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NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up
Bowl Season
Thursday’s games
Sports Bowl (@ Detroit)
Pitt (-7) vs Toledo
Pittsburgh (7-5)
Pitt lost its last five games, after a 7-0 start.
Four of their seven wins were by 10+ points.
Panthers scored 28+ points in six of their seven wins.
Panthers have 9 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Panthers have 58 returning starts on the offensive line.
Frosh QB Holstein has 2,228 passing yards, with 17 TD’s, 7 INTs, but he’s been banned up recently.
Pitt is 3-2 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Narduzzi, Pitt is 32-29-3 ATS as a favorite
Last three games, Panthers were held to 62.7 rushing yards/game.
Last five games, Pitt was minus-8 in turnovers.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Pitt is 2-3 SU in last five bowls (underdogs 4-1 ATS)
Toledo (7-5)
Toledo lost its last two games, scoring 7-14 points.
Rockets are 6-1 giving up less than 24 points.
Three of their last four losses were by 15+ points.
Toledo has 4 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Rockets had no returning starts on OL (added 3 transfers).
Junior QB Gleason started two games LY.
Toledo is 2-0 ATS as an underdog this year.
Rockets are 5-1 ATS last six games as an underdog.
Rockets are 7-9 ATS in last 16 non-conference games.
Toledo is +8 in turnovers in wins, minus-8 in losses.
Under is 3-0 in their last three games.
Toledo is 1-4 SU/ATS in its last five bowls.
Since 2015, MAC teams are 1-5 SU in this bowl.
Last nine years, favorites are 5-4 ATS in this bowl
Rate Bowl (@ Phoenix, AZ)
Rutgers vs Kansas State (-7)
Rutgers (7-5)
Rutgers won three of last four games, scoring 32.3 ppg.
Scarlet Knights are 7-1 when they allow less than 35 points.
Rutgers gave up 430+ TY in five of last seven games.
Scarlet Knights have 8 starters back on offense, 8 on defense
Rutgers has 123 starts back on offensive line.
Soph QB Kaliakmanis started 12 games at Minnesota.
Scarlet Knights are 4-1-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Last four years, Rutgers is 14-4-1 ATS as an underdog.
In his college career, Schiano is 57-46-4 ATS as an underdog.
Last two games, Rutgers ran ball for 203-208 yards.
Over is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Rutgers is 2-3 SU/3-2 ATS in its last five bowls.
Kansas State (8-4)
K-State lost three of last four games, after a 7-1 start.
K-State scored 29+ points in its wins, 9-19-14-21 in losses.
Wildcats are +7 in turnovers in wins, minus-8 in losses.
Wildcats have 4 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Wildcats have 73 returning starts on OL, only 36 at I-A level.
Frosh QB Johnson has thrown for 2,517 yards (22 TDs, 9 INTs)
Wildcats are 4-6 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Klieman, K-State is 24-17 ATS as a favorite.
Wildcats are +7 in turnovers in wins, minus-8 in losses.
K-State ran for 200+ yards in six of its eight wins.
Under is 4-1 in K-State’s last five games.
K-State is 3-2 in last five bowls (favorites 5-0 ATS)
Favorites covered this bowl the last four years.
K-State won this bowl 35-17 in 2017.
68 Ventures Bowl (@ Mobole, AL)
Arkansas State vs Bowling Green (-8)
Arkansas State (7-5)
Red Wolves won four of their last six games.
ASU allowed 40+ points in four of its five losses.
ASU allowed 250+ RY in three of its last four games.
Red Wolves have 10 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Red Wolves have 123 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Raynor was Sun Belt freshman of year last year.
Arkansas State is 6-0 this year in games decided by 7 or less points.
Arkansas State is 3-4 ATS as an underdog this year.
Under Jones, Redhawks are 19-18 ATS as an underdog.
Redhawks are 4-3 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Over is 4-2 in their last six games.
Red Wolves lost three of their last four bowl games.
Bowling Green (7-5)
Falcons won last five of last six games, after a 2-4 start.
Bowling Green is 1-3 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Falcons are 4-0 scoring 28+ points, 3-5 scoring 27 or less.
Falcons have 8 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Falcons have 123 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Bazelak has 40 career starts.
Bowling Green is 2-6 ATS as a favorite this season.
Falcons are 6-11 ATS in last 17 games as a favorite.
Falcons are held five of last seven foes under 300 yards.
Last six games, Bowling Green is +8 in turnovers.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Falcons lost their last three bowls, giving up 58-24-30 points.
Favorites covered this bowl the last four years.
Last nine years, Sun Belt teams are 9-0 SU/8-1 ATS in this bowl.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Bowl Season
Thursday’s games
Sports Bowl (@ Detroit)
Pitt (-7) vs Toledo
Pittsburgh (7-5)
Pitt lost its last five games, after a 7-0 start.
Four of their seven wins were by 10+ points.
Panthers scored 28+ points in six of their seven wins.
Panthers have 9 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Panthers have 58 returning starts on the offensive line.
Frosh QB Holstein has 2,228 passing yards, with 17 TD’s, 7 INTs, but he’s been banned up recently.
Pitt is 3-2 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Narduzzi, Pitt is 32-29-3 ATS as a favorite
Last three games, Panthers were held to 62.7 rushing yards/game.
Last five games, Pitt was minus-8 in turnovers.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Pitt is 2-3 SU in last five bowls (underdogs 4-1 ATS)
Toledo (7-5)
Toledo lost its last two games, scoring 7-14 points.
Rockets are 6-1 giving up less than 24 points.
Three of their last four losses were by 15+ points.
Toledo has 4 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Rockets had no returning starts on OL (added 3 transfers).
Junior QB Gleason started two games LY.
Toledo is 2-0 ATS as an underdog this year.
Rockets are 5-1 ATS last six games as an underdog.
Rockets are 7-9 ATS in last 16 non-conference games.
Toledo is +8 in turnovers in wins, minus-8 in losses.
Under is 3-0 in their last three games.
Toledo is 1-4 SU/ATS in its last five bowls.
Since 2015, MAC teams are 1-5 SU in this bowl.
Last nine years, favorites are 5-4 ATS in this bowl
Rate Bowl (@ Phoenix, AZ)
Rutgers vs Kansas State (-7)
Rutgers (7-5)
Rutgers won three of last four games, scoring 32.3 ppg.
Scarlet Knights are 7-1 when they allow less than 35 points.
Rutgers gave up 430+ TY in five of last seven games.
Scarlet Knights have 8 starters back on offense, 8 on defense
Rutgers has 123 starts back on offensive line.
Soph QB Kaliakmanis started 12 games at Minnesota.
Scarlet Knights are 4-1-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Last four years, Rutgers is 14-4-1 ATS as an underdog.
In his college career, Schiano is 57-46-4 ATS as an underdog.
Last two games, Rutgers ran ball for 203-208 yards.
Over is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Rutgers is 2-3 SU/3-2 ATS in its last five bowls.
Kansas State (8-4)
K-State lost three of last four games, after a 7-1 start.
K-State scored 29+ points in its wins, 9-19-14-21 in losses.
Wildcats are +7 in turnovers in wins, minus-8 in losses.
Wildcats have 4 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Wildcats have 73 returning starts on OL, only 36 at I-A level.
Frosh QB Johnson has thrown for 2,517 yards (22 TDs, 9 INTs)
Wildcats are 4-6 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Klieman, K-State is 24-17 ATS as a favorite.
Wildcats are +7 in turnovers in wins, minus-8 in losses.
K-State ran for 200+ yards in six of its eight wins.
Under is 4-1 in K-State’s last five games.
K-State is 3-2 in last five bowls (favorites 5-0 ATS)
Favorites covered this bowl the last four years.
K-State won this bowl 35-17 in 2017.
68 Ventures Bowl (@ Mobole, AL)
Arkansas State vs Bowling Green (-8)
Arkansas State (7-5)
Red Wolves won four of their last six games.
ASU allowed 40+ points in four of its five losses.
ASU allowed 250+ RY in three of its last four games.
Red Wolves have 10 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Red Wolves have 123 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Raynor was Sun Belt freshman of year last year.
Arkansas State is 6-0 this year in games decided by 7 or less points.
Arkansas State is 3-4 ATS as an underdog this year.
Under Jones, Redhawks are 19-18 ATS as an underdog.
Redhawks are 4-3 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Over is 4-2 in their last six games.
Red Wolves lost three of their last four bowl games.
Bowling Green (7-5)
Falcons won last five of last six games, after a 2-4 start.
Bowling Green is 1-3 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Falcons are 4-0 scoring 28+ points, 3-5 scoring 27 or less.
Falcons have 8 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Falcons have 123 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Bazelak has 40 career starts.
Bowling Green is 2-6 ATS as a favorite this season.
Falcons are 6-11 ATS in last 17 games as a favorite.
Falcons are held five of last seven foes under 300 yards.
Last six games, Bowling Green is +8 in turnovers.
Under is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Falcons lost their last three bowls, giving up 58-24-30 points.
Favorites covered this bowl the last four years.
Last nine years, Sun Belt teams are 9-0 SU/8-1 ATS in this bowl.
NCAAFB BEST BETS THRU CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK AND BOWL GAMES !
12/24/2024....................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 0.50
12/21.2024.....................3 -3 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/20/2024.....................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/19/2024.....................0 -2 - 0.......................00.00%..................- 11.00
12/18/2024.....................2 -2 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.00
12/17/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%...................- 11.00
12/14/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%....................- 11.00
12/07/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0......................40.00%...................- 13.00
12/06/2024.....................4 - 2 - 0......................66.66%...................+ 9.00
TOTALS.........................17 -23 - 0......................42.50%...................-40.50
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS............146- 147 - 0.........................49.82%............................- 78.50
12/24/2024....................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 0.50
12/21.2024.....................3 -3 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/20/2024.....................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/19/2024.....................0 -2 - 0.......................00.00%..................- 11.00
12/18/2024.....................2 -2 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.00
12/17/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%...................- 11.00
12/14/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%....................- 11.00
12/07/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0......................40.00%...................- 13.00
12/06/2024.....................4 - 2 - 0......................66.66%...................+ 9.00
TOTALS.........................17 -23 - 0......................42.50%...................-40.50
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS............146- 147 - 0.........................49.82%............................- 78.50
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
Some teams getting highest %age of points on 3’s:
48.3% of points— North Dakota State
45.8%— DePaul
43.5%— IU Indy
43.2%— Tennessee Tech
42.2%— Akron
42.0%— Samford
Quote of the Day
“Christmas Day is Christmas Day, and it doesn’t wait around for what day it’s on. We want to be there on Christmas Day. I would think the future is whatever day it’s on, we’re going to be there on Christmas.”
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones
Wednesday’s quiz
Who was coach of the Golden State Warriors, before Steve Kerr?
Tuesday’s quiz
When Rickey Henderson got his 3,000th career hit, he was playing for the San Diego Padres.
Monday’s quiz
In 2008, Vikings’ coach Kevin O’Connell threw six passes in two games for New England.
********************************************
Hawks (15-15):
— 1-3 SU in their last four games.
— 1-4 ATS as a road favorite, 6-4 as a road dog.
— Over 6-2 last eight home games
Celtics (22-7):
— 13-4 last 17 games SU.
— 4-11 ATS last fifteen games.
— under 5-0 last five games.
Nets (11-18):
— lost eight of their last ten games SU.
— 2-8 ATS last ten games.
— under 6-3 last nine games
Hornets (7-22):
— lost 13 of last 14 games SU.
— 2-7 ATS last nine games.
— under 5-2 last seven games.
Bulls (13-17)
— 3-4 SU in last seven games.
— 4-7 ATS as a home underdog.
— under 5-1 last six home games
— 1-5 ATS if they played the night before.
Cavaliers (26-4):
— 9-1 SU last ten games.
— 14-4 ATS as a home favorite, 4-0 as a road underdog.
— over 5-1 last six games.
— 4-1 ATS if they played the night before.
Mavericks (19-10):
— 14-3 last 17 games SU.
— 6-1 ATS last seven home games.
— under 8-4 last 12 home games
— 4-0 ATS if they played the night before.
Nuggets (16-11):
— 5-1 SU last six games
— 1-7 ATS as a road favorite.
— 5-2 ATS as a road underdog.
— over 6-2 last eight games.
— 3-1 ATS if they played the night before.
Pistons (13-17):
— 4-2 last six games SU.
— 7-4 ATS as road underdogs.
— 0-4 ATS as home favorite
— over 7-1 last eight road games
Warriors (15-13):
— 3-10 last thirteen games SU.
— 9-5 ATS as an underdog
— under 8-0 last eight road games
Rockets (20-9):
— 5-1 last six games SU
— 8-3 ATS as a home favorite, 5-3 as an underdog.
— over 5-3 last eight road games
Pacers (15-15):
— won/covered their last five games.
— 4-12-1 ATS as a favorite.
— under 7-1-1 last nine games.
Clippers (17-13):
— 3-1 last four games SU
— 10-6 ATS at home.
— 7-2 ATS as a favorite
— under 6-0 last six road games.
Lakers (16-13):
— 4-2 SU last six games
— 1-5 ATS last six games as a home favorite
— 5-2 ATS last seven games overall.
— under 8-2 last ten road games.
Grizzlies (20-10):
— 12-3 last fifteen games SU.
— 10-5 ATS as a home favorite.
— 4-0 ATS if they played the night before.
— over 6-2 last eight road games
Heat (14-13):
— 1-3 SU last four games.
— 6-2 ATS last eight games as a home favorite
— 4-2 ATS as a road underdog.
— under 3-0 last three home games.
Famous birthdays, December 25th:
Howard Twilley, 81
Gary Sandy, 79
Larry Csonka, 78
Sissy Spacek, 75
Manny Trillo, 74
Jillie Mack, 67
Erik Hiljus, 52
Eric Gordon, 36
Garrett Cooper, 34
Rickey Henderson would’ve turned 66 today
Rod Serling would’ve turned 100.
Bucks (16-12):
— 5-1 last six games SU.
— 6-8-1 ATS at home.
— under 3-1 last four games.
— 1-4-1 ATS if they played the night before
Timberwolves (14-14)
— 0-3 SU last three games, giving up 121 ppg.
— 4-10 ATS as a home favorite.
— 1-3 ATS if they played the night before
— under 8-2 last ten games.
Pelicans (5-25):
— 3-25 last 28 games SU
— 3-12 ATS on the road (8-6 at home).
— over 6-3 last nine games.
Knicks (19-10):
— won/covered their last four games.
— 6-2 ATS last eight as a home favorite.
— over 7-3 last ten home games.
Thunder (23-5):
— 12-1 last thirteen games SU
— 9-5 ATS on road.
— under 4-1 last five games
Magic (19-12):
— 4-5 last nine games SU.
— 10-1 ATS as home favorite, 3-6 as road underdog.
— under 3-1 last four games.
76ers (10-17):
— 5-2 SU last seven games
— 4-10 ATS at home
— under 6-2 last eight road games
Suns (14-14):
— 6-12 SU last 18 games.
— 4-11 ATS at home.
— 1-4 ATS if they played the night before
— over 7-2 last nine road games
Trailblazers (9-20):
— 3-12 SU last fifteen games.
— 8-4 ATS as a home underdog.
— over 4-0 last four home games
Kings (13-17):
— 0-4 SU/ATS last four games
— 5-13 ATS at home
— under 5-1 last six road games
Spurs (15-14):
— 4-2 SU in last six games
— 3-5 ATS as a road underdog.
— under 3-1 last four games
Raptors (7-23):
— lost last eight games SU (4-3-1 ATS)
— 11-3-1 ATS as home dog, 8-6 as road dog.
— under 8-3 last eleven road games
Jazz (7-21):
— 3-9 SU last 12 games.
— 9-7 ATS as a road underdog.
— over 7-1 last eight games.
Wizards (4-23):
— 2-21 SU/7-14-2 ATS last 23 games
— 5-9 ATS as home dog, 5-7-2 as road dog
— under 5-1 last six home games.
Some teams getting highest %age of points on 3’s:
48.3% of points— North Dakota State
45.8%— DePaul
43.5%— IU Indy
43.2%— Tennessee Tech
42.2%— Akron
42.0%— Samford
Quote of the Day
“Christmas Day is Christmas Day, and it doesn’t wait around for what day it’s on. We want to be there on Christmas Day. I would think the future is whatever day it’s on, we’re going to be there on Christmas.”
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones
Wednesday’s quiz
Who was coach of the Golden State Warriors, before Steve Kerr?
Tuesday’s quiz
When Rickey Henderson got his 3,000th career hit, he was playing for the San Diego Padres.
Monday’s quiz
In 2008, Vikings’ coach Kevin O’Connell threw six passes in two games for New England.
********************************************
Wednesday’s Den: NBA trends for Christmas Day…….
NBA trends (thru Tuesday, December 24)Hawks (15-15):
— 1-3 SU in their last four games.
— 1-4 ATS as a road favorite, 6-4 as a road dog.
— Over 6-2 last eight home games
Celtics (22-7):
— 13-4 last 17 games SU.
— 4-11 ATS last fifteen games.
— under 5-0 last five games.
Nets (11-18):
— lost eight of their last ten games SU.
— 2-8 ATS last ten games.
— under 6-3 last nine games
Hornets (7-22):
— lost 13 of last 14 games SU.
— 2-7 ATS last nine games.
— under 5-2 last seven games.
Bulls (13-17)
— 3-4 SU in last seven games.
— 4-7 ATS as a home underdog.
— under 5-1 last six home games
— 1-5 ATS if they played the night before.
Cavaliers (26-4):
— 9-1 SU last ten games.
— 14-4 ATS as a home favorite, 4-0 as a road underdog.
— over 5-1 last six games.
— 4-1 ATS if they played the night before.
Mavericks (19-10):
— 14-3 last 17 games SU.
— 6-1 ATS last seven home games.
— under 8-4 last 12 home games
— 4-0 ATS if they played the night before.
Nuggets (16-11):
— 5-1 SU last six games
— 1-7 ATS as a road favorite.
— 5-2 ATS as a road underdog.
— over 6-2 last eight games.
— 3-1 ATS if they played the night before.
Pistons (13-17):
— 4-2 last six games SU.
— 7-4 ATS as road underdogs.
— 0-4 ATS as home favorite
— over 7-1 last eight road games
Warriors (15-13):
— 3-10 last thirteen games SU.
— 9-5 ATS as an underdog
— under 8-0 last eight road games
Rockets (20-9):
— 5-1 last six games SU
— 8-3 ATS as a home favorite, 5-3 as an underdog.
— over 5-3 last eight road games
Pacers (15-15):
— won/covered their last five games.
— 4-12-1 ATS as a favorite.
— under 7-1-1 last nine games.
Clippers (17-13):
— 3-1 last four games SU
— 10-6 ATS at home.
— 7-2 ATS as a favorite
— under 6-0 last six road games.
Lakers (16-13):
— 4-2 SU last six games
— 1-5 ATS last six games as a home favorite
— 5-2 ATS last seven games overall.
— under 8-2 last ten road games.
Grizzlies (20-10):
— 12-3 last fifteen games SU.
— 10-5 ATS as a home favorite.
— 4-0 ATS if they played the night before.
— over 6-2 last eight road games
Heat (14-13):
— 1-3 SU last four games.
— 6-2 ATS last eight games as a home favorite
— 4-2 ATS as a road underdog.
— under 3-0 last three home games.
Famous birthdays, December 25th:
Howard Twilley, 81
Gary Sandy, 79
Larry Csonka, 78
Sissy Spacek, 75
Manny Trillo, 74
Jillie Mack, 67
Erik Hiljus, 52
Eric Gordon, 36
Garrett Cooper, 34
Rickey Henderson would’ve turned 66 today
Rod Serling would’ve turned 100.
Bucks (16-12):
— 5-1 last six games SU.
— 6-8-1 ATS at home.
— under 3-1 last four games.
— 1-4-1 ATS if they played the night before
Timberwolves (14-14)
— 0-3 SU last three games, giving up 121 ppg.
— 4-10 ATS as a home favorite.
— 1-3 ATS if they played the night before
— under 8-2 last ten games.
Pelicans (5-25):
— 3-25 last 28 games SU
— 3-12 ATS on the road (8-6 at home).
— over 6-3 last nine games.
Knicks (19-10):
— won/covered their last four games.
— 6-2 ATS last eight as a home favorite.
— over 7-3 last ten home games.
Thunder (23-5):
— 12-1 last thirteen games SU
— 9-5 ATS on road.
— under 4-1 last five games
Magic (19-12):
— 4-5 last nine games SU.
— 10-1 ATS as home favorite, 3-6 as road underdog.
— under 3-1 last four games.
76ers (10-17):
— 5-2 SU last seven games
— 4-10 ATS at home
— under 6-2 last eight road games
Suns (14-14):
— 6-12 SU last 18 games.
— 4-11 ATS at home.
— 1-4 ATS if they played the night before
— over 7-2 last nine road games
Trailblazers (9-20):
— 3-12 SU last fifteen games.
— 8-4 ATS as a home underdog.
— over 4-0 last four home games
Kings (13-17):
— 0-4 SU/ATS last four games
— 5-13 ATS at home
— under 5-1 last six road games
Spurs (15-14):
— 4-2 SU in last six games
— 3-5 ATS as a road underdog.
— under 3-1 last four games
Raptors (7-23):
— lost last eight games SU (4-3-1 ATS)
— 11-3-1 ATS as home dog, 8-6 as road dog.
— under 8-3 last eleven road games
Jazz (7-21):
— 3-9 SU last 12 games.
— 9-7 ATS as a road underdog.
— over 7-1 last eight games.
Wizards (4-23):
— 2-21 SU/7-14-2 ATS last 23 games
— 5-9 ATS as home dog, 5-7-2 as road dog
— under 5-1 last six home games.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| PITT at TOL | 02:00 PM | TOL +7.0 O 50.5 | +500 +500 |
| RUTG at KSU | 05:30 PM | KSU -7.0 U 50.5 | +500 +500 |
| ARST at BGSU | 09:00 PM | BGSU -7.5 O 53.0 | +500 +500 |
Thursday’s 6-pack:
Some teams getting highest %age of points on foul shots:
28.7% of points— Charlotte
26.7%— Rice
26.5%— Seattle
26.1%— NC-Wilmington
26.0%— Butler
25.9%— Cal-Davis
Quote of the Day
“That sucked, to be blunt.”
Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin, after their 29-10 loss to Kansas City.
Thursday’s quiz
Which three NFL teams has Pete Carroll coached?
Wednesday’s quiz
Mark Jackson was coach of the Golden State Warriors, before Steve Kerr.
Tuesday’s quiz
When Rickey Henderson got his 3,000th career hit, he was playing for the San Diego Padres.
***********************************
Right now, ESPN has 13 of 16 SEC teams getting into the NCAA Tournament.
South Carolina is 9-3, #65 on kenpom.com they’re the lowest-rated SEC team.
John Calipari’s first Arkansas team is 10-2, but against #233.
Kentucky, in Mark Pope’s first season, is 10-2 against schedule #65.
Conference play hasn’t started yet, so once teams start losing, things will change, but right now, this is far and away the best league in the country.
— There are four unbeaten teams left: Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee from the SEC and Drake from the MVC.
Bracketology has Drake as an 11-seed, meaning they better win Arch Madness to get into the NCAA Tournament, but not bad for a team with four starters who were playing for a D-2 team last season.
— Big X
Arizona is 6-5; 0-5 vs top 100 teams, 6-0 vs everyone else; they’ve played schedule #53.
Bracketology has 8 of 16 teams in the Field of 68.
Cincinnati is 10-1, with the #5 eFG% defense, but against schedule #299.
Iowa State’s only loss was 83-81 to Auburn; they’re shooting 60.5% inside the arc.
— Big 18
UCLA and USC are in the same league as Rutgers and Maryland; the over-educated morons who run college sports have outdone themselves with all this shuffling.
Bracketology has 10 of 18 Big 18 teams getting in the NCAAs; KenPom has six of their teams in the top 25.
All 18 teams have played two conference games already; 12 of the 18 teams split their games. It isn’t obvious who the best teams are, unlike the SEC, where Auburn, Florida, Tennessee have stood out so far.
— Big East
Seton Hall, Villanova seem to be down; Georgetown is better. UConn, Marquette and St John’s look like the three best teams, at this early point in the season.
ESPN has only three Big East teams in the Tournament; they had only three in last year’s event, their lowest amount in the last 25 years.
— ACC
KenPom has ACC as the #5 conference; they haven’t finished higher than 5th since 2020.
There are 18 teams in ACC now, with Cal,Stanford, SMU joining; lot of long road trips.
North Carolina is off to a 7-5 start, 2-5 vs top 100 teams.
Duke is 10-2, losing to Kansas/Kentucky; their best player is a freshman.
Right now, ESPN has five teams in the field of 68.
— Mountain West
San Diego State is 8-2, Utah State 11-1; they appear to be the best teams so far.
Decent depth though; Boise State, New Mexico, UNLV and Colorado State are capable.
ESPN has only two Mountain West teams in the field of 68.
— Famous birthdays, December 26
Carlton Fisk, 77
Chris Chambliss, 76
Ozzie Smith, 70
Storm Davis, 63
Tim Legler, 58
Omar Infante, 43
Trevor Siemian, 33
Hogan Harris, 28
— West Coast
Addition of Oregon State/Washington State for this year/next year will help this league, then the bottom will fall out when Gonzaga bolts in two years, and Beavers/Coogs go back to the Pac-12.
This year, Gonzaga/Saint Mary’s are two best teams, with San Francisco, Oregon State, Santa Clara and Wazzu adding quality depth.
Bottom of the league isn’t so great right now; ESPN has Gonzaga/Saint Mary’s in the NCAA’s, but that could change.
— Atlantic 15
Dayton, VCU and St Bonaventure appear to be the best teams. Richmond/UMass are down, Loyola Chicago just had a rough 0-3 trip to Hawai’i.
Archie Miller has Rhode Island at 11-1, but they’ve played schedule #323.
A-15 could be a one-bid league for second time in three years; last time they had more than two teams in NCAAs was 2018.
— Charlotte 94, Murray State 90, 2OT
This game, played very late Monday night, ended around 12:45am Tuesday here in Las Vegas, which means if I was home, it would’ve been almost 4am, which is awesome, kind of like the old ESPN Basketball Marathon they used to have in November every year.
Two ordinary teams played their butts off for three hours; fun to watch
Charlotte was 34-36 on the foul line.
Murray State led by 10 with 6:19 left in regulation.
Five players fouled out.
— Missouri Valley
Only once since 2016 has the Valley not been a one-bid league; Arch Madness is what matters.
KenPom.com has #72 Bradley as the highest-ranked team right now.
That said, ESPN has two MVC teams in the field of 68 right now, because Drake is 11-0- they have Indiana State as the other team in right now.
It is still December; a lot will change between now and Selection Sunday.
— It needs to be said here that the transfer portal has made the sport more top-heavy; every kid at a mid-major who makes two layups in a row thinks he belongs in the NBA. The rich steal from the not-rich, just like baseball. Can’t be a lot of fun being a mid-major head coach.
— Big West
Cal-San Diego is 11-2, including beating three eastern mid-majors at a tournament in Florida; the Tritons are forcing turnovers 24.4% of the time, #4 in country.
Since 2014, Cal-Irvine is 140-41 in Big West games, but they’ve only made the NCAA’s twice during that time- they upset K-State in the first round in 2019. Anteaters always play good defense; success in the conference tournament has been more challenging.
— Southern
Furman is ranked #113 by KenPom; they’re highest-ranked team in SoCon right now, two years after upsetting Virginia in the NCAAs.
10-3 Samford seems like their biggest challenger right now; they’re shooting 39.6% on the arc (#18) getting 42% of their points on the arc (#8)
Some teams getting highest %age of points on foul shots:
28.7% of points— Charlotte
26.7%— Rice
26.5%— Seattle
26.1%— NC-Wilmington
26.0%— Butler
25.9%— Cal-Davis
Quote of the Day
“That sucked, to be blunt.”
Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin, after their 29-10 loss to Kansas City.
Thursday’s quiz
Which three NFL teams has Pete Carroll coached?
Wednesday’s quiz
Mark Jackson was coach of the Golden State Warriors, before Steve Kerr.
Tuesday’s quiz
When Rickey Henderson got his 3,000th career hit, he was playing for the San Diego Padres.
***********************************
Thursday’s Den: College Basketball thoughts, on a winter day
— SECRight now, ESPN has 13 of 16 SEC teams getting into the NCAA Tournament.
South Carolina is 9-3, #65 on kenpom.com they’re the lowest-rated SEC team.
John Calipari’s first Arkansas team is 10-2, but against #233.
Kentucky, in Mark Pope’s first season, is 10-2 against schedule #65.
Conference play hasn’t started yet, so once teams start losing, things will change, but right now, this is far and away the best league in the country.
— There are four unbeaten teams left: Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee from the SEC and Drake from the MVC.
Bracketology has Drake as an 11-seed, meaning they better win Arch Madness to get into the NCAA Tournament, but not bad for a team with four starters who were playing for a D-2 team last season.
— Big X
Arizona is 6-5; 0-5 vs top 100 teams, 6-0 vs everyone else; they’ve played schedule #53.
Bracketology has 8 of 16 teams in the Field of 68.
Cincinnati is 10-1, with the #5 eFG% defense, but against schedule #299.
Iowa State’s only loss was 83-81 to Auburn; they’re shooting 60.5% inside the arc.
— Big 18
UCLA and USC are in the same league as Rutgers and Maryland; the over-educated morons who run college sports have outdone themselves with all this shuffling.
Bracketology has 10 of 18 Big 18 teams getting in the NCAAs; KenPom has six of their teams in the top 25.
All 18 teams have played two conference games already; 12 of the 18 teams split their games. It isn’t obvious who the best teams are, unlike the SEC, where Auburn, Florida, Tennessee have stood out so far.
— Big East
Seton Hall, Villanova seem to be down; Georgetown is better. UConn, Marquette and St John’s look like the three best teams, at this early point in the season.
ESPN has only three Big East teams in the Tournament; they had only three in last year’s event, their lowest amount in the last 25 years.
— ACC
KenPom has ACC as the #5 conference; they haven’t finished higher than 5th since 2020.
There are 18 teams in ACC now, with Cal,Stanford, SMU joining; lot of long road trips.
North Carolina is off to a 7-5 start, 2-5 vs top 100 teams.
Duke is 10-2, losing to Kansas/Kentucky; their best player is a freshman.
Right now, ESPN has five teams in the field of 68.
— Mountain West
San Diego State is 8-2, Utah State 11-1; they appear to be the best teams so far.
Decent depth though; Boise State, New Mexico, UNLV and Colorado State are capable.
ESPN has only two Mountain West teams in the field of 68.
— Famous birthdays, December 26
Carlton Fisk, 77
Chris Chambliss, 76
Ozzie Smith, 70
Storm Davis, 63
Tim Legler, 58
Omar Infante, 43
Trevor Siemian, 33
Hogan Harris, 28
— West Coast
Addition of Oregon State/Washington State for this year/next year will help this league, then the bottom will fall out when Gonzaga bolts in two years, and Beavers/Coogs go back to the Pac-12.
This year, Gonzaga/Saint Mary’s are two best teams, with San Francisco, Oregon State, Santa Clara and Wazzu adding quality depth.
Bottom of the league isn’t so great right now; ESPN has Gonzaga/Saint Mary’s in the NCAA’s, but that could change.
— Atlantic 15
Dayton, VCU and St Bonaventure appear to be the best teams. Richmond/UMass are down, Loyola Chicago just had a rough 0-3 trip to Hawai’i.
Archie Miller has Rhode Island at 11-1, but they’ve played schedule #323.
A-15 could be a one-bid league for second time in three years; last time they had more than two teams in NCAAs was 2018.
— Charlotte 94, Murray State 90, 2OT
This game, played very late Monday night, ended around 12:45am Tuesday here in Las Vegas, which means if I was home, it would’ve been almost 4am, which is awesome, kind of like the old ESPN Basketball Marathon they used to have in November every year.
Two ordinary teams played their butts off for three hours; fun to watch
Charlotte was 34-36 on the foul line.
Murray State led by 10 with 6:19 left in regulation.
Five players fouled out.
— Missouri Valley
Only once since 2016 has the Valley not been a one-bid league; Arch Madness is what matters.
KenPom.com has #72 Bradley as the highest-ranked team right now.
That said, ESPN has two MVC teams in the field of 68 right now, because Drake is 11-0- they have Indiana State as the other team in right now.
It is still December; a lot will change between now and Selection Sunday.
— It needs to be said here that the transfer portal has made the sport more top-heavy; every kid at a mid-major who makes two layups in a row thinks he belongs in the NBA. The rich steal from the not-rich, just like baseball. Can’t be a lot of fun being a mid-major head coach.
— Big West
Cal-San Diego is 11-2, including beating three eastern mid-majors at a tournament in Florida; the Tritons are forcing turnovers 24.4% of the time, #4 in country.
Since 2014, Cal-Irvine is 140-41 in Big West games, but they’ve only made the NCAA’s twice during that time- they upset K-State in the first round in 2019. Anteaters always play good defense; success in the conference tournament has been more challenging.
— Southern
Furman is ranked #113 by KenPom; they’re highest-ranked team in SoCon right now, two years after upsetting Virginia in the NCAAs.
10-3 Samford seems like their biggest challenger right now; they’re shooting 39.6% on the arc (#18) getting 42% of their points on the arc (#8)
- Sep 10, 2018
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NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up
Bowl Season
Friday’s bowls
Armed Forces Bowl (@ Ft Worth, TX)
Oklahoma (-3) vs Navy
Oklahoma (6-6)
Oklahoma lost 5 of last 6 I-A games, but did upset Alabama.
Sooners are 0-6 when they allow more than 21 points.
Sooners were held under 300 TY in seven games.
Oklahoma has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Sooners have 114 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Hawkins has thrown for 539 yards (1 TD, 2 INTs)
Under Venables, Oklahoma is 14-12-1 ATS as a favorite.
Sooners are 3-2 ATS as a favorite this season.
Sooners are 1-4 ATS TY games with single digit spreads.
Sooners are 5-0 if they score 24+ points, 1-6 if they don’t.
Oklahoma held five of last six foes to 110 or fewer rushing yards.
Over is 4-2 in their last six games.
Oklahoma lost its last two bowls, giving up 35-38 points.
Navy (9-3)
Navy split its last six games, after a 6-0 start.
Middies scored 28+ points in their wins, 14-10-0 in losses.
Navy ran for 200+ yards in nine of its 12 games.
Navy has 7 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Middies have 51 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Horvath has run ball for 895 yards, thrown for 1,154.
Navy is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this year.
Middies are 17-10 ATS in last 27 games as an underdog.
Navy hasn’t played in a game decided by less than 12 points.
Navy has +15 turnover ratio in wins, minus-8 in losses.
Under is 4-1 in their last five games.
Middies are 4-1 in last five bowls (their last bowl was 2019)
Since 2017, service academies are 5-0 in this game
Last eight years, underdogs are 5-3 ATS in this bowl.
Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Tech (-2.5) vs Vanderbilt
Georgia Tech (7-5)
Tech lost three of last five games, after a 5-2 start.
Tech lost last game 44-42 in OT to Georgia; they led 20-6.
Tech is 4-2 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Yellow Jackets have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Yellow Jackets have 128 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB King has 20 career starts.
Tech’s best WR has bolted to Auburn.
Tech is 2-2-1 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Key, Yellow Jackets are 3-7-1 ATS as a favorite.
Tech gave up 31 points in four of its five losses.
Under is 8-3 in their I-A games.
Tech outgained Georgia 563-405 in its last game.
Yellow Jackets won three of their last four bowls.
Vanderbilt (6-6)
Vandy lost its last three games, after a 6-3 start.
Last three games, Commodores allowed 487 TY/game.
Vandy is 4-0 when it gives up less than 24 points.
Commodores have 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Commodores have 121 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB Pavia started 23 games at New Mexico State.
Vandy is 7-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Lea, Vandy is 19-19 ATS as an underdog.
Vandy is +9 in turnovers; they weren’t minus in any game.
Vandy is 3-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
This is Vanderbilt’s first bowl since 2018.
Last ten years, underdogs are 6-4 ATS in this bowl
Vanderbilt won this bowl in 2013.
Liberty Bowl (@ Memphis)
Texas Tech vs Arkansas (-1.5)
Texas Tech (8-4)
Texas Tech won 3 of last 4 games, scoring 56-52 in last two
Tech gave up 37-59-35-41 points in their four losses.
Tech is 6-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Red Raiders have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Red Raiders have 125 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Morton started 12 games LY (27 TDs/8 INTs this year)
Texas Tech is 5-3-1 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Under McGuire, Red Raiders are 7-7 ATS as an underdog.
Texas Tech is 3-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Last two games, Tech threw for 404-359 yards.
Tech gave up 432+ yards in four of last six games.
Over is 5-1 in Tech’s last six games.
Tech won its last three bowls, scoring 34-42-34 points.
Arkansas (6-6)
Arkansas lost three of its last four games.
Razorbacks were minus-2 in turnovers in each of last four games
Arkansas is 1-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Razorbacks have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Razorbacks have 67 returning starts on the offensive line;
Junior QB Green started 22 games at Boise State.
Arkansas is 3-3 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Arkansas is 1-2 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Pittman, Arkansas is 7-13-1 ATS as a favorite.
Razorbacks are 4-8 ATS in last 12 non-SEC games.
Six of Arkansas’ last nine games stayed under the total.
Arkansas won three of its last four bowl games.
Arkansas won this bowl 55-53 two years ago.
Tech won this bowl 34-7 three years ago.
Underdogs are 7-1 ATS in last eight Liberty Bowls.
Holiday Bowl (@ San Diego)
Syracuse (-17) vs Washington State
Syracuse (9-3)
Syracuse won last three games, scoring 33-31-42 points.
Syracuse is 8-1 when it scores 31+ points (24-13-31 in losses).
Orange has only two wins by more than eight points.
Syracuse has 10 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Orangemen have 77 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB McCord started 12 games at Ohio State last year.
Syracuse is 1-3 ATS as a favorite this year.
Orange is 12-7-1 ATS in last 20 games as a favorite.
Syracuse allowed 24+ points in each of its last six games.
Orange threw for 320+ yards in 10 of its 12 games.
Syracuse lost 26-24 to Stanford, a former Pac-12 team.
Over is 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Syracuse lost bowls the last two years, 28-20/45-0.
Washington State (7-4)
Wazzu’s QB bolted to Oklahoma, their coach to Wake Forest.
Coogs lost their last three games, by 1-3-3 points.
The new starting QB is making his first I-A start.
Coogs have 6 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Wazzu has 63 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Eckhaus played I-AA ball at Bryant; he threw 7 passes TY.
Wazzu is 2-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Wazzu is 15-7-1 ATS in last 23 games as an underdog.
Coogs allowed 38+ points in three of their four losses.
Last six games, Coogs were +6 in turnovers.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Wazzu lost four of its last five bowl games.
Underdogs are 6-2 ATS in last eight Holiday Bowls.
Since 2014, former Pac-12 teams are 3-5 SU/1-7 ATS in this bowl.
Las Vegas Bowl
USC vs Texas A&M (-3.5)
USC (6-6)
Trojans won three of their last five games.
USC is 2-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Trojns are 1-3 if they score less than 27 points.
USC has 5 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Trojans have 72 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Maiava started 11 games at UNLV; this is his 4th USC start.
USC is 0-6 when it gives up more than 21 points.
This year, Trojans are 2-1 ATS as an underdog.
Under Riley, USC is 4-3 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Riley is 7-3 ATS as an underdog.
Under is 3-1 in their last four games.
USC lost three of its last four bowl games.
Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2)
A&M lost three of last four games, after a 7-1 start.
Aggies are 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
A&M is 8-1 when it scores more than 20 points.
Aggies have 9 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
A&M has 112 returning starts on offensive line.
Frosh QB Reed has 1,572 PY, with 12 TD’s, 4 INTs
A&M is 3-7 ATS as a favorite this season.
A&M is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games as a favorite.
In his career, new HC Elko is 11-12 ATS as a favorite.
Aggies allowed 429+ TY in four of last five games.
Over is 7-3 in A&M’s last ten games.
Aggies won three of their last four bowls.
Favorites covered four of last five Las Vegas Bowls.
NCAAF
Bowl Season
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
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Oklahoma vs Navy
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 6 games
Oklahoma is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Navy's last 5 games
Navy is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Georgia Tech's last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vanderbilt's last 7 games
Vanderbilt is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
Texas Tech vs Arkansas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas Tech's last 6 games
Texas Tech is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arkansas's last 9 games
Arkansas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Syracuse vs Washington State
Syracuse is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games
Washington State is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Washington State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Texas A&M vs Southern California
Texas A&M is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas A&M's last 7 games
Texas A&M is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas A&M's last 7 games
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armadillo's Write-Up
Bowl Season
Friday’s bowls
Armed Forces Bowl (@ Ft Worth, TX)
Oklahoma (-3) vs Navy
Oklahoma (6-6)
Oklahoma lost 5 of last 6 I-A games, but did upset Alabama.
Sooners are 0-6 when they allow more than 21 points.
Sooners were held under 300 TY in seven games.
Oklahoma has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Sooners have 114 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Hawkins has thrown for 539 yards (1 TD, 2 INTs)
Under Venables, Oklahoma is 14-12-1 ATS as a favorite.
Sooners are 3-2 ATS as a favorite this season.
Sooners are 1-4 ATS TY games with single digit spreads.
Sooners are 5-0 if they score 24+ points, 1-6 if they don’t.
Oklahoma held five of last six foes to 110 or fewer rushing yards.
Over is 4-2 in their last six games.
Oklahoma lost its last two bowls, giving up 35-38 points.
Navy (9-3)
Navy split its last six games, after a 6-0 start.
Middies scored 28+ points in their wins, 14-10-0 in losses.
Navy ran for 200+ yards in nine of its 12 games.
Navy has 7 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Middies have 51 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Horvath has run ball for 895 yards, thrown for 1,154.
Navy is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this year.
Middies are 17-10 ATS in last 27 games as an underdog.
Navy hasn’t played in a game decided by less than 12 points.
Navy has +15 turnover ratio in wins, minus-8 in losses.
Under is 4-1 in their last five games.
Middies are 4-1 in last five bowls (their last bowl was 2019)
Since 2017, service academies are 5-0 in this game
Last eight years, underdogs are 5-3 ATS in this bowl.
Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Tech (-2.5) vs Vanderbilt
Georgia Tech (7-5)
Tech lost three of last five games, after a 5-2 start.
Tech lost last game 44-42 in OT to Georgia; they led 20-6.
Tech is 4-2 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Yellow Jackets have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Yellow Jackets have 128 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB King has 20 career starts.
Tech’s best WR has bolted to Auburn.
Tech is 2-2-1 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Key, Yellow Jackets are 3-7-1 ATS as a favorite.
Tech gave up 31 points in four of its five losses.
Under is 8-3 in their I-A games.
Tech outgained Georgia 563-405 in its last game.
Yellow Jackets won three of their last four bowls.
Vanderbilt (6-6)
Vandy lost its last three games, after a 6-3 start.
Last three games, Commodores allowed 487 TY/game.
Vandy is 4-0 when it gives up less than 24 points.
Commodores have 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Commodores have 121 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB Pavia started 23 games at New Mexico State.
Vandy is 7-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Lea, Vandy is 19-19 ATS as an underdog.
Vandy is +9 in turnovers; they weren’t minus in any game.
Vandy is 3-4 in games decided by 7 or less points.
Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
This is Vanderbilt’s first bowl since 2018.
Last ten years, underdogs are 6-4 ATS in this bowl
Vanderbilt won this bowl in 2013.
Liberty Bowl (@ Memphis)
Texas Tech vs Arkansas (-1.5)
Texas Tech (8-4)
Texas Tech won 3 of last 4 games, scoring 56-52 in last two
Tech gave up 37-59-35-41 points in their four losses.
Tech is 6-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Red Raiders have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Red Raiders have 125 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Morton started 12 games LY (27 TDs/8 INTs this year)
Texas Tech is 5-3-1 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Under McGuire, Red Raiders are 7-7 ATS as an underdog.
Texas Tech is 3-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Last two games, Tech threw for 404-359 yards.
Tech gave up 432+ yards in four of last six games.
Over is 5-1 in Tech’s last six games.
Tech won its last three bowls, scoring 34-42-34 points.
Arkansas (6-6)
Arkansas lost three of its last four games.
Razorbacks were minus-2 in turnovers in each of last four games
Arkansas is 1-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Razorbacks have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Razorbacks have 67 returning starts on the offensive line;
Junior QB Green started 22 games at Boise State.
Arkansas is 3-3 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Arkansas is 1-2 ATS as a favorite this year.
Under Pittman, Arkansas is 7-13-1 ATS as a favorite.
Razorbacks are 4-8 ATS in last 12 non-SEC games.
Six of Arkansas’ last nine games stayed under the total.
Arkansas won three of its last four bowl games.
Arkansas won this bowl 55-53 two years ago.
Tech won this bowl 34-7 three years ago.
Underdogs are 7-1 ATS in last eight Liberty Bowls.
Holiday Bowl (@ San Diego)
Syracuse (-17) vs Washington State
Syracuse (9-3)
Syracuse won last three games, scoring 33-31-42 points.
Syracuse is 8-1 when it scores 31+ points (24-13-31 in losses).
Orange has only two wins by more than eight points.
Syracuse has 10 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Orangemen have 77 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB McCord started 12 games at Ohio State last year.
Syracuse is 1-3 ATS as a favorite this year.
Orange is 12-7-1 ATS in last 20 games as a favorite.
Syracuse allowed 24+ points in each of its last six games.
Orange threw for 320+ yards in 10 of its 12 games.
Syracuse lost 26-24 to Stanford, a former Pac-12 team.
Over is 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Syracuse lost bowls the last two years, 28-20/45-0.
Washington State (7-4)
Wazzu’s QB bolted to Oklahoma, their coach to Wake Forest.
Coogs lost their last three games, by 1-3-3 points.
The new starting QB is making his first I-A start.
Coogs have 6 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Wazzu has 63 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Eckhaus played I-AA ball at Bryant; he threw 7 passes TY.
Wazzu is 2-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Wazzu is 15-7-1 ATS in last 23 games as an underdog.
Coogs allowed 38+ points in three of their four losses.
Last six games, Coogs were +6 in turnovers.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Wazzu lost four of its last five bowl games.
Underdogs are 6-2 ATS in last eight Holiday Bowls.
Since 2014, former Pac-12 teams are 3-5 SU/1-7 ATS in this bowl.
Las Vegas Bowl
USC vs Texas A&M (-3.5)
USC (6-6)
Trojans won three of their last five games.
USC is 2-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Trojns are 1-3 if they score less than 27 points.
USC has 5 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Trojans have 72 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Maiava started 11 games at UNLV; this is his 4th USC start.
USC is 0-6 when it gives up more than 21 points.
This year, Trojans are 2-1 ATS as an underdog.
Under Riley, USC is 4-3 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Riley is 7-3 ATS as an underdog.
Under is 3-1 in their last four games.
USC lost three of its last four bowl games.
Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2)
A&M lost three of last four games, after a 7-1 start.
Aggies are 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
A&M is 8-1 when it scores more than 20 points.
Aggies have 9 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
A&M has 112 returning starts on offensive line.
Frosh QB Reed has 1,572 PY, with 12 TD’s, 4 INTs
A&M is 3-7 ATS as a favorite this season.
A&M is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games as a favorite.
In his career, new HC Elko is 11-12 ATS as a favorite.
Aggies allowed 429+ TY in four of last five games.
Over is 7-3 in A&M’s last ten games.
Aggies won three of their last four bowls.
Favorites covered four of last five Las Vegas Bowls.
NCAAF
Bowl Season
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oklahoma vs Navy
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 6 games
Oklahoma is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Navy's last 5 games
Navy is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Georgia Tech's last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vanderbilt's last 7 games
Vanderbilt is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
Texas Tech vs Arkansas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas Tech's last 6 games
Texas Tech is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arkansas's last 9 games
Arkansas is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Syracuse vs Washington State
Syracuse is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games
Washington State is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Washington State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Texas A&M vs Southern California
Texas A&M is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas A&M's last 7 games
Texas A&M is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas A&M's last 7 games
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Sep 10, 2018
- 17,456
- 17
- 38
Armadillo Sports
Friday’s 6-pack:
College hoop teams playing the fastest tempo:
— Cal Poly
— South Dakota
— North Carolina
— Fresno State
— Alabama
— New Mexico
Quote of the Day
“The opportunity to make money someplace else created a situation that you have to begin to ask yourself as a coach what is this all about. And the answer is it’s become professional.”
Former Miami coach Jim Larrañaga
Friday’s quiz
NFL QB’s Tony Romo, Sean Payton and Jimmy Garropolo all played college football at the same school; which one?
Thursday’s quiz
Pete Carroll has coached the Jets, Patriots and Seahawks.
Wednesday’s quiz
Mark Jackson was coach of the Golden State Warriors, before Steve Kerr.
******************************************
Friday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here……..
Seahawks 6, Bears 3
This was the worst NFL game I’ve ever seen. Ever.
Total yardage: Seattle 265, Chicago 179
Seahawks kicked a FG on their first drive.
After the first drive, they ran 41 plays for 180 yards.
Seattle gained less than 300 yards in five or last seven games.
Bears are 0-10 SU/3-7 ATS in their last ten games.
Bears averaged 2.2 yards/pass attempt; Williams was sacked 7 times.
Chicago has scored 45 points in four games since Eberflus got fired.
Bears are 0-10 when they score less than 24 points,
Under is 7-3 in Chicago’s last ten games.
Chiefs 29, Steelers 10
Chiefs won their last six games, covered last three.
Chiefs’ first two drives: 15 plays, 121 yards, 13 points.
Last three games, Kansas City is +10 in turnovers.
Mahomes threw for 320 yards, three TD’s.
Win clinches the #1 seed in AFC for Kansas City.
Steelers ran for 202 yards, but were minus-2 in turnovers.
Pittsburgh was 8-16 on third down, Chiefs 3-10.
Steelers averaged only 3.9 yards/pass attempt.
Steelers lost their last three games, after a 7-1 run.
Last three games, Pittsburgh allowed 402.7 yards/game.
Ravens 31, Texans 2
Baltimore won its two post-bye games, scoring 35-34-31 points.
Ravens’ first two drives: 15 plays, 111 yards, 10 points.
Baltimore is 11-0 if they score 27+ points, 0-5 if they score less than 27
QB Jackson put game out of reach with a 48-yard TD run.
Ravens are 6-2 ATS as a road favorite this year.
Ravens outgained Houston, 432-211
Texans had only ten first downs the whole game.
Houston is 2-7 when it gives up more than 20 points.
Under is 7-1 in Texans home games.
This was first-ever NFL game with a halftime score of 17-2.
— Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 OT
Toledo kicked a 51-yard FG with 1:45 left to force OT
Rockets scored two TD’s in a 0:14 span in the second quarter.
Toledo led 20-12 at halftime.
Pitt ran ball 66 times for 301 yards, but lost.
This game had six overtime innings, the longest bowl game ever.
— Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41
Rutgers led 27-17 at halftime, 34-17 with 6:00 left in 3rd quarter.
Dylan Edwards ran 18 times for 196 yards and two TD’s.
K-State ran ball 42 times for 347 yards (8.3 yards/carry).
Rutgers gained 319 yards in first half, only 82 after halftime.
— Arkansas State 38, Bowling Green 31
Ark State took a 10-0 lead on a 60-yard punt return for a TD.
Then, Falcons’ #3 QB threw a 43-yard TD pass on a fake punt.
Bowling Green outgained Ark State, 479-360
Ark State QB Raynor threw for 221 yards and two TD’s.
— South Florida 41, San Jose State 39 OT
USF led 21-7 after a 93-yard kick return in second quarter.
Bulls kicked a 41-yard FG with 0:02 left in regulation to force OT.
San Jose outgained South Florida, 441-291.
— Famous birthdays, December 27:
Tovah Feldshuh, 72
Mark Budaska, 72
Craig Reynolds, 72
Kent Benson, 70
Donald Igwebuike, 64
Eva LaRue, 58
Kevin Ollie, 52
Carson Palmer, 45
Cole Hamels, 41
Greg Zuerlein, 37
Jordan Montgomery, 32
Brock Purdy, 25
— 75-year old Jim Larrañaga is no longer Miami’s basketball coach; whether he got fired or quit isn’t relevant (no one quits those jobs unless it is health-related).
Larrañaga won 744 games as a college coach; he had Miami in the freakin’ Final Four two years ago, but the Hurricanes are 4-8 this season, after ending last year on an 0-10 skid. Our society has become very fickle, especially towards older people, so Larrañaga is gone now.
— Speaking of which, there are murmurs that 73-year old Pete Carroll has interest in being the next coach of the Chicago Bears, who need all the coaching they can get.
Carroll has a 181-131-1 record as an NFL head coach, winning a Super Bowl with Seattle; he was also 97-19 as USC’s coach.
— Teddy Bridgewater was an NFL QB for nine years, for six different teams; he was Detroit’s backup QB last year, then retired so he could coach high school ball at Miami Northwestern HS, his alma mater. Miami Northwestern won a state title this past season and now Bridgewater has un-retired, to go back to the Lions as a backup.
— Nebraska 78, Oregon State 66
Cornhuskers win the Diamond Head Classic; they’re 10-2 this season.
Nebraska was 38-44 on the foul line in the 3-game tournament.
Cornhuskers are forcing turnovers 21% of time (#49)
— The fiercest game in those 8-team tournaments is the 7th place game, when two teams that are 0-2 in the event fight like hell not to go home to the mainland 0-3.
Murray State beat Loyola Chi 71-68 in the 7th place game at Diamond Head; Racers were 22-33 on the foul line, Loyola 14-21. Ramblers led by 11 early in second half, but went home 0-3.
— QB Fernando Mendoza has transferred from the Cal Bears to Indiana; he threw for 3,004 yards this year, with 16 TD passes, six INT’s.
— QB Darian Mensah bolted from Tulane to Duke after leading the Green Wave to a 9-4 regular season record. Word came out on the Interweb this week that Mensah signed a 2-year deal worth $8M to play for Duke!!!! 4 million freakin’ dollars a year!!!!
By way of comparison, Jimmy Garropolo is the Rams’ backup QB, in the NFL. He’s making $3,044,305 this season.
Go figure.
Friday’s 6-pack:
College hoop teams playing the fastest tempo:
— Cal Poly
— South Dakota
— North Carolina
— Fresno State
— Alabama
— New Mexico
Quote of the Day
“The opportunity to make money someplace else created a situation that you have to begin to ask yourself as a coach what is this all about. And the answer is it’s become professional.”
Former Miami coach Jim Larrañaga
Friday’s quiz
NFL QB’s Tony Romo, Sean Payton and Jimmy Garropolo all played college football at the same school; which one?
Thursday’s quiz
Pete Carroll has coached the Jets, Patriots and Seahawks.
Wednesday’s quiz
Mark Jackson was coach of the Golden State Warriors, before Steve Kerr.
******************************************
Friday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here……..
Seahawks 6, Bears 3
This was the worst NFL game I’ve ever seen. Ever.
Total yardage: Seattle 265, Chicago 179
Seahawks kicked a FG on their first drive.
After the first drive, they ran 41 plays for 180 yards.
Seattle gained less than 300 yards in five or last seven games.
Bears are 0-10 SU/3-7 ATS in their last ten games.
Bears averaged 2.2 yards/pass attempt; Williams was sacked 7 times.
Chicago has scored 45 points in four games since Eberflus got fired.
Bears are 0-10 when they score less than 24 points,
Under is 7-3 in Chicago’s last ten games.
Chiefs 29, Steelers 10
Chiefs won their last six games, covered last three.
Chiefs’ first two drives: 15 plays, 121 yards, 13 points.
Last three games, Kansas City is +10 in turnovers.
Mahomes threw for 320 yards, three TD’s.
Win clinches the #1 seed in AFC for Kansas City.
Steelers ran for 202 yards, but were minus-2 in turnovers.
Pittsburgh was 8-16 on third down, Chiefs 3-10.
Steelers averaged only 3.9 yards/pass attempt.
Steelers lost their last three games, after a 7-1 run.
Last three games, Pittsburgh allowed 402.7 yards/game.
Ravens 31, Texans 2
Baltimore won its two post-bye games, scoring 35-34-31 points.
Ravens’ first two drives: 15 plays, 111 yards, 10 points.
Baltimore is 11-0 if they score 27+ points, 0-5 if they score less than 27
QB Jackson put game out of reach with a 48-yard TD run.
Ravens are 6-2 ATS as a road favorite this year.
Ravens outgained Houston, 432-211
Texans had only ten first downs the whole game.
Houston is 2-7 when it gives up more than 20 points.
Under is 7-1 in Texans home games.
This was first-ever NFL game with a halftime score of 17-2.
— Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 OT
Toledo kicked a 51-yard FG with 1:45 left to force OT
Rockets scored two TD’s in a 0:14 span in the second quarter.
Toledo led 20-12 at halftime.
Pitt ran ball 66 times for 301 yards, but lost.
This game had six overtime innings, the longest bowl game ever.
— Kansas State 44, Rutgers 41
Rutgers led 27-17 at halftime, 34-17 with 6:00 left in 3rd quarter.
Dylan Edwards ran 18 times for 196 yards and two TD’s.
K-State ran ball 42 times for 347 yards (8.3 yards/carry).
Rutgers gained 319 yards in first half, only 82 after halftime.
— Arkansas State 38, Bowling Green 31
Ark State took a 10-0 lead on a 60-yard punt return for a TD.
Then, Falcons’ #3 QB threw a 43-yard TD pass on a fake punt.
Bowling Green outgained Ark State, 479-360
Ark State QB Raynor threw for 221 yards and two TD’s.
— South Florida 41, San Jose State 39 OT
USF led 21-7 after a 93-yard kick return in second quarter.
Bulls kicked a 41-yard FG with 0:02 left in regulation to force OT.
San Jose outgained South Florida, 441-291.
— Famous birthdays, December 27:
Tovah Feldshuh, 72
Mark Budaska, 72
Craig Reynolds, 72
Kent Benson, 70
Donald Igwebuike, 64
Eva LaRue, 58
Kevin Ollie, 52
Carson Palmer, 45
Cole Hamels, 41
Greg Zuerlein, 37
Jordan Montgomery, 32
Brock Purdy, 25
— 75-year old Jim Larrañaga is no longer Miami’s basketball coach; whether he got fired or quit isn’t relevant (no one quits those jobs unless it is health-related).
Larrañaga won 744 games as a college coach; he had Miami in the freakin’ Final Four two years ago, but the Hurricanes are 4-8 this season, after ending last year on an 0-10 skid. Our society has become very fickle, especially towards older people, so Larrañaga is gone now.
— Speaking of which, there are murmurs that 73-year old Pete Carroll has interest in being the next coach of the Chicago Bears, who need all the coaching they can get.
Carroll has a 181-131-1 record as an NFL head coach, winning a Super Bowl with Seattle; he was also 97-19 as USC’s coach.
— Teddy Bridgewater was an NFL QB for nine years, for six different teams; he was Detroit’s backup QB last year, then retired so he could coach high school ball at Miami Northwestern HS, his alma mater. Miami Northwestern won a state title this past season and now Bridgewater has un-retired, to go back to the Lions as a backup.
— Nebraska 78, Oregon State 66
Cornhuskers win the Diamond Head Classic; they’re 10-2 this season.
Nebraska was 38-44 on the foul line in the 3-game tournament.
Cornhuskers are forcing turnovers 21% of time (#49)
— The fiercest game in those 8-team tournaments is the 7th place game, when two teams that are 0-2 in the event fight like hell not to go home to the mainland 0-3.
Murray State beat Loyola Chi 71-68 in the 7th place game at Diamond Head; Racers were 22-33 on the foul line, Loyola 14-21. Ramblers led by 11 early in second half, but went home 0-3.
— QB Fernando Mendoza has transferred from the Cal Bears to Indiana; he threw for 3,004 yards this year, with 16 TD passes, six INT’s.
— QB Darian Mensah bolted from Tulane to Duke after leading the Green Wave to a 9-4 regular season record. Word came out on the Interweb this week that Mensah signed a 2-year deal worth $8M to play for Duke!!!! 4 million freakin’ dollars a year!!!!
By way of comparison, Jimmy Garropolo is the Rams’ backup QB, in the NFL. He’s making $3,044,305 this season.
Go figure.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| OKLA at NAVY | 12:00 PM | NAVY +1.0 O 43.5 | +500 +500 |
| GT at VAN | 03:30 PM | VAN +3.0 O 49.5 | +500 +500 |
| TTU at ARK | 07:00 PM | ARK +2.5 O 52.0 | +500 +500 |
| SYR at WSU | 08:00 PM | WSU +17.5 O 59.5 | +500 +500 |
| TAM at USC | 10:30 PM | TAM -3.0 U 53.0 | +500 +500 |
NCAAFB BEST BETS THRU CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK AND BOWL GAMES !
12/27/2024...................5 - 3 - 0.......................62.50%..................+ 8.50
12/26/2024...................3 - 3 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/24/2024....................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 0.50
12/21.2024.....................3 -3 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/20/2024.....................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/19/2024.....................0 -2 - 0.......................00.00%..................- 11.00
12/18/2024.....................2 -2 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.00
12/17/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%...................- 11.00
12/14/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%....................- 11.00
12/07/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0......................40.00%...................- 13.00
12/06/2024.....................4 - 2 - 0......................66.66%...................+ 9.00
TOTALS.........................25 -29 - 0......................46.29%.................. - 33.50
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS............146- 147 - 0.........................49.82%............................- 78.50
12/27/2024...................5 - 3 - 0.......................62.50%..................+ 8.50
12/26/2024...................3 - 3 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/24/2024....................1 - 1 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 0.50
12/21.2024.....................3 -3 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/20/2024.....................3 - 3 - 0......................50.00%..................- 1.50
12/19/2024.....................0 -2 - 0.......................00.00%..................- 11.00
12/18/2024.....................2 -2 - 0.......................50.00%..................- 1.00
12/17/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%...................- 11.00
12/14/2024.....................0 - 2 - 0......................00.00%....................- 11.00
12/07/2024.....................4 - 6 - 0......................40.00%...................- 13.00
12/06/2024.....................4 - 2 - 0......................66.66%...................+ 9.00
TOTALS.........................25 -29 - 0......................46.29%.................. - 33.50
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS............146- 147 - 0.........................49.82%............................- 78.50
- Sep 10, 2018
- 17,456
- 17
- 38
NCAAF
Weather Report
Saturday, December 28
NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up
Bowl Season
Saturday’s games
Fenway Bowl (@ Boston)
North Carolina (-2.5) vs UConn
North Carolina (6-6)
New UNC coach Bill Belichick won’t be at this game.
North Carolina lost its last two games, giving up 41-35 points.
Tar Heels are 6-1 when they allow less than 34 points.
Tar Heels have 6 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Tar Heels have 59 returning starts on OL, 49 from one guy.
Junior QB Criswell has 2,003 passing yards (12 TD’s, 3 INTs)
Tar Heels are 1-5-1 ATS last as a favorite this year.
Last three games, UNC allowed 226 rushing yards/game.
Tar Heels are 7-9-2 ATS in last 18 non-conference games.
Carolina has three losses this year where they scored 30+ points.
Under is 5-3 in their last eight games.
UNC lost its last four bowls, giving up 44.3 ppg.
UConn (8-4)
UConn won four of its last five games.
Huskies are 5-0 giving up 20 or less points (gave up 50-26-23-31 in losses)
UConn has 6 starters back on offense, 8 on defense
UConn has 80 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Fagnano has 1,480 passing yards (18 TDs, 4 INTs)
Huskies are 0-3 vs ACC teams TY, losing by 5-3-7 points.
UConn is 2-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Mora, Huskies are 12-10 ATS as an underdog.
In his college career, Mora is 22-24 ATS as an underdog.
Huskies are 4-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Over is 3-0-1 in UConn’s last four games
UConn lost their last three bowls; their last bowl win was in 2009.
ACC teams won both Fenway Bowls.
Pinstripe Bowl (@ Bronx, NY)
Boston College vs Nebraska (-3.5)
Boston College (7-5)
BC won three of last four games, scoring 35 ppg.
Eagles are 1-5 when they allow more than 23 points.
BC is 3-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Eagles have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Eagles have 115 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB James has 901 PY (6 TDs, 2 INTs)
Boston College is 5-2 ATS as an underdog this year.
In his college career, O’Brien is 10-5 ATS as an underdog.
Since 2017, Eagles are 35-21 ATS as an underdog.
BC is 3-5 vs I-A teams when it scores less than 30 points.
Over is 6-0 in their last six games.
Eagles lost two of their last three bowl games.
Nebraska (6-6)
Nebraska lost five of its last six games.
Nebraska is 1-6 when it allows more than 10 points.
Last six games, Cornhuskers are minus-7 in turnovers.
Cornhuskers have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Nebraska has 152 returning starts on OL, mostly from transfers.
Freshman QB Raiola has thrown for 2,582 yards (12 TDs, 10 INTs)
Nebraska is bowl eligible for first time since 2016.
Last five bowl games, Nebraska is 2-3 SU/3-2 ATS (underdog in all five)
In his career, Rhule is 1-2 in bowl games.
Nebraska is 4-2-1 ATS as a favorite this year.
As a college coach, Rhule is 27-23-1 ATS as a favorite.
Under is 7-4 in their I-A games.
Big 18 teams won the last seven Pinstripe Bowls.
Favorites are 4-2 ATS in last six Pinstripe Bowls
New Mexico Bowl (@ Albuquerque)
Louisiana vs TCU (-12.5)
Louisiana (10-3)
Louisiana split its last four games, after an 8-1 start.
Cajuns are 10-1 when they score 23+ points.
Louisiana is 2-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
ULL has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense
Cajuns have 91 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Wooldridge had 8 starts before this year.
Louisiana scored 34+ points in six of its last seven wins.
This season, Louisiana is 2-1 ATS as an underdog.
Under Desormeaux, ULL is 4-7 ATS as an underdog.
Cajuns allowed 200+ yards rushing in five of their 13 games.
Last nine games, ULL is +12 in turnovers.
Cajuns won four of their last five bowl games.
TCU (8-4)
Horned Frogs won three in row, five of last six games.
TCU is 7-0 when it gives up fewer than 30 points.
TCU scored 34+ points in four of last five games.
TCU has 7 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Horned Frogs have 77 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Hoover started six games last year.
TCU has only two I-A wins by more than 11 points.
TCU won/covered its last three games.
Under Dykes, is 14-11-1 ATS as a favorite.
In his career, Dykes is 44-43-2 ATS as a favorite.
Frogs are 8-4 despite being minus-9 in turnovers.
Over is 6-4 in their last ten games.
TCU is 3-1 in last four bowls; the loss was 65-7 in ’22 national title game.
Underdogs are 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS in this bowl the last four years.
Pop Tarts Bowl (@ Orlando, FL)
Iowa State vs Miami (-3.5)
Iowa State (10-3)
Iowa State split its last six games, after a 7-0 start.
ISU gave up 23-45-45 points in their losses.
Cyclones are 4-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cyclones have 10 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Cyclones have 90 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Becht started 13 games last season.
In his career, Campbell is 36-19-2 ATS as an underdog.
Under Campbell, ISU is 25-14-2 ATS as an underdog.
Cyclones are 1-0 ATS as an underdog this season.
Last five games, Cyclones are minus-3 in turnovers.
Over is 7-5 in Iowa State’s I-A games.
Iowa State lost four of its last five bowl games.
Miami FL (10-2)
Miami lost two of last three games, after a 9-0 start.
Hurricanes scored 36+ points in their wins.
Miami’s losses: 28-23 @ Georgia Tech, 42-38 @ Syracuse.
Miami has 10 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Hurricanes have 121 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB Ward has 25 career starts; he bolted from Washington State.
Hurricanes are 6-5 ATS as a favorite this year.
In his career, Cristobal is 36-45-2 ATS as a favorite.
Under Cristobal, Miami is 10-15 ATS as a favorite
Georgia Tech is only team that held Miami under 36 points this yeah.
Over is 7-3-1 in Miami games this season.
Miami lost its last five bowls; their last bowl win was in 2016.
Favorite are 7-1 ATS in this bowl the last eight years.
Big X teams are 3-5 ATS in this bowl the last eight years.
Arizona Bowl (@ Tucson)
Miami OH (-3) vs Colorado State
Miami (8-5)
Redhawks won 7 of last 8 games, after a 1-4 start.
Miami is 1-5 when it scores fewer than 23 points.
Miami is 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Redhawks have 6 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Miami has 100 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Gabbert has 37 career starts.
Miami is 4-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
Redhawks are 11-5 ATS in last 16 games as a favorite.
You’re reading armadillosports.com
Miami is 4-4 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Miami held five of last seven opponents under 300 TY.
Under is 3-1 in Miami’s last four games.
Redhawks lost four of their last five bowls.
Colorado State (8-4)
Rams are 6-1 in last seven games, after a 2-3 start.
CSU gave up 52-28-39-28 points in their losses.
Rams are3-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Rams have 7 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
CSU has 94 starts returning on the offensive line.
Rams’ soph QB has 11 starts; he threw 22 TD’s, 16 INT’s last year.
Rams are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.
Rams are 1-3 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Norvell, Rams are 10-10 ATS as underdogs.
In his career, Norvell is 30-21 ATS as an underdog.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Colorado State lost its last four bowls (last bowl win, 2013)
Since 2015, underdogs are 4-3 ATS in this bowl.
Last eight years, Mountain West teams are 6-2 SU/5-3 ATS in this bowl.
Military Bowl (@ Annapolis, MD)
East Carolina vs NC State (-6)
East Carolina (7-5)
ECU fired its coach mid-season; interim coach is the new full-time coach
Pirates are 1-5 when they score fewer than 30 points.
Last five games, ECU ran ball for 247.8 yards/game.
ECU has 7 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Pirates have 61 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Houser has 1,859 PY (18 TD’s, 9 INT’s)
ECU won four of last five games, after a 3-4 start.
ECU is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Pirates are 25-17 ATS in last 42 games as an underdog.
ECU is 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
ECU split its last four bowl games (favorites 4-0 ATS)
NC State (6-6)
Wolfpack ran ball for 220+ yards in three of last four games.
State is minus-6 in turnovers in their last six games.
State is 3-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
NC State has 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Wolfpack has 95 returning starts on the offensive line.
Frosh QB Bailey has thrown for 2,182 yards (14 TD’s, 9 INTs)
Wolfpack is 5-12 ATS in last 17 games as a favorite.
State is 1-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
Under Deoren, Wolfpack is 39-42 ATS as a favorite.
Wolfpack is 0-3 when they score less than 24 points.
Over is 4-1 in their last five games.
Wolfpack lost its last four bowl games (last win, 2017)
NC State (-12) beat East Carolina 21-20 in 2022 season opener.
Favorites are 4-1 ATS in last five Military Bowls
ACC teams are 4-2 SU/ATS in last six Military Bowls
Alamo Bowl (@ San Antonio)
BYU vs Colorado (-3.5)
BYU (10-2)
BYU lost two of last three games, after a 9-0 start.
BYU’s losses: 17-13 vs Kansas, 28-23 at Arizona State
BYU is 4-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cougars have 8 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Broncos have 88 starts returning on the offensive line.
Junior QB Retzlaff started four games LY.
BYU is 4-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
In his career, coach Sitake is 25-14-1 ATS as an underdog.
BYU three of last four opponents under 260 TY.
BYU is 8-0 when it scores 24+ points.
Seven of their last eight games went over the total.
BYU is 3-2 SU/ATS in its last five bowl games.
Colorado (9-3)
Colorado won five of its last six games (9-1 ATS).
Colorado scored 31+ points in eight of its nine wins.
Buffs are 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Colorado has 8 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Colorado has 100 returning starts on offensive line, and a new OL coach.
QB Sanders started 11 games LY, after playing multiple years at I-AA Jackson State.
Sanders is 8-4 ATS as a favorite with Colorado.
Colorado is 11-6 ATS last 17 games as a favorite.
Last four games, Colorado is +7 in turnovers.
Over is 5-3-1 in their last nine games.
This is Colorado’s first bowl since 2020
Colorado’s last bowl win was in 2004, 33-28 (-4) over UTEP
Favorites are 6-5 ATS in last eleven Alamo Bowls.
Colorado lost this game in 2016, 2020
Independence Bowl (@ Shreveport, LA)
Army (-16.5) vs Louisiana Tech
Army (11-2)
Army split its last four games, after a 9-0 start.
Army’s losses: 49-14 to Notre Dame, 31-13 to Navy
Army has nine wins by 17+ points.
Army has 8 starters back on offense, 3 on defense
Black Knights have 85 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Daily started 10 games last year.
In two losses, Army gave up 273-271 rushing yards.
Army is 5-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
Army is 25-29 ATS last 54 games as a favorite.
Army ran ball for 200+ yards in 12 of its 13 games.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Army won 4 of last 5 bowls (last bowl was in 2021)
Louisiana Tech (5-7)
Tech is 4-7 vs I-A teams, with four losses by 7 or less points.
Bulldogs are 1-5 when they give up more than 17 points.
Tech has only one loss by more than 10 points (14-35 @ Arkansas)
Tech has 5 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Tech has 79 returning starts on offensive line.
Frosh QB Bullock has 1,941 passing yards (14 TD, 2 INTs).
Tech is 5-0 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Cumbie, Tech is 10-9 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Cumbie is 12-11 ATS as an underdog.
Arkansas is only team to run for 200+ yards vs Tech this year
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Bulldogs won four of their last five bowl games.
Underdogs are 3-1-1 ATS in last five Independence Bowls
Weather Report
Saturday, December 28
NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up
Bowl Season
Saturday’s games
Fenway Bowl (@ Boston)
North Carolina (-2.5) vs UConn
North Carolina (6-6)
New UNC coach Bill Belichick won’t be at this game.
North Carolina lost its last two games, giving up 41-35 points.
Tar Heels are 6-1 when they allow less than 34 points.
Tar Heels have 6 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Tar Heels have 59 returning starts on OL, 49 from one guy.
Junior QB Criswell has 2,003 passing yards (12 TD’s, 3 INTs)
Tar Heels are 1-5-1 ATS last as a favorite this year.
Last three games, UNC allowed 226 rushing yards/game.
Tar Heels are 7-9-2 ATS in last 18 non-conference games.
Carolina has three losses this year where they scored 30+ points.
Under is 5-3 in their last eight games.
UNC lost its last four bowls, giving up 44.3 ppg.
UConn (8-4)
UConn won four of its last five games.
Huskies are 5-0 giving up 20 or less points (gave up 50-26-23-31 in losses)
UConn has 6 starters back on offense, 8 on defense
UConn has 80 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Fagnano has 1,480 passing yards (18 TDs, 4 INTs)
Huskies are 0-3 vs ACC teams TY, losing by 5-3-7 points.
UConn is 2-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Mora, Huskies are 12-10 ATS as an underdog.
In his college career, Mora is 22-24 ATS as an underdog.
Huskies are 4-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Over is 3-0-1 in UConn’s last four games
UConn lost their last three bowls; their last bowl win was in 2009.
ACC teams won both Fenway Bowls.
Pinstripe Bowl (@ Bronx, NY)
Boston College vs Nebraska (-3.5)
Boston College (7-5)
BC won three of last four games, scoring 35 ppg.
Eagles are 1-5 when they allow more than 23 points.
BC is 3-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Eagles have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Eagles have 115 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB James has 901 PY (6 TDs, 2 INTs)
Boston College is 5-2 ATS as an underdog this year.
In his college career, O’Brien is 10-5 ATS as an underdog.
Since 2017, Eagles are 35-21 ATS as an underdog.
BC is 3-5 vs I-A teams when it scores less than 30 points.
Over is 6-0 in their last six games.
Eagles lost two of their last three bowl games.
Nebraska (6-6)
Nebraska lost five of its last six games.
Nebraska is 1-6 when it allows more than 10 points.
Last six games, Cornhuskers are minus-7 in turnovers.
Cornhuskers have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Nebraska has 152 returning starts on OL, mostly from transfers.
Freshman QB Raiola has thrown for 2,582 yards (12 TDs, 10 INTs)
Nebraska is bowl eligible for first time since 2016.
Last five bowl games, Nebraska is 2-3 SU/3-2 ATS (underdog in all five)
In his career, Rhule is 1-2 in bowl games.
Nebraska is 4-2-1 ATS as a favorite this year.
As a college coach, Rhule is 27-23-1 ATS as a favorite.
Under is 7-4 in their I-A games.
Big 18 teams won the last seven Pinstripe Bowls.
Favorites are 4-2 ATS in last six Pinstripe Bowls
New Mexico Bowl (@ Albuquerque)
Louisiana vs TCU (-12.5)
Louisiana (10-3)
Louisiana split its last four games, after an 8-1 start.
Cajuns are 10-1 when they score 23+ points.
Louisiana is 2-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
ULL has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense
Cajuns have 91 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Wooldridge had 8 starts before this year.
Louisiana scored 34+ points in six of its last seven wins.
This season, Louisiana is 2-1 ATS as an underdog.
Under Desormeaux, ULL is 4-7 ATS as an underdog.
Cajuns allowed 200+ yards rushing in five of their 13 games.
Last nine games, ULL is +12 in turnovers.
Cajuns won four of their last five bowl games.
TCU (8-4)
Horned Frogs won three in row, five of last six games.
TCU is 7-0 when it gives up fewer than 30 points.
TCU scored 34+ points in four of last five games.
TCU has 7 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Horned Frogs have 77 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Hoover started six games last year.
TCU has only two I-A wins by more than 11 points.
TCU won/covered its last three games.
Under Dykes, is 14-11-1 ATS as a favorite.
In his career, Dykes is 44-43-2 ATS as a favorite.
Frogs are 8-4 despite being minus-9 in turnovers.
Over is 6-4 in their last ten games.
TCU is 3-1 in last four bowls; the loss was 65-7 in ’22 national title game.
Underdogs are 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS in this bowl the last four years.
Pop Tarts Bowl (@ Orlando, FL)
Iowa State vs Miami (-3.5)
Iowa State (10-3)
Iowa State split its last six games, after a 7-0 start.
ISU gave up 23-45-45 points in their losses.
Cyclones are 4-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cyclones have 10 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Cyclones have 90 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Becht started 13 games last season.
In his career, Campbell is 36-19-2 ATS as an underdog.
Under Campbell, ISU is 25-14-2 ATS as an underdog.
Cyclones are 1-0 ATS as an underdog this season.
Last five games, Cyclones are minus-3 in turnovers.
Over is 7-5 in Iowa State’s I-A games.
Iowa State lost four of its last five bowl games.
Miami FL (10-2)
Miami lost two of last three games, after a 9-0 start.
Hurricanes scored 36+ points in their wins.
Miami’s losses: 28-23 @ Georgia Tech, 42-38 @ Syracuse.
Miami has 10 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Hurricanes have 121 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB Ward has 25 career starts; he bolted from Washington State.
Hurricanes are 6-5 ATS as a favorite this year.
In his career, Cristobal is 36-45-2 ATS as a favorite.
Under Cristobal, Miami is 10-15 ATS as a favorite
Georgia Tech is only team that held Miami under 36 points this yeah.
Over is 7-3-1 in Miami games this season.
Miami lost its last five bowls; their last bowl win was in 2016.
Favorite are 7-1 ATS in this bowl the last eight years.
Big X teams are 3-5 ATS in this bowl the last eight years.
Arizona Bowl (@ Tucson)
Miami OH (-3) vs Colorado State
Miami (8-5)
Redhawks won 7 of last 8 games, after a 1-4 start.
Miami is 1-5 when it scores fewer than 23 points.
Miami is 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Redhawks have 6 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Miami has 100 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Gabbert has 37 career starts.
Miami is 4-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
Redhawks are 11-5 ATS in last 16 games as a favorite.
You’re reading armadillosports.com
Miami is 4-4 ATS TY in games with single digit spread.
Miami held five of last seven opponents under 300 TY.
Under is 3-1 in Miami’s last four games.
Redhawks lost four of their last five bowls.
Colorado State (8-4)
Rams are 6-1 in last seven games, after a 2-3 start.
CSU gave up 52-28-39-28 points in their losses.
Rams are3-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Rams have 7 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
CSU has 94 starts returning on the offensive line.
Rams’ soph QB has 11 starts; he threw 22 TD’s, 16 INT’s last year.
Rams are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.
Rams are 1-3 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Norvell, Rams are 10-10 ATS as underdogs.
In his career, Norvell is 30-21 ATS as an underdog.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Colorado State lost its last four bowls (last bowl win, 2013)
Since 2015, underdogs are 4-3 ATS in this bowl.
Last eight years, Mountain West teams are 6-2 SU/5-3 ATS in this bowl.
Military Bowl (@ Annapolis, MD)
East Carolina vs NC State (-6)
East Carolina (7-5)
ECU fired its coach mid-season; interim coach is the new full-time coach
Pirates are 1-5 when they score fewer than 30 points.
Last five games, ECU ran ball for 247.8 yards/game.
ECU has 7 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Pirates have 61 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Houser has 1,859 PY (18 TD’s, 9 INT’s)
ECU won four of last five games, after a 3-4 start.
ECU is 3-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
Pirates are 25-17 ATS in last 42 games as an underdog.
ECU is 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
ECU split its last four bowl games (favorites 4-0 ATS)
NC State (6-6)
Wolfpack ran ball for 220+ yards in three of last four games.
State is minus-6 in turnovers in their last six games.
State is 3-3 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
NC State has 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Wolfpack has 95 returning starts on the offensive line.
Frosh QB Bailey has thrown for 2,182 yards (14 TD’s, 9 INTs)
Wolfpack is 5-12 ATS in last 17 games as a favorite.
State is 1-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
Under Deoren, Wolfpack is 39-42 ATS as a favorite.
Wolfpack is 0-3 when they score less than 24 points.
Over is 4-1 in their last five games.
Wolfpack lost its last four bowl games (last win, 2017)
NC State (-12) beat East Carolina 21-20 in 2022 season opener.
Favorites are 4-1 ATS in last five Military Bowls
ACC teams are 4-2 SU/ATS in last six Military Bowls
Alamo Bowl (@ San Antonio)
BYU vs Colorado (-3.5)
BYU (10-2)
BYU lost two of last three games, after a 9-0 start.
BYU’s losses: 17-13 vs Kansas, 28-23 at Arizona State
BYU is 4-2 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Cougars have 8 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Broncos have 88 starts returning on the offensive line.
Junior QB Retzlaff started four games LY.
BYU is 4-1 ATS as an underdog this season.
In his career, coach Sitake is 25-14-1 ATS as an underdog.
BYU three of last four opponents under 260 TY.
BYU is 8-0 when it scores 24+ points.
Seven of their last eight games went over the total.
BYU is 3-2 SU/ATS in its last five bowl games.
Colorado (9-3)
Colorado won five of its last six games (9-1 ATS).
Colorado scored 31+ points in eight of its nine wins.
Buffs are 2-1 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Colorado has 8 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Colorado has 100 returning starts on offensive line, and a new OL coach.
QB Sanders started 11 games LY, after playing multiple years at I-AA Jackson State.
Sanders is 8-4 ATS as a favorite with Colorado.
Colorado is 11-6 ATS last 17 games as a favorite.
Last four games, Colorado is +7 in turnovers.
Over is 5-3-1 in their last nine games.
This is Colorado’s first bowl since 2020
Colorado’s last bowl win was in 2004, 33-28 (-4) over UTEP
Favorites are 6-5 ATS in last eleven Alamo Bowls.
Colorado lost this game in 2016, 2020
Independence Bowl (@ Shreveport, LA)
Army (-16.5) vs Louisiana Tech
Army (11-2)
Army split its last four games, after a 9-0 start.
Army’s losses: 49-14 to Notre Dame, 31-13 to Navy
Army has nine wins by 17+ points.
Army has 8 starters back on offense, 3 on defense
Black Knights have 85 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Daily started 10 games last year.
In two losses, Army gave up 273-271 rushing yards.
Army is 5-4 ATS as a favorite this season.
Army is 25-29 ATS last 54 games as a favorite.
Army ran ball for 200+ yards in 12 of its 13 games.
Over is 3-1 in their last four games.
Army won 4 of last 5 bowls (last bowl was in 2021)
Louisiana Tech (5-7)
Tech is 4-7 vs I-A teams, with four losses by 7 or less points.
Bulldogs are 1-5 when they give up more than 17 points.
Tech has only one loss by more than 10 points (14-35 @ Arkansas)
Tech has 5 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Tech has 79 returning starts on offensive line.
Frosh QB Bullock has 1,941 passing yards (14 TD, 2 INTs).
Tech is 5-0 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Cumbie, Tech is 10-9 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Cumbie is 12-11 ATS as an underdog.
Arkansas is only team to run for 200+ yards vs Tech this year
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Bulldogs won four of their last five bowl games.
Underdogs are 3-1-1 ATS in last five Independence Bowls
- Sep 10, 2018
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Armadillo Sports
Saturday’s 6-pack:
College hoop teams doing the best ATS:
11-1— St Bonaventure
10-1— Oregon State
9-2— Auburn
9-2— Tennessee
9-3— Vanderbilt
Teams doing the worst:
2-9— Saint Louis
2-9— Grand Canyon
2-9— Richmond
3-10— Wake Forest
1-9-2— Minnesota
Quote of the Day
“Greg was a highly accomplished and pioneering figure in sports broadcasting who brought instant credibility to ESPN in the early years of the network as both a SportsCenter anchor and as a key on-air contributor to our initial NBA coverage in the 1980s.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, talking about the late Greg Gumbel
Saturday’s quiz
Which two NFL teams has UConn coach Jim Mora Jr coached?
Friday’s quiz
NFL QB’s Tony Romo, Sean Payton and Jimmy Garoppolo all played college football at the same school; Eastern Illinois.
Thursday’s quiz
Pete Carroll has coached the Jets, Patriots and Seahawks.
******************************************************
Saturday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Friday…….
— Arizona Diamondbacks made some noise late Friday night, signed P Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210M contract. Burnes is 60-36, 3.19 in 138 career starts; he was 15-9, 2.92 in 32 starts for the Orioles last year.
— Detroit Tigers signed IF Gleyber Torres for one year, $15M; Torres hit 15 homers for Bronx LY, after hitting a combined 49 taters the previous two seasons.
Torres is expected to play 2B in Detroit, with Colt Keith moving to first base.
— OF Teoscar Hernandez re-signed with the Dodgers for three years, $66M; he hit 33 HR’s, knocked in 99 runs for the World Champs last year, going 7-20 in the World Series.
— Seahawks beat the Bears 6-3 Thursday; there was a 120-1 prop bet that there wouldn’t be any touchdowns in the game. Circa Casino said they sold eight “no TD” tickets.
— RIP to Greg Gumbel, who passed away from cancer at age 78; he spent 50+ years in sports broadcasting. He was really good at his job, no matter what sport he worked.
In an industry that is increasingly being filled with arrogant jerks, Gumbel seemed like a really good guy, in addition to being excellent at his job, and reactions to his passing have confirmed that.
RIP, sir.
— Famous birthdays, December 28:
Ray Knight, 72
Denzel Washington, 70
James Brooks, 66
Keith Lee, 62
Mel Stottlemyre, Jr, 61
Seth Meyers, 51
John Henson, 34
Dylan Cease, 29
— Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has concussion issues, isn’t expected to play against the Cowboys Sunday. Backup QB Kenny Pickett has a 14-10 record as an NFL starter.
— North Carolina has a bowl game in Fenway Park today, but Bill Belichick isn’t supposed to be there; am guessing he’ll do a TV segment during the game, for recruiting and all.
— Boise State hasn’t had a losing football season since 1997.
— Navy 21, Oklahoma 20
Down 20-14, Sooners scored TD with 0:06 left; they went for 2 points but failed.
Oklahoma led 14-0 with 5:00 left before halftime.
Navy QB Horvath tied game 14-14 with a 95-yard TD run.
— USC 35, Texas A&M 31
Trojans drove 80 yards, scored game-winning TD with 0:05 left.
Aggies led 24-7 with 4:00 left in third quarter.
USC WR Lane caught seven passes for 127 yards, three TD’s.
— Vanderbilt 35, Georgia Tech 27
Tech outgained Vandy 394-306, but they were minus-2 in turnovers.
QB Pavia threw for 160 yards, 3 TD’s, ran for 84 yards, 2 more TD’s.
This is Vandy’s bowl win since 2013.
— Arkansas 39, Texas Tech 26
QB Green was 11-21 passing, for a whopping 341 yards (31 yards/completion)
Total yardage: Arkansas 559, Tech 497
Razorbacks led 24-19 at halftime.
— Syracuse 52, Washington State 35
Wazzu is decimated; their coach/QB both bolted to greener pa$ture$.
That said, Coogs fought hard; it was 35-28 with 2:00 left in third quarter.
Syracuse QB McCord threw for 453 yards and five TD’s.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 4-1 SU/4-1 ATS
ACC 1-5 SU/1-5 ATS
Big 18 3-2 SU/4-1 ATS
Big X 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS
C-USA 1-2 SU/1-2 ATS
MAC 3-2 SU/3-1-1 ATS
M West 1-2 SU/1-2 ATS
SEC 4-3 SU/4-3 ATS
Sun Belt 3-2 SU/2-2-1 ATS
Favorites: 10-11-1 ATS
Totals: over 14-8
Saturday’s 6-pack:
College hoop teams doing the best ATS:
11-1— St Bonaventure
10-1— Oregon State
9-2— Auburn
9-2— Tennessee
9-3— Vanderbilt
Teams doing the worst:
2-9— Saint Louis
2-9— Grand Canyon
2-9— Richmond
3-10— Wake Forest
1-9-2— Minnesota
Quote of the Day
“Greg was a highly accomplished and pioneering figure in sports broadcasting who brought instant credibility to ESPN in the early years of the network as both a SportsCenter anchor and as a key on-air contributor to our initial NBA coverage in the 1980s.”
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, talking about the late Greg Gumbel
Saturday’s quiz
Which two NFL teams has UConn coach Jim Mora Jr coached?
Friday’s quiz
NFL QB’s Tony Romo, Sean Payton and Jimmy Garoppolo all played college football at the same school; Eastern Illinois.
Thursday’s quiz
Pete Carroll has coached the Jets, Patriots and Seahawks.
******************************************************
Saturday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Friday…….
— Arizona Diamondbacks made some noise late Friday night, signed P Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210M contract. Burnes is 60-36, 3.19 in 138 career starts; he was 15-9, 2.92 in 32 starts for the Orioles last year.
— Detroit Tigers signed IF Gleyber Torres for one year, $15M; Torres hit 15 homers for Bronx LY, after hitting a combined 49 taters the previous two seasons.
Torres is expected to play 2B in Detroit, with Colt Keith moving to first base.
— OF Teoscar Hernandez re-signed with the Dodgers for three years, $66M; he hit 33 HR’s, knocked in 99 runs for the World Champs last year, going 7-20 in the World Series.
— Seahawks beat the Bears 6-3 Thursday; there was a 120-1 prop bet that there wouldn’t be any touchdowns in the game. Circa Casino said they sold eight “no TD” tickets.
— RIP to Greg Gumbel, who passed away from cancer at age 78; he spent 50+ years in sports broadcasting. He was really good at his job, no matter what sport he worked.
In an industry that is increasingly being filled with arrogant jerks, Gumbel seemed like a really good guy, in addition to being excellent at his job, and reactions to his passing have confirmed that.
RIP, sir.
— Famous birthdays, December 28:
Ray Knight, 72
Denzel Washington, 70
James Brooks, 66
Keith Lee, 62
Mel Stottlemyre, Jr, 61
Seth Meyers, 51
John Henson, 34
Dylan Cease, 29
— Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has concussion issues, isn’t expected to play against the Cowboys Sunday. Backup QB Kenny Pickett has a 14-10 record as an NFL starter.
— North Carolina has a bowl game in Fenway Park today, but Bill Belichick isn’t supposed to be there; am guessing he’ll do a TV segment during the game, for recruiting and all.
— Boise State hasn’t had a losing football season since 1997.
— Navy 21, Oklahoma 20
Down 20-14, Sooners scored TD with 0:06 left; they went for 2 points but failed.
Oklahoma led 14-0 with 5:00 left before halftime.
Navy QB Horvath tied game 14-14 with a 95-yard TD run.
— USC 35, Texas A&M 31
Trojans drove 80 yards, scored game-winning TD with 0:05 left.
Aggies led 24-7 with 4:00 left in third quarter.
USC WR Lane caught seven passes for 127 yards, three TD’s.
— Vanderbilt 35, Georgia Tech 27
Tech outgained Vandy 394-306, but they were minus-2 in turnovers.
QB Pavia threw for 160 yards, 3 TD’s, ran for 84 yards, 2 more TD’s.
This is Vandy’s bowl win since 2013.
— Arkansas 39, Texas Tech 26
QB Green was 11-21 passing, for a whopping 341 yards (31 yards/completion)
Total yardage: Arkansas 559, Tech 497
Razorbacks led 24-19 at halftime.
— Syracuse 52, Washington State 35
Wazzu is decimated; their coach/QB both bolted to greener pa$ture$.
That said, Coogs fought hard; it was 35-28 with 2:00 left in third quarter.
Syracuse QB McCord threw for 453 yards and five TD’s.
— Conference bowl records (SU/ATS)
AAC 4-1 SU/4-1 ATS
ACC 1-5 SU/1-5 ATS
Big 18 3-2 SU/4-1 ATS
Big X 1-2 SU/0-3 ATS
C-USA 1-2 SU/1-2 ATS
MAC 3-2 SU/3-1-1 ATS
M West 1-2 SU/1-2 ATS
SEC 4-3 SU/4-3 ATS
Sun Belt 3-2 SU/2-2-1 ATS
Favorites: 10-11-1 ATS
Totals: over 14-8
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONN at UNC | 11:00 AM | CONN +2.5 O 53.5 | +500 +500 |
| BC at NEB | 12:00 PM | BC +4.0 O 46.5 | +500 +500 |
| ULL at TCU | 02:15 PM | ULL +10.5 O 59.0 | +500 +500 |
| ISU at MIA | 03:30 PM | MIA -4.5 O 57.5 | +500 +500 |
| M-OH at CSU | 04:30 PM | CSU +2.5 O 40.5 | +500 +500 |
| ECU at NCST | 05:45 PM | ECU +7.0 O 60.0 | +500 +500 |
| BYU at COLO | 07:30 PM | COLO -3.5 O 55.5 | +500 +500 |
| LT at ARMY | 09:15 PM | U 43.5 | +500 |
