Trends... Monday

[Spark]

Auburn, -5-- Felt since early November that Auburn is best team in country, don't care what polls say; this is team, with senior QB who has played for four different offensive coordinators in four years, has been booed, that is now 11-0 and should have been playing for the national title. Auburn beat Tennessee twice, by 24,10 points, and neither game was in Auburn.

Virginia Tech has covered just one of last six tries as a bowl dog, but they also haven't lost since Sept 25 vs NC State. Hokies are plus-15 in turnovers their last six games, forcing 20 turnovers, but they only played three road games all season, at Wake, Tech and Carolina.

[Spark]

Monday, January 3rd
Sugar Bowl
New Orleans, Louisiana
Virginia Tech vs. Auburn, 8:00 EST


Virginia Tech:
1-7 ATS away off a conference game
7-1 Over off a loss by 6 points or less

Auburn:
7-1 ATS after allowing 125 or less passing yards
7-1 Over away off a SU win / ATS loss

[Spark]

VIRGINIA TECH was 8-0 SU & 6-1 ATS in its L8 games

AUBURN, unbeaten out of the SEC, plays third wheel in the championship game party and is left to the Sugar Bowl. All things considered, the Tigers were as good or better than any other team in the country this year, but fell shy in the BCS standings as they were unable to overcome lower preseason rankings.

[Spark]

SUGAR BOWL:
AUBURN (-6.5, O/U: 44.5) vs. VIRGINIA TECH:
LSU's win over Oklahoma snapped a run of seven straight wins by the favorite in the Sugar Bowl. Overall, the favorite has gone 6-2 ATS in the last eight, and the designated home team has covered seven of the last nine.

[Spark]

VIRGINIA TECH (10 - 2) vs. AUBURN (12 - 0) - 1/3/2005, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA TECH is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
VIRGINIA TECH is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.


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

[Spark]

Monday, January 3, 2005

Virginia Tech(+6½) vs. Auburn [Sugar Bowl]

Power Rating Projection:

Auburn 23 Virginia Tech 22
Statistical Projections

Virginia Tech 22

Rushing Yards: 189
Passing Yards: 150
Turnovers: 1 Auburn 23

Rushing Yards: 162
Passing Yards: 210
Turnovers: 2

SUNSHINE FORECAST Official Prediction:

Auburn 19 Virginia Tech 17

[Spark]

Monday's games
NBA


Pistons @ Bulls-- Chicago won first meeting of season. 89-82 twelve nights ago, after losing all four last year by average of 18 points. Detroit is 1-6 vs spread if they played night before and are 1-6 as road favorite; they beat Celtics last night at Palace. Bulls covered last five tries as home dog and are 6-2 in last eight SU.


Elsewhere, Cavaliers won first two games vs Bobcats by 16,17 points; Lebron broke bone in his face last week, but has mask and might play. Cavs are 3-2 as road fave. Charlotte is 6-2 in last eight tries as home underdog.

Hornets are dreadful this year, but they're also 11-5 as a road dog, and they were 4-0 vs Celtics last year, getting wins at this site by 8,2 points. Celtics are 4-7 as a home favorite; they lost four of their last five overall SU.

Orlando blasted the Raptors 129-108 in Florida Dec 1, shooting 57% from floor with plus-27 rebounding edge. Magic is 1-4 in last five tries as road dog. Raptors lost last three games. Over is 5-2 last seven Magic road tilts.

Miami beat Seattle twice last year, by 8,7 points; Heat is on 14-game win streak; they're 5-0-2 in last seven tries as home favorite. Sonics are 7-2 in last nine tries as road dogwinning four of last five games SU. Over is 6-1-1 in last eight Miami games.

Utah lost 99-80 last night in Houston, their 5th loss in a row and eighth in last nine games. Grizzlies are 5-3 in last eight tries as home favorite; they lost three of four vs Jazz last year, with average total in the four games, 177.5.

Clippers are 2-5 in last seven as road dog; they split four games with Denver last year, average total, 199. Denver lost at Staples last night; they're 5-4 as home fave. Clips won last two games after losing seven of previous eight.

76ers are 4-1-1 vs spread if they played night before; road teams are 1-4 vs spread, though, day after facing Clippers. Home team won both series games last year, by 24,14 points. Warriors covered last 4 as home fave

[Spark]

NBA Trends


Monday, January 3rd

Cleveland () at Charlotte (), 7:05 ET
Cleveland - 3-8 ATS after failing to come within 10 pts. of the line
Charlotte - 10-3 Over Home

New Orleans (193) at Boston (-9), 7:05 ET
New Orleans - 12-2 ATS w/ 2 or more days rest after a loss by 10 or more pts.
Boston - 3-10 ATS vs. teams shooting 80% or better from the FT line

Orlando (207.5) at Toronto (-1), 7:05 ET
Orlando - 2-7 ATS away after Away Loss
Toronto - 8-4 ATS after leading at end of 1st three qtrs. in a loss

Seattle (201) at Miami (-5), 7:35 ET
Seattle - 9-1 ATS when playing at least their third straight away
Miami - 7-1 Under Home after shooting >55%

Utah (183.5) at Memphis (-8.5), 8:05 ET
Utah - 9-3 Under Away with no rest vs. rested
Memphis - 11-3 ATS when TO's increased in three straight

Detroit (-4) at Chicago (172), 8:35 ET
Detroit - 13-1 ATS Away vs. Chicago
Chicago - 5-12 ATS at home with rest vs. unrested

L.A. Clippers () at Denver (), 9:05 ET
L.A. Clippers -
Denver -

Philadelphia () at Golden State (), 10:35 ET
Philadelphia - 2-5 ATS playing 2nd of BTB away
Golden State - 8-4 ATS vs. opponent playing at least 3rd straight away


**Denotes Time Change

[Spark]

NC-Wilmington won last five games vs JMU, they're 6-4 overall this year, 2-3 on road. Dukes lost their last seven games, losing last game by 19 at home to High Point, which was certainly a low point.

Illinois-Chicago lost four of last five games; they're 2-4 on road, but are also 7-0 vs Youngstown, winning last three visits to this site by 4-2-6 points. Penguins lost eight of their last nine games.

Providence is 4-1 in last five games vs Brown, with wins by 19-51-10-21 points. Friars just got back from win at San Diego State; they open Big East play five days from now in Boston. Brown won six of last seven games; they have one loss by more than 13 points.

Xavier lost 68-61 at Iowa State last year, as 2-point dog; Cyclones are 0-2 on road this year, losing by 17 at Northern Iowa, 7 at Iowa. Musketeers won last 3 games and are 5-4; both teams open league play Sat.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee won its last five games against Detroit, as Titans lost last five visits to Milwaukee by 8, 11-18-11-5 points. Detroit is 0-5 on road this season, with losses by 10-16-5-17 and 15 points.

Loyola won last five games over Cleveland St, as the Vikings lost last three visits to this site by 11-12-24 points. CSU lost last five games, while Loyola has has lost nine straight games, so slim pickings in this one.

LMU lost in OT at Virginia, so they can play; this year, any WCC dog has to be respected out of conference. Minnesota won its last seven games after 2-3 start, as they have almost whole new team from last year.

Illinois State's last five visits to Northern Iowa were all decided by eight or less points, with Redbirds 7-4 in last eleven series games, with losses by 3-14-2-4 pts. UNI is 7-2, 5-0 at home, with wins by 18-17-11-30 and 21 points. ISU is 9-3 this year, 2-0 as MVC dog.

Wright State lost last two visits to Green Bay by 11,2 points; four of their last six visits to this site were won by one or two points. Raiders lost six of last eight tilts overall; they're 2-3 on road. Green Bay is 5-0 at home with wins by 15-4-17-6-8 points.

LSU beat Utah 65-51 at home last year, as a 7-point favorite; now they visit Salt Lake. Utes are 10-3, with five wins in row; they blasted Colorado in last game by 32 points. LSU is 0-2 on road (4 at USM, 9 at Hous)

Georgia Southern won its last four games vs Western Carolina by 3-5-8-29 points. Eagles are 0-3 on road vs D-I teams. Western lost its last three games and is 4-6; they lost by 40 at Wisconsin in last game.

Five of last six Rider-St Pete games were won by five or less points, or in OT, with Broncs losing last two at this site by 3,5 points. Peacocks are 5-5, 3-0 at home, with wins by 17-12-16. Rider is 5-5, but won its first two MAAC games, both by a single point.

Austin Peay is 1-8, with eight losses in row; their only win is in OT over poor Saint Louis team. Chattanooga won last four in a row, including win at Tennessee. Not really sure why Austin Peay is favored.

Wichita State, one of unbeaten teams left, came to Big Apple last year and drilled Manhattan, 74-57; now, the Jaspers head to Wichita, where Shockers have won by 18-10-5-13-10 points. In very tough MVC, Wichita has big game at SW Missouri State Saturday.

[hazsupport]

Illinois St.

I'll take Illinois St. plus the pts. Thanks hc

[Spark]

Monday, January 3rd

NC Wilmington at James Madison, 7:00 ET
NC Wilmington - 27-13 ATS away after allowing 55 points or less
James Madison - 1-10 ATS at home off BB non-conference games

Illinois Chicago at Youngstown State, 7:00 ET
Illinois Chicago - 11-0 ATS after having 2 or less steals
Youngstown State - 1-5 ATS off a loss

Brown at Providence, 7:30 ET
Brown - 12-4 ATS off a home win by 10+ points
Providence - 1-6 ATS at home off 3+ wins

Iowa State at Xavier, 7:30 ET
Iowa State - 1-6 ATS off BB home wins
Xavier - 5-1 ATS at home after scoring 25 or less first-half points

Detroit at Wisconsin Milwaukee, 8:00 ET
Detroit - 2-8 ATS away off a home win by 10+ points
Wisc Milwaukee - 10-1 ATS off 3+ non-conference games

Cleveland State at Loyola Chicago, 8:00 ET
Cleveland State - 8-19 ATS in road games
Loyola Chicago - 5-1 ATS off 6+ losses

Loyola Marymount at Minnesota, 8:00 ET
Loyola Marymount - 7-1 ATS away off BB ATS losses
Minnesota - 4-12 ATS in January

Illinois State at Northern Iowa, 8:05 ET
Illinois State - 6-16 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points
Northern Iowa - 16-3 ATS off 3+ games committing 14 or less turnovers

Wright State at Wisconsin Green Bay, 8:30 ET
Wright State - 6-0 ATS off a win by 15+ points
Wisc Green Bay - 3-12 ATS at home after winning 3 of their last 4

**LSU at Utah, 10:00 ET
LSU - 2-10 ATS after allowing 5 or less offensive rebounds
Utah - 8-2 ATS at home off BB home games


Added Games:

Georgia Southern at Western Carolina, 7:00 ET
Georgia Southern - 1-6 ATS this season
Western Carolina - 8-0 ATS at home off a road loss

Rider at St. Peters, 7:00 ET
Rider - 6-16 ATS after playing as a road underdog
St. Peters - 9-0 ATS as a home favorite of 6 points or less

Tennessee Chattanooga at Austin Peay, 8:00 ET
Tennessee Chat - 11-3 ATS away after playing as a favorite
Austin Peay - 8-20 ATS vs. non-conference opponents

Manhattan at Wichita State, 8:05 ET
Manhattan - 1-6 ATS away off a loss by 10+ points
Wichita State - 21-9 ATS off a home game


**Denotes Time Change

[Spark]

Nokia Sugar Bowl Monday Jan 3rd,8:30pm est (9) Virginia Tech vs. (3) Auburn

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

(9) Virginia Tech (10-2) vs. (3) Auburn (12-0)

GAME NOTES: After being kept out of the Orange Bowl despite a perfect record,
the Auburn Tigers will cap off their magical season in the Sugar Bowl against
Virginia Tech. Auburn belongs to the SEC and Virginia Tech competes in the
ACC, and those two leagues are widely considered the toughest in the nation.
Tech split its first four games this season, but the team has gone on to win
eight straight outings and capture the outright ACC title in the process. The
Hokies captured the league championship in their final regular season game, a
16-10 road victory over a tough Miami squad. Virginia Tech, 1-1 all-time in
the Sugar Bowl, last played here in 2000 for the national championship against
Florida, a game that resulted in a rather lopsided 49-26 defeat. While the
Tigers have plenty to be proud off, as they capped off an undefeated regular
season with a victory over Tennessee in the SEC Championship game, they are
obviously disappointed that they will not have the opportunity to compete for
the BCS title. That right has gone to USC and Oklahoma, two of the other four
Division I-A teams that enter the postseason without a loss. Still, a
lackluster effort by the Sooners and Trojans in the Orange Bowl coupled with
a tremendous showing by Auburn in this Sugar Bowl could enable the Tigers to
earn the AP national title. Head coach Tommy Tuberville was recently named the
SEC Coach of the Year to no one's surprise, and he has now brought his team to
five bowl appearance in six seasons. In four other appearances in the Sugar
Bowl, Auburn has a 1-2-1 record, but the last trip to this bowl came 15 years
ago. The Tigers hold a 2-1-1 series lead over Virginia Tech, although the two
teams have not met since 1978, a 18-7 Auburn win in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall, the ACC Player of the Year, holds the
school record with 37 consecutive starts. He also is the school's all-time
career passing leader with 6,209 yards and ranks second on the career list
with 46 touchdowns. This year he has totaled 1,965 passing yards with 19
touchdowns through the air and three more on the ground. He has thrown only
seven picks and continues to be the quiet leader of a team that has seemingly
overachieved and earned a spot in this year's second-biggest bowl game. No
receiver has made more than 25 grabs for the team, and the lack of a stud on
the outside makes both Tech's record and Randall's personal success all the
more impressive. The Hokies are averaging an impressive 32.2 ppg, and more
than half of the 364.8 ypg that they average has come on the ground. Mike
Imoh leads the pack with 704 rushing yards and six scores, while fellow
tailback Cedric Humes has racked up 595 yards and five touchdowns. Randall is
a dangerous runner as well, as the versatile signal-caller has posted 466
rushing yards and three scores. Tech does not possess any high profile
offensive performers, but the offensive unit as a whole is more than capable
of scoring its fair share of points.

The Tech defense holds its opponents to 12.6 ppg and 265 total ypg, and it
will certainly be challenged by the vaunted Auburn offense. Leading the Hokies
are linebackers Vince Hall and Mikal Baaqee, as those two individuals are tied
for the team lead with 62 tackles. While Hall and Baaqee are consistent
performers, the player most capable of having a big impact in this Sugar Bowl
is defensive end Darryl Tapp. Thanks to a good combination of strength, skill
and speed, Tapp has made 16 stops for loss, including eight sacks. The Hokies
have posted 32 sacks in all and recorded 30 takeaways, including 18
interceptions. They have surrendered only seven passing touchdowns in 48
quarters of action, while allowing opposing quarterbacks to average only 10.6
yards per completion. Tech has been tough against the run as well, as it has
allowed foes to gain only 115.7 ypg on the ground on 3.3 ypc.

For much of this season, quarterback Jason Campbell continued to be underrated
despite the success of Auburn. Finally, he has gotten the recognition he
fully deserves. Campbell was recently named the SEC Offensive Player of the
Year by the league's coaches, and it is hard to argue with the selection
considering that he completed a stellar 69.7 percent of his passes, for a
career-high 2,511 yards with 19 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
Campbell has undoubtedly been helped by a rushing attack that features
arguably the top backfield duo in the nation. Carnell Williams was recently
named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year by the coaches, and he happens
to one of the nation's premier tailbacks as well. Williams finished the
regular season with 1,104 yards on the ground, and his 13 touchdowns led the
SEC. Teammate Ronnie Brown does not get quite as much attention, but he is
averaging 6.1 ypc as compared to 5.0 ypc for Williams. Brown has totaled 845
yards and eight touchdowns to date, and both he and Williams are potentially
first round NFL draft picks. Courtney Taylor is the top option at the receiver
position, as he has scored six times and racked up 650 yards on his 38 grabs.
Auburn averages 33.4 ppg and 430.8 ypg of total offense, and the balance that
has been achieved by the unit is remarkable.

Auburn senior defensive backs Junior Rosegreen and Carlos Rogers lead a
stellar defense that allowed opponents to score only 11.2 ppg and average
269.5 total ypg. Rogers, who recently won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's
premier defensive back, leads Auburn with 10 pass breakups this season,
pushing his career total to 40, and he has posted a career-high five tackles
for loss. Rosegreen ended the regular season with a career-high five
interceptions, four of which came in Auburn's 34-10 victory over Tennessee in
Knoxville in October. That accomplishment tied a 65-year-old SEC record and
set a new Auburn mark. Opposing quarterbacks have more interceptions (14) than
passing touchdowns (13) against the Tigers this season, and the defense is
allowing a low average of 10.9 yards per completion. Also worthy of mention is
the fact that the defense has posted a solid total of 35 sacks, and Quentin
Groves and Stanley McClover lead the club with 7.5 sacks apiece.

Virginia Tech has the ability to change games with its stellar special teams
play, and the team's defense is superb as well. The Hokies will keep this one
close, but the edge has to go to the Tigers. Auburn would like nothing more
than to finish with another win and make a case for a share of the national
title.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Auburn 27, Virginia Tech 17