ET on Dec. 29.