The college mediocre bowl games start this week and we will take a little look plus make some plays. The NFL winds down as some teams juggle for a playoff berth while others are done, and some very well done.
It seemed everyone was asking me about my opinion on the Browns/Cincy game. All I can say is it was an easy win for the pocket and the books. The game opened Cincy as the favorite and shifted to the Browns -2. Myself, and the Vegas books, loved it.
As for Johnny Football, he will have another day, look out CFL here he comes!
The NFL is looking into adding two more teams to the playoff picture in the near future. I say do it like the NHL and let everyone go at it, or almost everyone, but that will not happen. It would be way too many games for the players and their union would not stand for it unless the $$$ was right.
Nuff said, let’s head into the college bowl season and take a glance.
Saturday, Dec. 20
New Orleans Bowl
Nevada +1 vs. UL Lafayette (61): Nevada (7-5) opened the favorite but the early money has come on Lafayette (8-4) with the thinking they will have the crowd on their side. Maybe they will but the fact is the Wolf Pack has a nice following and have played a much stronger schedule than their Sun Belt foe. They were competitive vs. Arizona on the road, losing by just 7, and in the game all the way with Colorado State who is also “bowling” today. UNR beat BYU who is bowling on Monday and played several other teams that will be in bowls. Lafayette did play Ole Miss, losing by 40, and Boise, losing by 25. Nevada lost to Boise but only by 5 (51-46). NEVADA +1.
New Mexico Bowl
Albuquerque, NM
UTEP +10 vs. Utah St. (49): The 7-5 C-USA Miners hook up with 9-4 Aggies from the MWC who played a 13-game season. The Aggies can play some defense with the exception of their last game at Boise when overwhelmed 50-19 as a 10-point dog. Tennessee, opening week, was the only other team to score more than 25 against them. Both teams beat New Mexico by a TD, the only common foe. Hard laying the 10 but do think we can bet the total. UNDER 49.
Las Vegas Bowl
Sam Boyd Stadium
Utah -4.5 vs. Colorado St. (58): Nice game for Vegas and the ABC crew comes in for the coverage as we get 8-4 PAC 12 Utes playing 10-2 MWC Rams who enjoyed a great season, only losing to Boise by 13 and Air Force in their last game of the regular season by 3 as a 7.5 point favorite. The Utes played a monster schedule with a win over Stanford on the road and narrow losses at UCLA and Arizona State. Utah lost to Oregon by 24 but really played hard. Strength of schedule points to the favorite. UTAH -4.5.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Boise, Idaho
W. Michigan -1.5 vs. Air Force (57.5): They play the mashed potato bowl on the blue carpet as we get the 8-4 MAC West Broncos from Kalamazoo, Michigan, facing the 9-3 Falcons from MW. This is a good matchup as the betting line indicates. The Falcons own wins over Boise State, 28-14, Nevada, 45-38, and beat Colorado State in their last game, 27-24, when getting 7.5. No such teams on the Broncos schedule and Air Force has played on the blue in the past. AIR FORCE +1.5.
Camellia Bowl
Montgomery, Ala.
S. Alabama -2.5 vs. Bowling Green (54): I would be willing to wager there will be more fans at Sam Boyd than at the Crampton Bowl. Any takers? We do get another Falcons in this contest as we have Bowling Green from the MAC East who went 7-6 losing their last three games. The last two were by scores of 41-24 and 51-17. BG has been in three bowls since 2009, going 0-3 SU and ATS. The 6-6 Sun Belt Jaguars from Mobile will have the South on their side. The Jags lost 4 of their last 5 yet are in their first bowl. They may have something to prove and those last two games came against South Carolina and Navy – both good enough to beat the Green. S. ALABAMA -2.5.
Monday, Dec. 22
Miami Beach Bowl
BYU +1 vs. Memphis (57): This will be a nice vacation for the fans and boosters as we get Independent 8-4 BYU playing AAC 9-3 Memphis who had a break out season winning their last six. No past bowls for some time for the Tigers but the Cougars are regular bowlers, winning and covering 4 of the last 5 years. Memphis may be in a party mood down in sunny Miami while the Mormons from Provo will be all business. BYU +1.
Last week: No selections
Season: 58-45-1
Can you believe I had a winning record in the NFL this past week! Well I’m pumped and want to build on that winning week.
NFL Sunday
Lions -4.5 at Bears: The Bearsgot stuffed on Turkey Day by the Lions, 34-17. Detroit will feeling the heat of a possible division title, while Chicago will be loose as a wild goose. We believe the Bears get some revenge. BEARS +4.5.
Falcons +6.5 at Saints: Payback is in the air as the Saints will get it from opening day loss in Atlanta when the Falcons won, 37-34. This one looks easy as New Orleans avoids getting beat for the fifth straight time at home. SAINTS -6.5.
Patriots -10 at Jets: In the first meeting in New England the Pats held on to win, 27-25, as a 9.5 point favorite. Well they are -10 on the road and have clinched their division. We have the Jets in a mood where they would love to beat the AFC East rival Patriots. JETS.
Seahawks -7 at Cards (37.5): The lowest total of the year as we get two big time defenses. The first meeting in Seattle was won by the Seahawks, 19-3. The only shot the Cards have is to shut out the Seahawks, but we must take the points. The winner just may come by way of a field goal. CARDS +7.
Last week: 3-2
Season: 13-14
Have a great week and remember to make a bet everyday as you just may be walking around lucky and not even know it.
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].