The Bum's College Football 2016 Bowl Game Trends-Ats-Halftime-Totals + More information

[StarDust Bum]

2016 Bowl Record:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/30/2016 5-5-0 50.00% -250

12/29/2016 5-1-0 83.33% +1950

12/28/2016 6-2-0 75.00% +1900

12/27/2016 3-5-0 37.50% -1250

12/26/2016 2-4-0 33.33% -1200

12/24/2016 1-1-0 50.00% -50

12/23/2016 2-3-1 40.00% -650

12/22/2016 2-0-0 100.00% +1000

12/20/2016 0-2-0 0.00% -1100

12/19/2016 2-0-0 100.00% +1000

12/17/2016 6-4-0 60.00% +800


SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31

GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS

GT at UK 11:00 AM

GT -3.5 *****

O 63.0 *****


LSU at LOU 11:00 AM

LSU -3.0 *****

O 59.5 *****

[StarDust Bum]

Vegas Money Moves - Week 17
December 30, 2016

It's the calm before the storm in Las Vegas with New Year's Eve only a day away from being uncorked, and the same goes for action coming through the sports books with most bettors focused on the daily college football bowl games and letting NFL Week 17 numbers iron out before making a cash commitment.

The NFL has been put on the back-burner so far during the slow holiday week, which has eased the anxiety of bookmakers across town because Week 17 always presents the most challenges with a constant wave of mis-information regarding who will or won't play. Sharp bettors sit back scouring the information trail as well hoping to get the info first before the books adjust.

Some of the questions for Week 17:

How long will Eli Manning play in a meaningless game for the Giants when the Redskins have everything to play for?

How long will the Dallas starters play?

Will Miami rest all of its regulars?

Does Houston rest its regulars at Tennessee?

What is Oakland quarterback Matt McGloin's true rating differential to David Carr?

And can the Browns win two straight while playing a Steelers squad without their trio of superstars in Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell?

The best way for the sports books to operate smoothly in a risky week with so many uncertainties is to post circles on the board for most games denoting that limited action will be taken. If the regular limit on a side is $20,000, most books will slash it in half to $10,000.

"We've got low limits to almost every game with the exception of the Lions and Packers," said CG Technology VP of risk management Jason Simbal.

Station Casinos has nine of the 16 NFL games Sunday posted with circles and seven of the games with full limits. Book director Jason McCormick is also seeing great action in the Lions and Packers game as well, but says all other games have been slow. He doesn't expect to see a real push with of NFL volume until Saturday night.

So let's start out with the marquee game receiving the most attention where the Packers have been bet up from -3 to -3,5 at Detroit. The winner of the game wins the NFC North and a home playoff game next week and the loser could have its season end depending on how the Redskins fare against the Giants. It's a huge game, and bettors have shown emphatically who they're taking.

"There is two-and-a-half times more action on the Packers than the Lions, and its all from the fans -- no wise-guys betting either side yet," said Simbal. "Usually in games like this we'll see more slanted action on the favorite laying points while getting more action on the underdog taking plus-money, but the fans have been betting the Packers money-line as well. They're also betting the game over."

It sounds like the final game of the day is going to have the most impact on whether the books win or lose on the day.

"Yeah, it's kind of what I expected," Simbal said. That has been the case on Sunday night in 11 of the 16 prior weeks with the public being more right than wrong.

Even before this week's action piled up on the NFC North championship game, Simbal already had a rooting interest.

"This will be a big swing for us in futures. We do extremely well with the Lions winning the division, and as far as Super Bowl odds go, the Packers liability is our second-highest behind the Raiders."

CG Technology books have the Packers at 9/1 odds to win the Super Bowl with the Lions at 80/1.

The Cowboys are the NFC favorites to win the Super Bowl at 4/1 odds and they have the luxury of home field advantage already sewn up and can give the starters some rest at Philadelphia, where the Eagles are four-point favorites.

"Sharps are on the Eagles," said Simbal, "but the fans are on the Cowboys and they like the money-line even more since word got out that Tony Romo would see some playing time."

Mark Sanchez is also expected to see playing time behind back-up offensive-linemen, which is part of the reason the Eagles opened up as six-point favorites.

Defending NFC champion Carolina clinched a losing season last week and are playing at Tampa Bay where the Buccaneers are still technically alive for postseason play, but need a lot of crazy things to happen in other games.

"The Carolina game has been funny because we opened the Bucs -4 and had a guy immediately laid it, and the market was moving so we passed through -5 and -5.5 and went right to -6," Simbal said. "But then another guy came in and took the +6 for a limit play and also two limit wagers on the Panthers money-line at +195 and +185."

The biggest line move of the week is a meaningless game at Cincinnati.

"The Bengals were -2.5, but we've had a few plays push us to Ravens -1," Simbal said.

Perhaps the craziest looking spread of the week is the Patriots laying -9.5 and -10 at Miami, which is the same spread used in their Week 17 meeting last season when the Dolphins were 5-10.

"This number on the Patriots game is crazy," Simbal said. "Really, the Dolphins have something to play for, right? But no one is touching the game. Wise guys don't any part of it yet, so they're good with the number. I mean, we really have nothing on it; only $1,015 total bet on the game."

That might be a Vegas NFL record for least amount bet on a game through Friday. Really, that's approaching WNBA 'who cares' status. But the game actually means a lot for both teams.

The Patriots can clinch home field throughout the playoffs with a win and the Dolphins can move to the No. 5 wild card seed by winning and getting a Chiefs (-5) loss at San Diego later in the day. If you're Miami, who has its first winning record and playoff berth since 2008, where would you rather travel to next week, Houston or Pittsburgh? Hmm, that's a tough one. Win, and the Dolphins face Tom Savage and possibly get Matt McGloin the week after. Lose, and you get Big Ben. It sounds like enough incentive for Miami to play all-out to win.

Miami has won at home against the Patriots the past three seasons, including a 20-10 win last season when the Patriots 'had to win' to get home field. They lost and had to go to Denver in the playoffs, and well, you know the rest.

[StarDust Bum]

Gridiron Angles - Week 17
December 31, 2016


NFL CHOICE TRENDS:

-- The Colts are 0-11 OU (-13.05 ppg) since Jan 01, 2006 as a favorite off a game as a road dog where they failed to cover.

-- The Raiders are 10-0-1 OU (12.09 ppg) since Dec 28, 2008 when their ATS margin increased over their past 3 games.

NFL PLAY ON ATS TREND:

-- The Cardinals are 11-0 ATS (11.00 ppg) since Oct 30, 2011 off a game as a dog where they allowed at least 22 first downs.

NFL PLAY AGAINST TREND:

-- The 49ers are 0-10-1 ATS (-8.36 ppg) since Nov 18, 2007 as a dog off a game as a dog of more than three points where they forced at least two turnovers.

TOP NFL PLAYER ATS TREND:

-- The Bears are 0-8 ATS (-10.88 ppg) since Dec 06, 2015 when Alshon Jeffery had at least 75 receiving yards last game.

TOP NFL PLAYER OU TREND:

-- The Colts are 0-7 OU (-11.50 ppg) since Dec 14, 2014 at home when Andrew Luck threw for at least 250 yards last game.

NFL O/U UNDER TREND:

-- The Steelers are 0-11 OU (-7.73 ppg) since Oct 16, 2011 as a favorite off a game as a favorite where they had at least 400 total yards.

NFL O/U OVER TREND:

-- The Jaguars are 11-0 OU (15.50 ppg) since Nov 15, 2009 off a home game where they threw for at least 250 yards.

NFL BIBLE O/U ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Chiefs are 0-13 OU as a favorite when they are off a game in which they had at least three more minutes of possession time than their season-to-date average.

NFL BIBLE ATS ACTIVE TREND:

-- The Titans are 15-0 ATS at home after a game in which their completion percentage was at least 7.5 points high than their season-to-date average, as long as they are not laying more than three points.

NFL ATS SYSTEM:

-- Teams playing their final regular season home game which have won at least six of their first seven home games are 95-74-2 ATS. Active on Miami and Detroit.

[StarDust Bum]

WASH at ALA 03:00 PM

WASH +13.5 ***** ( DOG OF THE DAY )

O 51.5 *****


OSU at CLEM 07:00 PM

CLEM +2.0 *****

O 58.5 ********** ( TOTAL OF THE DAY )

[StarDust Bum]

Bowl Capsules
December 31, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Deshaun Watson ran for two touchdowns and threw another and No. 3 Clemson crushed No. 2 Ohio State 31-0 on Saturday night in the Fiesta Bowl to set up a rematch with Alabama for the College Football Playoff national championship.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney had sold his team on making this a redemptive trip to the desert by winning at the site where they lost to Alabama in the national title game last season. With that taken care of, Clemson (13-1) now gets another crack at the top-ranked Crimson Tide in Tampa, Florida, on Jan. 9. The teams that started the season ranked Nos. 1 and 2 will most certainly ended it that way, too.

In what figures to be Watson's final college game, he will try to lead Clemson to its first national title since 1981. The junior and Heisman Trophy runner-up passed for 259 yards and ran for 57 against the Buckeyes (11-2), who could not keep Clemson's big and quick defensive line out of their backfield.

Freshman Clelin Ferrell had a sack among his three tackles for loss and Clemson allowed only 215 yards and nine first downs. The Buckeyes were shut out for the first time since 1993 against Michigan and Urban Meyer had one of his teams held scoreless for the first time in 194 games as a head coach.

Watson made it 24-0 with 2:06 left in the third quarter when he faked a pitch, cut through a hole and into the end zone from 7 yards out. He hopped through the back of the end zone and did a little dance in front of the Ohio State section.

The Buckeyes came in averaging 258 yards rushing per game and finished with 88. J.T. Barrett threw for 127 yards and was intercepted twice.

PEACH BOWL

NO. 1 ALABAMA 24, NO. 4 WASHINGTON 7

ATLANTA (AP) - Alabama is heading back to the national championship game.

Bo Scarbrough and another stifling performance by Nick Saban's defense made sure of that.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide scored 10 points off turnovers, including Ryan Anderson's interception return for a touchdown late in the first half, and Scarbrough's 68-yard TD run in the fourth quarter clinched the victory over Washington. Scarbrough finished with 180 yards and two scores.

Alabama (14-0) moves on to Tampa for a shot at its second straight title and fifth in the last eight years under Saban. No. 4 Washington (12-2) will have to settle for a remarkable turnaround season after struggling much of the last two decades.

CITRUS BOWL

NO. 19 LSU 29, NO. 15 LOUISVILLE 9

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Sophomore running back Derrius Guice ran for 138 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown, and caught a scoring pass to help LSU beat Louisville.

Stepping in for the departed Leonard Fournette, Guice consistently made explosive plays running, receiving and returning kickoffs for the Tigers (8-4). His performance was eclipsed only by the overpowering performance of the Tigers defense that completely shut down Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals (9-4).

Jackson was sacked eight times, including a safety for an 8-yard loss late in the second quarter. Jackson completed just 10 of 27 passes for 153 yards while leading the rushing attack with 33 yards as the Cardinals (9-4) ended their season with three straight losses.

LSU quarterback Danny Etling threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Malachi Dupre led LSU in receiving with seven catches for 139 yards.

TAXSLAYER BOWL

GEORGIA TECH 33, KENTUCKY 18

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Dedrick Mills ran for a career-high 169 yards and a touchdown, Justin Thomas scored in his final college game and Georgia Tech beat Kentucky.

The Yellow Jackets (9-4) also got significant contributions from defense and special teams en route to their fourth consecutive victory.

Playing without running back Marcus Marshall, who decided to transfer after the regular-season finale, Tech turned to Mills. And the freshman from nearby Waycross, Georgia, delivered. He carried a career-high 31 times as the Yellow Jackets won back-to-back bowl games for the first time in more than a decade.

Senior P.J. Davis returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown on the game's opening drive, a horrible start for Kentucky (7-6) in its first bowl in six years. Fellow linebacker Terrell Lewis blocked a punt late in the first half that set up a 52-yard field goal.

[StarDust Bum]

2016 Bowl Record:

DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

12/31/2016 3-5-0 37.50% -1250

12/30/2016 5-5-0 50.00% -250

12/29/2016 5-1-0 83.33% +1950

12/28/2016 6-2-0 75.00% +1900

12/27/2016 3-5-0 37.50% -1250

12/26/2016 2-4-0 33.33% -1200

12/24/2016 1-1-0 50.00% -50

12/23/2016 2-3-1 40.00% -650

12/22/2016 2-0-0 100.00% +1000

12/20/2016 0-2-0 0.00% -1100

12/19/2016 2-0-0 100.00% +1000

12/17/2016 6-4-0 60.00% +800

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, January 2

Oklahoma @ Auburn

Game 281-282
January 2, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma
107.114
Auburn
107.906
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Auburn
by 1
70
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma
by 3
63
Dunkel Pick:
Auburn
(+3); Over

Penn State @ USC

Game 279-280
January 2, 2017 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Penn State
109.391
USC
111.686
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
USC
by 2 1/2
66
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
USC
by 6 1/2
60 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Penn State
(+6 1/2); Over

Western Michigan @ Wisconsin

Game 277-278
January 2, 2017 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Western Michigan
98.794
Wisconsin
104.411
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Wisconsin
by 5 1/2
49
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wisconsin
by 8 1/2
54
Dunkel Pick:
Western Michigan
(+8 1/2); Under

Iowa @ Florida

Game 275-276
January 2, 2017 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Iowa
100.275
Florida
94.610
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Iowa
by 5 1/2
35
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida
by 3
40 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Iowa
(+3); Under

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, January 2

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

IOWA (8 - 4) vs. FLORIDA (8 - 4) - 1/2/2017, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 40-23 ATS (+14.7 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
FLORIDA is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
FLORIDA is 77-54 ATS (+17.6 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field since 1992.

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

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

W MICHIGAN (13 - 0) vs. WISCONSIN (10 - 3) - 1/2/2017, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WISCONSIN is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
WISCONSIN is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
W MICHIGAN is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
W MICHIGAN is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
W MICHIGAN is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
W MICHIGAN is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.
W MICHIGAN 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.

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

USC (9 - 3) vs. PENN ST (11 - 2) - 1/2/2017, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PENN ST is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) after playing a conference game this season.
PENN ST is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) off a win against a conference rival this season.
PENN ST is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins this season.
USC is 7-1 ATS (+5.9 Units) as a favorite this season.
USC is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 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.

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

AUBURN (8 - 4) vs. OKLAHOMA (10 - 2) - 1/2/2017, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in games played on a neutral field over the last 3 seasons.

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

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

Mon – Jan. 2

Iowa at Florida, 1:00 PM ET – Outback Bowl
Iowa: 6-0 ATS in road games off a home win
Florida: 1-9 ATS after scoring 17 points or less in 2 straight games

W Michigan at Wisconsin, 1:00 PM ET – Cotton Bowl
W Michigan: 8-1 ATS in non-conference games
Wisconsin: 11-2 ATS after having won 4 out of their last 5 games

USC at Penn State, 5:00 PM ET – Rose Bowl
USC: 7-1 UNDER as a favorite
Penn St: 8-0 ATS after playing 2 straight conference games

Auburn at Oklahoma, 8:30 PM ET – Sugar Bowl
Auburn: 16-5 ATS in road games after 3 consecutive game where they committed 1 or less turnovers
Oklahoma: 0-6 ATS as a neutral field favorite

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

Jan 2
Outback Bowl, Tampa: Florida-Iowa
Iowa lost its last four bowl games, all by 7+ points; they lost 45-28/45-16 last two years, and lost 21-14 to LSU in this game three years ago. Hawkeyes won/covered their last three games; they’re 2-2 as an underdog this year, 2-2 in games with single digit spread. Florida lost two of last three bowls but covered three of last four as bowl favorite; they got drilled 41-7 by Michigan LY in Citrus Bowl. Gators scored only 15 pts/game in its last three games overall, losing 31-13/54-16 in last two, to Florida St/Alabama; Florida is 4-4 as a favorite this year, 1-3 in games with single digit pointspread. SEC teams beat Big 14 clubs in this game three of last four years; Big 14’s last two wins in this game both came in OT. Underdogs are 3-1-1 vs spread in this game last five years.

Cotton Bowl, Arlington, TX: Wisconsin-Western Michigan
Western Michigan is 13-0 this season, with wins over Northwestern (22-21, +4), Illinois (34-10, -3) of Big 14. Broncos are 1-0 as an underdog this year, 5-0 in games with single digit spread- they beat Middle Tennessee 45-31 LY in Bahamas for their first-ever bowl win in seven tries. Somehow no one has hired their coach away (yet). Wisconsin won its last two bowls by total of five points; underdogs are 3-0-1 vs spread in their last four bowls. Badgers are 5-3-1 vs spread as favorites this year, 3-2 in games with single digit spread. Chryst is 2-1 as a bowl coach. Favorites are 3-2 vs spread in this game last five years, with average total, 58.4. Last four Wisconsin games went over total. as did four of last six WMU games.

Rose Bowl, Pasadena: Penn State-USC
USC is in Rose Bowl for first time in eight years, when they beat Penn State 38-24; Trojans won by 14-32-14 points in last three Rose Bowl appearances. USC won its last eight games after a 1-3 start, covering last six games; they’re 7-1 as favorites this year, 1-3 in games with single digit spread. Penn State won/covered its last nine games after a 2-2 start; they’re 3-1 as a underdog this year, 6-1 in games with single digit spread. USC is 3-2 in its last five bowls overall (2-3 vs spread); they were favored in all five games. Helton is 1-1 as a bowl coach, Franklin 3-2. Penn State lost three of last four bowls; they’ve been underdog in last five bowls. Pac-12 won this game four of last five years, winning 45-16/59-20 last two years; favorites are 3-1-1 vs spread in last five Rose Bowls.

Sugar Bowl, New Orleans: Auburn-Oklahoma
Oklahoma won its last nine games after a 1-2 start, covering four of last five games; they scored 47.8 pts/game during their win streak. Sooners are 6-5 as favorites this year, 2-1 in games with single digit spread. Oklahoma lost three of last four bowls, losing 40-6/37-17 as favorites last two years- Sooners beat Alabama in this game three years ago, as a 15-point dog. Auburn is 3-2 in last five bowls (4-1 vs spread), with both losses by 34-31 scores; Tigers lost 13-7/30-12 in last two I-A games; they’re 1-2 as an underdog this year, 4-1 in games with single digit spread. SEC teams lost this game three of last four years; underdogs won three of last four Sugar Bowls SU, all as dogs of 8+ points. Last three Auburn games, four of last five Oklahoma games stayed under the total.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday's Early Bowl Tips
December 31, 2016

**Florida vs. Iowa**

-- The Florida Gators (8-4 straight up, 4-7-1 against the spread) of the Southeastern Conference meet the Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4 straight up, 6-6 against the spread) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. for the Outback Bowl. Despite the fact the Gators enter on a two-game losing streak, they are a field goal favorite as of Saturday night with a total hovering around just 40 1/2 points.

-- The Gators had a resurgent season under head coach Jim McElwain, who led them to an appearance in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta following a East Division title. The Gators opened with six victories in their first seven games, although a loss at Tennessee back on Sept. 24 still stings, as it ended a lengthy win streak in the series against that rival. The Gators lost three of their final five games, but a lot has to do with a much tougher schedule down the stretch. All six of Florida's final games were against teams competing in bowl games, and Florida ended up going 3-3 SU during that span.

-- Florida's success was mostly due to a suffocating defensive unit which ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in total yards allowed (298.6), passing yards allowed (156.3) and points allowed (17.9). They were also good against the run, giving up just 142.2 yards per game to rank 33rd in the country in that department. The strong defensive effort masked some problems on the offensive side of the football. Florida ranked just 116th in the country with 345.1 total yards per game, and they rushed for just 129.8 yards per outing to check in 113th. Their 23.4 points per game was also just 109th in the country.

-- QB Luke Del Rio (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Monday's bowl game. He completed just 56.7 percent of his pass attempts for 1,358 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. QB Austin Appleby took over in the final four games, and he ended up throwing for 1,225 yards with 61.4 percent of his passes completed. He threw for 1,225 yards on the season with eight TDs and five INTs, performing slightly better than his counterpart. Neither was a rushing threat, and the two combined for zero rushing scores.

-- In the run game, freshman RB Jordan Scarlett averaged 4.8 yards per game with team-highs of 795 yards and six scores. RBs Lamical Perine and Mark Thompson were serviceable backups, as the Gators lost nothing when Scarlett was on the sidelines getting a breather. Perine averaged 4.8 yards per tote, and Thompson was good for 4.5 yards per attempt. In the pass game, it's sophomore WR Antonio Callaway who had 666 yards and three touchdowns with 14.2 yards per catch leading the way. WR Brandon Powell managed 372 yards with a pair of scores as a secondary option, and TE DeAndre Goolsby posted 315 yards on 36 grabs and a pair of scores to also offer a big target. Defensively. DB Jalen Tabor led the way with three interceptions while

-- Iowa struggled offensively, too, and that might be a problem against Florida's suffocating defense. The Hawkeyes were just 120th in the country in total yardage at 333.2 yards per game with only 161.3 yards per game through the air to rank 115th in the country. They were middle of the road in the run game, posting 171.9 yards per game, but if they're going to be successful they need to move the ball on the ground.

-- Defensively, Iowa was not quite as strong as Florida statistically, but they ranked 25th in the country with just 352.8 total yards allowed, and they were also 25th in the country in passing yardage allowed at just a tick under 200 yards per outing. Their 17.9 points per game allowed was 10th overall in the land.

-- Senior QB C.J. Beathard, grandson of former NFL executive Bobby Beathard, will be playing in his final collegiate game. He was able to tie a season-high with three touchdown passes in the regular season finale against Nebraska despite throwing for just 144 yards. In fact, in the final three games Beathard threw for just 290 yards and four TDs. RBs LeShun Daniels Jr. and Akrum Wadley combined for 1,979 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. Wadley was good for 6.6 yards per carry to lead the team, while Daniels topped 1,000 yards o nthe season.

-- As a single-digit favorite this season, Florida was 1-1 SU/ATS, with the lone win and cover coming in a neutral-site game against Georgia Oct. 29 in Jacksonville, Fla.

-- As a single-digit underdog this season, Iowa was 1-2 SU/ATS in three tries, losing and failing to cover in their past two tries at Penn State and at home against Wisconsin.

-- After getting trounced 41-14 at Penn State Nov. 5, Iowa finished up with three wins and covers, outscoring Michigan, Illinois and Nebraska by a combined score of 82-23. The Hawks are 5-2 ATS in their past seven games overall, but just 1-4-1 ATS in their past six neutral-site contests.

-- Florida is 5-2 ATS in their past seven bowl games, and 6-2 ATS in their past eight neutral-site games. However, they were rolled 54-16 in the SEC Championship Game in their most recent neutral-site battle. The Gators failed to cover in their past two, and they're 1-3-1 ATS in their previous five outings. The Gators are also a dismal 0-7 ATS in their past seven non-conference games, and 1-3-1 ATS in their past five against teams with a winning record, too.

-- The 'over' is 6-1 in Florida's past seven tries against Big Ten foes, while the 'over' has cashed in seven of their past 10 bowl games. The 'under' is 5-1 in the past six non-conference outings while going 5-1 in the past six against teams with a winning record.

-- The 'over' is 6-0-1 in Iowa's past seven games on a natural grass surface, while the 'under' is 8-3 in Iowa's past 11 neutral-site games.

-- These teams met Jan. 2, 2006 in the Outback Bowl, with Florida coming out on top 31-24. The Gators avenged a 2004 loss to the Hawkeyes in this bowl game, when Iowa routed them 37-17.

-- Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

**Western Michigan vs. Wisconsin**

-- In the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas it will be Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan (13-0 straight up, 9-4 against the spread) looking to continue rowing the boat against Big Ten representative Wisconsin (10-3 straight up, 9-3-1 against the spread).

-- Western Michigan had a pair of victories on the road against Big Ten clubs, topping Northwestern 22-21 back on Sept. 3 as 3 1/2-point underdogs, and destroying Illinois in Champaign by a 34-10 score on Sept. 17 as a field-goal favorite. Those two games were part of a 5-0 ATS run by the Broncos to open the season. Western Michigan is generally known for a high-octane offense, but their defense was also able to record a pair of shutouts this season while holding four opponents to 10 or fewer points.

-- The Broncos rolled up 496.7 total yards per game to rank 14th in the country, and 237.0 yards per game to check in 21st overall in the nation. In the passing game they were 40th in the nation with 259.7 yards per game while scoring 43.5 points per contest to finish eighth overall.

-- Senior QB Zack Terrell looks to put a cherry on top of his collegiate career with one final win. He threw for two or more touchdowns in six straight games from Sept. 24-Nov. 1, and two or more TDs in nine of his final 10 outings, including 290 yards and two scores in the MAC Championship Game against Ohio University. The first thing that jumps off the stats page about Terrell is his ability to take care of the football, throwing 32 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He also completed 70.8 percent of his pass attempts while running for six scores.

-- When Terrell isn't running the ball, junior RB Jarvion Franklin is carrying the mail. He piled up 1,300 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per attempt. When he needs a breather sophomore Jamauri Bogan proved he is equal to the task, posting 865 yards with eight rushing touchdowns on 5.3 yards per attempt. Franklin was also a threat out of the backfield with 21 catches, 255 yards and two scores. WR Corey Davis led the way with 91 receptions, 1,427 yards and 18 touchdowns, as he appears to be the next great Western Michigan wide receiver in a long line of recent standouts. WRs Michael Henry (61-760-4) and Carrington Thompson (38-605-6) were each solid options in the receiving game, too.

-- For Wisconsin, it's all about the defense, and they'll definitely be tested by one of the best offenses they have seen all season. The Badgers were seventh in the country with just 303.0 yards per game allowed, while limiting the opposition to just 96.9 yards per game on the country to rank second in the land. The 15.5 points allowed were also fourth in the country. If Western moves the ball, it might be in the passing game, although Wisconsin was still very good at 35th in the country.

-- Offensively, Wisconsin was 88th in the country in total yards (383.7), 104th in passing yards (179.2) and 41st in rushing yads (204.5). They were also middle of the road in points scored at 28.7 per game, although the offense actually picked up down the stretch with 31 or more points in each of their final four games.

-- QB Bart Houston and QB Alex Hornibrook each split snaps under center this season. The freshman Hornibrook is expected to play in this game after recovering from a concussion. Neither piled up very impressive numbers, and neither side is considered a dual threat. Hornibrook completed just 58.1 percent of his pass attempts with 1,243 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Houston completed 65.9 percent of his attempts while throwing for 1,086 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

-- RB Corey Clement rushed 292 times for 1,304 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for 4.5 yards per attempt. RB Dare Ogunbowale subbed in and went for 484 yards and four scores on 5.6 yards per dash. Freshman RB Bradrick Shaw looks like the next great in the pipeline, rolling for 457 yards and five scores on 5.2 yards per attempt. WR Jazz Peavy led the way with 43 catches, 635 yards and five scores, while no other Badgers receiver had more than two scoring catches.

-- The Broncos are 7-0 ATS in their past seven non-conference games, and 4-0 ATS in their past four against Big Ten teams, including the two games this season. WMU is also 6-2 ATS in their past eight against teams with a winning overall record, and 27-11 ATS in their past 38 overall. However, they are 1-4 ATS in their past five neutral-site battles.

-- This is the eighth bowl game in Western Michigan's history. While they won the Bahamas Bowl last season against Middle Tennessee, 45-31, that was the first in school history. Previously they were 0-6 SU, including a 38-14 loss in the Texas Bowl in 2008 against a Big Ten opponent, Purdue.

-- Wisconsin has won back-to-back bowl games, including an exciting 23-21 win over Southern California in the Holiday Bowl last season. This is Wisconsin's first meeting against a MAC team in a postseason contest.

-- The Badgers are 5-0 ATS in their past five against the MAC, 4-1 ATS in their past five non-conference tilts and 6-2-1 ATS in their past nine against teams with a winning record. The Badgers are 11-3-1 ATS in their past 15 games overall.

-- The 'over' is 4-1 in Western Michigan's past five bowl games, and 10-4-1 in their past 15 non-conference games. However, the 'under' is 7-3 in their past 10 against Big Ten foes.

-- The 'over' is 4-0 in the past four for Wisconsin and 8-3-1 in their past 12 neutral-site games. The 'under' is 7-3-1 in Wisconsin's past 11 bowl games, and 9-4 in their past 13 against teams with a winning overall record.

-- Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

[StarDust Bum]

Monday's Late Bowl Tips
December 31, 2016

**Southern California vs. Penn State**

-- Southern California Trojans (9-3 straight up, 8-4 against the spread) of the Pac-12 Conference will face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2 straight up, 9-3-1 against the spread) of the Big 10 Conference in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual. Penn State enters on a nine-game winning streak, going 8-0-1 ATS during the span, but despite their winning ways they enter this game as a touchdown underdog as of Saturday evening. The total has dipped to 59 1/2 after opening at 62.

-- The Trojans were terrible to start the season, opening 1-3 SU/ATS, including a 52-6 loss against Alabama in the very first game. After righting the ship in their home opener against Utah State, the Trojans were destroyed 27-10 at Stanford and fell 31-27 on the road at Utah Sept. 23. Remember when head coach Clay Helton was under fire, and everyone on Twitter and other social media platforms were calling for his head? Go ahead. Google 'Fire Clay Helton' and see when the last results were. Ever since that loss to Utah the Trojans have rattled off eight straight victories, including a 26-13 win at Washington Nov. 12 as a 10-point underdog. The Trojans won their final eight outings, and covered the past six. No one came closer than 13 points in the final six tries against USC, who enters as one of the hottest teams in the nation.

-- Speaking of hot, Penn State came back from a 14-point deficit to rally and top Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game, touching off a controversy about conference champions and playoff worthiness since they beat Ohio State, etc. And the way the Buckeyes looked in the national semifinal against Clemson, all of the Penn State supporters of a playoff bid over Ohio State looked awfully wise after the Fiesta Bowl blowout loss of the Buckeyes.

-- The Nittany Lions, like the Trojans, struggled to open the season. They fell at Pittsburgh, 42-39, back on Sept. 10, and were waffled 49-10 at Michigan on Sept. 24. Penn State opened 1-3 ATS in their first four games, and this certainly didn't look like a playoff-worth team, or even a team headed for a major bowl. An overtime win against Minnesota Oct. 1 turned things around, and then a 38-14 win against Maryland had Penn State on a roll heading into their showdown with the Buckeyes Oct. 15 in Happy Valley.

-- Penn State entered the fourth quarter of their showdown with Ohio State down 21-7 at home, but outscored the Buckeyes 17-0, including a 60-yard blocked field goal for touchdown which eventually proved to be the difference. It appeared to be a major upset at the time, but the more Penn State continued to win, it actually added to Ohio State's strength of schedule and resume for the playoff committee.

-- After that upset win, Penn State steamrolled Purdue 62-24, Iowa 41-14, Indiana 45-31 and Rutgers 39-0. They did not falter against Michigan State at home, topping them 45-12, either, claiming a place in the conference title game. Eight straight covers and here they are for the Rose Bowl, a spot no one predicted in the preseason, and certainly didn't see coming after a 2-2 start.

-- Penn State ranked 49th in the country in total yards on offense, posting 433.4 yards per game. They threw for 261.2 yards per game to rank 37th, and their 36.7 yards per game was good for 23rd in the country. On defense, they struggled early on, but were great down the stretch. Penn State ranked 24th in the country in both total yards (352.0 yards per game) and passing yards (198.5) allowed. And they were 32nd in the country with 23.4 points per game, worked down significantly after allowing 31.4 points per game through the first five outings.

-- Sophomore QB Trace McSorley threw for 3,360 yards, 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions, perhaps one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the nation. He also rushed 140 times for 352 yards and six touchdowns. RB Saquon Barkley led the team with 1,302 yards and 16 rushing scores, averaging 5.3 yards per tote. Barkley also has decent hands out of the backfield, posting 23 receptions for 347 yards and three scores. WR Chris Godwin is the go-to receiver on offense, posting team-high with 795 yards and nine touchdowns. TE Mike Gesicki is a big target, too, putting up 668 yards and four scores on 47 grabs, good for 14.2 yards per snare.

-- USC was 23rd in the country in total yards with 468.2 yards per game, and they ranked 35th in the nation in passing yards (261.7 yards per game). That number figures to be even better going forward, as freshman Sam Darnold took the reins of the offense after the slow start, and never relinquished the job after QB Max Browne struggled early on. Darnold ended up throwing for 2,633 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Darnold's favorite target, WR Juju Smith-Schuster, posted 63 receptions, 781 yards and nine touchdowns. WR Darreus Rogers also managed 51 grabs for 654 yards and three scores. WR Deontay Burnett is also a future star, and he showed glimpses of brilliance with 458 yards and four touchdowns.

-- It's USC's first trip up to the Rose Bowl since meeting Penn State Jan. 1, 2009. The Trojans won that meeting 38-24, and they also won 14-3 in the 1922 Rose Bowl, the first meeting between the schools in the 'Granddaddy of Them All'. The only time the Nittany Lions topped the Trojans in three tries in a bowl game was a 26-10 win in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 1982.

-- Penn State has won just one of their past four bowl games, and they're 1-2 all-time (0-2 vs. USC) in the Rose Bowl. Their lone win in the Rose Bowl came Jan. 2, 1995, as the Nittany Lions throttled the Oregon Ducks 38-20 in front of 102,247 fans behind legendary head coach Joe Paterno.

-- USC is 6-0 ATS in their past six games overall, 5-0 ATS in their past five on grass and 5-1 ATS in their past six games in the month of January. The Trojans are 1-4 ATS in their past five against Big Ten teams, and 0-4 ATS in their past four neutral-site games.

-- Penn State is 8-0-1 ATS in their past nine games overall, and 5-0-1 ATS in their past six against teams with a winning record. But they're 1-4 ATS in their past five non-conference games, and 1-4 ATS in their past five in the month of January.

-- Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**Auburn vs. Oklahoma**

-- The Allstate Sugar Bowl takes place in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. when the Auburn Tigers (8-4 straight up, 9-3 against the spread) of the Southeastern Conference do battle with the Oklahoma Sooners (10-2 straight up, 6-6 against the spread) of the Big 12 Conference. These teams also played each other in the 1971 Sugar Bowl, with the Sooners coming out on top by a 40-22 score.

-- In the state of Alabama, the Tigers of Auburn have certainly been the little brother in the shadow of the big brother in Tuscaloosa. And they didn't start out their season like a team destined to be playing in a major bowl like their biggest rivals across the state. Auburn started out with a hard-fought 19-13 loss against Clemson at Jordan Hare Stadium Sept. 3, and they also lost their third game of the season at home against Texas A&M by a 29-16 score. At 1-2 SU through the first three games, averaging 14.5 PPG in two games against Power 5 teams, this Tigers team appeared to be in some disarray. However, an 18-13 win over LSU Sept. 24 kicked off a six-game winning streak, which also included an embarrassment of Mississippi State on their field Oct. 8, 38-14, and a 56-3 thumping of Arkansas on the Plains on Oct. 22. Momentum was slowed Nov. 12 with a 13-7 loss at Georgia, and an SEC West title was out the window as well. And after hanging around for a while, the Tigers fell 30-12 at Alabama in the season finale.

-- Oklahoma also stumbled out of the chute, falling in a neutral-site game against Houston, 33-23 in the opener Sept. 3, and at home against Ohio State, 45-24, in the second home game. A 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS start is not what fans in cream and crimson expected, and a playoff chance appeared to be out of reach even before the leaves started to change. However, the Sooners still proved to be the class of the conference, rolling to a 9-0 record in the Big 12, covering six of their league games.

-- The Sooners ranked third in the country in total yardage, posting 557.4 yards per game. Oklahoma was 12th in the country with 319.8 passing yards per game, and even rolled to 20th in the country with 237.6 yards per game on the ground. Their 44.7 points per game also helped them end up third in the nation. On defense, Oklahoma ranked 87th in the country in total yardage allowed at 439.8 yards per game. The Sooners struggled against the pass, allowing 279.0 yards per game to rank 118th in the country.

-- Auburn was 37th in the country, posting 449.2 total yards per game. They were a VERY run-heavy team, rolling up 278.5 yards per game to rank sixth in the country, while posting just 170.8 yards per game to rank 112th in the nation. They ranked 45th overall with 32.2 points per game. Defensively, they're 21st in the country with 348.4 yards per game allowed, while allowing just 124.8 yards per game to rank 20th. They're fifth by allowing just 15.6 points per game, but they have been dinged for 223.6 yards per game through the air to rank 61st.

-- Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield completed 71.2 percent of his pass attempts for 3,669 yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. The two-headed monster of RBs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine was dangerous. Mixon posted 1,183 yards on 169 totes for 7.0 yards per carry, finding the end zone eight times. Perine posted 974 yards on 5.4 yards per carry with 11 scores on the ground. Mayfield was third on the club with six rushing touchdowns. WR Dede Westbrook was huge in the pass game, hauling in 74 balls for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. Mixon added 449 yards with five touchdowns on 32 receptions out of the backfield, second-best on the team.

-- Sooners PK Austin Seibert could be a difference, as he had a 100-point season with 11 field goals and 67 extra points, although his long was just from 39 yards.

-- Tigers QB Sean White (shoulder) is listed as probable due to a shoulder injury, and there is no way he misses the game. White completed 65.2 percent of his pass attempts for 1,644 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions, while running for 148 yards and two touchdowns. The run game is where the bread is buttered, and RB Kamryn Pettway led the charge. He posted 1,123 yards with seven touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per tote. Sophomore RB Kerryon Johnson led the team with 11 rushing scores on 5.0 yards per rush, finishing with 862 yards. In the receiving game it's WR Tony Stevens leading the way with 466 yards and three touchdowns on 29 catches. WR Darius Slayton is the secondary option in the pass game with 236 yards and a touchdown.

-- Auburn has covered five straight non-conference games, and they're 4-1 ATS in their past five bowl games. They're also 7-2 ATS in their past nine games overall.

-- The 'under' is 4-0 in Auburn's past four games overall, and 2-0-2 in their past four neutral-site games while going 5-1-1 in their past seven appearances in the month of January. The under is also 13-3-2 in Auburn's past 18 against teams with a winning record, and 8-2-1 in their past 11 bowl appearances.

-- Oklahoma is a perfect 5-0 ATS in their past five against teams with a winning overall record, and 4-1 ATS in their past five games overall. However, they're just 3-7 ATS in their past 10 bowl games, 0-5 ATS in their past five non-conference tilts and 0-6 ATS in their past six neutral-site outings.

-- The 'under' is 4-1 in Oklahoma's past five neutral-site games, and 4-1 in their past five bowl outings. The under is also 4-1 in their past five games overall, and 6-1 in their past seven against SEC foes.

-- Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN

[StarDust Bum]

USC, Penn State return to Rose Bowl after trying times
January 1, 2017

No. 5 Penn State (11-2, Big Ten) vs. No. 9 USC (9-3, Pac-12), 5 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: USC by 7.

Series Record: USC leads 5-4, and 2-1 in bowl games, including a 38-24 victory in the 2009 Rose Bowl

WHAT'S AT STAKE

After overcoming poor starts in September to reach the Granddaddy of Them All, the winner of the Rose Bowl will find itself christened as an immediate favorite to reach the College Football Playoff in 2017. The Nittany Lions nearly made it this season after winning their last nine games, including the Big Ten title game against Wisconsin, and can finish in the Top 5 for the first time since 2005. The Trojans won eight straight to end an eight-year absence from their postseason home away from home, and Clay Helton can join John Robinson as the only USC coaches to win the Rose Bowl in their first full season.

KEY MATCHUP

USC quarterback Sam Darnold vs. Penn State's pass rush. The redshirt freshman revitalized a struggling offense with his mobility and ability to spread the ball around, taking just five sacks since replacing Max Browne as the starter in USC's fourth game. But Penn State can get after the quarterback, with 18 different players producing 39 sacks this season. Led by defensive ends Garrett Sickels and Evan Schwan, Penn State can create pressure without blitzing and has no problem bringing additional rushers from anywhere on the field on critical downs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Penn State: RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley's sophomore season has been an up-and-down affair, shaking off a slow start to rush for 675 yards in a four-game midseason stretch. But Barkley has been held under 100 yards in each of his last four games, even as Penn State's passing game has emerged as one of the nation's most explosive. Bolstered by rapid improvement from its young defensive line, USC has allowed just one 100-yard rusher in its last nine games and tends to focus on stopping the run first under coordinator Clancy Pendergast.

USC: CB Adoree Jackson. After a sensational performance against Notre Dame in which he scored on a 51-yard run, a 55-yard punt return and a 97-yard kickoff return, USC's most dynamic performer gets to play on an even bigger stage. The first task for the Thorpe Award winner as college football's best defensive back will be to help limit a big-play offense that has produced 12 TD passes on throws of 20 yards or longer, but the electrifying junior also should get a handful of touches on offense lining up at receiver or running back. Jackson ranked third nationally in punt returns (15.9 yards per return) and sixth in kickoff returns (30.5 yards per return), but Penn State has been stingy in allowing special teams yardage.

FACTS & FIGURES

Appearing in its record 35th Rose Bowl and seeking its record 25th win, USC has split its four previous appearances when the game is played on Jan. 2. ... Penn State has outscored its opponents 298-105 in the second half this season, not including its overtime victory at Minnesota. The Nittany Lions had a 24-3 scoring edge after halftime in their 38-31 win over the Badgers. ... USC RB Ronald Jones II has rushed for 895 yards and 10 touchdowns during the team's winning streak. ... Penn State QB Trace McSorley has passed for 3,360 yards and 25 touchdowns this season, both school records.

[StarDust Bum]

Sugar Bowl clash with OU is Auburn's 3rd vs. a league champ
January 1, 2017

No. 17 Auburn (8-4, SEC) vs. No. 7 Oklahoma (10-2, Big 12), 8:30 p.m. EST (ESPN), New Orleans.

Line: Oklahoma by 3.

Series Record: Oklahoma leads 1-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Oklahoma can finish its season with a 10th straight victory while cementing its top 10 ranking. Auburn, which lost its final two regular season conference games, wants to knock off the Big 12 champs not only to energize the program heading into the offseason, but also to give the SEC more bragging rights over another power conference.

KEY MATCHUP

Oklahoma's offense, featuring two Heisman trophy finalists in quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Dede Westbrook, against Auburn's 20th-ranked defense, which also ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense (15.6 points per game). The Tigers have their share of NFL prospects on defense, including edge rusher Carl Lawson and tackle Montravious Adams, who've combined for 21 tackles for losses.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Auburn: Leading Auburn rusher Kamryn Pettway, who had 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns rushing this season, is back from a late-season leg injury and has been the driving force of the Tigers' offense when healthy.

Oklahoma: Mayfield completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,669 yards and 38 touchdowns while throwing only eight interceptions this season. Mayfield often looked for Westbrook, this season's Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver, who caught 74 passes 1,465 yards and 16 TDs.

FACTS & FIGURES

Auburn this season has played ACC champion Clemson and SEC champion Alabama - also the two participants in next week's national title game in Tampa - and now meets its third power conference winner of the season in the Sugar Bowl. ... The only other meeting between Auburn and Oklahoma in both programs' long, stories histories also came at the Sugar Bowl to end the 1971 season. The Sooners won 40-22. ... Auburn is in its sixth Sugar Bowl and first since its unbeaten (13-0) 2004 season, when the Tigers finished second in the national rankings behind Southern California - and one spot ahead of Oklahoma. Auburn ended that season by beating Virginia Tech in the 2005 Sugar Bowl, 16-13. ... Oklahoma is in its eighth Sugar Bowl, the most of any school not in the SEC, and the Sooners have won it five times, including the game's 2014 edition, 45-31 over Alabama. ... Oklahoma has won 10 games for the 14th time since Bob Stoops took over as coach 18 years ago. ... Sooners junior running back Samaje Perine needs 82 yards to tie Billy Sims' Oklahoma career rushing record of 4,118 yards, set in 1979.

[StarDust Bum]

Western Michigan makes Cotton logo reality vs. Wisconsin
January 1, 2017

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Western Michigan running back Jarvion Franklin remembers the initial reaction when the Cotton Bowl logo flashed on the screen during a team meeting nearly a year ago, only days after the Broncos' first-ever bowl victory.

''As a team, we were all shocked. We thought, OK, there goes coach (P.J.) Fleck doing something crazy,'' Franklin said. ''At the same time, we realized it was possible.''

The 12th-ranked Broncos (13-0) made it from Kalamazoo to the Cotton Bowl with their Fleck-ingrained ''Row The Boat'' mantra. The Mid-American Conference champs play No. 8 Wisconsin (10-3) on Monday.

Three years after winning only once in Fleck's first season, Western Michigan is now the only FBS team other than No. 1 Alabama with a chance to finish undefeated.

During that team meeting last Jan. 7, five days after they won the Bahamas Bowl, Fleck made his players aware of this season's New Year's Six game for the highest-ranked Group of Five team.

''But it wasn't just the logo,'' Fleck explained Sunday. ''It was if you want this as players, this is not necessarily my goal for you or my vision for you and to put that pressure on you.''

Fleck told them to have a players-only meeting, and they came back to him after meeting twice. Yes, they wanted to get to the Cotton Bowl, but they didn't want to talk about it again.

That was exactly the response Fleck hoped to get from his players. They had to win games and the MAC title before the Cotton Bowl could even be a possibility.

Receiver Corey Davis, who could have been a high NFL draft pick last year, came back for his senior season. He became an All-American and the FBS career leader in receiving yards while helping WMU reach its goal.

Wisconsin's losses were to the other Big Ten teams playing New Year's Six games. After consecutive losses in October to Michigan and Ohio State - teams that have already lost bowl games - the Badgers won six in a row before losing to Penn State in the league's championship game .

''Obviously, there's still a bad taste in our mouth. But it didn't take too long,'' Wisconsin junior linebacker T.J. Watt said. ''That's a credit to Western Michigan. We can't take them lightly. And we knew that coming in, so we couldn't stress over the loss too much.''

Some other things to know about the Cotton Bowl, being played in the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys:

NEAR-RECORD DUO: Western Michigan quarterback Zach Terrell and Davis have connected for 50 touchdowns, one short of the FBS record for QB-WR duo. (Chase Clement and Jarett Dillard had 51 TDs for Rice from 2005-08). Davis has 51 career TDs, all but one from Terrell, whose 95 TD passes are four short of the WMU mark.

TWO BADGER QBs: Coach Paul Chryst isn't saying which quarterback will start, but the Badgers likely will use both senior Bart Houston and redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook like they have since midway through the season. Hornibrook started nine games before missing the Big Ten title game because of a concussion. He has been cleared for the Cotton Bowl.

HOME OF THE COWBOYS: One of the first things Western Michigan did after getting to North Texas last Monday was attend the Cowboys' home game that night. ''They thought we were doing that for some fun. There's always a little bit of coaching behind everything we do,'' Fleck said. ''We wanted to get that `a-ha' moment and that `awe' moment out.'' Many Wisconsin players have already in the building for a game. The Badgers lost to Alabama in their 2015 season opener there.

UP-FRONT MISMATCHES: Led by All-American left tackle Ryan Ramczyk, the Badgers' starting offensive linemen average 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds. That's nearly 3 inches and 45 pounds more than the Western Michigan defensive front. ''We know who we are. We know what we do, and we know how to do it,'' Fleck said. ''But we're going to have to be quicker, faster, smarter.''

COMMON OPPONENTS: Both teams went 3-0 against Northwestern, Illinois and Akron. ''I think you try to take as much as you can, but you've got to be careful of putting too much stock in it,'' Chryst said about looking at those common outcomes and foes.

[StarDust Bum]

Penn St, USC roll into Rose Bowl
January 1, 2017

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) The matchup in the 103rd Rose Bowl would have seemed preposterous in late September.

That was right before No. 5 Penn State (11-2) won nine straight games and No. 9 Southern California (9-3) won eight in a row, propelling these traditional powers out of the depths of disappointing starts and all the way back to the Granddaddy of Them All.

While both teams missed out on the College Football Playoff, a storybook ending is still possible for two teams whose comeback stories didn't start in October. Both schools have risen from years of struggles and the depths of NCAA sanctions to meet in Pasadena.

''Their program and our program may be two of the hotter teams in college football at the end of the season,'' Penn State coach James Franklin said. ''And both had similar stories. I don't know if you could have written a better script for the Rose Bowl.''

Indeed, this season has been phenomenal for both teams since those rocky starts.

Penn State was a .500 team after a 39-point loss at Michigan to close September, but the Nittany Lions ended up as Big Ten champions amid record-setting statistical years for tailback Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley, who starred in the conference title game.

''To be where they were at 2-2 and then run off nine straight just shows the resiliency of that team,'' USC coach Clay Helton said of the Nittany Lions.

USC was 1-3 after September and had already changed starting quarterbacks amid complaints about Helton's first full season in charge. The Trojans then ran the table, with freshman passer Sam Darnold turning into a star and coordinator Clancy Pendergast's defense becoming the envy of the West.

After a persuasive road victory over playoff-bound Pac-12 champion Washington , the Trojans are sharper than they've been since coach Pete Carroll's last trip to the Rose Bowl eight years ago - also to face Penn State. USC will also reap the usual benefits from being at home during bowl week before playing at the venerable stadium 14 miles from campus.

''(USC) is obviously one of the more storied and historic programs in college football,'' Franklin said. ''Very similar to a Penn State, just on a different coast.''

Here are more things to know about a rare Jan. 2 edition of the Rose Bowl:

BIG BACKS: Along with the intriguing matchup of quarterbacks, two of the nation's most interesting tailbacks will be at work in Pasadena. Barkley was the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year with 1,320 yards rushing and 16 TDs, while speedy Ronald Jones II emerged from USC's typically deep backfield with 1,027 yards and 11 TDs. Both teams would love to establish a running game early to relieve pressure on their quarterbacks. The running backs have something in common: They both love Reggie Bush, the former Trojans star. ''Ever since we've been announced playing in the Rose Bowl, for some reason I could not stop watching Reggie Bush highlights,'' Barkley said. ''I just try to be a complete back like him.''

COMEBACK KIDS: The Nittany Lions have repeatedly rallied from deficits to win this season, including a comeback from a 21-point deficit to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. The Trojans have been remarkably consistent during their eight-game surge, but they're hoping to get off to a quick start that will cushion the vaunted Penn State defensive line's ability to control the second half. ''That's the one thing: We have to get a huge lead,'' USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said. ''Penn State, they're huge in coming back in the second half. Their games have been unbelievable.''

ROSE REDUX: The game is a rematch of the 95th Rose Bowl, won by USC in its fourth consecutive trip to the Granddaddy. One play in that January 2009 game holds particular significance for many Trojans, including defensive back Chris Hawkins: USC safety Taylor Mays' famously vicious hit on Penn State receiver Jordan Norwood, which also leveled his own USC teammate, Kevin Thomas. ''I plan on doing that myself if I get the opportunity,'' Hawkins said. ''I'll probably get kicked out the game nowadays, so I plan on going a little lower, but that's probably my favorite play from any Rose Bowl. ... Oh, (Mays) would have been out the game for sure. Probably would have kicked him out two extra games when he went to the NFL and everything.''

NEVER ON SUNDAY: The Rose Bowl is a New Year's Day institution - except in years when New Year's Day falls on a Sunday. The tradition-rich arena has refused to hold its game on Sundays since 1893, when the organizers decided they had to postpone the pregame Rose Parade because the floats and commotion would alarm the horses hitched outside nearby churches. Although markedly fewer horses are used as transportation to Pasadena's houses of worship these days, the ban has never been lifted.

That's why the Rose Bowl is on Jan. 2 for just the 14th time in its 103 editions.

[StarDust Bum]

Sugar Bowl clash with OU is Auburn's 3rd vs. a league champ
January 1, 2017

No. 17 Auburn (8-4, SEC) vs. No. 7 Oklahoma (10-2, Big 12), 8:30 p.m. EST (ESPN), New Orleans.

Line: Oklahoma by 3.

Series Record: Oklahoma leads 1-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Oklahoma can finish its season with a 10th straight victory while cementing its top 10 ranking. Auburn, which lost its final two regular season conference games, wants to knock off the Big 12 champs not only to energize the program heading into the offseason, but also to give the SEC more bragging rights over another power conference.

KEY MATCHUP

Oklahoma's offense, featuring two Heisman trophy finalists in quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Dede Westbrook, against Auburn's 20th-ranked defense, which also ranks fifth nationally in scoring defense (15.6 points per game). The Tigers have their share of NFL prospects on defense, including edge rusher Carl Lawson and tackle Montravious Adams, who've combined for 21 tackles for losses.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Auburn: Leading Auburn rusher Kamryn Pettway, who had 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns rushing this season, is back from a late-season leg injury and has been the driving force of the Tigers' offense when healthy.

Oklahoma: Mayfield completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,669 yards and 38 touchdowns while throwing only eight interceptions this season. Mayfield often looked for Westbrook, this season's Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation's top receiver, who caught 74 passes 1,465 yards and 16 TDs.

FACTS & FIGURES

Auburn this season has played ACC champion Clemson and SEC champion Alabama - also the two participants in next week's national title game in Tampa - and now meets its third power conference winner of the season in the Sugar Bowl. ... The only other meeting between Auburn and Oklahoma in both programs' long, stories histories also came at the Sugar Bowl to end the 1971 season. The Sooners won 40-22. ... Auburn is in its sixth Sugar Bowl and first since its unbeaten (13-0) 2004 season, when the Tigers finished second in the national rankings behind Southern California - and one spot ahead of Oklahoma. Auburn ended that season by beating Virginia Tech in the 2005 Sugar Bowl, 16-13. ... Oklahoma is in its eighth Sugar Bowl, the most of any school not in the SEC, and the Sooners have won it five times, including the game's 2014 edition, 45-31 over Alabama. ... Oklahoma has won 10 games for the 14th time since Bob Stoops took over as coach 18 years ago. ... Sooners junior running back Samaje Perine needs 82 yards to tie Billy Sims' Oklahoma career rushing record of 4,118 yards, set in 1979.