The "Occasional" Bowl Game Thread

[Chadman]

Playing it by ear this season with less time to cap than I would like heading into it. So, we will play a few and see how it goes.

I do like tonight's game quite a bit. Have seen a lot of support for Navy getting the points, but I see better players on both sides of the ball in Utah, inclusive of size upfront - which can be the deciding factor in bowl games. I think offensively the Utes (did you say "Two Utes?") will be able to move the ball on the ground very effectively between the tackles, and this will allow some spread passing to work well. Essentially, I think their offense will keep the rushing "O" of Navy at bay for periods of time. Hopefully the talent on defense for Utah will help slow down the rushing some, and I think their athletes will defend the occasional Midshipman pass well.

I love the Utah kicker, and think he will help a lot. I don't like the spread as much, going to play it safe and buy a point to get it under 7.

Taking Utah -6.5 (-1.70) for 2 units.

Good luck to all this bowl and holiday season.

 

[Chadman]

Bad start, this one was pretty frustrating. Can't believe both Utah safeties sell out on the run with a little over a minute left and let a receiver blow deep down the middle and score like that - but, such is the fun of backing the fav.

0-1 -2.00

 

[AR182]

chad..

good luck this holiday season...& happy holidays to you & yours..

 

[Chadman]

Thanks a lot, AR - to you and yours as well. Good luck to you if you are tossing any money at the bowls - I know you said you were spending time and money in other areas - which is a worthy thing as well, I'm sure. After last night, I guess I should be...:SIB

 

[Chadman]

FAU -3.5 (Ouch) over Memphis for 1.5 Units

Although I bought in later than I should have, and jumped on the bandwagon, I will back FAU to simply outscore the Tigers in this one. I like the double scoring possibility of FAU, both offensively and defensively with their opportunistic turnover creation history this season. Took a half unit off my planned wager due to the spread moving against me over the FG number.

I do expect Memphis to score quite a bit, but I decided to back FAU instead of taking the over, as a turnover or two could hold down the Tigers. I also think that having a bad FG kicker on both teams will either mean missed field goals, or teams trying for 4th down conversions when they probably would not normally. A couple failed long drives could kill an over bid.

Good luck to all, and I'll see ya when I see ya this weekend.

 

[Cie]

Chad...I hope you have beter luck tonight than last. Wow, what a tough beat that was. All the best to you this holiday, and bowl, season:weed:

 

[Chadman]

Bowls to date: 1-1 -.5 Units

Absolutely love the way this Motor City Bowl game is setting up. For the life of me, I cannot fathom putting faith in CMU in this scenario. Much has been made of Purdue not caring about this game, but I can't think of any bowl game (or any game, really) Purdue has been a part of under Tiller that they didn't put forth a good effort. Plenty of time for them to be squarely focused on this bowl game...after the off-season they have had, this will be a highlight of sorts, and I anticipate them coming out strong. They know they can - and have - dominated CMU, and I see nothing to show anything different here. Purdue should simply own the line of scrimmage, and I'll take my chances that they will perform at a good level tonight. Not overthinking this one. I love the support being given to CMU...helps me stick with the obvious (to me) selection.

Purdue -7.5 for 2*

 

[Chadman]

Not sure why I'm even adding anything to this thread...seems the few games I've touched have been nothing but frustrating. So, I'll add to that magic with the most up in the air matchup of all today, and go with the really screwed up squad, to boot...:142smilie

Bowel Record...1-2 -2.5*

Taking the points with Florida State. I just can't buy in to this Kentucky squad the way they came down the stretch. Of course, FSU is no bargain, either, but I just have a feeling that they will be strangely up for this contest. I have to think athletically that their backups should be pretty good footbally players, and the young ones will use this as an audition. If the defensive backs can stick with the receivers, and the linebackers can contain and pressure Woodson, I think they can keep it close.

Some games, you just have to look at the team names, the spread, and say, that just doesn't feel right. This is one of those for me.

Florida State +8 for 1.5*

Good luck and have a great New Years. Can't get a feel for the other games tonight, right now. We'll see. Do like a couple tomorrow.

 

[Chadman]

Very happy to update this thread, and get back close to even. One comment on the FSU cover...I personally feel the touchdown call to get the cover was correct. I think the receiver had enough control of the ball with his hand, with one foot inbounds, to overturn the field ruling. I also can see the on-field official calling it the way he did. A good example of the review process working as intended.

Preparing to cut loose a bit tomorrow, when I can actually think, sit and watch.

Bowl season to date: 2-2, -1.0

All we hope to do is come out above water, right? :shrug:

Hey, let's get some money on the big day, eh?

Cie...thanks for the nice wishes, sorry to have missed that before. Same to you, brother.

 

[Chadman]

A tad late with this one, could not get on - maybe some server issues - too many drunken gamblers hitting the place early? I can remember the early days of trying to run one of these forums, having a free contest or two, and since we went on the cheap with the web host, our site went down early and often on New Years Day...oh those were the days.

At any rate, I got down on the Wisky/Tenn over 56.5 for 1/2* on the early one.

In probably my biggest play of the day, despite how I respect McFadden and the Razorbacks rushing attack, and the way they played in the SEC, I have to back Missouri in this spot. I love Chase Daniel and think that he will not make the mistakes that it will take to get them off their plan. Signing Pinkel to a longer term contract was fantastic, and the game being in a Big-12 area nearly in Arkansas country will make the Tiger coaching staff realize how important this is from a recruiting perspective.

I generally like to lean towards a team in distress after line moves against them, but I think with coaching unrest, along with the very recent McFadden snafu - compared to the focused situation on the other side of the field - will bring some miscues for the Hogs.

I really like Mizzou today. Think they'll show what a strong team they actually have, behind a fantastic QB, playing back in Texas.

Mizzou -3 (-1.25 - bought the hook) for 3*

Not sure I can stomach more than a few minutes of Summerall, but may have to. Maybe he's not too drunk since it's before noon? :shrug:

 

[Toledo Prophet]

Good luck, Chad. Glad to see you back to even after those eaarly tough beats.

Over my way, we had quite a conversation about the FSU catch and the spread implications. Glad it was a catch for you.

On Mizz as well, and was late posting the wisco-tenn play as well.....thought it was my computer server, but sounds like the site was just slow this morning.

Good Luck today, and Happy New Year.

 

[Chadman]

Will check out that TD thread later, Prophet. Figured that would bring out some whiners...lol. Happy New Year to you.

Taking Michigan +11 for 1.5*.

I like the thought of Hart and Henne back for Michigan, which should bring some of the swagger back for them. I love how tough Hart is, and I think this will motivate the OL. The size and talent of Manningham will come into play if Hart can move the ball on the ground a time or two, and I expect at least a long TD or two today to the wideouts.

I also expect Michigan to focus on Tebow, and force other Gators to step up. I don't expect him to run wild, and think the Wolverines should be able to stick close to Florida defensively.

Not expecting a win, but look for the returning stars of Michigan to give the team a big boost today.

 

[Chadman]

Having a hard time picking a side in the Rose Bowl, so I will go with:

USC/ILL Over 50 for 1*

I think Illinois has enough talent at skill positions to score with the Trojans, who should put some points on the board. I can see either team covering their spreads here, so will just root for scores, and the SC cheerleaders to jump up and down a lot.

 

[Chadman]

Will fill out the card by backing Georgia in what I consider to be an overall superior squad. Too much power from a team who is playing well to end the year.

Hoping for a strong finish to a good day.

Georgia -7.5 2*

 

[Chadman]

Total: 5-3, +3.25*

Today: 3-1, +4.25*

Pending Georgia tonight. Very happy with today. Wish I could have been more active this season, but just too busy...have enjoyed getting back in the mix in my favorite time of year to wager.

Good luck in all your remaining games, fellas.

 

[Chadman]

Bowls: 6-3, +5.25*

Oklahoma -7.5 for 3*

Really nice day yesterday, heading into my second favorite game of the bowls tonight. I am backing Oklahoma for a host of reasons against what I think will be an overmatched West Virginia team.

There are so many reasons to favor Oklahoma here in my opinion. Offensively, they should control the line of scrimmage with their huge offensive line, and West Va. is not very big upfront, either. Running the ball should not be an issue because of this, and West Va may have to try some things to offset this imbalance. If they do pull up help to slow the run, then Bradford certainly has shown the accuracy to hit open receivers downfield. This is not a unique perspective, but I think it is the biggest reason Oklahoma will have no trouble scoring a lot of points. And if they get ahead, they should be able to control the game pretty well. Bradford is a difference maker, and should have a nice game in this matchup.

West Virginia faces a daunting task in trying to maintain it's own offensive prowess - the run - against an excellent Sooner rush defense. I can't see the Mountaineers controlling the ball extensively, and it will only take a couple of uncompleted drives early to get them behind. And I just don't think they strike me as an accomplished come from hehind team, needing the run to be successful.

To top off the unfavorable matchups, the Mountaineers play this game without their very good head coach who was watching the Michigan game yesterday. That just cannot help them maintain the same kind of performance level, let alone in-game adjustments of which there could be many. I can just see this getting out of hand.

Looks like a clear side advantage in Oklahoma tonight, and I won't try to reason against it. Sticking with a solid looking favorite in hoping to continue a late bowl run.

 

[Chadman]

Bowls: 6-4, +2.25*

Was so far off in last night's game that I've lost a little love for the remaining games. I do have a lot of hope for KU tonight, but I don't think they match up all that well against Va Tech. I think the corners of Tech will cause more problems than the KU QB is used to, and I love the Tech special teams edge, especially going against KU's poor kicker, who was terrible in his most recent games.

Looking for the Tech defense and special teams to keep the Jayhawks in check tonight, and cover the number. Wish I would have jumped in sooner, but too busy today...hope the hook doesn't get me.

Virginia Tech -3.5 for 1.25*

Good luck tonight. Not gonna blab as much as last night...ate some of Jack's posted crow in the other thread...should not argue with a guy named Wise...:SIB

 

[Chadman]

Headed back south at the end of the bowls...my spotty watching of some of the teams this year is catching up with me. Down to this:

6-5 +1.00*

I will play the game tonight for a chicken-hearted one unit, so I can at least break even for the bowls. Knowing a couple of early tough beats has kept my number down, that's ok with me at this point.

I can find reasons to back either team in this one. A couple things stand out to me besides getting points with a very good defensive Buckeye team.

First, I think James Laurinaitis will end up making a difference at some point in the game with a big play or two. The kid just knows what to do on the football field, and I think he will do something special on this stage. Rooting for him to come up big - he deserves this stage for all his hard work.

Second, I will take Jim Tressel over Les Miles any day of the week during an in-game matchup scenario. Add to that the Miles/Michigan stuff during preps for this game, and compare that to a focused, prepared Buckeye team under the direction of (IMO) the best coach in the country, and I will take the points.

Wouldn't surprise me to see either team win convincingly, but I like Ohio State to cover the number.

1* Ohio State +4

Good luck, and enjoy the game wherever you are!