NC State dominated the line of scrimmage The Mega bet win streak came to a screeching halt last night as:
UCF -2.5 versus NC State – The WolfPack dominated the lines of scrimmage and punished UCF all night long.
Things started out well as UCF scored a TD to open the second quarter to take a 10-7 lead. But then the WolfPack began to dominate. They pressured UCF quarterback Justin Holman into making poor throws (43% completion rate and a pick) and stuffed the running game.
On offense they gave NC State QB Jacoby Brissett all day to throw and created creases for the running game. By the time the fourth quarter began the WolfPack was ahead 34-13.
But UCF is well coached and wasn’t going to give up. They scored a TD to cut the lead to 34-20. And then …. Hope
NC State missed a clinching FG. UCF drove and scored a TD with 1:44 left.
Could it be? After getting thrashed all game – could UCF force OT and pull this game out?
It would take a miracle. Get the onside and then score a tying TD.
Nope – NC State grabs the onside and runs out the clock. Final Score NC State 34 UCF 27 LOSS
For today's games I like
UCF -2.5 versus NC State – The WolfPack dominated the lines of scrimmage and punished UCF all night long.
Things started out well as UCF scored a TD to open the second quarter to take a 10-7 lead. But then the WolfPack began to dominate. They pressured UCF quarterback Justin Holman into making poor throws (43% completion rate and a pick) and stuffed the running game.
On offense they gave NC State QB Jacoby Brissett all day to throw and created creases for the running game. By the time the fourth quarter began the WolfPack was ahead 34-13.
But UCF is well coached and wasn’t going to give up. They scored a TD to cut the lead to 34-20. And then …. Hope
NC State missed a clinching FG. UCF drove and scored a TD with 1:44 left.
Could it be? After getting thrashed all game – could UCF force OT and pull this game out?
It would take a miracle. Get the onside and then score a tying TD.
Nope – NC State grabs the onside and runs out the clock. Final Score NC State 34 UCF 27 LOSS
For today's games I like
Only 3 points against Wake? That's bad Cincinnati -2.5 vs Va Tech – Va Tech is a shell of their former selves. Sure, they are in a bowl for the 22nd straight year but this time they squeaked in. It took a TD with 1:48 left in the game in a 24-20 win over Virginia on the last week of the season to get the sixth win to become bowl eligible. That’s cutting it pretty close
The Hokies have been struggling for a while now as they are 21-17 over the last three years. The main problem has been the offense which averages a mere 23 points per game (98th overall). The low point came during a 6-3 double overtime loss to Wake Forest. Regulation plus two OTs and all you can get is three points against Wake? That’s horrific.
It’s the defense that gives the Hokies a chance. They give up only 20 points per game (18th overall). It was the defense that was responsible for the two big wins this year - a 35-21 win over then #8 Ohio State and 17-16 over then #19 Duke. Both wins were on the road. For whatever reason, the Hokies have been better on the road than at home. In Blacksburg, they went 3-4 the most losses since 1992.
While Va Tech has been sporadic, Cincinnati has been a model of consistency. The have won at least eight game for four straight years and eight of the last nine. This year they are relying on a prolific passing game led by Notre Dame transfer QB Gunner Kiel. The BearCats average 200 yards through the air (13th overall).
Cincinnati has come on late during the season. They are on a seven game winning streak beating their opponents by an average of 20 points per game.
Betting against Va Tech has paid off over the last several years as they have gone 17-34-1 ATS. Cincinnati is on a roll going 6-0-1 to close out the season.
This game will come down to whether Kiel can navigate a very good Hokie secondary. The spread is less than a FG. I’ll take Cincinnati to cover the short spread but just a small wager.
Arizona State -7.0 vs Duke - The Devils will be dueling in the Sun Bowl. This is another game that will feature a high powered offense against a stout defense.
Duke brings the defense. They have allowed 21 points or less in nine games this season. They rank high in just about every defensive statistic – third down conversions (18th) scoring defense (20th) and pass efficiency (20th).
They will be challenged by perhaps the best attack they have seen all year. QB Taylor Kelly, RB DJ Foster and WR Jaelen Strong spearhead an attack that averaged 37 points per game (19th overall)
The trends are conflicting. ASU HC Todd Graham is 4-1 ATS in bowls while Duke is a covering machine going 18-7-1 and 7-3 as a dog.
I’ll take ASU to cover but no quatloos. Spread is too big for my liking. Good game but tough bet.
South Carolina +3.5 vs Miami (FL) – Have there been two more disappointing teams over the last couple of years than these two? Miami started out the 2013 season 7-0 and ranked #7. Then they got blown out 41-14 by FSU. Since then they have gone 8-10 giving up 30 or more points in 11 of the games.
This year they had a 13 point halftime lead over FSU and lost 30-26. It was the start of a three game losing streak as they ended the year 6-6.
South Carolina was ranked #9 before the season. Then they put on the pads and got crushed by Texas A&M 52-28. Things seemed to be turning around with a win over then #6 Georgia but a loss to Missouri kicked off a 1-4 streak with the lone win over Furman.
The defense has been a huge issue for the Gamecocks. The only games where they allowed less than 21 points were in wins over 1AA Furman and South Alabama. Overall they averaged giving up 31 points per game (93rd overall).
Miami (FL) RB Duke Johnson should have a field day against a South Carolina run defense that has allowed 200 or yards or more in six of the last seven games.
The trends favor South Carolina as Spurrier is 9-5-1 ATS versus non SEC teams and 15-8 as a dog. Miami is 1-5 ATS in bowls and is on a 2-8 ATS streak this year.
I’ll take the Cocks to cover but I’m not betting this one. These teams are too sporadic.
More picks later today
The Hokies have been struggling for a while now as they are 21-17 over the last three years. The main problem has been the offense which averages a mere 23 points per game (98th overall). The low point came during a 6-3 double overtime loss to Wake Forest. Regulation plus two OTs and all you can get is three points against Wake? That’s horrific.
It’s the defense that gives the Hokies a chance. They give up only 20 points per game (18th overall). It was the defense that was responsible for the two big wins this year - a 35-21 win over then #8 Ohio State and 17-16 over then #19 Duke. Both wins were on the road. For whatever reason, the Hokies have been better on the road than at home. In Blacksburg, they went 3-4 the most losses since 1992.
While Va Tech has been sporadic, Cincinnati has been a model of consistency. The have won at least eight game for four straight years and eight of the last nine. This year they are relying on a prolific passing game led by Notre Dame transfer QB Gunner Kiel. The BearCats average 200 yards through the air (13th overall).
Cincinnati has come on late during the season. They are on a seven game winning streak beating their opponents by an average of 20 points per game.
Betting against Va Tech has paid off over the last several years as they have gone 17-34-1 ATS. Cincinnati is on a roll going 6-0-1 to close out the season.
This game will come down to whether Kiel can navigate a very good Hokie secondary. The spread is less than a FG. I’ll take Cincinnati to cover the short spread but just a small wager.
Arizona State -7.0 vs Duke - The Devils will be dueling in the Sun Bowl. This is another game that will feature a high powered offense against a stout defense.
Duke brings the defense. They have allowed 21 points or less in nine games this season. They rank high in just about every defensive statistic – third down conversions (18th) scoring defense (20th) and pass efficiency (20th).
They will be challenged by perhaps the best attack they have seen all year. QB Taylor Kelly, RB DJ Foster and WR Jaelen Strong spearhead an attack that averaged 37 points per game (19th overall)
The trends are conflicting. ASU HC Todd Graham is 4-1 ATS in bowls while Duke is a covering machine going 18-7-1 and 7-3 as a dog.
I’ll take ASU to cover but no quatloos. Spread is too big for my liking. Good game but tough bet.
South Carolina +3.5 vs Miami (FL) – Have there been two more disappointing teams over the last couple of years than these two? Miami started out the 2013 season 7-0 and ranked #7. Then they got blown out 41-14 by FSU. Since then they have gone 8-10 giving up 30 or more points in 11 of the games.
This year they had a 13 point halftime lead over FSU and lost 30-26. It was the start of a three game losing streak as they ended the year 6-6.
South Carolina was ranked #9 before the season. Then they put on the pads and got crushed by Texas A&M 52-28. Things seemed to be turning around with a win over then #6 Georgia but a loss to Missouri kicked off a 1-4 streak with the lone win over Furman.
The defense has been a huge issue for the Gamecocks. The only games where they allowed less than 21 points were in wins over 1AA Furman and South Alabama. Overall they averaged giving up 31 points per game (93rd overall).
Miami (FL) RB Duke Johnson should have a field day against a South Carolina run defense that has allowed 200 or yards or more in six of the last seven games.
The trends favor South Carolina as Spurrier is 9-5-1 ATS versus non SEC teams and 15-8 as a dog. Miami is 1-5 ATS in bowls and is on a 2-8 ATS streak this year.
I’ll take the Cocks to cover but I’m not betting this one. These teams are too sporadic.
More picks later today
