Free Picks: Service Plays for Saturday, December 17

DUNKEL INDEX

NCAAB

Indiana State at Vanderbilt
The Sycamores look to take advantage of a Vanderbilt team that is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games as a home favorite. Indiana State is the pick (+12 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Commodores favored by only 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Indiana State (+12 1/2)

Game 541-542: Villanova at St. Joseph's (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 62.224; St. Joseph's 68.723
Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 6 1/2; 133
Vegas Line: St. Joseph's by 4 1/2; 139
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (-4 1/2); Under

Game 543-544: Florida Atlanta at Miami (FL) (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida Atlantic 54.617; Miami (FL) 60.916
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 6 1/2; 135
Vegas Line: Miami (FL) by 10; 131
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (+10); Over

Game 545-546: Ohio State at South Carolina (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio State 78.175; South Carolina 59.441
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 19 1/2; 133
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 14 1/2; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-14 1/2); Over

Game 547-548: Mississippi State at Detroit (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 62.712; Detroit 60.082
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 2 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 4; 149
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+4); Under

Game 549-550: Purdue at Butler (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 67.807; Butler 61.163
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 6 1/2; 124
Vegas Line: Purdue by 10; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Butler (+10); Under

Game 551-552: Southern Illinois at Northern Illinois (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 47.418; Northern Illinois 42.407
Dunkel Line: Southern Illinois by 5; 122
Vegas Line: Southern Illinois by 3; 119
Dunkel Pick: Southern Illinois (-3); Over

Game 553-554: Duquesne at Western Michigan (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Duquesne 59.739; Western Michigan 55.103
Dunkel Line: Duquesne by 4 1/2; 138
Vegas Line: Duquesne by 3 1/2; 144 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Duquesne (-3 1/2); Under

Game 555-556: Baylor at BYU (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Baylor 70.779; BYU 71.536
Dunkel Line: BYU by 1; 142
Vegas Line: BYU by 3; 135
Dunkel Pick: Baylor (+3); Over

Game 557-558: Fordham at St. John's (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fordham 45.753; St. John's 56.908
Dunkel Line: St. John's by 11; 141
Vegas Line: St. John's by 13; 135
Dunkel Pick: Fordham (+13); Over

Game 559-560: Temple at Texas (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 65.225; Texas 75.199
Dunkel Line: Texas by 10; 135
Vegas Line: Texas by 4; 139
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-4); Under

Game 561-562: Texas A&M at Florida (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas A&M 62.216; Florida 76.789
Dunkel Line: Florida by 14 1/2; 134
Vegas Line: Florida by 8 1/2; 128
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-8 1/2); Over

Game 563-564: Arizona at Gonzaga (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 67.276; Gonzaga 67.705
Dunkel Line: Even; 131
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 4 1/2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+4 1/2); Under

Game 565-566: Bradley at Drexel (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bradley 53.650; Drexel 58.456
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 5; 124
Vegas Line: Drexel by 9 1/2; 119
Dunkel Pick: Bradley (+9 1/2); Over

Game 567-568: Memphis at Louisville (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 65.604; Louisville 75.854
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 10 1/2; 131
Vegas Line: Louisville by 8 1/2; 135
Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-8 1/2); Under

Game 569-570: Indiana vs. Notre Dame (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 71.266; Notre Dame 61.204
Dunkel Line: Indiana by 10; 137
Vegas Line: Indiana by 8 1/2; 141
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-8 1/2); Under

Game 571-572: Mississippi at Southern Mississippi (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi 61.479; Southern Mississippi 63.298
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 2; 138
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 4; 134 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi (+4); Over

Game 573-574: UNLV at Illinois (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UNLV 67.024; Illinois 67.453
Dunkel Line: Even; 130
Vegas Line: Illinois by 1 1/2; 136 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (+1 1/2); Under

Game 575-576: Old Dominion at Central Florida (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Old Dominion 57.261; Central Florida 64.785
Dunkel Line: Central Florida by 7 1/2; 122
Vegas Line: Central Florida by 5 1/2; 117 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Central Florida (-5 1/2); Over

Game 577-578: Pacific at Santa Clara (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 47.789; Santa Clara 62.357
Dunkel Line: Santa Clara by 14 1/2; 138
Vegas Line: Santa Clara by 9 1/2; 133 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Santa Clara (-9 1/2); Over

Game 579-580: Indiana State at Vanderbilt (5:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 59.310; Vanderbilt 67.607
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 8 1/2; 132
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 12 1/2; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana State (+12 1/2); Under

Game 581-582: UC-Riverside at Nevada (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 49.004; Nevada 58.653
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 9 1/2; 127
Vegas Line: Nevada by 13 1/2; 122 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+13 1/2); Over

Game 583-584: Syracuse at NC State (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Syracuse 75.961; NC State 65.938
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 10; 138
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 7; 146
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-7); Under

Game 585-586: Boise State at Denver (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 60.306; Denver 65.162
Dunkel Line: Denver by 5; 134
Vegas Line: Denver by 3 1/2; 127 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-3 1/2); Over

Game 587-588: Florida International at Dayton (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 46.941; Dayton 61.438
Dunkel Line: Dayton by 14 1/2; 133
Vegas Line: Dayton by 16 1/2; 135
Dunkel Pick: Florida International (+16 1/2); Under

Game 589-590: NC-Wilmington at VCU (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Wilmington 53.620; VCU 66.214
Dunkel Line: VCU by 12 1/2; 136
Vegas Line: VCU by 15; 130
Dunkel Pick: NC-Wilmington (+15); Over

Game 591-592: Youngstown State at Toledo (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Youngstown State 50.061; Toledo 45.961
Dunkel Line: Youngstown State by 4; 134
Vegas Line: Youngstown State by 1; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Youngstown State (-1); Under

Game 593-594: Ohio at Wright State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 58.720; Wright State 54.641
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 4; 130
Vegas Line: Ohio by 6 1/2; 124
Dunkel Pick: Wright State (+6 1/2); Over

Game 595-596: Bowling Green at Michigan State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 52.219; Michigan State 76.349
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 24; 127
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 19; 130
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-19); Under

Game 597-598: Houston at Oklahoma (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 55.455; Oklahoma 69.119
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma by 13 1/2; 146
Vegas Line: Oklahoma by 10; 150 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma (-10); Under

Game 599-600: Arkansas-Little Rock at Louisiana Tech (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas-Little Rock 48.263; Louisiana Tech 49.911
Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 1 1/2; 129
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 4 1/2; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas-Little Rock (+4 1/2); Over

Game 601-602: San Diego at Stanford (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 48.339; Stanford 73.503
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 25; 135
Vegas Line: Stanford by 22 1/2; 129 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-22 1/2); Over

Game 603-604: Drake at Iowa (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Drake 54.843; Iowa 57.842
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 3; 133
Vegas Line: Iowa by 7; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drake (+7); Under

Game 605-606: Alabama vs. Kansas State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 69.551; Kansas State 67.152
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 2 1/2; 121
Vegas Line: Pick; 125
Dunkel Pick: Alabama; Under

Game 607-608: Georgia at USC (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 58.107; USC 60.977
Dunkel Line: USC by 3; 111
Vegas Line: USC by 6; 106
Dunkel Pick: Georgia (+6); Over

Game 609-610: Cal Poly at Fresno State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 58.653; Fresno State 58.025
Dunkel Line: Cal Poly by 1; 126
Vegas Line: Fresno State by 1; 120 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cal Poly (+1); Over

Game 611-612: UC-Davis at UCLA (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Davis 42.424; UCLA 55.425
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 13; 129
Vegas Line: UCLA by 16; 136 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Davis (+16); Under

Game 613-614: New Mexico vs. Oklahoma State (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico 63.425; Oklahoma State 64.332
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 1; 122
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 1; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (+1); Under

Game 615-616: Elon at Dartmouth (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Elon 51.622; Dartmouth 47.411
Dunkel Line: Elon by 4; 129
Vegas Line: Elon by 3; 124
Dunkel Pick: Elon (-3); Over

Game 617-618: Tennessee Tech at Evansville (2:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 59.886; Evansville 55.434
Dunkel Line: Evansville by 5 1/2; 145
Vegas Line: Evansville by 3 1/2; 143 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Evansville (-3 1/2); Over

Game 619-620: Northern Colorado at Marquette (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 54.770; Marquette 75.079
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 20 1/2; 145
Vegas Line: Marquette by 24 1/2; 151 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (+24 1/2); Under

Game 621-622: Northern Arizona at Arizona State (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Arizona 48.061; Arizona State 60.670
Dunkel Line: Arizona State by 12 1/2; 129
Vegas Line: Arizona State by 14 1/2; 122
Dunkel Pick: Northern Arizona (+14 1/2); Over

Game 623-624: Appalachian State at North Carolina (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 46.037; North Carolina 79.742
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 33 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 28; 151
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-28); Under

Game 625-626: Arkansas State at Murray State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 52.420; Murray State 63.516
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 11; 133
Vegas Line: Murray State by 13; 128
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas State (+13); Over

Game 627-628: Chattanooga at Kentucky (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooga 44.851; Kentucky 81.288
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 36 1/2; 137
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 32; 142
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-32); Under

Game 629-630: Furman at Western Kentucky (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Furman 49.254; Western Kentucky 53.275
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 4; 123
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 2 1/2; 130
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (-2 1/2); Under

Game 631-632: Eastern Kentucky at Jacksonville State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 47.019; Jacksonville State 47.524
Dunkel Line: Even; 122
Vegas Line: Jacksonville State by 2 1/2; 118
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (+2 1/2); Over

Game 633-634: Montana at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montana 53.183; Portland 52.188
Dunkel Line: Montana by 2; 137
Vegas Line: Portland by 1; 131 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montana (+1); Over

Game 641-642: Oakland at Valparaiso (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 59.331; Valparaiso 62.423
Dunkel Line: Valparaiso by 3; 154
Vegas Line: Valparaiso by 2 1/2; 166
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (-2 1/2); Under

Game 643-644: Alabama A&M at Michigan (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama A&M 38.067; Michigan 68.071
Dunkel Line: Michigan by 30; 128
Vegas Line: Michigan by 26; 133
Dunkel Pick: Michigan (-26); Under

Tradeline Sports

Temple vs. Wyoming
Play: Under 48

Temple is better defensively than they've been in nearly 25 years and they face a Wyoming offense that has been inconsistent all season. The facts and numbers don't like. The Cowboys are 8-1 to the UNDER against offenses that control the time of possession and squads that complete 58 percent or more of their passing attempts over the last 2 seasons. The average score in these situations have Wyoming losing by 10 points and scoring an average of 19 points per game.

Marc Lawrence

Mississippi at Southern Miss
Prediction: Southern Miss

Well-rested Southern Miss has had a week to stew over last seasons 5-point loss at Oxford and we have a feeling that Larry Eustachys Eagles will be adding to their Golden 91-9 SU and 19-10 ATS non-conference home resume, including 14-4 ATS off an ATS win, as well as their 3-0 SU and ATS mark in Reed Green Coliseum versus SEC opposition. Though its only about a four-hour bus ride between Hattiesburg and Oxford, these two in-state rivals took a 12-year hiatus prior to the 2007 season. The host grabbed the SU win in 1994 and 1995, respectively, and not much has changed in the way of results recently as the visitor is a winless 0-3 SU since the series was renewed four years ago (one game was played on a neutral court). That makes the host a perfect 5-0 SU in this matchup (not to mention 3-1-1) and we see no need to rewrite history during the Rebels 262-mile trek south. Watch again as another SEC squad falls to a more-than-capable mid-major. We recommend a 1-unit play on Southern Mississippi.

TJ Pemberton

Temple vs. Wyoming
Play: Temple -7

The Temple Owls are flying into this Bowl game on a 3 game winning streak outscoring their opponents 100 to 51. On offense Temple’s forte is their 7tth nationally ranked running game accumulating 256 yards per contest averaging 5.26 yards per carry and 35 touchdowns on the ground. What make this rushing attack very difficult to defend are their triple running backs spearheaded by Bernard Pierce who is sixth in the country in rushing. Defensively, they are 1st in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense containing the opposition to 13.83 points per outing. They average 26.61 yards per return, which is 4th in the nation.

The Cowboys of Wyoming come in here with below average statistics almost across the board. There are only 3 categories out of 18 Wyoming stands out in and there are: Turnover Margin and they are ranked 4th in the country, Punt returns which they are 13th, Rushing Offense as they ranked 32nd. Ironically their worse category is their Rushing Defense which is nationally ranked 115th allowing 230 yards a game.

The Temple Owls rushed for a combine 829 yards on 132 carries averaging 7.1 yards per tote along with ten touchdowns in their last three games of the regular season, while their held their opposition to 549 rushing yards and only four total during this period of time. Versus Nebraska, Utah State & TCU, Wyoming’s defense surrendered 12 {4 each} touchdowns and pathetically 1,026 rushing yards in those particular match-ups combine. Common sense tells you, Temple’s trio of running backs should have a field day and make Wyoming’s defense extremely tired by the end of the third quarter.

SPORTS WAGERS

Temple –7 over Wyoming

Temple is without doubt the better team and could win this one going away. However, too many folks are on the favorite and that almost always has us backing off. Wyoming is a well-coached team with an edge at quarterback but the Cowboys appear to be a bit overmatched in this one. Bernard Pierce (he’s a sure high NFL draft pick if he elects to enter the draft) is rested and ready to gash a Wyoming run defense that ranks near the bottom of the FBS. Look for the Owls to control the clock and wear down Wyoming with a heavy dose of the running game. Play: Temple –6½ (No bets)

Ohio +118 over Utah State

Ohio is coming off of a devastating second-half collapse in the MAC title game in which they lead 20-0 but ended up losing 23-20. That’s a good lesson that you take nothing for granted in this game and you can rarely take your foot off the pedal. Expect head coach Frank Solich to deliver those messages and have his team re-focused and ready to play in this one. The dual-threat capability of QB Tyler Tettleton should cause nothing but headaches for an Aggies' defense that has not shown the ability to stop many teams. The Aggies opened the year 2-5 and then won their last five games by a combined 19 points. That’s living dangerously and it also takes a toll. The Bobcats have five blowout wins this season and that shows a killer instinct, one they left at home against Northern Illinois. This time they'll finish what they started. Play: Ohio +118 (Risking 2 units).

UL Lafayette +5/+175 over San Diego State

SDSU RB Ronnie Hillman is one of the best backs in the country. He’s likely going to get between 25-30 carries in this one, as he is the engine that powers the Aztecs’ offense. But aside from Hillman, San Diego State’s offense is not one to fear. QB Ryan Lindley is inconsistent and the receivers keep dropping passes when he is on his game. The Aztecs defense is undersized and that should allow the Ragin' Cajuns' ground game to rack up yards. RB Alonzo Harris is reliable and so is Cajuns QB Blaine Gautier. Also note that Louisiana-Lafayette will be playing close to home and that sure makes a difference this time of year. San Diego state may have the best individual player on the field but collectively, the Cajuns are just as good a team and should have no trouble staying within striking distance with a chance to win it outright. Play: UL Lafayette +5 (Risking 1.1 units). Play: UL Lafayette +175 (Risking 1 unit).

The Wiseguys

Utah State vs Ohio
Play: Ohio +1.5

Neither Utah State nor Ohio has a rich tradition in bowl games, going a combined 1-11. Utah State features the WAC's top-ranked defense, having allowed 368.0 yards per game. The Aggies, though, have given up an average of 429.6 during their winning streak, including 500 yards in a 21-17 win over Nevada on Nov. 26. Additionally State played a tougher schedule than Ohio... but the money continues to come in on Ohio.

At the time of this publication 56% of that money on Ohio is public funds and to some surprise 67% of the public believe the game will go over the 58 points.

Ohio (9-4) is appearing in a bowl for a third straight year for the first time in school history but has yet to win one. The Bobcats' 0-5 mark in postseason play includes three defeats under Frank Solich, who took over as coach in 2005.

Solich's team lost to Southern Mississippi 28-7 in the 2007 GMAC Bowl in the school's first bowl appearance in 38 years, then fell 21-17 to Marshall in the 2009 Little Caesars Bowl and 48-21 to Troy in last year's New Orleans Bowl.

"The Ohio University football program is extremely excited for this wonderful opportunity in Boise," Solich said. "For the past two years, this has been one of the premier bowl games for the Mid-American Conference. I couldn't be happier for our team and our 17 seniors, who have given so much to this program."

The Bobcats posted five straight victories to win the MAC's East Division before falling 23-20 to Northern Illinois in the conference championship game Dec. 2. Ohio squandered a 20-0 halftime lead and lost on a field goal as time expired, ending the Bobcats' hopes of winning their first MAC title since 1968.

Some of the players don't exactly seem excited about playing in the Great Northwest.

"Idaho?? Who the f*&Y wants to play there in December?" Ohio punter Paul Hersey tweeted

Utah State vs. Ohio opened with the Agies giving up 3.5 points but the money that has come in on Ohio has moved the line to just -1.5 (Utah State favored)

Solich’s Ohio team is on the rise with 26 wins in the past three seasons and he will have his guy's ready.

SPORTS WAGERS

TAMPA BAY +7 over Dallas

Buccaneers remain in a tailspin having lost seven straight but still unwilling to trust the bumbling Cowboys as a full touchdown road favourite. Let’s not forget that the Bucs have defeated the Saints and Falcons on this field and in a featured Saturday night affair, a big effort can be expected. TB is in a bad way right now and this one is more about fading the public than it is on wagering on the Bucs. These isolated games attract a ton of action and the line is always inflated when the books know it’s going to be heavily bet one way. Beware. Play: Tampa Bay +7 (No bets).

David Chan

Edmonton Oilers @ San Jose Sharks
PICK: San Jose Sharks

The 14-14-3 Edmonton Oilers blast into San Jose to take on the 16-10-3 Sharks.

The Oilers are coming off a 4-2 setback to the Coyotes on Thursday; after an unreal start to the year, this team has slid back down into mediocrity as its just 2-7 in its last nine, including back to back setbacks.

Edmonton had not played since the previous Saturday, while the Coyotes had played just the night before; the Oilers looked very flat and were outshot 42-20:

“I don’t think we were an engaged 18 skaters as we had to be,” Oilers coach Tom Renney said.

San Jose is coming off a 5-4 win over Colorado on Thursday; the Sharks got three goals in a span of 4:30 in the third period, to come from behind for the victory:

“Shift after shift, we just kept coming at them,” captain Joe Thornton said. “It finally paid off. Things have not been going our way but it was only a matter of time before it shifted our way.”

I expect San Jose to build of that victory and bury this reeling Oilers team; all signs point to a comfortable home victory!

Freddy Wills

Utah State vs. Ohio
Play: Ohio +1½

To me this should be an interesting game that goes back and forth and for that very reason I can’t make a large play on it. I really feel that Ohio has more balance and they also are use to the style of offense that Utah State brings into the building which is spread it out and run the ball. Utah State has been impressive running this season 6th in the nation. However, Ohio has been equally as good at stopping the run allowing 3.69 yards per carry as they held Northern Illinois to 4.31 in the MAC Championship. This team is hungry for a post season win and although they collapsed in the MAC championship I don’t see it carrying over. I expect the balanced offense to win the battle here. The difference in my opinion though Ohio in the red zone has 19 more attempts and they’ve allowed 7 less attempts. I think Ohio has success putting it into the end zone instead of settling for TD’s look for Lavon Brazill to be player of the game here. Ohio is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 as under dogs and this line may move to them being favorites by the time it’s all said and done.

EZWINNERS

Dallas Cowboys -7

The Cowboys have not been good at all as a favorite is they are on a 3-14-1 run against the spread when laying chalk, but they are stepping down in class in this game. The Bucs have lost seven straight games and they have been terrible playing on their own field. The Tampa Bay defensive line is injury riddled and have not even come close to stopping their opponents running game. The Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray to injury last week, but I expect Felix Jones to step back into the starting position and have a big game. The Dallas defense should do a good job against the Bucs pedestrian offense and quarterback Josh Freeman who has regressed this season. The Cowboys now sit on the outside of the playoff picture and can't afford another loss so they will be focused for this game, the Bucs look like they are just looking forward to the off season. Lay the points.

Jeff Scott Sports

4 UNIT PLAY

SD State/ Louisiana Over 59: (Added) The Aztecs Offense has been pretty good this year and it has been led by RB Hillman, who finished third this season in the FBS with 138.0 rushing yards per game, amassing 370 yards in San Diego State's final two contests. The sophomore had four touchdowns in a 35-28 win over Fresno State on Dec. 3 despite playing with a high ankle sprain. His impact on San Diego State is clear. The Aztecs are 12-2 when Hillman rushes for at least 110 yards. He ran for 228 and totaled four touchdowns in San Diego State's 35-14 win over Navy in last year's Poinsettia Bowl. He isn't the only threat San Diego State has, though. While not the most accurate passer, Lindley is not afraid to throw the ball. He has 398 passing attempts - 33rd in the FBS - including 120 in the last three games. The senior quarterback is a 55.4-percent career passer and completed a career-low 52.5 percent this season. However, he did throw for 2,740 yards and 20 touchdowns with just eight interceptions.Add it all up and we get an Aztec team that has put up 29.8 ppg overall and 33.7 ppg in their last 3 games. Lindley and Hillman should find the going easy vs a Canjus defense that gave up 29.8 points and 393.2 yards per game. The extra preparation time may help, however, as some of the team's worst defensive performances came in the second half of the season. The Ragin' Cajuns surrendered 34.4 points and 453.8 yards of offense in the final five games, including 494 yards in a 45-37 loss at Arizona on Nov. 26. The Ragin' Cajuns may not be as deep as the Aztecs, but they have a credible threat in quarterback Blaine Gautier, who has thrown for 2,488 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. He completed a career-best 63.2 percent of his passes this season. Gautier's favorite target is junior receiver Javone Lawson, who had 899 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Senior tight end Ladarius Green had 485 yards and seven touchdowns. The Aztec defense that has allowed 31.3 ppg and 380.7 ypg in their last 3 games will have a tough time stopping the Cajuns offense here. Both offenses have plenty of weapons, while both defense have not been very good of late. This game my hit 70 points.

3 UNIT PLAYS

Wyoming +7.5 over Temple: Last year the Owls went 8-4, but missed out on a bowl. This year they had the same 8-4 record, but a strong finish down the stretch gave them their bowl shot. The Owls though have not beat a winning team this year and in the only game between a common opponent (Bowling Green) Temple lost their game, while the Cowboys won it. The Owls have done it with a powerful running game that ranks 7th in the nation with 256 ypg. The reason for the team's success in that area rests heavily on the legs of Bernard Pierce. Pierce, a three-time First Team All-MAC selection rushed for 1,381 yards and a single-season school record 25 touchdowns on the season, and he even missed a game during the year. The Cowboys though have had a problem stopping the run all year as they have allowed 231 ypg on the ground (115th), but they have done a bit better down the stretch as they have allowed just 199 ypg in their last 3 games. Temple has one of the worst passing offenses in the nation and without the threat of a pass, that should allow Wyoming to lock in on stopping the run. Coach Christensen believes there are some teams in the Mountain west that use a similar offensive approach, and he hopes Wyoming's experience against those teams will help the squad in New Mexico. Temple may be one dimensional on offense, but the Cowboys are not. Wyoming puts up 213.5 ypg passing (73rd) and 186.8 ypg on the ground (32nd) and QB Brett Smith finished 2nd in the WAC in total offense behind Kellen Moore of Boise State. Temple's defense has been tough all year and they ranked 15th in total defense (315 ypg) and 3rd in points allowed (13.8 ppg) but they have struggled a bit down the stretch, allowing 386 ypg and 17 ppg in their last 3 games. This may just be a tired defense. Wyoming has been under the radar all year and after 3 wins last year they really came out of nowhere to take 3rd in the WAC. They have played the tougher schedule and lost by just 11 to TCU, and they were in it for much of the game vs Boise State, plus they have road wins vs Air Force and SD State as part of their resume, while as I mentioned at the top, the Owls haven't beaten a winning team all year and I don't expect them to do it here.

POWER ANGLE PLAY

Wyoming/ Temple Under 50.5: (Added) I have seen this line go up from 48 and Im not sure why. This game features two run heavy teams and one of the teams plays excellent defense. This has Under written all over it. The Owls are the 7th ranked and they run the ball 74% of the time and that will eat plenty of clock. The also no the fact that Wyoming has one of the worst rushing defenses in the nation and that could have the owls thinking that they might not have to throw the ball at all. The Cowboy defense may have an edge in the second half due to the altitude and that could tire out the Temple OL and they may not be able to open some holes later in the game. The Wyoming offense does run more than throw and they will be facing a Temple defense that has been one of the best this year. Just 2 of Temple's games put up more than 50 points in a game, while Wyoming's last 4 have averaged just 43.5 ppg. Both teams will run in this one, and I expect both defenses to be solid as well. I see this one at 41 at the most. POWER ANGLE FOR THE PLAY--- Play the Under in a neutral field game with a total of 49.5 to 56 if a team (Temple) out rushes their opponents by at least 100 ypg. This play has gone 29-4 the last 5+ seasons.

1 UNIT PLAY

Ohio/ Utah State Over 60:(Added) Some how i feel this will be a higher scoring game than the last time these teams met, which was in 1994 when Utah State won 5-0. Not a typo. The final of that game was 5-0. The Aggies come into this game averaging 34.5 ppg overall and 31.3 ppg away from home. The Aggies are mostly about the run (6th in nation), but that running game has allowed their 2 QB offense to have a decent season. The combination of Keeton and Kennedy have combined 2 hit 64% of their passes for 2084 yards, with 21 TD's and just 6 INT's. This is an offense that can put up some points both running and passing. The ohio Defense has been tough this year but they are 68th vs the pass and that could really be tough on them once they start crowding the box to stop this powerful running attack. The Ohio offense has been very good this year, as they have averaged 31 ppg (38th) on 454.6 ypg (23rd) and they should have an easy time vs an Aggie defense that is 74th in the nation in points allowed (28.2 ppg) and 77th vs the pass (240 ypg). Both teams are excited to be so I expect them to put on a good show. Both offense can score in bunches with running games that set up the pass and as you can see neither team is good vs the pass. Look for this one to hit 65+.

Scott Delaney

Now make note, I'm also giving you a 5-Dime Pay-After release on a secondary game I like, and with just four other games to choose from, I'd rather give you a free play for Saturday, as I see a value number right off the bat with the Ohio State Buckeyes, laying a couple of touchdowns to the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Fresh off an 82-58 win over South Carolina Upstate, the second-ranked Buckeyes come down to Columbia with a wealth of momentum, having won nien of their first 10 games, losing only to Kansas last Saturday. They've already beaten Florida and Duke, so playing top-notch competition is nothing new, and I don't even consider the Gamecocks to be top notch.

Not when they lost five of their first seven games of the season, including setbacks to Elon and Tennessee State.

And now they get the Buckeyes, who saw all-America forward Jared Sullinger return to the lineup after missing two games because of back spasms. And even though he contributed off the bench, getting eased back into the lineup, with 12 points and 10 rebounds over 33 minutes, he was displeased with his effort and likely will be out to avenge that performance. Sullinger had double-doubles in four of his last five games before being sidelined with back spasms, and without the type of personnel needed to slow him down, I don't see South Carolina doing much in this one.

My money is on the Buckeyes in a blowout win in this early Saturday tip.

5♦ OHIO STATE

Chuck O'Brien

So, for your free winner I will look ahead to tomorrow's bowl game in Albuquerque, New Mexico as Temple and Wyoming get ready to kick off the 2011-12 bowl campaign with the New Mexico Bowl. And I'm going to have to defer to the favorite in this one, as I have the Temple Owls winning and covering against the overachieving Wyoming Cowboys, out of the Mountain West Conference.

Now I'm well familiar with how the Mountain West plays, and know the Pokes were a surprise to many, by finishing third in the final standings, just one game back of Boise State, a team once considered as a threat to the BCS Standings. But with all this time to prepare, I like the defensive Owls in tihs one, as I point to one game this season that I've constantly gone back and referred to, on Sept. 17 versus Penn State.

The in-state rivals were embroiled in a tight battle that saw the Owls go into the locker room with a 10-7 lead. Unfortunately, they couldn't get on the scoreboard in the second half and lost, 14-10. But even though they lost the game, I look at how they held the Nittany Lions to just 6-for-17 (35 percent) on 3rd down and frustrated Penn State into seven penalties for 69 yards.

Now, that kind of tenacity is what sparked this team the rest of the way. And I must say, Temple's offense is not too shabby once the defense gets going and puts the ball back in its hands to produce. Temple ranked 45th in the nation with its 30.08 scoring average, and controlled much of its games with the seventh-best rushing game in the nation.

You combine an offense that is predicated on rushing success, and that can score, with a top defense in the nation, and you have a recipe for success. Again, I can't discredit Wyoming for what its accomplished this season, but I'm much more impressed with how Temple has handled its business this season.

Lay the points.

4♦ TEMPLE

Chris Jordan

For your free winner tonight, I will actually shift my focus to tomorrow, as I take a look at the total in the New Mexico Bowl, between the Temple Owls and Wyoming Cowboys, as I like it to go Over the posted number. Of course when I handicapped the game the total was still 47' points. Now I see it's been bet up to 49' or 50 points - and that is a result of only one type of movement.

That's wiseguy kind of movement. Trust me, the public isn't moving a total in the New Mexico Bowl, between Temple and Wyoming. It simply doesn't happen. But the biggest question isn't who is moving it, it's why are they moving it? The Owls have stayed low in seven of 12 games, while the Cowboys are 4-7-1 with their totals this season. These are obviously 'under' type teams.

One notion could be that Temple is the favorite in this game, which means the Owls are expected to dictate the tempo. And they closed the season by going over the posted number in their last four games of the season. Totals of 66, 45, 56 and 50 points. That's an average of 54.25 points.

Now even though the Cowboys closed the season staying under in five straight games, understand that two of those games hit the 50-point plateau, and the five totals posted were: 57, 58', 53, 60 and 50.

Both are prideful teams, as they finished with identical 8-4 marks. And the reason I think Wyoming will match wits with the Owls, once the fast-paced tone has been set, is cause this was the surprise team in the Mountain West Conference this season, and I think it believes it can open this postseason with a win for the non-BCS league.

This will be a physical game, at times yes, but make no mistake, this is a shootout waiting to happen at some point and will end up in the mid-50s.

3♦ Temple/Wyoming OVER