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2011 Insight Bowl Preview

Jack Jones — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:18:13 +0000

This game will be a homecoming of sorts for Bob Stoops.

The former Iowa Hawkeye football player will be on the same field as his alma mater when he takes his Oklahoma Sooners to the Insight Bowl to face the Hawkeyes. Although Stoops has coached the Sooners for 13 seasons, he has never faced his former school.

In fact, the only time these two schools hooked up came in the 1979 season opener, when Barry Switzer’s Sooners beat Hayden Fry’s Hawkeyes 21-6 in Norman.

Our latest Insight Bowl line list Oklahoma as 14-point favorites, while the over/under has been posted at 58 points.

Iowa

Iowa started 3-1, then 5-2, but has alternated wins and losses in each of the last six games, finishing the regular season with a 20-7 defeat at Nebraska. The Hawkeyes have been 1-4 as a visitor, with two of the losses by a combined four points.

The Hawkeyes rate 42nd in the nation in defense (23 points per game), surrendering 388 yards per game (228 via the pass, 160 on the ground) while recording 20 sacks and forcing 18 turnovers with two being returned to touchdowns (Tanner Miller and Shaun Prater, picks).

James Morris paces the defense with 105 tackles (adding an interception), while Christian Kirksey has 103 stops (two forced fumbles, sack, interception, fumble recovery). Mike Daniels has seven sacks with 62 stops, while Miller has three interceptions, 71 tackles and a forced fumble and Prater has four forced fumbles to go with 46 stops.

Iowa rates 53rd in the country in points scored (29 ppg) while compiling 379 yards per contest (236 passing, 143 on the ground). James Vandenberg has connected on 59 % of his throws for 2,806 yards with 23 scores and six picks. The offensive line has allowed 26 sacks.

Marvin McNutt is the top pass catcher with 78 catches (33 more than anyone else) for 1,269 yards and 12 TDs, while Marcus Coker anchors the running game with 1,384 yards and 15 touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry.

Oklahoma

After a 6-0 start, the Sooners are just 3-3 in their final six games and are coming off a 44-10 loss to their in-state rivals Oklahoma State. OU is 4-2 as a visitor, but has dropped the last two games to ranked teams (Baylor, OSU).

Oklahoma ranks 10th in the country in scoring offense (40 ppg) while totaling 532 yards per contest (365 through the air, 167 on the ground). Landry Jones has completed 63 % of his passes for 4,302 yards and 28 scores with 14 picks. The offensive line has given up nine sacks.

Ryan Broyles (out for the season: knee injury) was the top receiving target with 83 grabs (25 more than anyone else) for 1,157 yards and 10 scores, while Roy Finch and Dominique Whaley (out for the season: ankle injury) paced the rushing attack with a combined 1,228 yards and 12 TDs on 5.6 yards per tote.

On defense, the Sooners rank 37th nationally in points allowed (23 ppg), allowing 384 yards per contest (244 passing, 140 on the ground) while recording 37 sacks and generating 25 turnovers four of which have been returned for scores (Jamell Fleming, Tom Wort and David King, fumbles; Demontre Hurst, pick).

Aaron Colvin and Travis Lewis lead the defense with 80 and 79 tackles, respectively, adding two forced fumbles, two recoveries and a pick combined. Frank Alexander has 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, adding 51 stops, a pick and a fumble recovery, while Tony Jefferson has four picks, 67 stops, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Learn more about handicapping bowl games and get free college football picks on tons of games each day at BetFirms.

2006 Insight Bowl Odds

Jack Jones — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:33:04 +0000

The Texas Tech and Minnesota 2006 Insight Bowl odds show a high scoring affair and a likely Red Raider victory. Both teams have high-powered offenses, but both teams are a little disappointed in this December bowl.

The Red Raiders were coming off a 9-3 finish to last season in which they tied for 2nd in the Big 12 South. The team came in ranked 25th in the preseason AP, but a loss in week 3 dropped them out of the rankings for good. A tough home stretch left them 3-4 over their final 7 games and at 7-5 overall which was good enough to earn them their 7th straight bowl appearance. Quarterback Graham Harrell has completed 67% of his passes and is 2nd in the country with 35 TDs and third with 342.5 passing yards per game.

Minnesota might also be disappointed, but they are making a school record 5th straight bowl appearance, but this year they flip flopped their normal course. The school had got off to fast starts and slow finishes the last four years, but this season rebounded to win four out of their last five. The Gophers still need a win to avoid their first losing season since 2001. Bad news for Minnesota though as they face a potent Texas Tech air attack. The Gophers are giving up 253.5 passing yards per game, which happens to be the 7th worst in the nation.

Both of these teams are offense depended as shown by Texas Tech’s 42 ppg average in their wins and 17 ppg average in their losses. Minnesota on the other hand has put up 40.7 ppg in their six wins and only 15.2 in their six losses.

A nice matchup here between the Big 12 and the Big 10 and if you are looking to get in on the action you are going to want to pick up our NCAA Bowl Predictions. This is the easiest way to make sure that you beat your man on a consistent basis.

2006 Insight Bowl Odds:

Minnesota +6.5 -105 at Pinnacle
Texas Tech -6 -110 at VIP

Over 65.5 -109 at Pinnacle
UNDER 66 -110 at VIP

Widow’s 2008 Insight Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:25:08 +0000

6* Widow Wiseguy 2008 CFB TOTAL OF THE YEAR on Minnesota/Kansas O 59.5

This is our strongest Over/Under pick of the entire 2008 college football season, so do not be shy with your wagers! Minnesota and Kansas will finish OVER the Total with ease Wednesday. The Gophers are coming off their two worst defensive performances of the year. Minnesota allowed 35 points to Wisconsin, and followed that putrid effort up with 55 points allowed to the Iowa Hawkeyes. This was an Iowa team not known for their offense, yet they reeled off nearly 500 yards of total offense. Kansas will put up over 40 points against the Gophers, after they posted 40 points on Missouri in their finale. These are two teams that love to put the football in the air. Minnesota throws 32 times per game for an average of 216 passing yards, while Kansas throws 39 times per game for an average of 302 passing yards. With perfect weather down in Tempe, AZ for a shootout, this one is a no-brainer folks. Kansas is scoring 35.0 points per game on the road and allowing 39.4 points per game in road games for an average of 74.4 points per contest. The final score of this one exceeds 70 points as you count your chips by the end of the third quarter. The OVER is 5-1 in Jayhawks last 6 games overall, 10-1-1 in Golden Gophers last 12 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0 points, 8-1 in Golden Gophers last 9 non-conference games, and 13-3 in Golden Gophers last 16 games following a ATS loss. This is a combined 36-5 (88%) OVER System showing you that this is clearly the best Over/Under bet you can make all season. Take the OVER 58.5 points.

For more bowl picks and predictions check to see what the Black Widow is taking each night of the season. He does a great job of beating the bowl game odds for his clients and will continue to do so for the rest of the year.

Price’s 2008 Insight Bowl Picks

Jack Jones — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:16:03 +0000

It was another one of those easy ones to spot, at least that is what Dave Price said when he was looking at the list of bowl games odds for this season. That is why so many of his bowl picks cash in, he just makes it seem so easy to study the games and come up with who is going to end up on top. He had a strong feeling about Kansas blowing out Minnesota in the 2008 Insight Bowl and once again he proved to be right on target. Let’s see what went into his choice to back the Jayhawks:

5* New Year’s Eve Point Spread BLOWOUT on Kansas -7.5
It’s been a remarkable season for the Gophers considering how bad they were in 2007, but this team cannot hang with KU tonight. Minnesota lost 4 straight to close out the season,including a 55-0 loss to Iowa in its season finale. All 5 of KU’s losses came to bowl teams. It played the Sooners as tough as anyone this season and it beat Big North Champion Missouri. Kansas is 17-6 ATS in all lined games over the last two years and 12-3 ATS as chalk. Lay the points.

Martin’s 2008 Insight Bowl Odds

Jack Jones — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:13:29 +0000

If you are looking for a handicapper who releases winning bowl picks on a regular basis, then take a look at who John Martin is taking each night of the season. Nobody works harder at beating the bowl game odds than Martin does, and it shows. Let’s take a look at another one of his easy winners as last night he took the OVER in the 2008 Insight Bowl.

4 Unit Insight Bowl TOTAL OF THE MONTH on Kansas/Minnesota O 58.5

Two teams that love to throw the football in perfect weather down in Tempe, AZ meet up today in a match-up of Big Ten vs. Big 12. Both teams have been even better offensively when playing on the road. Minnesota scores 27.8 points/game on the road this season, and Kansas scores 35.0 points/game on the road. But the Jayhawks have played little defense away from home, yielding 39.4 points/game. Minnesota is coming off two of their worst defensive performances of the season. They gave up 35 points to Wisconsin and then yielded 55 points to Iowa in their season finale. The OVER is 10-1-1 in Golden Gophers last 12 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0 points. The OVER is 8-1 in Golden Gophers last 9 non-conference games. The OVER is 5-1 in the Jayhawks’ last 6 games overall. Cash in with the OVER 58.5 points.

Croy’s 2008 Insight Bowl Game Odds

Jack Jones — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:37:12 +0000

It was another winning night of bowl picks offered to the clients of Vernon Croy. He liked Kansas to take care of business over Minnesota in the 2008 Insight Bowl and they did just that. Find out why he liked the bowl game odds on this game below:

20 Units, Take Kansas ATS, Kansas is the superior overall team here on both sides of the ball and they are a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of -3.5 to -10 points. Kansas is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games and they are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games against a team that has a winning record. The Golden Gophers lost by an average of 27 ppg over their last 3 games and they have been very lucky with turnovers this season. Kansas is averaging 35 ppg on the road this season while averaging 444.2 ypg and they are averaging 346 pypg on the road this season. The Golden Gophers are only averaging 106 rypg this season and the Jayhawks have faced a lot better teams this season than Minnesota has faced. Take Kansas as my CFB New Years Eve Smash as they win by 14+ points Wednesday evening.

Don’t worry if you missed out on this one, as Croy still has plenty of selections available to finish your season off on a strong note.

Doc’s 2008 Insight Bowl Game Odds

Jack Jones — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:34:09 +0000

Doc’s Sports was right on the money with their bowl picks on the game between Kansas and Minnesota. Not only did they beat the bowl game odds on the side, but they also nailed the total. Take a look at the reasons they had for both plays below:

3 Unit Play. #14 Take Kansas Jawhawks over Minnesota Golden Gophers – The Jawhawks have had over a month to prepare and figure out an offensive plan of attack against a weak Gopher defense. Minnesota has lost four straight game with all of them coming against mediocre teams (Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin).

4 Unit Play. #14 Take Over in Kansas Jawhawks vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers - The Jawhawks still have one of the best quarterbacks in the country and have scored points all season long in a conference that is loaded with talent. This fits a perfect mold for the over since the Gophers have very little pass defense. True, they did start the season 7-1 but totally dismantled in the last four games. Most of those victories came against weak competition and the Hawks will put up another good showing in a bowl game. Minnesota lost their last regular season game 55-0 at the Dome against Iowa, a team that does not really light it up. The Insight Bowl did not want Minnesota and they will not bring down that many fans compared to Kansas. The Big XII is a much better conference and that will show up throughout the bowl season and it is worth laying the wood in this contest. Kansas 49, Minnesota 27.