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2009 Alamo Bowl Preview

Jack Jones — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:15:03 +0000

Hal Brandenburn is taking a look at the 2009 Alamo Bowl with a detailed writeup on the game. Let’s take a look at some of the major points to see if he can’t help us decide which team to back when making our college bowl picks this season. Texas Tech is a 7.5 point favorite over Michigan State. If you are looking for a great place to bet the game then consider the $20 free play you get for signing up for a new account at Sportsbook.com!

This year the Red Raiders will be playing the Spartans of Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl. Let’s take a preliminary look at several interesting points to watch for in this game.

The Incident

The recent embarrassment that Michigan State has faced in light of the attack that took place involving 10 of their players has changed this game entirely, both physically and emotionally. This will add a lot of media attention for the game, but this will probably be mostly positive for State, as the country will probably feels sorry for the remaining players. It’s tough to gauge whether the emotion of the players in reaction to the fiasco will either make them play above their ability or below it.

The loss of three starters could be a major issue as well. They will be especially short at the receiver position, where they lost Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham. The Spartans do still have their top receiver, Blair White, who will certainly be a challenge for Texas Tech’s top corner, Jamar Wall.

Michigan State’s Defense

For a Big Ten school, Michigan State has an ineffective defense. However, given 15 practice days to prepare, they could be as ready for Texas Tech’s offense just like Minnesota was the last time that the Red Raiders played in the Alamo Bowl.

The Spartans have had issues in the secondary all season, which won’t be helped by the absence of suspended cornerback Chris L. Rucker. Due to the pass heavy attack the Red Raiders employ, this could be a real danger to Michigan State. There will be lots of pressure on Greg Jones to hurry Taylor Potts and force him to make the bad decisions that he is known for.

Texas Tech’s Defense

Ruffin McNeill, Brandon Sharpe, and the Texas Tech defense have quietly made a statement this season and will be looking to do so in front of the nation with this bowl game. Many people are looking for this to be a high-scoring affair, but with Tech’s improved defense and State’s loss of receivers, the Spartans may have problems scoring points.

Consistency has been an issue this year, though less than in previous years. Their only real breakdown came against Texas A&M, a team that has shown the potential to put up points against a lot of teams.

Texas Tech Offensive Line

This injury-plagued unit has been a question in basically every game this season. They have suffered several injuries throughout the season, including to Terry McDaniel, who is out for the season. The line hasn’t been able to mesh as a unit because of injuries, which has cost the team dearly in the Texas and Houston games. It will be interesting to see if they have the chemistry to stop Greg Jones and the Spartan defense.

Overall, this looks to be a promising matchup that will give both teams a chance to showcase themselves on a national stage. Hopefully, Michigan State’s off the field issues won’t be too much of a factor and Texas Tech will bring a consistent front so that it will be an exciting game.

2006 Alamo Bowl Odds

Jack Jones — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:26:23 +0000

The defending national champion leads the way as the favorite in the 2006 Alamo Bowl odds. Texas is playing in their home state this year instead of defending their national title, due to a couple of late season losses. They didn’t even make the Big 12 title game after losing in consecutive weeks to Kansas State and Texas A&M. Good news for Longhorn fans is that Colt McCoy is cleared to play after suffering a pinched nerve in his neck in the final minute of that loss to the Aggies.

Iowa on the other hand needs to end their season on a good note after jumping out to a 4-0 start, then getting killed by Ohio State and watching their second half of the season turn into a disaster zone. Closing the season with losses to Northwestern, Wisconsin, and Minnesota left many wondering if Iowa deserved a chance to play in this quality of a bowl. Good thing the Big 10 has a couple of teams playing in the BCS. With all that disappointment though this team has talent, and the month off should give them time to heal up players who are injured at the key positions.

Iowa was only 1-10 ATS this season, never living up to expectations. Texas may have lost their last two games, but with a 36.7 ppg average this game could be a shoot out. The Hawkeyes do a good job of moving the ball themselves, if they can get the ball into the end zone this game is going to be an interesting one.

These two teams had BCS visions when the season started so is Texas going to have a letdown or is Iowa going to continue to play like they have in the second half? Our expert know and you can pick up some college bowl picks on this game and watch it cash on ESPN.

2006 Alamo Bowl Odds:

Texas -9 -105 at Pinnacle
Iowa +9 -105 at Pinnacle

OVER 52.5 -115 at Pinnacle
UNDER 53.5 at VIP

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InfoPlays 2008 Alamo Bowl Game Odds

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:08:39 +0000

The InfoPlays team has been known for making quality bowl picks for years and we are happy to have them on our site. This is a group of handicappers with an extensive database that allows them to beat the bowl game lines season after season. If you are looking for someone to give you a little bit of help this year, take a look at what they have to offer. Here is their breakdown of the 2008 Alamo Bowl in which they took Northwestern +13:

Reasons why Northwestern covers the spread Monday:

1.) Missouri is not excited to be here after the way they finished their season. The Tigers have underachieved all year, and there’s no way they’ll be able to get up for this game against Northwestern after the big expectations they had in the regular season. Northwestern, on the other hand, overachieved this season and are out to prove that their season was no fluke. With 9 wins and only 3 losses, the Wildcats are one of the best teams in the Big Ten.

2.) Missouri is 0-2 all-time vs. Big Ten opponents in bowl games. The Tigers have struggled in the past against this conference, and they’ll struggle against Monday to cap off a miserable season. Missouri is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games. The Tigers weren’t even competitive against the best in the Big 12, showing their true colors. They lost by 25 points to Texas and 41 points to Oklahoma.

3.) Trends favoring Northwestern. The Tigers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. The Tigers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 450 total yards in their previous game. Missouri has no defense this season, and Northwestern will be able to keep up with Missouri’s offense because of it. This should be a very entertaining high-scoring game with Northwestern likely pulling off the upset. Bet the Wildcats on the road.

Widow’s 2008 Alamo Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:04:45 +0000

It was another easy over/under posted with the bowl game odds according to the Black Widow. He helped the clients subscribed to his bowl picks cash in yet again when he took the under in the 2008 Alamo Bowl between Northwestern and Missouri. If you have been looking for a handicapper to give you a little help this season then maybe it’s time you consider joining up with the Black Widow, one of the most capable football experts we have on the site.

6* Widow Wiseguy Alamo Bowl Total Surefire on U 67

This game will be more of a defensive struggle than the linesmakers are predicting. Missouri is very upset with the bowl berth they got this season, and they’ll be a bit lackluster offensively because of it. Northwestern has been playing great defense to end the season, allowing only 10 points to Illinois and 14 points to Michigan in their final two games. The Wildcats have become more of a defensive powerhouse this season than the offensive machine they were in year’s past. This has led to more wins and many low-scoring games. The UNDER is 4-1 in Northwestern’s last 5 games overall. The UNDER is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 non-conference games. The UNDER is 5-2 in Tigers last 7 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater. Take the UNDER 66.5 points here.

Martin’s 2008 Alamo Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:01:56 +0000

John Martin continues to help bettors win this season with his bowl picks, as evidenced again by his winner last night on the Alamo Bowl. Let’s take a look and see why he circled the bowl game odds on Northwestern as being too many points given to this Wildcats team by the Missouri Tigers.

4 Unit Alamo Bowl BEST BET on Northwestern +13

I like Northwestern to cover this double-digit spread Monday because they clearly have the motivational edge. The Wildcats are extremely happy to be in the Alamo Bowl, and they’ll come out and show it with their play Monday. Missouri is completely letdown by their underachieving season, and they’ll come out flat today because of it. The Tigers were a serious National Championship contender to start the season, before losing to Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma. They did not beat a single quality opponent all season, and Northwestern classifies as a quality opponent. The Wildcats went 9-3 this year, putting together one of their best games of the season in their finale with a 27-10 win over Illinois despite being the underdog. In fact, Northwestern has now been an underdog in 4 consecutive games, but they’ve won 3 of those 4 games outright with the exception a loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. That means this team is underrated by the odds makers, and they continue to be underrated for this game with Missouri. What good can come out of Missouri beating Northwestern? Seriously think about it. The players no there’s really nothing positive that can come out of a win over Northwestern Monday, as they know they’ll only be remembered as a team that completely underachieved this season even with a win today. So players will have a hard time getting up for the Wildcats, while Northwestern will come out fired up and ready to go to prove that their 9-3 season was no fluke. Missouri is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall, and their struggles will carry over into the Alamo Bowl. Cash in with Northwestern as the underdog.

Alexander’s 2008 Alamo Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:58:22 +0000

When you are looking at the bowl game odds this year, you can’t just focus on the sides but also have to target a few totals. That is one of the reasons handicapper Jeff Alexander has been so successful over the years, because there isn’t a line posted by the books that he won’t break down for his bowl picks subscribers. That doubles up the opportunities they have to beat the books, and one of the reasons he cashed in on the 2008 Alamo Bowl. While everyone was wondering if Missouri would win in a blowout or Northwestern could cover the large number, he saw the advantage here with the UNDER. Take a look at his reasoning:

3* Alamo Bowl Total SUREFIRE on Northwestern/Missouri UNDER 67
Northwestern has a better defense than the Tigers are used to seeing in the Big 12 North, but its spread offense is not as good as many of the offenses in the Big 12. Mizzou will score points, but not enough to send this one over a big number. Northwestern is 9-1 UNDER vs. awful passing defenses – allowing a comp. pct. of 62% or worse since 1992. The average score in these games totaled 51 points. Pound the Under.

George’s 2008 Alamo Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:53:00 +0000

Tony George has been known as a Big 12 expert for years and with his bowl picks he retains his focus on this conference. That is why when he looks at the bowl game odds the first games he goes to are ones featuring Big 12 teams. It paid off again for bettors last night as he correctly called Northwestern to cover against Missouri. Let’s take a look at his reasonings for zoning in on the 2008 Alamo Bowl and the Wildcats:

The Wildcats offense will score points on Mizzou, who cannot stop a spread offense with a throwing / running QB, like Oklahoma State who pounded them in Columbia this year. Northwestern has a solid QB in Bacher who is mobile and will buy plenty of time to throw the ball against a weak pass rush. Mizzou’s defense has been their demise all season against teams who are capable, and while I respect the scoring power of Mizzzou with QB Daniel and all word WR Macklin, I have serious doubts they can blowout a decent Wildcats team in this one, as this Bowl Game is always tight between Big 12 and Big 10 schools and this is an interesting matchup.

Play 1 Unit on Northwestern.

Altemus 2008 Alamo Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:51:03 +0000

Last night those of you subscribed to the bowl picks offered by Evan Altemus were treated with yet another winner, as he played Northwestern over Kentucky. Take a look at his reasoning below to find out just why when he looked at the bowl game odds this year, he had this game circled:

Missouri had a resurgence season last year, which included a Big 12 title game appearance, as well as a blowout Cotton Bowl win over Arkansas. This season the Tigers had Big 12 and national championship aspirations. However, Missouri was simply overmatched and out coached in losses to Oklahoma State, Texas, and Oklahoma. Then they ended the season with a lackluster effort against Kansas in another loss. Missouri will probably get up for this game, but they still won’t be able to beat Northwestern by margin. The Tigers were vastly over-rated coming into and during this season. They simply are not a dominant team that most people think they are. Northwestern’s quarterback C.J. Bacher is an excellent runner and presents defenses with problems. The Wildcats played very well this season, despite losing Bacher for an extended period. Their worst loss of the season was to Ohio State, but Bacher wasn’t able to play in that game, which severely affected the offense. One of the reasons for the Wildcats success this year was due to their vastly improved defense. They allowed opposing offenses to only 19 points and 330 yards per game. While Northwestern doesn’t have a dominant defense, they will be able to slow down Missouri enough to keep this game close. Look for this game to be very close throughout with Northwestern having a chance to pull out the outright win.
3 UNIT SELECTION

Black’s 2008 Alamo Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:47:58 +0000

Timothy Black has busted onto the scene in 2008 and proven himself to be a pretty good college handicapper. If you are looking for an expert who releases bowl picks that are geared towards helping the average bettor make a little bit of profit to finish off the season, get signed up with Black today. He studies the bowl game odds and helps his clients avoid the traps the books have laid, just like last night when he took Northwestern over Missouri.

We all know Missouri is going to get their share of points but the Northwestern defense is underrated. They have similar styles of offense so the Wildcat defense will be well prepared and know what to do to stop the big play. Because the Tigers will still get theirs on offense, Northwestern will need to be able to keep pace with Missouri when they have the ball. Luckily for us they have a very capable offense that will only be enhanced by a Missouri defense that gives up 30 points per game. Besides big time playmaker, RB Tyrell Sutton, the Wildcats will employ two QB’s to wreak havoc on Missouri’s defense in differnt ways. Northwestern has a lot to prove in this game and they will come out firing!