I love this time of year, mostly for the movies and the songs.
I love watching my favorite Christmas movies, “Miracle on 34th Street,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” both a must-watch in black-and-white.
But my favorite Christmas movie is “White Christmas” in color, featuring some of the most beautiful outfits in any movie. I love the songs in White Christmas, with my favorite being “Count Your Blessings” as it has a line in there I really love. Bing Crosby is singing to Rosemary Clooney, he sings, “When your bankroll is getting small, I think about when I had nothing at all.”
Let us all count our blessing this holiday season and I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas.
We have been blessed to have gotten off to a strong start to the college bowl season. Through the first two weeks, we have gone 7-1 with our selections in Gaming Today. And now that the brunt of the bowls is upon us, we’re hoping to give you some winners to help pay off those credit card bills.
Thursday
Pinstripe Bowl – Miami Florida vs Wisconsin (+3): Both teams came into this year with high expectations. In fact, Wisconsin was the choice to win the Big Ten. The Hurricanes have been a huge ATS money-burner in bowl games of late, going 0-5 ATS when favored. Coaching makes the difference in games like this and we love Paul Chryst in this situation. The Big Ten has gone 5-0 SU and ATS vs. the ACC since 2009 and the Badgers have won their last four bowl games. WISCONSIN
Friday
Music City Bowl – Auburn vs. Purdue (+4): Staying in a Big Ten frame of mind, we really believe that Purdue is so excited to be in the Music City Bowl in this, their second bowl game in two years. Purdue has an offense that can score, just ask the Ohio State Buckeyes. And we also note that Auburn has gone 0-3 in their last three games as a chalk vs. a Big Ten team. Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm has gone 4-0 SU in bowl games. PURDUE
Camping World Bowl – Syracuse (-1) vs. West Virginia: WVU had sugar plums in their eyes at one point, thinking BCS. But all that is gone and it will be QB Will Grier who will not play, fearing an injury that will stop him from getting his big NFL payday. Syracuse almost took down mighty Clemson, and we see the Orange getting the win in this spot vs. a dejected WVU team. SYRACUSE
Alamo Bowl – Iowa State (+3.5) vs. Washington State: The Cyclones have had a great year, playing Oklahoma very tough in a 37-27 loss, beating WVU and finishing with a strong win over Kansas State. Wazzu head coach Mike Leach has gone 1-7 ATS in his last eight bowl games. This is a take all the way with the ‘dog. IOWA STATE
Saturday
Cotton Bowl – Notre Dame (+13) vs. Clemson: So we get the top four college football teams in the land and there is a 27-point difference? It just can’t be that easy, can it?
The national playoff semifinals starts off with undefeated Notre Dame with plenty of supporters in the stands getting 13 points from undefeated Clemson. The Tigers opened up at -11 and have been bet up to this line.
On the surface, Clemson wins this game. But by more than two touchdowns? We say take the points and get out those beads.
The Irish have been the’ dog just one time this year and that was when they were getting a field goal from Michigan, which they beat 24-17. NOTRE DAME
Orange Bowl – Oklahoma (+14) vs. Alabama: This game has not moved a pimple as of press time, opening at -14 and staying right on the number.
The Sooners have a defense like butter, so who would even bet them vs. the likes of the Crimson Tide who not only have a great defense but should able to score at will.
Well not so fast. The last time Oklahoma was getting points was in the 2013 Sugar Bowl and it was against Alabama and they were getting +15 points. Final score: Oklahoma 45, ‘Bama 31. We have two top QB’s in this game and it will be a fun game to watch. So we will be taking the points. OKLAHOMA
Last week: 7-1
Season: 42-49-1