Bookmaker Bowl Season Best Bets
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By Jeff Frank, Contributing Editor Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network)
This week, Idaho returns to the postseason for the second time in school history in the Humanitarian Bowl against Bowling Green. The Vandals played in this game back in 1998 – a 42-35 victory over Southern Miss as 17-point underdogs.
The line in this one has Bowling Green favored by a single point in a matchup of two teams from conferences – the WAC and MAC – that did not have much success last week with Nevada, Ohio and Fresno State all coming up on the losing end in postseason action.
Idaho was the surprise team the first half of the ’09 season compiling a 6-1 record after winning just three games the previous two years. However, the lights dimmed quickly after becoming bowl eligible with just one victory in the final five games.
The Vandals’ most impressive performance came at Northern Illinois, a game in which they prevailed by three points. Nevertheless, the Huskies were coming off a road win over Purdue the week before, so that partially explains how they lost to Idaho. In fact, the Vandals’ other six wins came against teams with a combined record of 19-55. In addition, their average margin of defeat in the three losses to bowl teams was an alarming 23 ppg.
Bowling Green also defeated just one team still in action this postseason (Troy) but the Falcons’ margin of deficit in their five losses to bowl squads was only 14. More importantly, they are currently riding the wave of a four- game winning streak and would love nothing more than to eradicate the memory of a 63-7 loss to Tulsa in their last bowl appearance two years ago.
Idaho is ranked 113th nationally against the pass and only Nevada gave up more touchdowns through the air this season. Everyone witnessed how poorly the Wolf Pack played against SMU, and the same thing will happen to Idaho when Bowling Green takes care of business.
>>Take the Falcons minus the points.
One of the biggest days of the ’09 season is the first day of 2010 with five games and two top plays. The first comes from Tampa, Florida where Northwestern takes on Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
The Tigers are favored by over a touchdown even though they won just seven games this year. They also finished the regular season losing five of their last six FBS contests. Since the line opened Auburn minus 4.5 points, it seems the betting public has put a lot of stock in the Alabama game as that was the last contest the Tigers played and it’s fresh on everyone’s mind.
If that’s why folks are betting Auburn, they are making one heck of a mistake. Northwestern won six of its last eight with huge wins over Iowa and Wisconsin. Furthermore, the ‘Cats passing attack led the Big Ten completing 65% of their tosses and Mike Kafka threw just seven interceptions in over 400 attempts. Meanwhile, Auburn was last in the SEC in scoring defense allowing 27 ppg.
The Tigers can score points in bunches but Northwestern has proven it can stay with high-powered offenses as shown in the Wisconsin game scoring 33 points while gaining over 400 total yards. The Wildcats are the better team and they’ll prove it in Tampa with the outright victory.
>>Take Northwestern plus the points.
LSU and Penn State hook up in the Capital One Bowl. The Tigers defense looked shaky at the end of the season allowing 24 points or more in three of the last four games. Offensively, the club ranked 10th in the SEC in scoring, 11th in rushing and ninth in passing. The running game has suffered due to injuries and the team’s top two rushers (Charles Scott and Keiland Williams) will not be able to play. The offensive line has also had its share of problems allowing 33 sacks, 11 more than last season.
The Nittany Lions gave up just five passing touchdowns this season one of only three teams to accomplish that feat. The other two are squaring off against each other in the BCS Championship Game.
LSU’s defense was stout for the first two-thirds of the year giving up only 97 points in the first eight games (12 ppg). However, the unit fell apart in the final third, allowing 95 over the last four contests (24 ppg) and the likelihood of any improvement against the Nittany Lions is slim and none. Most observers expect a tight finish in this one as Penn State is favored by two points, but don’t be fooled. This one will be over before the fourth quarter.
>>Take Penn State minus the points.
All three games are Two-Star plays as were UCF (vs. Rutgers), Utah (vs. California), SMU (vs. Nevada) and UCLA (vs. Navy). The lone Three-Star selection this bowl season is Texas (vs. Alabama). For those who want selections on other games, go with Tennessee plus the points vs. Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, Oregon minus the points against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Cincinnati plus the points vs. Florida in the Sugar Bowl, and Central Michigan minus the points against Troy in the GMAC Bowl.
Here’s a link to the latest sportsbook review rating Bookmaker.com. Check them out is you’re after a quality off-shore sportsbook for the new betting year.
Add comment December 31st, 2009