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  • Friday's Early Bowl Tips
    December 28, 2017


    **Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest**

    Belk Bowl History


    -- The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-5 straight up, 8-3-1 against the spread) of the Atlantic Coast Conference meet the Texas A&M Aggies (7-5 straight up, 7-4-1 against the spread) of the Southeastern Conference in a Power 5 matchup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. for the Belk Bowl. If you've always wondered, Belk is a department store chain primarily in the Southeastern part of the United States, and the company signed an extension to the original three-year deal which now will run through 2019.

    -- The Demon Deacons fired out of the chute with four straight victories, and three covers in a row, routing FCS Presbyterian, Boston College on the road and Utah State at home. They faced a difficult trip to Appalachian State on Sept. 23, but passed that test with a 20-19 win, although it marked their first non-cover of the season. The Deacs were tripped up at home on Sept. 30 as a seven-point underdog, 26-19, losing for the first time against Florida State. They put up a valiant effort the following week on Oct. 7 at Clemson, but slipped up 28-14. The season looked to be getting away from them a bit with a 14-point loss at Georgia Tech on Oct. 21, but they recovered for wins down the stretch against Louisville, at Syracuse and, perhaps most impressively, against North Carolina State, to finish two games over .500. They also covered four of their final five outings.

    -- Wake Forest ranked 28th overall in the nation in total yards with 450.8 per game, and they checked in 35th with 266.6 passing yards per outing, which posting a respectable 184.2 yards per game on the ground to rank 45th. The Deacs were 30th in scoring with 33.7 points per game, and their field-goal percentage ranked ninth (86.4 percent) overall. On the defensive side of the ball, Wake struggled. They allowed 444.2 yards per game to check in 107th in the nation, while yielding 252.6 yards per game through the air to finish 104th in the country. Somehow, some way they had a bend, but don't break defense, allowing 26.3 points per outing to check in a middling 63rd in scoring defense.

    -- On offense, it starts with senior QB John Wolford, who completed 63.7 percent of his pass attempts for 2,792 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also was a dual-threat quarterback, running 125 times for 615 yards and a team-high 10 rushing touchdowns. It's amazing with the press many QBs like Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, etc. receive, not as many are discussing Wolford. He appears to have the tools to succeed at the next level. WR Greg Dortch was his top target, gathering 53 balls for 722 yards and a team-high nine scores. WRs Tabari Hines (45-625-5) and Scotty Washington (36-573-2) were impressive at times, and TE Cam Serigne (35-444-8) has NFL-level ability, too.

    -- Texas A&M was rather marginal on both sides of the ball this season. They weren't great, but they weren't bad in any one area, either. The Aggies checked in 79th in total yards with 389.6 per game, they were 65th in passing yards per game (230.6), 73rd in rushing yards (159.0) and 44th in scoring offense (31.1 PPG). On defense, they were a rather ordinary 64th in the country allowing 388.7 yards per contest, they were 66th against the pass (223.6), 66th against the rush (165.1) and they yielded 28.7 points per showing to finish 81st in the land. Perhaps the mediocrity is a big reason Kevin Sumlin was jettisoned, and the team made a hiring splash by bringing over Jimbo Fisher from Florida State.

    -- QB Nick Starkel appears to have as firm of a grip on the starting job as he has had all season. He completed 57.0 percent of his attempts for 1,294 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while posting 9.1 yards per attempt. QB Kellen Mond was not nearly as effective, although it's likely he sees some time in this game. He completed 51.5 percent of his passes for 1,375 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 340 yards and three scores. RBs Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford were effective at times, but Williams managed just 4.4 yards per carry. He posted a team-high 733 yards and seven scores, while Ford was the hammer on short-yardage and goal-line situations. He averaged 4.0 yards per tote with 11 touchdowns. There doesn't appear to be another Mike Evans in the wide receiver group, although WR Christian Kirk is the best of the lot with a team-best 730 yards and seven scores. WR Damion Ratley is the deep threat with 23.2 yards per game, totaling 603 yards and six scores. WR Jhamon Ausbon finished with a respectable 459 yards on 38 grabs. WR Camron Buckley is a red zone threat, converting three of his 13 catches for scores.

    -- In the kicking game, Daniel LaCamera showed he has a lot of leg, hitting a 52-yard field goal this season. He posted 17 field goals and 44 extra points this season.

    -- Wake enters this game on a roll against the number. They're 4-1 ATS over the past five overall, 4-1 ATS in their past five non-conference games, 8-2 ATS in the past 10 against teams with a winning overall record and 4-0 ATS in their past four neutral-site games. They have also covered in each of their past four bowl appearances.

    -- The 'over' is 4-1 in Wake Forest's past five non-conference battles, and 4-1 in their past five following a straight-up loss. However, the 'under' is 5-2 in their past seven appearances on a grass surface.

    -- A&M has a solid 5-2 ATS mark in their past seven neutral-site games, but that's where the impressive trends end. They're just 3-8 ATS in their past 11 bowl games, 16-37-1 ATS in their past 54 against teams with a winning overall record, 5-16 ATS in their past 21 following a straight-up loss and 0-5 ATS in their past five tries against ACC teams.

    -- Wake doesn't have an extensive bowl history, but what they have is very good. They have won three of their past four bowls overall, including a 24-10 win over Connecticut in the 2007 version of this game (then the Meineke Car Care Bowl). Overall they're a respectable 7-4 in 11 bowl appearances.

    -- A&M would like to improve on their 17-21 bowl record. They were making inroads with four straight bowl victories from 2011-14, but they dropped the 2015 Music City Bowl against ACC member Louisville, and the 2016 Texas Bowl to Kansas State last season.

    -- This will be the first-ever meeting on the gridiron between these institutions.

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

    **North Carolina State vs. Arizona State**

    Sun Bowl History


    -- In the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, the North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-4 straight up, 4-7-1 against the spread) from the ACC will square off with the Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) from the Pac-12 Conference.

    -- Like A&M above, the Sun Devils are in the midst of a coaching change, as Todd Graham was jettisoned. The team will turn to former ESPN analyst and New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards to lead the turnaround in the desert. Arizona State was adequate enough on offense, but defense is where they'll need the most improvement.

    -- Arizona State ranked 38th in total yards (428.3 per game) while finishing 50th in passing yards (247.7) and 49th in rushing yards (180.7). They also managed to stay afloat in the high-flying Pac-12 with 31.9 points per game (40th in the nation). On defense, the Sun Devils were a dismal 110th in the country with 447.2 yards per game allowed, and 118th against the pass (268.1). They weren't as bad against the run, giving up 179.2 yards per game (83rd), but they weren't good, either. Their 31.2 points per game allowed ranked 88th in the country.

    -- QB Manny Wilkins led the way with 2,918 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions while also amassing 269 yards on the ground with six scores. When he wasn't passing it, he was handing the ball off to RB Demario Richard, who needs just 23 yards to hit the 1,000-yard mark. He also found the end zone 12 times. RB Kalen Ballage, who once made headlines for his NCAA record-tying eight total touchdowns in a single game, rolled for 657 yards and six scores on the ground, and 19 receptions. Through the air, WR N'Keal Harry led Sparky with 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns, while WR Kyle Williams had 59 grabs for 678 yards and six scores.

    -- For N.C. State, they piled up 449.2 yards per game to finish 29th in the nation, while also ranking 29th in passing yards per outing (271.5). They were a respectable 51st in rushing yards (177.8) while finishing 49th in points scored (30.6). On defense, it was hard to rush against the Wolfpack, as they boast legitimate NFL talent among their front seven. They allowed just 132.2 yards per game on the ground to finish 28th, while allowing 244.9 yards per game through the air to finish 96th. If you're going to beat N.C. State, it is done via the air. They allowed 24.8 yards per game which was good for 50th in the nation.

    -- It all starts with QB Ryan Finley, as he was good for 63.9 pass completions, 3,196 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. It remains to be seen whether he'll be the next Philip Rivers, Russell Wilson, Mike Glennon, Jacoby Brissett or Erik Kramer, but the Wolfpack certainly have produced some NFL talent at the position. TE Jaylen Samuels found the end zone 11 times on the ground, while RB Nyheim Hines led the charge with 1,040 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Reggie Gallaspy II also managed to find the end zone five times while totaling 436 rushing yards. In the pass game it is WR Kelvin Harmon who is most dangerous, posting 993 yards. He shared the touchdown lead with four, tying WR Jakobi Meyers and Samuels.

    -- The Wolfpack have an impressive 6-2-1 ATS mark over their past nine bowl games, but they're just 1-3-1 ATS across the past five games overall this season and they failed to cover their past four games outside of the conference. The 'under' is 8-1 over the past nine games this season for N.C. State, but perhaps that changes in a bowl. The 'over' is 5-0 in their past five bowl games, 7-0 in their past seven neutral-site battles and 8-2-1 in their past 11 non-conference tilts.

    -- AZ State has posted a 7-2 ATS mark over their past nine games, and they're 5-1 ATS in their past six against winning teams. However, they're just 2-6 ATS over the past eight bowl games, 1-4 ATS in their past five neutral-site battles and 0-4 ATS in the past four outside the conference. The 'over' has hit in five of the past six bowl games for the Sun Devils, while going 7-2 in their past nine neutral-site appearances.

    -- N.C. State is 16-13-1 all-time in bowl games, and they're a respectable 7-3 over the past 10 postseason appearances. That includes last season's 41-17 thrashing of Vanderbilt at the Independence Bowl. They have never appeared in the Sun Bowl, and this is just their second-ever bowl game against a Pac-12 school. They lost to Arizona in the 1989 Copper Bowl, 17-10.

    -- The Sun Devils would like to turn things around in bowl games. They're 14-14-1 overall, but just 4-8 over their past 12 appearances. They lost the Cactus Bowl to West Virginia last season, 43-42. They won their most recent appearance in the Sun Bowl against Duke in 2014, 36-31, and they are 3-0 in their past three appearances in El Paso dating back to 1997. Their only loss in five appearances in the Sun Bowl was to Western Reserve in 1941, and that followed a scoreless tie in the 1940 installment against Catholic University.

    -- Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

    **Kentucky vs. Northwestern**

    Music City Bowl History


    -- The latest installment of the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. features two more Power 5 Conference teams squaring off. Wildcat pride is on the line, too, as the Kentucky Wildcats (7-5 straight up, 3-9 against the spread) from the SEC battle the Northwestern Wildcats (9-3 straight up, 9-3 against the spread) from the Big Ten.

    -- Kentucky limped into this game with three losses in the final four games, and they're a dismal 1-7 ATS over their final eight games. They were outclassed by Georgia, 42-13, back on Nov. 18, and by rival Louisville, 44-17, in the regular-season finale. Still, they're loooking for their eighth win of the season, which would be the most since 2007 when Rich Brooks led them to a 35-27 win over Florida State in the Music City Bowl.

    -- UK had trouble putting it together on offense, posting 350.8 total yards per game to finish 105th in the country. They were 99th in passing yards per game (181.1), 57th in rushing yards (169.8) and 84th in total points scored per contest (25.8). On the defensive side of the ball they had their struggles, too. They were a rather marginal 90th in total yards allowed (425.7), while getting dinged for 263.5 yards per game through the air, finishing a dismal 113th in the country in pass defense. They were 62nd in rushing defense (162.2), and a rather poor 80th in scoring defense, yielding 28.6 points per contest.

    -- QB Stephen Johnson completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 2,048 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 358 yards and three scores. On the ground, RB Benny Snell Jr. held down the fort with 1,318 yards and 18 touchdowns while gathering 5.1 yards per tote. RB Sihiem King was a decent change of pace back with 4.6 yards per carry and a pair of scores. Senior WR Garrett Johnson was the playmaker on offense, posting a team-best 500 yards and two scores. He was able to post 111 yards and a touchdown in a 40-34 win against fellow SEC bowl team Missouri back on Oct. 7.

    -- Northwestern posted 405.2 total yards per game to finish 58th in the land, and they had 244.2 yards per game through the air to rank 52nd in passing offense. They were just 70th in rushing yards per game (160.9) while checking in 52nd in points scored (29.7). The Wildcats were sound in the kick game, hitting at an 85.7 percent clip, 12th in the country. On defense, Northwestern was 37th in total yards allowed (358.8), but the totals were rather lopsided. They ranked 10th in the nation in rushing defense (111.2), but 100th in passing defense (247.6). In points allowed, Northwestern allowed just 19.8 PPG to check in 16th in the country.

    -- QB Clayton Thorson completed 60.6 percent of his attempts for 2,809 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He isn't a threat to run the ball. That's the job of RB Justin Jackson, who piled up 1,154 yards with nine touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry. Jeremy Larkin also did a good job with 391 yards and five scores, posting 5.2 yards per pop. WR Bennett Skowronek led the way with 619 receiving yards, 14.7 yards per catch and five scores. WR Flynn Nagel had the most grabs (46), while managing 474 yards and a pair of touchdowns. WR Macan Wilson is also a threat, finishing with 32 grabs, 446 yard and a score, while TE Garrett Dickerson needs attention in the red zone. He posted 38 receptions, 410 yards and four touchdowns.

    -- Kentucky is a dismal 1-7 ATS over the past eight games overall, 0-4 ATS in their past four against teams with a winning record, 0-5 ATS in their past five non-conference games and 0-5 ATS in their past five neutral-site battles. They're also just 1-3-1 ATS across their past five bowl outings.

    -- Northwestern has posted an impressive 16-5 ATS mark over their past 21 games overall, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five against teams with a winning record. They're also a respectable 5-2 ATS in their past seven bowl appearances.

    -- The 'under' is 5-0 in Kentucky's past five non-conference games and 5-1 in their past six neutral-site games, although the 'over' has hit in four of their past five this season.

    -- The 'under' is 4-1 in Northwestern's past five neutral-site games, while going 21-6-1 in their past 28 non-conference contests.

    -- Kentucky has dropped three bowl appearances in a row since their 2009 win in the Liberty Bowl against East Carolina. They're 2-2 all-time in the Music City Bowl.

    -- Northwestern's bowl history isn't terribly lengthy, and it isn't very good, either. They're 3-10 SU all-time, although one of those wins was last season in the Pinstripe Bowl over Pittsburgh, 31-24. In fact, after a 1-9 SU mark in their first 10 bowls, they have won two of the past three. This is their first-ever appearance in the Music City Bowl.

    -- This is the first-ever meeting between these two institutions.

    -- Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • Friday's Bowl Best Bets
      December 28, 2017


      Friday College Football Bowls Best Bets

      We've hit the point of Bowl season where the big name programs from the bigger conferences are squaring off as bettors get 4+ college football games to sink their teeth into every day until New Year's Day and the Playoff Semi-Finals basically conclude the Bowl season.

      With that in mind, Friday's college football slate brings us five games throughout the day, and although there are only three ranked teams in action, two of them will get plenty of attention as USC vs Ohio State is the first Bowl game this year pitting Top 10 teams against one another.

      The Cotton Bowl between the Trojans and Buckeyes will be making this piece later on, but there is an earlier game that I had to include on my card for Friday's action.

      Best Bets #1 and #2: Wake Forest -3 and Under 65.5

      These plays come from the Belk Bowl that kicks off at 1:00 pm EST on Friday as we've got two 7-5 SU teams squaring off. But what makes me like both the side and total in this game is that this game fits in a prevailing trend we've seen play out in the Bowl games already and it concerns programs like Texas A&M who decided to make a coaching change.

      The Aggies got their guy in luring Jimbo Fisher over from Florida State, but like all new hires this time of year, Fisher is hands off for the team during Bowl prep. There have been four teams previous to this game during Bowl season that were in a similar position with their head coaches leaving and only Fisher's former team – Florida State – was able to come away with a win. Oregon, SMU, and UCLA all languished in their Bowl games and the latter two really struggled to put points up on the board for a variety of reasons.

      But you can take this one step further and include a Missouri Tigers program that was torching everyone on offense the final two months of the year, only to see their OC leave to take the much maligned Tennessee job.

      Well, Missouri's offense struggled without their normal play-caller in a 33-16 loss to Texas the other night, as they were the third of five teams on this list to score 17 points or less and lose. None of that bodes well for a Texas A&M program that's clearly in a transitional phase right now as the Fisher era is about to begin. So with the five schools going on this list going 1-4 ATS and 2-3 O/U, it's tough not to like Wake and the 'under' in this game.

      Wake didn't finish the regular season the way they'd like to with a eight-point loss at home against Duke. The Demon Deacons were a double-digit favorite in that game and just couldn't get into a rhythm offensively after the first quarter. But this will basically be a home game for them with the contest being played in North Carolina, and with a 4-0 ATS record in their last four Bowl games as a school, a 4-1 ATS mark after a SU loss, and a 7-0-1 ATS run after failing to cover a point spread, laying the -3 with Wake might be graded a little higher of the two plays.

      Wake's defense was prone to lapses and poor efforts this year, but with the Aggies being a disinterested bunch without a leader, I do believe this game stays 'under' the number as well.

      Best Bet #3: USC/Ohio State Under 64.5

      This Cotton Bowl matchup is going to steal most of the headlines for Friday's Bowl games, and judging by the betting percentages at VegasInsider.com already, the majority of bettors are expecting it to be a shootout. More than 90% of the wagers on this total have been on the high side of this number, yet the number hasn't really moved.

      With two high-profile schools involved, oddsmakers knew they'd likely see more 'over' than 'under' action here and judging by the lack of movement on the total so far, they probably inflated the number a touch to begin with.

      Historically the Cotton Bowl has been relatively lower scoring as the 18 versions of this game that have been played this century have only had 65+ points scored four times, the last of which came in the 2015 game (42-41 for Michigan State over Baylor). Going back even further, only once in the 1990's did this game reach 65 or more points, and it happened just once in the 1980's as well.

      Obviously the landscape of college football is much different these days, but the premise of the Cotton Bowl pitting two of the nation's best teams against one another has always remained the same and when good/great teams do battle, points are often hard to come by.

      Offensively, both of these teams have proven all year that they can put points up in a hurry, but it's their defensive play that can often get overlooked. Ohio State allowed just 19.9 points per game on average in 2017, and that number would be a lot lower had they not given up 38 and 55 points in back-to-back weeks against Penn State and Iowa.

      That Buckeyes unit knows this game is largely about USC QB Sam Darnold showcasing himself to the NFL, and they'll be doing their best to make Darnold look as pedestrian as possible. Remember, Ohio State is a proud program themselves who send plenty of defensive players to the next level, and those guys don't want their last piece of collegiate film to be littered with them getting lit up.

      USC's defense isn't nearly as good on paper with 26.3/game allowed, but they did start to hold their own late in the year and came up with critical stops when they needed them in games all year long. With a month to gameplan for heavy doses of Ohio State QB J.T Barrett, I do expect the Trojans defense to bow their necks as well and not let this Ohio State team run all over them.

      So while the vast majority of bettors expect these teams to light up the scoreboard for the full 60 minutes, I'll be in the minority here, expecting a great game that shouldn't finish with more than 60 points scored.
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • Friday, Dec. 29

        FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL (ESPN, 4:30 p.m. ET)
        Northwestern Wildcats -7.5 over Kentucky Wildcats


        Enough with the Wildcat on Wildcat violence! The big x-factor in this game is that Northwestern is 3-9 ATS while Kentucky is 3-9 ATS. Every single cover they’ve had has come at spreads which are less than a touchdown (+2.5, +3.0 and +6.0). Even in games where they were sizeable favorites, they went 2-0 SU and 0-2 ATS. Take the Wildcats that meets expectation over the Wildcats that don’t.

        NOVA HOME LOANS ARIZONA BOWL (CBSSN, 5:30 p.m. ET)
        New Mexico State Aggies +4.0 over Utah State Aggies


        So many Aggies, so little time. This game concerns momentum in a big way. Head coach Matt Wells doesn’t seem to have Utah State trending in the right direction, and his recruiting woes have really caught up with him over the past two seasons. The Aggies are 1-6 ATS when playing on grass and just 9-20 ATS overall in the last 29 matchups.

        While the New Mexico State Aggies share a similar overall record, that was mostly because quarterback Tyler Rogers was hurt for a significant stretch. The canon armed senior has thrown for 451 yards, 474 and 401 yards on separate occasions this season and piloted an offence that ranked 4th in passing. Not bad at all. Both teams have questionable defences, but Rogers’ presence will be enough to slice through Utahg State. Love the Aggies from NMSU to cover here.

        Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET)
        #5 Ohio State Buckeyes -7.5 over #8 USC Trojans

        The trend of betting against USC in major spotlight games felt like it came to an end when they crested Stanford in the championship game even though they once again failed to cover. Quarterback Sam Darnold is as wobbly as “elite” passers get, and even though he totaled 3,787 yards on the season he also threw 12 interceptions against just 26 touchdowns.

        And now he has to go up against an Ohio State defence that has chewed up almost everyone this year outside of Iowa and Oklahoma. The Buckeyes will play with a massive chip on their shoulder after winning the Big Ten and being shunned from the college football playoffs, and that’s one of the reasons the line here is so big. The fact that they’re also 10-2-1 ATS when playing the Pac-12 and 6-1 ATS in neutral site games also warrants merit.

        USC just doesn’t have the feel of an outright threat. Their defence is suspect, and will be vulnerable to a balanced attack pivoted by JT Barrett. Ohio State can hurt you in oh-so-many ways, and USC is primarily used to focusing on pass defence. It damages the Trojans’ stock that they’re also a terrible post-season bet, going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 bowl games. They’re also 2-5 ATS when playing winning teams.

        At the end of the day just look at how big that number is. USC doesn’t even belong on the field against Ohio State, let alone just three pegs down from them on the rankings. There’s a significant gap here and that spread should tell you enough. I also think that Ohio State’s defensive players, who reportedly love Greg Schiano, will be out to win one for him after he wrongfully lost out on the Tennessee job.
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • NC State seeks 9th win in Sun Bowl against Arizona State
          December 28, 2017


          Sun Bowl: N.C. State (8-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5), Friday, 3 p.m. Eastern (CBS)

          Line: N.C. State by 7.

          Series Record: Tied 1-1.

          WHAT'S AT STAKE

          N.C. State seeks its ninth win, the second-best total in school history, in its fourth straight bowl trip under Dave Doeren, who has six postseason trips in seven seasons as a head coach. Arizona State wants to send coach Todd Graham out on a winning note after he was replaced by former NFL coach Herm Edwards, who will have a unique role that resembles that of a pro general manager.

          KEY MATCHUP

          Arizona State has one of the nation's best offenses inside the 20 and is facing perhaps the most experienced defense in the FBS with eight seniors. That's not counting N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb, who is expected to skip the game because he is a projected top 10 pick in the NFL draft. ASU running backs Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage have combined for 1,634 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns.

          PLAYERS TO WATCH

          N.C. State: Junior Ryan Finley is second to Philip Rivers in school history with a 62.3 percent completion percentage. He's also the first since Rivers in 2003 to open the season with consecutive 300-yard passing games. Finley had a nation-leading streak of 339 passes without an interception stopped at Notre Dame on Oct. 28.

          Arizona State: Richard needs 23 yards to become the first ASU running back with multiple 1,000-yard seasons since Freddie Williams in 1974-75, when the Sun Devils were still playing in El Paso regularly as members of the Western Athletic Conference. He's the fifth 3,000-yard rusher in school history.

          FACTS & FIGURES

          The Sun Devils' first bowl game was a 0-0 tie with Catholic in the Sun Bowl on Jan. 1, 1940. It's their only tie in a bowl game (14-14-1). ... Nyheim Hines has 1,040 yards rushing, giving N.C. State consecutive 1,000-yard rushers for the first time since 1977-78. With 7 yards receiving for Kelvin Harmon, the Wolfpack can have a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher and receiver for the second time in school history. ... ASU WR N'Keal Harry is the only true sophomore in the country with at least one catch in all 24 games. He is third nationally with four fourth-down conversion catches this season. Harry has 957 yards and five touchdowns. ... N.C. State LB Germaine Pratt has two touchdowns - an interception return and the recovery of a blocked punt in the end zone. He's the first defensive player with multiple TDs for the Wolfpack since David Amerson, who had an ACC-record 13 interceptions in 2011.
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • No. 20 Northwestern looking for history at Music City Bowl
            December 28, 2017


            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald and his 20th-ranked Wildcats have a chance to make school history with victory against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.

            They could walk away with back-to-back bowl victories for the first time in Northwestern history. It would also mark a 10-win season for the second time in three years and be the 27th victory for the Wildcats' seniors.

            ''That hasn't since 1903 to 1905, so I think my grandmother and grandparents were still in Ireland at that time,'' Fitzgerald said of reaching 27 wins. ''So we understand the historical significance of this game for our program.''

            Sure, Northwestern (No. 21 CFP, 9-3) might have been happier playing in a warmer bowl game further south of Nashville. But Fitzgerald said the Wildcats knew Big Ten rules wouldn't let them return to the Outback Bowl after they played there to cap the 2015 season.

            Executives of the Music City Bowl, sponsored by Franklin American Mortgage, have worked to make Northwestern feel wanted.

            Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson also noted it's still warmer in Nashville than it is in Chicago.

            ''It's history for us, and this win is big for our program,'' Thorson said.

            Of course, Kentucky has other plans.

            Kentucky is the first team to play in this bowl five times, and the Wildcats (7-5) from Lexington had hopes of a much better bowl destination themselves. But that was before consecutive losses to Georgia and Louisville left them third in the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division. They usually bring a hefty chunk of the Big Blue Nation with them and hope that support pushes them to their first 8-5 season since 2007.

            ''It's very important to get the eighth victory,'' said Kentucky coach Mark Stoops, who's wrapping up his fifth season. ''Each and every game is so valuable when you're only guaranteed 12. So getting a win would be good, especially with not ending the season the way we'd like.''

            ---

            Here are some things to know about the 20th Music City Bowl:

            GREAT RUNNING BACKS


            Northwestern has senior Justin Jackson who comes in as the nation's second active career rusher with 5,283 yards, and he has 1,154 yards this season with nine touchdowns. Kentucky's offense depends heavily on sophomore running back Benny Snell Jr. who finished second in the SEC and 23rd nationally with 1,318 yards rushing and an SEC-best 18 rushing TDs.

            Fitzgerald says his Wildcats must be stay in their gaps to protect against the physical Snell in the variety of Kentucky's formations, including the wildcat. ''What's so impressive to me about Snell is how much he can handle what they're asking him to do,'' Fitzgerald said.

            RUN D

            Northwestern comes in with the nation's 10th-best run defense, giving up 111.3 yards per game. Northwestern led by linebackers Paddy Fisher and Nate Hall have been much stingier, having held opponents to an average of 96 yards rushing per game over the final 10 games of the season.

            NO WARE

            Stoops has suspended defensive end-linebacker Denzil Ware for the bowl game, even though Ware is with the Wildcats in Nashville. The Kentucky coach would only say the suspension is for violating team rules. Stoops would not comment when asked if the suspension would affect next season. Ware had 6 + sacks for Kentucky this season as part of the Blitz Bros with linebacker Josh Allen who has seven sacks. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said he can commiserate with Ware having missed the Rose Bowl as a player himself.

            BALL PROTECTION


            Kentucky comes in having been intercepted only five times this season, tied for the school single-season record for fewest picks. The Wildcats' defense comes in with 11 interceptions led by safety Mike Edwards who ranked second in the SEC with four himself. Thorson has thrown 15 TDs for Northwestern this season but has been picked off 12 times.

            STREAKING

            Northwestern comes into this bowl having won seven straight, including three overtime games. Northwestern also won its bowl game last season, upsetting then-No. 23 Pittsburgh 31-24 in the Pinstripe Bowl. Kentucky is playing its second straight bowl and lost 33-18 to Georgia Tech in the TaxSlayer Bowl last season.
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • Playoff-snubbed Ohio State gets Cotton Bowl matchup vs USC
              December 28, 2017


              Cotton Bowl: Southern California (11-2) vs. Ohio State (11-2), Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

              Line: Ohio State by 7 1/2.

              Series Record: USC leads 13-9-1.

              WHAT'S AT STAKE


              Playoff-snubbed Ohio State takes on USC in a throwback to Rose Bowls past. This is the eighth postseason meeting between the Buckeyes and Trojans and the first seven were all in the Rose Bowl, the last one 33 years ago. The Big Ten champion Buckeyes haven't lost more than two games in any of their six seasons under coach Urban Meyer. Pac-12 champion USC is trying to reach 12 wins for the first time since 2008.

              KEY MATCHUP

              All-America center Billy Price and Ohio State offensive line vs. USC front seven. The Buckeyes have allowed only 19 sacks, with one or none in six of the last eight games. The Trojans, with their 5-2 scheme, have 43 sacks. Four USC players have at least six sacks, led by All-Pac-12 defensive end Rasheem Green's nine.

              PLAYERS TO WATCH

              Southern California: Third-year sophomore and top NFL prospect QB Sam Darnold could be playing his last game for the Trojans. In his two seasons at USC, he already has a Rose Bowl title and has thrown for 6,873 yards with 57 TDs and 21 interceptions. He has 17 TDs and four interceptions in the last eight games.

              Ohio State: Freshman RB J.K. Dobbins has rushed for 1,364 yards and seven TDs. The Texas native had 174 yards rushing in the Big Ten title game, his sixth 100-yard game this season.

              FACTS & FIGURES


              USC has won seven consecutive games over Ohio State, including four regular-season games since their last Cotton Bowl matchup. ... This is the first Cotton Bowl matching conference champs since New Year's Day 1987, when Big Ten co-champ Ohio State beat Southwest Conference winner Texas A&M. That is the only previous Cotton Bowl appearance by the Buckeyes. ... USC is also in its second Cotton Bowl. The Trojans beat Texas Tech on New Year's Day 1995. ... Ohio State is playing a Pac-12 opponent for the first time since beating Oregon 42-20 in the first championship game in the four-team playoff, in the same stadium as this week's Cotton Bowl.
              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

              Comment


              • Texas A&M seeks 1st bowl victory since 2014 vs Wake Forest
                December 28, 2017


                CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Belk Bowl: Texas A&M (7-5) vs. Wake Forest (7-5), Dec. 29, 1 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)

                Line: Wake Forest by 2 1/2

                Series Record: First meeting.

                WHAT'S AT STAKE:
                The Demon Deacons look to send senior quarterback John Wolford out with a victory and earn their second straight bowl win. Texas A&M will start a new era next season under new coach Jimbo Fisher. In the meantime, interim coach Jeff Banks will coach the team after Kevin Sumlin was fired on Nov. 26 after six seasons at the helm. Sumlin was 51-26 as head coach.

                KEY MATCHUP


                Texas A&M De Landis Durham vs. Wake Forest offensive line: The Aggies were tied for third in the nation with 40 sacks, led by Durham's 8 +. That will put plenty of pressure on Wake Forest to keep Wolford upright. The Demon Deacons offensive line is not overly big, but has done a solid job this season allowing just 17 sacks.

                PLAYERS TO WATCH

                Texas A&M WR/PR Christian Kirk: He is the Aggies' Mr. Everything. The first-team All-SEC junior ranks as the NCAA's active leader in punt return average (18.6 avg) and recently became the first wide receiver in school history to surpass the 4,000-yard plateau in all-purpose yardage. Kirk leads the Aggies in receptions (58), yards receiving (730) and TD catches (7). He needs two catches for his third straight 60-catch season, which would tie a school record.

                Wake Forest QB John Wolford: The second-team All-ACC selection is the only Wake Forest QB to start four season openers. He led the conference in passing efficiency with a 157.5 rating this season. He ranked third in the ACC in total offense at 309.7 yards per game and is sixth in yards passing per game at 253.8.

                FACTS & FIGURES:
                Texas A&M has appeared in nine straight bowls, but hasn't won a bowl game since 2014. ... Aggies have won four games this season after trailing in the second half. ... Both Kellen Mond and Nick Starkel will see action at quarterback for the Aggies. Mond is a dual threat QB, while Starkel is considered more of a pocket passer... RB Keith Ford leads Texas A&M with 11 touchdowns rushing. ... Aggies K Daniel LaCamera is 17 of 20 on field goal attempts this season. ... Wake Forest is 7-4 all-time in bowl games. ... The Demon Deacons closed the regular season with a 31-23 win against Duke. ... In its past 13 games, Wake Forest has averaged 33.7 points per game along with 179.6 yards rushing per game. ... Wake Forest WR Greg Dortch will not play due to an injury. He had 53 catches for 772 yards and nine TDs before going down in Week 8 against Louisville. ... TE Cam Serigne, a first-team All-ACC selection, has 1.963 career yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. ... Wake Forest had the ACC's top red zone offense.
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • 2017 CFB Bowls Record:..............( BASED ON 5 UNITS )

                  DATE W-L-T % UNITS RECORD

                  12/28/2017 7-1-0 87.50% +29.50
                  12/27/2017 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
                  12/26/2017 4-2-0 66.67% +9.00
                  12/23/2017 2-4-0 33.33% -12.00
                  12/22/2017 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
                  12/21/2017 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
                  12/20/2017 2-0-0 100.00% +10.00
                  12/19/2017 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
                  12/16/2017 5-5-0 50.00% - 2.50

                  Totals...............27 - 21.........56.25%.....+19.50


                  Best Bets:..............ATS...............Units........ ..... .....O/U..................Units

                  12/28/2017....................4 - 0................+20.00................1 - 1.................-0.50
                  12/27/2017....................1 - 3.................-11.50................3 - 1.................+9.50
                  12/26/2017....................3 - 1.................+15.00...............0 - 1.................-5.50
                  12/23/2017....................1 - 2..................-6.00.................1 - 2.................-6.00
                  12/22/2017....................1 - 1..................-0.50.................1 - 1.................-0.50
                  12/21/2017....................0 - 1..................-5.50.................1 - 0................+5.00
                  12/20/2017....................1 - 0.................+5.00.................1 - 0................+5.00
                  12/19/2017....................0 - 1.................- 5.50.................0 - 1.................-5.50
                  12/16/2017....................3 - 2............,....+4.00.................2 - 3.................-6.50

                  Totals.............................14 - 10..............+17.00..............7 - 9...................-5.00
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                  Comment


                  • NCAAF

                    Friday, December 29


                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Belk Bowl Betting Preview and Odds: Wake Forest vs Texas A&M
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Texas A&M Aggies (+3, 65.5)

                    Game to be played at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

                    Jimbo Fisher won't be on the sidelines when Texas A&M faces Wake Forest in the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 29, but the former Florida State coach should have some insight on an opponent his teams beat seven of eight times. Jeff Banks will take over on an interim basis for Kevin Sumlin, who was fired on Nov. 26 after going 51-26 in six years at the helm. Fisher went 83-23 in eight seasons with the Seminoles before accepting a 10-year, $75 million deal from the Aggies on Dec. 4.

                    The Demon Deacons qualified for a bowl game in consecutive seasons for the first time since a three-year run from 2006-08. Wake Forest posted seven regular-season victories for the first time in nine years, defeating five bowl-eligible teams along the way to tie the school record set in 2008. The Demon Deacons are 7-4 all-time in bowl games but 0-2 against SEC opponents in the postseason.

                    Wide receiver Christian Kirk (58 catches for 730 yards and seven touchdowns) could be playing his final game for Texas A&M. The 5-11 junior is considered an early-round pick if he declares for the NFL Draft and has recorded at least two catches in 38 straight games - the longest active such streak in the country. Kirk is also the only player in the SEC with a TD via punt return and kickoff return in 2017.

                    TV:
                    1 p.m. ET, ESPN.

                    LINE HISTORY:
                    Wake Forest opened as 2.5-point favorites and have been bet up slightly to 3. The total hit betting boards at 64.5 and has been bumped slightly to 65.5.

                    INJURY REPORT:


                    Wake Forest - RB C. Carney (Probable, Knee), WR G. Dortch (Out For Season, Abdominal), DB T. Redd (Out Indefinitely, Elbow).

                    Texas A&M - QB J. Hubenak (Out For Season, Shoulder), DL Z. Henderson (Out, Disciplinary), DB D. Wilson (Out Indefinitely, Foot), DB N. Harvey (Out For Season, Knee).

                    WEATHER REPORT:
                    43 to 45 degrees and clear to partly cloudy during the game - 3 mph wind

                    ABOUT WAKE FOREST (7-5 SU, 8-3-1 ATS, 6-6 O/U):
                    John Wolford was named to the All-ACC second-team after leading the conference in passing efficiency (157.5) while setting school season records for total offense (3,407 yards) and total touchdowns (35). Once freshman phenom receiver Greg Dortch (team-high totals of 53 catches for 722 yards and nine receiving TDs) was lost for the season on Oct. 28, junior Tabari Hines stepped up with 27 receptions for 375 yards and four scores over the team's final four games. Senior defensive end Duke Ejiofor, who ranks third in school history with 23.5 career sacks, finished tied for fifth in the ACC in tackles for loss (14.5) - part of the school-record 98 TFLs that Wake Forest recorded this season.

                    ABOUT TEXAS A&M (7-5 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 6-6 O/U):
                    Kirk (23 career receiving touchdowns and 2,667 receiving yards), who is the active FBS career leader in punt return average at 22.8 yards, needs two more TDs and 122 more receiving yards to move into sole possession of third place in both categories in school history. Free safety Armani Watts joined Kirk on the coaches' All-SEC first team and is the only player in FBS with at least 9.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, two blocked kicks, one forced fumble and one recovered fumble. The Aggies announced the indefinite suspension of defensive tackle Zaycoven Henderson, who started 11 of 12 games this season, after he was arrested on three felony charges following an incident involving a firearm in an apartment complex on Dec. 10.

                    CONSENSUS:
                    The public is siding with the underdog Texas A&M Aggies at a rate of 61 percent and the Over is getting 51 percent of the totals action.


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

                    NCAAF

                    Friday, December 29


                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Sun Bowl Betting Preview and Odds: North Carolina State vs. Arizona State
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (+7, 59.5)

                    Game to be played at Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

                    North Carolina State surprised some by challenging Clemson for the ACC Atlantic Division crown and has a shot at its first nine-win season since 2010. The Wolfpack finished No. 24 in the final College Football Playoff rankings and will cap their campaign by facing Arizona State in the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Dec. 29. The Sun Devils averaged 40 points while winning three of their last four games to reach bowl eligibility and will wave goodbye to coach Todd Graham, who was fired at the end of the regular season but is staying on with his staff to coach the bowl game.

                    Herm Edwards is a big personality and a famous name in football coaching circles after his stints as head coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets, and he accepted an offer to succeed Graham with the Arizona State. "Athletes from all over the country, or whether it's here locally, should be coming back here," Edwards told reporters. "Guys in California and Los Angeles should be coming here. Why is this not the destination? Why can't it be? That's my job. That's my job to go into those homes, tell those parents this is the place you want to send your son." Edwards, who spent the last nine years as an analyst at ESPN, will not be on the sideline during the Sun Bowl but certainly will be a presence.

                    North Carolina State avoided the coaching carousel at the end of the regular season, fending off an effort by Tennessee to hire head coach Dave Doeren and signing him to a five-year extension. "Dave has made significant strides in developing a complete program at NC State, and this new contract continues our commitment to his leadership," athletic director Debbie Yow said in a statement. Doeren is guiding the Wolfpack to their fourth consecutive bowl appearance after reaching eight wins by beating rival North Carolina in the regular-season finale.

                    TV:
                    3 p.m. ET, CBS.

                    LINE HISTORY:
                    North Carolina State opened as a 6-point favorite in this matchup and have been bet as high as -7, before settling down at the current number of NC State -6.5. The total hit the board at 59.5 and has yet to move off that number.

                    INJURY REPORT:


                    NC State - G T. Adams (Probable Friday, leg) WR S. Louis (Questionable Friday, ankle), DE B. Chubb (Questionable Friday, upper body).

                    Arizona State - DL G. Lea (Questionable Friday, upper body).

                    WEATHER REPORT:
                    66 to 68 degrees and clear - 3 to 4 mph winds throughout

                    ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (8-4, 4-7-1 ATS, 4-8 O/U):
                    Wolfpack senior defensive end Bradley Chubb took home the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player after recording 10 sacks in 2017 and 25 in his career. Chubb anchors the defense while the offense is led by junior quarterback Ryan Finley, who threw for 3200 yards and 16 touchdowns and was at his best in the biggest games - averaging 373.3 yards and totaling six TD passes against Louisville, Clemson and South Carolina this season. Finley's biggest target is tight end Jaylen Samuels, who was named third-team All-American after hauling in a team-best 69 receptions and four TDs.

                    ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (7-5, 7-5 ATS, 5-7 O/U):
                    Edwards is keeping most of the coaching staff, but defensive coordinator Phil Bennett elected to leave the program and will be coaching his last game after guiding a unit that allowed opposing offenses to score an average of 31.3 points in the regular season. The Sun Devils made up for some of the defensive struggles on the other side of the ball as dual-threat quarterback Manny Wilkins passed for 2,918 yards and 17 scores while rushing for 269 yards and six TDs. Arizona State averaged 180.3 yards on the ground and totaled 26 rushing TDs, led by senior Demario Richard (977 yards, 12 TDs).

                    TRENDS:


                    * North Carolina State is 0-4 ATS in its last four non-conference games.
                    * Arizona State is 0-4 ATS in their last four non-conference games.
                    * Over is 7-0 in North Carolina's last seven neutral site games.
                    * Over is 4-1 in Sun Devils last five games overall.

                    CONSENSUS:
                    Bettors are giving a slight edge to the favorite in this matchup, with 53 percent of wagers backing the Wolfpack. When it comes to the total bettors like the game to eclipse the total, with 61 percent of wagers on the Over.


                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                    Comment


                    • NCAAF

                      Friday, December 29


                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Music City Bowl betting preview and odds: Kentucky vs. Northwestern
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Kentucky Wildcats vs. Northwestern Wildcats (-7.5, 51)

                      Game to be played at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

                      No. 20 Northwestern looks to win 10 games for the second time in three seasons when it takes on Kentucky in the Music City Bowl Dec. 29 in Nashville, Tenn. Northwestern has won seven consecutive games - its longest winning streak since the memorable Rose Bowl run in 1996 - and has a chance to cap off a successful campaign by posting back-to-back postseason victories for the first time in program history. Kentucky backed into a bowl game after dropping three of its last four contests, but has a chance to win eight games for the first time since 2007 and hand coach Mark Stoops some momentum on the recruiting trail.

                      Justin Jackson will be appearing in his final game after setting a slew of Northwestern rushing records during his stay in Evanston. Jackson became the first Big Ten player since Ron Dayne to rush for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons after gaining 1,154 on the ground in 2017. Jackson ran for 144 yards and a touchdown in the 42-7 win against Illinois in the regular season finale to move past Montee Ball (5,140) for fourth place on the Big Ten's all-time rushing list and hopes to feast on a Kentucky defense, which surrendered an average of 363.5 yards on the ground over its final two games.

                      Kentucky has a dynamic running back of its own in sophomore sensation Benny Snell Jr. Snell has built upon a historic freshman campaign, which saw him break the school record for most rushing yards by a first-year player (1,091) by registering 18 touchdowns in 2017, including 12 over his final five games of the regular season. Snell racked up 1,318 rushing yards to become the first running back in Kentucky history to notch back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and hopes to lead the Wildcats to their first postseason win since a 25-19 victory against East Carolina in the 2008 Liberty Bowl.

                      TV:
                      4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

                      LINE HISTORY:
                      Northwestern opened as a touchdown favorite and has nudged up a half point to 7.5. The total hasn't budged since opening at 51.

                      INJURY REPORT:


                      Kentucky - DE Denzil Ware (Disciplinary, Out), TE C.J. Conrad (Undisclosed, Out)

                      Northwestern - No new injuries.

                      WEATHER REPORT:
                      37 dropping to 30 degrees and partly cloudy during the game - negligible winds

                      ABOUT KENTUCKY (7-5 SU, 3-9 ATS, 6-6 O/U):
                      Snell, who was named to the All-SEC second team, rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the disappointing 44-17 loss to Louisville on Nov. 25 to bring his career total to a school-record 31. "I'm going to keep giving it my all and I don't really care about that," Snell told reporters. "I like competition and I like it when another running back has good stats coming into the game against me." Wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. was named to the freshman All-SEC Team as a kick returner after averaging 23.1 yards per return.

                      ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (9-3 SU, 9-3 ATS, 5-5-2 O/U):
                      Clayton Thorson threw for 140 yards and a score in the win over Illinois in the regular-season finale to equal the program record for most touchdown passes (44) held by Len Williams and Brett Basanez. Jackson posted his 26th career 100-yard rushing game in the victory against the Fighting Illini to move past the legendary LaDainian Tomlinson (5,263) into 11th place on the NCAA's all-time rushing list. Garrett Dickerson earned all-Big Ten honorable mention honors after catching a career-high 37 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.

                      CONSENSUS:
                      Just over 60 percent of players are backing Northwestern to cover as a 7-point fave.


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

                      NCAAF

                      Friday, December 29


                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Arizona Bowl betting preview and odds: New Mexico State vs. Utah State
                      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      New Mexico State Aggies vs. Utah State Aggies (-4, 63)

                      Game to be played at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.

                      New Mexico State ended the nation's longest bowl drought when it accepted the bid to play Utah State in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. The Aggies will be making their first bowl appearance since the 1960 Sun Bowl where they played, ironically, Utah State. New Mexico State, which is 2-0-1 all-time in bowl games, defeated Utah State 20-13 that year.

                      Last one out of Las Cruces turns out the lights. As one might imagine after such a long bowl drought, New Mexico State fans are fired up for the contest and quickly sold out their original required Sun Belt Conference allotment of 5,000 tickets. Las Cruces is just a four-hour drive down I-10 from Tucson and school officials expect around 10,000 fans to make the 275-mile trip which should give New Mexico State a pretty fair home field advantage.

                      Besides the 1960 Sun Bowl, New Mexico State and Utah State have a history, having played in the same conference for 26 years, the Big West (1985-2000) and the Western Athletic Conference (2001-2012). Utah State, which sweated out selection day because the Mountain West had just five contracted bowls for six bowl eligible spots, leads the all-time series 30-7 and will be making its sixth bowl appearance in seven years after missing out last season following a 3-9 finish.

                      "When you get the call you're in, it's an extreme amount of joy and relief," Utah State coach Matt Wells said. "I'm excited for our players to go play another game, because they deserve it."

                      TV:
                      5:30 ET, CBS Sports Network.

                      LINE HISTORY:
                      New Mexico State opened as a 3.5-point favorite but the line flipped a couple days after opening to Utah State -4. The total opened at 61 and has moved up to 63.

                      INJURY REPORT:


                      New Mexico State - WR OJ Clark (Shoulder, Questionable)

                      Utah State - No new injuries

                      WEATHER REPORT:
                      77 dropping to 66 and clear for the game - 2 to 4 mph winds

                      ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (6-6 SU, 6-5-1 ATS 5-7 O/U):
                      Led by senior quarterback Tyler Rogers, who passed for 3,825 yards, 26 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, New Mexico ranks fourth among all FBS programs in passing offense (352.6 yards) with Rogers also ranking sixth nationally in total offense (348.1 yards). Jaleel Scott, a 6-6 wide receiver, was a first team all-conference pick after finishing with 73 receptions for 1,042 yards and eight touchdowns, while running back Larry Rose III was a second-team pick after rushing for 807 yards and nine TDs. The defense, which is tied for sixth with Texas A&M with 40 sacks, is led by a pair of first team All-Sun Belt performers in defensive end Cedric Wilcots II (8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles) and linebacker Dalton Herrington, who led the Sun Belt with 124 tackles, including 15 for loss, to go with 5.5 sacks.

                      ABOUT UTAH STATE (6-6 SU, 6-6 ATS, 9-3 O/U):
                      The Aggies won three of their final five games to become bowl-eligible but come in off a 38-35 loss at Air Force to finish tied for fourth with the Falcons in the Mountain Division behind league champion Boise State, Wyoming and Colorado State. Freshman quarterback Jordan Love leads the offense and passed for 1,377 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions, while senior running back LaJuan Hunt rushed for a team-high 695 yards on 149 carries and scored 10 TDs. Senior cornerback Jalen Davis was a first-team all-conference selection after tying for the Mountain West lead with five interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, while sophomore placekicker Dominik Eberle also earned first team all-league honors after connecting on 16-of-18 field goals, including a 52-yarder, and going 45-of-45 on extra-point tries.

                      CONSENSUS:
                      About 52 percent of players are backing New Mexico State to cover as a 4-point underdog.


                      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                      Comment


                      • NCAAF

                        Friday, December 29


                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Betting Preview and Odds: USC vs Ohio State
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Southern California Trojans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (-7.5, 65)

                        Game to be played at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

                        Two of the most successful quarterbacks in the nation will be on display when fifth-ranked Ohio State meets No. 7 USC in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 29. Senior J.T. Barrett has thrown for career highs of 2,939 yards and 35 touchdowns to lead Ohio State while sophomore Sam Darnold boasts 57 scoring strikes in two seasons with the Trojans and is close to going over 7,000 yards passing in his career. The Buckeyes are averaging 42.5 points and USC is at 34.5 - 38.8 during its current five-game win streak.

                        While both teams can beat you through the air, the game may be decided in the trenches by both giving the star quarterbacks time to operate and opening up holes for talented running backs. USC junior running back Ronald Jones II has rushed for 1,486 yards - averaging 162.8 per game during the current win streak - and 18 touchdowns overall to give Darnold support. J.K. Dobbins (10 TDs) set a freshman rushing record for Ohio State with 1,364 yards while Barrett (732) and sophomore Mike Weber (608 yards, 10 TDs) have also had big years on the ground.

                        It will be the 24th matchup between the schools with rich football histories and seven of the previous games were in the Rose Bowl with USC winning four of those. The Trojans have won seven straight meetings, including the last showdown in 2009 when they defeated the Buckeyes 18-15 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won the Big Ten title by knocking off Wisconsin 27-21 and USC defeated Stanford 31-28 in the Pac-12 championship game, which in the past would have led to a trip to the Rose Bowl, but the College Football Playoff is using the fabled site in Pasadena, Calif., for one of the two semifinal games this season.

                        TV:
                        8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

                        LINE HISTORY:
                        Ohio State opened as 6-point favorites and heading into game day that number is up to 7.5. The total hit betting boards at 64.5 and has been bumped slightly to 65.

                        INJURY REPORT:


                        USC - T A. Vorhees (Probable, Concussion), T C. Edoga (Questionable, Back), WR V. Jones Jr. (Questionable, Foot), CB J. Jones (Questionable, Ankle), WR J. Greene (Questionable, Shoulder), LB O. Betiku Jr. (Questionable, Groin), S B. Bolden (Questionable, Hip), QB M. Fink (Questionable, Knee), LB P. Gustin (Doubtful, Toe), RB J. Toland IV (Out Indefinitely, Shoulder), DT M. Tuipulotu (Out For Season, Back), CB G. Johnson (Out For Season, Shoulder), WR K. Young (Out For Season, Hamstring), PK M. Brown (Out For Season, Knee).

                        Ohio State - CB S. Wade (Questionable, Abdonimal), LB D. Booker (Questionable, Concussion), WR J. Harris (Out Indefinitely, Lower Body), OL B. Bowen (Out For Season, Leg), DT M. Barrow (Out For Season, Knee), TE A. Alexander (Out For Season, Knee).

                        WEATHER REPORT:
                        Dome.

                        ABOUT USC (11-2 SU, 3-9-1 ATS, 8-5 O/U):
                        Darnold struggled with interceptions early on (six in first three games), but was picked off only twice in the last five contests and threw for 3,787 yards overall. Junior Deontay Burnett has hauled in 74 passes for 975 yards and nine touchdowns, despite catching one pass last time out, while freshman Tyler Vaughns (51 catches, 690 yards, five TDs) and senior Steven Mitchell Jr. (41, 644, four) have also been productive. Linebacker Cameron Smith leads the Trojans defense with 102 tackles and junior lineman Rasheem Green posted five of his nine sacks in his last four games.

                        ABOUT OHIO STATE (11-2 SU, 6-7 ATS, 9-4 O/U):
                        Barrett threw for two touchdowns with a pair of interceptions in the Big Ten title game and completed 64.7 percent of his passes this year while the Buckeyes boast 11 different receivers with a TD catch. Junior Parris Campbell (three TDs) led a balanced receiving corps with 587 yards, sophomore K.J. Hill tops (three TDs) the team with 55 receptions and junior Johnnie Dixon registered a team-best eight touchdown catches. Junior linebacker Jerome Baker leads the team with 67 tackles and sophomore lineman Nick Bosa has made an impact with seven sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

                        CONSENSUS:
                        The public is siding with the underdog USC Trojans at a rate of 53 percent and the Over is getting 64 percent of the totals action.
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                        Comment


                        • 7 - 1 Yesterday......lets see if i can sweep the board today.....

                          FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
                          GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


                          WAKE at TAM 01:00 PM
                          WAKE -4.5
                          U 64.0


                          NCST at ASU 03:00 PM
                          ASU +7.0
                          O 61.5


                          UK at NW 04:30 PM
                          NW -9.5
                          U 50.0


                          NMSU at USU 05:30 PM
                          NMSU +4.5
                          O 64.0


                          USC at OSU 08:30 PM
                          OSU -8.0
                          U 64.5
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                          Comment


                          • Bowl roundup: No. 5 Ohio State stops No. 8 USC in Cotton
                            December 30, 2017


                            ARLINGTON, Texas -- A slew of turnovers, along with the sticky hands of Damon Webb, helped propel No. 5 Ohio State to a dominant 24-7 victory over No. 8 USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday night at AT&T Stadium.

                            In a classic clash of college football bluebloods that normally takes place on the West Coast, two takeaways by Webb were key in the Buckeyes taking control early.

                            J.T. Barrett also contributed two touchdown runs for the Big Ten champions, who were just on the outside of the College Football Playoff and finished the season 12-2.

                            Sam Darnold had a forgettable showing in what could be his final collegiate game for USC (11-3). He didn't throw a touchdown and turned it over three times, including an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Webb. The Trojans finished with four turnovers. Darnold (26 of 45 for 356 yards) did become the first USC player to pass for 4,000 yards in a season.

                            No. 21 Northwestern 24, Kentucky 23

                            NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Playing without its quarterback and best defensive player in the second half, No. 21 Northwestern used a key interception return touchdown by Kyle Queiro to beat Kentucky in the Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium.

                            Queiro nabbed a Stephen Johnson pass near the right sideline, tippy-toed to stay inbounds and raced 26 yards for the clinching score with 7:49 left in the game. Northwestern finished the season with an eight-game winning streak.

                            Kentucky got within a score when Austin MacGinnis toed a 48-yard field goal with 4:24 left. It came within an extra point of tying when Johnson scrambled 9 yards for a touchdown with 37 seconds remaining. But coach Mark Stoops went for two points and the win. Johnson's pass to Tavin Richardson in the end zone was knocked away by Marcus McShepard.

                            No. 24 North Carolina State 52, Arizona State 31


                            Ryan Finley passed for 318 yards and a touchdown, and Nyheim Hines rushed for a career-high three touchdowns in North Carolina State's victory over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

                            Hines scored on three 5-yard runs in the first half and Reggie Gallaspy II had two touchdown runs in the second half as the Wolfpack opened a 21-3 lead and never were threatened.

                            Finley completed 24 of 29 passes, Gallaspy had 78 yards rushing and Hines had 73. Gallaspy's first touchdown run, a 23-yarder, made it 38-10 on the first play of the fourth quarter.

                            Manny Wilkins completed 25 of 40 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a score for the Sun Devils, but he also had three second-half interceptions.

                            Wake Forest 55, Texas A&M 52

                            CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Matt Colburn scored on a 1-yard run with 2:18 remaining as Wake Forest won a wild Belk Bowl, recovering after surrendering a 17-point lead to defeat Texas A&M at Bank of America Stadium.

                            Texas A&M reached its own 49-yard line on its last drive before turning the ball over on downs with 28 seconds left.

                            John Wolford threw four first-half touchdown passes, helping the Demon Deacons win bowl games in back-to-back seasons.

                            Jhamon Ausbon caught a 13-yard pass from Nick Starkel with 5:52 left to put Texas A&M ahead. That drive covered 72 yards on 10 plays. Cade Carney scored on a 1-yard, fourth-down run to send Wake Forest into the lead with 9:06 to play. Texas A&M's Nick Starkel threw for 499 yards and four touchdowns, completing 42 of 63 passes.

                            New Mexico State 26, Utah State 20


                            TUCSON, Ariz. -- New Mexico State won its first bowl game in 57 years as Larry Rose III scored on a 21-yard touchdown run in overtime to lift the Aggies past Utah State in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium.

                            Utah State had failed to score in its chance in the overtime when Dominik Eberle missed a 29-yard field goal attempt that hit the right upright. He missed four field goal tries in the game after missing just two in the regular season.

                            Trailing 20-13 New Mexico State tied the score when Tyler Rogers hit Jaleel Scott in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown with 6:31 left in the fourth quarter. The play was reviewed for about two minutes before the decision was made that Scott had possession of the ball and was able to get a foot down inbounds. That tied the score 20-20.
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                            • TaxSlayer Bowl might be Jackson's finale
                              December 29, 2017


                              TaxSlayer Bowl: Mississippi State (8-4) vs. Louisville (8-4), Saturday, Noon Eastern (ESPN)

                              Line: Louisville by 6 +.

                              Series Record: Tied 2-2.

                              WHAT'S AT STAKE

                              Mississippi State's senior class is going for its 34th victory, which would tie the school record set in 1942 and matched in 2015. The Bulldogs also want to send interim coach Greg Knox out with a win. Louisville is trying to end the season with a four-game winning streak and potentially send 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson to the NFL on a high note. The junior hasn't said publicly whether he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

                              KEY MATCHUP


                              Mississippi State's defense vs. Jackson. Louisville's all-everything quarterback leads the nation in total offense with 4,932 yards, including 3,489 passing and 1,443 rushing. He was voted Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year for the second straight season and finished third in Heisman voting. The Bulldogs rank in the top-25 nationally in six defensive categories.

                              PLAYERS TO WATCH

                              Mississippi State: Freshman QB Keytaon Thompson will make his first career start in place of injured Nick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald broke his right ankle in the first quarter of the Egg Bowl against rival Mississippi last month.

                              Louisville: WR Jaylen Smith has 53 receptions for 873 yards and six touchdowns in nine games. Smith missed three games with a left wrist injury. He has four touchdowns during the team's three-game winning streak.

                              FACTS & FIGURES


                              Mississippi State won all four meetings against Louisville, but two of those were vacated because of NCAA infractions. ... Bulldogs playing in bowl game for eighth consecutive season. ... Mississippi State's famed cowbells will be permitted at EverBank Field. ... Of the Bulldogs' four losses, three came against teams - Georgia, Alabama and Auburn - that finished in the top seven in the College Football Playoff rankings. The other one came after Fitzgerald broke his ankle. ... Cardinals are 3-2 in bowl games against teams from the Southeastern Conference. ... Jackson needs 183 yards of offense to break his single-season school record (5,114) set in 2016. ... Cardinals have scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games. ... Cardinals need 150 yards rushing to break the school record (3,148) set last season.
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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                              • Memphis, Iowa State preparing for chills
                                December 29, 2017


                                MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Memphis will be playing the Liberty Bowl in familiar territory, but the chilly weather could have Iowa State feeling right at home.

                                Saturday's forecast calls for highs in the upper 30s and lows in the upper teens at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, which serves as No. 19 Memphis' home field. That's rather cold by Memphis standards, but it's milder than the sub-zero temperatures expected on Iowa State's campus Saturday.

                                ''This is warm to us,'' Iowa State running back David Montgomery said.

                                Iowa State (7-5) downplayed the notion that the weather could give the Cyclones any sort of benefit to counteract Memphis' home-field advantage.

                                Neither team played a regular-season game with temperatures below 40 degrees this year. Memphis (10-2) beat Tulane amid rainy conditions in the low 40s and defeated Louisiana-Monroe in a storm .

                                This type of cold offers a different kind of challenge.

                                ''I've been practicing without sleeves this week just to get prepared for the weather this Saturday,'' Memphis wide receiver Anthony Miller said. ''I think playing in the cold is better because you don't lose as much energy. The heat zaps a lot out of you.''

                                Memphis has reason to feel confident.

                                The Tigers haven't lost in any of their seven games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, where they're averaging 50 points and over 500 total yards. Memphis boasts one of the nation's most electrifying pass-catch tandems with quarterback Riley Ferguson throwing to Miller, a consensus All-American .

                                A Liberty Bowl victory would give Memphis its first 11-win campaign in school history and would assure the Tigers of their highest season-ending ranking. Memphis has only finished a season in the Top 25 once before, when it ended up 25th in 2014.

                                ''We talk about it every day,'' Ferguson said. ''The fact that we can come here and leave a legacy like that, it means everything to us and our fans and the community as well. It's a huge accomplishment.''

                                Iowa State sold over 15,000 tickets for this game, but Memphis still figures to have the majority of fans on its side. A sellout crowd of 57,266 is expected for the Liberty Bowl, which is sponsored by AutoZone.

                                Memphis is a four-point favorite, though Iowa State feels comfortable as an underdog. The Cyclones won at No. 2 Oklahoma and at home against No. 13 TCU this season.

                                ''I have to imagine it will be a pretty typical road-game environment,'' Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. ''That's how we're treating it.''

                                ---

                                Some things to watch in the Liberty Bowl.


                                PROTECTING THE FOOTBALL:
                                Iowa State hasn't lost a fumble all year. The Football Bowl Subdivision record for fewest fumbles in a season is one, a feat achieved by Bowling Green in 1996, Miami (Ohio) in 1998 and Northern Illinois in 2004. Iowa State is 7-0 when it has a positive turnover margin and is 0-5 in its other games.

                                PROMISING COACHES:
                                This game features two of the nation's hottest young coaching prospects in Memphis' Mike Norvell and Campbell. Norvell, 36, is 18-7 in two seasons at Memphis. Campbell, 37, owns a 45-29 mark in six seasons as a head coach (four at Toledo and two at Iowa State). Norvell agreed to an extension this month, while Campbell got a new six-year contract worth $22.5 million .

                                RECOVERING FROM HEARTBREAK: Both teams are coming off tough defeats. Memphis lost the American Athletic Conference championship game 62-55 in double overtime to No. 10 Central Florida, a setback that likely cost the Tigers a New Year's Six bowl berth. Iowa State dropped its regular-season finale 20-19 at Kansas State. Iowa State has lost three of its last four games.

                                PRODUCTIVE RECEIVERS:
                                This game features two of the nation's most prolific active receivers in Miller (234 career catches, 3,535 yards, 36 touchdowns) and Iowa State's Allen Lazard (231 catches, 3,218 yards, 25 TDs). Miller has caught 92 passes for 1,407 yards and 17 touchdowns this season to rank second among all FBS players in touchdown catches and yards receiving per game . This marks the last college game for both players.

                                VERSATILE LANNING: Iowa State's Joel Lanning moved from quarterback to linebacker this season and has responded by delivering a team-high 110 tackles. He also still occasionally plays quarterback in short-yardage situations. Lanning was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award given annually to the nation's most versatile player.
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

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