Friday Bowls

[Smitty]

Military Bowl

gotta post this one now.

marshall (-2.5) 2 units. I'm usually on the wrong end of Maryland games, so tread lightly. but I actually like marshall coming off the loss and getting another crack at an acc team. I think that gives them the motivational edge in this game.

I have to keep this brief, so i'll stick with the basics. marshall has the better offense (duh). and the better qb (duh). but I think the difference in this game is going to be the marshall defense. did I really just type that? they only allow 3.7 yards/carry, which is solid. and if they can get a lead and force Maryland to throw the ball, I love the herd's chances to get a solid win.

under (62.5) 1 unit. I think both defenses will make enough plays to keep this one under the total.

i'll post the other 2 games Friday afternoon.

 

[Smitty]

Texas Bowl

Texas Bowl

just got home.... i'll start watching the first game in a few minutes. hopefully marshall is putting the finishing touches on a nice win.

Syracuse (+3.5) 2 units. tough one here. Minnesota had a very, very good year. Syracuse is mediocre at best. I don't see any reason for the gophers to lay an egg today. and yet, I'm showing 69% on Minnesota, and the line is dropping. makes no sense whatsoever, so I'm playing the orange.

one thing that scares me a little... Minnesota was underrated by the linesmakers all season. I remember at least a few games (especially Indiana and penn st) when the line was BEGGING you to bet minnesota. and yet the gophers covered their last 6 games.

ok, here's the only thing I can find that makes it logical to bet 'cuse - their run defense is better than Minnesota's. at least statistically. whether or not that's a factor of playing weaker run offenses is another story.

over (48) 2 units. here's where I'm really leaving the reservation. neither team has much offense... both teams are run-first.... and yet the total is inching up. talk about making no sense. so I gotta jump on the over.

i'll be back in a while for the late game. right now, I'm not loving much in that game.

time to pop open a beer and watch the early game.

 

[Smitty]

Fight Hunger with Kraft Bowl

Fight Hunger with Kraft Bowl

byu (+4.5) 2 units. I don't like the line movement, but I'm sticking with the cougars. keith price is just too inconsistent and byu has won 4 straight bowl games.

I really thought this would be the breakout season for Washington, but once again they just couldn't beat the best teams in the conference. here's a list of the teams Washington beat this year:

boise
Illinois
Idaho st
Arizona
cal
Colorado
Oregon st
Washington st

sure, a couple of ok bowl teams, but no really big win. I think byu will be the more motivated team and, as I usually do, I think their defense will be the difference. kyle van noy should remind us why he's one of the best linebackers in the country.

under (65) 2 units. this will be the best or 2nd-best defense Washington will face all year. I expect price to make a few mistakes. on the other side of the ball, byu's offense is very inconsistent. hill is a good runner, but if he has to throw the ball, byu is in trouble.