College Bowls

[Striker]

Wondering where slew101 is as he has run the show the past few years but missed the start of the bowl season this year. Post your selections here and I have no problem keeping track of everybody's record. Let's get this started for the Thursday bowl.

Poinsettia Bowl
BYU (7-5) vs. San Diego St. (9-3)

Aztecs run D is average at best and BYU can the run ball averaging 161 yards per game. BYU run D is super(84 yds/game) and the one thing that the Aztecs do well is run the ball(229 yds/game) so when looking at this match up I can't see how it won't make SD St. one dimensional. Coaches will know each other pretty well here as Long was Mendenhall's def. coord. at New Mexico for a few years. Don't know what BYU will do wth the QBs as they have 2 that can play, if Riley Nelson is ok to go but Lark has filled in well.

BYU -3

[RaceBookJoe]

The one line i cant figure out is in the Orange Bowl, last i looked Florida St was 13.5 pt favorites over N. Illinois. I think it was even closer when the lines first came out, maybe 7pts?

[Robert Goren]

If Georgia shows up (which is always a question after a big loss) -10 is gift. Nebraska is lucky, but not all that good. Certainly not in Georgia league

[NJ Stinks]

Glad you started this thread, Striker. :ThmbUp: I must add that I will miss Slew101's insights but I noticed Slew101 has not posted here since the beginning of September. Hopefully, all is well with Slew.

[Bettowin]

Texas Tech will score in the mid to high 40's on Minnesota. Enough to cover 13 points.

Iowa State beats Tulsa which is a pickem.

Stanford covers 6 1/2 against a coachless Wisconsin team in sunny California.

Cincinnati covers 7 1/2 against Duke.


More later:)

[RaceBookJoe]

If Georgia shows up (which is always a question after a big loss) -10 is gift. Nebraska is lucky, but not all that good. Certainly not in Georgia league


Yeah, when i first saw the matchups i wasnt sure which would be the bigger blowout...GA over NE or FL St over N Ill. I dont bet sports though.

[Striker]

BYU's defense the clear reason they won that game.

Bowl Record
1-0

Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl

Central Fla (9-4) vs Ball St (9-3)

Taking the angle that CF is clearly not motivated to play here as they were booking their tickets to their Liberty Bowl until they blew the CUSA Championship against Tulsa. CF was outrushed by 280 yards by Tulsa in the 2 losses this year. CF Coach O'Leary is 1-3 in bowl games. I believe that CF has the better players and has more speed on both sides of the ball but shouldn't be laying a TD in this spot. Ball State meanwhile has won 6 in a row but is 0fer in bowls. Their 3 losses were to CLemson, N ILL, and Kent St. They can put points on the board as they have topped the 30pt mark in 10 games this year, problem is the defense. I'll take a motivated team trying to get that 1st bowl win getting a TD here. Wouldn't be shocked to see Ball St win outright but if CF comes to play it could go the other way quickly.

Ball St. +7

[Striker]

Central Fla in a blowout. Not sure how the MAC is going to fair in the other bowls based on what I've seen so far from Toledo and now Ball St.
Play for Saturday--

UL-Lafayette -6

Bowl YTD

1-1

[NJ Stinks]

I liked Ball State tonight too, Striker, but I couldn't trust a school that never won a bowl game so I didn't play.

Tomorrow I'm leaping in with Boise State vs. Washington in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Broncos won the Vegas Bowl the last two years, have a great defense, and a QB on the improve. Meanwhile, Washington only scored 17 against Arizona this year which seems kind of impossible. :)

The pick: Boise State - 5.5

[MutuelClerk]

There's just not enough bowl games. All these quality teams.

[Striker]

Got a little lucky on the field goal to end the game for UL-Laf.


Striker-- 2-1
NJ Stinks-- 0-1

[NJ Stinks]

Got a little lucky on the field goal to end the game for UL-Laf.


Striker-- 2-1
NJ Stinks-- 0-1

They know the line in Louisiana. :)

[PhantomOnTour]

Allons Cajuns !!!

[NJ Stinks]

Tonight's Hawaii Bowl is too tough to call for yours truly. Fresno State looks like they very well may be 12.5 points better than SMU but former Hawaii coach June Jones is now coaching the Mustangs. Which leads me to think SMU is psyched for tonight's game while Fresno State wonders what they did to deserve the Hawaii Bowl.

In short, 0 and 2 will have to wait for another day. :)

[Striker]

Tonight's Hawaii Bowl is too tough to call for yours truly. Fresno State looks like they very well may be 12.5 points better than SMU but former Hawaii coach June Jones is now coaching the Mustangs. Which leads me to think SMU is psyched for tonight's game while Fresno State wonders what they did to deserve the Hawaii Bowl.

In short, 0 and 2 will have to wait for another day. :)
June Jones apparently knows the island pretty well and how to get his boys ready as they dominated tonight.

[Striker]

Little Caesars Bowl on Wednesday

W. Kentucky(7-5) vs Central Michigan(6-6)

Really like W. Kentucky here as Central Michigan shouldn't even be in a bowl and there is some late news that they are suspending some players now, so I want to get the line right now. Play is--

W. Kentucky -5.5

[NJ Stinks]

Tonight's Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is by no means mouth-watering. Central Michigan won it's last 3 to finish 6-6 with it's claim to fame being a 32-31 win at Iowa. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky, who is appearing in it's first bowl game ever, lost 3 of it's last 4 and finished 7-5.

Rather than trust either defensive unit, I'm putting my faith in the offenses and playing the over. Western Kentucky has a player (Antonio Williams) trying to break Barry Sanders' all purpose yards in a season and the Chippewas may have the defense to make that a reality! :) But Central Michigan's offense has scored plenty of points too in 2012. Playing in a dome is another reason to like the over.

And Striker, while I am aware that Central Michigan had it's best wide receiver suspended this week, I also noted that Western Kentucky lost it's best defensive player to injury in November. At any rate, if all goes well, we both will cover! :cool:

Over 56.5

[Striker]

Tonight's Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is by no means mouth-watering. Central Michigan won it's last 3 to finish 6-6 with it's claim to fame being a 32-31 win at Iowa. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky, who is appearing in it's first bowl game ever, lost 3 of it's last 4 and finished 7-5.

Rather than trust either defensive unit, I'm putting my faith in the offenses and playing the over. Western Kentucky has a player (Antonio Williams) trying to break Barry Sanders' all purpose yards in a season and the Chippewas may have the defense to make that a reality! :) But Central Michigan's offense has scored plenty of points too in 2012. Playing in a dome is another reason to like the over.

And Striker, while I am aware that Central Michigan had it's best wide receiver suspended this week, I also noted that Western Kentucky lost it's best defensive player to injury in November. At any rate, if all goes well, we both will cover! :cool:

Over 56.5
If I was going to make a play on the total I would taken the over also. Very poorly played game by both sides but obviously more by the W. Kentucky side. 4th and 2 on the 19 yard line with 50 seconds and they go for it. Sorry but you kick the FG. Their kicker is ok not horrible. Give your team a chance to win in OT. You might have gotten that total if they go into OT.


Striker 2-2
NJ Stinks 0-2

[Striker]

San Jose St -7 for thursday

[NJ Stinks]

If I was going to make a play on the total I would taken the over also. Very poorly played game by both sides but obviously more by the W. Kentucky side. 4th and 2 on the 19 yard line with 50 seconds and they go for it. Sorry but you kick the FG. Their kicker is ok not horrible. Give your team a chance to win in OT. You might have gotten that total if they go into OT.


Striker 2-2
NJ Stinks 0-2

Yea, you wouldn't think a 36 yard field goal attempt would be too much to ask but I guess it was. :mad: Anyway, nothing like having over in a game with no turnovers. :(

Can't say I'm excited about today's trio of bowl games. But I must say I don't remember an over/under as high as the 82.5 in the Baylor-UCLA game! Still, I'll try to pick up a win with Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. A few reasons for the pick. First, Duke won their last bowl game I was ten. Secondly, the Bearcats got better as the season progressed but Duke lost their last 4 games. And last but not least, if I lose this pick I promise to never ever step into a Belk department store! :jump:

Cincinnati -9

[Striker]

Baylor +3 for tonight.

[ElKabong]

Baylor +3 for tonight.

good bet imo

Late 1rst qtr, BU is having it's way with UCLA. I was talking to a friend tonight on the phone (he has a few hundred on the Waco Bears), we agreed that if UCLA isn't able to get early 3 and outs, they're in trouble...if they CAN get off the field, they'll beat BU by a TD or so

But once BU gets rolling, it's hard to catch your breath of you're a DLman....makes for a long nite, and plenty of time to throw with a bevy of speedy wideouts.

Guess we'll see if PAC10 south Champ's DB's can match up with BU recv'rs, and if their DL can get to Lawrence enuff for some 3 and outs soon

[Striker]

good bet imo

Late 1rst qtr, BU is having it's way with UCLA. I was talking to a friend tonight on the phone (he has a few hundred on the Waco Bears), we agreed that if UCLA isn't able to get early 3 and outs, they're in trouble...if they CAN get off the field, they'll beat BU by a TD or so

But once BU gets rolling, it's hard to catch your breath of you're a DLman....makes for a long nite, and plenty of time to throw with a bevy of speedy wideouts.

Guess we'll see if PAC10 south Champ's DB's can match up with BU recv'rs, and if their DL can get to Lawrence enuff for some 3 and outs soon
Long way to go in this game. Baylor's def really improved late in the season and I was hoping that would carry over into the bowl game(no that their def had anywhere to go but up,) but you never know given the time off after the regular season. Florence is a pretty good QB and their WRs are tremendous IMO.

[ElKabong]

Agree on their WR's....BU is a great example of why a lot of people (me included) could care less about "recruiting rankings". BU gets top notch athletes. Period. Briles and staff know where the kids fit in their (offensive) system......

Rivals.com and the likes are meaningless nowdays, has been for several years. The rankings are based on mostly what a kid could do in a conventional setting, college ball is anything but for the most part. LSU, Auburn, in recent past, and now Baylor and WVA are recruiting kids that are 3* in Rivals, but are superstars once they hit the field. Kids with raw talent that were either overlooked, or played at lower divisions / small towns. Coach em up, they prove Rivals.com wrong, time after time.

[Striker]

Pretty good day for the PA cappers 4-0 across the board on thursday.

Bettowin 1-0
Striker 4-2
NJ Stinks 1-2

[rastajenk]

Cincinnati -9Never a doubt, was there? :eek:

:ThmbUp:

[Marshall Bennett]

Today's games :

La Monroe -7
Rutgers +2.5
Texas Tech -13

[NJ Stinks]

Never a doubt, was there? :eek:

:ThmbUp:

Hopefully I didn't use up every bit of good luck I ever had coming in that game! :)

[Striker]

Plays for saturday--

Air Force -2
West VA -3.5

Striker 4-2
Bettowin 1-1
NJ Stinks 1-2
Marshall B 0-3

[Marshall Bennett]

That didn't go so well. I'll try again today with these :

Rice +3
Arizona St. -14
West Virginia -4
Oregon St. -2
TCU -2

[NJ Stinks]

A couple early bets today and maybe something later too.

Navy is 7-1 straight up after switching QB's at the beginning of October but only 3-5 against the spread. Hopefully, they will relish being underdogs for a change.

Navy +13.5


The second pick is all about the weather and the turf. It's been snowing and/or raining here for the last three hours and is expected to do either or until around 7:00pm. That should make for a slow and sloppy field at the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. I'm going to need it with these two teams.

Under 70.5 in the West Virginia/Syracuse bowl

[Valuist]

Hopefully I didn't use up every bit of good luck I ever had coming in that game! :)

This is why I don't bet college football. 2 TDs in 44 seconds? An 83 yarder and then a 55 yard INT return? One could argue that trying to return the interception with little time left and a 7 point lead was clearly the wrong move, as the returner could've fumbled.

[Striker]

2 later games--

Oregon St -3
Mich St. +2

[elysiantraveller]

TCU -2

[Striker]

Rough day today

Striker 5-5
Bettowin 1-1
NJ Stinks 2-3
Marshall B 2-5
Elysiantraveller 0-1

[Striker]

New Year's Eve Bowls

NC State +7.5
Iowa St -1

[Marshall Bennett]

Tulsa +1
LSU -5.5

[elysiantraveller]

USC -7.5
Clemson +6

[NJ Stinks]

Has Georgia Tech figured out how to win a bowl game? Maybe. But they lost their last 7 bowl games and are bringing a 6-7 record into the Sun Bowl. Hardly a recipe for success. Meanwhile the Trojans won their last 4 bowl games but lost their starting QB.

I'm going with USC and their great receivers and the latest trends.

USC -7.5

[NJ Stinks]

I've got Tulsa -2 in the Liberty Bowl so that's the line I'll use here.

Tulsa -2

[PhantomOnTour]

LSU rolls tonight
lay the 6pts

[hugh]

AGainst the public plays on an absolute tear..... My formula. Says Clemson plus 6 .... Take it to the bank.... Close to seven of ten bettors takng lsu.

[hugh]

Purdue plus 17 ( top play)
Nebraska plus 8
small bet on wolverines and the points
happy new year

[NJ Stinks]

AGainst the public plays on an absolute tear..... My formula. Says Clemson plus 6 .... Take it to the bank.... Close to seven of ten bettors takng lsu.

Unfortunately, Hugh, I'm one of the against the flow guys taking Clemson and I'm not exactly on a proverbial roll. :)

[anotherCAfan]

I'm going with USC and their great receivers and the latest trends.

USC -7.5
Under Lane Kiffin, we suck against the spread.

[NJ Stinks]

Under Lane Kiffin, we suck against the spread.

Now you tell me! :)

[NJ Stinks]

OK, I've got to play the last football game in 2012. I'm going to try to go out in a blaze of glory in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Clemson +6
Over 58.5

[Striker]

Hugh 1-0
NJ Stinks 4-5
Striker 5-7
Marshall B 3-6
Bettowin 1-2
elysiantraveller 1-2
Phantom 0-1

[Striker]

New Year's Day


Northwestern -1.5
South Carolina -4.5
Georgia -8.5

[PICSIX]

Purdue plus 17 ( top play)
Nebraska plus 8
small bet on wolverines and the points
happy new year

Wow! Nebraska is only getting 8 points? I think 14 is more realistic.

[Marshall Bennett]

Miss St. +1.5
S. Carolina -4.5
Stanford -6

[elysiantraveller]

Stanford -6
Northwestern -1.5
Georgia -8.5
South Carolina -4.5 (that one hurts... :( )

Sad day for the B1G.

[Robert Goren]

Wow! Nebraska is only getting 8 points? I think 14 is more realistic. Nebraska is unlikely to get beat by 8 points. If the real Georgia team shows up, it will be a massacre. If they don't, the Huskers could win. It all depends on how Georgia handles its loss in the SEC championship game. We all have seen teams come out really flat in a bowl game after a loss like that, but does happen often enough to bet on it, I doubt it it. If I was betting, which I am not, I would be more interested in the odds than the spread. I'd be looking to bet Nebraska at someplace around 6/1. Does anyone know the odds?

[NJ Stinks]

Nebraska is unlikely to get beat by 8 points. If the real Georgia team shows up, it will be a massacre. If they don't, the Huskers could win. It all depends on how Georgia handles its loss in the SEC championship game. We all have seen teams come out really flat in a bowl game after a loss like that, but does happen often enough to bet on it, I doubt it it. If I was betting, which I am not, I would be more interested in the odds than the spread. I'd be looking to bet Nebraska at someplace around 6/1. Does anyone know the odds?

I saw Georgia -330 and Nebraska +250 at wex.com, Robert.

[NJ Stinks]

An early wager to start the day:

Over 55 in the Gator Bowl (Mississippi State vs. Northwestern)


I bet this game at 51.5 two weeks ago and it gone straight up since. No doubt Hugh would advise me to go the other way. :)

[NJ Stinks]

Two more upcoming games:

This game feels like a trap. Georgia was -10 a couple weeks go. Now it's down to -8.5. I can't figure out why it's dropped and that's usually a bad sign. But I'm here for the action. :)

Georgia - 8.5


The other pick is under in the Outback Bowl (South Carolina vs. Michigan). One thing about playing the under - you can't win the bet by halftime.

Under 47.5 (South Carolina vs. Michigan)

[NJ Stinks]

I saw Georgia -330 and Nebraska +250 at wex.com, Robert.

That should read wsex.com, Robert.

[hugh]

Everyone is on Stanford......
These teams are mirror images of eachother so I will take the points here
Wisconsin plus 4.5 is the play here

[Stillriledup]

So Carolina vs Michigan....greatest hit in sports history, #1 play of 2013, its over. *throat slash gesture*

Hit of the century.

[PICSIX]

Wow! Nebraska is only getting 8 points? I think 14 is more realistic.

Damn I'm good :lol: :lol:

[Striker]

Sad day for the B1G.
Right you are. At least the conference should do well in bball.

[NJ Stinks]

Florida State -14 in the Orange Bowl

[Valuist]

Go NIU.

But here's the problem I have with college football. The game is now over 3 hours old and we've just finished the 3rd quarter. My attention span isn't long enough for 4 hour sporting events.

[Striker]

elysiantraveller 4-2-1
Striker 8-7
NJ Stinks 6-7
Marshall B 4-7-1
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-1

[Striker]

An early wager to start the day:

Over 55 in the Gator Bowl (Mississippi State vs. Northwestern)


I bet this game at 51.5 two weeks ago and it gone straight up since. No doubt Hugh would advise me to go the other way. :)
That's a tough one to take NJ. At least you got it at 51.5 two weeks ago like you said.

[NJ Stinks]

Damn I'm good :lol: :lol:

Yes you are! :ThmbUp:

[NJ Stinks]

Go NIU.

But here's the problem I have with college football. The game is now over 3 hours old and we've just finished the 3rd quarter. My attention span isn't long enough for 4 hour sporting events.

I agree. It's bad enough on a day when it's only game played. But today? I checked the score during commercials throughout the second half.

[NJ Stinks]

That's a tough one to take NJ. At least you got it at 51.5 two weeks ago like you said.

Striker, to clarify - I bet $50 on over 51.5 just before the first bowl game was played. I thought about trying to middle the over/under when I found out it was 55 today but I liked my original bet and didn't want to wind up losing the vig on a $50 bet. If my original bet was larger, I probably would have tried to middle part of it.

In short, the only thing I had on over 55 was my hope to finish on top of the standings in this thread. :)

[Marshall Bennett]

Louisville +14

[NJ Stinks]

Florida - 14 in the Sugar Bowl

[Striker]

Louisville +14

[NJ Stinks]

Marshall. Striker.

Never a doubt. :ThmbUp:

[Striker]

Striker 9-7
elysiantraveller 4-2-1
Marshall B 5-7-1
NJ Stinks 6-8
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-1

[Marshall Bennett]

Kansas St. +8.5

Didn't really have an opinion on this game, but with so few remaining and nothing to lose, why not?

[Striker]

Oregon -7.5

[elysiantraveller]

I don't really like laying 7.5 but I think Oregon wins this one. More experience and everything about K-State seems "fraud" to me.

Expecting a lot of points.

Oregon -7.5

[Robert Fischer]

Excited to see Kelly for the first time tonight.

[lamboguy]

what a big win yesterday for Louisville over the Florida Gators. i know there are a ton of Cardinal fans out there, congratulations on your big win last night, you finally made it to the big shiow!

[NJ Stinks]

I need over tonight so that's how I'll play it here.

Over 74 in the Fiesta Bowl (Kansas State vs. Oregon)

[Robert Fischer]

I need over tonight so that's how I'll play it here.

Over 74 in the Fiesta Bowl (Kansas State vs. Oregon)

you need a touchdown here

[NJ Stinks]

you need a touchdown here

I need a psychiatrist. :)

[Striker]

Striker 10-7
elysiantraveller 5-2-1
Marshall B 5-8-1
NJ Stinks 6-9
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-1

[ElKabong]

I don't really like laying 7.5 but I think Oregon wins this one. More experience and everything about K-State seems "fraud" to me.

Expecting a lot of points.

Oregon -7.5

re: Fraud.....down year for the b12....4-4 in bowls with one to go. TEXAS and Tech were lucky to win their games

Down year for the SEC too. LSU and Florida lose to far lesser teams in bowl games, Florida was thrashed - score didn't indicate the ass whippin. If Ole Miss, A&M lose this weekend, they'll have a losing record in the bowls this season....whoda thunk that?

PAC, while still sucking, did ok in bowls...or better than expected.

B1G, man they're years away from being a top shelf football conference. They won what, 2 bowl games outta 7 or something.

[Striker]

Oklahoma +3

[Marshall Bennett]

A&M -3

[NJ Stinks]

Hopefully, tonight's teams will put on a better aerial show than we saw last night.

Over 73 in the Cotton Bowl (Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M)

[Striker]

elysiantraveller 5-2-1
Striker 10-8
Marshall B 6-8-1
NJ Stinks 6-10
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-1

[RXB]

They should charge extra admission when Manziel plays.

[Dahoss2002]

They should charge extra admission when Manziel plays.
Thats a fact for sure but rest assured, any game played at Jerry World has "extra admission" built in.

[Striker]

Ole Miss -3

[Marshall Bennett]

Ole Miss -2

[Striker]

Striker 11-8
elysiantraveller 5-2-1
Marshall B 7-8-1
NJ Stinks 6-10
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-1

[Striker]

Ark St -3.5

[elysiantraveller]

Kent State +3

MAC > Sun Belt

[Marshall Bennett]

Arkansas St. -3

[ElKabong]

Thats a fact for sure but rest assured, any game played at Jerry World has "extra admission" built in.

:lol:

[Striker]

Only the big one left to go


Striker 12-8
elysiantraveller 5-3-1
Marshall B 8-8-1
NJ Stinks 6-10
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-1

[Striker]

BCS National Championship


Bama -9.5

[Marshall Bennett]

And I'll go the other way. I like Alabama's chances, but just can't spot that many points to an undefeated team.
Notre Dame +9.5

[PhantomOnTour]

Gimme the iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirish plus the points

[elysiantraveller]

Notre Dame is going to get shelled.

Bama -9.5

Notre Dame is a team who halfway through the season I couldn't tell if they were any good. I'm still not sure. Their key wins have been against proven frauds.

Michigan - Should have lost to them... Thanks Denard Robinson.
Oklahoma- Are they any good? Shelled in bowl game.
Stanford- Referees awarded this game to ND.
USC- :lol: :lol:

They certainly deserve to be playing in this game but I'm pretty sure they don't belong.

[NJ Stinks]

D-E-F-E-N-S-E!!!

Under 40.5 in the championship game.

[Striker]

That's a wrap on the bowl season. We will do it again next year.


Striker 13-8
elysiantraveller 6-3-1
Marshall B 8-9-1
NJ Stinks 6-11
Bettowin 1-3
Hugh 1-3
Phantom 0-2

[NJ Stinks]

Thanks for keeping score, Striker.

And nice handicapping too to both you and Ely. :ThmbUp:


My re-occurring thought while watching this game was:

Doesn't anybody kick field goals anymore? :(

[Marshall Bennett]

Thanks Striker for doing the math.