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NCAAF Trends and Indexes - Bowl Season (Sat., Dec. 16 - Mon., Jan. 8)

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  • #46
    NCAAF

    Saturday, December 30


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    Autozone Liberty Bowl betting preview and odds: Iowa State vs. Memphis
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    Iowa State Cyclones vs. Memphis Tigers (-4.5, 66)

    Game to be played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

    Memphis made it all the way to a second overtime in the most entertaining of all the conference championship games before falling 62-55 to UCF, the lone unbeaten team in FBS, and missing out on a chance to go to a New Year's Six bowl. The Tigers will instead stay close to home and play Iowa State in the Autozone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30 in Memphis, Tenn. The Cyclones played giant killer this season with wins over Oklahoma and TCU but stumbled down the stretch with losses in three of their last four.

    Memphis' success brought the usual overtures from Power 5 schools toward head coach Mike Norvell, who quieted any rumors by inking a five-year extension. The coaching carousel did not leave the Tigers entirely unscathed, as offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey accepted the same position at Texas A&M. Dickey guided a Memphis offense this season that finished second in FBS in scoring average at 47.7 points - behind only UCF - while rolling up an average of 548 yards.

    Iowa State managed to hang onto its head coach as well, with Matt Campbell, who was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year, signing a six-year extension worth a reported $3.5 million annually. Campbell's Cyclones squad is known more for its defense than its offense and will challenge the high-scoring Tigers with a unit that limited eight of its last 10 opponents to 20 or fewer points. Iowa State finished the season 29th in FBS in scoring defense while surrendering an average of 21 points.

    TV:
    12:30 p.m. ET, ABC

    LINE HISTORY:
    The Tigers opened as 3-point chalk and money coming in on Memphis saw that line grow to -4.5 at most books. The total hit the betting board at 65.5 and has been bet up slightly to 66.

    INJURY REPORT:


    Iowa State - RB David Montgomery (Probable, Ankle), DE Matt Leo (Out For Season, Undisclosed), OL One Udeogu (Out Indefinitely, Elbow), QB Devon Moore (Out For Season, Knee).

    Memphis - RB Doroland Sorceus (Questionable, Undisclosed), DB Tim Gordon (Out Indefinitely, Undisclosed), DB Shaun Rupert (Out Indefinitely, Lower Body), LB Darian Porter (Out For Season, Undisclosed), LB Jackson Dillon (Out For Season, Shoulder), DL Jared Gentry (Out For Season, Leg), WR Sam Craft (Out For Season, Knee).

    ABOUT IOWA STATE (7-5 SU, 10-1-1 ATS, 4-8 O/U):
    The bright spot for the Cyclones offense came from sophomore running back David Montgomery, who finished the regular season with 1,094 yards and 11 touchdowns. Montgomery suffered a leg injury in the regular-season finale against Kansas State while being limited to 14 yards on four carries but told reporters, "I'm great. My body's good," when asked if he would be ready for the Liberty Bowl. A healthy Montgomery will take some of the pressure off quarterback Kyle Kempt, who missed a win over Baylor on Nov. 18 with a shoulder injury but came back in time for the regular season finale and threw a pair of TD passes as Iowa State came up just short in a 20-19 loss at Kansas State.

    ABOUT MEMPHIS (10-2 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 9-3 O/U):
    Tigers' quarterback Riley Ferguson boasts an eye-popping stat line with 3,971 yards passing and 36 TDs, and he nearly brought his team to victory in the AAC Championship game by throwing for 471 yards and four scores. Ferguson's favorite target is fellow senior Anthony Miller, who hauled in 92 catches for 1,407 yards and 17 TDs - the second-most yards and TD catches in FBS. Miller became Memphis' third consensus All-American and heads into his final college game with 36 career TDs and 3,535 career yards.

    CONSENSUS:
    The public is siding with the underdog Cyclones at a rate of 54 percent and the Over is getting 67 percent of the totals action.


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    Comment


    • #47
      NCAAF

      Saturday, December 30


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      Playstation Fiesta Bowl betting preview and odds: Washington vs. Penn State
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      Washington Huskies vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (-2, 55)

      Game to be played at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

      Penn State has enjoyed a wonderful history in the Fiesta Bowl and the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions will try to stay perfect in the event when they take on No. 12 Washington on Dec. 30 in Glendale, Ariz. Including a win over Miami in a national title game in 1987, Penn State is 6-0 in the Fiesta Bowl, which will be hosting the Huskies for the first time. Both squads had designs on a berth in the College Football Playoff - Washington for the second straight season - but both suffered two single-digit losses on the road, which was just enough to keep them on the outside looking in.

      The Huskies have back-to-back double-digit wins for the first time since 1990-91 as their turnaround under head coach Chris Petersen has been remarkable. Petersen is 6-4 in bowl games and won the Fiesta twice while at the helm in Boise State, capping undefeated seasons in 2006 and 2009. "You couldn’t be (happier) with this bowl," Petersen told reporters earlier this month. "We're thrilled. We thought we were going to three different ones before we got word we were going to the Fiesta, so we've been there a few times and it's first-class. We're excited."

      Both teams have dynamic junior running backs who could be playing their final games, as Washington's Myles Gaskin bids for space on the highlight reel with Penn State's dynamic Saquon Barkley. Gaskin needs 18 rushing yards for his third straight 1,300-yard season and his 19 touchdowns on the ground ranks third nationally, while Barkley has claimed consecutive Big Ten MVP awards and also has three 1,000-year seasons to his credit. Barkley amassed 249 total yards and three TDs in last year's Rose Bowl loss to USC, but Gaskin was limited to 34 yards rushing on 10 carries in the CFP semifinal loss to Alabama.

      TV:
      4 p.m. ET, ESPN.

      LINE HISTORY:
      The Nittany Lions opened as 3-point favorite and money coming in on dog Huskies dragged that line down to -2 at most books. The total hit the betting board at 55 and remains at the opening number heading into the weekend.

      INJURY REPORT:


      Washington - RB Lavon Coleman (Probable, Ankle), WR Dante Pettis (Probable, Leg), TE Hunter Bryant (Questionable, Leg), LB Azeem Victor (Out Indefinitely, Suspension).

      Penn State - WR Irvin Charles (Out, Suspension), LB Manny Bowen (Out, Suspension).

      ABOUT WASHINGTON (10-2 SU, 7-5 ATS, 6-6 O/U):
      Junior quarterback Jake Browning saw a dip of nearly 900 yards and 25 touchdowns from his phenomenal 2016 campaign, but he is the school's all-time leader with 77 TD passes and is on the verge of becoming its second 9,000-yard career passer, numbers he will need to build up to keep pace with the Nittany Lions. "I haven't watched a ton of them but obviously saw them against (USC in the Rose Bowl) last year put up a lot of points," Browning recently told reporters. Browning's favorite target is senior Dante Pettis (721 receiving yards, seven TDs), and the defense is led by 340-pound lineman Vita Vea, a likely first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.

      ABOUT PENN STATE (10-2 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 6-6 O/U):
      Trace McSorley led the Big Ten in passing (3,228 yards) and added 431 yards and 11 TDs on the ground to pace the nation's seventh-ranked scoring attack (41.6 points). The junior signal-caller threw three interceptions in the Rose Bowl last year and did the same in the Lions' second loss at Michigan State on Nov. 4, but he threw for seven scores - with no picks - and ran for three more in the final three games of the regular season. McSorley, who has already appeared on lists of 2018 Heisman Trophy favorites, needs 186 passing yards to move into second all-time at Penn State and 387 to surpass his own single-season mark of 3,614 set last year.

      CONSENSUS:
      The public is siding with the chalk Nittany Lions at a rate of 73 percent and the Over is getting 61 percent of the totals action


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      Comment


      • #48
        NCAAF

        Saturday, December 30


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        Capital One Orange Bowl betting preview and odds: Wisconsin vs. Miami
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        Wisconsin Badgers vs. Miami Hurricanes (+4.5, 45)

        Game to be played at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

        The regular season ended with bitter disappointment for No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 11 Miami (Fla.) as their dreams of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff came crashing to a halt with poor showings in their conference championship games. The Orange Bowl will be a chance for redemption as the Badgers and Hurricanes try to end their seasons on a high note on Saturday, Dec. 30, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. - the home of the Hurricanes. The Badgers look to shake off their first loss of the season after they fell to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game - the second year in a row they lost while playing for the conference crown - while the Hurricanes try to bounce back from consecutive losses to Pittsburgh and Clemson (in the ACC title game).

        The Badgers and Hurricanes feature dominant game-changing defenses but they saved their worst performances for last, with both units shredded in their respective title games. Miami's usually formidable defense barely put up a fight in giving up 38 points to Clemson - more than double the 18.3 points the Hurricanes allowed in their first 11 games - and Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant opened the contest with an ACC Championship Game-record 15 straight completions. Likewise, the Badgers were pushed around by Ohio State, and their defense - the nation's stingiest in allowing 236.9 yards per game during its 12-0 start - gave up far too many big plays and yielded 449 total yards for the game, although the unit did limit the Buckeyes to just 140 after halftime.

        It was a season that surpassed expectations in both Wisconsin and Miami, and Paul Chryst (Badgers) and Mark Richt (Hurricanes) were recognized for their accomplishments at the helms of their respective alma maters, tabbed as Coach of the Year for the Big Ten and ACC, respectively. Chryst guided the Badgers to their first 12-0 regular season in school history, while Richt's Hurricanes made an even more dramatic climb to its first-ever ACC Coastal Division title and its first 10-win season since 2003. The Canes' return to prominence fittingly ends with an appearance in the Orange Bowl, where they have played nine times (6-3) but not since 2004, while the Badgers, who defeated Miami 20-14 in the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl in their only previous postseason encounter, are making their first-ever appearance.

        TV:
        8 p.m. ET, ESPN.

        LINE HISTORY:
        The Badgers opened as 6.5-point chalk and money coming in on the Canes brought that number down to 4.5 at most shops. The total hit the betting board at 45 and remains at the opening number heading into Saturday.

        INJURY REPORT:


        Wisconsin - TE Troy Fumagalli (Probable, Personal), TE Luke Benzschawel (Questionable, Leg), CB Lubern Figaro (Questionable, Leg), LB Noah Burks (Questionable, Leg), RB Braderick Shaw (Out For Season, Leg), TE Zander Neuville (Out For Season, Leg), P P.J. Rosowski (Out Indefinitely, Leg), WR Quintez Cephus (Out For Season, Leg).

        Miami - WR Ahmmon Richards (Out For Season, Knee), TE Christopher Herndon (Out For Season, Knee), LB Charles Perry (Out For Season, Lower Body), DL Demetrius Jackson (Out For Season, Knee).

        ABOUT WISCONSIN (12-1 SU, 8-5 ATS, 7-6 O/U):
        Running back Jonathan Taylor burst onto the scene and into the record books this season with 1,847 rushing yards and he needs just 79 more to break Adrian Peterson's single-season FBS freshman record set in 2004. Taylor, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting, is a huge key to the Badgers' success and he was held to a season-low 41 yards by Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, almost 110 yards less than the 150.5 yards he averaged entering the game. Like Miami, defense is the name of the game for Wisconsin and the Badgers' tenacious defense, which ranked third in the nation with just 13.2 points allowed per game and scored six defensive touchdowns - tied for most in the country - in helping Wisconsin set a school record with 21 Badgers scoring a touchdown this season.

        ABOUT MIAMI (10-2 SU, 5-7 ATS, 2-10 O/U):
        Quarterback Malik Rosier accounted for 30 total touchdowns in 2017, tying Vinny Testaverde's single-season school record (1986), and he appeared to really be coming into his own in big wins over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, but he - and the entire offense - looked lost and out of sorts in the back-to-back losses to Pittsburgh and Clemson. The offense ended up averaging a paltry 223 yards in those two setbacks, including just 74.5 on the ground, and it certainly didn't help that two of the team's top three pass catchers - tight end Christopher Herndon and receiver Ahmmon Richards - were lost for the season right before the title game. Still, the Hurricanes feed off their hungry, ball-hawking defense and the unit, which featured 16 different players wearing the famed "Turnover Chain" during the year, did not have the same disruptive impact in the two losses with just three total takeaways after forcing 19 in the prior five games.

        CONSENSUS:
        The public is siding with the dog Hurricanes at a rate of 51 percent and the Over is getting 51 percent of the totals action


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        Comment


        • #49
          College football's biggest betting mismatches: New Year's Six bowl games
          Monty Andrews

          Fiesta Bowl

          Washington Huskies vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (-2, 55)

          Washington's lack of red-zone containment vs. Penn State's prolific offense

          The Huskies and Nittany Lions come into the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium as evenly matched as any two teams playing in one of the marquee matchups this weekend. Both teams boast top-7 scoring defenses and can put up points with the best teams in the nation. But like the Cotton Bowl, this one could very well be decided in the red zone, where Penn State simply couldn't be stopped - and where the Huskies simply couldn't stop anyone.

          In fairness, Washington's defense didn't find itself pinned deep in its own territory all that often; the Huskies were one of only six Division I schools to allow opponents 25 or fewer red-zone opportunities on the season. But when teams were able to get the ball deep, they made good. Washington allowed scores on 88 percent of opponent trips inside the red zone, ranking outside the top 100 nationally. It's the highest conversion rate of any of the 12 teams playing in a New Year's Six bowl.

          That red-zone defense will face a stiff test Saturday against a Penn State offense that made a living off converting trips inside the 20 into scores - mostly touchdowns. The Nittany Lions made good on 51 of their 56 red-zone opportunities, good for a 91.1 percent success rate that ranked 18th in the country. And Penn State was one of the most prolific teams in the nation at producing TDs inside the 20, reaching the end zone 44 times while settling for a field goal on just seven occasions.

          Orange Bowl

          Wisconsin Badgers vs. Miami Hurricanes (+4.5, 45)

          Wisconsin's drive-choking prowess vs. Miami's third-down stumbles

          Amid a slate featuring plenty of high-total games, oddsmakers are expecting the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium to be a low-scoring affair between the Badgers and "host" Hurricanes. Wisconsin boasts one of the best defenses in the nation, finishing the season ranked first in total defense (253.2 yards against per game) and third in scoring defense. And when it comes to third downs, the Badgers have a significant advantage over a Hurricanes team that inexplicably struggled to extend drives.

          You won't find many holes on a Wisconsin defense that limited opponents to 160.6 passing yards per game and a minuscule 2.96 yards per carry. That dominance extends to third-down situations, in which the Badgers held foes to a 29.6-percent conversion rate - behind only Virginia Tech, Michigan, Texas, Clemson and Washington State. All those short opponent drives played a major role in Wisconsin finishing the season ranked third overall in average time of possession at more than 35 minutes.

          For all the things the Hurricanes did well - and there were many, on both sides of the ball - converting on third down absolutely wasn't one of them. Miami either scored or extended drives on just 45 of its 153 third-down chances - good for a 29.4 percent success rate that ranked it 124th out of 129 Division I schools. Barring a significant development Saturday, the Hurricanes are going to find themselves either punting a lot, or going for it on fourth down - both less-than-ideal scenarios.

          Peach Bowl

          Central Florida Knights vs. Auburn Tigers (-9.5, 67)

          UCF's penalty parade vs. Auburn's elite discipline

          Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be home to what should be an entertaining Peach Bowl showdown between the UFC Knights and the Auburn Tigers. Expect the Tigers to be suitably motivated for this one, as they look to atone for a humiliating 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game, a defeat that cost Auburn a shot at the national title. And while they have a few edges against the Knights, the biggest one might be in the discipline department.

          The Knights are the most prolific program in the nation, averaging an NCAA-best 49.4 points per game while scoring an absurd 80 touchdowns in 12 games. But if there's one area UCF can be exploited, it's in the penalty ledger. The Knights racked up 101 penalty flags over the course of the season; only Oregon, USF and Memphis finished with more. Those penalties resulted in plenty of lost yardage as well, with UCF ranking 113th in the nation at 67.8 penalty yards per contest.

          Auburn might not be able to match the Knights' firepower, but they can certainly negate some of their offensive gains by exhibiting their trademark discipline. The Tigers finished with just 55 penalty flags on the season - 11th-fewest in the country, and 46 fewer than their Saturday opponent. It's the same story from a penalty yardage perspective, with Auburn averaging a minuscule 36.6 per contest; only seven teams average fewer. If UCF isn't on its best behavior, this one could be over early.

          Comment


          • #50
            The College Football Playoff's biggest betting mismatches
            Monty Andrews

            Rose Bowl

            Georgia Bulldogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners (+2.5, 60)

            Georgia's red-zone prowess vs. Sooners' downfield struggles

            The biggest question heading into the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., this weekend is a simple one: Can the Sooners stop Georgia's relentless run attack? The Bulldogs have built a championship-caliber offense around its sensational backfield duel of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, which complements an elite defense that allowed just 13.2 points per game. And when it comes to success inside the 20, Georgia should have little trouble converting against a Sooners team that struggled to prevent red-zone scores.

            When you have a backfield as prolific as the Bulldogs, it's often just a matter of time before a visit to the opposing red zone becomes six points. And Georgia certainly made the most of its trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line, scoring points on 48 of its 50 chances this season; that 96-percent success rate ranks third in the nation, behind only FIU and Wyoming. And it should come as little surprise to bettors and fans alike that 23 of those 50 visits resulted in rushing touchdowns.

            No one doubts that quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Sooners' sensational offense will put that Georgia defense to the test - but none of that will matter if Oklahoma can't find a way to improve its defense deep in its own territory. The Sooners surrendered 40 scores in 46 opponent red-zone opportunities - ranking just inside the top-100 nationally. And while just 27 of those 40 scores resulted in touchdowns, any Georgia points on the board will make it even more difficult to pull off the upset.

            Bulldogs' so-so secondary vs. Baker Mayfield

            Getting to the College Football Playoff necessitates solid play at both ends of the field - and the Bulldogs certainly have that covered, having scored nearly 35 points per game during the season in addition to putting together one of the nation's top defenses. But facing Baker Mayfield is an entirely different test for Georgia's secondary, which struggled to put up the type of elite performance required to win it all. And that's where the Sooners have the kind of advantage that could result in a win Saturday.

            Only Michigan allowed fewer passing yards this season than the Bulldogs, who limited opponents to 158.3 per game on an NCAA-low 5.58 yards per attempt. But in what is expected to be a tightly-contested game, a turnover or two could make the difference - and in that regard, Georgia's secondary came up short. The Bulldogs finished 65th in the nation with 10 interceptions over 13 games, and finished only marginally better in sacks per game (2.00, 63rd overall).

            Georgia might have held opposing quarterbacks to a 53-percent completion rate this season, but it didn't have to face Mayfield, who led the nation in completion rate (71 percent) while finishing second in passing yards (4,340) and touchdowns (41). The Sooners threw just five interceptions as a team; only Alabama, Auburn, LSU and San Diego State had fewer. If the Bulldogs can't find a way to pressure Mayfield, he should be able to do enough damage to keep things close.


            Sugar Bowl

            Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Clemson Tigers (+3, 47)

            Alabama's lack of sack prevention vs. Clemson's relentless QB pressure

            Many believe that this year's Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans is the real national title game, with top-seeded Clemson squaring off against an Alabama team that would be No. 1 were it not for a stunning loss to Auburn. The Crimson Tide rely on a stout running game to produce the bulk of their offense, but they'll likely need to lean more on the passing game in this one - and that could be troublesome, with the Tigers boasting one of the best sack units in the nation.

            Looking at the raw data suggests there isn't anything to worry about; Alabama yielded just 1.83 sacks per game, ranking inside the top 50 in Division I. But for a team that drops back just 36.6 percent of the time, it's a deceptive figure; more telling is the fact that the Crimson Tide gave up a sack on 7.8 percent of dropbacks, which ranked just inside the top 100. And while Auburn threw just four interceptions, that sack rate is cause for concern in a game that could require a change in offensive game plan.

            Look for Clemson to take advantage of those times when Alabama is forced to pass. The Tigers led the nation in total sacks (44) while averaging a whopping 3.38 per game over the course of the season; only Miami had a higher sack rate. Clemson also finished second in the country in sack rate on opposing dropbacks vs. Division I teams at 10.6 percent. Alabama will be able make inroads in the running game - but if it's forced to pass, Clemson will be ready.

            Crimson Tide's fourth-down magic vs. Tigers' tragic 4D defense

            Nick Saban isn't afraid to get creative when the opportunity presents itself - and with one of the best drive-extension teams in the nation, don't be surprised to see him go for it in fourth-and-short situations. These scenarios might not come up that often in the Sugar Bowl on Monday - but when they do, the Crimson Tide have a significant advantage based on regular-season results, with Clemson having been surprisingly mediocre at preventing teams from converting on fourth down.

            Fans and bettors alike know that the Crimson Tide are one of the strongest teams in the nation in several areas - but it might come as a surprise to some that Alabama comes into the national semifinal as the top team in the nation at scoring or extending drives on fourth down, making good on 13-of-16 opportunities (81.3 percent). Only two other teams - Minnesota and West Virginia - even broke the 75-percent plateau in fourth-down conversion rate.

            That bodes poorly for a Clemson team that is incredibly short on weaknesses, but did struggle in fourth-down defensive situations in 2017. The Tigers allowed opponents to make good on 14-of-25 fourth-down opportunities - a 56-percent conversion rate good for a tie for 87th in the country. This game could very well come down to one or two plays in the fourth quarter - and if Clemson can't get a fourth-down stop, it could give Alabama the extra plays it needs to prevail.
            Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-01-2018, 12:11 PM.

            Comment


            • #51
              NCAAF

              Monday, January 1


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              Outback Bowl betting preview and odds: Michigan vs. South Carolina
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              Michigan Wolverines vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (+7.5, 42)

              Game to be played at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

              Michigan looks for a positive end to what has been a difficult season when it faces South Carolina in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day in Tampa, Fla. The Wolverines were forced to start three different quarterbacks over the course of the campaign as Wilton Speight missed eight games with a fractured vertebrae and Brandon Peters sat out the loss to Ohio State with a concussion en route to a four-loss regular season. Peters has been given the green light to return and will start against South Carolina as Michigan hopes to avenge a 33-28 setback to the Gamecocks in the 2013 Outback Bowl.

              South Carolina hopes a new offensive playcaller will solve its scoring woes after the Gamecocks finished 98th nationally in points (24.1) and 108th in yards per game. Kurt Roper was let go on Dec. 6 - just over a week after South Carolina was held to 207 yards in the 34-10 loss to top-ranked Clemson - and Bryan McClendon, who doubles as the wide receivers coach, will be tasked with solving a stout Michigan defense, which finished fifth nationally in tackles-for-loss (103) and seventh in sacks per game (3.25). "I'm excited about having Bryan McClendon calling plays for the bowl game," South Carolina coach Will Muschamp told reporters. "Certainly he's going to have an opportunity to be our coordinator going forward."

              The Wolverines have fared well against SEC opponents, compiling a 25-8-1 record, including two straight victories by an average margin of 25 points. The Gamecocks overcame a slew of injuries and hope to cap off an encouraging season by winning nine games for the first time since 2013. Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, who was named a unanimous All-American after registering 13 1/2 tackles for loss and five sacks, will play his final collegiate game before preparing for the NFL draft as will South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst after earning first team SEC honors with 41 receptions for 518 yards.

              TV:
              Noon ET, ESPN2

              LINE HISTORY:
              The Wolverines opened as 8.5-point chalk and money coming in on the dog brought that number down to 7.5 at most shops. The total hit the board at 43 and has been bet down slightly to 42.

              INJURY REPORT:


              Michigan - RB Ty Isaac (Probable, Lower Body), QB Brandon Peters (Probable, Concussion), WR Nico Collins (Questionable, Ankle), TE Nick Eubanks (Questionable, Head), DL Luiji Vilain (Questionable, Lower Body).

              South Carolina - WR Shi Smith (Probable, Ankle), TE K.C. Crosby (Probable, Leg), RB Rico Dowdle (Probable, Leg), RB A.J. Turner (Probable, Ankle), LB Sherrod Greene (Questionable, Undisclosed), OL Donell Stanley (Questionable, Undisclosed), LB Antoine Walker (Questionable, Elbow), DB Jamyest Williams (Out, Shoulder)

              WEATHER REPORT:
              54 degrees and overcast at kickoff - 14 to 15 mph winds throughout the game

              ABOUT MICHIGAN (8-4 SU, 5-6-1 ATS, 6-5-1 O/U):
              Speight, who announced his decision to transfer from the program one day after Michigan's 31-20 loss to fifth-ranked Ohio State, played the first four games of the season before suffering a back injury on Sept. 23, and leaves Ann Arbor with a 14-3 record as a starting quarterback. Peters threw for 486 yards and four touchdowns in four full games before he was knocked out in the second half of the 24-10 setback to Wisconsin, but has been medically cleared to play against South Carolina. Karan Higdon had a breakout year as he gained 929 yards on the ground to go along with 11 touchdowns and needs 71 yards to become Michigan's first running back with 1,000 yards since Fitzgerald Toussaint in 2011.

              ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (8-4 SU, 6-4-2 ATS, 4-8 O/U):
              Jake Bentley threw for 2,555 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with six rushing scores while Bryan Edwards had a stellar sophomore season by hauling in a team-high 59 passes for 705 yards and four TDs. A.J. Turner, who led the team with 517 rushing yards suffered an ankle injury against Clemson but is expected to play in the Outback Bowl as is freshman wide receiver Shi Smith, who has recovered from a leg injury which caused him to miss the loss to the Tigers. Linebacker Skai Moore was selected to the All-SEC first team by the coaches after leading the Gamecocks with 88 tackles while defensive back Jamyest Williams was selected to the All-SEC freshman team.

              CONSENSUS:
              The public is siding with the dog Gamecocks at a rate of 58 percent and the Over is getting 53 percent of the totals action.


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              Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-01-2018, 12:13 PM.

              Comment


              • #52
                NCAAF

                Monday, January 1


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                Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl betting preview and odds: Central Florida vs. Auburn
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                Central Florida vs. Auburn Tigers (-10, 67.5)

                Game to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

                Central Florida will try to complete an undefeated season and gain some respect for the American Athletic Conference when it takes on Auburn of the SEC in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 1 in Atlanta. Scott Frost, who took over a UCF team that was winless in 2015 and turned them into a 12-0 team two years later, will coach the Knights before moving on to his new job at Nebraska. “It’s gonna take us being together every step of the way,” UCF senior linebacker Shaquem Griffin told the Orlando Sentinel. “Ups and down, we’re gonna have to be able to stick it out. Auburn is an amazing team, but we’re an amazing team also.”

                The Tigers might be in the College Football Playoff if not for a shoulder injury to leading rusher Kerryon Johnson that limited the junior to 44 yards on 13 carries in the 28-7 loss to Georgia at the SEC championship game. Johnson has rushed for 1,320 yards and 17 touchdowns this season and had 167 yards on the ground with 66 through the air against Georgia is the teams’ first meeting, which was won by Auburn 40-17. The junior reportedly has been practicing and his presence could take a lot of pressure off sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who was only 16-of-32 with 145 yards in the SEC title game.

                Sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton has put up some amazing numbers this season with 3,795 yards and 35 scoring strikes while running for another 497 and seven touchdowns. Milton, a 5-11, 177-pound gunslinger from Hawaii, will get the toughest test of his career against an Auburn defense that has allowed only 17.3 points per game to rank 10th in the country. Milton went 18-of-30 for 178 yards and one TD pass in a 38-10 victory against Maryland on Sept. 23 in his only matchup against a team from a top-five conference this season while the Tigers are yielding 177.8 yards per game through the air.

                TV:
                12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

                LINE HISTORY:
                The Tigers opened as 10-point favorites and briefly dropped to most shops to 9.5 before returning to the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 65 and money coming in on the over pushed that number as high as 67.5.

                INJURY REPORT:


                Central Florida - OL Aaron Evans (Out For Season, Undisclosed).

                Auburn - WR JaTarvious Whitlow (Probable, Ankle), RB Kerry Johnson (Probable, Shoulder), LB Tre' Williams (Probable, Shoulder), LB Chandler Wooten (Questionable, Undisclosed), RB Kamryn Pettway (Out For Season, Shoulder).

                WEATHER REPORT:
                Dome.

                ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (12-0 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 8-4 O/U):
                Milton, who threw for a career-high 494 yards in the 62-55 double-overtime victory over Memphis in the AAC championship game, has three receivers at his disposal with at least 30 catches. Junior wideout Tre’Quan Smith had four 100-yard receiving games and boasts 1,082 on 54 receptions with 13 touchdowns while sophomore Dredrick Snelson has 42 catches for 656 yards - career highs of nine and 145, respectively, in the last game. Junior linebacker Pat Jasinski (team-best 96 tackles) and edge-rusher Griffin (5.5 sacks) lead a Knights' defense that gives up 165.7 yards per game on the ground.

                ABOUT AUBURN (10-3 SU, 6-5-2 ATS, 7-6 O/U):
                Stidham, a transfer from Baylor, has had a strong year overall with 2,827 yards and 17 touchdowns passing with four interceptions and a 66.7 percent completion rate. Junior wide receiver Ryan Davis is Stidham’s top threat with 76 catches for 768 yards and five scores, including 18 receptions for 204 in the last two contests, while sophomore Darius Slayton has caught 24 balls for 574 yards. Jeff Holland boasts a team-best nine sacks and fellow junior linebacker Deshaun Davis easily tops the Tigers with 75 tackles - 10 in the SEC title game.

                CONSENSUS:
                The public is split 50/50 on the moneyline and the Over is getting 59 percent of the totals action


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                Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-01-2018, 12:14 PM.

                Comment


                • #53
                  NCAAF

                  Monday, January 1


                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Citrus Bowl betting preview and odds: Notre Dame vs. Louisiana State
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Louisiana State Tigers (-3, 51.5)

                  Game to be played at Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

                  Two storied programs face off on New Year’s Day, when No. 15 Notre Dame takes on 14th-ranked LSU in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. It’s the first trip to the Citrus Bowl and the 16th different bowl game for the Fighting Irish, while the Tigers are playing in the game for the second straight year and fifth time overall. Notre Dame holds a 6-5 edge in the all-time series, including a 31-28 win in the most recent meeting in the 2014 Music City Bowl.

                  Both teams lean heavily on their ground games and boast 1,000-yard rushers. Notre Dame’s Josh Adams (1,386 yards, nine touchdowns) should be fresh after seeing his production drop off late in the season, as he averaged 8.9 yards per carry in his first eight games but just 3.7 over the final four contests. Derrius Guice (1,153 yards, 11 TDs) was a workhorse down the stretch for the Tigers as he carried the ball at least 19 times in each of the last six games, including a regular season-ending 45-21 win over Texas A&M in which he had 28 rushes for 127 yards.

                  Notre Dame’s defense thrives on turnovers, but it hasn’t been causing them lately. The Fighting Irish had 17 takeaways through their first seven games but only three in their last five. They might have a tough time producing takeaways against an LSU team that committed only eight turnovers all season, four of which came in a loss to Troy on Sept. 30.

                  TV:
                  1 p.m. ET, ABC.

                  LINE HISTORY:
                  The Tigers opened as 10-point favorites and briefly dropped to most shops to 9.5 before returning to the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 65 and money coming in on the over pushed that number as high as 67.5.

                  INJURY REPORT:


                  Notre Dame - WR Cameron Smith (Probable, Hamstring), QB J.D. Carney (Questionable, Concussion), WR Kevin Stephenson (Out Indefinitely, Suspension), RB C.J. Holmes (Out Indefinitely, Suspension), TE Brock Wright (Out, Shoulder), TE Alize Mack (Out, Suspension), WR Chase Claypool (Out For Season, Shoulder).

                  Louisiana State - OL Donavaughn Campbell (Probable, Foot), RB Derrius Guice (Probable, Undisclosed), OT K.J. Malone (Probable, Knee), OL Ed Ingram (Questionable, Undisclosed), DE Deondre Clark (Questionable, Undisclosed), PK Cameron Gamble (Out, Eligibility), LB Arden Key (Out, Finger), LB Corey Thompson (Out, Undisclosed), LB Donnie Alexander (Out For Season, Shoulder).

                  WEATHER REPORT:
                  52 and overcast at kickoff - 13 to 15 mph winds throughout the game

                  ABOUT NOTRE DAME (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS, 6-6 O/U):
                  The Fighting Irish have the nation’s seventh-best rushing offense thanks to Adams and quarterback Brandon Wimbush, who has rushed for 765 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns. Wimbush has passed for 1,818 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, but four of those picks came in the last three games – two each in losses to Miami (Fla.) and Stanford – and he will be without Chase Claypool, the team’s second-leading receiver who has a shoulder injury. The defense was solid for much of the season but has allowed an average of 226.3 rushing yards over the last four games.

                  ABOUT LSU (9-3 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 5-7 O/U):
                  The Tigers lean on Guice and the ground game, as well as one of the nation’s stingiest defenses. LSU gives up just 311.7 total yards per game and is effective stopping both the run and the pass, ranking in the top 25 nationally in both categories. Guice is a weapon, but part of the reason he has so much room to run is the efficient season quarterback Danny Etling has had, as he has passed for 2,234 yards with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.

                  CONSENSUS:
                  The public is siding with the underdog Fighting Irish at a rate of 52 percent and the Under is getting 51 percent of the totals action


                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-01-2018, 12:17 PM.

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    NCAAF

                    Monday, January 1


                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Rose Bowl betting preview and odds: Georgia vs Oklahoma
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Georgia Bulldogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners (+2.5, 61)

                    Game to be played at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

                    Oklahoma brings the nation’s fourth-best scoring offense into the Rose Bowl and the College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1 against a Georgia team boasting the fourth-best defense in the country. Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield threw 41 touchdown passes en route to 4,340 yards through the air to help the Sooners average 44.9 points per contest, but Georgia - led by linebacker and Butkus Award winner Roquan Smith - has held opponents to 158.3 yards passing per game while giving up just 13.2 points per contest. The winner could be who handles the other team’s strength the best: Georgia has not faced a passing attack the caliber of Oklahoma’s, but the Sooners’ offense has not lined up against a defense like the Bulldogs.

                    The Bulldogs are two wins from their first national championship since the 1980 season, in part because of an improved offensive line and the one-two punch of senior running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb is second on the SEC’s all-time rushing list and sits at 1,175 yards on the ground this season while Michel is 52 yards away from 1,000, and both have rushed for 13 touchdowns. Having two strong running backs has paid big dividends for freshman quarterback Jake Fromm, who effectively has navigated the offense after taking over for the injured Jacob Eason on opening day.

                    Both teams reached the semifinals directed by young head coaches who earned their stripes as outstanding coordinators. There was plenty of uncertainty around the Sooners when longtime coach Bob Stoops suddenly stepped down in early June, but 34-year-old offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley has thrived after being thrust into the head coaching role. At Georgia, Kirby Smart returned to his alma mater in 2016 after directing defenses on multiple national championship teams at Alabama, and followed up last year’s eight-win campaign with the Bulldogs first SEC championship since 2005.

                    TV:
                    5 p.m. ET, ESPN.

                    LINE HISTORY:
                    The Sooners opened as 1-point chalk and money coming in on the SEC champ Bulldogs saw that line jump the fence to Georgia -2.5 at most books. The total hit the betting board at 60 and has been bet up a full point to 61.

                    WHAT SHARPS SAY:
                    "Oklahoma is by far the worst defensive team in the Final 4 playoffs, allowing almost twice as many points per game as the other three teams. However, the Sooners have the most explosive offense which makes them a dangerous team. QB Baker Mayfield and company average an incredible 12.0 yards per pass, which means they average more than a first down on every pass attempt this year. The winner of this game will be approximately a 3-point underdog in the championship game next week versus the Alabama/Clemson winner, according to the advance lines." - Steve Merril.

                    INJURY REPORT:


                    Georgia - DB Malkom Parrish (Probable, Lower Body), FB Christian Payne (Probable, Undisclosed), RB Sony Michel (Probable, Knee), DB Latavious Brini (Questionable, Disciplinary), DB Deangelo Gibbs (Questionable, Undisclosed), WR Jayson Stanley (Questionable, Possible Suspension), LB Natrez Patrick (Out, Personal).

                    Oklahoma - QB Baker Mayfield (Probable, Illness), RB Rodney Anderson (Probable, Personal), DT Matt Romar (Out Indefinitely, Undisclosed).

                    WEATHER REPORT:
                    71 and partly cloudy at kickoff - 2 to 3 mph winds throughout the game

                    ABOUT GEORGIA (12-1 SU, 9-4 ATS, 5-8 O/U):
                    Fromm’s confidence has increased throughout the season, and he ranks second in the SEC in passing efficiency and third with 21 passing touchdowns. Chubb and Michel front the offense, but freshman D’Andre Swift rushed for 597 yards and led the Bulldogs with 88 and a touchdown in the SEC title game victory over Auburn. The Bulldogs defense held opponents to 14 points or fewer 10 times, and ranks eighth in the country in defensive pass efficiency.

                    ABOUT OKLAHOMA (12-1 SU, 8-5 ATS, 7-6 O/U):
                    The Sooners dodged a bullet with running back Rodney Anderson, who gained a team-best 960 yards this season, when no charges were filed following a rape accusation. Mayfield’s top targets are tight end Mark Andrews, the Mackey Award winner who has eight touchdown receptions, and receiver Marquise Brown, who is 19 yards shy of 1,000 for the season. The Sooners defense allowed 144.2 yards on the ground and gave up 20 or fewer points three times in their last four games.

                    CONSENSUS:
                    The public is siding with the Big 12 champion Sooners at a rate of 55 percent and the Over is getting 64 percent of the totals action.


                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-01-2018, 12:19 PM.

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      NCAAF

                      Monday, January 1


                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Allstate Sugar Bowl betting preview and odds: Alabama vs. Clemson
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Alabama Crimson Tide vs Clemson Tigers (+3, 47.5)

                      Game to be played at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

                      Top-seeded Clemson and fourth-seeded Alabama are facing each other in the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season when they square off in the semifinals at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 1. The Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers in the national title game two seasons ago before departed Deshaun Watson led Clemson on a dramatic game-winning drive in last season's championship game. "I think it's only fitting that to have a chance to advance to Atlanta (for the final), you've got a heavyweight matchup here with Clemson and Alabama," Tigers coach Dabo Swinney told reporters.

                      Clemson's only blemish this season was a loss to Syracuse but the Tigers recovered well to leave no doubt that they were one of the nation's top four teams. It was a bit more complicated for the Crimson Tide as they lost to Auburn and didn't reach the SEC title game before landing the final spot over Ohio State. "I really do believe that based on the total body of work, that our team really deserved the opportunity to be in," Alabama coach Nick Saban told reporters.

                      The Crimson Tide's vaunted defense was torched by Watson (825 passing yards and seven touchdowns plus one rushing score) in the past two seasons and all eyes will be on Clemson junior quarterback Kelly Bryant. Alabama ranks first in scoring defense (11.5) and second in total defense (257.8) and Bryant (2,678 yards, 13 touchdowns passing; 646 yards and 11 scores rushing) can remove himself from the shadow of Watson's performances by leading his own title run. "The quarterback now may be a better runner, if that's possible, than the guy we played the last two years," Saban said at a press conference.

                      TV:
                      8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN.

                      LINE HISTORY:
                      Oddsmakers opened Bama as 2-point chalk and money coming in on the Crimson Tide has pushed that number up to a field goal. The total hit the board at 47 and is up slightly at most shops to 47.5. Check out the complete line history here.

                      WHAT SHARPS SAY:
                      "Despite being the #4 seed, Alabama is favored over the #1 seed Clemson and the Tide are the overall favorite to win the NCAA Football championship. Money has pushed this line higher as it opened -2 a few weeks ago, but then hit the key number of -3, with a few sportsbooks now starting to show -3.5. Clemson has matched up well the past two years against Alabama, but the Tigers are now without QB Deshaun Watson who accounted for over 80% of Clemson's total offensive yards in those past two meetings. The winner of this game will be approximately a 3-point favorite over the Georgia/Oklahoma winner next week, according to the advance lines." - Steve Merril.

                      INJURY REPORT:


                      Alabama - DB Deionte Thompson (Probable, Knee), DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (Probable, Hamstring), OL Brandon Kennedy (Questionable, Ankle), DL Labryan Ray (Questionable, Foot), DB Nigel Knott (Questionable, Undisclosed), LB Dylan Moses (Out Indefinitely, Foot), DB Hootie Jones (Out For Season, Knee).

                      Clemson - CB Mark Fields (Probable, Foot), LB Tre Lamar (Questionable, Shoulder), LB Chad Smith (Questionable, Calf), LB Judah Davis (Out For Season, Knee).

                      WEATHER REPORT:
                      Dome

                      ABOUT ALABAMA (11-1 SU, 5-7 ATS, 5-7 O/U):
                      Sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts (768 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) is a superb runner but his passing issues again popped up when he went 12-of-22 for 112 yards in the loss to Auburn, although he said he and his teammates are motivated to excel after the long layoff. "I think we got a little more time to heal up, a little more time to focus on the things we need to focus on," Hurts, who passed for 1,940 yards and 15 touchdowns, told reporters. "How can we show the world we've learned? How far have we come? I think we're trying to get better now." First-team All-American strong safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (52 tackles, one interception) is the leader of the sturdy defense that also regularly receives stellar outings from junior free safety Ronnie Harrison (team-best 68 tackles, tied for team lead with three interceptions) and sophomore defensive end Raekwon Davis (team-high 6.5 sacks).

                      ABOUT CLEMSON (12-1 SU, 8-4-1 ATS, 4-8-1 O/U):
                      The Tigers have been nearly as good as the Crimson Tide on defense as they rank second in scoring defense (12.8) and sixth in total defense (277.9). First-team All-American defensive end Clelin Ferrell (the sophomore had a team-high 8.5 sacks among his 17 tackles for losses) is one of the headliners along with two second-team All-Americans -- junior defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (47 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and senior linebacker Dorian O'Daniel (team-best 99 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries). Offensively, junior wideout Hunter Renfrow -- who caught the winning score in last season's title game -- has a team-best 55 receptions, while freshman Travis Etienne (744 yards, 13 touchdowns) and sophomore Tavien Feaster (659, seven) share the rushing duties.

                      CONSENSUS:
                      The public is siding with the Tigers at a rate of 52 percent and the Over is getting 64 percent of the totals action


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                      Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-01-2018, 12:20 PM.

                      Comment


                      • #56


                        Have a great 2018 everybody!!! Be smart tonight!

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Auburn cornerback Carlton Davis will not play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Central Florida on Monday as he deals with an illness, coach Gus Malzahn said Sunday.
                          Davis missed the final three practices before Malzahn's announcement.
                          "Carlton Davis will not play in our bowl," Malzahn said. "He had an illness earlier in the week that has not gotten better. (Davis) went home (Saturday), just felt like he'd be better off there with the illness he has."
                          Davis was an SEC All-Freshman selection in 2015 and an All-SEC third-team choice a year ago.
                          The junior has a team-high 11 pass breakups to go along with 36 tackles this season for Auburn (10-3), which is bidding to end the perfect season of Central Florida (12-0)

                          Comment


                          • #58
                            Alabama opens as favorite over Georgia for national championship game
                            Patrick Everson

                            The Southeastern Conference has long been heralded as home to the best college football in the nation. This year won’t change that perception, with two SEC teams advancing to next week’s national championship game. Patrick Everson checks in on the opening line and even a little early action, with insights from Jay Kornegay, who operates the famed Westgate Las Vegas Superbook; Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu; and Scott Kaminsky, director of offshore shop TheGreek.com.

                            No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (+4)

                            Alabama is back in the national title game for the third straight year, after absolutely stuffing the team it lost to in last year’s final. The Crimson Tide (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS) gave Clemson no room to operate offensively in Monday night’s Sugar Bowl, posting a 24-6 victory as a 3.5-point favorite.

                            Georgia came away victorious in a Rose Bowl game that featured a lot more offense – more than three times as much as in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs (13-1 SU, 10-4 ATS) trailed Oklahoma 31-17 at the half, but rallied while turning the game into a huge offensive shootout that went to overtime tied at 45. Georgia then won 54-48 in double OT as a 2.5-point chalk.

                            The Dawgs won the SEC championship with a 28-7 Dec. 2 rout of Auburn, which beat Alabama in the regular-season finale Nov. 25 to keep the Tide out of the SEC final. Georgia and ‘Bama did not meet in the regular season. They’ll collide next Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

                            “Five weeks later, Alabama looks like Alabama. Expect a very physical game played at a slow pace,” Kornegay said, before explaining how his Superbook staff arrived at ‘Bama -4. “Our consensus was Alabama either -4 or -4.5, but guys thought a shorter line was best, thinking bigger money would be on the underdog, especially in the early going. They’ll probably take the underdog first. Then the public will come back and lay the favorite.”

                            Bookmaker.eu also opened Alabama -4, keeping firmly in mind how Monday played out for both these teams.

                            “The way the semis unfolded certainly factors into the oddsmaking for this matchup, given that Alabama played such a complete game and looked like juggernauts, while Georgia simply appeared to be on the right side of a shootout,” Cooley said. “The thought was to be higher than a field goal, to give Alabama the respect it deserves, but not near a touchdown, where we’re giving too much value to a quality Georgia club.”

                            Alabama opened a tick higher at TheGreek.com, at -4.5.

                            “They took the dog immediately. We went to -4.5 (-105),” Kaminsky said.

                            The Superbook opened the total at 48 and dropped to 47 in short order. Bookmaker.eu had the total at 47.5, while TheGreek.com went low at 46.

                            Comment


                            • #59
                              NCAAF
                              Dunkel

                              CFP Championship


                              Monday, January 8


                              Alabama @ Georgia

                              Game 151-152
                              January 8, 2018 @ 8:10 pm

                              Dunkel Rating:
                              Alabama
                              116.510
                              Georgia
                              115.516
                              Dunkel Team:
                              Dunkel Line:
                              Dunkel Total:
                              Alabama
                              by 1
                              42
                              Vegas Team:
                              Vegas Line:
                              Vegas Total:
                              Alabama
                              by 4 1/2
                              45
                              Dunkel Pick:
                              Georgia
                              (+4 1/2); Under





                              NCAAF
                              Long Sheet


                              Monday, January 8

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

                              ALABAMA (12 - 1) vs. GEORGIA (13 - 1) - 1/8/2018, 8:45 PM
                              Top Trends for this game.
                              GEORGIA is 67-42 ATS (+20.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

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

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




                              NCAAF

                              CFP Championship


                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Trend Report
                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              Monday, January 8

                              ALABAMA @ GEORGIA
                              Alabama is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
                              The total has gone OVER in 5 of Alabama's last 6 games when playing Georgia
                              Georgia is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games
                              The total has gone OVER in 5 of Georgia's last 6 games when playing Alabama


                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-08-2018, 02:17 AM.

                              Comment


                              • #60
                                NCAAF
                                Armadillo's Write-Up

                                Bowl Season


                                Alabama (-4.5) vs Georgia, in Atlanta

                                Nick Saban is 11-0 vs his former assistant coaches, with all 11 wins by 14+ points; Alabama is in national title game for third year in row, splitting pair with Clemson last two years. Crimson Tide held 9 of 13 opponents to 10 or less points; they’re 2-1 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Alabama won its last three games with Georgia, beating Dawgs 38-10 in last meeting two years ago. Georgia scored 40.5 ppg in winning its last four games since their only loss, at Auburn- they won 20-19 at Notre Dame in their only game as an underdog this year. Dawgs are 4-1 vs spread this year in games with single digit spread. Six of last nine Georgia games went over total; six of last eight Alabama games stayed under.

                                2017-18 bowl results
                                Troy (-6.5) 50, North Texas 30
                                Georgia State (+6.5) 27, Western Kentucky 17
                                Boise State (+7) 38, Oregon 28
                                Marshall (+4) 31, Colorado State 28
                                Middle Tennessee State (+3) 35, Arkansas State 30
                                Florida Atlantic (-22) 50, Akron 3
                                Louisiana Tech (+5) 51, SMU 10
                                Temple (-7) 28, Florida International 3
                                Ohio U (-6.5) 41, UAB 6
                                Wyoming (-2.5) 37, Central Michigan 14
                                South Florida (-2) 38, Texas Tech 34
                                Army (+6.5) 42, San Diego Satte 35
                                Appalachian State (+6.5) 34, Toledo 0
                                Fresno State 33 (+3), Houston 27
                                Utah (-6.5) 30, West Virginia 14
                                Duke (-5.5) 36, Northern Illinois 14
                                Kansas State (-6.5) 35, UCLA 17
                                Florida State (-12) 42, Southern Mississippi 13
                                Iowa (-2.5) 27, Boston College 20
                                Purdue (+2.5) 38, Arizona 35
                                Texas (+3) 33, Missouri 16
                                Navy (-2.5) 49, Virginia 7
                                Oklahoma State (-6.5) 30, Virginia Tech 21
                                TCU (-3) 39, Stanford 37
                                Michigan State (-3) 42, Washington State 17
                                Wake Forest (-3.5) 55, Texas A&M 52
                                NC State (-4.5) 52, Arizona State 31
                                Northwestern (-8) 24, Kentucky 23
                                New Mexico State (+5.5) 26, Utah State 20
                                Ohio State (-10) 24, USC 7
                                Mississippi State (+7) 31, Louisville 27
                                Iowa State (+3.5) 21, Memphis 20
                                Penn State (-3) 35, Washington 28
                                Wisconsin (-6.5) 34, Miami 24
                                South Carolina (+9) 26, Michigan 19
                                Central Florida (+10.5) 34, Auburn 27
                                Notre Dame (+2) 21, LSU 17
                                Georgia (-2.5) 54, Oklahoma 48 OT
                                Alabama (-3.5) 24, Clemson 6

                                Favorites: 20-18 vs spread
                                totals: over 22-16
                                Last edited by StarDust Bum; 01-08-2018, 02:17 AM.

                                Comment

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