Every Thing You Need To Know About 2018-2019 Bowl Season !

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LSU favorites versus unbeaten UCF, and opening lines for every College Football Bowl Game
Patrick Everson


The LSU Tigers go into their Fiesta Bowl matchup with Central Florida as 7.5-point favorites, but the public might lean towards the unbeaten Golden Knights to cover.


While everyone is still buzzing about – and arguing over – the College Football Playoff selections, it’s worth pointing out that there are a bevy of other intriguing bowl matchups. We check in on the opening lines and early action for four of those contests, and gets you the opening and current lines for every other bowl game, with insights from Derek Wilkinson, supervisor at The SuperBook at Westgate in Las Vegas.


Fiesta Bowl


No. 11 Louisiana State Tigers vs. No. 8 Central Florida Knights (+7.5)



Central Florida hasn’t lost since its bowl game two years ago, going 13-0 SU and 8-4-1 ATS last season, and sitting at 12-0 SU and 9-3 ATS this year. The Knights beat Memphis 56-41 as 1-point home favorites in the American Athletic Conference championship game.


That gave UCF a second straight shot at an SEC team in bowl season, as the Knights upset Auburn in last season’s Peach Bowl.


Louisiana State finished the regular season in a monster of a game, albeit a loss. The Tigers (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) went off as 3-point underdogs at Texas A&M and pushed the contest to seven overtimes before falling 74-72.


“We purposely set this line just above a touchdown to give the people something to think about,” Wilkinson said of opening LSU -7.5 for this New Year’s Day game. “This will be the toughest team, by far, that UCF has played all year, but I think the public will like an undefeated team getting more than a touchdown. I’m anticipating that the line will come down to -7 pretty soon.”




Rose Bowl


No. 9 Washington Huskies vs. No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (-5.5)



Ohio State is feeling much like a bridesmaid after winning the Big Ten title, but finishing sixth in the CFP rankings and missing the four-team playoff. The Buckeyes (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS) dumped Northwestern 45-24 laying 16.5 points in the conference title game in Indianapolis.


Washington upended Washington State on the road in Week 13 to snare a spot in the Pac-12 title game, then took full advantage of it. The Huskies (10-3 SU, 4-9 ATS) slogged past Utah 10-3 giving 4.5 points in Santa Clara, Calif., to earn a spot in this New Year’s Day game.


“This line feels a little too high to me. We haven’t seen much action on it yet, but I think the sharps will like Washington,” Wilkinson said. “The public usually likes Ohio State, especially when the Buckeyes are the higher-ranked team. However, look for this line to drop to 4.5 or even 4 throughout the next couple of weeks.”




Sugar Bowl


No. 15 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (-11)


Georgia is also feeling left out this week, finishing one spot out of the CFP, a year after reaching the national championship game. The Bulldogs (11-2 SU, 8-5 ATS) went into the Southeastern Conference title game as 11-point underdogs to Alabama, led 28-14 in the third quarter, but couldn’t score again and ended up losing 35-28.


Texas won its last three regular-season games to land a spot in the Big 12 final last weekend. The Longhorns (9-4 SU, 5-7-1 ATS) then came up short against Oklahoma, losing 39-27 as 9.5-point neutral-site pups at AT&T Stadium.

“Texas just lost to Oklahoma, and I think Georgia is quite a bit better than the Sooners,” Wilkinson said. “That said, I think Georgia -11 is a little high. I think the wiseguys will like Texas plus the points and that the line will drop some.”


This Big 12-SEC clash wraps up the New Year’s Day bowls, with an 8:45 p.m. ET start.




Gator Bowl


North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. No. 19 Texas A&M Aggies (-4.5)


Texas A&M, which gave CFP selectee Clemson all it could handle back in September, finished the regular season on a three-game win streak. In the finale, the Aggies (8-4 SU and ATS) outlasted LSU in seven overtimes, winning 74-72 as 3-point home favorites.


North Carolina State won its last three games and four of five to cap the regular season. The Wolfpack (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) went out of conference to finish up, whomping East Carolina 58-3 as 24.5-point home faves.


“We took a sharp bet on A&M (Monday) and moved the line to -5,” Wilkinson said of action on this Dec. 31 matchup. “The Aggies are coming off an epic win against LSU, and I think they’re going to carry that momentum into this one. N.C. State has been playing well lately, but the Wolfpack haven’t been facing teams as good as A&M.”




The rest of the 39-game bowl slate:

Cure Bowl, Dec. 15: Tulane vs. Louisiana-Lafayette – Open: +3.5; Current: +3.5
New Mexico Bowl, Dec. 15: North Texas vs. Utah State – Open: -9.5; Current: -10
Las Vegas Bowl, Dec. 15: Arizona State vs. No. 21 Fresno State – Open: -4.5; Current: -4.5
New Orleans Bowl, Dec. 15: Middle Tennessee vs. Appalachian State – Open: -7.5; Current: -7
Camellia Bowl, Dec. 15: Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern – Open: +1; Current: +1
Boca Raton Bowl, Dec. 18: Northern Illinois vs. Alabama-Birmingham – Open: -1; Current: -1
Frisco Bowl, Dec. 19: Ohio vs. San Diego State – Open: +3; Current: +3
Gasparilla Bowl, Dec. 20: Marshall vs. South Florida – Open: +2; Current: +1.5
The Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, Dec. 21: Florida International vs. Toledo – Open: -6; Current: -6
Potato Bowl, Dec. 21: Brigham Young vs. Western Michigan – Open: +12.5; Current: +12.5
Birmingham Bowl, Dec. 22: Wake Forest vs. Memphis – Open: -3.5; Current: -3.5
Armed Forces Bowl, Dec. 22: Houston vs. Army – Open: -3; Current: -3
Dollar General Bowl, Dec. 22: Buffalo vs. Troy – Open: +3; Current: +3
Hawaii Bowl, Dec. 22: Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii – Open: -2; Current: -2
First Responder Bowl, Dec. 26: Boston College vs. No. 25 Boise State – Open: -3; Current: -3
Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 26: Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech – Open: -4.5; Current: -4.5
Cheez-It Bowl, Dec. 26: Texas Christian vs. California – Open: Pick; Current: Pick
Independence Bowl, Dec. 27: Duke vs. Temple – Open: -3; Current: -3
Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 27: Miami vs. Wisconsin – Open: +3; Current: +4
Texas Bowl, Dec. 27: Vanderbilt vs. Baylor – Open: +5; Current: +4
Music City Bowl, Dec. 28: Auburn vs. Purdue – Open: +4; Current: +4
Camping World Bowl: No. 20 Syracuse vs. No. 16 West Virginia – Open: -7; Current: -7
Alamo Bowl: No. 24 Iowa State vs. No. 13 Washington State – Open: -3.5; Current: -3.5
Peach Bowl, Dec. 29: No. 10 Florida vs. No. 7 Michigan – Open: -7.5; Move: -7.5
Belk Bowl, Dec. 29: South Carolina vs. Virginia – Open: +4; Current: +4
Arizona Bowl, Dec. 29: Arkansas State vs. Nevada – Open: Pick; Current: Pick
Cotton Bowl, Dec. 29: No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Clemson – Open: -11.5; Current: -11.5
Orange Bowl, Dec. 29: No. 4 Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Alabama – Open: -14; Current: -14
Military Bowl, Dec. 31: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati – Open: -6; Current: -6
Sun Bowl, Dec. 31: Pittsburgh vs. Stanford – Open: -6.5; Current: -6.5
Redbox Bowl, Dec. 31: Michigan State vs. Oregon – Open: -2; Current: -2.5
Liberty Bowl, Dec. 31: No. 23 Missouri vs. Oklahoma State – Open: +8; Current: +8
Holiday Bowl, Dec. 31: No. 22 Northwestern vs. No. 17 Utah – Open: -6.5; Current: -6.5
Outback Bowl, Jan. 1: Iowa vs. No. 18 Mississippi State – Open: -6; Current: -6
Citrus Bowl, Jan. 1: No. 14 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Penn State – Open: -6; Current: -6
 

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College Playoff Primer
Brian Edwards


The College Football Playoff is set after Sunday’s announcement of the nation’s top four teams. Unbeaten and top-ranked Alabama will square off against No. 4 Oklahoma, the Big 12 champion, at the Orange Bowl in Miami in one semifinal matchup on Dec. 29.


The other game is also on Dec. 29 and will be at Jerry World in Arlington, where undefeated and second-ranked Clemson will take on unbeaten No. 3 Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. The winners will collide in the finals on Jan. 7 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern in Santa Clara at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.


As of Sunday night, most betting shops had Alabama (13-0 straight up, 8-5 against the spread) installed as a 14-point favorite with a total of 79.5. The Sooners were +400 on the money line (risk $100 to win $400).


Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had to leave the SEC Championship Game with a foot injury that’s expected to have him sidelined for at least two weeks. Without the sophomore QB, back-up and former starter Jalen Hurts rallied the Crimson Tide from a 28-14 deficit to win 35-28 over Georgia in an epic thriller.


Lincoln Riley’s squad avenged its only loss of the season – a 48-45 setback vs. Texas in the Red River Rivalry – by beating the Longhorns 39-27 in Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game at Jerry World. The Sooners will be underdogs for the first time this season. They were ‘dogs three times last year in Riley’s first season since taking over for Bob Stoops, compiling a 2-1 record both SU and ATS. OU lost a 54-48 decision to Georgia as a 2.5-point ‘dog in last year’s CFP semifinals in Pasadena.


This is Oklahoma’s richest underdog spot since the 2013 Sugar Bowl, where OU thumped Alabama by a 45-31 count as a 15-point puppy. The Sooners have won outright in both of their most recent situations as double-digit ‘dogs, beating Oklahoma St. 33-24 in Stillwater as 10-point road ‘dogs in the 2013 regular-season finale.


These storied programs played a home-and-home series back in 2002 and 2003. OU won a 37-27 decision in Norman as a 12.5-point favorite. The Sooners went to Tuscaloosa the following season and won 20-13 at ‘Bama, but the Tide covered the number once again as a 7.5-point home underdog.


Clemson won the ACC title with a 42-10 win over Pittsburgh as a 27.5-point ‘chalk.’ As of Sunday night, most books had the Tigers listed as 11-point favorites against the Fighting Irish. The total was in the 55-56 range and Notre Dame was +325 to win outright (paid $325 on $100 wagers).


Dabo Swinney’s club is in the CFP for the fourth straight year. Like ‘Bama, Clemson has been a double-digit favorite in all 13 of its games, winning by at least 20 points 11 times. Meanwhile, Brian Kelly’s bunch is an underdog for only the second time this season. The Irish beat Michigan 24-17 in its opener as a 2.5-point home underdog. They haven’t been double-digit ‘dogs since the 2016 regular-season finale resulted in a non-cover when USC beat them 45-27 as 17.5-point home ‘chalk.’


Georgia finished No. 5 and Ohio State, the Big Ten champ, was sixth in the final CFP poll. The Bulldogs will meet Texas in the Sugar Bowl, while Ohio State will face Washington at the Rose Bowl. As of Sunday night, most spots had the Bulldogs favored by 10.5 points, while the Buckeyes were 4.5-point ‘chalk’ vs. UW.


Other New Year’s Six matchups include LSU (-7.5) vs. UCF at the Sugar Bowl and Michigan (-6) vs. Florida at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. Michigan junior DE Rashan Gary announced Sunday that’s he’s turning pro and will not play in his team’s bowl game. Gary had 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and five QB hurries in nine games.
 

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Bama, OU to meet in Orange Bowl
Associated Press


MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Alabama was the easy pick. Oklahoma was the difficult choice.


They're on equal footing now.


Top-seeded Alabama (13-0) will continue its quest for a second consecutive national championship in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29, when the Crimson Tide will take on the fourth-seeded Sooners (12-1) - who got to the College Football Playoff semifinals on the strength of their Big 12 championship win over Texas.


''Sooner Nation, we just got some great news,'' Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said in a video posted to Twitter shortly after the announcement was made.


The Crimson Tide knew they were headed to the playoff. What the defending champions don't know is who will be at quarterback for their semifinal matchup.


Alabama starter Tua Tagovailoa was diagnosed Sunday with a high right ankle sprain, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. When Tagovailoa went down in the Southeastern Conference title game Saturday - a game where Alabama had to rally past Georgia - the Tide turned to former starter Jalen Hurts, who threw for one touchdown and then ran for the winning TD with about a minute left.


Tagovailoa will be scoped in an effort to accelerate the ankle's healing process, and Saban said Alabama is thinking his recovery could take two weeks.


''We're hopeful that by the time we get started in practice, he'll be ready to go,'' Saban said.


Oddsmakers don't seemed worried, and listed Alabama as about a two-touchdown favorite.


''We've got a lot of respect for the team that we're getting ready to play, no question about that,'' Riley said. ''But we've got a formula that we believe in and we've got a program that's used to winning and players that are used to winning. We know it's going to be a great challenge, but we're going to go prepare like we do and our goal will be for us to be at our very best.''


Ohio State, Georgia and even UCF all felt deserving of a spot, but the selection committee obviously believed Oklahoma's resume was the best off that long list of contenders for the fourth and final entry into the playoff.


''There was a lot of debate about Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State,'' CFP committee chairman Rob Mullens said. ''The debate was deep, detailed, and occasionally contentious. There was division.''


Alabama has won 15 consecutive games, starting with its two wins in last season's playoff. Oklahoma's only defeat this season was to Texas, a 48-45 game on a neutral field in Dallas on Oct. 6 - and the Sooners won the rematch in Saturday's Big 12 title game, 39-27.


''Oklahoma was ranked No. 4 because they're a one-loss conference champion with a dynamic offense,'' Mullens said.


It's a matchup of the two highest-scoring teams in the nation this season. Oklahoma, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Kyler Murray, averages 49.5 points per game. Alabama averages 47.9 points per game.


Murray has faced Alabama once before: He was 2 for 4 passing for Texas A&M in a game against the Tide in 2015.


''I think he's about as dynamic as any player I've seen all season long,'' Saban said.


Alabama is going to the Orange Bowl for the ninth time. This will be Oklahoma's 20th trip to the Orange Bowl, extending the Sooners' record for most appearances in the game.


Alabama-Oklahoma got slotted for the Orange Bowl instead of the Cotton Bowl in part because of how close the Sooners' home is to Dallas. It would have largely been a home game for Oklahoma had this matchup been in the Cotton Bowl.


''I didn't have a preference at all,'' Saban said. ''I knew that we would be playing a good team in a first-class venue, wherever we played.''
 

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Clemson draws Notre Dame in Cotton
Associated Press


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Clemson played Notre Dame during a hurricane on the way to its first College Football Playoff appearance.


Now the ACC champion Tigers (13-0, No. 2 CFP) are in football's final four for the fourth season in a row, and taking on playoff first-timer Notre Dame (12-0, No. 3 CFP) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29.


The national semifinal will be the first meeting for the teams since that October 2015 game, when Clemson won 24-22 at home while playing in heavy rains from Hurricane Joaquin as it hit the East Coast.


''I will never forget that game,'' Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday. ''It was an amazing game. Both teams truly left it all on the field. We played in a hurricane, literally a hurricane. ... They were an amazing opponent. And I think, you know, both teams walked away from the game with great respect for each other.''


When they play again for a spot in the national championship game, there will be no concerns about the weather. The Cotton Bowl is played at AT&T Stadium, which has a retractable roof.


Notre Dame has its first undefeated regular season since 2012 when the Irish were 12-0 before losing 42-14 to Alabama in the BCS national championship game.


While Notre Dame is the first independent team to make the playoff, the Irish went undefeated with 10 wins over Power Five teams. That included five ACC teams, four of them that Clemson also beat this season.


''They have been a model of consistency. We'll have a great challenge but one that we're excited about,'' Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. ''We've been on a journey here the last couple years to put our football team back in this position. So we're certainly excited for the challenge that's in front of us.''


Clemson has never played at the home stadium of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, which hosted the first national championship game in the CFP era in 2014. The bowl last served as a semifinal three years ago, when Alabama beat Michigan State 38-0.


The Tigers' only Cotton Bowl was on Jan. 1, 1940, a 6-3 win over Boston College.


Notre Dame last played in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day 1994, beating Texas A&M when the game was still in its namesake stadium about 20 miles away at the site of the State Fair of Texas. The Fighting Irish are 5-2 in Cotton Bowl games.


The Irish were off Saturday when the Tigers were beating Pittsburgh 42-10 to win their fourth consecutive ACC championship game exactly 10 years after Swinney was hired as their coach.


Clemson didn't make the first playoff in 2014, but has been in every year since. The Tigers made the championship game in 2015 and 2016, losing to Alabama the first time before beating the Crimson Tide two years ago.


SEC champion Alabama (13-0, No. 1 CFP), the only team that has made the playoff every year, plays Oklahoma (12-1, No. 4 CFP) in the other semifinal game Dec. 29 in the Orange Bowl. The Sooners, in their third playoff, won the Big 12 championship over Texas on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.


The semifinal winners play in the national championship game Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California.


The Fighting Irish have played at AT&T Stadium once, beating Arizona State 37-34 in October 2013.


This will be only the fourth meeting between Clemson and Notre Dame, the first in a bowl game. The Irish won in 1977. The Tigers won in 1979 and again in 2015 when Deshaun Watson threw two TDs and ran for another score.


''To watch those kids battle, it was one of those games you remember because it was college football at its best,'' Kelly said. ''And, again, it will be similar, right? It will come down to a couple of plays, and every great college game somebody has got to make a play. Clemson made a couple more plays in that game.''
 

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Ohio State to face Washington in Rose
Associated Press


PASADENA, Calif. (AP) Ohio State's consolation prize for missing out on the College Football Playoff is a classic matchup in the Granddaddy of Them All.


The Big Ten champion Buckeyes (12-1) will face Pac-12 champ Washington (10-3) in the 105th edition of the Rose Bowl game.


For the first time in college football's playoff era, the champion of the Pac-12 will meet the champion of the Big Ten on New Year's Day in Pasadena. That's a welcome return to the traditional matchup for this tradition-soaked bowl game - and both schools have been away from the Rose Bowl long enough to make the trip likely irresistible for fans.


''We ended up right where we hoped to be, facing an awesome team in a big-time game that has so much history with this school and this program,'' Washington coach Chris Petersen said. ''We couldn't be more excited about going down there. It couldn't be more awesome for our fans and where we recruit and those types of things.''


Both schools will be making their 15th appearance in the Rose Bowl. But Washington hasn't been there since the 2000 season, and Ohio State has been just once since 1996, upsetting Oregon on Jan. 1, 2010.


Ohio State finished sixth in the race for four playoff spots despite winning the Big Ten title for the third time in five years. The Buckeyes trounced Northwestern 45-24 on Saturday night, one week after routing archrival Michigan in their annual showdown.


Ohio State coach Urban Meyer largely shrugged off the playoff snub, instead focusing on the chance to finish strong.


''Hard to say I've ever been more proud of a group of players,'' said Meyer, who is going to the Rose Bowl for the first time. ''Not just players, but people, the way they demonstrated their resilience and toughness and love for one another.''


A blowout loss to Purdue in October doomed the Buckeyes, but their second trip to Pasadena in 22 years is a pretty decent finish to an eventful season.


''I know they're always good,'' said Petersen, who spent time in Columbus with Meyer shortly after getting the job at Washington. ''I know the job Urban does and how he coaches. They're always going to be a team that is very elite whether they're in the four-team playoff or right there. That's kind of how he does it.''


The Huskies (10-3) are in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 18 years after overcoming a disappointing start to the season with four straight wins in November, including a snowy Apple Cup win over Washington State and a defense-dominated victory over Utah in the Pac-12 title game last Friday.


Washington still won the Pac-12 for the second time in three years.


The schools will be meeting for the 12th time, but the first since 2007. Jim Tressel's Buckeyes beat Tyrone Willingham's Huskies 33-14.


Things to know about this matchup:


BUCKEYE TALENT


Ohio State will be led into Pasadena by Heisman Trophy hopeful Dwayne Haskins, who led the nation with 47 touchdown passes and finished with 4,580 yards passing in a spectacular season. The sophomore's emergence has been a remarkable development for the Buckeyes, who rode his steady playmaking to another conference crown.


''The Rose Bowl has a great history,'' Haskins said. ''A lot of (great) quarterbacks played in that game. It's a very rich tradition game. I'm looking forward to competing with my teammates.''


HUSKIES HOPES


Washington has its own headlining offensive stars in quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin, the school's career rushing leader. But Petersen's team wasn't fully satisfied with its season, which included an opening loss to Auburn and two defeats in three games during October.


URBAN'S TURN


Meyer is happy to get his first chance to coach in Pasadena after years of watching the famed game on television. ''We came close a few times,'' Meyer said. ''I know (at) Florida one time, I thought we were close to going. Then here in '14, I thought we were going. There was one other time that I thought we were going, and we didn't. And no disrespect to the other bowl games, because they're awesome, but the Rose is the one we've always looked forward to.''


FRIENDLY COACHES


Petersen said he has a ''really good'' relationship with Meyer: ''Known him for a while. Lot of respect for him. When I first came here, I went back (to Columbus) and spent a few days with him, and he was awesome to me. I really appreciate him and the job that he has done and all the hard things coaches go through and all that. Have a lot of respect for him.''


STRENGTH ON STRENGTH


The matchup contrasts the Buckeyes' powerful offense with the Huskies' imposing defense. Ohio State finished in the national top 10 with 43.5 points per game, while Washington had a top-10 defense, allowing just 15.5 points per game.
 

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UCF, LSU to hook up in Fiesta Bowl
Associated Press


GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Central Florida's bid for another self-proclaimed national championship goes through the desert.


Snubbed by the College Football Playoff for the second straight season, the seventh-ranked and undefeated Knights will face No. 11 LSU in the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl.


''It's not a playoff. It's an invitational,'' UCF athletic director Danny White posted on Twitter on Sunday. ''I'm excited to see what invitational we get to be a part of, and once again show what our team is capable of, ON THE FIELD! Proud of our team. Can't wait to go bowling with (hash)KnightNation!!!''


UCF (12-0) finished undefeated last season and proclaimed itself national champion after beating Auburn in the Peach Bowl. The official title went to Alabama after the Crimson Tide beat Clemson in the CFP championship game.


The Knights closed out another undefeated regular season and stretched their unbeaten streak to 25 games with a 56-41 win over Memphis in Saturday's American Athletic Conference title game. The CFP selection committee tabbed Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma for this year's playoff, slotting UCF eighth in Sunday's rankings.


''Our football team was disappointed to not have the opportunity to go earn that (the CFP) on the football field, absolutely,'' Knights coach Josh Heupel said. ''They had a feel that was going to happen, but there's great excitement to have an opportunity to go play in that game. It's very special.''


UCF has not lost since the 2016 Cure Bowl against Arkansas State. The Knights first burst onto the national stage in 2014 at the Fiesta Bowl, outlasting Baylor 52-42.


''They have a great program, are undefeated and should be very proud to be undefeated two years in a row,'' Fiesta Bowl executive director Mike Nealy said. ''They're a great team and should be excited about their wins.''


LSU (9-3, No. 11 CFP) appeared to be in the CFP playoff hunt until losing to No. 22 Florida in early October. The Tigers knocked off then-No. 2 Georgia to move back into the CFP picture, but were blown out by top-ranked Alabama and lost a wild seven-overtime game to No. 21 Texas A&M to close out the regular season.


LSU will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time and is the first SEC team in the Fiesta since Tennessee lost to Nebraska in 2000.


''We're highly motivated. This is where we wanted to go,'' LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. ''When the possibilities of playing a bowl came up, our team wanted to play the Fiesta Bowl. We're not happy the way our season ended and our guys are going to be ready to play.''


MISSING MILTON: UCF appeared to have endured a big blow when quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a severe leg injury in the regular-season finale against South Florida. Milton was the two-time AAC player of the year and threw for 2,663 yards and 25 touchdowns with six interceptions. The Knights did not suffer a letdown with Darriel Mack Jr. under center in the AAC title game. He ran for four touchdowns, threw for two more and 348 yards while leading UCF back from a 17-point halftime deficit.


ORGERON'S IMPACT: LSU put together a solid third season under Orgeron. The Tigers were CFP contenders until late in the season and are headed to their first major bowl since playing Alabama in the 2011 national championship game. LSU also has a chance to win 10 games for the first time since 2013.


PROLIFIC KNIGHTS: UCF has one of the nation's most prolific offenses. The Knights are third nationally with 545.5 total yards per game, sixth in scoring at 44.2 points and in rushing with an average of 276.5 yards. UCF has scored at least 30 points in 27 straight games. Greg McCrae has rushed for 1,101 yards and nine TDs and Gabriel Davis is the Knights' leading receiver with 50 catches for 576 yards and six TDs.


TIGERS ON THE RUN: One area where LSU can exploit UCF's defense is on the ground. The Knights are among the FBS' worst defenses against the run, giving up 227.4 yards per game. LSU's Nick Brossette has rushed for 922 yards and 14 TDs, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire has gained 626 yards and seven TDs on the ground. QB Joe Burrow, who has thrown for 2,500 yards and 12 TDs, is an adept runner as well, adding seven scores rushing.
 

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Michigan, Florida will meet in Peach
Associated Press


The Peach Bowl will match a couple teams very familiar with each other.


Michigan and Florida will square off for the third time in four seasons when they meet Dec. 29 in Atlanta. The Wolverines won the previous two meetings, along with bowl games against the Gators in 2003 and 2008.


For the eighth-ranked Wolverines (10-2, No. 7 CFP), the game is a consolation prize after their College Football Playoff hopes were crushed in a 62-39 loss at Ohio State last week.


A berth in a New Year's Six game is a remarkable accomplishment for Dan Mullen and his 10th-ranked Gators (9-3, No. 10 CFP). Mullen's first Florida team has won five more games than it did a year ago and finished second to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.


Jim McElwain, who was the Wolverines receivers coach this season, was the Gators head coach for the last two meetings. McElwain was announced as Central Michigan's new coach on Sunday and won't be around to help the Wolverines get ready to face his old team.


''I know guys we've competed against who are there,'' Harbaugh said. ''Looking forward to watching how they've developed, and mainly just looking forward to the preparation of the game.''


In the last Michigan-Florida game, the Wolverines defense allowed just 192 yards and three points in a 33-17 win in the 2017 opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Gators defense scored two touchdowns.


Harbaugh's team also won 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl following the 2015 season.


This game will match two strong defensive teams. Michigan, despite giving up 567 yards to Ohio State, still ranks No. 1 in total defense, holding eight opponents under 300 yards and five to 10 points or fewer.


Florida's Jachai Polite and Jabari Zuniga have combined for 16 1/2 sacks and 27 tackles for loss after combining for six sacks and 13 1/2 TFLs in 2017.


''I'm proud of our team of how they have embraced everything this year and finished strong and now they get the reward of playing in a high-profile bowl game for the opportunity to win 10 games,'' Mullen said.


FRAGILE MENTAL STATE?


Harbaugh said he wasn't concerned about the possibility of his team allowing the devastating loss to Ohio State to lead to an emotional letdown for the bowl.


''Our players have played a great season, the coaches have coached a great season,'' Harbaugh said. ''We've overcome every adversity. Nothing changes. Just means the work isn't done.''


GOING FOR TEN


A win would give Florida a 10th win in a season for the 15th time and first since 2015. Mullen would become the 11th coach in SEC history to win 10 games in his first season, and he would join Auburn's Gus Malzahn (2013) as the only other coach to do it after inheriting a team that won fewer than five games the year prior to his arrival.


SEASON HIGHLIGHTS


The Gators' best win was 27-19 over then-No. 5 LSU in Gainesville on Oct. 6, a week after they went on the road and beat then-No. 23 Mississippi State.


Michigan bounced back from a 24-17 season-opening loss at Notre Dame to win 10 straight, beating three straight ranked opponents in Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State.


GARY A NO-GO


Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary, who announced last week he would declare for the NFL draft, will not play in the bowl, Harbaugh said.


Gary was the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2016, and he is projected to be an early draft pick. A shoulder problem limited him to nine games this season.


MCDANIELS TO COACH RECEIVERS


Offensive analyst Ben McDaniels will coach the receivers in place of McElwain. McDaniels was offensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2015 and was an analyst for the Chicago Bears for two years before joining the Wolverines staff.
 

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Sep 26, 2005
Messages
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NCAAF
Long Sheet



Saturday, December 15


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NORTH TEXAS (9 - 3) vs. UTAH ST (10 - 2) - 12/15/2018, 2:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TULANE (6 - 6) vs. LA LAFAYETTE (7 - 6) - 12/15/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULANE is 39-59 ATS (-25.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAFAYETTE is 1-0 against the spread versus TULANE over the last 3 seasons
TULANE is 1-0 straight up against LA LAFAYETTE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ARIZONA ST (7 - 5) vs. FRESNO ST (11 - 2) - 12/15/2018, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FRESNO ST is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 19-5 ATS (+13.5 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA ST is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E MICHIGAN (7 - 5) vs. GA SOUTHERN (9 - 3) - 12/15/2018, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GA SOUTHERN is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
E MICHIGAN is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIDDLE TENN ST (8 - 5) vs. APPALACHIAN ST (10 - 2) - 12/15/2018, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
APPALACHIAN ST is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after a bye week over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Tuesday, December 18


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N ILLINOIS (8 - 5) vs. UAB (10 - 3) - 12/18/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N ILLINOIS is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in games played on a neutral field since 1992.
N ILLINOIS is 58-38 ATS (+16.2 Units) as an underdog since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Wednesday, December 19


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OHIO U (8 - 4) vs. SAN DIEGO ST (7 - 5) - 12/19/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO ST is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.
SAN DIEGO ST is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thursday, December 20


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MARSHALL (8 - 4) at S FLORIDA (7 - 5) - 12/20/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARSHALL is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MARSHALL is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) as a road favorite since 1992.
MARSHALL is 47-72 ATS (-32.2 Units) in road games since 1992.
MARSHALL is 47-72 ATS (-32.2 Units) in road lined games since 1992.
MARSHALL is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in a bowl game since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Friday, December 21


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FLA INTERNATIONAL (8 - 4) vs. TOLEDO (7 - 5) - 12/21/2018, 12:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TOLEDO is 88-61 ATS (+20.9 Units) as a favorite since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BYU (6 - 6) vs. W MICHIGAN (7 - 5) - 12/21/2018, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BYU is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Saturday, December 22


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WAKE FOREST (6 - 6) vs. MEMPHIS (8 - 5) - 12/22/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON (8 - 4) vs. ARMY (9 - 2) - 12/22/2018, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARMY is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
ARMY is 19-36 ATS (-20.6 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUFFALO (10 - 3) vs. TROY (9 - 3) - 12/22/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TROY is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
TROY is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games in games played on turf since 1992.
TROY is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOUISIANA TECH (7 - 5) at HAWAII (8 - 5) - 12/22/2018, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOUISIANA TECH is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.
HAWAII is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
HAWAII is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, December 26


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BOSTON COLLEGE (7 - 5) vs. BOISE ST (10 - 3) - 12/26/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOISE ST is 147-107 ATS (+29.3 Units) in all games since 1992.
BOISE ST is 147-107 ATS (+29.3 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
BOISE ST is 92-63 ATS (+22.7 Units) after playing a conference game since 1992.
BOISE ST is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 82-58 ATS (+18.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (6 - 6) vs. GEORGIA TECH (7 - 5) - 12/26/2018, 5:15 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TCU (6 - 6) vs. CALIFORNIA (7 - 5) - 12/26/2018, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TCU is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) after a bye week over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CALIFORNIA is 21-44 ATS (-27.4 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thursday, December 27


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DUKE (7 - 5) vs. TEMPLE (8 - 4) - 12/27/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (7 - 5) vs. WISCONSIN (7 - 5) - 12/27/2018, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WISCONSIN is 1-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 1-0 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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VANDERBILT (6 - 6) vs. BAYLOR (6 - 6) - 12/27/2018, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Friday, December 28


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AUBURN (7 - 5) vs. PURDUE (6 - 6) - 12/28/2018, 1:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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SYRACUSE (9 - 3) vs. W VIRGINIA (8 - 3) - 12/28/2018, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W VIRGINIA is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in a bowl game since 1992.
W VIRGINIA is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 Units) against ACC opponents since 1992.
W VIRGINIA is 7-21 ATS (-16.1 Units) in games played on a neutral field since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IOWA ST (8 - 4) vs. WASHINGTON ST (10 - 2) - 12/28/2018, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
IOWA ST is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA ST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Saturday, December 29


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ARKANSAS ST (8 - 4) vs. NEVADA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARKANSAS ST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLORIDA (9 - 3) vs. MICHIGAN (10 - 2) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
FLORIDA is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992.
MICHIGAN is 30-49 ATS (-23.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
MICHIGAN is 1-0 against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
MICHIGAN is 1-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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S CAROLINA (7 - 5) vs. VIRGINIA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
S CAROLINA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
S CAROLINA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OKLAHOMA (12 - 1) vs. ALABAMA (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ALABAMA is 81-56 ATS (+19.4 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
ALABAMA is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1992.
ALABAMA is 58-34 ATS (+20.6 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTRE DAME (12 - 0) vs. CLEMSON (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEMSON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEMSON is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Monday, December 31


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VIRGINIA TECH (6 - 6) vs. CINCINNATI (10 - 2) - 12/31/2018, 12:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH (7 - 6) vs. STANFORD (8 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 2:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
STANFORD is 61-39 ATS (+18.1 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MICHIGAN ST (7 - 5) vs. OREGON (8 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON is 46-24 ATS (+19.6 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.
OREGON is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
OREGON is 57-36 ATS (+17.4 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
OREGON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MISSOURI (8 - 4) vs. OKLAHOMA ST (6 - 6) - 12/31/2018, 3:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MISSOURI is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in December games since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NORTHWESTERN (8 - 5) vs. UTAH (9 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 32-15 ATS (+15.5 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
UTAH is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
UTAH is 122-89 ATS (+24.1 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
UTAH is 63-37 ATS (+22.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1992.
UTAH is 46-22 ATS (+21.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.
NORTHWESTERN is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.
NORTHWESTERN is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NC STATE (9 - 3) vs. TEXAS A&M (8 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NC STATE is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
NC STATE is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
TEXAS A&M is 21-38 ATS (-20.8 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
TEXAS A&M is 69-96 ATS (-36.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Tuesday, January 1


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IOWA (8 - 4) vs. MISSISSIPPI ST (8 - 4) - 1/1/2019, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MISSISSIPPI ST is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KENTUCKY (9 - 3) vs. PENN ST (9 - 3) - 1/1/2019, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENTUCKY is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 18-3 ATS (+14.7 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LSU (9 - 3) vs. UCF (12 - 0) - 1/1/2019, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UCF is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UCF is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
UCF is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in games played on a grass field this season.
UCF is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (10 - 3) vs. OHIO ST (12 - 1) - 1/1/2019, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OHIO ST is 190-146 ATS (+29.4 Units) in all games since 1992.
OHIO ST is 190-146 ATS (+29.4 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
OHIO ST is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) against Pac Twelve conference opponents since 1992.
OHIO ST is 120-87 ATS (+24.3 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
OHIO ST is 96-70 ATS (+19.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS (9 - 4) vs. GEORGIA (11 - 2) - 1/1/2019, 8:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as a favorite of 10.5 to 21 points over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in games played on a neutral field over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 33-12 ATS (+19.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1992.
GEORGIA is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.
 

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Joined
Sep 26, 2005
Messages
104,060
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Early Handicap - Orange Bowl
December 4, 2018
By YouWager.eu



Orange Bowl Handicap - Oklahoma vs. Alabama


With the college football regular season now over, we have a little bit of time to reflect on what went down before we get into bowl season. The top 4 teams are now set, and while there may be some argument about the #4 spot, it’s hard to argue that the teams who made it in don’t deserve to be there. Those teams will now get a chance to rest up a little while preparing for the playoff semi-finals, which are set to go on Saturday, December 29.


Clemson and Notre Dame will square off in the first of those games, while defending champions Alabama will take on the Oklahoma Sooners in primetime.


As it stands at the moment, the Crimson Tide are in as a 14-point favorite over Oklahoma, with the point total set at a lofty 79 ½ points. Those numbers are likely to shift a little over the next few weeks and we will keep you updated on the changes.


For now, though, let’s take an early look at the 2018 Orange Bowl and how it might play out with all odds, props and futures for each game sponsored by YouWager.eu.


Game Information


What: 2018 Orange Bowl - College Football Playoff Semifinals - Alabama vs. Oklahoma
When: Saturday, December 29 at 8:00 p.m. EST
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
TV: ESPN



Why bet on the Alabama Crimson Tide (-14 -110)


It is always tough to bet against a team that has won the National Title 5 times in the last 9 years, although the Georgia Bulldogs may just have revealed the blueprint on how to beat this team. Alabama were able to hold off the Dawgs by the skin of their teeth in the SEC Championship Game, and while they were outplayed for large portions of that game, they also showed why they are able to win so often by making a late charge.


The biggest question as we head to the playoffs is the health of QB Tua Tagovailoa, who left the SEC Title Game with a high ankle sprain. Word out of Alabama is that he will be ready to go, which in itself could cause a shift in the point spread and the total.


The Best NCAAF Action is at YouWager.eu, Join Now and get a 50% Bonus up to $1000


Why bet on the Oklahoma Sooners (+14 -110)


The Sooners are not being given much of a chance to win this one, even though they have beaten Alabama in all 3 of their meetings in the 2000’s, the most recent of which came in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. The problem that Oklahoma faces coming into this game is their inability to slow down the offense of their opponent. The Sooners are arguably one of the best offensive teams in the game, but they are all too often forced to put up 40-plus points to bail out the defense.


QB Kyler Murray and the offense he controls are outstanding, though, and they are going to put up points in the game, but they are likely also going to need a defensive performance like the one they had against Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game, where they held the Longhorns to 27 points.


Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction


If we go under the assumption that Tua will be healthy, then we are looking at a game featuring 2 of the Heisman finalists. Tua will be back, but this will be farewell for Murray, as he will be off to the MLB after the playoffs end. No final score prediction from me just yet, but I will say that I like Alabama to be back in the National Championship Game.
 

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Sep 26, 2005
Messages
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Early Handicap - Cotton Bowl
December 6, 2018
By YouWager.eu



Cotton Bowl Handicap - Clemson vs. Notre Dame


We are now about a week removed from the end of the regular season, giving us some time to reflect on what was a highly entertaining year in college football. With the holiday season now upon us, bowl season is here, and while there are a lot of games on the schedule over the next few weeks, it is the college playoff semi-finals that everyone is talking about right now.


The four teams are set, and the bookies have delivered their early odds, although we are likely to see some movement between now and December 29. The first game up on that date will be the Cotton Bowl, which will see the Clemson Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This will be the 4th straight playoff appearance for Clemson, while the Irish are the first team outside of the Power 5 to make it into the final four.


We will have full predictions for this game coming a little later, but for now, let’s take our first look at this match-up, where Clemson are in as an early 11 ½ point favorite with all odds, props and futures for each game sponsored by YouWager.eu.


Game Information


What: 2018 Cotton Bowl - College Football Playoff Semifinals - Clemson vs Notre Dame
When: Saturday, December 29 at 4:00 p.m. ET
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
TV: ESPN


Why bet on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish



After a less than stellar start to the year, where the Irish struggled to put away teams like Ball State, Notre Dame finally found their groove in the final month or so. You can argue that they don’t deserve to be there since they are not in the Power 5, but those final few games were steeped in pressure, as the Irish were well aware that a single loss would give them no shot at a playoff spot.


As it is, they finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record and got an extra week of rest wile the 3 other teams in the playoffs had to play in their respective conference championship games. The Irish will bring a balanced attack into this game, as well as a very good defense that can wreak all sorts of havoc. Besides going unbeaten, the Irish went 6-5-1 ATS this year.


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Why bet on the Clemson Tigers


If you are looking for as team with a ton of playoff experience, look no further than the Clemson Tigers, as they are now making their 4th appearance in the final four. They have only ever failed to make it beyond this stage once, with a loss to Alabama in last season’s playoff. Like the Irish, Clemson went through the season unbeaten, although they did have to play one extra game.


Also like the Irish, the Tigers struggled to win a couple of games against lesser opponents, with their Victories against Syracuse and Texas A&M at the top of that list. Those games came early, though, with Clemson putting the pedal to the metal to finish strong. Another great year for the D, allowing less than 14 PPG, while the offense went nuts with 45 PPG.


Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

From top to bottom, Clemson have more talent than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it’s just that simple. That said, this one could well prove to be a whole lot closer than most folks expect, especially if the Irish get the run game going early. I am on Clemson here, with out final score prediction coming closer to the big game.
 

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Tuesday’s 6-pack

Highest payrolls in the NBA:


6) Portland Trailblazers $131,747,436


5) Houston Rockets $134,843,975


4) Toronto Raptors $141,265,305


3) Golden State Warriors $145,699,527


2) Oklahoma City Thunder $146,463,850


1) Miami Heat $158,203,135


Quote of the Day
“I think your play is embarrassing, me subbing them is saving them, maybe. Maybe we saved them. The pro player thing, this is basketball; this is about honoring the game and doing the right things.


Embarrassment is not giving the effort in that Bulls uniform, so I put five guys in that I thought could put the effort in. They’re disappointed, they feel bad about it. We need some leadership to step up, we need some guys to take leadership roles on the team.”
Chicago Bulls’ coach Jim Boylen

Tuesday’s quiz

Who was the Detroit Lions coach last time they won a playoff game?


Monday’s quiz
Matt Prater (then with the Broncos) holds the record for the longest FG in NFL history (64 yards); he kicked it against the Tennessee Titans.


Sunday’s quiz
Dwyane Wade played his college basketball at Marquette.


***********************

Tuesday’s List of 13: Nobody asked me, but…….

13) Saturday night the Chicago Bulls lost by 56 points to Boston- they lost at home, 133-76, which is obviously not good and it came a couple games after a coaching change.


But this is worse; on Sunday, the Bulls refused to practice, because new coach Jim Boylen held a couple of two-hour practices earlier in the week. During the season with lot of games, NBA teams don’t have 2-hour practices very often.


Chicago is 6-21, last in the Eastern Conference; their team payroll is $103,926,708, which is 2nd-lowest in the NBA. Their team sucks, but guys get mad when the coach shows them up by subbing out five guys at a time- they revolt at practicing. How do you get better?


I’m getting old…..lol


12) Baseball’s winter meetings are this week in Las Vegas, good chance to think ahead to next spring and also to feel warmer. Thinking about baseball takes some of the chill out of the air.


11) ESPN’s Sunday night baseball games will move an hour next year, starting at 7:00 instead of 8, which means there will be overlap with the 4:00 games on DirecTV, which is fine.


10) Tampa Bay Rays went 44-34 LY when they used an “opener” to pitch the first inning of a game; they’ve said they will use that tactic again in 2019.


9) Oakland Raiders fired GM Reggie McKenzie Monday; when you’re paying the coach $100M over ten years, you have to give him control of the franchise, so they told McKenzie to take a hike. Dallas/Chicago are two of the hottest teams in the NFL, thanks in large part to players they got from Oakland, which stockpiled draft picks as it prepares to move to Las Vegas in 2020.


8) 32-year old backup QB Josh Johnson, on his sixth NFL team, led two TD drives Sunday against the Giants; he said he used the Madden NFL video game in order to learn some of the names on the Redskins’ roster- he played Sunday despite only being on the team for five days.


Johnson was picked in the AAF draft last week; not sure now if he’ll play in the new spring league, if he finished the season with Redskins, which he figures to do.


Mark Sanchez said last week that the first time he talked to LT Trent Williams was in the huddle on the field in the Redskins’ loss at Philadelphia LW. Hard to win that way.


7) Tennessee 76, Gonzaga 73— Impressive win on a neutral floor for Rick Barnes’ Volunteers; they made 12-29 on the arc, with Schofield going 6-10.


6) I wonder how Michael O’Keefe’s acting career would’ve turned out if he hadn’t played golf against Judge Smails in Caddyshack.


5) Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell agreed to a contract extension through 2024 and has gotten $1M in additional salary for his assistant coaches, good news for Cyclone fans.


4) Kansas State is expected to hire North Dakota State’s Chris Kleiman its football coaching job; he is expected to accept the job but he is also expected to coach North Dakota State as far as they go in I-AA Playoffs. Kleiman is 67-6 at NDSU and has won three national titles.


3) Oakland A’s new AAA affiliate will be called the Las Vegas Aviators, a logo that I predict will take off in popularity.


2) Harold Baines is in the Baseball Hall of Fame? I’m not buying that, but it guarantees that Edgar Martinez is getting in down the road, which is a good thing.


1) I don’t get why the Heisman Trophy TV show is an hour long; a complete waste of 45 minutes. Introduce the four finalists and tell us who won; dragging it out to an hour must make money or they wouldn’t do it, but I never watch it- just let me know who won.


Best thing about the college football playoff is that it has taken a lot of the focus away from this individual award. I remember Joe Tessitore talking about the Heisman during a game on Labor Day weekend a few years ago, thats how ridiculous it had gotten.
 

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Las Vegas Bowl
December 10, 2018
By Bookmaker



by Kyle Markus


Las Vegas Bowl: Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Fresno State Bulldogs



The Fresno State Bulldogs proved to be the class of the Mountain West Conference this season, and will look to put a feather in its cap with a victory in the Las Vegas Bowl. They will take on a major conference foe in the Arizona State Sun Devils out of the Pac-12.


This should be a good showdown as upper-tier non-Power 5 schools and middle of the road major-conference teams tend to match up well. The Bulldogs are expected to be the slight favorites but this game could go either way in NCAA football gambling.


This NCAA football game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and Fresno State Bulldogs will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada at 3:30 p.m ET on Saturday, December 15th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.


We'll have NCAA football odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NCAAFB season.

Odds Analysis



Fresno State is listed as a four-point favorite to capture this game. The neutral site location makes it so that neither team gets points for the home field, which means the oddsmakers believe the Bulldogs are the slightly more talented team.


The Sun Devils are the +160 underdogs on the moneyline, while Fresno State is the -185 favorite. The scoring total is listed at 52 points.


Injury Report


Arizona State star wide receiver N’Keal Harry isn’t hurt, but he’s not going to play in this game to avoid that exact fate. Harry is projected to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft, and like other stars, has decided to bypass the bowl game. It is a trend that has become more popular in recent years and it is hard to blame a player like Harry for thinking about his future.


It is a big loss, as Harry has 73 catches for 1,088 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. He has also been an impactful punt returner and Arizona State’s offense will not be as scary without him. The Sun Devils still have a senior quarterback in Manny Wilkins, but figure to lean on star running back Eno Benjamin, who has amassed 1,524 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season.


Key Stat


38. That’s the number of points Fresno State scored in its other game against a Pac-12 team, rolling to a 24-point win over the UCLA Bruins in non-conference action early in the year. Quarterback Marcus McMaryion had a solid game, completing 22-of-33 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.


Fresno State averaged a meager 2.9 yards per carry in the contest and will need to do better than that on the ground against Arizona State. The Sun Devils are a much better team than UCLA and this one does not seem likely to be a blowout.


Free NCAA Football ATS Picks


Fresno State has a star quarterback in McMaryion who has thrown 25 touchdowns and only three interceptions on the season. However, the Arizona State defense has been solid this season and will make him earn the yards in this one.


If the Sun Devils had Harry they would be the pick, but his absence is going to make the offense too one-dimensional. Fresno State will have the better passing game and that will be the difference in this matchup. Take the Bulldogs to knock off another Pac-12 team to wrap up a very successful season.


However, Arizona State is the choice to cover as this should be a competitive matchup in NCAAFB odds.


NCAAFB ATS Pick: Fresno State Bulldogs 24, Arizona State Sun Devils 21
 

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College Bowl Pick'em
December 10, 2018
By Kevin Rogers



The 2018-19 bowl lineup is out with 39 games to watch over the next few weeks leading to the National Championship game in Santa Clara, California on Monday January 7. Alabama is the favorite to win it all as the Crimson Tide face Oklahoma in one of two college football playoff games on December 29.


During the holiday season, bettors have the opportunity to earn extra cash with "College Bowl Pick ‘em" contests where all you have to do is pick the winner, which isn’t as easy as it looks.


The most popular contest has you picking the winner of all 39 Bowl games and ranking them with confidence, starting with 39 as the most confident pick and counting all the way down to 1 as least confident.


The two picks in this contest are the double-digit favorites in the playoff games. Clemson faces Notre Dame as 11-point favorites in the Cotton Bowl although both teams are undefeated. Since edging Syracuse by four points earlier this season, the Tigers have cruised through their schedule by winning the last eight games by at least 20 points.


Defending national champion Alabama needed to rally past Georgia to capture the SEC championship, but the Crimson Tide are still the team to beat. ‘Bama squares off with Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, as the Sooners grabbed the Big 12 title but are being criticized due to their lack of defense.


Outside of the two playoff games, the next most confident pick on the board is actually a short underdog. Syracuse is coming off a resurgent season in which it finished at 9-3, with two of the losses coming to Clemson and Notre Dame. The Orange face West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl, but the Mountaineers will be without quarterback Will Grier, who is setting his sights on preparing for the NFL. WVU finished the season with back-to-back losses, while giving up 104 points to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma.


Below are all 39 bowls ranked from 39-1. Happy Bowl Season!


2018-19 COLLEGE BOWL PICK 'EM STRAIGHT UP


Point Value Bowl Game Matchup Prediction



39 Cotton Bowl Clemson vs. Notre Dame Clemson


38 Orange Bowl Alabama vs. Oklahoma Alabama


37 Camping World Bowl Syracuse vs. West Virginia Syracuse


36 Gator Bowl Texas A&M vs. N.C. State Texas A&M


35 Fiesta Bowl LSU vs. UCF LSU


34 Sugar Bowl Georgia vs. Texas Georgia


33 Redbox Bowl Oregon vs. Michigan State Oregon


32 Sun Bowl Stanford vs. Pittsburgh Stanford


31 Pinstripe Bowl Miami (FL) vs. Wisconsin Miami


30 Potato Bowl BYU vs. Western Michigan BYU


29 Birmingham Bowl Memphis vs. Wake Forest Memphis


28 First Responder Bowl Boise State vs. Boston College Boise State


27 Cheez-It Bowl California vs. TCU California


26 Alamo Bowl Washington State vs. Iowa State Washington State


25 Armed Forces Bowl Houston vs. Army Houston


24 Music City Bowl Auburn vs. Purdue Auburn


23 Independence Bowl Temple vs. Duke Temple


22 Peach Bowl Florida vs. Michigan Florida


21 Hawaii Bowl Louisiana Tech vs. Hawai'i Louisiana Tech


20 Boca Raton Bowl UAB vs. Northern Illinois UAB


19 Citrus Bowl Penn State vs. Kentucky Penn State


18 Dollar General Bowl Troy vs. Buffalo Troy


17 Quick Lane Bowl Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech Minnesota


16 Rose Bowl Ohio State vs. Washington Ohio State


15 Holiday Bowl Utah vs. Northwestern Utah


14 Texas Bowl Vanderbilt vs. Baylor Vanderbilt


13 Gasparilla Bowl Marshall vs. USF Marshall


12 New Orleans Bowl Appalachian State vs. Middle Tennessee State Appalachian State


11 Outback Bowl Iowa vs. Mississippi State Iowa


10 Frisco Bowl San Diego State vs. Ohio San Diego State


9 New Mexico Bowl North Texas vs. Utah State North Texas


8 Liberty Bowl Missouri vs. Oklahoma State Missouri


7 Military Bowl Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech Cincinnati


6 Las Vegas Bowl Arizona State vs. Fresno State Arizona State


5 Cure Bowl Louisiana vs. Tulane Louisiana


4 Camellia Bowl Eastern Michigan vs. Georgia Southern Eastern Michigan


3 Bahamas Bowl Toledo vs. FIU Toledo


2 Belk Bowl Virginia vs. South Carolina Virginia


1 Arizona Bowl Arkansas State vs. Nevada Arkansas State
 

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2018-19 bowls


December 15


New Mexico Bowl



Underdogs covered five of last six New Mexico Bowls. Utah State won this bowl four years ago, but lost 23-21/26-20 in last two bowls. Aggies are 10-2, losing first/last game; they were held 100 YR in both losses. State is 9-3 vs spread in last dozen games as a favorite. North Texas is in its 3rd straight bowl; they lost 38-31/50-30 in bowls last two years. Favorites covered their last five bowl games. UNT is 9-3 this year; their last three games were all decided by exactly 3 points. Under Littrell, Mean Green is 10-9 as an underdog, 1-1 this year. Mountain West teams are 3-4 in this bowl last seven years. Under is 10-1 in UNT games this season; over is 8-3-1 in Utah State games. Last seven years, MW teams are 13-11 vs spread when playing a C-USA opponent.


Cure Bowl, Orlando


Tulane is in its first bowl since 2013; they had to beat a poor Navy team 29-28 in finale just to get to 6-6 and be bowl-eligible. Green Wave beat ULL 41-39 (-5) in OT in last meeting two years ago. Tulane won four of its last five games overall; they’re 1-4 vs spread as a favorite this year, after being 7-4 last two years. UL-Lafayette is in 6th bowl in last nine years, but first one that wasn’t in New Orleans; Ragin’ Cajuns are 7-0 when they score 31+ points, 0-5 when they don’t. Tulane allowed 31+ in only one of its last six games. Dogs won two of three Cure Bowls, with Sun Belt team winning last two. Last five years, Sun Belt teams are 9-7 vs spread when playing an AAC team. Five of last six Tulane games, four of last five ULL games stayed under total.


Las Vegas Bowl


Fresno State won Mountain West title game in Boise Dec 1st; only 14 days between games for them. Underdogs won last two Las Vegas bowls; favorites are 4-3 vs spread in last seven. Pac-12 teams are 4-2 vs spread in last six visits here. Herm Edwards is coaching his first bowl game; ASU’s star WR Harry is skipping this game so he doesn’t get hurt- he is headed to NFL. ASU won four of its last five games; they’re 4-1 in games decided by 4 or fewer points. Sun Devils are 2-3 in last five bowls, losing 43-42/52-31 in last two. Bulldogs snapped 4-game bowl losing streak when they won Hawai’i Bowl 33-27 LY. Since 2012, Mountain West teams are 4-6 vs spread when favored over a Pac-12 team. Eight of last nine Fresno games stayed under the total.

Camellia Bowl, Montgomery, AL



Eastern Michigan is in just its third bowl game ever, 2nd since 1985; they lost Bahamas Bowl 24-20 to Old Dominion two years ago. Eagles won five of their last six games after a 2-4 start; they’re 2-4 this year in games decided by less than 7 points. EMU is 4-6 vs spread in its last 10 games as a favorite. Georgia Southern has one of most experienced OL’s in country; they’re in only their 5th year of I-A football. GSU is Eagles pounded Bowling Green 58-27 in its only bowl game, three years ago. MAC teams are 14-11 vs spread in their last 25 games vs Sun Belt opponents. Sun Belt teams split four Camellia Bowls; average total in four games was 61.3. Seven of last nine EMU games stayed under total; five of last six Ga Southern games went over.

New Orleans Bowl



Favorites won/covered last three New Orleans Bowls; Sun Belt team won this game five of last seven years. Appalachian State is 10-2 with an OT loss at Penn State that they led in the last minute of regulation. ASU is 3-0 in bowl games, scoring 31+ points in all three- this is only their 5th year as a I-A team. Middle Tennessee State won five of last seven games, splitting pair with UAB; they’re 4-3 vs spread as an underdog this year. Sun Belt teams covered eight of their last ten games with C-USA opponents. Six of last eight ASU games stayed under the total; three of Blue Raiders’ last four games went over. ASU’s coach has already jumped ship for the Louisville job; MTSU’s senior QB is the head coach’s son, so this will be an emotional game for them.


Dec 18


Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton, FL



UAB didn’t field a football team in 2015-16; they went 8-5 LY, lost their bowl game 41-6, then went 10-3 this year, winning C-USA title Dec 1. All three Blazer losses are by 21+ points. Northern Illinois is 8-5 after winning MAC title 30-29 over Buffalo Nov 30; Huskies lost their last five bowls, last three by 22+ points each. NIU is 7-0 when it scores 24+ points, 1-5 when they don’t; in their last four games (2-2) they were -7 in turnovers. Huskies have a top 10 OL in experience. Favorites covered three of first four Boca Raton Bowls, with average total of 64.8; C-USA teams are 3-0 in this game. Last two years, C-USA teams are 7-5 vs spread when playing MAC teams. Under is 9-4 in NIU games this season; four of last five UAB games went over.


Dec 19


Frisco Bowl, Frisco, TX



San Diego State lost its last three games after a 7-2 start, which is how they wound up here- they lost SU as 18 and 24-point home favorites in November. Aztecs covered five of their last six tries as an underdog. Ohio U won five of its last six games, scoring 52-49 points in last two; Bobcats are 11-6 vs spread in their last 17 games as a favorite. Last eight years, Mountain West teams are 16-13 vs spread when playing a MAC team, 6-6 when an underdog. San Diego St is 3-2 in its last five bowls; they scored 34+ points in last three. Ohio won its bowl 41-6 LY, snapping a 3-bowl losing skid. Under is 6-3 in Aztecs’ last nine games, 1-4 in Ohio’s last five. Favorites covered three of four Frisco Bowls, with an average total of 77.3.


Dec 20


Gasparilla Bowl, Tampa



Home game for South Florida, which lost its last five games (all by 10+ points) after a 7-0 start; Bulls threw for a combined 195 yards in last two games- they allowed 220+ RY in six of their last seven games. Under Strong, USF is 5-11 vs spread as a favorite, 1-5 this year. Bulls won four of last five bowls, with average total of 79 in last three. Marshall won five of its last seven games; they’re 7-2 vs spread in last nine games as an underdog. Thundering Herd won its last six bowl games. Marshall has a big edge in experience on OL. Favorites covered this bowl four of last six years, with average total of 30.0 last three years. AAC teams are 14-13 vs spread when facing a C-USA squad, 1-4 this year. Three of last four USF games stayed under total; over is 4-1 in last five Marshall games.


Dec 21


Bahamas Bowl



C-USA/MAC teams split the four Bahamas Bowls, with an average total of 66; FIU is 1-2 in bowl games, losing 28-3 to Temple LY- coach Davis is 5-3 in bowls. Panthers split their last four games after a 6-2 start; under Davis, they’re 6-3 vs spread as underdogs, 3-0 this year. FIU was outgained by 238+ yards in three of their last four losses. Toledo lost its last two bowls, getting blanked 34-0 by Appalachian St LY as a 7-point favorite. Rockets won four of their last five games after a 3-4 start, scoring 56-51 points in last two games; Toledo allowed 412+ TY in 10 of their last 11 games- they’re 2-5 vs spread in their last seven games as a single-digit favorite. Last five FIU games went over the total; over is 7-4 in Toledo games.

Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise



BYU won at Arizona/Wisconsin in September, but lost three of last five games, and stumbles in here with 6-6 record. Cougars didn’t go to a bowl LY, and lost three of their last four bowls before that- they did hold last six opponents to 327 or fewer TY. Western Michigan has 1-7 record in bowl games, with only win over MTSU in the Bahamas three years ago. Broncos lost three of their last four games after a 6-2 start; they allowed 42+ points in all five of their losses, are 7-0 when they give up less than 40 points. WMU lost two games that they scored 42+ points in this season. BYU is 9-4 vs spread in last 13 games as a double digit favorite; . Western Michigan Four of last five BYU games stayed under total; last four WMU games went over.
 

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New Mexico Bowl
December 11, 2018
By BetDSI



By Tom Wilkinson


College Football Betting Preview – New Mexico Bowl – North Texas vs. Utah State



The Utah State Aggies won’t have their head coach, but they are still solid favorites to defeat the North Texas Mean Green in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday in a game that can be seen on ESPN. The Aggies lost head coach Matt Wells to Texas Tech, so it will be Frank Maile as the interim coach for the bowl game. The Aggies hired Gary Andersen who will take over after the bowl game. Let’s look at this matchup on Saturday and college football picks.


Date and Time: Saturday, December 15, 2018, 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico
College Football Odds at BetDSI : Utah State -9, O/U 66.5
North Texas vs. Utah State TV Coverage: ESPN



The Mean Green finished 9-3 SU this season, but they were just 4-8 ATS. They went under the total an amazing 10 times in their 12 games this season, with just one game going over and one push. They average about 36 points per game and give up about 22 points per contest. The Mean Green is all about passing, as they ranked 11th in the country in passing yards per game.


Utah State went 10-2 SU this season and they were 9-3 ATS. They went over the total in nine of their 12 games this season. They average 47.2 points per game, 3rd best in the nation, while allowing just 23 points per contest.


Utah State has quarterback Jordan Love who threw for 3,208 yards this season. He had 28 TD and just five interceptions. He also rushed for six scores. The Aggies run a fast-paced offense that isn’t likely to change even with an interim head coach.


North Texas was not that good against the pass this season, as they gave up 246.1 yards per game through the air. The only positive for the North Texas defense is that they come up with 17 interceptions.


The Utah State defense gave up a lot of yards this season but they were good in the red zone so opposing teams didn’t score that often. The Aggies only allowed 17 TD passes this season.


Players to Watch


The Aggies like to throw the ball, but keep an eye on running back Darwin Thompson who had 14 TDs this season and averaged 7.4 yards per carry. He also caught 22 passes for 353 yards.


The player to watch on defense is North Texas linebacker E.J. Ejiya. He had 113 tackles this season and nine sacks. If North Texas is to stay in this game they need their defense to come up with some stops and Ejiya is their top defender.


Key Stats


The Mean Green are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 non-conference games. The Mean Green are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in December. The Mean Green are 0-4 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Aggies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games. The Aggies are 4-15 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.


Looking at the total, the Under is 12-3-1 in North Texas’ last 16 games overall. The Under is 8-0-1 in the Aggies last 9 games in December.

North Texas vs. Utah State Picks



I don’t think there is much question that Utah State is the better team, but I don’t like laying more than a touchdown with the Aggies, especially considering the coaching change. If Wells was still in charge I would probably take Utah State but with him gone, I will pass on a side.


I don’t go against trends that often, but I am surprised North Texas has gone under the total so often, as they have a potent offense and their defense isn’t anything special. We know Utah State is going to put up a lot of points and I expect North Texas to put up their share. I will go over the total at BetDSI for the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday afternoon.


North Texas vs. Utah State Pick: Over 66.5 at BetDSI
North Texas vs. Utah State Score Prediction: Utah State 38, North Texas 34
 

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New Orleans Bowl
December 11, 2018
By Bookmaker



by Kyle Markus


New Orleans Bowl: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders



The Appalachian State Mountaineers have been one of the best small-college teams in NCAA football the last few years. They have been so good that Louisville just came in and grabbed their coach. Appalachian State has lost Scott Satterfield to the bigger conference team. It will be interesting to see how the Mountaineers handle the departure when they take on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in the New Orleans Bowl.


Appalachian State is the better team and will be the favorite even though the coaching situation is a bit in flux. Defensive line coach Mark Ivey is the interim coach in this game and will aim to have his team ready to go in NCAA football wagering.


This NCAA football game between the Appalachian State Mountaineers and Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana at 9 p.m ET on December 15th, 2018. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.


We'll have NCAA football odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2018 NFL season.


Odds Analysis


Appalachian State is listed as the 6.5-point favorite in this matchup. The Mountaineers, who finished the regular season with a 10-2 mark, are the -245 favorite on the moneyline. Middle Tennessee State is 8-5 on the year and will be the +203 underdog. The scoring total is listed at 50.5 points as the oddsmakers have a feeling this one will be a defensive battle.


Player To Watch


Brent Stockstill -- Middle Tennessee State is a solid underdog, and its best chance of pulling off the upset seems to be riding the right arm of its senior quarterback. Stockstill has put together a nice season, throwing for 3,214 yards with 28 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.


He threw for 362 yards with a pair of touchdowns last time out against UAB but also had a pair of picks in a loss. He will aim to bounce back in this one with as much yardage but no turnovers. Appalachian State is only allowing 148.1 passing yards per game so the degree of difficulty is a high one for Stockstill in this showdown.


Key Stat


5. That’s the number of wins in a row the Mountaineers have pulled off heading into this one. They began the run with a win over Coastal Carolina, and they followed it up with victories over Texas State, Georgia State, Troy and Louisiana.


Even Appalachian State’s first loss of the season was extremely impressive. The Mountaineers took the Penn State Nittany Lions to the brink before falling in overtime. Appalachian State may be in a small conference but it has long been a dominant team and has continued that this year.


Free NCAA Football ATS Picks


While the coaching change isn’t ideal, this Mountaineers team is very talented and is the clear favorite. The oddsmakers may have shaved off too many points, as a 6.5-point spread is a very intriguing because a touchdown margin would result in the cover.


Appalachian State is going to win by even more than that. Middle Tennessee State does not have the overall talent to keep this game close. It will have trouble scoring in this matchup, and the “under” should be the choice in NCAA football odds.


NFL ATS Pick: Appalachian State Mountaineers 27, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders 17
 

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Bowls to Watch - Saturday
December 11, 2018
By YouWager.eu



College Football Saturday Bowl Notebook


By the time Saturday rolls around, we will basically have gone two weeks without any significant college football action. That inactivity will come to an end in a big way, though, as bowl season is now upon us, with five games on the calendar for this coming Saturday, December 15.


There may be some teams here that you are not particularly familiar with, which is why we are going to go through all the games and deliver what we believe to be the best bet for each thanks to YouWager.eu.


AutoNation Cure Bowl – Tulane Green Wave (-3½ -105) vs. ULL Ragin’ Cajuns (+3½ -115)


As far as wins go, ULL went one better than Tulane this season, winning 7 games compared to the 6 posted by the Ragin’ Cajuns. Unlike other Bowl Games, we do have some previous head to head match-ups to look at here. These teams have met 7 times, with Tulane winning 5 of those games, although they are just 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Tulane are in as a 3 ½ point favorite here, but it is the point total I like here. Combined, these two have seen 9 of their last 12 games go UNDER, so let’s take the UNDER 59 in this one.


New Mexico Bowl – North Texas Mean Green (+8 -110) vs. Utah State Aggies (-8 -110)


The Utah State Aggies finished the season with an impressive 10 wins on the year, but their loss to the Boise State Broncos in the final week of the regular season must still sting. They come into this game as an 8-point favorite over the North Texas Mean Green, who ended the season with a 9-3 mark. If you were looking to play a team ATS on a regular basis, Utah State would have been an excellent choice, going 9-3 ATS this season. I like the Aggies to win and cover in the New Mexico Bowl.


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Las Vegas Bowl – Fresno State Bulldogs (+4 -110) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (-4 -110)


A win here for the Fresno State Bulldogs would simply be the icing on the cake, as they are also the winners of the Mountain West Conference after taking down the Boise State Broncos. They are a 4-point favorite for this one, but they will have their hands full against a Sun Devils team that went a respectable 7-5 in their first season under new head coach Herm Edwards. It is the OVER 53 ½ that I am looking at for this one.


Camellia Bowl – Georgia Southern Eagles (-1 -110) vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles (+1 -110)


If you want to talk about a game that might be too close to call, look no further than the Camellia Bowl. Both teams bring a very different attack approach, with Georgia Southern using the triple option, while Eastern Michigan tend to mix things up. Playing the spread here, which is sitting in the favor of Georgia Southern by a single point, is a risky move, which is why I am looking at the point total. The 47 ½ points looks low to me, so let’s take the OVER.


New Orleans Bowl – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (+7 -115) vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers (-7 -105)


They may not get a lot of play on national TV, but most college football fans are aware of the Appalachian State Mountaineers, usually because they tend to make a habit of scaring teams from the Power 5 whenever they hook up. The Sun Belt champions come in as a 7-point favorite over Middle Tennessee, but I am skipping the spread and looking at the point total. This Mountaineers team was solid on offense all year, scoring just shy of 37 PPG, which should help get the total OVER 50 ½.
 

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Bowl Tech Trends - Week 1
December 11, 2018
By Bruce Marshall



SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15


Matchup Skinny Edge



NORTH TEXAS vs. UTAH STATE (New Mexico Bowl)...Mean Green closed season dropping last 5 and 7 of last 8 vs. number. Meanwhile Utags 8-3-1 vs. points this term, though failed to cover last two.
Utah State, based on team trends.


TULANE vs. UL-LAFAYETTE (Cure Orlando Bowl)...Wave failed to cover last three and 5 of last 7 this season. Also no covers last five as chalk. Ragin’ Cajuns roared down stretch with 8 covers in last 10 and covers 5 of last 6 as dog. ULL 4-1 SU and vs. line in bowls since 2011.
UL-Lafayette, based on team trends.


ARIZONA STATE vs. FRESNO STATE (Las Vegas Bowl)...ASU 3-3 vs. line away from Tempe this season, but 5-2 overall as dog. Also 1-3 vs. spread last four bowls. Fresno 9-4 vs. line TY, 19-6-2 vs. number since Jeff Tedford arrived LY. Also 11-2-2 vs. points away from home since LY.
Fresno State, based on team trends.


EASTERN MICHIGAN vs. GEORGIA SOUTHERN (Camellia Bowl)...With EMU a slight dog at latest check, will note Eagles 4-1 mark getting points this season and 18-3-1 as dog since 2016! Also 16-3 last 19 vs. spread away from Ypsilanti. GS, however, covered 9 of 12 this season.
Eastern Michigan, if dog, based on team trends.


MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE vs. APPALACHIAN STATE (New Orleans Bowl)...Middle won its bowl LY in Camellia but only 1-4 vs. line last five bowls. Blue Raiders did cover 5 of last 6 this season and last four as dog. App only 2 covers last 7 this season (2-3-2), though has won SU last three bowls and covered 2 of those.
Slight to MTSU, based on team trends.
 

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Bowl Tech Trends - Week 2
December 11, 2018
By Bruce Marshall



TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18


Matchup Skinny Edge

NORTHERN ILLINOIS vs. UAB (Boca Raton Bowl)...NIU 0-5 SU and vs. line last five bowls since 2011 season. Blazers 9-4 vs. spread this season, 17-8-1 since resuming football in 2017 (though just 7-7 vs. number away from Legion Field).
UAB, based on team trends.




WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19


Matchup Skinny Edge


OHIO vs. SAN DIEGO STATE (Frisco Bowl)...SDSU just 3–9 vs. line this season, but 3-0 as dog and 0-8 as chalk! Aztecs 6-0 as dog since 2016. Solich 4-2 vs. points last six bowls but just 1-2 as chalk away from home this season.
Slight to San Diego State, based on team trends.




THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20


Matchup Skinny Edge


MARSHALL at SOUTH FLORIDA (Gasparilla Bowl)...Herd has won and covered last six bowl games since 2009 (Doc Holliday 5-0). Marshall 8-5 vs. spread away since last season, though failed to cover last three away TY. Marshall also on 11-5 “over” run. Bulls only 6-12 last 18 vs. spread since mid 2019 and lost last five SU this season. Also 1-5 vs. line at Raymond James Stadium this season.
Marshall, based on team trends.




FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21


Matchup Skinny Edge


FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL vs. TOLEDO (Bahamas Bowl)...Butch Davis 9-3 vs. line this season, 14-6 last 20 on board. Golden Panthers 3-0 as dog this campaign and 9-4 getting points since last season. Toledo no wins or covers last two bowls, Rockets 3-7 last 10 vs. points against non-MAC foes.
FIU, based on team trends.


BYU vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN (Idaho Potato Bowl)...BYU no covers last four bowls since 2013. But Cougs did cover last four this season and were 4-0 as DD chalk in 2018. WMU 1-4 SU and vs. line in bowls since 2008 and Broncos 2-6 vs. spread last 8 in 2018. WMU 2-4 vs. spread last 6 as dog.
Slight to BYU, based on team trends.




SATURDAY, DEC. 22


Matchup Skinny Edge


WAKE FOREST vs. MEMPHIS (Birmingham Bowl)...Wake only 3-6 as dog this season but Clawson was 10-2-1 in role entering this season. Deacs 4-1 SU, 4-0-1 vs. line last five bowls including wins past two seasons. Memphis no wins or covers last three years in bowls, only 2-4 vs. points away from home this season.
Wake Forest, based on team trends.


HOUSTON vs. ARMY (Armed Forces Bowl)...Army back in this game for a second straight year. Black Knights have won SU last two bowls (1-1 vs. line), 10-5-2 last 17 on board since mid 2017. Also 6-1-1 last 8 away from Michie Stadium. Cougs 3-8 vs. points last 11 away from home, 0-2 SU and vs. line last two years in bowls.
Army, based on team trends.


BUFFALO vs. TROY (Dollar General Bowl)...Bulls 9-4 vs. line this season, 18-6-2 last 26 on board. Also 6-2-1 last nine on board vs. non-MAC. Troy 8-3-1 vs. number this season, 9-3-1 as dog since 2015. Trojans have won and covered past three bowls, including past two seasons.
Slight to Troy, based on team trends.


LA TECH at HAWAII (Hawaii Bowl)...Hawaii 3-4 vs. spread at home this season, 6-13-1 vs. points at home since Nick Rolovich took over in 2016. Bows 9-20-1 vs. points since late in 2016 season. La Tech closed slowly this season by dropping 3 of last 4 vs. line, but 9-4 against line last 13 away from home, and Skip Holtz 17-6 as dog since 2014. Holtz 4-0 SU, 3-1 vs. line in bowls with Bulldogs.
La Tech, based on team trends.
 

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