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Related posts:

1. Steve Janus New Orleans Bowl Picks
2. Feist’s College Bowl Picks
3. Trapp’s 2008 Las Vegas Bowl Game Odds

2: Are we set to see a breakout game from QB Jordan Wynn? In a few years, we may all be looking back at Wednesday night’s Poinsettia Bowl and thinking to ourselves, “Remember when Jordan Wynn was just a freshman playing in that game?” Wynn has the potential to be an absolute superstar, especially in the Mountain West, and he’ll get to take the national spotlight on Wednesday night against HC Jeff Tedford’s Cal defense, which allowed 260.2 passing yards per game in ’09, good enough for 108th in the nation.

3: Will Nevada’s pistol attack be stuffed up without its running backs? RBs Luke Lippincott and Vai Taua are both out of the Hawaii Bowl against SMU this week. The duo combined to rush for 2,379 yards and 19 TDs this year. We know that the Wolfpack can run the football like no one else in the nation, as they ranked #1 in the land at 362.8 yards per game when they were at full strength. However, of the three players that rushed for at least 1,000 yards on this team, only QB Colin Kaepernick will be in the lineup. This is where we’ll see whether it’s a matter of the scheme or the players that is leading to Nevada’s success. SMU’s 92nd ranked defense may not be able to put up a fight one way or the other.

4: Did the Thundering Herd really deserve to play in a bowl game? Wyoming proved its value in the New Mexico Bowl by beating Fresno State outright over the weekend. Many criticized the decision to put Marshall in a bowl game, especially to face off with an Ohio team that it used to play every year when a member of the MAC. The Little Caesar’s Bowl isn’t going to be the sexiest college football bowl matchup of the bunch, and it’ll be a game that is largely criticized if the Thundering Herd fall flat on their faces.

5: Will the ACC prove to be incredibly deep or incredibly weak? The ACC’s first three bowl teams will all play on Saturday and Sunday this week, and it’ll be the first indicator that college football betting fans will have about how good this conference really was this year. Seven teams are in bowls, while three others fell just one win shy of the mark. UNC and BC are both underdogs, while Clemson is favored. However, anything less than at least two close losses and a victory will have eyes rolling about how bad the ACC really has become.

Open a new account with BetUS and get a $500 match bonus.  Combine that with winning college bowl picks from the best handicappers in the business and you have a killer combination for the bowl season.

Related posts:

1. 2009 College Bowl Previews: December 23rd-28th
2. Feist’s College Bowl Picks
3. 2009 College Bowl Early Look

Cincinnati Offense vs. Florida Defense: This may be one of the more intriguing matchups of the entire bowl season. Cincinnati’s offense has been absolutely fantastic this year no matter whether QB Tony Pike or Tony Collaros has been calling the shots. The Bearcats rank #6 in the land in total offense (464.2 yards per game), passing yards (320.2 yards per game), and points scored (39.8 per game). The unit has scored at least 24 points in all of its games this season, and at least 28 in all but one game. The offense has scored at least 45 points in three of its L/44.

Florida’s defense is going to be up to the challenge, though. The Gators may have been rolled up on by Alabama, but all in all, this is one of the best units in the country. The 32 points allowed to the Crimson Tide was more than the defending champs had allowed in their previous four games combined. No one else had scored more than 20 points on this unit all season. There are legitimately at least three first round draft picks on this unit. Pike will get a stern test from the #3 pass defense in the land, which is allowing just 151.5 yards per game.

Florida Offense vs. Cincinnati Defense: In the SEC Championship Game, the Gators’ offense was as flat as it has looked in years. However, save for the dud against Bama and the 13-3 slugfest against LSU in the Bayou, Florida has put at least 23 points on all of its opponents this year. This is the most dynamic rushing attack in the country, as the three-headed monster of QB Tim Tebow, RB Chris Rainey, and RB Jeff Demps pace the #10 ground attack in the country at 225.2 yards per game. Tebow will be playing in his final game in blue and orange, and you can bet that he’ll want to put on a show for the Gators faithful.

The Bearcats have struggled in a major way since the start of November. They hadn’t allowed more than 20 points to any foe this year before giving up 45 to UConn. Since then, Cincy has conceded 21 to West Virginia, 36 to Illinois, and 44 to Pittsburgh. Even though the Bearcats still rank in the top half of the country in every major defensive category, they’ll be facing a test like they haven’t seen all year in the Superdome on New Year’s Day.

For premium picks on the Sugar Bowl and every other bowl this season, be sure to visit our college bowl picks page to see which handicappers have the winning edge.

Related posts:

1. 2010 Gator Bowl Odds & Preview
2. Harvey’s 2009 Florida/Oklahoma Picks
3. Burns 2009 Sugar Bowl Game Odds

College Bowl Betting Odds:

Boston College Eagles +9
USC Trojans -9
O/U 44

The Trojans had a terrible second half of the season dropping 3 of their last 5 games. “We’re disappointed with the way we played the last half of this season, so the Emerald Bowl gives us a chance to finish the year on a positive note,” coach Pete Carroll said. “We’ll work hard to send our seniors out in the fashion they deserve. And it’ll give our younger players some extra practice time that will pay off in the future.’

Boston College Eagles on the other side becomes the first team to play in the Emerald bowl twice.  If they want to win their 9 bowl game in the last 10 games they will need to improve their game a bid.

You can get winning college bowl picks on this game and every bowl game this season when you pick up a premium package from one of our leading experts.

They know they can stop the run, so stopping USC RB Joe McKnight will not be a concern.  But BC’s pass defense has several holes and will have a tough time trying to stop opposing QB Matt Barkley.

Barkley is known for throwing interceptions but BC won’t be able to pressure him into losing the game on his basis of his mistakes.

On offense the Eagles will rely on RB Montel Harris as he recorded 1355 rushing yards and 13 TDs this season.  Harris should take advantage of a slow Trojans rush defense that allows 5.1 yards per carry and struggled against running teams like Oregon and Stanford.

If they can establish the run, QB Dave Shinskie could have more room to connect with his receivers.  Expect him to look for WR Rich Gunnell and WR Colin Larmond Jr down the field against an average USC passing defense.

“We could not be happier with this matchup,” bowl director Gary Cavalli said. “In USC, we have one of the great brands in college football and a program that is almost always in the national championship hunt. In Boston College, we have one of the nation’s premier academic institutions and an overachieving team that overcame a lot of adversity this season.”

College Football betting trends:  Southern Cal is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games and Boston College is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games.  Also the total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston College’s last 5 games

My winning pick: USC -9

Related posts:

1. Joe McKnight’s Emerald Bowl Status
2. USC’s Emerald Bowl Outlook
3. 2006 Emerald Bowl Picks

Florida State Offense vs. West Virginia Defense: The landscape of Florida State’s offense changed dramatically when QB Christian Ponder suffered a season-ending shoulder injury a little over a month ago. The reins have been handed to super-sophomore EJ Manuel, who has been turnover prone. Manuel has completed 63.4% of his passes for 628 yards and two TDs against six picks, but he is also a duel-threat, and has rushed for 126 yards and a TD in his limited action.

FSU will hand the ball off quite a bit in the Gator Bowl, especially to RB Jermaine Thomas, who was up and down all season. After rushing for 454 yards and four scores combined against NC State, Clemson, and Wake Forest, he has only toted the rock for 65 yards and one TD since then.

West Virginia has posted solid numbers across the board this season, and save for an embarrassing 41-30 defeat against OC Gus Malzahn’s offense at Auburn, the unit has only allowed more than 24 points in one game. The unit ranks 34th in the country, allowing just 330.0 yards per game, and could thrive against FSU if it can force Manuel to make careless mistakes with the football.

West Virginia Offense vs. Florida State Defense: Ever since RB Steve Slaton and QB Pat White had their dominant years at West Virginia two years ago, things just haven’t quite seemed right with the WVU offense. RB Noel Devine came to Morgantown full of hype and potential, and though he has carried the ball for 1,294 yards and 12 TDs this year, it just doesn’t feel like the Mountaineers’ offense is as explosive as it once was.

QB Jarrett Brown, who sat behind White as the heir apparent for two seasons, has had a decent year, completing 63.5% of his passes for 2,129 yards and 11 TDs against eight picks, but his rushing totals are down by normal WVU quarterback standards, as he has only rushed for 423 yards and five TDs in ’09.

The good news for the Mountaineers is that Florida State’s defense is absolutely pathetic, and is incredibly undisciplined. DC Mickie Andrews has been trying to get his ‘D’ to play assignment football all season, but one look at the tape from games against Florida and Georgia Tech, two teams that run option-based offenses, will show just how poorly equipped this unit is to stop WVU.

Very uncharacteristically, the Noles are allowing 444.3 yards per game this year, ranking just 110th amongst the 120 teams in the land. It’s hard to see how WVU will rack up anything less than the 203.2 yards per game that the Seminoles are allowing on the ground in the Gator Bowl.

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Related posts:

1. 2006 Gator Bowl Odds
2. 2010 Sugar Bowl Odds: Cincinnati vs Florida
3. 2009-10 BCS Championship Game Preview

2008

Fiesta Bowl: Texas 24 – Ohio State 21: The Longhorns were favored by eight points in the ’08 Fiesta Bowl, and college football bettors were treated to a tremendous game. The Horns took a 17-6 lead into the fourth quarter and looked like they were set to cover the spread, but Ohio State stormed back and took a 21-17 lead with just 2:05 to play after two TDs. But QB Colt McCoy got the job done, hooking up with WR Quan Cosby for the game-winning score with just 0:16 to play. McCoy went 41/59 for 414 yards and two scores through the air and added a rushing touchdown to boot.

Sugar Bowl: Utah 31 – Alabama 17: Many thought that Alabama had the best team in the country last year, as it was the last undefeated team in major college football standing before losing to the Gators in the SEC Championship Game. However, after the 31-20 loss to Florida, a 31-17 loss to the Utes was a huge shock, especially as 9.5-point favorites.

2007

Holiday Bowl: Texas 52 – Arizona State 34: It was one of the best offensive showcases of the ’07 bowl season. RB Jamaal Charles ran for 161 yards and two scores, while McCoy ended up racking up 258 total yards of offense and two tuddies of his own. Texas jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, ultimately easily covering the one-point spread.

Independence Bowl: Alabama 30 – Colorado 24: Was this the game that really started it all for Alabama? It was sure a confidence-builder for QB John Parker Wilson, who went on to lead the Tide to their 12-0 start to last season. He went 19/32 for 256 yards and three TDs with a pick, as Bama finished up its season at 7-6, which helped set the stage for two seasons of success under HC Nick Saban.

2006

Alamo Bowl: Texas 26 – Iowa 24: Welcome to big time college football, Colt McCoy! The then freshman quarterback led the Horns to a 26-24 victory in the Alamo Bowl, as he went 26/40 for 308 yards and two TDs. Texas didn’t cover the hefty nine-point spread, but it was a day that set up the future for Longhorns football.

Independence Bowl: Oklahoma State 34 – Alabama 31: Very few of the players from that Alabama team that lost the ’06 Independence Bowl as short underdogs are still around, but one of them was a huge cog in a big comeback. DB Javier Arenas cut a 31-17 deficit in the fourth quarter in half with his 86-yard punt return for a touchdown. The super senior will be looking to break the all-time NCAA record for punt return yardage, and if he gets 172 yards against the Horns, he’ll pull off the feat.

Related posts:

1. Freese’s 2009 BCS Championship Game Picks
2. Alexander’s 2009 BCS Championship Game Picks
3. Lineback’s 2009 BCS National Championship Game Picks

Loyalty can be one of a gambler’s worst enemies. That’s why bettors should never – or at least rarely – wager on their favorite teams. They lose objectivity and are sometime blinded by their feelings about their teams.

Well, no time on the sports betting calendar puts loyalty to the test like college bowl season. This time of year I’m certain that college bowl predictions are more commonly made with the heart than with the head. In fact, I think that’s what the books are counting on.

Betting on your alma mater is rarely a good idea. I mean, I miss college as much as the next person. I miss having sex in the Syracuse University quad or puking in an alley down on Marshall Street (actually, come to think of it, I might have those backwards). But that doesn’t mean that if my Orange were playing in the Dow Chemical Humanitarian Bowl that I would drop a $100 down on them just for the sake of it. Yet, as ridiculous as that sounds, I’m sure exactly that type of “loyalty” wager fuels plenty of the action on college bowl betting.

Producing winning college bowl predictions involves a lot more than your feelings about different teams. Judging things like motivation, matchups, the true strength of teams based on their schedule and performance, travel and timing, and also trends and past performances are all key parts of making profitable college bowl predictions.

So you may not want to make a wager against Rutgers because your jerk of a brother-in-law went to school there and you want to root like hell against them in front of him. Instead, it would be more prudent to know that Rutgers has covered four straight bowl games and that Central Florida is a pathetic 13-27-1 against the spread in its last 41 nonconference games. And thinking about that girl from Alabama with the huge, um, personality that you, um, met on Spring Break shouldn’t be the foundation of your bet on the Crimson Tide to beat down Texas. Not when the team entering the game ranked No. 2 has won four straight BCS Championship Games and six of the last seven.

Now, you may be able to get away with winning a game or two betting like that. But that’s a losing strategy in the long term. Instead, I’ve listed three pretty basic things here that you should consider before making a college bowl prediction. And if you take into account these three factors I think that your odds of earning some cash this holiday season are better than your odds were of talking those campus security guys into believing that the stuff really wasn’t yours.

Motivation
The USC Trojans are accustomed to playing for national championships and in BCS bowls. Now this year they are playing in the Emerald Bowl. USC’s bowl is the day after Christmas – the same day as the big Ohio-Marshall game in the Meineke Car Care Bowl – against a ho-hum Boston College team. How ‘up’ for this game will the Trojans be? They certainly don’t want to lose in their backyard (the game is in San Francisco) but will they have enough juice (or talent, I mean, they are in the Emerald Bowl for a reason) to cover the spread as a double-digit favorite? How excited for this game will the players, fans and coaches be, and how could that impact their preparation. That is an example of gauging a team’s motivation.

Matchups
The Armed Forces Bowl will take place on Dec. 31 and pits Air Force against Houston. The Cougars spent most of the year as a potential BCS-buster and are the clear-cut favorite in this game at -4. However, I’m not sure if everyone is aware of the extreme contrast in style here. Houston is a pass-happy team that loves to throw the ball. Well, they are facing the No. 1 pass defense in the country. Air Force, on the other hand, wants to pound the ball with their option running game. Well, they are facing the No. 112 rushing defense in the league. Both of those mean a severe matchup edge for the underdog and that means value.

Line Value
Small variations in the spread shouldn’t be a determinant in your final call on whether or not to place a wager. The outright winner of a bowl game covers the spread an overwhelming majority of the time so the most important thing you can do is try to determine who you think is going to get the ‘W’ first. But it’s still important to keep an eye on line moves and find the right spot to bet in.

Middle Tennessee plays Southern Miss on Dec. 20 in the illustrious New Orleans Bowl. Southern Miss opened as a 6.0-point favorite but that line has since been bet down to just -3.5. If you had liked MTSU clearly the best time to get on them would have been right when the number came out or when you first saw it moving. But now if you think that Southern Miss is the play it may be better to wait to see if you can get the Eagles at 3.0 because that is an important number in football betting. Again, pick the winners first. But make sure to get the top line value that you can when you make your plays.

Those are three basic tips that you can use to objectively handicap any game this season. And that way when you’re laying your money out your college bowl predictions will give you a chance to stay loyal to the one thing impacted the most by the outcome – your bankroll!

Related posts:

1. 2009 Outback Bowl Predictions
2. 2009 College Bowl Early Look
3. 2009 College Football Playoff Projections

As 2008 draws to a close, we find ourselves smack in the middle of the bowls. You shouldn’t be bowled-out with bowl picks, either, as the bowls slowly build to the crescendo that is the Texas/Alabama showdown.

Poinsettia Bowl (Wed., Dec. 23): Utah (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) Coach Kyle Whittingham has another balanced, strong team, averaging 29 points, 157 yards rushing and 220 passing. Who’s behind center? Junior QB Terrance Cain (11 TDs, 5 INTs) started the first 7 games but Whittingham replaced him with freshman QB Jordan Wynn (5 TDs, 3 INTs) the last four games.

Despite eight wins, Cal (8-4 SU/4-7 ATS) has been as unpredictable as any team in the country. The offense has talent, with QB Kevin Riley (17 TDs, 6 INTs), averaging 29 points and 175 yards rushing, 223 passing behind RB Shane Vereen (830 yards) and junior RB Jahvid Best (867, 6.1 yards per carry). The Bears own a 5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS bowl record under Jeff Tedford, including last year’s 24-17 win over Miami in the Emerald Bowl as 10-point chalk.

Hawaii Bowl (Thurs., Dec. 24): Aloha! There is no Hawaii, for a change, but SMU Coach June Jones returns to the stadium he helped put on the map. The real story is the Nevada ground game. If you haven’t seen this incredible Wolf Pack rushing attack, tune in because it is something special. (Follow Jim on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JimFeistSports).

Nevada (8-4 SU/6-6 ATS) is on an 8-1 SU/6-3 ATS run. Coach Chris Ault runs the “Pistol” offense with junior QB Colin Kaepernick (19 TDs, 5 INTs, 1,160 yards rushing, 7.8 ypc), junior RB Vai Taua (1,345 yards, 7.8 ypc) and senior RB Luke Lippincott (1,034 yards, 7.7 ypc). Yes, you read those numbers right – a trio of 1,000 yards rushers, each averaging over 7.7 yards per carry! This ground offense is something to behold, averaging 40 points and 362 yards rushing per game. They will run, while SMU (7-5) throws all the time, averaging 28 points and 267 yards passing.

Car Care Bowl (Sat., Dec. 26): Why isn’t the Care Car Bowl in Detroit? Regardless, a pair of dynamite defenses and former NFL coaches meet as Pitt takes on North Carolina. Pitt has a balanced offense with senior QB Bill Stull (21 TDs, 8 INTs) and Freshman of the Year RB Dion Lewis (1,640 yards, 5.5 ypc), while the defense has a great pass rush with Mick Williams and Greg Romeus, Co-Defensive Players of the Year. They come into this one on a two-game skid, including a loss to Cincinnati, 45-44, for the Big East Championship, blowing a 31-17 halftime lead. Dave Wannstedt called it “a heartbreaking loss.”

North Carolina (8-4 SU, 6-4 ATS) has a shaky offense but a solid defense, led by junior QB T.J. Yates (12 TDs, 14 picks). Coach Butch Davis simplified the offense down the stretch with a line battered by injuries. Carolina had the ACC’s top defense and ranks sixth in the country, allowing just 267.8 yards per game. The Tar Heels have won five straight over ranked teams dating back to last season.

Music City Bowl (Sun., Dec. 27): Kentucky (7-5 SU/6-5 ATS) had all kinds of injury problems, but persevered under Coach Rich Brooks making a bowl. They were an underdog to Auburn and Georgia and won both convincingly. Kentucky lost their starting QB, as Mike Hartline (6 TDs, 7 picks) has a serious left knee injury, so freshman Morgan Newton (5 TDs, 3 picks) has taken over as the starter.

The offense is run-first and averages 27 points and 193 yards rushing behind junior RB Derrick Locke (843 yds) and Randall Cobb (537, 6.4 ypc). Hartline could participate in some practice drills and may be available. They still have one of the SEC’s worst defenses against the run, something Clemson will attack with RB C.J. Spiller (1,145 yds, 5.7 ypc). Clemson (8-5 SU/7-5 ATS) caught fire under relatively new coach Dabo Swinney, riding a 6-0 SU, 4-1 ATS midseason run, then fell flat the last two games, losing 34-17 at South Carolina and 39-34 to Georgia Tech in the ACC title game. For those focused on college football picks and totals, note that Clemson is on a 5-0 run over the total.

Independence Bowl (Mon., Dec. 28): Texas A&M (6-6 SU/ATS) Coach Mike Sherman has a strong offense behind junior QB Jerrod Johnson (28 TDs, 6 picks), who ran for 455 yards, freshman WR Uzoma Nwachukwu (670 yards) along with freshman RB Christine Michael (767 yds, 5.1 ypc) and soph RB Cyrus Gray (752 yds). This offense is smoking, averaging 34 points, 190 yards rushing and 274 passing. The defense is terrible, giving up 32.7 ppg. They are 8-4 over the total.

Georgia (7-5 SU/4-7 ATS) had an up and down season, with a shaky offense under senior QB Joe Cox (22 TDs, 14 picks). That’s a lot of picks with a talented playmaker like 6-foot-4 sophomore WR A.J. Green (751 yds) to work with. Green, the SEC’s leading receiver, has a sprained left shoulder and didn’t play in the last two games. He is questionable for this game. More college football picks tidbits: The Bulldogs are 3-0 SU/ATS the last three years in bowls.

Related posts:

1. 2009 College Bowl Previews: December 23rd-28th
2. 2009 College Bowl Early Look
3. Feist’s College Bowl Picks

Here is some basic info for the College Football Bowl Season. One of the best practices in sports betting is to simply take quality teams when they are underdogs, as they not only have a chance to win the game outright, but they can also stay within the point spread if their efforts come up a bit short.

The college football bowl season is no exception to the rule, and those simply taking all underdogs of six or more points the last five years would have won 98 games and lost 75. That’s a 56.6 winning percentage, which will put money in your pocket.

Underdogs of 10 or more points were a solid 14-8 (63.6 percent) against the spread over the past five seasons, so the larger underdogs have performed even better especially prior to New Years Day.

For a method that’s so simple, the results are pretty good. Those of you who like plenty of action during the bowl season should look to play all the underdogs of 6 or more points, while those of you who like to limit the number of games you wager on will probably be more apt to look for the 10 point or more underdogs. As always good luck and be a winner! TonyK

No related posts.

Poinsettia Bowl (Wed., Dec. 23): Utah (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) Coach Kyle Whittingham has another balanced, strong team, averaging 29 points, 157 yards rushing and 220 passing. Who’s behind center? Junior QB Terrance Cain (11 TDs, 5 INTs) started the first 7 games but Whittingham replaced him with freshman QB Jordan Wynn (5 TDs, 3 INTs) the last four games.

Despite eight wins, Cal (8-4 SU/4-7 ATS) has been as unpredictable as any team in the country. The offense has talent, with QB Kevin Riley (17 TDs, 6 INTs), averaging 29 points and 175 yards rushing, 223 passing behind RB Shane Vereen (830 yards) and junior RB Jahvid Best (867, 6.1 yards per carry). The Bears own a 5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS bowl record under Jeff Tedford, including last year’s 24-17 win over Miami in the Emerald Bowl as 10-point chalk.

Hawaii Bowl (Thurs., Dec. 24): Aloha! There is no Hawaii, for a change, but SMU Coach June Jones returns to the stadium he helped put on the map. The real story is the Nevada ground game. If you haven’t seen this incredible Wolf Pack rushing attack, tune in because it is something special.

Nevada (8-4 SU/6-6 ATS) is on an 8-1 SU/6-3 ATS run. Coach Chris Ault runs the “Pistol” offense with junior QB Colin Kaepernick (19 TDs, 5 INTs, 1,160 yards rushing, 7.8 ypc), junior RB Vai Taua (1,345 yards, 7.8 ypc) and senior RB Luke Lippincott (1,034 yards, 7.7 ypc). Yes, you read those numbers right – a trio of 1,000 yards rushers, each averaging over 7.7 yards per carry! This ground offense is something to behold, averaging 40 points and 362 yards rushing per game. They will run, while SMU (7-5) throws all the time, averaging 28 points and 267 yards passing.

Car Care Bowl (Sat., Dec. 26): Why isn’t the Care Car Bowl in Detroit? Regardless, a pair of dynamite defenses and former NFL coaches meet as Pitt takes on North Carolina. Pitt has a balanced offense with senior QB Bill Stull (21 TDs, 8 INTs) and Freshman of the Year RB Dion Lewis (1,640 yards, 5.5 ypc), while the defense has a great pass rush with Mick Williams and Greg Romeus, Co-Defensive Players of the Year. They come into this one on a two-game skid, including a loss to Cincinnati, 45-44, for the Big East Championship, blowing a 31-17 halftime lead. Dave Wannstedt called it “a heartbreaking loss.”

North Carolina (8-4 SU, 6-4 ATS) has a shaky offense but a solid defense, led by junior QB T.J. Yates (12 TDs, 14 picks). Coach Butch Davis simplified the offense down the stretch with a line battered by injuries. Carolina had the ACC’s top defense and ranks sixth in the country, allowing just 267.8 yards per game. The Tar Heels have won five straight over ranked teams dating back to last season.

Music City Bowl (Sun., Dec. 27): Kentucky (7-5 SU/6-5 ATS) had all kinds of injury problems, but persevered under Coach Rich Brooks making a bowl. They were an underdog to Auburn and Georgia and won both convincingly. Kentucky lost their starting QB, as Mike Hartline (6 TDs, 7 picks) has a serious left knee injury, so freshman Morgan Newton (5 TDs, 3 picks) has taken over as the starter.

The offense is run-first and averages 27 points and 193 yards rushing behind junior RB Derrick Locke (843 yds) and Randall Cobb (537, 6.4 ypc). Hartline could participate in some practice drills and may be available. They still have one of the SEC’s worst defenses against the run, something Clemson will attack with RB C.J. Spiller (1,145 yds, 5.7 ypc). Clemson (8-5 SU/7-5 ATS) caught fire under relatively new coach Dabo Swinney, riding a 6-0 SU, 4-1 ATS midseason run, then fell flat the last two games, losing 34-17 at South Carolina and 39-34 to Georgia Tech in the ACC title game. For those focused on college football picks and totals, note that Clemson is on a 5-0 run over the total.

Independence Bowl (Mon., Dec. 28): Texas A&M (6-6 SU/ATS) Coach Mike Sherman has a strong offense behind junior QB Jerrod Johnson (28 TDs, 6 picks), who ran for 455 yards, freshman WR Uzoma Nwachukwu (670 yards) along with freshman RB Christine Michael (767 yds, 5.1 ypc) and soph RB Cyrus Gray (752 yds). This offense is smoking, averaging 34 points, 190 yards rushing and 274 passing. The defense is terrible, giving up 32.7 ppg. They are 8-4 over the total.

Georgia (7-5 SU/4-7 ATS) had an up and down season, with a shaky offense under senior QB Joe Cox (22 TDs, 14 picks). That’s a lot of picks with a talented playmaker like 6-foot-4 sophomore WR A.J. Green (751 yds) to work with. Green, the SEC’s leading receiver, has a sprained left shoulder and didn’t play in the last two games. He is questionable for this game. More college football picks tidbits: The Bulldogs are 3-0 SU/ATS the last three years in bowls.

Related posts:

1. Feist’s Early Bowl Previews
2. Feist’s College Bowl Picks
3. Doc’s 2009 College Bowl Predictions