Thursday, December 28, 2006

College Bowl Season: Free Daily Picks

Another bowl game last night, and another win. 8-1 ATS and 7-2 over/under as we were a bit surprised at the offensive output last night. Not to mention the defensive output by Florida State with 3 Defensive or Special Teams touchdowns.

3 solid bowl games today, and I think 3 solid wins on the horizon.


First up, the Petro-Sun Independence Bowl between Alabama and Oklahoma State (-2, O/U 50). The wrong team is favored in this game. Alabama played one of the nations toughest schedules in having to travel to Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas and Florida, not to mention hosting Auburn in the Iron Bowl. 'Bama has struggled in the red zone this year, but I think that's more of a factor of the defenses they faced and the fact that Mike Shula's balls haven't dropped like a 3 week old kitten. Shula is gone, and the interim coach is Defensive Coordinator Joe Kines.

Kines will have to stop an option attack that is very good, but I think Alabama's speed will surprise Oklahoma State.

When Alabama has the ball, I look for DJ Hall (he should play) and John Parker Wilson to hook up on more than one occasion. Playing a defense that gives up almost 400 yards per game (in a fairly weak overall Big-12) will make Alabama fans happy.

The pick: Alabama -2. Gun to head, Under 50.





Up next is the Texas Bowl, Rutgers -7.5 vs. Kansas State (O/U 44.5).

This one will come down to motivation. I don't think Rutgers is up for this game. They were close to playing in a BCS Bowl and now they're here. Kansas State is a pretty good team with the ability to make you one dimensional offensively. Rutgers already is one dimensional so I think K. State shuts them down. Take the points, Kansas State is the play here. Another gun to head plan on Under, but I'm not touching the total.




Not a wonderful bowl season thus far for the Pac-10, and I don' think it improves greatly tonight. Cal takes on Texas A&M, Cal -3 is the line. Over/Under is 53.
A&M is a couple close losses from really having a super season. They can run and throw the ball very well. That balance should keep Cal's defense off balance.

A&M shut down Texas in Austin, and while I don't think they'll do the same tonight, I look for them to do enough. Texas A&M +3 is the play tonight. Game goes Over.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a surprise, you picked bama...

Grantland Rice said...

Great Bama Pick.

Although I probably did Mush your squad by betting on them.

Definitely betting heavilly on LSU to support the Irish next week.