Friday 12/30/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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Free NBA Picks: Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Look, I don't care about Phil Jackson's love life, but I do think it has some on-court relevance now that Jackson and Lakers executive/co-owner Jeanie Buss have called off their engagement. They were engaged for four years and dated overall for 17. Jeanie wanted to bring back Jackson as the team's coach early in the 2012 season after Mike Brown was fired, and Jackson thought it was a done deal that he was coming back. But GM Mitch Kupchak called Jackson around midnight the night before a potential announcement to tell him the Lakers had chosen to hire Mike D'Antoni instead. Obviously that was a huge mistake. When Jackson was hired as president of the Knicks in 2014, he and Buss had to sign documents with the NBA that ensured there would be no conflicts of interest between the two franchises. Everyone always thought Jeanie would bring Jackson back again once she took controlling interest in the team from her brother. But now I would imagine Jackson really is in it for the long haul with the Knicks. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing yet or not as the verdict is still out on Jackson an executive, but those Lakers rumors can die now. I guess even as rich as you might be, those long-distance relationships really don't work.


Bulls at Pacers (-3.5, 204.5)

An interesting 4 p.m. ET tipoff. Chicago won a second straight Wednesday, 101-99 over Brooklyn but didn't cover as I predicted because the Bulls play to their opponents' level. Jimmy Butler led the way with 40 points, the last two at the buzzer for the win. Dwyane Wade had to leave in the fourth quarter with migraines, so monitor his status here. Indiana dropped a fourth in a row Wednesday, 111-105 in Washington. Paul George scored 34 points and Jeff Teague added 19 points and 11 assists for the Pacers, but they were destroyed on the boards. Guard Monta Ellis was back after missing five games. Already the final meeting of the season between division rivals. Chicago leads 2-1, winning both at home.

Key trends: The Bulls are 1-6 against the spread in their past seven at Indiana. The "over/under" has gone under in all of those seven.

Early lean: Pacers and under.

Nets at Wizards (-10, 220.5)

Brooklyn fell to 1-15 on the road with Wednesday's 101-99 buzzer-beating loss in Chicago. The Nets led by seven with just over two minutes left. Brook Lopez had 33 points in the loss. Jeremy Lin sat with a strained left hamstring, and you won't see him for weeks. Washington won a second consecutive Wednesday, 111-105 over Indiana. John Wall had 36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. The Wiz are playing much better the past few weeks and are just a game from reaching .500. Washington won the first meeting 118-113 in Brooklyn on Dec. 5 and has taken four in a row in the series overall.

Key trends: The Nets are 1-6 ATS in the past seven in D.C. The over is 4-0 in the previous four meetings.

Early lean: Wizards and over.

Heat at Celtics (TBA)

Miami was in Charlotte on Thursday with starting point guard Goran Dragic questionable after missing the team's previous game. He is on the trip. Boston could be in major letdown mode here as it was in Cleveland on Thursday. Boston has played in Miami twice this season and won those by 10 and 8 points. Overall, the Celtics have won five straight in the series.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 4-0 in the previous four in Boston.

Early lean: Wait to see what Celtics do Thursday.

Knicks at Pelicans (TBA)

The Unicorn (Kristaps Porzingis). vs. the Brow (Anthony Davis). Good stuff. New York dropped a second straight Wednesday, 102-98 in overtime at Atlanta. Carmelo Anthony was ejected in the second quarter after an altercation with Thabo Sefolosha. Melo could be suspended. Derrick Rose led the Knicks with 26 points but coughed it up with six seconds left in OT and the chance to hit the winning shot. Courtney Lee sat out with a sore wrist. New Orleans is on a three-game winning streak following a 102-98 home win over the Clippers on Wednesday even though Coach Alvin Gentry was ejected in the second quarter. New York and New Orleans split last year, each winning at home. Davis played in one of the games and Porzingis averaged 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the two.

Key trends: The home team is 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 5-0 in the Pelicans' past five vs. the East.

Early lean: Wait on a potential Melo suspension

Clippers at Rockets (TBA)

Los Angeles lost a fourth straight Wednesday, 102-98 in New Orleans despite Chris Paul returning from a three-game absence. He had 21 points. But J.J. Redick sat a second straight with a hamstring injury. Houston won a second in a row Tuesday, 123-107 in Dallas. James Harden had 34 points and 11 assists. Guard Patrick Beverley sat out with a left quadriceps contusion but it's nothing major. Somehow the first meeting of the season between L.A. and Houston. They split four last year, the Clippers winning the final two. Harden averaged 29.3 points.

Key trends: The Clippers are 2-5 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 9-2 in the previous 11.

Early lean: TBA most likely not just because of Redick but with Clips playing again Saturday. Will Paul go in both?

Bucks at Timberwolves (-2, 210)

NBA TV game. Milwaukee won in Detroit on Wednesday, 119-94. Jabari Parker scored 31 points and Giannis Antetokuompo had 23 points and eight assists. The Bucks are one of the NBA's worst 3-point shooting teams but were 11-for-22. Minnesota lost 105-103 in Denver on Wednesday. Wilson Chandler blocked a potential tying Andrew Wiggins layup in the final seconds. Karl-Anthony Towns had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the first but certainly not last triple-double of his career. It was the 10th loss for the Wolves this year in a game they led by at least 10. First meeting of the season between these clubs. Milwaukee has won the past four in the series.

Key trends: The Bucks have covered five straight in the series. The under is 6-0 in the past six meetings in Minnesota.

Early lean: Wolves and under.

Pistons at Hawks (-4, 203)

Detroit lost for the sixth time in seven games Wednesday, 119-94 at home to Milwaukee. Tobias Harris had 23 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for the Pistons. He has thrived since being moved to the bench, but the team hasn't benefitted much. Atlanta won 102-98 in overtime vs. the Knicks on Wednesday. Dennis Schroder scored 27 points, and Dwight Howard added 16 points and 22 rebounds. Paul Millsap played through a black eye. Detroit won in Atlanta 121-85 on Dec. 2 but has still dropped lost 12 of the last 15 games on the road in the series.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 5-1 in the previous six.

Early lean: Hawks and over.

Trail Blazers at Spurs (TBA)

Portland ended its six-game losing streak with a 102-89 home win over Sacramento on Wednesday. I wouldn't have guessed that result with Damian Lillard sitting out a second straight due to a sprained left ankle. Mason Plumlee finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds. San Antonio won its third in a row Wednesday, 119-98 over Phoenix. Kawhi Leonard sat out with a stomach bug. San Antonio won 110-90 in Portland on Dec. 23 and has taken four consecutive in the series.

Key trends: The favorite is 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The over is 6-2 in those.

Early lean: Wait on Leonard and Lillard.

76ers at Nuggets (-12, 212.5)

Philadelphia was in Utah on Thursday. The 76ers still aren't playing Rookie of the Year favorite Joel Embiid in both ends of a back-to-back and decided to rest him in Salt Lake City. Maybe they figured they had a better chance of winning with him in Denver, and they are probably right. Denver won a second straight Wednesday, 105-103 over Minnesota. Wilson Chandler had a key block in the final seconds and had 17 points. Nikola Jokic was two rebounds shy of a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Denver has won the past three meetings vs. Philly following a 106-98 road win Dec. 5. Embiid finished with 16 points.

Key trends: Philly has covered seven straight in Denver. The over is 6-2-1 in the Nuggets' past nine.

Early lean: 76ers and over.

Mavericks at Warriors (-17, 213)

Dallas was at the Lakers on Thursday night looking to end a two-game skid. I'm not sure that veterans like Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bogut, who have been banged up this season, will play both ends of the back-to-back. Golden State avoided its first back-to-back regular-season losses since the 2014-15 season by beating Toronto 121-111 on Wednesday. Kevin Durant had 22 points, matched his season best with 17 rebounds and added seven assists and five blocks. Stephen Curry had 28 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. The Warriors shot 56.8 percent. Golden State has have won four straight and 11 of the last 12 regular-season meetings with the Mavericks. Dallas has lost the past eight in Oakland.

Key trends: The Mavs are 1-5 ATS in their past six in Oakland. The over is 4-0 in the past four meetings.

Early lean: Mavericks (I'll just about always take 15 points or more on any team) and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Top 25 roundup: St. John's upsets Butler
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- Shamorie Ponds scored 26 points to lead St. John's to a 76-73 upset victory over No. 13 Butler on Thursday in the Big East Conference opener for both teams.
Ponds, the national and Big East Freshman of the Week, scored 19 points in the second half for the Red Storm (7-7). Bashir Ahmed added 19 points for St. John's, which ended a four-game losing streak to the Bulldogs (11-2).
The Red Storm were coming off a rousing a 93-60 victory over host Syracuse on Dec. 21. It was the worst loss the Orangemen ever suffered at the Carrier Dome.
Tyler Wideman led Butler with 20 points and Kelan Martin scored 13.

No. 7 Gonzaga 92, Pepperdine 62
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Przemek Karnowski and Nigel Williams-Goss each scored 16 points to lead the Bulldogs over the Waves in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams.
Karnowski also tied for the team lead of seven rebounds and Williams-Goss had six as Gonzaga (13-0) built on its best start in program history. Jordan Mathews (15 points), Silas Melson (13) and Zach Collins (12) also reached double figures for the Bulldogs.
Lamond Murray Jr. had 19 points and seven rebounds for Pepperdine (4-9), which lost 32 straight games to Gonzaga including 19 consecutive road meetings.

No. 8 Kentucky 99, Ole Miss 76
OXFORD, Miss. -- Isaiah Briscoe recorded the second triple-double of the Wildcats' season as Kentucky rolled over the Rebels in the SEC opener for both teams.
Briscoe finished with 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats (11-2). Teammate De'Aaron Fox recorded a triple-double Nov. 28 against Arizona State. The only other triple-double in school history came from Chris Mills in 1988.
Ole Miss (9-4) was led by Sebastian Saiz with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Deandre Burnett added 19 points and six assists. The Rebels shot 37.5 percent, 27 of 72.

No. 19 Saint Mary's 72, Loyola Marymount 60
LOS ANGELES -- Emmett Naar scored 19 points, and Jock Landale added 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Gaels defeated the Lions in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams.
Loyola Marymount got as close as a point midway through the second half, but could never take the lead against Saint Mary's (11-1), which won its 10th straight over the Lions. The Gaels shot 57.5 percent from the floor but committed a season-high 19 turnovers.
Trevor Manuel scored 18 points off the bench for Loyola Marymount (7-5), which shot 35.6 percent from the floor and had four players foul out. Brandon Brown, the Lions' leading scorer, had 11 points on 4-of-18 shooting from the field.

No. 25 Florida 81, Arkansas 72
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- KeVaughn Allen poured in 21 points and the Gators looked impressive in dusting off the Razorbacks in the SEC opener for both teams.
Devin Robinson added 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, and Kasey Hill hit several key shots and handed out six assists for Florida (10-3), which beat Arkansas for the sixth straight time.
Daryl Macon scored 22 points to lead the Razorbacks (11-2), who had their eight-game winning streak snapped and suffered their first home loss this season. Moses Kingsley, the preseason SEC Player of the Year, finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds for his 20th career double-double.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: West Virginia Mountainers (11-1) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-2)

Date: December 30, 2016 4:00 PM EDT

Following West Virginia's final nonconference tuneup, guard Tarik Phillip mulled whether to drive home for Christmas. Regardless of where he spent his break, he knew he would spend it watching video cutups of Oklahoma State.

"It's go time," Phillip said of the approaching Big 12 opener. "We've already got the film uploaded to our phones."

No. 11 West Virginia (11-1), seemingly impatient to face stiffer competition, hopes to extend a seven-game winning streaking when it visits Oklahoma State (10-2) in Stillwater, Okla., on Friday.

And, yes, the Mountaineers are all too aware that coach Brad Underwood will be sitting on the Cowboys' bench. His 14th-seeded Stephen F. Austin club ambushed West Virginia 70-56 in the NCAA tournament opener nine months ago and came within a hair of beating Notre Dame for the Sweet 16.

"You saw what they did to us in the tournament," said Mountaineers guard Teyvon Myers. "Can you imagine what the fellows are thinking right now? Can you imagine what the locker room will be like when we play Oklahoma State? We're going to be ready -- trust me."

Myers, among seven Mountaineers scoring better than eight points per game, had watched Oklahoma State play several times even before receiving the scout video.

"They're playing up the line, trying to take everything away," he said last week.

Given the deep rotation deployed by coach Bob Huggins, it's anyone's guess who'll make key plays game-to-game. It could be one of the versatile forwards, Esa Ahmad (12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds) or Nathan Adrian (10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds). It could be those ever-harassing guards -- Jevon Carter (9.8 points, 4.4 assists, 3.3 steals) or Daxter Miles (9.4 points, 50 percent on three-pointers) or Phillip (8.8 points, 2.8 assists).

Along with routing Wichita State and Georgetown, Oklahoma State lost a double-digit lead in a 71-70 setback at Maryland. The only unimpressive showing so far came during a 107-75 loss to No. 9 North Carolina in Hawaii.

The Cowboys enter league play already on the cusp of matching last season's win total. Then again, the 12-20 swan song of former coach Travis Ford marked the program's lowest point since 1987.

The rejuvenating impact of Underwood and, more crucially, the return to health of guards Jawun Evans and Phil Forte, have this team looking NCAA tournament-worthy. The point guard Evans (20.2 points, 4.6 assists, 2.5 steals) is making an impact again after missing the second half of last year's Big 12 round-robin with a shoulder injury. Forte (13.1 points) is once more combing the perimeter after missing the final 29 games with an elbow injury, though his 34-percent three-point accuracy currently pales next to Evans (56 percent).

Sophomore swingman Jeffrey Carroll (16.2 points, 7.3 rebounds), a 6-foot-6 sophomore, has nearly doubled his production.

Not that the Pokes rely on running pretty offense. Underwood has dialed up the defensive pressure in a nod to what Huggins accomplished. While West Virginia tops Division I in steals (13.9) and forced turnovers (26.2), Oklahoma State ranks in the top five in both categories.

"Both teams will get after it on the defensive end," Forte said. "It'll be a bloodbath, for sure."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Baylor Bears (12-0) at Oklahoma Sooners (6-5)

Date: December 30, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

Before the season began, Baylor coach Scott Drew took a look at his team's nonconference schedule and shook his head a bit.

"Yeah, who made that?" Drew joked at Big 12 Media Day when he looked over a schedule that included games against Oregon and Xavier plus a tournament that led to games against Michigan State and Louisville.

More than two months later, Drew can't quite exhale yet as a conference schedule featuring a double round-robin in the top RPI conference in college basketball awaits his Bears, but the strong early season schedule has paid off.

The Bears are 12-0 in non-conference play entering Friday's Big 12 opener at Oklahoma and have climbed up to No. 4 in the polls.

Baylor has done it despite losing lottery pick Taurean Prince, the school's all-time leading rebounder in Rico Gathers and the starting point guard from last season in Lester Medford.

The Bears have been boosted by the improvement of forward Johnathan Motley, who is averaging 16 points per game after averaging 11.1 last season as a sophomore.

"I think he's a guy that's probably as productive as anyone in the league right now," Sooners coach Lon Kruger said.

While the Bears have soared not only due to Motley's emergence but the addition of 7-foot junior college transfer Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. on the interior. Lual-Acuil is averaging 10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.1 blocks.

That could be a problem for Oklahoma, which hasn't had much production from its inside players to this point.

Khadeem Lattin started well offensively, scoring 10 or more points in five of the Sooners' first six games. He hasn't cracked double digits since, though, and although he remains in the starting lineup, sophomore Jamuni McNeace has had more playing time in the last two games.

At the other inside spot, the Sooners have rotated through three starters -- freshmen Kristian Doolittle and Matt Freeman and sophomore Dante Buford -- with little success.

"We've had good stretches," Kruger said. "We've had too many poor stretches though. Too many poor moments.

"We still need consistency. Conference play is kind of a new season in a way. Guys are anxious to get started."

The Bears enter this game wanting to carry things over from the start of the season as they try to end Kansas' run of winning at least a share of the conference regular-season title for 12 consecutive seasons.

Oklahoma comes in needing to push its non-conference experiences into the past.

For the first time in four years, the Sooners have dropped three consecutive games. Without a marquee win before Big 12 play begins, Oklahoma will need to turn things around quickly to have a chance to make the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year.

The Sooners get a boost with the expected return of senior guard Jordan Woodard. Woodard, Oklahoma's leading scorer, missed a game for the first time in his career on Dec. 21 after suffering a leg injury in practice.

The experience of playing without Woodard against Auburn might've made it easier for the young Sooners to realize how much ground they had to make up.

"I don't know if they realize how far they've got to grow," Kruger said. "We don't have that core of older guys around them like we did last year. I think they're getting a better sense of it all the time. We've got to string together good minutes."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Kansas Jayhawks (11-1) at TCU Horned Frogs (11-1)

Date: December 30, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

Kansas and TCU have existed on opposite ends of the Big 12 standings ever since the Horned Frogs came into the conference at the start of the 2012-13 season.

While the third-ranked Jayhawks have won 12 consecutive Big 12 regular-season championships, TCU has finished last three times and next-to-last once.

And yet, as the Jayhawks (11-1) and Horned Frogs (11-1) set to tip off conference play on Friday at TCU's Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, there is little evidence to show much separation between the two programs so far in this campaign.

Kansas and TCU have the same nonconference record. While the Jayhawks are second in the Big 12 entering conference play with an RPI of 12, the Horned Frogs are close behind in third at 31. TCU boasts nonconference wins over Washington and UNLV, which are not up to the standard Kansas set with victories against Duke, Georgia and Stanford.

But it at least the wins show the Horned Frogs haven't been just feasting on cupcakes.

The Big 12 comes into conference play with a conference RPI ranking third nationally. That's a step back for the league, which has had a recent run at the top. But the fact that Kansas's trip to TCU isn't an apparent cakewalk shows how competitive the Big 12 could be this season.

"They've got a lot of new guys and they're more balanced," Kansas coach Bill Self said about the Horned Frogs. "I think they've got six guys averaging right at nine (points) or above. They're playing with much more freedom offensively and they're rebounding the ball. They're certainly one of the most improved teams in America."

More so than in performance so far, the disparity between the Jayhawks and Horned Frogs comes in the form of the two programs' respective expectations.

Leading up to the conference opener, both Self and guard Devonte' Graham answered questions about the Jayhaws' chance to win their 13th straight Big 12 title.

"We really don't talk about it too much because everybody knows about it and it's all everybody (outside the team) talks about," Graham said. "What we've been talking about lately is conference play is here and it's time to take another step."

Meanwhile, TCU hopes to prove its mettle by climbing high enough in the conference standings to earn its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1998. TCU first-year coach Jamie Dixon knows the Horned Frogs can't talk their way there.

"I think we're ready," Dixon said. "I think I'm ready. We've got to go do it. I'm not saying we're at our best right now, but you've got to learn from it and get better for it. It's going to be fun for everybody."

The Horned Frogs feature a balanced attack in which four players average in double digits -- sophomore guard Alex Robinson (10.8 points, team-best 5.5 assists), freshman guard Jaylen Fisher (10.5), junior forward Vladimir Brodziansky (10.4) and junior swingman Kenrich Williams (10.4, team-best 10.0 rebounds).

TCU, like everyone in the Big 12, will be aiming to make its name at the expense of the Jayhawks. The Horned Frogs might be able to take advantage of a Kansas team that is still getting used to life without center Udoka Azubuike, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in practice on Dec. 20. Azubuike needed surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left wrist.

The loss of Azubuike, combined with the graduation of mainstay Perry Ellis following last season, points to a void in the frontcourt for Kansas.

That, along with No. 4 Baylor and No. 11 West Virginia laying in wait, make the Jayhawks' quest for another conference title appear vulnerable.

But Kansas seems ready for the fight.

"You definitely don't want to be that team (that doesn't win the Big 12)," Graham said. "We've definitely said that before to each other in practice. You've got to defend and rebound and do all the little things every game and every possession."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: USC Trojans (14-0) at Oregon Ducks (12-2)

Date: December 30, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon shaved the number of undefeated teams in college basketball down to five with an 89-87 win over second-ranked UCLA on Wednesday night.

The Ducks will look to cut that list to four on Friday.

No. 21 Oregon (12-2, 1-0 Pac-12) takes a 10-game winning streak into Matthew Knight Arena when it hosts No. 22 USC (14-0, 1-0).

The Ducks extended the nation's second-longest active home winning streak to 34 games when junior forward Dillon Brooks made a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left to lead Oregon to an upset win over the Bruins in the Pac-12 Conference opener.

"That felt good, anytime you hit a game-winner, it feels good," Brooks said. "We will celebrate it for now and then move on to another undefeated team in USC. They are an athletic, young team."

USC posted a 70-63 win over Oregon State on Wednesday, continuing its best start since going 16-0 in 1971-72.

Trojans sophomore center Chimezie Metu said the team is taking the simple approach against the Ducks.

"We're just going to (go) on in there and play hard," Metu told the Pac-12 Network. "We're not worried about our record. We're just going to go in there and just try to play as hard as we can and try to win."

Playing hard -- and playing well -- hasn't been a problem for USC.

"That is a good offensive team playing with tremendous confidence," Oregon coach Dana Altman said of the Trojans. "You win 14 games and you are going to bounce around like you know what you are doing, and they do. We are going to have to play well Friday night. There cannot be a letdown emotionally."

Oregon had its first sellout crowd against UCLA as it improved to 9-0 at home after going 18-0 last season at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon's home winning streak trails only Kansas' 46-game run.

"I am just really pleased that we are starting to build something here at home," Altman said. "This is our place, and I think our fans felt a bit of that. The challenge again Friday is to keep the streak going. That is what you are supposed to do at home."

Oregon was back at full strength against UCLA when leading scorer Chris Boucher returned after missing two games with a sprained ankle. The 6-foot-10 senior played 27 minutes off the bench against UCLA and finished with nine points and seven rebounds.

"I played him a little more than I thought I would," Altman said. "We needed his seven rebounds."

Brooks played a season-high 35 minutes against UCLA while leading Oregon with 23 points and nine rebounds. The preseason All-American missed the first three games following offseason foot surgery and came off the bench in his first eight appearances before starting the past three games.

"I feel so good for Dillon," Altman said. "Dillon had a rough five months. He was excited about his junior year and he loves the game, so for him to hit that after his struggles, it was good."

Altman will have to adjust his starting lineup to get Boucher and Brooks in at the start because those two have not started in the same game all season.

Boucher leads Oregon with averages of 13.7 points and 2.9 blocked shots per game while grabbing 7.6 rebounds. Brooks is second on the team at 13.6 points per game followed by guard Tyler Dorsey at 13.4.

Junior guard Elijah Stewart leads five Trojans in double figures with 15 points per game, while junior guard Jordan McLaughlin averages 14.4 points and 5.0 assists per game.

Metu leads the team with 7.9 rebounds while scoring 13.5 points per game after he contributed 19 points and eight rebounds in the win over Oregon State.

"Just being patient and taking what the defense gives me," Metu said. "Just playing to my strengths."

Sophomore guard Shaqquan Aaron is averaging 10.2 points per game.

The Trojans are without 6-foot-10 sophomore Bennie Boatwright, who averaged 10.8 points in five games before sustaining a knee sprain that is expected to keep him out until next month.

Oregon has won 12 straight games against USC.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: UCLA Bruins (13-1) at Oregon State Beavers (4-10)

Date: December 30, 2016 11:00 PM EDT

UCLA will try to bounce back from its first loss of the season when the second-ranked Bruins visit Oregon State on Friday night at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore.

UCLA (13-1, 0-1 Pac-12) is coming off a dramatic 89-87 loss to No. 21 Oregon. The Bruins led by one in the waning moments, but Dillon Brooks, the reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, buried a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining, setting off a wild scene at Matthew Knight Arena.

"You hate losing," UCLA center Thomas Welsh said. "This is the first loss of the season for us and that was a tough way to go, but it happens. It's a game and you aren't going to win them all, but it's just about playing the way you want to play and learning from the losses like this."

Oregon State (4-10, 0-1) has lost six of its last seven games, including a 70-63 loss to No. 22 USC on Wednesday. The Beavers have struggled without leading scorer Tres Tinkle, who averaged 20.2 points and 8.3 rebounds over the first six games before suffering a broken wrist. He is expected to return in early January.

The Beavers trailed by 19 early in the second half before battling back to get within six in the final minute, but by then it was too late. After the game, Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle offered a lengthy critique of his team, saying the Beavers are too slow to engage the opposition.

"We kind of came out flat and waited until we got down to show some fight and some intensity, and that's been a little bit of a marker for this group," he said. "We challenged the guys in the locker room. We've got to find some guys to show some leadership out there and get guys fired up.

"It's just been kind of the same old song, and so we challenged our guys that, if it's important, we'll find a way to be more intense, more communicative out there, and become way more selfless. Anybody can show a little bit of fight when it's desperation time. We need guys who are ready to fight coming out of the locker room."

That will be critical against a UCLA squad that is averaging 95 points per game, shooting 54.9 percent from the field and making 42.9 percent from 3-point range. Entering the week, the Bruins were first or second in the nation in scoring, field-goal percentage, total assists, assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio. They were fifth in 3-point shooting and margin of victory, winning by an average of 21.8 points per game.

Now, for the first time this season, the Bruins are coming off a loss. Senior guard Bryce Alford put it in perspective following the game, saying it could be good news for the Bruins and bad news for the Beavers.

"I think that it's good that we have some adversity," he said. "This team needs some adversity to go through. You never want to lose a game. We had this game. I think we kind of blew it at the end, but we are very confident that we can bounce back in two days and get another win."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Arizona Wildcats (11-2) at Cal Golden Bears (9-3)

Date: December 30, 2016 11:00 PM EDT

The home court is always an advantage in college basketball, but it seems to be an even bigger factor when conference play rolls around.

Despite being plagued by personnel issues, 18th-ranked Arizona will try to break through that barrier when it opens Pac-12 play at California on Friday.

The Bears (9-3) had their 27-game home winning streak snapped by 12th-ranked Virginia in a tight 56-52 game in Cal's last nonconference contest on Dec. 21. And an unranked Cal team beat Arizona 74-73 in Berkeley last season when the Wildcats were ranked No. 12.

"Anytime you play at home, it gives you a level of confidence," Cal coach Cuonzo Martin said. "But Arizona, they've been in hostile atmospheres and tough environments. I don't think they'll be fazed by the stage."

The Wildcats (11-2) have played only one game on their opponent's home court this season, and they won that game against Missouri 79-60.

They have played much of the season with a limited roster of just seven scholarship players.

Allonzo Trier, their top returning scorer, has not played all season because of an unspecified eligibility issue, and starting point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright missed the past four weeks with a high ankle sprain.

However, there is a chance Jackson-Cartwright will return for the Cal game.

"We really don't know," Arizona coach Sean Miller said, regarding Jackson-Cartwright's status for the conference opener. "He tried to practice Monday for the first time in a month. Whether he plays this weekend remains to be seen.

"It may be even on Friday, when we have our shoot-around at Cal, to determine if and what role he'll have."

Because of the personnel issues and the lineup shuffling, Miller said his team has not developed the continuity he would like.

"We're maybe not in a groove, maybe not where we want to be just because of all the things that have happened," Miller said.

Arizona has remained in the top 25 thanks to the contributions of three freshmen -- Lauri Markkanen, Rawle Alkins and Kobi Simmon -- who are the team's top three scorers.

The star of the group is Markkanen, a 7-footer from Finland who, despite his size, usually plays the small forward or power forward spot, while 7-foot junior Dusan Ristic occupies the center position.

Markennen leads the team in scoring (16.1 points) and rebounding (7.3 per game) and has made 43.5 percent of his three-point shots.

Depending on how the teams match up, Markennen may be going up against Cal's star, 6-11 Ivan Rabb, at times.

"Cal starts with Ivan Rabb," Miller said. "He's an incredible offensive rebounder, which is where he hurt us last year."

In Arizona's 64-61 victory over the Bears in Tucson last season, Rabb had 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive end.

Rabb is averaging 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds this season after missing the first two games with a toe injury. Jabari Bird is the team's No. 2 scorer at 15.7 per game, but he missed the first six games with a back ailment.

In their absence, freshman guard Charlie Moore became the focus of the offense. He scored 38 points in the victory over UC Irvine in the second game of the season and is the team's leading scorer at 16.1 points per game.

"He can really score the ball," Martin said, "but with Ivan Rabb and Jabari out early, we needed him to really put points up. I don't know if he would have scored the ball at that level if they had been healthy early."

All three scorers are healthy now for Cal, which relies on defense to win games. The Bears rank eighth in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (36.6 percent) and 11th in scoring defense (59.3).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Friday’s games

St Bonaventure won 7 of its last 9 games, with losses by a point or in OT; they’ve been off for 8 days since OT loss to Canisius. Bonnies won six of last eight games with UMass, winning 69-55/88-77 in last two visits here- they won by 6 at Hofstra in only true road game this year. UMass is 10-3 vs schedule #286; they’re 1-3 vs top 100 teams, with only win by 3 over Temple. Minutemen are forcing turnovers 22.6% of time, but they turn it over 20.1% of time, shoot just 30.4% on arc. Bonnies are #84 experience team, UMass #327.

Underwood got Oklahoma State job LY in part due to his 70-56 upset of West Virginia in LY’s NCAAs; he was an assistant to Huggins at Kansas St. Cowboys are 10-2 vs schedule #143, with only losses by 1 at Maryland, by 32 to UNC on neutral floor. OSU forces turnovers 26.6% of time (#3 in country), WVU 35% of time (#1). Mountaineers are 11-1 vs schedule #342; they won by 9 at Virginia in only true road game. West Virginia won its last four games with Oklahoma State, all by 9+ points, winning 73-63/70-56 in two couple visits here.

McClain is rebuilding Ill-Chicago’s program; Flames are 7-6 this year after going 21-74 the previous three years, but they’ve played schedule #301, are experience team #350- they turn ball over 22.3% of time. Valparaiso won its last 15 games with Ill-Chicago, with seven of last eight wins by 10+ points. Crusaders won last seven visits here, with five of seven wins by 6 or less points. Valpo is 10-3 vs schedule #171; they’re 1-2 in true road games with only win by 3 at Missouri State- losses were to Oregon/Kentucky, top 20 teams.

Michigan State pulled one out of the fire in its Big 14 opener at Minnesota Tuesday; they’re lot younger than most Izzo teams, their most talented player (Bridges) is hurt, but Spartans are* 22-2 in last 24 games with Northwestern, winning last seven in row, with five of last six wins by 14+ points. Wildcats lost last five visits here, by 9-4-10-15-7 points. Northwestern won its Big 14 opener easily at Penn State. Wildcats are 12-2 with nine wins in row; they’re 3-2 vs top 100 teams, with losses by 2 at Butler, 4 to Notre Dame.

Iowa State split its last six games after a 5-0 start; they’re #5 experience team in country, are 1-3 vs top 100 teams, with 73-56 win over Miami. Cyclones don’t get to line much, but they’re shooting only 63.5% there, so who cares? Home side won eight of last nine Texas Tech-Iowa State games; Red Raiders lost last five trips to Ames, with all five by 6+ points, three by 18+. Tech is 11-1 vs 3rd-easiest schedule in country; they lost by hoop to Auburn on neutral floor in only top 100 game this season. Hard to tell much when Rice is their 2nd-best opponent so far.

Texas is 3-6 in its last nine games with home losses to Tex-Arlington, Kent State; Longhorns are #340 experience team- they lost by 3 at Michigan in only true road game so far. Playing #193 pace, they’re shooting 28.9% on arc. Kansas State is 11-1 vs schedule #345; they lost by 1 to Maryland in only game vs team ranked above #140. Wildcats are #240 experience team. Texas won its last four games with Kansas State, with three wins by 4 or less points; Longhorns won last two trips to Little Apple after losing previous four games there.

VCU won six of last seven games with George Mason; home side is 10-2 in last 12 series games. Rams lost four of last five visits to Fairfax. VCU is 2-0 in true road games, winning by 5 at Liberty, 3 at Old Dominion- they’re #28 experience team that is forcing turnovers 23.2% of time (#19). Mason won its last nine games, is 10-3 vs schedule #297; they’re #305 experience team that lost by 37 to Houston in only top 100 game. VCU’s bench plays #40 minutes in country, Mason’s bench is much shorter, playing #291 minutes.

TCU is 11-1 vs schedule #248 in Dixon’s first year at his alma mater; Horned Frogs are 3-1 vs top 100 teams, with only loss by 15 at SMU. TCU is forcing turnovers 23.4% of time; they have not played in nine days. Kansas won its last eight games with TCU, with four of last five by 9 or less points. Jayhawks won last three visits here, by 22-3-19 points. Kansas is 5-1 vs top 100 teams, losing opener in OT to Indiana; they won only road game by 18 at overmatched UNLV squad that had zero chance to beat them. First real acid test for Dixon at TCU.

South Carolina was 46-63 (seriously) on foul line in 86-76 home win over Memphis LY; Tigers were 30-36 on line in game that was tied at half. Memphis lost its AAC opener this year by 4 at home to SMU on Wednesday; they’re 9-4 vs schedule #295, 2-4 vs top 100 teams, with wins over Iowa/Oklahoma, both inexperienced teams. South Carolina split its last four games after an 8-0 start; they’re 4-2 in top 100 games, losing to Seton Hall/Clemson by total of 5 points. Gamecocks have #2 eFG% defense in country- they won only true road game by 11 at USF.

Home side won last six Arizona State-Stanford games; Sun Devils lost last five visits to Farm, by 8-24-6-19-2 points. ASU is 5-6 in its last 11 games, one of its best freshmen transferred; they won their only true road game by 11 at San Diego State. Sun Devils are 1-4 vs top 100 teams, with losses by 8-46-33-9 points. Stanford lost three of last four D-I games; they’re 1-4 against top 100 teams, with all four losses by 14+ points. Cardinal is shooting just 31.8% on arc; they are #76 experience team that has played #36 schedule with a new coach.

Oregon had emotional home win over UCLA two nights ago; they were down 8 with 3:32 left, rallied for win. Ducks won their last four top 100 games, winning by 4-5-9-2 points. Oregon won its last 12 games with Trojans, with five of last six series wins by 8+ points. USC lost its last six visits to Eugene, by 10-6-3-12-8-8 points. Trojans are surprising 13-0 vs schedule #241; they are 3-0 in true road games, winning by hoop at Texas A&M and beating two other stiffs. USC is #329 experience team- they won by 7 at Oregon State Wednesday.

Arizona is 11-2 vs schedule #150; they’re #326 experience team that hasn’t played in 10 days. Wildcats won by 19 at Missouri in only true road game; their bench has played #308 minutes in country. Wildcats won seven of last nine games with Cal, winning last four, all by 22+ points. Arizona won three of last four visits to Berkeley. Cal Bears haven’t played in nine days since 56-52 home loss to Virginia; Bears are 1-3 vs top 100 teams, with only win over Princeton- losses were by 12-4-3 points. Thing is, Cal has Rabb, an NBA player, on their side.

Idaho won its last two games with Eastern Washington by 4 points each, after losing five of previous six games vs EWU. Eagles won two of last three games here. Vandals lost last three D-I games; they’re 2-4 vs teams ranked outside top 200. Idaho has been off for eight days since suprisingly close 86-80 loss at Stanford. Eastern Washington is 8-5 vs schedule #125; they lost last three games, are 1-5 in true road games, with only win in double OT at Seattle, one of four OT wins (4-0) for Eagles. EWU has also been off for last eight days.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

CBB*|*TEXAS TECH*at*IOWA ST
Play Over - All teams where the total is between 130 and 139.5 points after scoring 75 points or more 2 straight games against opponent after scoring 85 points or more 2 straight games
46-18*since 1997.**(*71.9%*|*26.2 units*)
2-1*this year.**(*66.7%*|*0.9 units*)

CBB*|*TEXAS TECH*at*IOWA ST
Play Against - Road underdogs of +145 to +350 vs. the money line (TEXAS TECH) hot team - having won 8 or more of their last 10 games, a top-level team (>= 80%) playing a good team (60% to 80%)
304-94*since 1997.**(*76.4%*|*91.4 units*)
3-0*this year.**(*100.0%*|*3.0 units*)

CBB*|*E WASHINGTON*at*IDAHO
Play Under - Home teams where the first half total is 65.5 to 70.5 after 5 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers against opponent after 3 straight games forcing opponent to commit 11 or less turnovers
73-35*since 1997.**(*67.6%*|*34.5 units*)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Betting action is heating up early for college football bowl season
By PATRICK EVERSON

The College Football Playoff and the other four bowl games comprising the New Year’s Six are getting a lot of attention, and rightly so. But some of the lesser lights in bowl season have certainly gotten early attention from bettors, as well. We talk with John Lester, senior lines manager, and Jason Simbal, vice president of risk management for CG Technology in Las Vegas, about where the bowl season action has been hot.

Citrus Bowl

No. 20 Louisiana State Tigers vs. No. 13 Louisville Cardinals – Open: +2.5; Move: +3.5; Move: +3

Leonard Fournette announced that he is taking his talents to the NFL, but not before taking the field for LSU in this New Year’s Eve game in Orlando. The Tigers (7-4 SU, 5-6 ATS) got through a bumpy season in which Les Miles was fired and replaced by Ed Orgeron. LSU finished up on Nov. 24 with a 54-39 road victory over Texas A&M giving 6.5 points.

Louisville was in the CFP conversation throughout the season, but limped to the finish line with two stunning upset losses. The Cardinals (9-3 SU, 5-6-1 ATS) got blasted at Houston 36-10 as a 17-point chalk, then tumbled at home to Kentucky 41-38 as a huge 28.5-point favorite.

“This game opened at (LSU) -2.5. You saw then what happened was the announcement of Leonard Fournette entering the draft. But he did say he’s gonna play in this game, so obviously, that’s a big difference,” Simbal said. “You have the defense of LSU against the high-powered offense of Louisville, and so far, the smart bettors are backing the defense.”

Orange Bowl

No. 11 Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 6 Michigan Wolverines – Open: -8; Move: -7.5; Move: -7

Michigan ended up one of the bridesmaids in the College Football Playoff decisions and will head to Miami on Dec. 30 for one of the four non-CFP New Year’s Six contests. The Wolverines (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) finished the season with one of the most riveting performances of the year – but they lost. Jim Harbaugh’s troops came up just short in double overtime at Ohio State, falling 30-27 as a 4.5-point ‘dog.

Florida State (9-3 SU, 7-4 ATS) won its final four games after a 37-34 home loss to Clemson as a 4.5-point pup. The Seminoles capped the season with a 31-13 victory over Florida as a 9-point home fave.

“This game is really interesting because people on our oddsmaking team made this game all the way from Michigan -6.5 to Michigan -8.5,” Simbal said of the opening-line debate for CG’s books, including The Cosmopolitan, M and the Venetian. “We actually settled at an opening line of Michigan -8, mainly because of how much public action Michigan gets. That number proved to be too high. We saw some sharp action immediately on Florida State as a ‘dog at +8, which is why that number’s now down to +7.”

Peach Bowl

No. 4 Washington Huskies vs. No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide – Open: -11; Move: 13.5; Move: -14; Move: -15; Move: -16; Move: -15.5; Move: -15

Alabama (13-0 SU, 9-4 ATS), winner of 25 in a row SU and the defending national champion, belted Florida in the SEC Championship Game 54-16 as a 24-point neutral-site chalk Dec. 3. Washington (12-1 SU, 7-6 ATS) crushed Colorado 41-10 laying 8.5 points on a neutral field in the Pac-12 Championship Game.

In just the past week, this New Year’s Eve College Football Playoff opener has seen significant action and movement, but that only begins to tell the story. CG books had potential CFP matchups on their betting boards weeks ago, and in those, Alabama was a 10.5-point chalk. Many bettors got on board with ‘Bama at that number.

“We had potential matchups of playoffs up for quite a while, and Alabama was -10.5 in all of these scenarios,” Simbal said. “So of course, when this matchup got finalized, we opened it at -11, not even close to being where the market was. Some other folks went up with 13.5 at that time, and we ended up going from 11 to 13.5 right away. Still didn’t stop them. This number got bet all the way up to 15.5, 16.

“So if you had the foresight to think that this match was gonna happen, you could have laid 10.5 with Alabama and taken 16 with Washington. But unfortunately now, you’re stuck having to lay the big number if you want to lay on Alabama.”

Simbal noted that primarily sharp money drove Alabama’s price up for this contest in Atlanta, though he doesn’t see the game going much higher and could envision a scenario in which it comes down a bit.

“A lot of people are gonna bet the ‘dog on the moneyline, I feel, come game day, and that’ll bring the price down a little bit,” Simbal said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapping Motivation
By Kyle Hunter

Five Teams With Questionable Motivation Levels for Bowl Season

Handicapping college football bowl games is far different than handicapping a regular season contest. The biggest difference is the increased need to handicap motivation.

Which team wants to be there? Which team would rather just get their season over with?

It might seem too obvious, but motivation truly is the single most important factor in handicapping college football this time of the year. With that in mind, I've put together a list of five teams that might not be motivated for the upcoming postseason.

I would strongly suggest to follow beat writers via Twitter for the teams and read the press conferences of each team heading into their bowl matchups. Ask yourself if it seems like the team is excited and focused on the task at hand, or do the players and coaching staff seem ambivalent?

That will point you in the right direction and I'm expecting lackluster performances from these schools below.


North Carolina Tar Heels
Friday, Dec. 30 - Sun Bowl vs. Stanford

North Carolina had higher aspirations than the Sun Bowl heading into the season and this was a team that appeared to be right on the cusp of big things. They played like a team that was on the verge of a breakout season at times but unfortunately for them, they were very inconsistent.

North Carolina ws blasted 34-3 at home to Virginia Tech after a strong 4-1 start. They did rebound with three consecutive wins, two coming on the road. However, the Tar Heels lost in two of their last three games to a pair of local rivals in Duke and North Carolina State as heavy favorites.

Head coach Larry Fedora's name has been thrown around multiple times with annual job openings that come up, and you have to think that hurts team chemistry a little bit. The Tar Heels skidded into the finish, and that's not an encouraging sign especially when you're facing a Cardinal team that closed the season with five straight victories.

Tennessee Volunteers
Friday, Dec. 30 - Music City Bowl vs. Nebraska

Remember when Tennessee was 5-0 and considered a playoff contender?

The Volunteers lost four of their final seven games and the defense has been shredded by everyone they have played of late. If they don't have an incredible offensive game, the Vols are toast. They allowed 635 and 740 yards in victories against Kentucky and Missouri respectively. They escaped those games but that poor production caught them in their final game as Vanderbilt posted 608 yards in a 45-34 victory over Tennessee.

Most people expected Tennessee to win at least 10 games this year, and now they have been terrible late in the season. Head coach Butch Jones is firmly on the hot seat -- again. They do face a struggling Nebraska squad in the bowl and playing in Nashville should give the Vols the edge but a short trip from Knoxville isn't exactly a great reward for the players.

TCU Horned Frogs
Friday, Dec. 30 - Liberty Bowl vs. Georgia

The TCU Horned Frogs were a major disappointment this year and that's being nice. The school was ranked in the Top 25 to begin the season and finished with a .500 record (6-6). Even worse, the Frogs burned bettors with a 3-9 ATS record and that includes a 0-7 ATS ledger in Fort Worth.

Gary Patterson is a good coach, so it is possible that TCU will be ready for this game. On the other hand, after one of the most disappointing seasons in recent program history, this team might just be ready to turn the page and look to next year.

TCU will take on Georgia in the Liberty Bowl and the postseason hasn't been great for the Frogs. TCU is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 bowl games and while I'm not sure I will go against TCU, I definitely can't back them against a solid SEC school.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Non-playoff college football bowl game betting mismatches
By MONTY ANDREWS

Monty Andrews breaks down some of the underlying mismatches for the college bowls, giving you an inside edge when handicapping football games over the busy holiday season.

Capital One Orange Bowl

Michigan vs. Florida State (+7, 54)

Wolverines' disciplined play vs. Seminoles' penalty parade

To say the Wolverines are a well-oiled machine may be an understatement. Led by mercurial head coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has evolved into one of the NCAA's most well-rounded teams, rolling to a 10-2 overall record with its two losses coming by a combined four points. It's also one of the most disciplined rosters in the nation, which could prove ti be a significant benefit against a Florida State team that racked up an alarming number of flags.

The Seminoles gave opponents plenty of free territory, ranking ninth in the country in total penalties (93) and sixth in penalty yards (883). And despite putting together a five-game winning streak going into one of the marquee bowl games of the season, they can ill afford to give away chunks of yards to a Michigan side that finished with just 59 penalties for 556 yards. Look for Harbaugh and the Wolverines to keep their heads about them - something you just can't expect out of the Seminoles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Need-to-know betting notes for college football bowl teams
By JOE FORTENBAUGH

Indulge me for a moment as I impart one piece of advice upon you before we dive into this year’s 80 need-to-know betting notes for each of the 80 college football bowl teams: above all else, put an increased emphasis on the motivation factor when handicapping each of these 40 matchups.

Why? Because there’s some easy money to be made during bowl season. Every year we are blessed with at least a handful of matchups that feature one team experiencing unbridled enthusiasm to play in its respective game against an opponent that has virtually no interest whatsoever in trying to win the showdown in question.

Case in point: Alabama’s 45-31 loss to Oklahoma in the 2014 Sugar Bowl. The Crimson Tide couldn’t have cared less about that game after watching an 11-0 season go up in smoke thanks to a 34-28 upset loss at Auburn which prevented the Tide from advancing to the SEC Championship Game.

Let’s go to work. Happy holidays to all!

AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Friday, December 30 (12 p.m. ET)

Georgia Bulldogs (7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS): The Bulldogs brought down the curtain on the 2016 regular season with three wins over the team’s last four outings, including a 13-7 upset of Auburn as 10-point underdogs. Former Georgia head coach Mark Richt was a beast in bowl games (7-3 ATS over his last 10), but will new boss Kirby Smart be able to keep the tradition alive in his first career postseason appearance as a head coach?

TCU Horned Frogs (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS): With this line currently residing at a pick ‘em at most shops, it’s worth noting here that head coach Gary Patterson is 8-2 in his last ten bowl games.

Hyundai Sun Bowl: Friday, December 30 (1 p.m. ET)

Stanford Cardinal (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS): After a brutal 41-38 overtime loss to Oklahoma State in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl, Stanford head coach David Shaw has guided the Cardinal to victories in three of the program’s last four postseason appearances, which includes two Rose Bowl wins. Additionally, note that Stanford is 20-9 ATS over its last 29 games overall and 6-1 ATS over its last seven bowl games.

North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS): The Tar Heels are 0-5 ATS over their last five neutral site games and dropped two of their final three matchups down the stretch (28-27 at Duke, 28-21 vs. N.C. State) as double-digit favorites, which prevented North Carolina from landing a much more coveted bowl game. Will the Tar Heels be ready to play considering the way the team came unglued at the end of the year?

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Friday, December 30 (3:30 p.m. ET)

Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3 SU, 6-4 ATS): In 12 years on the job at Oregon State, head coach Mike Riley went an impressive 6-2 in postseason play, which carried over into his first year at Nebraska in 2015 when the Cornhuskers defeated UCLA 37-29 in the Foster Farms Bowl. Combine a high-level postseason coach with a motivated program that is 9-3 ATS over its last 12 games played in the month of December and you’ve got yourself a recipe for success.

Tennessee Volunteers (8-4 SU, 5-7 ATS): Tennessee’s miraculous 5-0 start went south in a hurry as the Volunteers dropped four of their final seven games, which includes losses against South Carolina and Vanderbilt, while failing to cover the point spread in four of the program’s last six contests. Whispers are beginning to intensify in Knoxville as to head coach Butch Jones’ future and the team’s season-finale upset loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt didn’t help matters. This is a fade pure and simple.

Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl: Friday, December 30 (5:30 p.m. ET)

Air Force Falcons (9-3 SU, 5-7 ATS): Total bummer of a situation for an Air Force program that won nine games, which included a five-game winning streak to conclude a season that culminated with a 27-20 upset win over Boise State as 7.5-point underdogs. The Air Force roster is not happy with how this all shook down and it’s tough to blame them. So the big question that remains is whether or not the Falcons even bother to show up here.

South Alabama Jaguars (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS): The Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl marks just the second postseason berth in school history for the Jaguars, who have never tasted bowl game success. However, you can’t help but consider the fact that South Alabama is just 8-24 ATS over its last 32 games overall.

Capital One Orange Bowl: Friday, December 30 (8 p.m. ET)

Michigan Wolverines (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS): Don’t expect a letdown from Michigan following that much-debated Ohio State loss, as the Wolverines are guided by the country’s top motivator in Jim Harbaugh, who is 2-1 lifetime in postseason play (1-1 at Stanford, 1-0 at Michigan). However, the public absolutely loves to wager on Harbaugh and company, so don’t expect any value when it comes to the point spread, as evidenced by the fact that the Wolverines are 2-4 ATS over their last six games overall and 3-8 ATS over their last 11 contests played on a grass surface.

Florida State Seminoles (9-3 SU, 7-4 ATS): The Seminoles absolutely love bowl season, as Florida State is 8-2-1 ATS over its last 11 postseason matchups. In addition, the Noles are 5-1 ATS over their last six non-conference games and 4-1 ATS over their last five contests overall.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Liberty Bowl betting preview: Georgia vs Texas Christian

Georgia Bulldogs vs Texas Christian Horned Frogs (-2, 48.5)

Game to be played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

Neither Georgia nor TCU entered the season aiming for a berth in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Dec. 30, but that is where they will end disappointing campaigns. The Horned Frogs are tied with Oklahoma for the best record in the Big 12 the past three years (29-9), but after finishing in the top 10 in the country each of the past two years, they won just six times this season. The Bulldogs also fell short of expectations, going 7-5 in Kirby Smart’s first season as head coach after finishing 10-3 in 2014 and 2015.

TCU’s roster features just 13 seniors, and head coach Gary Patterson looks to the bowl game as a springboard into next season. “It’s really about us growing up as a football team and finding out how we need to play going into next season, because we weren’t happy with this one,” Patterson told reporters. “Going 6-6 is not something we’re happy about.” The Horned Frogs lost three games by six points or less, including two in overtime, and closed the regular season with losses in four of their final six contests.

Smart’s first season was marked by a 1-4 stretch in the middle of the season, a stirring upset victory over Auburn and then a bitter home loss to in-state rival Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs have spent practice time working on improving execution, especially at quarterback, where freshman Jacob Eason has shown flashes of brilliance mixed with first-year mistakes. “He’s got to do a better job of commanding the huddle for our team and being a leader,” Smart told reporters.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: The line opened with TCU as 1.5-point dogs, that number has since jumped the fence and now stands TCU -2.5. The total opened at 49 and faded to 48, before rebounding to 48.5.

WEATHER REPORT: The forecast for kickoff on Friday afternoon at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium is sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-50’s.

INJURY REPORT:

Georgia - WR Jayson Stanley (probable, toe), DB Tyrique McGhee (questionable, leg), DT DaQuan Hawkins (questionable, ankle), LB Natrez Patrick (questionable, shoulder), LB Lorenzo Carter (questionable, knee), DB Kirby Choates (doubtful, personal), WR Michael Chigbu (doubtful, knee), DB Juwuan Briscoe (out, personal), DB Rico McGraw (out, personal)

Texas Christian - QB Kenny Hill (probable, foot), PK Jonathan Song (questionable, toe)

ABOUT GEORGIA (7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS, 5-7 OU): The Bulldogs received surprisingly good news Dec. 15 when running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, who combined to rush for 1,741 yards and 10 touchdowns, announced they would return for their senior seasons. Eason completed 55 percent of his passes and threw for 14 touchdowns, but did not top 200 yards passing six times in 12 games (11 starts) as the Bulldogs ranked 11th in the SEC in scoring (24 points per game). Georgia’s defense forced 25 turnovers, tops in the conference, and ranked 18th nationally against the pass (186.9 yards per game).

ABOUT TCU (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS, 5-7 OU): Quarterback Kenny Hill passed for 3,062 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first season after transferring from Texas A&M, but the junior threw 13 interceptions. A knee injury to wide receiver KaVontae Turpin disrupted an offense that still averaged 31.7 points and 475 yards of total offense per game, as Kyle Hicks rushed for 954 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, the Horned Frogs gave up 30 points six times, and followed up a dominant performance at Texas by allowing 30 points to Kansas State in the regular-season finale.

TRENDS:

* Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
* Horned Frogs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in their previous game.
* Under is 5-0 in Bulldogs last 5 neutral site games.
* Under is 8-1-1 in Horned Frogs last 10 Bowl games.
* Under is 4-1 in Horned Frogs last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.

CONSENSUS: The public is on the underdog in this matchup, with 58 percent of wagers on Georgia. As for the total, an 55 percent of wagers are on the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sun Bowl betting preview: Stanford vs North Carolina

No. 18 Stanford Cardinal vs North Carolina Tar Heels (+3, 54)

Game to be played at Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas

Stanford star running back Christian McCaffrey was a key part of the team’s five-game winning streak to close the regular season, but the junior will not play when the Cardinal face North Carolina in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on Dec. 30 in El Paso, Texas. McCaffrey, who leads the nation with 2,327 all-purpose yards and has posted 1,603 rushing yards, announced on Twitter that he will sit out the Sun Bowl to focus on his NFL draft preparation. McCaffrey’s early departure creates an opportunity for promising sophomore Bryce Love, who has three rushing touchdowns and averages 7.4 yards per carry.

The Sun Bowl may lack its original star power, but North Carolina junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky is an emerging NFL prospect who threw for nearly 3,500 yards and completed 69 percent of his passes with 28 touchdowns against four interceptions. The Tar Heels’ roller-coaster campaign included wins over Florida State, Miami and Pittsburgh as well as disappointing late-season losses to Duke and North Carolina State. “We weren’t able to overcome all the emotions we created for ourselves,” coach Larry Fedora told reporters. “There were a few games down the stretch that we didn’t play up to our capability. We didn’t make the ordinary plays that we needed to make.”

North Carolina needs a complete effort against Stanford, which fell out of the Pac-12 race with back-to-back losses to Washington and Washington State but ended the season by winning six of its final seven games. The Tar Heels allowed 235 yards per game on the ground and 28 rushing touchdowns, which doesn’t bode well against a Stanford offense that figures to give Love a heavy workload. If North Carolina’s front seven can bottle up Love, the Cardinal could struggle to keep pace with the Tar Heels’ explosive offense.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE HISTORY: The line opened with Stanford field goal favorites, that line was quickly bet up to 3.5, before fading late in the week to 2.5. The total opened at 54 and was briefly bet up to 54.5 than returned to the opening number.

WEATHER REPORT: It will be a cloudy day at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, with temperatures in the mid-50’s.

INJURY REPORT:

Stanford - OT Casey Tucker (probable, undisclosed), TE Greg Taboada (probable, undisclosed), S Zach Hoffpauir (questionable, undisclosed), RB Christian McCaffrey (out, personal)

North Carolina - HB Elijah Hood (out, undisclosed)

ABOUT STANFORD (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS, 5-7 OU): After watching his offense struggle early in the season, Shaw replaced senior quarterback Ryan Burns with sophomore Keller Chryst, who provided an immediate spark and led the Cardinal to five straight wins while throwing nine touchdowns and one interception. Wide receivers JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Trenton Irwin became key late-season factors for the Cardinal, who posted over 500 yards of total offense in each of their last three games. Defensive end Solomon Thomas recorded 55 tackles and seven sacks to lead a unit that allows 20.2 points per game and has been especially tough in the red zone.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS, 4-8 OU): Trubisky has a number of weapons at his disposal, including senior wideout Ryan Switzer, a dangerous punt returner and first-team All-ACC selection who leads the team with 91 receptions for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. The Tar Heels also boast an effective ground game led by versatile junior Elijah Hood (eight touchdowns) and senior T.J. Logan, who added seven touchdowns on 101 carries. On defense, the Tar Heels are led by linemen Nazair Jones and Malik Carney along with linebacker Andre Smith, who recorded a team-high 110 tackles.

TRENDS:

* Cardinal are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.
* Tar Heels are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games.
* Over is 4-0 in Cardinal last 4 neutral site games.
* Over is 4-0 in Tar Heels last 4 vs. Pac-12.

CONSENSUS: The bettors prefer the favorite in this matchup, with 53 percent of wagers on Stanford. As for the total, 60 percent of wagers are on the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arizona Bowl betting preview: South Alabama vs Air Force

South Alabama Jaguars vs Air Force Falcons (-13.5, 57.5)

Game to be played at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona

South Alabama came out strong with a win at Mississippi State in its season opener but did not win another road game the rest of the way and had to scramble to become bowl eligible. The Jaguars picked up a victory in their regular-season finale over New Mexico State to earn a spot in the Arizona Bowl against Air Force on Dec. 30 in Tucson, Ariz. The Falcons won five straight to close out the regular season, including a 27-20 triumph over then-No. 19 Boise State in the finale.

South Alabama is making the second bowl appearance in school history and is looking for its first win after falling to Bowling Green in the 2014 Camellia Bowl. The Jaguars showed an ability to get up for big games this season with the win over Mississippi State - the Sun Belt's lone triumph over an SEC team in 2016 - and a 42-24 thrashing of then-No. 19 San Diego State at home on Oct. 1. Each of South Alabama's final three losses and four of the six came by seven or fewer points.

Air Force hit a lull with three straight losses at the beginning of conference play but churned out the yards on the ground in the final five games. The Falcons are third among FBS teams with an average of 322.8 rushing yards and are averaging 34.3 points. Air Force is appearing in a bowl game for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons under head coach Troy Calhoun and is searching for its fourth win in that span.

TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, American Sports Network.

LINE HISTORY: The Falcons opened as 12.5-point favorites and that number wasn’t high enough for bettors, betting the line up another full point to 13.5. The total opened at 57.5 and has yet to move off that number.

WEATHER REPORT: The forecast for Arizona Stadium is calling for cloudy skies with a touch of rain in the evening and temperatures in the mid-50’s at kick off. Winds gusting out of the southwest at 5 mph and gusts as high as 10 mph.

INJURY REPORT:

South Alabama - S Kalen Jackson (probable, ankle), OL Curtis Williams (questionable, knee), OL Troy Thingstad (questionable, hip)

Air Force - QB Nate Romine (questionable, ankle)

ABOUT SOUTH ALABAMA (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS, 5-6-1 OU): Head coach Joey Jones led the Jaguars' transition to the FBS in 2012 and is confident despite being an underdog against Air Force. "We're going out there to win a bowl game, first and foremost," Jones told reporters. "Yes, we're going to have some great dinners and we're going to do some sightseeing, and that's a great experience, but we have to get the guys to understand it's time for business, and when we get away from those events we have to be ready to practice and ready for meetings." Jones, whose team already beat one Mountain West opponent this season in San Diego State, will lean on junior running back Xavier Johnson, who collected career highs of 154 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season finale.

ABOUT AIR FORCE (9-3 SU, 5-7 ATS, 7-5 OU): The Falcons excel at the option attack and totaled 35 rushing touchdowns in the regular season from eight different players. Jacobi Owens led the team with 785 yards but was one of four rushers to total at least 600 on the season and tied for fifth with three TDs as Timothy McVey paced the team with 10 rushing scores. Air Force is led on defense by senior safety Weston Steelhammer, who became the first player in school history to be named first-team All-Mountain West three years in a row after leading the team with 75 tackles and boosting his career total to 17 interceptions with six more this season.

TRENDS:

* Jaguars are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win.
* Over is 6-1-1 in Jaguars last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 4-1 in Falcons last 5 neutral site games.
* Over is 8-2 in Jaguars last 10 non-conference games.

CONSENSUS: Bettors are firmly behind the double digit favorite, with 64 percent of wagers on Air Force. As for the total, 62 percent of the wagers are taking the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Music City Bowl betting preview: Nebraska vs Tennessee

No. 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs No. 21 Tennessee Volunteers (-6.5, 58)

Game to be played at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Nebraska and Tennessee once seemed poised to return to prominence in 2016, only to watch their seasons wrap up Dec. 30 at the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn. after league play took its toll. The 21st-ranked Cornhuskers reeled off seven straight wins before a 59-point beating at Ohio State served as one of two blowout losses during their 2-3 finish. The Volunteers opened 5-0, but a three-game skid in mid-October led to a lackluster 3-4 end to their season.

Quarterbacks Tommy Armstrong Jr. and Joshua Dobbs are set to play their final games after record-breaking careers, although the former may not be able to hold up his end of the deal. Armstrong owns the Cornhuskers' all-time passing (8,871) and total-yardage (10,690) marks, but he reportedly suffered a setback in the left hamstring he injured late in a Nov. 12 win over Minnesota and appears unlikely to go. Dobbs, who holds the Volunteers' single-season rushing mark for a quarterback, leads the SEC in touchdown passes (26), passer efficiency (152.6) and points responsible for (216).

While the Cornhuskers made significant strides in 2016 on defense (31st in scoring defense and 21st in total defense this year after 75th- and 64th-place finishes, respectively, in 2015), the Volunteers boast the most impactful player on that side of the ball. All-American junior defensive end Derek Barnett is tied for sixth in the nation with an SEC-high 12 sacks, while his 18 tackles for loss lead the league and rank 16th nationally. He is also tied with Vols legend Reggie White for the most sacks in school history (32).

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened with Tennessee as 3-point favorites, but that wasn’t enough for bettors and they forced the line up to 6.5 late in the week. The total opened at 60.5 and was quickly bet up a half-point to 61, before fading to 58 when this cheat sheet was created.

WEATHER REPORT: The forecast is calling for plenty of sunshine at Nissan Stadium in Nashville for this afternoon kick off. Temperatures will be in the high-40’s and winds heading east at 7 mph.

INJURY REPORT:

Nebraska - QB Ryker Fyfe (probable, wrist), RB Terrell Newby (probable, knee), TE Matt Snyder (questionable, elbow), WR Alonzo Moore (questionable, undisclosed), RB Tre Bryant (questionable, hamstring), QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. (doubtful, hamstring), WR Jordan Westerkamp (out, knee), S Nate Gerry (out, eligibility), CB Boaz Joseph (out, suspension)

Tennessee - DL Austin Smith (questionable, shoulder), OL Dylan Wiesman (questionable, ankle), OL Chance Hall (out, undisclosed), OL Venzell Boulware (out, academics)

ABOUT NEBRASKA (9-3 SU, 6-4-2 ATS, 3-9 OU): With Armstrong trending in the wrong direction, coach Mike Riley is working under the belief that fellow senior Ryker Fyfe will make his third career start; the former walk-on threw for 220 yards and a score in a win against Maryland in his only previous 2016 start on Nov. 19. Leading receiver Jordan Westerkamp suffered a torn meniscus in practice on Dec. 14 and has been ruled out, leaving senior Brandon Reilly (17 catches for 314 yards) to start in his place in the slot. Safety Nate Gerry needs one interception to match Dana Stephenson's school career mark of 14 - the same number of tackles he requires to tie Mike Brown's program record for career tackles by a defensive back (287).

ABOUT TENNESSEE (8-4 SU, 5-7 ATS, 8-4 OU): The Volunteers averaged 50.2 points over their final four games (3-1) and Dobbs had a hand in 15 of the 27 touchdowns scored while piling up 1,362 total yards (including 393 yards on the ground) over that same span. Junior Josh Malone is easily the team's biggest offensive threat after Dobbs, ranking second in the conference with 10 receiving touchdowns and 18.9 yards per catch. Barnett accumulated all 12 of his sacks during conference play and became the first Tennessee defensive lineman to earn first-team all-conference coaches' honors since Robert Ayers in 2008, but he is one of the few bright spots for a unit that ended the regular season ranked 109th in FBS in total defense and 73rd in scoring defense.

TRENDS:

* Cornhuskers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games on grass.
* Volunteers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
* Over is 5-1 in Cornhuskers last 6 games on grass.
* Over is 4-0 in Volunteers last 4 bowl games.

CONSENSUS: 55 percent are backing the favorite Tennessee Volunteers. As for the total, 62 percent of the wagers are on the Over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Orange Bowl betting preview: Michigan vs Florida State

No. 6 Michigan Wolverines vs No. 11 Florida State Seminoles (+7, 52)

Game to be played at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Sixth-ranked Michigan looks to overcome the disappointment of missing out on the College Football Playoff when it faces No. 10 Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 in Miami. The Wolverines seemed poised to make their first appearance in the CFP until they dropped two of their last three games down the stretch, including a controversial 30-27 double-overtime loss to No. 2 Ohio State. The Seminoles were picked fourth in the preseason USA Today Coaches' poll but failed to live up to the hype, suffering losses to Louisville (60-23), North Carolina (37-35) and second-ranked Clemson (37-34) during a six-week span, as they failed to advance to the ACC title game for the second time in as many seasons.

Sophomore hybrid linebacker Jabrill Peppers, who has played in 11 different positions, and junior running back Dalvin Cook, who has rushed for 4,319 yards and 45 touchdowns in his Florida State career, are likely playing their last collegiate games. Cook rewrote the record book with the Seminoles after running for 1,620 yards and 18 touchdowns this season to break Warrick Dunn's career mark for rushing yards (3,959) and eclipse Greg Allen's 32-year old record for most touchdowns (44). Peppers won a multitude of awards this season, including the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year, the Lott Impact Trophy, the Horning Award and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting en route to becoming the first unanimous All-American at Michigan since Jake Long in 2007.

The key to the matchup could hinge on whose offensive line protects their quarterback the best as Florida State led the nation with 47 sacks while Michigan finished right behind the Seminoles with 44 in the regular season. DeMarcus Walker led the country with 15 sacks and anchors a talented Seminoles' defensive front that has the potential to wreak havoc on the Wolverines' offensive line, which struggled in the last three games of the season. Michigan was dominate defensively under first-year coordinator Don Brown as the Wolverines finished first nationally in tackles for loss (115), second in scoring defense (12.5) and second in total defense (252.7).

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: The Wolverines opened this bowl favored by 7-points, that line was briefly dropped to 6.5 before returning to the opening number. The total hit the board at 55 and has been driven down 2.5-points to 52.5. Check out the complete line history here.

WEATHER REPORT: It should be a beautiful night for football at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The forecast is calling for clear, minimal winds and temperatures in the low 60’s.

INJURY REPORT:

Michigan - QB Wilton Speight (probable, shoulder), K Quinn Nordin (questionable, leg)

Florida State - DB Calvin Brewton (probable, head), DT Adam Torres (questionable, foot), DT Darvin Taylor II (questionable, shoulder), TE Jalen Richardson (questionable, concussion), DB Marcus Lewis (questionable, hip), LB Josh Brown (questionable, foot), OL Brock Ruble (questionable, leg), WR Da’Vante Phillips (questionable, wrist), DB A.J. Westbrook (questionable, concussion), WR Ermon Lane (out, foot), DB Derwin James (out, knee), OL Wilson Bell (questionable, possible suspension), LB Jacob Pugh (questionable, concussion)

ABOUT MICHIGAN (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS, 8-4 OU): Junior quarterback Wilton Speight, who threw for 2,375 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first year as a starter, was hampered by a shoulder injury down the stretch but is expected to be back to 100 percent health against Florida State. "Wilton had a phenomenal year and improved game by game," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "I truly think he will go into next year as one of the top quarterbacks in the country." Every defensive starter for the Wolverines received Big Ten honors, including Peppers, cornerback Jourdan Lewis and defensive end Taco Charlton, who are all projected to be selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (9-3 SU, 7-4 ATS, 5-6 OU): Promising quarterback Malik Henry, who was beaten out of the starting job by Deondre Francois despite throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game, revealed his intention to transfer to another school on Dec. 13. Cook has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight of his last nine games and is coming off an 153-yard performance in the 31-13 win over No. 18 Florida to become the first player since Sammie Smith in 1988 to notch 3 straight 100-yard games against the Gators. "I'm looking forward to it. That's why I'm putting in the time watching Michigan film," Cook told reporters. "I'm looking forward to playing a good football team."

TRENDS:

* Wolverines are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
* Seminoles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
* Seminoles are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
* Over is 11-2 in Wolverines last 13 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 5-0 in Seminoles last 5 neutral site games.

CONSENSUS: Bettors like the favorite in this matchup, with 52 percent of the wagers on Michigan. As for the total, bettors are split 50/50.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Friday's Bowl Tips
By Joe Williams

**Georgia vs. Texas Christian**

-- Georgia (7-5 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) will take on Texas Christian (6-6 straight up, 3-9 against the spread) in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. It's the fourth bowl trip to Memphis for the Bulldogs, who are 1-2 all-time in the Liberty Bowl. Their last appearance was Dec. 31, 2010, a 10-6 loss to UCF. TCU made one previous appearance in the bowl, topping Colorado State by a 17-3 score Dec. 31, 2002.

-- The Bulldogs kicked off the post-Mark Richt era with three straight wins, including a neutral-site victory over North Carolina in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The early season wasn't without its scares and struggles, however, as they were nearly upset in between the hedges against FCS Nicholls State, staving off the Colonels by a 26-24 score despite closing as 52 1/2-point favorites. After a 28-27 win Sept. 17 in Missouri, things went a little off the rails for the Bulldogs. They were annihilated at Mississippi, 45-14, and followed that up with a stunning 34-31 loss at Sanford Stadium against Tennessee on a 43-yard touchdown with four seconds remaining.

-- The Bulldogs turned things around once the calendar turned to November, topping Kentucky in Lexington 27-24, and eding a good Auburn team by a 13-7 score despite entering as 10-point underdogs. Those two games marked only the second time all season the Bulldogs covered in back-to-back games. They finished with a win over Louisiana-Lafayette before a tough 28-27 loss at home against in-state rival Georgia Tech.

-- Georgia struggled offensively, and flourished on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs managed to finish 89th in the country with 382.4 yards per game, and 97th in the nation with just 195.9 yards per game. Teams stacked the box to stop RBs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, challenging the Bulldogs to pass. On defense, the Bulldogs ranked 17th in the nation with 328.0 yards allowed, and they were 18th against the pass. The Bulldogs allowed just 24.1 points per game to check in 39th in the country.

-- Chubb didn't live up to preseason Heisman expectations, but his season wasn't terrible. He still managed 988 yards with seven touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Michel added 753 yards with three touchdowns on 5.5 yards per tote. RB Brian Herrien also stepped up when needed, going for 5.9 yards per carry to finish with 362 yards and three scores. QB Jacob Eason passed for 2,266 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions, throwing for 208 or fewer yards in four of his final five games. He also amassed just three multi-TD games, and one (vs. UL-Lafayette) in his final seven games. In the receiving game, Isaiah McKenzie was the best of the lot with seven scores on 40 receptions, posting a team-high 530 yards and 13.3 yards per catch. Only TE Isaac Nauta (three TDs) had more than two touchdowns other than McKenzie.

-- TCU had plenty of ups and downs this season, with their longest win streak of two games coming Sept. 17-23 against Iowa State and at Southern Methodist. The team struggled to replace QB Trevone Boykin, WR Josh Doctson and WR Kolby Listenbee, although there were some bright spots. Transfer QB Kenny Hill posted 3,062 yards while completing 60.8 percent of his passes, but he tossed 15 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. Hill was also solid in the run game, posting 537 yards with nine touchdowns on 5.0 yards per attempt. RB Kyle Hicks was the best of the lot in the run game, rolling for 954 yards and 12 touchdowns on 5.1 yards per rush. WR Taj Williams was the top receiving threat, posting 702 yards and five touchdowns.

-- TCU sits as a two-point favorite as of Thursday morning with a total of 48 1/2.

-- As a single-digit favorite this season, the Horned Frogs were 0-3 SU/ATS all in their final three home games. TCU dropped a 27-24 overtime game against Texas Tech on Oct. 29, and they were pounded by Oklahoma State 31-6 despite entering as a 6 1/2-point favorite on Nov. 19. They wrapped up the season as four-point favorites, but were against embarrassed in Fort Worth by a 30-6 count against Kansas State. TCU was actually better away from home this season, going 4-1 SU/3-2 ATS, while going just 2-5 SU/0-7 ATS at home.

-- The Bulldogs were single-digit underdogs just three times this season, going 0-3 SU/1-2 ATS in those outings.

-- Georgia has covered seven of their past 10 bowl games, and they're 5-2 ATS in their past seven games in the month of December.

-- The 'under' is 5-0 in Georgia's past five neutral-site games, 7-2 in their past nine bowl games and 6-2 in their past eight non-conference games. The under is also 5-1 in their past six against teams from the Big 12 Conference.

-- TCU has a 2-5 ATS in their past seven bowl games, and they're 2-7 ATS in their past nine neutral-site outings.

-- The 'under' is 8-1-1 in TCU's past 10 bowl games, and 6-1 in their past seven games overall. They're also 4-1 in their past five against teams with an overall winning record, and 8-3-1 in their past 12 neutral-site games.

-- Kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**Stanford vs. North Carolina**

-- Two teams that entered the season with much higher expectations will square off at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Tex. when the Stanford Cardinal (9-3 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) meet the North Carolina Tar Heels (8-4 straight up, 7-5 against the spread). Over the past three Sun Bowls the ACC representative has been on the short end of the stick, and the ACC is just 1-4 over the past five against Pac-12 teams in this game.

-- The biggest news story to come out of this bowl, or at least come out well beforehand, is the decision by RB Christian McCaffrey to skip this game to preserve his health for the 2017 NFL Draft.

-- Stanford struggled offensively in 2016, ranking 99th in total offense with 374.7 yards per game, and they were 116th in the country with just 159.1 yards per outing. They ranked 33rd in rushing, but again, McCaffrey will be out for this one. On defense, Stanford ranked 36th in total yardage, and they were 17th in the country with just 20.2 points per game allowed.

-- Without McCaffrey on the field, the Cardinal turn to RB Bryce Love to carry the load. He showed glimpses of brilliance in the regular season finale against Rice Nov. 26, posting 111 rushing yards on seven runs, including a touchdown. Love, who hails from the state of North Carolina, might run with a little extra intensity against a team he is very familiar from his days growing up in suburban Raleigh.

-- WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside came on down the stretch, posting a pair of 100-yard games in the final three outings, and he ended up with a team-high five touchdown grabs. WR Trenton Irwin led the team with 437 yards, but scored just once, while the steady WR Michael Rector managed 31 grabs, 355 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinal have had plenty of outstanding tight ends in recent seasons, and this year it was 6-foot-6 TE Dalton Schultz leading the way with 21 catches, 203 yards and a score.

-- North Carolina's powerful offense will challenge the Stanford defense early and often, especially through the air. They rank 43rd in the nation in total yards with 442.4 yards per game, while posting 294.2 yards per game through the air to rank 23rd. They were also 40th in the country in points scored with 33.1 points per game. On the defensive side of the ball, they were middle of the road with 418.5 yards per game, struggling mightily against the rush. They allowed 232.2 yards per game to rank 111th in the country, but they completely shut down the pass with just 186.3 yards per game to check in 16th.

-- QB Mitch Trubisky is very highly thought of in NFL circles, and will be a high-round pick, perhaps even No. 1 overall, in the 2017 draft. Trubisky completed 68.9 percent of his pass attempts for 3,468 yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions while also running for 270 yards and five scores. RB Elijah Hood led the way on the ground, rolling for 858 yards and eight scores, while T.J. Logan complemented him nicely with 578 yards and seven scores. Both averaged over 5.7 yards per tote. On the receiving end of Trubisky's passes was the steady WR Ryan Switzer, topping the charts with 1,027 yards and five scores. WR Bug Howard came down with some big grabs this season, and he led the team with seven touchdowns while piling up 768 yards. WR Austin Proehl, son of former NFL standout Ricky Proehl, posted 506 yards on 36 receptions and three touchdowns.

-- The Tar Heels managed 35 or more points in seven of their final 11 games, while their defense really stepped up down the stretch and allowed 28 or fewer points in each of their last six outings.

-- The Cardinal won their final five games, covering three of the outings, and their offense hit its stride with an average of 46.3 points per game. Again, that was with the help of McCaffrey who had 623 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns during that three-game span, so that's a lot of offense to replace.

-- Stanford is 4-0 ATS in their past four games against ACC teams, 7-1 ATS in their past eight neutral-site games and 6-1 ATS in their past seven bowl games. They're also 20-9 ATS in their past 29 games overall.

-- The 'over' is 4-0 in the past four neutral-site games for Stanford, and 4-1 in their past five bowl games. The over is also 10-4 in their past 14 against teams with an overall winning mark.

-- UNC is 4-1 ATS in their past five versus winning teams, but they're 1-4 ATS in their past five games in the month of December and 0-5 ATS in their past five neutral-site games, including their opener this season vs. Georgia.

-- The 'over' is 4-0 in UNC's past four against Pac-12 teams, but the 'under' is 7-1 in their past eight games overall while going 4-1 in their past five against teams with an overall winning record.

-- These teams haven't met since 1998, when Stanford won 37-34 at home.

-- Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

**Nebraska vs. Tennessee**

-- The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference do battle in Nashville at the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Nebraska (9-3 straight up, 6-4-2 against the spread) will square off against Tennessee (8-4 straight up, 5-7 against the spread), and the crowd is expected to be heavily colored in orange with the 'Power T' prevalent throughout the stands.

-- Nebraska was a Top 10 team near the end of October, but that all changed when they were tripped up in overtime at Wisconsin before being eviscerated 62-3 at Ohio State on Nov. 5. The Huskers righted the ship with wins over bowl teams Maryland and Minnesota in their final two games, but were taken behind the shed at Iowa 40-10 in their regular season finale Nov. 25. Nebraska was outscored 125-30 in those final three road games, and that's hard to ignore as they travel south to Nashville into hostile territory.

-- Tennessee won their first five games of the season, including a victory over Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway, a drought-busting win againt Florida and a miraculous last-second finish at Georgia. They also had a tremendous comeback at Texas A&M, forcing overtime in a classic Oct. 8, but they fell 45-38 to the Aggies as 7 1/2-point underdogs. That touched off a three-game losing streak, as they were demoralized 49-10 at Alabama and surprised 24-21 at South Carolina. The Vols got untracked in three games from Nov. 5-19, scoring at least 49 points in three outings against Tennessee Tech, Kentucky and Missouri, but they were dropped 45-34 at rival Vanderbilt to leave a sour taste in their mouth.

-- Big Red struggled offensively, ranking 86th with 386.2 total yards while checking in 91st in passing yards with 207.9. The Huskers also posted 26.8 points per game to rank 79th in the country. On defense, Nebraska was 23rd in the nation with 350.8 yards per game, 33rd in the country with 141.2 yards per outing and 29th in the nation by allowing just 22.8 points per game.

-- The Vols were 42nd in the country with 203.2 yards per game, 49th wwith 437.2 total yards per game and 24th in the nation with 36.2 points per contest. On defense, they had plenty of issues, ranking 110th in the country with 460.2 yards per game. Most of the struggles came against the run, as the Vols were gashed for 234.1 yards per game to rank 112th in the country. Tennessee gave up 29.2 yards per game to finish 71st in the nation.

-- QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. (hamstring) is doubtful to play in this game due to a hamstring injury, so QB Ryker Fyfe (wrist) is expected to draw the start. He has been dealing with a wrist injury of his own, but is listed as probable. He threw for 220 yards in a start and win against Maryland, tossing a TD with no INTs. Fyfe's best friend will be RB Terrell Newby, who rolled for 864 yards with seven scores. RB Devine Ozigbo was a hammer, pounding out 346 yards with five scores. WRs Jordan Westerkamp and Stanley Morgan Jr. are the best receivers on the team. Westerkamp snagged 38 catches for 526 yards and five touchdowns, while Morgan added 425 yards and two touchdowns.

-- The Vols were led by QB Joshua Dobbs, who completed 63.3 percent of his 319 passes for 2,655 yards, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 713 yards while tying for the team high of nine scores on the ground. He is one of the top dual threat options in the nation, and he'll give Nebraska's stout rush defense fits. RB Alvin Kamara posted 565 yards with 5.9 yards per run while tying Dobbs with nine scores. RB John Kelly posted 560 yards with four scores on 83 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per carry to lead the squad. WR John Malone posted a team-high 10 touchdown receptions with 18.9 yards per catch, while Jauan Jennings managed 521 yards with seven touchdowns. Kamara also was a solid receiver out of the backfield, adding 33 catches for 346 yards and four scores.

-- Nebraska has managed a 10-1 ATS mark in their past 11 games on a natural grass surface, and they're 3-0-1 ATS in their past four non-conference tilts. They're also 9-3 ATS in their past 12 games in the month of December.

-- The 'under' hit in eight of Nebraska's final 10 regular season games, but the 'over' is 4-1 in their past five neutral-site tilts and 8-3 in their past 11 outside of the Big Ten.

-- The Vols are 5-0 ATS in their past five neutral-site games, and 7-3 ATS in their past 10 against teams wit ha winning overall record.

-- The Volunteers have hit the 'over' in each of their past four bowl games, and the 'over' is 7-0 in their past seven neutral-site games. The over is also 7-2 in Tennessee's past nine outings, and 6-2 in their past eight on a grass surface.

-- Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**South Alabama vs. Air Force**

-- The Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl is the fourth of five games Friday, and perhaps the least interesting of all of the matchups. However, both South Alabama (6-6 straight up, 3-9 against the spread) and Air Force (9-3 straight up, 5-7 against the spread) have had some exciting times and big victories.

-- The USA Jaguars opened their season in style with a 21-20 road win at Mississippi State as 27 1/2-point underdogs. They also topped San Diego State 42-24 on Oct. 1, proving they were not going to be a pushover against some of the top teams in the nation. However, the Jags were just 2-4 SU/3-3 ATS against the six bowl teams on their schedule.

-- The Jags were mediocre on offense, ranking 75th in total yards with 395.8. If they're going to be successful, it's likely in the passing game where they were 56th in the country with 243.7 yards per game. USA's defense will be tested early and often. They were 50th in total yardage allowed, but dented for 212.1 yards per game on the ground, and rushing is a specialty of Air Force.

-- USAFA opened a perfect 4-0 this season, covering their first three, but they struggled against the number down the stretch going 5-3 SU/2-6 ATS over the final eight outings. Against bowl teams, the Falcons were 4-3 SU/3-4 ATS. As usual, Air Force was strong in the run game, posting 322.8 yards per game to rank third in the country while posting 34.3 points per game to rank 35th in the country. On defense, Air Force was very good, holding opponents to 370.4 yards per game (39th in the country), while ranking 14th against the rush.

-- When South Alabama has the ball it's QB Dallas Davis running the show, but he was erratic with 2,461 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Davis also rushed for 250 yards and two scores. RB Xavier Johnson posted a team-high 787 yards with 10 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. RBs Dami Ayoola and Tyreis Thomas were key contributors with 345 yards and 300 yards respectively, while combining for 11 rushing touchdowns. Johnson is also dangerous in the kick return game, posting 23.9 yards per return, including a 95-yard score against Nicholls State.

-- For Air Force, QB Nate Romine (ankle) has thrown for 1,206 yards, 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions, and he completed just 41.7 percent of his passes. However, Romine missed the final two games of the season due to an ankle injury, and he is a question mark for the bowl game. QB Arion Worthman filled in admirably in wins against San Jose State and Boise State, and the Falcons are 6-0 SU in games when he has been active. He has passed sparingly in his limited action, but completed 55.2 percent of his passes with three TD throws. Worthman rolled up 605 rushing yards with six touchdowns to rank second on the team, averaging 5.5 yards per rush. RB Timothy McVey ran for 667 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns, while RB Jacobi Owens led the team with 783 yards and three scores. One wouldn't think a wideout on Air Force would have any notable stats, but WR Jalen Robinette managed 33 catches, 835 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 25.3 yards per catch.

-- South Alabama has appeared in just one bowl previously, losing 33-28 in the 2014 Camellia Bowl against Bowling Green.

-- Air Force has a much longer bowl history sheet, appearing in bowl games in each of the past two seasons, eight of the past nine years and 25 bowl games in team history. This will be the first appearance for the Falcons in the Arizona Bowl, and their first appearance in a postseason game in the state since the 1995 Copper Bowl, when they lost to Texas Tech 55-41. This is Air Force's first meeting against a Sun Belt team in their bowl history.

-- USA is 3-9 ATS in their past 12 games against teams with a winning overall record, 8-24 ATS in their past 32 games overall and 3-13 ATS in their past 16 following a straight up win.

-- The 'over' is 6-1-1 in the past eight for South Alabama against a team with a winning overall record and 8-2 in their past 10 non-conference tilts.

-- For Air Force, they covered just two of their final eight games, but they're 9-3 ATS in their past 12 non-conference games and 5-2 ATS in their past seven in the month of December.

-- The 'over' is 4-1 in Air Force's past five neutral-site games, 6-2 in their past eight overall and 8-3 in their past 11 games on a natural grass surface. The 'under' is 5-2 in Air Force's past seven non-conference battles.

-- Kickoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. Eastern on ASN.