Running and defense ruled the day Here’s hoping everyone had a great Christmas. The Doofus offspring, including friends and girlfriends, descended on the Alpine Command in time for a great holiday. Presents were ravaged open, libations consumed, pool and plenty of other reindeer games were played. Just a great time so far.
And, of course, plenty of football is being watched. The Big Book of Guesses is slightly ahead but the Mega Bets are doing superb. The latest in the line of wins was:
Navy vs Fresno State under 54.0 – Vegas continues to give away money on the under with Navy. At first it appeared a little dicey when, after a nice time consuming Navy TD drive, SDSU returned the KO to the Navy 39. Special teams and turnovers can be killers for the under.
The Aztecs punched it in and it was 7-7 with 5:35 left in the first. The game was now on track for a slight over. Navy promptly fumbled on their next drive at their 39. Crap. But the Middies held and San Diego State kicked a FG. 10-7 Aztecs and we are still in the first quarter. Not looking good.
But then the game returned to the slugfest I expected. Both teams would drive between the 30’s and then punt. The only score was an Aztec FG midway through the second quarter. At the half it was 13-7 Aztecs. The under was now looking good.
Navy opened the second half with a TD drive but it took half of the third quarter off the clock. Nice. San Diego State went on a long drive but were forced to punt. Navy muffs the return. Damn – not this crap again.
But the Middies held once again. SDSU gets a FG and its 16-14 at the end of three. The under is looking better with each passing minute.
Navy opened the fourth quarter with another fumble (they had four on the day) but the Aztecs gave it right back with an interception at midfield. C’mon clock….keep ticking.
The teams kept burning clock and not scoring. By the time Navy go the ball on an Aztec fumble (they had three turnovers on the day) at midfield I figured the under was in the bag. Now I was hoping for a Navy win for my pool.
Navy drives to the SDSU 6 and kicks a FG. Navy 17 SDSU 16 1:27 left in the game. OK Navy hold one more time.
San Diego State goes on a great drive – getting it to the Middie 17. 20 seconds left. SDSU kicker Donny Hageman had been perfect on the afternoon going 3 for 3. He lines up for the chip shot and MISS! Wide right. Navy wins 17-16 WIN
After the day off for Christmas, College Football returns with three games today.
And, of course, plenty of football is being watched. The Big Book of Guesses is slightly ahead but the Mega Bets are doing superb. The latest in the line of wins was:
Navy vs Fresno State under 54.0 – Vegas continues to give away money on the under with Navy. At first it appeared a little dicey when, after a nice time consuming Navy TD drive, SDSU returned the KO to the Navy 39. Special teams and turnovers can be killers for the under.
The Aztecs punched it in and it was 7-7 with 5:35 left in the first. The game was now on track for a slight over. Navy promptly fumbled on their next drive at their 39. Crap. But the Middies held and San Diego State kicked a FG. 10-7 Aztecs and we are still in the first quarter. Not looking good.
But then the game returned to the slugfest I expected. Both teams would drive between the 30’s and then punt. The only score was an Aztec FG midway through the second quarter. At the half it was 13-7 Aztecs. The under was now looking good.
Navy opened the second half with a TD drive but it took half of the third quarter off the clock. Nice. San Diego State went on a long drive but were forced to punt. Navy muffs the return. Damn – not this crap again.
But the Middies held once again. SDSU gets a FG and its 16-14 at the end of three. The under is looking better with each passing minute.
Navy opened the fourth quarter with another fumble (they had four on the day) but the Aztecs gave it right back with an interception at midfield. C’mon clock….keep ticking.
The teams kept burning clock and not scoring. By the time Navy go the ball on an Aztec fumble (they had three turnovers on the day) at midfield I figured the under was in the bag. Now I was hoping for a Navy win for my pool.
Navy drives to the SDSU 6 and kicks a FG. Navy 17 SDSU 16 1:27 left in the game. OK Navy hold one more time.
San Diego State goes on a great drive – getting it to the Middie 17. 20 seconds left. SDSU kicker Donny Hageman had been perfect on the afternoon going 3 for 3. He lines up for the chip shot and MISS! Wide right. Navy wins 17-16 WIN
After the day off for Christmas, College Football returns with three games today.
UCF's defense will crush NC State I like one Mega Bet
Central Florida -2.5 versus NC State – Too be honest, I surprised NC State is even in a bowl. After starting the season 4-0 by beating a bunch of cupcakes, the Wolfpack opened ACC pay with four straight losses. But they rallied with wins over Syracuse, Wake and North Carolina in November to end up 7-5 (3-5 in the ACC)
They face off against the defending American Conference champs. After starting out 0-2 with losses to Penn State and Missouri the Knights won nine of their last ten games to finish 9-3.
NC State relies heavily on their running game averaging 206 yards per game to finish 37th overall. But that plays right into UCF’s strength. Once again the run defense is stout ranking 4th overall.
UCF has won three bowl games in a row including a huge upset over Baylor last year as 16.5 points dogs. They are coming into the game on a four game winning streak both SU and ATS. And they are playing just 90 minutes down the road in St Petersburg.
Central Florida is by far the superior team and is giving up less than a FG. I’ll take the Knights in an easy win. They’re only worry will be if the get paid in cash or Bitcoins.
I also like a mini mega bet on
Central Florida -2.5 versus NC State – Too be honest, I surprised NC State is even in a bowl. After starting the season 4-0 by beating a bunch of cupcakes, the Wolfpack opened ACC pay with four straight losses. But they rallied with wins over Syracuse, Wake and North Carolina in November to end up 7-5 (3-5 in the ACC)
They face off against the defending American Conference champs. After starting out 0-2 with losses to Penn State and Missouri the Knights won nine of their last ten games to finish 9-3.
NC State relies heavily on their running game averaging 206 yards per game to finish 37th overall. But that plays right into UCF’s strength. Once again the run defense is stout ranking 4th overall.
UCF has won three bowl games in a row including a huge upset over Baylor last year as 16.5 points dogs. They are coming into the game on a four game winning streak both SU and ATS. And they are playing just 90 minutes down the road in St Petersburg.
Central Florida is by far the superior team and is giving up less than a FG. I’ll take the Knights in an easy win. They’re only worry will be if the get paid in cash or Bitcoins.
I also like a mini mega bet on
La Tech's Kenneth Dixon will blow by the Illini La Tech -6.5 vs Illinois – Both the teams’ coaches were on the hot seat at the beginning of the year. La Tech’s Skip Holtz got off his when the Bulldogs went on a five game winning streak in October. La Tech has turned into a offensive dynamo this year averaging 37.5 points per game (13th overall)
Illinois is so desperate for a winner that Tim Beckman got an extension by going on a massive two game winning streak to qualify for a bowl. This is despite finishing last in the Big Ten in total defense and scoring defense. That doesn't bode well against the flying Bulldogs.
La Tech had six players declared academically ineligible for the CUSA championship game against Marshall yet led much of the game before a late TD won the game for the Herd. Those same players are ineligible for today’s bowl game.
Illinois has the worst point differential (-9.0) per game for a team in a bowl this year. Illinois started the year 3-7 ATS before winning their last two. La Tech went 10-3 ATS
If it weren't for the suspensions and a spread that is a bit higher than I like – this would be a Mega Bet.
As far as the other games today
UNC -3.5 vs Rutgers – This game is why people claim there are too many bowl games. These teams are among the worst to play in the post season. Their punishment – playing in the Quick Lube.. errr.. Quick Lane game in lovely Detroit.
If it weren't for the confidence pool there would be no point in watching this game. Well one. Getting to hear Dobby and Ellis claim their team is worse than the other. Both guys are correct.
Both teams are sporadic so when in doubt take the points. I’ll take Rutgers (the Knights are 6-1-1 ATS in bowl games) and the hook and root for the Big Ten. No way would I put any quatloos on this game (though the over of 68.5 might be fun – UNC games average 73 points per game)
Illinois is so desperate for a winner that Tim Beckman got an extension by going on a massive two game winning streak to qualify for a bowl. This is despite finishing last in the Big Ten in total defense and scoring defense. That doesn't bode well against the flying Bulldogs.
La Tech had six players declared academically ineligible for the CUSA championship game against Marshall yet led much of the game before a late TD won the game for the Herd. Those same players are ineligible for today’s bowl game.
Illinois has the worst point differential (-9.0) per game for a team in a bowl this year. Illinois started the year 3-7 ATS before winning their last two. La Tech went 10-3 ATS
If it weren't for the suspensions and a spread that is a bit higher than I like – this would be a Mega Bet.
As far as the other games today
UNC -3.5 vs Rutgers – This game is why people claim there are too many bowl games. These teams are among the worst to play in the post season. Their punishment – playing in the Quick Lube.. errr.. Quick Lane game in lovely Detroit.
If it weren't for the confidence pool there would be no point in watching this game. Well one. Getting to hear Dobby and Ellis claim their team is worse than the other. Both guys are correct.
Both teams are sporadic so when in doubt take the points. I’ll take Rutgers (the Knights are 6-1-1 ATS in bowl games) and the hook and root for the Big Ten. No way would I put any quatloos on this game (though the over of 68.5 might be fun – UNC games average 73 points per game)
