College Bowl Betting Odds and Hoops Matchups: Dec. 28
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College Bowl Matchups for Dec. 28
We are now in the heart of bowl season, with three big games on Friday, anchored by the Independence Bowl, which starts at 2pmET. There's also a big NBA schedule, highlighted by Houston at San Antonio, two very strong teams in the West. So get your bowl pools ready and do your research for the final time of 2012!
Get ready for some more football!
Ohio (8-4 SU, 4-8 ATS, 5-6 O/U) vs. Louisiana-Monroe (8-4 SU, 8-4 ATS, 9-3 O/U)
Ohio lost their last three games but find themselves in a bowl games due to winning the first seven games of the season. UL Monroe ended the season with two wins, including a 23-17 overtime win over Florida International. Louisiana-Monroe opened the season with a stunning 34-31 win over then-No. 8 Arkansas on Sept. 8. The Warhawks went on to show they could indeed compete with bigger programs, losing to Auburn and Baylor by a total of eight points in the following weeks. They'll be playing close to home from Shreveport, Louisiana. Ohio is 1-7 ATS L8 overall. College Football Line: UL Monroe is a 7-point favorite. Total: 60.5.
Rutgers (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS, 3-8 O/U) vs. Virginia Tech (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS, 6-5 O/U)
Rutgers shared the Big East crown but didn't receive the league's automatic BCS bid because it blew a chance to win the outright title in the regular-season finale. Despite leading 14-3 late in the third quarter, the Scarlet Knights would lose 20-17 to Louisville on Nov. 29. Virginia Tech had a very mediocre season and is fortunate to be in a bowl game. They barely edged Virginia, 17-14, giving 9.5 in their finale to become bowl eligible. They have won two straight games, but that came following a three-game losing streak. They need a big game from QB Logan Thomas to get a win here. Rutgers is 5-0-1 ATS L6 bowl games. College Football Odds: Virginia Tech is a 2-point favorite. Total: 64.
Minnesota (6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS, 4-6-1 O/U) vs. Texas Tech (7-5 SU, 6-6 ATS, 7-4 O/U)
Minnesota is coming off two straight losses to Michigan State at home (26-10) and Nebraska on the road (38-14). This is not a very good team, but they've battled, especially on defense. They allow 353ypg and just 179.5 ypg in the air. They will need that pass defense going up against Seth Doege and Texas Tech. The Red Riaders have struggled as well, losing two straight and four of five. They also lost coach Tommy Tuberville to Cincinnati and will have an interim coach in Chris Thomsen taking over. Eventually, former QB Kliff Kingsbury will be the head man. Texas Tech is a 2-8 ATS L10 neutral site games. Football Odds: Texas Tech is a 12.5-point favorite. Total: 55.5.
Houston (16-12 SU, 15-12-1 ATS) at San Antonio (22-8 SU, 18-11-1 ATS)
Last game: San Antonio (-7) over HOUSTON, 134-126ot (Dec. 10). The last time these two teams played, it went overtime and they combined for 260 points. That's without James Harden, who was out with an ankle injury. Jeremy Lin picked up the slack with 38 points. Houston has now won five straight games, including a 87-84 road win over Minnesota, getting 5.5. They showed they can win a halfcourt game or an uptempo one. San Antonio has more experience and depth. They have also won three in a row, including a win over Toronto, 100-80, giving 13.5 on Dec. 26. San Antonio is 4-0 ATS L4 in series. Basketball lines: San Antonio is an 8-point favorite. Total: 214.