Dave Price
1 Unit on Clemson/Nebraska OVER 55.5
Nebraska is 7-0 OVER when it allows 28 or more points this season and that should be a pretty safe bet considering that the Huskers are giving up 33.5 ppg on the road this season. They are also scoring 37.5 ppg on the road which sets us nicely for an Overs play here since the odds makers have given us a manageable number. Clemson's offense was not the juggernaut we expected this season, but it will be able to move the ball on Nebraska's defense. It did come on strong down the stretch, though, scoring 27 or more in 4 of its last 5 games. Plays Over on Neutral field teams where the total is between 49.5 and 56 (NEBRASKA) - returning an inexperienced QB and 5 or less offensive starters are 27-6 the last 5 seasons. Bet the Over.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Iowa/South Carolina OVER 43
I know these are two good defensive football teams, but the odds makers have set the bar a little too low here and we will look to take advantage. While SC's defense gets a lot of credit for being good despite the fact that it allowed 30.4 ppg on the road this season. In fact, Spurrier is 12-4 OVER vs. good teams outscoring opponents by 10+ PPG on the season as the coach of SC. The average score in those games totaled 55 points. Iowa comes in riding high with an upset win over Penn State and a 55-0 shutout of Minnesota in two of its last three games while the Gamecocks ended the season on a sour note with back-to-back double digits losses. Both teams have plenty of motivation to play well here and I expect to see the offenses doing more talking that the books have figured. Bet the OVER!
DUNKEL INDEX
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
The Hokies come into the contest with a 7-3 ATS record as an underdog over the last three seasons. Virginia Tech is the underdog pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Hokies favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (+2).
Game 245-246: Iowa vs. South Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 101.076; South Carolina 92.672
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 8 1/2; 37
Vegas Line: Iowa by 3; 43
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (-3); Under
Game 247-248: Clemson vs. Nebraska
Dunkel Ratings: Clemson 95.579; Nebraska 98.482
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 3; 54
Vegas Line: Clemson by 3; 55 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+3); Under
Game 249-250: Michigan State vs. Georgia
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 92.204; Georgia 98.872
Dunkel Line: Georgia by 6 1/2; 59
Vegas Line: Georgia by 7 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (+7 1/2); Over
Game 251-252: Penn State vs. USC
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 106.218; USC 118.726
Dunkel Line: USC by 12 1/2; 41
Vegas Line: USC by 9 1/2; 45
Dunkel Pick: USC (-9 1/2); Under
Game 253-254: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia Tech 96.920; Cincinnati 95.012
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 2; 38
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 2; 42
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (+2); Under
NHL
Detroit at Chicago
The Red Wings look to build on their 6-1 record versus the Central Division as they travel to Chicago today. Detroit is the underdog pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+115).
Game 51-52: Detroit at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 13.630; Chicago 12.618
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+115); Over
Game 53-54: Tampa Bay at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.584; Washington 12.816
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-210); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-210); Over
Game 55-56: Pittsburgh at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 10.850; Boston 13.027
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-185); 6
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-185); Under
Game 57-58: Buffalo at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 9.956; Toronto 11.364
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-120); 6
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+100); Over
Game 59-60: Vancouver at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 10.124; Nashville 11.653
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (-120); Over
NCAAB
Villanova at Marquette
The Wildcats look to take advantage of a Marquette team that is just 2-5 ATS over the last three seasons as a home favorite between 3 1/2 and 6 points. Villanova is the underdog pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Marquette favored by just 1. Dunkel Pick: Villanova (+3 1/2).
Game 501-502: Youngstown State at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Youngstown State 46.638; Detroit 53.155
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit by 8
Dunkel Pick: Youngstown State (+6 1/2)
Game 503-504: Troy at Western Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 49.048; Western Kentucky 60.315
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 11
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 13
Dunkel Pick: Troy (+13)
Game 505-506: South Alabama at Florida Atlantic
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 56.256; Florida Atlantic 51.561
Dunkel Line: South Alabama by 5
Vegas Line: South Alabama by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Alabama (-1 1/2)
Game 507-508: Villanova at Marquette
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 69.545; Marquette 70.374
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 1
Vegas Line: Marquette by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Villanova (+3 1/2)
Game 509-510: Denver at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 46.692; New Orleans 51.628
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 5
Vegas Line: New Orleans by 3
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-3)
Game 511-512: Rider at Iona
Dunkel Ratings: Rider 48.428; Iona 55.922
Dunkel Line: Iona by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Iona by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iona (-4 1/2)
Game 513-514: Fairfield at Siena
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 53.798; Siena 63.203
Dunkel Line: Siena by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Siena by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+11 1/2)
Game 515-516: Northern Colorado at Idaho State
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 48.358; Idaho State 55.270
Dunkel Line: Idaho State by 7
Vegas Line: Idaho State by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (-4 1/2)
Happy (Profitable) New Year everybody:
I need Indian Cowboy's Total of the Year, if anyone sees it.
I have a hunch its Over on Georgia/Mich St.
Thanks
Jorge Gonzalez
Iowa vs. South Carolina
Play: Iowa -3.5
The Iowa Hawkeyes look to have the advantage along both the offensive line and the defensive line. Iowa has one of the best running backs in the country in Shonn Greene. Greene was the only running back in the country to run for 100 yards in every game that he played. He ended seconded in the country rushing for an average of of 144 yards per game and scoring 17 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ricki Stanzi took over the offense half way through the season and guided the Hawkeyes over their upset of Penn State. The Iowa defense is ranked 10th in the country. They can stop the run and have been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks picking off 20 passes on the season. South Carolina ahas struggled when they have not run for a 100 yards in a game and will be hard pressed to do that against an Iowa defense that is ranked in the top ten in rushing defense giving up just 98 yards rushing per game. Take the Hawkeyes to control the line of scrimmage through the game and win a hard hitting battle.
LT Profits
Virginia Tech +2.5
The Cincinnati Bearcats went a surprising 11-2 this season, but keep in mind that they play in the weak Big East, and we look for the more experienced Virginia Tech Hokies to prevail here.
Virginia Tech usually likes to win ugly, and this year was no exception. Still, they did finish at 9-4, thanks to a defense that was among the best in the nation allowing just 17.5 points and 277.2 total yards per game. We expect their defensive unit to have success here vs. a Cincinnati offense that keeps shuffling its quarterbacks, as Dustin Grutza and Tony Pike are expected to split time here.
Compounding the problems for the Bearcats is the fact that they have no real running game to speak of, averaging a modest 121.3 rushing yards per game on a weak 3.6 yards per carry. Thus, we feel that Cincinnati will struggle to generate much of anything offensively vs. the staunch Hokies defense, and that their best chance to score may come off of short fields created by turnovers and special teams.
The problem there is that Virginia Tech has excellent special teams and they are conservative offensively. Sure, the Hokies are averaging a lowly 22.2 points per game, but given their defense, that is just fine as they do not turn the ball over much due to their style.
The major knock against the Hokies is that they often play not to lose rather than to win, but these teams are like mirror images in that regard, except that Virginia Tech has historically done it better. They have also faced arguably tough competition, as the ACC is stronger than the Big East and Tech owns an impressive non-conference road win at Nebraska.
Finally, do not forget that entering this bowl season, ACC bowl underdogs were 12-3-1 against the spread the last five years, and Miami Florida and North Carolina State have both improved on that record in recent days. We look for Virginia Tech to do the same with an outright win.
Pick: Virginia Tech +2.5
Brian Hansen
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
Prediction: Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres' inconsistent play has them sitting in the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference. It also has coach Lindy Ruff desperate for answers. After threatening to make major changes following his team's latest loss, Ruff hopes the underachieving Sabres respond as they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs in a Northeast Division matchup Thursday night; look for Buffalo to come out flying big time in this one! In fact it's interesting to note that the Sabres are an awesome 5-1 their last 6 when revenging a home loss vs. an opponent! Play on BUFFALO!
Michael Cannon
Iowa -4 vs. South Carolina, at Tampa
Take Iowa minus the points over South Carolina in the Outback Bowl.
South Carolina is a classic example of a defense carrying a team for the entire season. You would think a Steve Spurrier-coached team would be explosive on offense, but the Gamecocks have been anything but this season.
Iowa started the season slow, but ended the season on a 5-1 run, including an upset of the previously unbeaten Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Hawkeyes averaged 34.7 ppg during their closing run and can lean on a great running back in Shonn Green, who set a school record with 1,729 rushing yards.
South Carolina’s defense wilted down the stretch, most likely because they were fatigued from carrying the team all season long. The Gamecocks were smoked 56-6 at Florida and at Clemson, 31-14 in their two final games of the season.
Iowa ranked eighth in the nation in scoring defense, posted two shutouts, allowed less than 10 points five times and did not allow more than 27 points in a game all season long.
Hawkeyes will win this by at least a touchdown.
Lay the points with Iowa as they grab the win and cover.
3♦ IOWA
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati -2, at Miami
Lay the small number with Cincinnati in the Orange Bowl over Virginia Tech.
I love the job Brian Kelly did with the Bearcats this season.
Cincinnati set a school record for victories and won its first Big East conference title and is appearing in its first BCS Bowl.
Big stuff for the 2nd-year head coach, isn’t it? And to consider he was able to accomplish all that with serious injury issues all season long at the quarterback position.
Every week the experts counted Cincinnati out because they were going further and further down the depth chart. But every week they found a way to get it done and I think that’s what you’re going to see here tonight.
Virginia Tech is living off its past glory. They don’t offer any threat offensively with coach Frank Beamer rotating Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon at quarterback. Taylor can’t throw and Glennon can’t run, so its like changing the gameplan in midstream everytime they switch.
Kelly is too good a coach not to see through all that.
Take Cincinnati minus the small number as they grab the Orange Bowl win and cover.
4♦ CINCINNATI
Drew Gordon
Clemson vs. Nebraska +2' at Jacksonville, FL
Great spot here for the surging Cornhuskers, as they finished the season going 5-2 down the stretch, inlcuding their OT loss at Texas Tech Oct 11th. We've seen a huge turnaround in this program, thanks in large part to coach Pelini, and I say they cap their season with a strong effort against an inconsitent Clemson team this afternoon.
True, coach Swinney has his troops playing well, going 4-1 over their last 5 games, but let's not get carried away. They got a nice win at Boston College, but then struggled against FSU, and beat a bad Virginia team, a bad Duke team, and a sputtering South Carolina team (who got outscored 87 to 20 in their last 2 games)... So again, let's not overexaggerate their success, they played well, but the scheduale was soft (and they lost against their only tough opponent- Florida State).
Critics of this play will argue that statistically the Tigers defense is far superior, and thus, the play here is on Clemson. But that's very short-sighted thinking, because obviously the Huskers defensive stats are going to be less impressive being that they play in the offensively stacked Big 12. What bettors should be noticing, is that the Huskers outgained 6 of their last 7 opponents, all Big 12 teams, and looked damn good doing it. Clemson defense will be tested like never before this afternoon, and I say they fail that test.
Bottom line, both teams are in the midst of turnarounds, but Nebraska is a step ahead of this Clemson squad, which is still dealing with inconsistent play at the QB position and on the defensive end. Simply too much value to be had with the Huskers plus the points in this match up.
Take Nebraska plus the points over Clemson in today's Gator Bowl.
2♦ NEBRASKA
Charlies Sports - free pick
ncaaf. South Carolina+4 vs Iowa. The old ball coach Steve Spurrier
faces the 0-3 big Ten, make it 4-0 when they beat kurt farenz and the
iowa Hawkeyes +4.
=========================================================
National Sports Advisors
FREE COLLEGE BASKETBALL PICKS
Denver @ New Orleans
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Pick: New Orleans -3
=====================================================
Game: South Alabama at Florida Atlantic (2:15 PM Eastern)
Pick: South Alabama -2 (-110)
WUNDERDOG FREE PICK
South Alabama has been more impressive than their 8-5 start might indicate
with all the losses coming to teams up in class. Those losses were at the
hands of Western Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Mississippi
State. Two of which should be noted were by two and three points respectively.
They have taken out all comers within their class and at 8-0 are certainly
undervalued on the road here. Florida Atlantic has been unimpressive on a
schedule that has been equally unimpressive. The problem has been an
inconsistent offense that finds droughts during the game and a good Jaguar
team will take the opening. South Alabama gets the call here.
========================================================