Ron Raymond
Kansas / Minnesota Under 58
When Kansas Played as home team as a Favorite ? Coming off 1 Over; The Jayhawks have seen the UNDER go to 8-2-0 since ?96 in this spot.My ATS numbers have this total landing on 55.22 and my PVI rating has the UNDER coming in at a 59% probability factor.
Jorge Gonzalez
Air Force vs. Houston U
Play Houston -3.5 for 1 unit
Houston Cougars will be looking for revenge for their earlier loss this season to the Air Force Falcons. Despite losing the game 31-28, the Cougars out gained the Falcons 534-380. The Houston game was moved due to the hurricane, which was an obvious distraction to the home team Cougars. Houston quarterback Case Keenum threw for 43 touchdowns and just 10 interception on the season. Keenum is number one in the country in total yards averaging 411 yards per contest. The Cougars will be facing the triple option for the second time this season and have had plenty of time to prepare for it this time. The Falcons had trouble against the other three teams they faced with a winning record losing all three games. All three teams had explosive offenses. The Cougars have scored 40 or more points in six of their last seven games. I look for the Cougars to get a big lead early and run away with the game. Take the Cougars.
JIM FEIST
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS at LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Take: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Reason: Philadelphia finding life tough without their best player, Elton Brand. Since Brand went out on 12/17 against Milwaukee, the Sixers are just 1-4 SU. Though four of those games have come on the road. Brand is expected out until sometime in January with a dislocated shoulder. However, this is one time the Sixers likely won't need Brand. The Clippers have been just pathetic, scoring 76 and 75 points their last two games. The Clippers are 8-21 SU and 12-17 ATS on the season and only the lowly Kings have a worse record in the Pacific division. Despite their offseason moves to acquire high-profile players like Baron Davis and Marcus Camby, the team just isn't clicking. And, the rumblings of jumping ship have already started as Davis has been heard to say he wants to return to Golden State. These are troubled waters in LA where the team across town is sitting in the penthouse while your sitting in the outhouse. This team is just in too much disarray and it has shown in their lackluster efforts. Even without Brand, we'll take the Sixers here on Wednesday.
Dave Cokin
Northern Iowa @ Southern Illinois
Play: Southern Illinois -6
The Salukis are a big flop so far this season. There's a pretty simple reason for their tremendously disappointing start, and it's their horrific shooting. Very few swishes, way too many clanks. But this is conference play and the Salukis are at home, and off a bad game Sunday at Bradley, I think they'll respond with a good game tonight. Northern Iowa is certainly a team SIU can handle, so I'll go ahead and lay the reasonable number.
Jeff Benton
I know this is virtual home game for Georgia Tech, which is playing 5 minutes from its campus stadium. I also know that the Yellow Jackets finished strong while LSU limped through a very disappointing 7-5 campaign one year after winning the national title. But in my opinion, this is a clash of one team that played way above its head this year (Georgia Tech) against one (LSU) that underachieved and has much more NFL-caliber talent than its record indicates. And for that reason, the points we’re getting are all the more valuable, as I expect the Tigers to use this as a statement game heading into next season.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not taking anything away from Georgia Tech, which had plenty of quality wins this year against ACC foes Clemson, Boston College, Florida State and Miami, plus that impressive 45-42 come-from-behind win at Georgia in the season finale (I used the Jackets as my Best Bet that day). Meanwhile, LSU went 0-3 SU and ATS against its three toughest opponents (Florida, Georgia and Alabama), and also lost to Ole Miss and Arkansas while needing a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat Troy at home. Throw in the fact LSU is in an 0-6 ATS slump and it’s easy to see why the Yellow Jackets are the favorite tonight.
All this said, much of the Tigers’ problems this year were the direct result of inexperienced sophomore QB Jarrett Lee, who kept completing passes to the wrong team (he threw 16 INTs, an astonishing seven of which were taken back for scores). Despite Lee’s play, LSU finished averaging more than 30 points and 370 yards per game on offense, while its defense allowed just 326 total yards per game. And if you take away the seven “pick-sixes” that were charged to the defense, LSU’s 26 ppg allowed would drop to 22 ppg allowed.
It’s that defense that I think wins the battle for the Tigers in this one, as Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack – while prolific – hasn’t seen the caliber of defensive athletes that will be on the field for LSU tonight. And with this game being on played on carpet, LSU’s speed advantage will be maximized even more.
Bottom line: Since coming to LSU, head coach Les Miles has always had his troops ready for bowl games, going 3-0 SU and ATS. And after a bitter regular season, I expect the Tigers to come out and play with greater passion and intensity than they have all year. The fact they’re an underdog to an ACC opponent will only fuel their fire. Take the points with LSU, even though I smell an outright upset.
3♦ LSU (Chick-fil-A Bowl)
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday take the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech.
A lot of people seem to be all over Georgia Tech today in the Chick Fil-A bowl as they are the hot team right now. I will even go out on a limb and say that almost all of the handicappers on this site will be backing the smoking hot Jackets as that just seems a little easy and the squares will therefore be out in full force. I like Paul Johnson's squad as well but there are a few problems here to make the Jackets a real pay type play as totally going with the public like this is instant death more times than not and even if LSU may not be very good thanks in part to their Quarterback issues they are still LSU.
After dismantling Georgia on the road in the season finale the world has fallen in love with this Paul Johnson triple option offense. It is very good no doubt but everything clicked between the hedges in that upset win over the Bulldawgs and I don't expect that to happen again. The stars aligned on that day ( or in that third Quarter I should say) and to not turn the ball over at all, or even put it on the turf with this offense is almost impossible. Therefore I do not believe we will see as clean of a game here for Tech but in the end LSU does not have a real Quarterback and with freshman Jordan Jefferson getting the nod here and the game being in the state of Georgia on the fast track of the Georgia Dome I will lay a little bit in a small play with the Jackets. Oh and yes I do know how Tech pounded Miami in that last home game so I am not saying the win over Georgia was a one time thing but for lightning to strike a third time like that ain't happening.
Les Miles' team had a ridiculously disappointing season and after winning the national title last season are really not even that good this season as Charles Scott is a formidable Running Back but when the Quarterback play is as bad as it is the box will be loaded and the defense will be pinning their ears back. This is exactly what we are going to see here and, even with some athletes and big boys, in the end the Tigers offense (or lack of it) will rear its ugly head in a 7-10 point Tech victory, I think.
Jake Timlin
Your Wednesday selection is the Houston Cougars.
Early kickoff to the day I look for the Cougars to earn revenge from losing to Air Force earlier in the season. Yep in a rare second meeting I look for a different result as Houston was lucky the only loss by 3 points as the Cougars were at a huge disadvantage due to hurricane Ike. You see due to the storm the Cougars where force to move their home game to Dallas and did so at the very last minute as the weather was not perfect up north with Houston still having to deal with wind and rain. But despite all the negatives the Cougars hung tough racking up 534 yard of offense in only their third game of the season. Well fast forward to their 13th game Houston is much improved having racked up over 600 yards of offense over their last four games while averaging a whooping 49 points per game in those four games. Mix the Cougars offensive explosion in with the fact they will now have the needed prep time to scout the Falcons option offense and there is now was I see Air Force matching points here. So while Air Force will get a few scores it won’t be enough to keep up with the Cougars high octane offense. Flat out, given that Houston is stress free this time around and have a few weeks to prepare I look for the Cougars to take care of business as they run past the Falcons. All Houston minus the Armed Forces Bowl points.
Tony Weston
How easy was that Rice winner last night? Almost too easy if you ask me. But, hey, that’s what I’m here for, to make things easy for you.
I’m doing it again today as I’m sticking with more action on the college gridiron as we’re taking Oregon State over Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl.
Both teams come into today’s game on a tear down the stretch. Pittsburgh has gone 4-1 SU its last five games, while Oregon State is 6-1 SU its last seven games.
However, the Beavers were a much stronger money maker down the stretch than the Panthers. Pitt finished 6-4 ATS its last 10 games of the season, but was only 6-6 ATS for the entire year. The Panthers are also only 2-4-1 ATS their last seven games against non-conference opponents.
The Beavers, on the other hand, finished 8-2 ATS to close out the season and were 4-1 ATS against teams with winning records. Oregon State is also 5-1 ATS its last six bowl games is 6-2 ATS after non covers and is 21-9-1 ATS its last 31 games as a favorite.
Also, head coach Mike Riley just got a contract extension and will prove he was worth it for the Beaver faithful.
Take Oregon State easy over the Panthers today.
3♦ OREGON STATE
Bobby Maxwell
UNLV at LOUISVILLE -11'
Louisville is experimenting with some different lineups and it looked like it worked Saturday with an 82-62 win over UAB.
Junior Earl Clark came off the bench for the first time and had 12 points and four rebounds in 26 minutes and he's averaged 17.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in his last three. Clark had 16 points and 13 rebounds against the Rebels last season when the Cardinals won by 20, 68-48.
Louisville controls the boards and they are 12th in the nation with 42.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile UNLV struggles on the glass, getting a season-low 27 in its last game, a 73-60 win over Southern Utah on Dec. 23.
The Cardinals hold teams to 36.9 percent shooting and if the Rebels are without senior leader Wink Adams, this game could get ugly. He went scoreless in just 10 minutes of action on Dec. 23.
Louisville is the much better all-around team and will pull away for a blowout win tonight. Play the Cardinals.
2♦ LOUISVILLE
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt +3', at Nashville
How pumped up will the Commodores be when they take the field tonight in Nashville? They haven't been to a bowl game since 1982 and they are playing in their back yard. The stadium will be filled with Vandy fans and definitely will be loud.
Vanderbilt won its first five games SU and ATS but got realy shaky down the stretch, losing six of its final seven games. They went to Wake Forest and lost 23-10 as a four-point 'dog in a non-conference clash in the regular season finale.
The Commodores rely on defense to win games, allowing 20.1 points a game and just 318.7 total yards per contest. Offensively, they leave something to be desired, managing just 261 total yards and a pathetic 122.8 passing yards per game.
But Boston College isn't exactly a powerhouse. The Eagles are just 1-8 ATS in their last nine games as a favorite on the road and they are just 1-4 ATS in their last five neutral-site games, 3-5 ATS in their last eight on grass and 0-4 ATS in their last four December contest.
Vanderbilt relishes the role of the underdog, going 19-8 ATS in its last 27 as a road 'dog and 7-2 ATS in its last nine games as a 'dog anywhere. And the Commodores are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games against winning teams.
It's a home game for the Commodores. We'll grab the points and watch them put on a good show for the home fans. Play Vanderbilt.
3♦ VANDERBILT
Karl Garrett
Air Force vs. HOUSTON -3' - at Fort Worth
Revenge time for the Cougars as they dropped a 31-28 decision at home to the Falcons back on September 13th. That was when Houston was in the midst of a 3-game slide.
Houston is on a 6-2 straight up run heading into Forth Worth today, and QB Case Keenum has been lighting it up in every way, shape, and form and figures to do so again today against the outmanned Air Force stop unit.
Military schools traditionally get bowled over (no pun intended) this time of the year, and last year Air Force did run out of gas against California in their bowl loss both SU & ATS.
Houston has put up some big numbers of late, tallying 42-points or more in 4 straight, and 6 of their last 7, while Air Force has been held to 24-points or less in 4 of their last 5 games.
The G-Man just gets the feeling Houston is going to get their revenge, and also cover this small impost.
Take the Cougars to roar loud!
3♦ HOUSTON
Sports Gambling Hotline
LSU vs. GEORGIA TECH -4' - at Atlanta
"Go Against" vs. "Go With" in tonight's Chick-Fil-A Bowl, as LSU enters this game with all kinds of negative numbers on their side, and Georgia Tech counters will all kinds of positive numbers on their side.
LSU lost 4 of their final 6 games this year, and failed to grab the cash in ANY of those last 6 games! The Bayou Bengals also failed in both of their tries this year when getting points, and for all intents and purposes, this is a "home" game for Georgia Tech, as they figure to have plenty of fans in the nearby Georgia Dome seats.
Geogia Tech closed the year with huge wins over Miami-Florida, and a very big come-from-behind-win over in-state enemy Georgia. For the season, the Yellow Jackets were able to cover 5 of their 6 games when favored this season, and they will cover again tonight to close Paul Johnson's first season at the helm out in style.
LSU still has plenty of talent on their side of the ball, but we don't think they are going to be able to contain the Tech option-attack for all 4 quarters, and we also feel the Bayou Bengals aren't too mentally focused on playing in this bowl game, as they certainly had higher hopes at the start of the season.
Play on the Yellow Jackets.
5♦ GEORGIA TECH
LT Profits
Houston -3.5
The Armed Forces Bowl features a sharp contrast of styles, pitting the pass-happy Houston Cougars vs. the ground-heavy Air Force Falcons.
We already saw how one pass-oriented Conference USA team did playing in its own state last night, when Rice routed Western Michigan in Houston, and we see a similar result here with Houston playing in Fort Worth.
The Cougars averaged a whopping 41.2 points and 575.8 yards per game this season, with 413,5 of those yards coming through the air. Amazingly, Case Keenum completed 67.3 percent of his passes, which is exceptional when you consider how many times Houston throws the ball.
Keenum threw for over 4700 yards and a fantastic 42 touchdowns vs. 10 interceptions. It sure helps that he and the Cougars will have most of the crowd support, as Houston was 5-0 at home with an average winning margin of +30.0 points.
Now Air Force went 8-4 on the strength of a powerful running game that averaged 268.8 rushing yards per game. This is fine as long as the Falcons have the lead or the game is close, but their pathetic passing game (79.9 yards per game) limits them severely if they need to come from behind.
We feel that will be exactly the case here, as the Houston passing game has already been successful vs. stronger defenses than Air Force possesses. As if that is not bad enough, the Houston defense has been better against the run than the pass, and this should be especially true here as they can stiff the box without fear of the Falcons passing game.
We see Houston building a comfortable lead and then never looking back this afternoon.
Pick: Houston -3.5
Jimmy The Moose
San Jose Sharks at Minnesota Wild
Prediction: Under
San Jose has played under the total in 4 straight games and in 8 of their last 10. The under is 5-1 in the Sharks last 6 road games and in their last 6 vs. Western Conference opponents. The under is 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win. The under is 9-2-1 in the Wild's last 12 games. In their last 10 vs. Western Conference opponents the under is 7-1-2. The under is 5-0-1 in Minnesota's last 6 home games. The under is 7-1-4 in the last 12 meetings between the clubs. Play the under.
John Fisher
Boston College vs. Vanderbilt
Play: Boston College -3.5
Both teams are heralded for their defenses. BC are tops in the nation in TO. Look for BC to claim victory by winning field position battle and key TO's. BC 26 Vandy 13
Nostradamus
William & Mary -6
Northwestern +3
Wyoming +12.5
Air Force +4
Oregon St -2
Boston College -3.5
Minnesota +9
LSU +4
Houston -8.5