CKO
11* Middle Tennessee State 34-27 (New Orleans Bowl 12/15) CKO sources report that while App State’s interim HC Mike Ivey (7-year assistant) is clearly auditioning for the permanent job, the Mountaineers will undeniably miss the shrewd, creative coaching/playcalling decisions that would’ve been made by departed mastermind Scott Satterfield (new L’ville HC), who went an eye-popping 40-11 SU over last 4 campaigns in Boone, NC. While App State’s run-oriented attack steamrolled most of the rather undersized, talent-thin Sun Belt defenses, it won’t overwhelm a veteran, mettle-tested Middle Tennessee D (6 defenders made allC-USA teams) toughened-up by the physical SEC infantries of Vandy, Georgia & Kentucky during a tough-as-nails non-conference slate. Meanwhile, in his final collegiate game, envision Blue Raiders’ record-breaking, emotionallycharged QB Brent Stockstill (105 career TDP) leading his dad’s team (HC Rick Stockstill) to back-to-back bowl wins for 1st time since it left Div. I-AA in 1999. Bounce-back Blue Raiders 11-3 vs. spread last 14 following SU loss.
10* UAB 31-19 (Boca Raton Bowl 12/18) UAB HC Bill Clark is receiving serious consideration for the Eddie Robinson College Coach of the Year Award for his resurrection of the Blazers over the past two seasons, and it’s well-deserved. What’s not talked about as much is the excellent recruiting job he did during the two-year hiatus when the program went dark on the field during 2015 and 2016. The Blazers returned and won 8 games LY, earning a Bahamas Bowl bid. This season they recorded 10 wins and are in Boca Raton trying to record the school’s first-ever bowl victory. Clark’s recruiting resulted in a C-USA championship and the Blazers placed 14 players on the all-conference team. NIU’s offense isn’t up to the standards of recent past teams, and the Huskies haven’t excelled in the bowl setting (2-11 SU & vs. the spread since 2005; 08 SU & vs. the points as a bowl dog). Expect UAB’s powerful D (ranked 10th in the nation) to contain Huskie attack, and they’ll be forewarned not to let down after NIU rallied late with an unusual flurry of TD passes against Buffalo to win the MAC.
10* FIU 34-29 (Bahamas Bowl 12/21) At the venue where Muhammad Ali fought for the last time (and lost to Trevor Berbick in December of ’81...remember?), expect more action than in that snoozer of a fight 37 years ago. Both of these entries have something to prove after poor efforts in bowl action last season. But preference for an underdog FIU side that might not need any help from the oddsmakers. Vet HC Butch Davis has energized the program since his arrival last year, with considerable help from Bowling Green grad transfer QB James Morgan, who passed for 2727 yards and 26 TDs as he rode to the rescue and filled what looked to be a large gap in this season’s Panther puzzle. A leaky Rocket D that allowed enemy passers to complete 70% of their throws away from the Glass Bowl is an inviting target. Moreover, Davis has covered spreads at a 70% clip (14-6) since midway last season, and has a notable 9-4 dog mark at FIU.
10* Wake Forest 34-28 (Birmingham Bowl 12/22) CKO insiders tell us Memphis might have some trouble getting properly motivated for this lower-tier bowl after losing the chance for a more prestigious invite after squandering a 38-21 halftime lead in nightmarish 56-41 loss to UCF in the AAC Title game, its 2nd straight loss to the Knights for all the marbles. Conversely, a healthier Wake Forest squad, returning several key players on both sides of the ball, is absolutely thrilled for this trip to Birmingham after reaching 6-6 following 59-7 demolition at Duke. While the Tigers’ star RB Darrell Henderson, who led the nation in allpurpose yards, will be playing on Sundays, the Deacons’ undervalued, speedy soph WR Greg Dortch (89 grabs; 11th in all-purpose yds.) is primed to shine vs. Tigers’ leaky secondary, which allowed 24 TDP with only 8 ints. TY. Plus, WF’s rising 6-4 RS soph QB Jamie Newman (18 of 23 for 177 & 4 TDP vs. Blue Devils) feels well-prepared to lead WF to a 3rd straight bowl win.
10* Baltimore Ravens 32-14 (12/16) Have to wonder how Tampa Bay might react after its recent patch of encouraging work was undone by last week’s second-half meltdown vs. the Saints. All of a sudden, the Bucs derailed, with pass protection issues undermining the confidence of Jameis Winston, who began to misfire consistently, while mistakes and special team shortcomings (including a pair of missed FGs and a blocked punt) turned the Bucs into a modern version of their Keystone Cops predecessors under John McKay in the late ’70s. It’s worth wondering how a shaken Winston might deal with the NFL’s top-rated defense that kept Patrick Mahomes mostly in check last week at Arrowhead. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson (off of his first multi-TDP NFL game) continues to grow in confidence, and Ravens could find themselves on top of the AFC North by the end of the day with a win and some help from the Patriots (if NE can beat the Steelers).
9* Indianapolis -3...Cowboys received a lot of help from the zebras to collect Sunday’s victory over Philly; lightning won’t strike twice vs. Colt side that’s won 6-1 SU L7
9* New Orleans -6 1/2 (Monday)...Saints back in chase for best record, but it hinges on winning out. Brees clicking while Cam is hurting
Totals: OVER 53 KC-SD (W)...UNDER 59 Cure Bowl Tulane-Lafayette (12/15)...Green Wave O stalled at times vs. quality foes, resulting in 9-3 “unders” TY; ULL “under” 4 of L5.
