The Bum's 2012-2013 College Football Regular and Bowl Games Best Bets !

[Kaptain]

gl today Star Dust...........get em PODNA

[StarDust Bum]

Posting the first 3 games....

Saturday, December 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Rice - 11:45 AM ET Air Force -2 500
Air Force - Under 62 500

West Virginia - 3:15 PM ET West Virginia -3.5 500
Syracuse - Over 71.5 500 POD

Navy - 4:00 PM ET Navy +14 500
Arizona State - Over 52.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, December 29

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Texas - 6:45 PM ET Texas +3.5 500

Oregon State - Under 57.5 500

Texas Christian - 10:15 PM ET Texas Christian -2.5 500

Michigan State - Under 40.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Music City Bowl

North Carolina State - Worst rushing offense of all bowl teams (117 yards per game).
Vanderbilt – Ranked first in the SEC in tackles for loss.

Sun Bowl

USC – Didn’t rank higher than 29th in the nation in any major offensive category and didn’t rank higher than 41st in any major defensive category.
Georgia Tech – Went 0-3 SU and ATS against non-conference FBS foes this year.

Liberty Bowl

Iowa State – Didn’t hold any of its last nine opponents to fewer than 21 points.
Tulsa – Ranks 11th in the nation in rushing, but both teams tied with 160 rushing yards in their September meeting.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

LSU – Ranked in the Top 11 in the nation in rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense and scoring defense.
Clemson - Second in the nation in red-zone efficiency offense (scored on 51 of 54 red zone drives).

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, December 31, 2012

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt, 12:00 ET ESPN
North Carolina State: 14-5 Under in the second half of the season
Vanderbilt: 17-8 ATS in all lined games

Hyundai Sun Bowl
Georgia Tech vs. USC, 2:00 ET ESPN
Georgia Tech: 17-32 ATS after a bye week
USC: 25-10 ATS in road games after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Iowa State vs. Tulsa, 3:30 ET ESPN
Iowa State: 3-13 ATS in road games off a close loss by 7 points or less to a conference rival
Tulsa: 11-3 ATS after having won 4 or 5 out of their last 6

Chick-fil-A Bowl
Clemson vs. LSU, 7:30 ET ESPN
Clemson: 0-7 ATS after having won 8 or more out of their last 10
LSU: 13-5 ATS after a game where they committed 1 or less turnovers

[StarDust Bum]

Music City Bowl: What bettors need to know

North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt (-7, 52)

When: 12:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL STORYLINES

1. North Carolina State boasts one of the top passing offenses in the nation, ranking 20th nationally with 304 passing yards per game, while Vanderbilt ranks 10th in the nation against the pass (175.8).

2. With six straight wins, Vanderbilt is riding its longest winning streak since 1955 and trying to match the program's single-season record of nine victories set in 1904 and tied in 1915. The Commodores' last bowl victory was a 16-14 win against Boston College in the 2008 Music City Bowl.

3. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dana Bible will serve as N.C. State's acting coach. The Wolfpack hired Dave Doeren away from BCS-bound Northern Illinois, but Doeren will be a spectator on New Year's Eve.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Vandy opened as a 5.5-point favorite at some offshores and is now a touchdown fave at most shops.

CONSENSUS: Nearly 58 percent of Covers Consensus players like Vanderbilt to cover while 54 percent are on the over.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-40s with a 30 percent chance of showers. Winds will blow out of the south at 5 mph.

TRENDS:

* Wolfpack are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five bowl games.
* Commodores are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Over is 8-2 in Commodores’ last 10 games following a win.
* Under is 5-2 in Wolfpack’s last seven games overall.

ABOUT N.C. STATE (7-5, 4-4 ACC): The Wolfpack are one of only 12 schools from BCS automatic-qualifying conferences who have won bowl games each of the past two years. N.C. State's ability to extend that streak likely depends on which defense shows up - the one that allowed 33 or more points five times, including 62 against Clemson, or the one that shut down high-powered Florida State. Quarterback Mike Glennon (3,648 pass yards, 30 touchdowns, 14 interceptions) leads the offense, and while the run game hasn't consistently produced, freshman Shadrach Thornton rushed for 329 of his 655 yards in the final three games of the regular season.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (8-4, 5-3 SEC): The Commodores enjoyed their best regular-season in nearly three decades on the strength of a stout defense that ranked 17th in total yards allowed (326.4) and 15th in scoring (18.2). The offense is unremarkable but steady and balanced, with running back Zac Stacy (1,034 yards, nine touchdowns) leading the ground game and Jordan Rodgers (2,431 pass yards, 13 touchdowns, five interceptions) and Jordan Matthews (87 catches, 1,262 yards, seven touchdowns) providing a prolific passing connection.

[StarDust Bum]

Sun Bowl: What bettors need to know

USC vs. Georgia Tech (7.5, 64)

When: 2:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas

HYUNDAI SUN BOWL STORYLINES

1. USC coach Lane Kiffin on Thursday said senior quarterback Matt Barkley will not play because of a sprained shoulder he suffered Nov. 17 against UCLA. Barkley missed the Trojans’ 22-13 loss to Notre Dame the following week. Barkley passed for 3,273 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also threw a career-high 14 interceptions. Freshman Max Wittek, who made his first career start against Notre Dame, will replace Barkley.

2. Georgia Tech obtained an NCAA waiver to play in a bowl game with a losing record. But aside from a blowout loss at Georgia on Nov. 24, the Yellow Jackets were impressive down the stretch, scoring 68 points in a victory at North Carolina and nearly upsetting Florida State for the ACC title. In that game, Georgia Tech shut out the Seminoles in the second half.

3. Both teams have been brutal defensively and are looking for defensive coordinators. USC’s Monte Kiffin will resign after this game. The Trojans, who give up an average of 24.6 points, lost consecutive games to Arizona and Oregon despite scoring a combined 87 points. The Ducks shredded Kiffin’s defense for 62 points and 730 yards. Georgia Tech fired Al Groh after a 2-4 start, and secondary coach Charles Kelly serves as interim DC. Tech gave up at least 40 points six times, and averaged 29.9 points allowed.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE: USC opened as high as 10-point favorites but has since been bet down to -7.5.

CONSENSUS: Over 54 percent of Covers Consensus players believe USC will cover while nearly 60 percent are on the over.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-40s with a 25 percent chance of rain. Winds will be strong out of the WSW at 22 mph.

TRENDS:

* Trojans are 4-0 ATS in their last four bowl games.
* Yellow Jackets are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Under is 6-0 in Trojans’ last six games in December.
* Yellow Jackets are 0-5 ATS in their last five Bowl games.

ABOUT USC (7-5, 5-4 Pac-12): The Trojans make their third Sun Bowl appearance, first since losing to TCU in 1998. USC entered the season ranked No. 1 and started 6-1 before a 1-4 collapse ruined its BCS hopes. USC ranks 37th nationally in scoring (34.2) and boasts perhaps the nation’s finest collection of skill players: incomparable sophomore wide receiver Marqise Lee (112 catches, 1,680 yards, 14 touchdowns), wide receiver Robert Woods (73 catches, 813 yards, 11 TDs), running back Silas Redd (817 rushing yards, nine TDs) and running back Curtis McNeal (696 yards, two TDs, 6.2 yards per carry). The Trojans have won two of three meetings with the Yellow Jackets, but they haven’t met since 1973.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (6-7, 5-3 ACC): The Yellow Jackets lost 30-27 in overtime to Utah in last year’s Sun Bowl, their seventh straight bowl defeat. Georgia Tech is making its 16th straight bowl appearance, the fourth-longest active streak. With their triple option attack, the Jackets rank fourth nationally in rushing (312.5) and have run for more yards than any FBS team since 2008. Senior quarterback Tevin Washington, operating behind a line led by All-ACC guard Omoregie Uzzi, ran for 19 touchdowns this season. His 37 career rushing touchdows are the most in ACC history by a quarterback. Redshirt freshman quarterback Vad Lee, who has a stronger arm, has been rotating with Washington the second half of the season. The offense should get a boost with the expected return of senior A-back Orwin Smith (career 9.4 yards per carry), who missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Sophomore kick returner Jamal Golden could be an X-factor - he ranks ninth nationally with 29 yards per return and took two back for scores.

[StarDust Bum]

Liberty Bowl: What bettors need to know

Iowa State vs. Tulsa (1, 51)

When: 3:30 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial, Memphis, Tennessee

AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL STORYLINES

1. Tulsa and Iowa State will end their seasons the same way they began four months ago - playing each other. The Cyclones beat Tulsa 38-23 in the season opener on Sept. 1 behind three touchdowns from senior quarterback Steele Jantz. It is the second time the Golden Hurricanes are playing a rematch this season. Tulsa beat Central Florida twice in a two-week span, including the Conference USA title game, to earn the bowl berth.

2. The Cyclones used three starting quarterbacks this season and redshirt freshman Sam Richardson will likely start the Liberty Bowl. Richardson came off the bench to throw four touchdowns in the 51-23 victory against Kansas in Week 12 that gave Iowa State its sixth win. Jantz and sophomore Jared Barnett combined for 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

3. Tulsa is ranked 11th in the country in rushing, averaging 240.2 yards. Most of the yardage is divided up between juniors Trey Watts and Ja'Terian Douglas and senior Alex Singleton, although Singleton has scored 21 of the team's 37 rushing touchdowns. Watts and Douglas average six yards per carry.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: This game opened as a pick at some shops and now Iowa State is a 1.5-point favorite at some offshores.

CONSENSUS: Nearly 53 percent of Covers Consensus players like Iowa State to cover while 60 percent are on the over.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-40s with a 75 percent of rain. Winds will blow out of the south at 5 mph.

TRENDS:

* Under is 3-0-1 in Cyclones’ last four Bowl games.
* Under is 5-1 in Tulsa’s last six Bowl games.
* Tulsa is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall.
* Cyclones are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four vs. a team with a winning record.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (6-6, 3-6 Big 12): Richardson didn't attempt a pass until the Kansas game and is 36-of-80 for 412 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in less than two full games. Richardson rushed for 119 yards in a 31-24 loss to West Virginia in the regular-season finale. That was the Cyclones' second 100-yard performance of the season. Junior Shontrelle Johnson picked up the other with 120 yards against Tulsa. Johnson leads the team with 504 rushing yards and two touchdowns and James White adds 469 yards and two scores. All-Big 12 linebacker A.J. Klein (98 tackles) leads the Cyclones' defense that is allowing 23.2 points. The Cyclones have forced 25 turnovers, including Durrell Givens' FBS-leading six fumble recoveries.

ABOUT TULSA (10-3, 7-1 C-USA): The Hurricane are looking for the second 11-win season in school history. Watts had a 54-yard punt return that tied the C-USA title game in the fourth quarter and Singleton scored the winner with a 1-yard plunge in the 33-27 overtime victory. Watts, named the championship game's MVP after a 134-yard performance, leads the team with 959 yards on 161 carries. He rushed for 125 yards against Iowa State in the season opener. Junior quarterback Cody Green went 217-of-396 for 2,499 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Sophomore Keyarris Garrett (64 catches, 826 yards, nine touchdowns) is his favorite target. The Hurricane allow 24.2 points and 353.9 yards.

[StarDust Bum]

Chick-fil-A Bowl: What bettors need to know

LSU vs. Clemson (6, 58.5)

When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

CHICK-FIL-A BOWL STORYLINES

1. The third all-time meeting between No. 7 LSU and No. 13 Clemson on New Year’s Eve in the Georgia Dome will be the first between 10-win teams in Chick-fil-A Bowl history. LSU and Clemson last met in the Peach Bowl in 1996, which was later retitled the Chick-fil-A Bowl. LSU won 10-7.

2. Clemson will bring the nation’s 13th-ranked passing offense to Atlanta. The Tigers are led by junior quarterback Tajh Boyd, who has thrown for 3,550 yards and 34 touchdowns and rushed for another 492 yards and nine scores. He’ll face a tough test against LSU, which ranks 20th in the nation in pass defense.

3. Every team in the SEC had a running back who totaled more yards this season than LSU’s leading rusher, but the Tigers still managed to finish fifth in the conference in team rushing. Jeremy Hill led the way with 631 yards and 10 touchdowns, with Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard combining for 1,207 rushing yards and 10 scores.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: LSU opened as 3.5-point favorites at some offshores and could be a touchdown favorite by kick-off Monday.

CONSENSUS: Over 60 percent of Covers Consensus players like LSU to cover while almost 60 percent are on the under.

TRENDS:

* Clemson is 1-6 ATS in its last seven bowl games.
* LSU is 3-0-1 ATS in its last four December games.
* Over is 4-1 in LSU’s last five neutral site games.
* Under is 6-1 in Clemson’s last seven vs. SEC foes.

ABOUT LSU (10-2, 6-2 SEC): Zach Mettenberger hasn’t played to the expectations many envisioned when the Tigers opened the season ranked No. 1 in the USA Today coaches’ poll. Mettenberger, a third-stringer at LSU last season after beginning his college career at Georgia, finished the regular season with 2,489 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, leaving the Tigers 11th in the SEC in passing offense. LSU coach Les Miles has remained firmly committed to Mettenberger as no other player has attempted a pass this season.

ABOUT CLEMSON (10-2, 7-1 ACC): Boyd has had an assortment of targets to choose from this season. DeAndre Hopkins has been atop the pecking order, hauling in 69 passes for 1,214 yards and 16 touchdowns. If Hopkins is covered, Boyd usually looks to his other starting receiver, Sammy Watkins, who has caught 57 passes for 708 yards and three touchdowns, or tight end Brandon Ford, who is third on the team with 31 catches for 411 yards and eight touchdowns. The team’s fifth-leading receiver, Martavis Bryant, is suspended from the bowl game for academic reasons.

[StarDust Bum]

Where the action is: New Year's Eve bowl games

Music City Bowl

North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt (-7, 51.5)

Public action set the tone in this game and it currently sits at a 2-to-1 bet count and 2-to-1 money position. Some respected money did back NC State at the +7.5 number giving it a slight nudge to 7, but the line has held pretty steady to this point. If late public wagering backs Vandy, then it’s possible that value could get back to where it opened.

Sun Bowl

Southern California vs. Georgia Tech (7.5, 64)

The side on this matchup has not attracted a lot of betting action and the line availability has been on and off due to injury reports. The current betting position on this game is at 3-to-1 in both wager count and money wagered in favor of the Trojans. Those counts were built on the strength of solely public action. Sharp money did chime in early on the total at under 66, creating the 2-point move to 64.

Liberty Bowl

Iowa State vs. Tulsa (1, 51)

Sharp money did back Iowa State at PK pushing the value to -1. However, that did get some respected money buying back Tulsa at the +1 value and creating two-sided action on this game.

Chick fil-A Bowl

Louisiana State vs. Clemson (5, 58.5)

This will be a game to watch as it has become a perfect storm from a betting point of view. It is currently a lopsided affair with both sharp and public money backing LSU. Sharp money came in early at the 3.5 to 4 line values and has been bolstered by the public money piling on at the 4 and 4.5 values pushing the current line to LSU -5. The bet count is currently 5-to-1 in favor of LSU and showing no signs of slowing down. The money wagered is currently a staggering 8-to-1 in favor of LSU. This line could possibly see some more movement late.

[StarDust Bum]

CFB | NC STATE at VANDERBILT
Play Under - Neutral field teams where the total is between 49.5 and 56 after having won 5 or 6 out of their last 7 games, in a non-conference game between two teams from major division 1-A conferences
29-8 over the last 10 seasons. ( 78.4% | 20.2 units )
0-1 this year. ( 0.0% | -1.1 units )
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CFB | NORTHWESTERN at MISSISSIPPI ST
Play On - All teams with a money line of +135 to -155 (MISSISSIPPI ST) with an opportunistic defense - forcing 2.5 or more turnovers/game, after 2 consecutive games where they forced 3 or more turnovers
51-25 over the last 10 seasons. ( 67.1% | 0.0 units )
0-3 this year. ( 0.0% | 0.0 units )
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CFB | N ILLINOIS at FLORIDA ST
Play Over - Any team vs the the 1rst half total in a game involving two dominant teams (outgaining opponents by 100+ YPG), in non-conference games
90-46 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.2% | 39.4 units )
12-12 this year. ( 50.0% | -1.2 units )

[StarDust Bum]

Good Luck and Happy New Years Guys and Gals ......


Monday, December 31

Game Score Status Pick Amount

North Carolina State - 12:00 PM ET Vanderbilt -7 500 POD

Vanderbilt - Under 52 500

Southern California - 2:00 PM ET Georgia Tech +7.5 500

Georgia Tech - Over 61.5 500

Iowa State - 3:30 PM ET Iowa State -1 500

Tulsa - Over 51 500

Louisiana State - 7:30 PM ET Louisiana State -6 500 POD

Clemson - Under 58.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Northwestern tries to end long bowl drought Tuesday

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (9-3)
vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS (8-4)

Gator Bowl - Jacksonville, FL
Kickoff: Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Mississippi State -2, Total: 52

Northwestern tries to end an enormously long bowl drought when it takes on Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville on New Year's Day.

Northwestern looks for its first bowl win since 1949, as the school has lost nine straight bowl games by an average margin of 13.4 PPG (42 to 29 avg. score). Mississippi State is just the opposite, riding a five-game bowl winning streak by an average margin of 12.6 PPG (29 to 16 avg. score). The Wildcats are just 4-3 SU since October, but are 11-1 ATS for the season. Venric Mark (109 rush YPG) leads the nation’s 11th-best ground game (231 YPG). The Bulldogs have dropped four of five (SU and ATS), surrendering 37+ points in each of the four losses. But they have a +17 turnover margin, forcing 3+ TO in seven games.

Can Northwestern finally earn its first bowl victory since 1949? For the answer, download your FREE copy of the ******* Edge College Bowl Guide for all the ******* Experts picks for each of the 35 bowls, both Against The Spread and Over/Under.

Northwestern hasn't been able to win any of its four straight bowl appearances, but it has covered the spread in three of those SU defeats. If it can finally end its nine-game bowl losing skid, it will win 10 games for the first time since the 1995 season. The game plan for Northwestern will likely be another heavy dose of Venric Mark who has eight 100-yard rushing games this season. He's also a great special teams contributor with two punt returns for touchdowns and 171 all-purpose YPG (9th in nation). Mark is the biggest reason why his team averages 231 rushing YPG on 5.0 YPC, but QB Kain Colter also knows how to scramble, rushing for 820 yards with a team-high 12 TD scampers. Although he attempts just 11.2 passes per game, Colter doesn't waste his opportunities with a 69% completion rate and 3 TD tosses in the regular season finale versus Illinois, a resounding 50-14 victory. Northwestern also uses sophomore QB Trevor Siemian under center for a good chunk of the time. He's played in every game, totaling 1,192 passing yards, 6 TD and 2 INT. The Wildcats defense is a bit underrated, especially in stopping the run where they rank 18th in the nation with just 124 rushing YPG allowed on 3.6 yards per carry. Although Northwestern allows a robust 262 passing YPG, it has picked off six passes over the past three contests.

Mississippi State began the season 7-0 SU (5-2 ATS), but ran into major trouble against elite SEC teams, losing to Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU by a combined score of 113 to 37. The Bulldogs also gave up 41 points in the season finale at rival Ole Miss. But when it comes to winning bowls, the Bulldogs are tied for the nation's longest streak with five straight wins, having not left a postseason game with a loss since 1999. Current head coach Dan Mullen has guided the team to two straight bowl wins, crushing Michigan in the 2011 Gator Bowl, 52-14, and edging Wake Forest 23-17 in last year's Music City Bowl. The big injury question for MSU is the status of QB Tyler Russell's sprained ankle he sustained in the loss to Ole Miss. He will start this game, but it's unclear how effective he'll be. Freshman QB Dak Prescott has proven to be a capable backup with four touchdown passes and four touchdown runs. Both quarterbacks will be looking for WR Chad Bumphis as the first option in the passing game, as the All-SEC performer has 904 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this year. MSU's ground game isn't anything to brag about (140 YPG, 4.3 YPC), but LaDarius Perkins can be a dangerous ball carrier with 940 yards and 8 TD for the season, but he has gone four straight games without scoring a touchdown. One of Perkins' backups, sophomore RB Nick Griffin, tore his ACL in practice on Dec. 8, which could allow more carries for RBs Josh Robinson and Derrick Milton. On defense, MSU leans heavily on its secondary to make plays, most notably Jim Thorpe Award winner Johnthan Banks (59 tackles, 4 INT) and fellow senior Darius Slay (5 INT).

[StarDust Bum]

Oklahoma State favored big over Purdue Tuesday

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (6-6)
vs. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS (7-5)

Heart of Dallas Bowl - Dallas, TX
Kickoff: Tuesday, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Oklahoma State -16.5, Total: 69.5

Purdue tries to keep its late-season surge going when it faces slumping Oklahoma State in Tuesday's Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Despite winning its final three games to become bowl eligible, Purdue fired head coach Danny Hope who will be replaced by wide receivers coach Patrick Higgins for this game. Oklahoma State enters this contest having lost two straight, allowing a total of 92 points and 1,233 yards in these defeats at Oklahoma and at Baylor. That dropped the Cowboys to just 1-4 (SU and ATS) in non-home games, as they allow 41.8 PPG and 523 total YPG outside of Stillwater. The Boilermakers are 3-2 ATS in non-home games, but score just 22.8 PPG in these away tilts.

Can Oklahoma State dominate Purdue and cover the hefty point spread? For the answer, download your FREE copy of the ******* Edge College Bowl Guide for all the ******* Experts picks for each of the 35 bowls, both Against The Spread and Over/Under.

Higgins isn’t running the team totally blind, as he has called plays during each of the past three wins, due to offensive coordinator Gary Nord injuring his back. Purdue scored 103 points (34.3 PPG) with Higgins calling the shots. The good news for OSU is that Purdue's offense is not in the same stratosphere as either Baylor or Oklahoma, surpassing 28 points just once in conference play this year, that being the season-ending 56-35 thumping of Indiana. Senior QB Robert Marve had a career day against the Hoosiers with 348 yards and 4 TD. Marve has shown great courage this season, playing through a torn ACL sustained earlier in the year. Purdue relies heavily on versatile RB Akeem Shavers (778 rush yds), who had season highs in both rushing (126) and receiving (99) yards while scoring three times against Indiana. The Boilers defense has been underwhelming this year, allowing 407 YPG (2nd-most in Big Ten) with 227 YPG coming through the air and 179 yards (4.7 yards per carry) on the ground. However, they do have All-American senior DT Kawann Short who has generated 14.5 Tackles for Loss and six sacks from his position in the middle of the field.

The Cowboys have been a disappointment this year, finishing with a 7-5 record on the heels of those final two defeats to Oklahoma and Baylor who scored 51 points and 41 points, respectively on OSU. But the Cowboys' offense has been potent all season, averaging 549 YPG (5th in FBS) despite having three different quarterbacks start under center. Junior Clint Chelf will start his fifth straight game after replacing freshman Wes Lunt who suffered a concussion. OSU's 333 passing YPG (7th in FBS) was pretty tremendous, but so was junior RB Joseph Randle who led the Big 12 with 1,351 rushing yards, reaching 100 yards in a game eight times. The Cowboys defense gives up 426 total YPG (286 passing, 141 rushing), which pales in comparison to the 600+ yards they have allowed in each of their two straight defeats to the high-powered Big 12 opponents.

[StarDust Bum]

Red-hot South Carolina faces Michigan in Outback Bowl

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (8-4)
vs. SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS (10-2)

Outback Bowl - Tampa, FL
Kickoff: Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. EDT
Line: South Carolina -6, Total: 47.5

South Carolina brings a four-game win streak to Tampa in Tuesday's Outback Bowl to take on a Michigan team that is just 2-4 (SU and ATS) in non-home games this year.

Since losing star RB Marcus Lattimore to a knee injury, the Gamecocks have rushed for just 136 YPG on 3.2 YPC, but the defense has saved them by giving up just 14.7 PPG with eight forced turnovers in these three games. Wolverines star Denard Robinson will likely play running back again, trying to build on his 117 rushing YPG (14th in nation). Both defenses are fierce with South Carolina allowing 312 total YPG (12th in FBS) and Michigan giving up 311 total YPG (11th in FBS).

Can Michigan hang around with South Carolina on New Year's Day? For the answer, download your FREE copy of the ******* Edge College Bowl Guide for all the ******* Experts picks for each of the 35 bowls, both Against The Spread and Over/Under.

Michigan has played a brutal schedule with three of its four losses coming to the top-three teams in the nation (Notre Dame, Alabama and Ohio State). But its offense went south in its last game against OSU, failing to score a single point after halftime in a 26-21 defeat. The Wolverines will once again lean on Denard Robinson, who capped off a brilliant career (4,395 rush yds, 42 rush TD) with 1,166 rushing yards and 7 TD, plus 1,319 passing yards and 9 TD this season. He missed a couple of games due to an injury on his throwing elbow, which is why he's been stationed in the backfield instead of under center. Robinson has done pretty well as a running back, chewing up 220 yards on the ground in these past two games, but he may actually be able to throw the football in this game too with such a long layoff since Michigan's last game on Nov. 24. But if he can't throw very well, QB Devin Gardner has proven himself worthy of the starting job, passing for 1,005 yards with 8 TD and 4 INT since replacing Robinson. Defensively, Michigan allows just 155 passing YPG, but it will be missing starting CB J.T. Floyd who was suspended for this bowl game.

South Carolina also has a bit of a quarterback dilemma with Connor Shaw expected to be nearly 100 percent recovered from his foot injury. But Dylan Thompson had a great performance in the 27-17 win over Clemson in the regular season finale with 310 passing yards and 3 TD. Head coach Steve Spurrier has not announced his decision yet on who will start under center, but that player has the added burden of not having a star running back to keep the Wolverines honest. Marcus Lattimore was lost for the season a few games ago after suffering a major knee injury. Stud sophomore DE Jadeveon Clowney anchors a stout front four on defense, trying to build on his two school records of 13 sacks and 21.5 Tackles for Loss this season. He amassed 4.5 sacks in the win versus Clemson.