Spooky Express Bowling For Dollars Selection And Analysis Thread

[Spooky]

Armed Forces Bowl
Houston vs. Air Force
[ESPN | 12 PM ET]


AIR FORCE +6 (buy pt) (2 UNITS)

Slight lean to the OVER as well

Houston (-3.5, O/U 64.5): The Cougars get another crack at the Falcons after losing the first-ever meeting back on September 13th, 31-28. That game was moved from Houston to SMU following Hurricane Ike, and many of the team's players were distracted by what happened. “It was just every different possibility, every different circumstance that could happen before a game happened,” said Cougars QB Case Keenum. Houston will be trying to win their first bowl game in 28 years despite making four straight postseason appearances.

Houston is 0-8 in bowl games since 1980, losing last three years by 29-8-7 points, giving up 35.3 ppg. Cougars trailed that game in Dallas 31-7 before wild rally fell just short; they were 34-57/362 passing in the rain, so you figure they can put up huge numbers on nice day. Houston had a -9 turnover ratio this year- they lost their first three games vs D-I foes, then went 6-2 in C-USA, losing only to Rice (56-42), Marshall (37-23). In their last four games, Houston scored 42-70-42-42 points, so they'll be hard to stop with surprisingly balanced offense.

Houston is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games vs. teams with a winning record.
The OVER is 3-0 in Houston's last 3 games overall.

Key Injuries - LB Matt Nicholson (knee) is questionable.

Air Force: The Falcons were a much different team the last time they met the Cougars, mainly because freshman QB Tim Jefferson wasn't under center. Jefferson took over midway through the season and ended up going 5-2 as a starter, becoming just the fourth freshman QB in school history. “It was a group that in mid-August, fortunately we didn’t have to play games then,” Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said. “We didn’t have a single returning starter at the skill positions. In a lot of ways, we’re still continuing to grow. Once they start shaving, we’ll be a better football team next year.”

Houston lost 31-28 to Air Force in September, in game that was moved to Dallas because of Hurricane Ike, and was played in front of 2,00 or so hardy souls on a rainy day. Falcons ran ball for 380 yards, were 12-20 in third down conversions, and won despite going 0-7 passing for game. On year, Air Force is 8-4, 2-4 vs bowl teams (they also beat Colorado State 38-17). Flyboys didn't have negative turnover ratio in any game all year, are +12 for season- they gave up 30+ points in all four losses.

Air Force lost 42-36 to Cal in this bowl LY, after their QB got hurt; that was Falcons' first bowl game since '02. Just like Navy-Wake Forest tilt, you know you're going to get solid effort from service academy team, but although it is really hard to beat same team twice in same season in college ball, I am a believer in what happens before happens again.
Taking Air Force to once again get er done.

Air Force is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games vs. Conference USA.
The OVER is 3-0 in Air Force's last 3 games overall.

Key Injuries - FB Todd Newell (ankle) is questionable.
WR Kyle Halderman (mononucleosis) is questionable.

[Spooky]

Sun Bowl
Oregon State vs. #20 Pittsburgh
[CBS | 2 PM ET]


OREGON STATE PK

Oregon State (-2.5, O/U 52):The Beavers hope to have freshman RB Jacquizz Rodgers back from a shoulder injury after he missed their biggest game of the season against Oregon in the annual Civil War. A win in that game would have given the team a berth in the Rose Bowl, but Oregon State was out-rushed 385-89 by the Ducks in a 65-38 loss. “There will be some residual effect from (not winning that game), but this is no time for babies,” Beavers head coach Mike Riley said. “We can’t whine about that anymore, we’re going to have to get ready to go.”

Oregon State just gave coach Riley extension thru 2015 season, after his Beavers came within one game of going to first Rose Bowl in 43 years-- they beat USC, after starting season 0-2, losing 36-28 at Stanford, then 45-14 at Penn State. OSU won eight of nine after Penn State loss, losing on late FG at unbeaten Utah (31-28), then got trounced 65-38 at home in finale vs Oregon, when Rose Bowl was on line. Riley won his last four bowl games, scoring 38.3 ppg- they beat Missouri here 39-38 in 2006.

Oregon State is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games on turf.
The OVER is 6-2 in Oregon State's last 8 December games.

Key Injuries - RB Jeremy Francis (personal) is probable.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers (shoulder) is doubtful.
RB James Rodgers (collarbone) is OUT.


Pittsburgh While Rodgers is the key to Oregon State's offensive attack, the Panthers have one of the top running backs in the country in LeSean McCoy, who rushed for more yards than any freshman player in the country last year. McCoy followed that up with a very productive sophomore season, rushing for 1,403 yards and 21 touchdowns. “That guy is good. He is going to be playing on Sundays,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “Don’t be surprised to see him in Honolulu (in the Pro Bowl) in a few years. He is as good a back as we have seen all year.”

Pitt's last bowl win was 38-13 vs Oregon State in '02 Insight Bowl, only time these teams have met (Dennis Erickson's last game with Beavers)-- Panthers lost in bowls two years after that, and haven't been back since. All that was with Walt Harris as coach-- this is Wannstedt's first bowl game as a head coach. Panthers opened season losing to Bowling Green, but won four of last five games-- they went 7-2 vs bowl teams, so they played lot of good teams this year. Pitt has a -4 turnover ratio for year.

Underdog covered nine of last ten Sun Bowls, with underdog 7-5 SU in last 12; average total in last seven bowls is 68.4. Both head coaches have been head men in NFL, with Riley having been head coach in CFL, NFL (Chargers) and World League-- he won two Grey Cups in Winnipeg, and may be one of most underrated coaches in country, with 4-0 bowl mark. Wannstedt is famous for being an assistant under Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys, but his head coaching career has been far less impressive. I am thinking Oregon State is the right side in this game.

Pitt is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on turf.
The UNDER is 7-3 in Pitt's last 10 games as an underdog.

Key Injuries - DL Tommie Duhart (ankle) is questionable.

[Spooky]

Music City Bowl
#24 Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
[ESPN | 3:30 PM ET]


BOSTON COLLEGE -3 (buy 1/2)

Boston College (-3.5, O/U 41): The Eagles own the nation's longest bowl winning streak at eight straight and will look to win nine in a row with backup QB Dominique Davis, who replaced Chris Crane after he broke his collarbone in a win over Wake Forest on November 22nd. This time last year, BC had NFL Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan under center, but head coach Jeff Jagodzinski is simply looking to rebound from a loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC title game for the second year in a row. “We fell a little bit short, but it takes nothing away from what these guys accomplished this year,” Jagodzinski said. “They kept battling. It didn’t go our way.”

Boston College won its last eight bowls, covering six; they've played 10 games vs bowl teams this season (played Va Tech twice), scoring nine TDs on defense/special teams. Eagles were +8 in turnovers in their first four games, then -9 in next three, then +8 from that point on, +7 for the year- they only had 10 starters back this season, but overachieved once again. BC is 1-4 as road favorite this year, and this is road game, playing in same city as Vandy, even if it isn't in their stadium.

Boston College is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 bowl games.
The OVER is 7-2 in Boston College's last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - CB Kevin Akins (ankle) is probable.
RB Josh Haden (shoulder) is probable.
QB Chris Crane (collarbone) is OUT.


Vanderbilt The Commodores are playing their first bowl game in 26 years and have not earned a postseason victory since the 1955 Gator Bowl. Vandy got off to a 5-0 start but struggled down the stretch, dropping five of six but still became bowl eligible with a 31-24 win over Kentucky on November 15th. “We are really thankful that a lot of our fans will be able to get here for the game and hopefully a lot of our out-of-town fans will load up the car or get on the plane and head to Nashville,” Commodores head coach Bobby Johnson said. “It has been a long time and awful lot of hard work, so we’re excited.”

Vanderbilt is playing in first bowl since '82, and is playing at home, after a 6-6 season where they started out 5-0, then lost next four games, losing 17-14 to Miss State, 10-7 to Duke, before winning 31-24 at Kentucky, a win that made them bowl eligible, but they lost to Tennessee and Wake Forest in last two games, making them 1-6 in last seven, scoring 14 pts or less in seven of their last eight games. Commodores were +9 in TOs in their 5-0 start (four of five wins were upsets), were -3 after that. Vandy is 3-3 this season against teams that went to bowl games.

Commodores waited 26 years to get back to a bowl, and didn't even get a road trip out of it, but make no mistake, they're excited to be playing in postseason. Vandy's offensive line lost all five starters from LY, has just four seniors who start, so it is surprising they're here. Coach Johnson is dead ringer for Steve Martin-- he won '01 national title in I-AA, so he's no jerk. Vandy has shaky QB play, so they'll be conservative. BC leads nation with 26 INTs, but has shaky kicking game. This is the #1 bowl team in country (8 wins in row) vs a bowl neophyte. And I like it to be 9 wins in a row with BC getting it done albeit in an ugly fashion.

Vanderbilt is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games vs. teams with a winning record.
The UNDER is 7-2 in Vanderbilt's last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - RB Jared Hawkins (foot) is probable.

[Spooky]

Insight Bowl
Kansas vs. Minnesota
[NFL | 6 PM ET]


MINNESOTA +10

Kansas (-9, O/U 58): The Jayhawks may be bowling in consecutive years for the first time in school history, but they have much higher hopes of winning two straight postseason games. Kansas finished 12-1 a year ago but stumbled down the stretch this season, losing four of six. Regardless, one of the team's goals can still be achieved with a victory. “To have the chance to win back-to-back bowls is something that we want to go out with," Jayhawks offensive lineman Adrian Mayes said. "It is really important for us to get this win.”

Kansas started year 5-1, losing tough Friday night game 37-34 down at South Florida, then limped home 2-4, giving up 35+ points in five of the six games- they did upset Missouri 40-37 in rivalry game at Arrowhead, but still, they had 12 takeaways in last four games and still allowed an average of 34.5 ppg, so you know they rarely forced a punt. Jayhawks are 3-3 vs spread as favorite this season. They became unbalanced late in season, running ball 56 times, throwing it 101 in last two games- they do have very good QB in smallish Reesing.

Kansas is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games vs. teams with a winning record.
The OVER is 5-1 in Kansas' last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries - CB Justin Thornton (suspension) is OUT.

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers had a much different season than Kansas last year, going 1-11 under first-year head coach Tim Brewster. They started 2008 much differently though, bolting out to a 7-1 start before dropping four in a row to finish 3-5 in Big Ten play. “I could not be more proud of what our team has accomplished this season and I am thrilled that all their hard work is being rewarded,” Brewster said. “It’s really clear in my mind what we need to do to improve as a football team and to compete at the highest level.”

Two years ago, Minnesota was here, blew 31-point lead to Texas Tech, lost 44-41, and Glen Mason (who came to Minnesota from Kansas) was fired. Gophers were then 1-11 LY, so you know they're damn happy to be here, despite losing last four games after a 7-1 start. After allowing an average of 17.1 ppg in first eight games, they gave up 35.8 ppg in the last four games, which culminated with 55-0 debacle at home vs Iowa in the regular season finale. Everything turned an a hideous INT for TD they threw in last minute of Game 9 vs Northwestern, which cost them that game, and sent the season spiraling in a negative direction.

This is one bowl I'm glad is on NFL Network plus I will be out to dinner and getting the celebration started and it is not the best matchup, but it should be wide open at least; Kansas' defense got worn down in second half of both games and season- they gave up an average of 24.8 ppg, just in second half of games in last six contests. Minnesota is 4-1 vs spread as a dog this season-- I'm thinking in a game between two very mediocre teams, grabbing big spread is a wise thing to do.

Minnesota is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 8-1 in Minnesota's last 9 non-conference games.

Key Injuries - WR Eric Decker (ankle) is probable.

[Spooky]

Chick-Fil-A Bowl
LSU vs. #14 Georgia Tech
[ESPN | 7:30 PM ET]


LSU: The defending national champions will be playing in their ninth straight bowl and have won three in a row, also going 4-0 all-time in this particular game. While this might seem like a disappointment after beating Ohio State in last year's BCS title game, head coach Les Miles doesn't seem to feel that way. “This is an outstanding bowl to go to,” Miles said. “It will be on national television on New Year’s Eve. It has no competition for air time so a lot of America will be watching the game. I think it’s going to be a really outstanding game, but I feel really confident that our team is going to step up and play really well and be really motivated.”

LSU had disappointing 7-5 season, going 3-5 in last eight games, and in one of the wins, they trailed 31-3 with 2:00 left in third quarter, vs Troy State. In all that, only one team (Florida) ran ball for more than 138 yds against them, so will be interesting to see hwo the option does against them. LSU just signed John Chavis to be the new defensive coordinator, so they're still going thru chaos as the bowl approaches, with this year's defensive coordinators off to other, less prominent coaching jobs. Tigers are 2-6 against the spread this season when favored.

LSU is 5-16-1 ATS in its last 22 games overall.
The OVER is 15-5 in LSU's last 20 games overall.

Key Injuries - QB Jarrett Lee (knee) is probable but will not start.

Georgia Tech (-4, O/U 42): Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson was rewarded for an outstanding season with a new 7-year deal worth $17.7 million, and he would love nothing more than to finish off his first year with a bowl victory. “We realize LSU is going to be a formidable challenge,” Johnson said. “They’re one year removed from being a national championship team. They’ve got a great tradition and a great history.” Johnson was named ACC Coach of the Year after his team finished third in the country in rushing with 282.3 yards per game.

Georgia Tech is at home in Atlanta, with their funky option offense that racked up 288-326-472-409 rushing yards in its last four games, with the four opponents Florida St-UNC-Miami-Georgia, all bowl teams, so this is a powerful offense, but LSU had time to prepare for it. Johnson was 2-0 vs spread as a bowl underdog at Navy (2-2 SU), losing last two by a combined total of four points to BC, Utah- he beat New Mexico 34-19, Colorado State 1-30 two years before that, but he's in deeper water here, against the Bayou Bengals. Tech was 3-1 as an underdog this season.

LSU went 7-5 this season without a major college QB, due to transfer of Perrilloux to I-AA school after numerous suspensions; hard to imagine a program like LSU getting stuck without a QB, but they did. Les Miles won and covered all three of his bowls at LSU, winning by the scores of 40-3/41-14/38-24; he knows how to win big games, but his Tigers have been disappointing, and this is road game for them in Atlanta, against a prolific running game. LSU is 0-6 vs spread in last six games, losing last two in regular season for first time since '81. Not sure which way I am headed yet for this game.

Georgia Tech is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 3-1 in Georgia Tech's last 4 games overall.

Key Injuries - LB Shane Bowen (neck) is OUT.
LB Sedric Griffin (knee) is probable.
CB Jahi Word-Daniels (hamstring) is questionable.

[Spooky]

I cant edit my posts so have updated some with some totals.

MINNESOTA OVER 59 POINTS
BOSTON COLLEGE UNDER 42 POINTS

Posted it at SFP



Chick-Fil-A Bowl
LSU vs. #14 Georgia Tech
[ESPN | 7:30 PM ET]

GEORGIA TECH -4 (4 UNITS)


LSU: The defending national champions will be playing in their ninth straight bowl and have won three in a row, also going 4-0 all-time in this particular game. While this might seem like a disappointment after beating Ohio State in last year's BCS title game, head coach Les Miles doesn't seem to feel that way. “This is an outstanding bowl to go to,” Miles said. “It will be on national television on New Year’s Eve. It has no competition for air time so a lot of America will be watching the game. I think it’s going to be a really outstanding game, but I feel really confident that our team is going to step up and play really well and be really motivated.”

LSU had disappointing 7-5 season, going 3-5 in last eight games, and in one of the wins, they trailed 31-3 with 2:00 left in third quarter, vs Troy State. In all that, only one team (Florida) ran ball for more than 138 yds against them, so will be interesting to see hwo the option does against them. LSU just signed John Chavis to be the new defensive coordinator, so they're still going thru chaos as the bowl approaches, with this year's defensive coordinators off to other, less prominent coaching jobs. Tigers are 2-6 against the spread this season when favored.

LSU is 5-16-1 ATS in its last 22 games overall.
The OVER is 15-5 in LSU's last 20 games overall.

Key Injuries - QB Jarrett Lee (knee) is probable but will not start.

Georgia Tech (-4, O/U 42): Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Johnson was rewarded for an outstanding season with a new 7-year deal worth $17.7 million, and he would love nothing more than to finish off his first year with a bowl victory. “We realize LSU is going to be a formidable challenge,” Johnson said. “They’re one year removed from being a national championship team. They’ve got a great tradition and a great history.” Johnson was named ACC Coach of the Year after his team finished third in the country in rushing with 282.3 yards per game.

Georgia Tech is at home in Atlanta, with their funky option offense that racked up 288-326-472-409 rushing yards in its last four games, with the four opponents Florida St-UNC-Miami-Georgia, all bowl teams, so this is a powerful offense, but LSU had time to prepare for it. Johnson was 2-0 vs spread as a bowl underdog at Navy (2-2 SU), losing last two by a combined total of four points to BC, Utah- he beat New Mexico 34-19, Colorado State 1-30 two years before that, but he's in deeper water here, against the Bayou Bengals. Tech was 3-1 as an underdog this season.

LSU went 7-5 this season without a major college QB, due to transfer of Perrilloux to I-AA school after numerous suspensions; hard to imagine a program like LSU getting stuck without a QB, but they did. Les Miles won and covered all three of his bowls at LSU, winning by the scores of 40-3/41-14/38-24; he knows how to win big games, but his Tigers have been disappointing, and this is road game for them in Atlanta, against a prolific running game. LSU is 0-6 vs spread in last six games, losing last two in regular season for first time since '81. Not sure which way I am headed yet for this game.

Georgia Tech is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 3-1 in Georgia Tech's last 4 games overall.

Key Injuries - LB Shane Bowen (neck) is OUT.
LB Sedric Griffin (knee) is probable.
CB Jahi Word-Daniels (hamstring) is questionable.

[Spooky]

Line moved since I first posted and gave out
weeks ago.

With the line movement, going to add a small wager on
the total.

Music City Bowl
#24 Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
[ESPN | 3:30 PM ET]

BOSTON COLLEGE/VANDERBILT/ UNDER 42 POINTS (2 UNITS)

Boston College (-3.5, O/U 41): The Eagles own the nation's longest bowl winning streak at eight straight and will look to win nine in a row with backup QB Dominique Davis, who replaced Chris Crane after he broke his collarbone in a win over Wake Forest on November 22nd. This time last year, BC had NFL Rookie of the Year Matt Ryan under center, but head coach Jeff Jagodzinski is simply looking to rebound from a loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC title game for the second year in a row. “We fell a little bit short, but it takes nothing away from what these guys accomplished this year,” Jagodzinski said. “They kept battling. It didn’t go our way.”

Boston College won its last eight bowls, covering six; they've played 10 games vs bowl teams this season (played Va Tech twice), scoring nine TDs on defense/special teams. Eagles were +8 in turnovers in their first four games, then -9 in next three, then +8 from that point on, +7 for the year- they only had 10 starters back this season, but overachieved once again. BC is 1-4 as road favorite this year, and this is road game, playing in same city as Vandy, even if it isn't in their stadium.

Boston College is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 bowl games.
The OVER is 7-2 in Boston College's last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - CB Kevin Akins (ankle) is probable.
RB Josh Haden (shoulder) is probable.
QB Chris Crane (collarbone) is OUT.


Vanderbilt The Commodores are playing their first bowl game in 26 years and have not earned a postseason victory since the 1955 Gator Bowl. Vandy got off to a 5-0 start but struggled down the stretch, dropping five of six but still became bowl eligible with a 31-24 win over Kentucky on November 15th. “We are really thankful that a lot of our fans will be able to get here for the game and hopefully a lot of our out-of-town fans will load up the car or get on the plane and head to Nashville,” Commodores head coach Bobby Johnson said. “It has been a long time and awful lot of hard work, so we’re excited.”

Vanderbilt is playing in first bowl since '82, and is playing at home, after a 6-6 season where they started out 5-0, then lost next four games, losing 17-14 to Miss State, 10-7 to Duke, before winning 31-24 at Kentucky, a win that made them bowl eligible, but they lost to Tennessee and Wake Forest in last two games, making them 1-6 in last seven, scoring 14 pts or less in seven of their last eight games. Commodores were +9 in TOs in their 5-0 start (four of five wins were upsets), were -3 after that. Vandy is 3-3 this season against teams that went to bowl games.

Commodores waited 26 years to get back to a bowl, and didn't even get a road trip out of it, but make no mistake, they're excited to be playing in postseason. Vandy's offensive line lost all five starters from LY, has just four seniors who start, so it is surprising they're here. Coach Johnson is dead ringer for Steve Martin-- he won '01 national title in I-AA, so he's no jerk. Vandy has shaky QB play, so they'll be conservative. BC leads nation with 26 INTs, but has shaky kicking game. This is the #1 bowl team in country (8 wins in row) vs a bowl neophyte. And I like it to be 9 wins in a row with BC getting it done albeit in an ugly fashion.

Vanderbilt is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games vs. teams with a winning record.
The UNDER is 7-2 in Vanderbilt's last 9 games overall.

Key Injuries - RB Jared Hawkins (foot) is probable.

[Spooky]

Again another game where the line moved a great
deal. Cant recommend the side with a field goal swing although my original wager is placed.

Will add on the total since it should be high scoring.

Insight Bowl
Kansas vs. Minnesota
[NFL | 6 PM ET]

MINNESOTA/KANSAS OVER 59 POINTS (3 UNITS)

Kansas (-9, O/U 58): The Jayhawks may be bowling in consecutive years for the first time in school history, but they have much higher hopes of winning two straight postseason games. Kansas finished 12-1 a year ago but stumbled down the stretch this season, losing four of six. Regardless, one of the team's goals can still be achieved with a victory. “To have the chance to win back-to-back bowls is something that we want to go out with," Jayhawks offensive lineman Adrian Mayes said. "It is really important for us to get this win.”

Kansas started year 5-1, losing tough Friday night game 37-34 down at South Florida, then limped home 2-4, giving up 35+ points in five of the six games- they did upset Missouri 40-37 in rivalry game at Arrowhead, but still, they had 12 takeaways in last four games and still allowed an average of 34.5 ppg, so you know they rarely forced a punt. Jayhawks are 3-3 vs spread as favorite this season. They became unbalanced late in season, running ball 56 times, throwing it 101 in last two games- they do have very good QB in smallish Reesing.

Kansas is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games vs. teams with a winning record.
The OVER is 5-1 in Kansas' last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries - CB Justin Thornton (suspension) is OUT.

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers had a much different season than Kansas last year, going 1-11 under first-year head coach Tim Brewster. They started 2008 much differently though, bolting out to a 7-1 start before dropping four in a row to finish 3-5 in Big Ten play. “I could not be more proud of what our team has accomplished this season and I am thrilled that all their hard work is being rewarded,” Brewster said. “It’s really clear in my mind what we need to do to improve as a football team and to compete at the highest level.”

Two years ago, Minnesota was here, blew 31-point lead to Texas Tech, lost 44-41, and Glen Mason (who came to Minnesota from Kansas) was fired. Gophers were then 1-11 LY, so you know they're damn happy to be here, despite losing last four games after a 7-1 start. After allowing an average of 17.1 ppg in first eight games, they gave up 35.8 ppg in the last four games, which culminated with 55-0 debacle at home vs Iowa in the regular season finale. Everything turned an a hideous INT for TD they threw in last minute of Game 9 vs Northwestern, which cost them that game, and sent the season spiraling in a negative direction.

This is one bowl I'm glad is on NFL Network plus I will be out to dinner and getting the celebration started and it is not the best matchup, but it should be wide open at least; Kansas' defense got worn down in second half of both games and season- they gave up an average of 24.8 ppg, just in second half of games in last six contests. Minnesota is 4-1 vs spread as a dog this season-- I'm thinking in a game between two very mediocre teams, grabbing big spread is a wise thing to do.

Minnesota is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 8-1 in Minnesota's last 9 non-conference games.

Key Injuries - WR Eric Decker (ankle) is probable.

[Spooky]

Lots of problems posting, but here it is. I hope.

Outback Bowl
South Carolina at Iowa
[ESPN | 11 AM ET]

IOWA -3 (buy 1/2) (2 UNITS)

South Carolina: The Gamecocks are looking to "salvage their season" according to senior WR Kenny McKinley after dropping their last two games of the regular season, including the worst loss of head coach Steve Spurrier's career against Florida on November 15th (56-6). “We are 7-5 and it is what it is,” Spurrier said. “We will try our best to represent South Carolina better (in the bowl game) than we have these past two games. We are going to try our best to regroup with our team. We are going to try and be encouraging and positive and try to get our confidence back here between now and game time.”

South Carolina won four of its last five bowls, with underdogs covering four of the five games; the two bowls under Spurrier were 31-38/44-36 games, wouldn't expect that kind of game here, as Carolina OL wasn't a great unit, and offense suffered, scoring 17 or less points in all five of its losses (they scored 23+ points in all seven wins). Gamecocks got killed in its last two games, 56-6 at Florida, 31-14 at Clemson, so chance here to wash was the bitter taste of those two setbacks. Carolina is 1-2-1 vs spread this season when an underdog.

South Carolina is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games overall.
The OVER is 5-2 in South Carolina's last 7 games overall.

Key Injuries - S Emmanuel Cook (academics) is OUT.


Iowa (-4, O/U 43): The Hawkeyes have won five of their last six games following a three-game losing streak, including a 55-0 rout of bowl-bound Minnesota in the regular-season finale. The highlight of the team's season was knocking off previously unbeaten Penn State 24-23 on November 8th. “It was a lot of fun,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It didn’t start out easy. Credit goes to our players. They hung in there and in the end a lot of good things happened.”

Iowa didn't go bowling LY, and lost previous two bowls, 31-24/26-24, as underdogs covered their last three bowls. Hawkeyes lost three games in a row at one point, by total of nine points, but they won last five of their last six games, including last three in row, with an upset over Penn State and 55-0 win at Minnesota. Iowa was -2 in turnovers their six games this season, but were +8 in second half of year, picking off nine passes in the last five games. Greene in only RB in America to gain 100+ yards in all 12 games this season, so key for Gamecocks will be to contain him.
Rumors started to surface last night that Kirk Ferentz will be coach of the Browns if Cleveland hires Scott Pioli as its GM; not sure if that has any effect on this bowl, but it can't help. Big 11 teams lost three of last four Outback Bowls, with Iowa losing here 31-24 to Florida three years ago. South Carolina released its QB coach, OL coach after regular season but any 7-5 college team is going to have issues like that. Favorites were 8-3-1 vs spread in Iowa games this season. Would lean to the under.

Iowa is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games overall.
The UNDER is 10-1 in Iowa's last 11 non-conference games.

Key Injuries - NONE

[Spooky]

I may update this game closer to kickoff, but this has already been played.

Capital One Bowl
#15 Georgia vs. #18 Michigan State
[ABC | 1 PM ET]

GEORGIA -8 (4 UNITS)

GEORGIA/MICHIGAN STATE OVER 55 POINTS (3 UNITS)

Georgia (-7.5, O/U 54): The preseason #1 team in the country has to be disappointed not to be playing for the national championship on January 8th. The Bulldogs started the season strong at 4-0 but suffered bad losses to Alabama (41-30) and Florida (49-10) before closing it out with a 45-42 setback against rival Georgia Tech. “We’re going to do a better job next year,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. “We will critique everything from top to bottom. We have to be open and honest in our evaluations of ourselves.”
Georgia won four of last five bowls, scoring 33 ppg; Stafford is 2-0 as a bowl starter; if he wins here, can tie Pat White next season as being 4-0 as a starting QB in bowls. Dawgs were 4-0 before Alabama smoked them between hedges, then defense imploded at end, allowing an average of 36 ppg over last four games (2-2). This is disappointed Georgia team that in preseason was #1 in country, but had injury issues on both lines, and are 0-6 vs spread the last six times they were favored to win.

Georgia is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 bowl games.
The OVER is 7-2 in Georgia's last 9 neutral site games.

Key Injuries - WR Kris Durham (hand) is probable.
LB Darryl Gamble (leg) is OUT.

Michigan State: Spartans RB Javon Ringer hopes to end his career with a victory in his final game following a tremendous senior season in which he rushed for 132.5 yards per game and 21 touchdowns. Ringer will be opposed by Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno, who was an early Heisman Trophy candidate but was held under 100 yards in all three of his team's losses. “The perfect game for me would be something like 25 carries, 200 yards, three touchdowns and a victory,” Ringer said. “That’s the way I want to go out. I’m not naive. That perfect game is something you dream about. Georgia has a tremendous defense. And they are going to make it tough. But we’ve got a good enough team that the dream could become reality.”
Michigan State won nine of last 11 games after opening 38-31 loss to Cal but the two losses were 45-7 at home to Ohio State, 49-18 at Penn State in regular season finale; Spartans are 0-3 vs spread as underdog, as faves are 9-2-1 vs spread in their games this season. After being +10 in TOs in first seven games, State was -9 in last five games, as teams focused on taking star RB Ringer away-- he carried ball 370 times, over 30 times per game. Michigan State is 0-5 vs spread vs teams with winning records.

Underdogs from Big 11 have beaten SEC teams the last four years in this game, but Georgia (34-27 ot vs Purdue) was last SEC team to win in this bowl. Dawgs allowed 188+ rushing yards in three of last five games, as Tech ran ball for 409 yards in season finale, winning despite completing just one pass in game. Georgia allowed 21+ second half points in four of its last five games- they have big edge at QB, both coaches are good, but can Georgia do what LSU did last night, erase disappointment of regular season with a stellar bowl performance? I think they can and they will.

Michigan State is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games overall.
The OVER is 5-0 in Michigan State's last 5 road games.

Key Injuries - NONE

[Spooky]

Rose Bowl
#8 Penn State vs. #5 USC
[ABC | 4:30 PM ET]

USC -9 (4 UNITS)

Penn State: Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno is hoping to return to the sidelines for the "Granddaddy of Them All" following hip surgery, as he is the all-time leader in postseason wins with 23. Paterno realizes his team is up against a great team in USC, which is looking to win its third straight Rose Bowl. “I hope we can go out there and be competitive with them. I’m a little bit nervous,” Paterno said. “This is a very, very impressive football team, Southern Cal. They do everything well. I think Southern Cal has every right to think they could play anybody and do as well. I don’t know whether we can do that kind of bragging, but we’re pretty good, and we’ll see.”
Penn State won bowl games the last three years, beating Tennessee as a 7-point dog two years ago; Lions crushed Oregon State 45-14 Sept 6th, 19 days before Beavers upset the Trojans in Corvallis; both teams won vs Ohio State, with USC the more impressive winner. Penn State hasn't been an underdog since 10/27/07, when they lost 37-17 at home to Ohio State. Its been fourteen years since Lions played in Pasadena, so they have to be more excited than USC, playing here for fourth year in a row.

Can't underestimate an emotional lift provided by 82-year old Paterno on his feet not long after having a hip replacement; Penn State's only loss in this 11-1 season was 24-23 at Iowa, when Lions had ball up nine in 3rd quarter, but fell short, completing just 10-24 passes. Overconfidence is an issue for Trojan squad that would rather have played a Big 12 or SEC team, rather than playing in fourth straight Rose Bowl. Not sure Lions have the offensive balamce to move ball here, but they're a live dog.

Penn State is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games overall.
Penn State is 3-1 SU in the last 4 meetings.

Key Injuries - DE Josh Gaines (ankle) is probable.

USC (-8.5, O/U 45): The Trojans simply dominated opponents during a nine-game winning over the last two months of the season, outscoring them by a 342-56 margin. They posted three shutouts during that stretch and allowed only one team to score more than 10 points. Of course all of that came after the team's lone blemish on an otherwise perfect season, losing 27-21 at Oregon State back on September 21st. “All year, for whatever reason, the loss we had hung on us,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said. “It didn’t seem that the opinion of that loss ever changed.”
USC won four of its last five bowl games, losing 41-38 three years ago to Vince Young's Longhorns; Trojans are without FB Havili (grades); they'll have to move a TE to FB for this game, but this loss in significant. USC's last four bowl wins are by 14-36-14-32 points- 10 of their 11 wins this year are by 14+ points (Arizona 17-10 the exception). Trojan defense is a dominant unit, holding last two opponents to 91-157 total yards in its last two games. Under is 6-2-1 in Trojans' last nine games.

Penn State won bowl games the last three years, beating Tennessee as a 7-point dog two years ago; Lions crushed Oregon State 45-14 Sept 6th, 19 days before Beavers upset the Trojans in Corvallis; both teams won vs Ohio State, with USC the more impressive winner. Penn State hasn't been an underdog since 10/27/07, when they lost 37-17 at home to Ohio State. Its been fourteen years since Lions played in Pasadena, so they have to be more excited than USC, playing here for fourth year in a row.

Can't underestimate an emotional lift provided by 82-year old Paterno on his feet not long after having a hip replacement; Penn State's only loss in this 11-1 season was 24-23 at Iowa, when Lions had ball up nine in 3rd quarter, but fell short, completing just 10-24 passes. Overconfidence is an issue for Trojan squad that would rather have played a Big 12 or SEC team, rather than playing in fourth straight Rose Bowl. Not sure Lions have the offensive balance to move ball here, and USC should keep rolling along and look forward to playing Florida if there was a true National Championship game.

USC is 8-0 ATS in its last 8 games vs. Big Ten.
The UNDER is 21-7-1 in USC's last 29 games as a favorite.

Key Injuries - WR Damian Williams (shoulder) is probable.
S Kevin Ellison (knee) is doubtful.

[Dirty]

Good Luck Spooky

Happy New Year

[Spooky]

Orange Bowl
#12 Cincinnati vs. #19 Virginia Tech
[FOX | 8:30 PM ET]

Cincinnati (-2, O/U 42): The Bearcats are coming off an improbable run to the Big East title following six straight wins and will be facing Virginia Tech for the first time since a 29-13 loss at Blacksburg in 2006. They are 28-7 since that loss and overcame big odds this season en route to the conference championship after having five different QBs line up under center due to various injuries. “Our kids have heard this from me since Day 1,” Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly said. “They’ve responded very well to the challenges, and the challenges are, you still don’t have the respect nationally until you come down in the Orange Bowl and show a national audience that you deserve to be here.”

Cincinnati coach Kelly is a great coach, winning three D-II national titles and also his first two D-I bowls; Bearcats won their last six games, are in their first BCS bowl game, so they have edge here over Tech squad that has lost last four BCS bowls. Cincy played five different QBs this year due to injury, but their WRs are so good all QBs had success. UC is 16-8 vs spread in last 24 games, 6-2 as an underdog. Defense has ten starters back from LY- they won their last five games decided by less than a TD.

Cincinnati is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games on grass.
The OVER is 4-1 in Cincinnati's last 5 games overall.

Key Injuries - CB Mike Mickens (knee) is probable.
WR Dominick Goodman (shoulder) is probable.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies have lost in their last four BCS bowl appearances after suffering a 24-21 defeat against Kansas in last year's Orange Bowl. The ACC as a conference has also dropped eight straight BCS bowl games overall and will be looking to end that skid against Cincinnati while the Big East has won in its last three BCS bowl appearances. “Last year, it left a bad taste in our mouth,” Virginia Tech senior cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris said. “This year, we’re going to try to get that taste out of our mouth.”

Virginia Tech is an awful offensive team, shuffling two QBs; they've lost four of last five bowls, despite being favored in four of five games. Tech won three of last four games, they're 3-4 on the road this season, losing at East Carolina/BC/Florida State/Miami, but Tech is usually terrific on special teams, especially blocking punts. Hokies lost 24-21 as favorite to Kansas in this game LY; ACC teams lost their last six appearances in the Orange Bowl. Favorite is 8-4 against spread in last 12 Orange Bowls.

Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati 29-13 two years ago in Blacksburg, as 27-point favorite, thats how much ground Kelly has made up in his tenure in Queen City, but don't forget that Michigan State coach Dantonio was coach who recruited the four seniors on the DL, and he has done terrific job in East Lansing, so these kids have been coached well by two staffs.

Virginia Tech is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 Thursday games.
The UNDER is 9-0 in Virginia Tech's last 9 Thursday games.

Key Injuries - LB Brett Warren (knee) is questionable.
DE Jason Worilds (shoulder) is questionable.
OL Nick Marshman (academics) is OUT.

[Spooky]

Another New Years Day List of 13:
Suggestions for 2009 (yeah, right).....


13) The one thing we need next year is Plaxico Burress to come up with a line of sports clothes, complete with kevlar pants. You can never be too safe when you go clubbing.

12) I'd like to see some of those NHL teams that are struggling in the Sun Belt to move back to Canada, where hockey is king.

11) I know this is a pipedream, and I've ranted about it a lot this fall, but could we get the NFL Network on basic cable? I know Sunday Ticket is stuck on DirecTV, but the NFL Network we should get.

10) I'd like to see NBA teams be allowed to play any defense they want to; in what other sport are there illegal defenses? College hoops are fun, and they allow zones. Market teams and not stars.

9) I'd like to see Terrell Owens become a pro wrestler. Fulltime.

8) I'd like to see ESPN hire Billy Packer to work a couple of games a week; the guy was working college hoop back when we saw one game a week on the CD Chesley network.........he deserves that much.

7) I'd like NBC to tell Notre Dame that if they want to cash checks like they're a football factory, then start acting like one-- re-invest a little cash into their athletic facilities, and relax admission standards so they can compete with the USCs and still get their ass beat. Would give me more satisfaction. Its not too much to for NBC to ask that Notre Dame be an 8 or 9-win team every year,

6) I'd like the NFL to take the radios out of players' helmets, make the game more human, less robotic and coach-driven.

5) How about if ESPN hired Maria Bartiromo as an anchor? Why do I have to put CNBC on to see her? Or maybe Nicole Pedalidis from Fox Business. Is this too much to ask?

4) Actually, I'd like to be able to tailor my own cable system, with no CSPANs, no soccer, no food channels, but lot of sports and movies. Why isn't this possible? We put a man on the moon 40 years ago, but I can't watch any TV stations I want? Hmmmmmmm

3) Baseball needs to lift the blackout on Extra Innings package for the Saturday afternoon games; because FOX shows a Game of the Week, I get to watch less baseball, even though I'm paying $180 for season to supposedly watch every game. This makes no sense.

2) I'd like to see a PGA Tour event where each player is allowed to use only four or five clubs, just something different. They're usually allowed to use fourteen clubs.

1) We need the NBA to hold a 64-player 1-on-1 tournament in the summer, with each player naming a charity to play for. How great would this be? They'd raise a freakin' fortune.......

[Spooky]

[Spooky]

LOVE THE OVER IN THE GEORGIA GAME AND UPGRADING
TO 5 UNITS

Cant edit the post so will make known here, along with a very
small play on Clemson and a bit on the UNDER.

But with my lungs on the 1 PM Georgia game, gonna stay with that
game.

Good Luck!

[Spooky]

Reposting and adding the total.

Rose Bowl
#8 Penn State vs. #5 USC
[ABC | 4:30 PM ET]

USC -9 (5 UNITS)

USC/PENN STATE OVER 45 POINTS (4 UNITS)

Penn State: Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno is hoping to return to the sidelines for the "Granddaddy of Them All" following hip surgery, as he is the all-time leader in postseason wins with 23. Paterno realizes his team is up against a great team in USC, which is looking to win its third straight Rose Bowl. “I hope we can go out there and be competitive with them. I’m a little bit nervous,” Paterno said. “This is a very, very impressive football team, Southern Cal. They do everything well. I think Southern Cal has every right to think they could play anybody and do as well. I don’t know whether we can do that kind of bragging, but we’re pretty good, and we’ll see.”
Penn State won bowl games the last three years, beating Tennessee as a 7-point dog two years ago; Lions crushed Oregon State 45-14 Sept 6th, 19 days before Beavers upset the Trojans in Corvallis; both teams won vs Ohio State, with USC the more impressive winner. Penn State hasn't been an underdog since 10/27/07, when they lost 37-17 at home to Ohio State. Its been fourteen years since Lions played in Pasadena, so they have to be more excited than USC, playing here for fourth year in a row.

Can't underestimate an emotional lift provided by 82-year old Paterno on his feet not long after having a hip replacement; Penn State's only loss in this 11-1 season was 24-23 at Iowa, when Lions had ball up nine in 3rd quarter, but fell short, completing just 10-24 passes. Overconfidence is an issue for Trojan squad that would rather have played a Big 12 or SEC team, rather than playing in fourth straight Rose Bowl. Not sure Lions have the offensive balamce to move ball here, but they're a live dog.

Penn State is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games overall.
Penn State is 3-1 SU in the last 4 meetings.

Key Injuries - DE Josh Gaines (ankle) is probable.

USC (-8.5, O/U 45): The Trojans simply dominated opponents during a nine-game winning over the last two months of the season, outscoring them by a 342-56 margin. They posted three shutouts during that stretch and allowed only one team to score more than 10 points. Of course all of that came after the team's lone blemish on an otherwise perfect season, losing 27-21 at Oregon State back on September 21st. “All year, for whatever reason, the loss we had hung on us,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said. “It didn’t seem that the opinion of that loss ever changed.”
USC won four of its last five bowl games, losing 41-38 three years ago to Vince Young's Longhorns; Trojans are without FB Havili (grades); they'll have to move a TE to FB for this game, but this loss in significant. USC's last four bowl wins are by 14-36-14-32 points- 10 of their 11 wins this year are by 14+ points (Arizona 17-10 the exception). Trojan defense is a dominant unit, holding last two opponents to 91-157 total yards in its last two games. Under is 6-2-1 in Trojans' last nine games.

Penn State won bowl games the last three years, beating Tennessee as a 7-point dog two years ago; Lions crushed Oregon State 45-14 Sept 6th, 19 days before Beavers upset the Trojans in Corvallis; both teams won vs Ohio State, with USC the more impressive winner. Penn State hasn't been an underdog since 10/27/07, when they lost 37-17 at home to Ohio State. Its been fourteen years since Lions played in Pasadena, so they have to be more excited than USC, playing here for fourth year in a row.

Can't underestimate an emotional lift provided by 82-year old Paterno on his feet not long after having a hip replacement; Penn State's only loss in this 11-1 season was 24-23 at Iowa, when Lions had ball up nine in 3rd quarter, but fell short, completing just 10-24 passes. Overconfidence is an issue for Trojan squad that would rather have played a Big 12 or SEC team, rather than playing in fourth straight Rose Bowl. Not sure Lions have the offensive balance to move ball here, and USC should keep rolling along and look forward to playing Florida if there was a true National Championship game.

USC is 8-0 ATS in its last 8 games vs. Big Ten.
The UNDER is 21-7-1 in USC's last 29 games as a favorite.

Key Injuries - WR Damian Williams (shoulder) is probable.
S Kevin Ellison (knee) is doubtful.

[Spooky]

Reposting and adding the plays

Orange Bowl
#12 Cincinnati vs. #19 Virginia Tech
[FOX | 8:30 PM ET]

CINCINNATI -2 (buy 1/2) (2 UNITS)

CINCINNATI/VIRGINIA TECH OVER 42 POINTS (1 UNIT)

Cincinnati (-2, O/U 42): The Bearcats are coming off an improbable run to the Big East title following six straight wins and will be facing Virginia Tech for the first time since a 29-13 loss at Blacksburg in 2006. They are 28-7 since that loss and overcame big odds this season en route to the conference championship after having five different QBs line up under center due to various injuries. “Our kids have heard this from me since Day 1,” Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly said. “They’ve responded very well to the challenges, and the challenges are, you still don’t have the respect nationally until you come down in the Orange Bowl and show a national audience that you deserve to be here.”

Cincinnati coach Kelly is a great coach, winning three D-II national titles and also his first two D-I bowls; Bearcats won their last six games, are in their first BCS bowl game, so they have edge here over Tech squad that has lost last four BCS bowls. Cincy played five different QBs this year due to injury, but their WRs are so good all QBs had success. UC is 16-8 vs spread in last 24 games, 6-2 as an underdog. Defense has ten starters back from LY- they won their last five games decided by less than a TD.

Cincinnati is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games on grass.
The OVER is 4-1 in Cincinnati's last 5 games overall.

Key Injuries - CB Mike Mickens (knee) is probable.
WR Dominick Goodman (shoulder) is probable.

Virginia Tech: The Hokies have lost in their last four BCS bowl appearances after suffering a 24-21 defeat against Kansas in last year's Orange Bowl. The ACC as a conference has also dropped eight straight BCS bowl games overall and will be looking to end that skid against Cincinnati while the Big East has won in its last three BCS bowl appearances. “Last year, it left a bad taste in our mouth,” Virginia Tech senior cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris said. “This year, we’re going to try to get that taste out of our mouth.”

Virginia Tech is an awful offensive team, shuffling two QBs; they've lost four of last five bowls, despite being favored in four of five games. Tech won three of last four games, they're 3-4 on the road this season, losing at East Carolina/BC/Florida State/Miami, but Tech is usually terrific on special teams, especially blocking punts. Hokies lost 24-21 as favorite to Kansas in this game LY; ACC teams lost their last six appearances in the Orange Bowl. Favorite is 8-4 against spread in last 12 Orange Bowls.

Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati 29-13 two years ago in Blacksburg, as 27-point favorite, thats how much ground Kelly has made up in his tenure in Queen City, but don't forget that Michigan State coach Dantonio was coach who recruited the four seniors on the DL, and he has done terrific job in East Lansing, so these kids have been coached well by two staffs.

Virginia Tech is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 Thursday games.
The UNDER is 9-0 in Virginia Tech's last 9 Thursday games.

Key Injuries - LB Brett Warren (knee) is questionable.
DE Jason Worilds (shoulder) is questionable.
OL Nick Marshman (academics) is OUT.

[Spooky]

FIGHT ON GUYS!!!

Its almost like I talk to myself everyday.

I am not crazy and neither am I.

Please tell me someone is looking at this thread.
To read, make fun of or just telling me to

[Dirty]

Congrats Buddy....We lost a lot of traffic with the server Issues... should be on the New one by Monday