The highly irrelevant and mostly pointless bowl week is upon us once more, like clockwork every year just after Christmas and running until New Year's Day. But, before I get to breaking down these mighty bowl matchups, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the huge development yesterday out of Emirates Stadium, located in Islington, London - just a stone's throw from Holloway Rd. My Gunners, the only professional sports team I actually root for other than a certain ballclub located right along the Ohio River, crucified Chelsea 3-1. It was maybe the best day of the year. Damn close anyway.
As for these pesky bowl games -
Champs Sports Bowl: NCSU +3 vs WVU - Take the Pack. The Mountaineers are in some disarray at the moment, to put it mildly. I have no clue what the thought was behind this coaching transition that is gonna be implemented over the next 12 months or so. It can't be good for morale though. Also, I read that WVU has practiced a grand total of 7 times the past 3 weeks. Expect Russell Wilson and the Pack to pull out an outright win.
Insight Bowl: Mizzu -2&1/2 vs Iowa - I'm always curious about how much insight is actually involved when being chosen for the Insight Bowl. Ricky Stanzi doesn't strike me as having a lot of insight vis a vis reading coverages, but he'll be heaving it around tonight nonetheless. This is a tough game to call. On one hand, Iowa has been pretty much money in bowl games. On the other hand, their best running back is out and they were in a free fall to end the season. If you want action on this battle in Tempe, I would tease the Tigers to dogs and the under up to 53 myself.
Military Bowl: ECU vs The Terps - Total 68: Take the over. The Pirates have been playing games in the 90's recently. Their defense sucks and they throw the ball on almost every down. I am gonna put my whole account on the line on this over. As far as these schools playing in the Military Bowl, I don't quite get it. Greenville, NC is known for partying. Hard. And College Park can hardly be called a bastion of military love. You'd think the hosts of this bowl game would get an actual military academy (all 3 were bowl eligible) to play in this game. Baffling.
Texas Bowl: Illinois vs Baylor: I have no interest in betting this game. Both teams are hard to get a read on. Baylor will put everything they've got into winning, as this is the school's first bowl game in 16 years or something. But the Bears cannot stop the run. And the Illini can run it when they are trying to play. Maybe tease Baylor and the over?
Alamo Bowl: Arizona vs Ok State -4&1/2 - I love the Cowboys in this one. The Cats stumbled down the stretch, and their defense disappeared for the most part in those games. And Ok State has the weapons, the mentality, and the coach to score and score and score. Plus, this battle is taking place in San Antonio, home of several of my favorite dive bars in the known world. Club Scandals being one, obviously.
Armed Forces Bowl: Army vs SMU -7: At least they got a school associated with the armed forces to play in this one. That's more than can be said for the Military Bowl. This one is a home game for the boys from Highland Park (my Scots). I like the Ponies here. Army never beat a good team all season. Also of note is the fact that I spent my freshmen year of college in Cockrell Hall room 250. And I guarantee you that me and my roommate John Massey were the only kids who flew the Stars and Bars in our window and had a picture of Adolf Hitler on our door. Amazingly, no one complained.
Pinstripe Bowl: K State +1 vs The Orange - I like the Wildcats here. The Cuse struggled at the end of the season and K State can run the damn football. Probably a low scoring affair here. This one is being played in the Bronx for some reason. At Yankee Stadium no less. Maybe Cliff Lee will show up to further piss off Yankee fans. That would be cool.
Music City Bowl: UNC -2 vs Rocky Top - I have zero interest in betting this game. But if you wanna have a financial interest in this contest, go with Smokey over that silly Ram. That is IF the Vols bring the real Smokey to Nashville. If it's that fake Smokey, some kid in a mascot costume, stay away.
Holiday Bowl: Washington +14 vs The Corn - These squads played in Seattle back in September and The Corn crushed the Huskies. So, revenge should be on Washington's mind. And they're getting plenty of points. I'd be tempted to take the dog here.
Meineke Bowl: USF +5&1/2 vs Clemson - I don't know why the Tigers are this high a favorite. They will have a considerable home crowd type advantage, but other than that...I like the Bulls to cover and it wouldn't surprise me if they won outright. As far as the Meineke nature of this game, maybe they'll give out used mufflers to fans entering the stadium. Then Tiger fans could hoist the used mufflers at Dabo Swinney if they become particularly displeased.
Sun Bowl: Papists +3 vs Thug U - It should be fun to watch. Well, maybe not. Unless Michael Irvin and Rocket Ismail show up. Then all bets are off. By the way, speaking of Rocket Ismail, McDonald's came out with something called the Rocket Burger in the late 90's here in NC. And it was terrible. I'm digressing. I like the Irish in this game. Thug U is in upheaval at the moment. And the Papists were playing good ball at the end of the season.
Liberty Bowl: UCF vs UGA -6&1/2 - I like the Dawgs. Richt has been good in bowl games. UGA's young quarterback was playing really well the last half of the season. And AJ Green will be out there in his last college game. He should terrorize the Knights' secondary.
Chicken Sandwich Bowl: FSU +3 vs The Cocks - The old ball coach, one Steve Superior, has been terrible in bowl games recently. I don't know why that would change this week. I think the wrong team is favored personally. Take the Noles.
Ticket City Bowl: NW +9&1/2 vs T Tech - While NW is without Dan Persa for this game, Pat Fitzgerald has had a month to prepare and I love getting this many points with the Wildcats. One does have to wonder where exactly is Ticket City? Just south of Dundalk??? Just east of Hickory??? Right outside City of Tampa???
Capital One Bowl: Bama vs Mich State +10 - I wouldn't step out here too much. The line is too high to bet the Tide, but the Spartans are without some key receivers.
Outback Bowl: Speaking of City of Tampa... Penn St +7 vs UF - Take the points. The Gators should win this game, but they were playing like garbage at the end of the year. The Lions think they are a team on the rise next year. We'll see about that. But they do seem to really care about winning this game. As far as Urban Meyer and his leaving the Gators, does anyone really care anymore???
Gator Bowl: Michigan vs Miss St -4&1/2 - I cannot bet the Wolverines. Their defense is an abomination. Expect plenty of points here. Go over the 59.
Rose Bowl: TCU vs Wisconsin +3 - Huge game and it will be fascinating to watch. I expect the Badgers to have success running the football. Their offensive line is the best in the country and they have 3 capable backs. I like Andy Dalton more than Tolzein, but that's really the only edge the Frogs have. However, TCU will be trying to make a statement. Phony pride and all that. Playing for the "little guy." Whatever. Over the course of 60 minutes the Badgers should win this game outright. The wrong team is favored.
Fiesta Bowl: UConn +17 vs Oklahoma - This line is about 6 points too high. Randy Edsall will have his boys ready to play. And they can run the football. This is strictly a situational bet - no disrespect to the Sooners.
Okay, enough of that.
Listen Like Thieves
2 comments:
good call on the pack. be safe going to durham
Was over the 68 ever really in doubt, we all knew they were gonna start scoring eventually. We did need that field goal to get off the push. I went all in and the account is some what healthy again!!
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