Happy New Year and a very healthy and prosperous 2019.
If you make a resolution, please try and keep it, especially if it concerns family and friends.
As for my New Year resolution, well I don’t make one. I just have never been able to keep one, so why kid myself?
We have five college bowl games to deal with, we will be looking to start the new year as a winner.
Outback Bowl – Iowa (+7) vs. Mississippi State: The Big Ten has been doing very well so far in the Bowl games. This really looks like it will be a real battle defensively. Mississippi State ranked No. 1, in scoring defense, allowing just 12 PPG and No. 3 in total defense.
Iowa has done good work also on defense being ranked No. 11 in scoring D, giving up 17.4 PPG. The key here is we think that coach Kirk Ferentz will out-coach first-year head coach Joe Morehead in a low-scoring game a turnover or call will decide who wins. But as for an ATS win we will take the points. IOWA
Citrus Bowl – Kentucky vs. Penn State (-6): We will just keep stringing along with the Big Ten and lay the points. Kentucky started fast but ended the regular season going just 2-5 ATS.
Kentucky will try and control this game on the ground but if they get behind early it will be lights out and Penn State with QB McSorley tossing the ball will look to surge out to an early lead and the Nittany Lions own a great bowl record. PENN STATE
Fiesta Bowl – LSU (-7) vs. Central Florida: UCF has not faced a defense like LSU and their backup QB has never been in this kind of game. However, UCF has won 25 straight games. But all good things must come to an end.
LSU has been very good all year playing the much stronger schedule, Yes, they will be missing a few players, two with injuries and Greedy Williams, aptly named, opted to pass playing in this game for fear of an injury that could cost them millions in the NFL draft.
LSU does have some top guys coming in. I just don’t see UCF scoring much here. LSU
Rose Bowl – Washington vs. Ohio State (-6.5): Urban “The legend” Meyer says this will be his last game. After that statement came out this game moved from -4.5 to -6.5. Even if his team will be all-out to win one for the “Gipper” we still would have been all over the Buckeyes in this spot.
Meyer in his coaching career has gone a perfect 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS vs the Pac-12 and the Pac- 12 has just been a money losing 2-14 ATS in bowl games the last two years.
In a fitting end to a great career, the Buckeyes send him out a winner as he has always been. OHIO STATE
Sugar Bowl – Texas (+13) vs. Georgia:
Georgia could have been in the BCS round of games. They appeared to have Alabama on the ropes, but the rope broke and now instead of playing for all the marbles they are a two-TD favorite vs. a team they could overlook,
How can they get up for this game vs. Texas which was 9-4 on the season, barely beating Kansas. The Longhorns proved they can play when beating Oklahoma in a wild game 48-45 when getting seven points.
We will be gambling that the Bulldogs will be flat. TEXAS
Last week: 4-2
Season: 46-51-1