Brett Atkins Wednesday 20 Dime Bowl Money Maker - UTAH UTES
Just how good is the Mountain West Conference. We've already seen Wyoming go in and pull off the big upset of Fresno State and we've seen BYU wipe out favored Oregon State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Plus this is a Cal team that gave everything in the rivalry game with Stanford and then dumped at Washington the next week 42-10 as a 6 1/2-point favorite. Utah has won eight straight bowl games and will be making it nine tonight. Play the Utes.
10 Dime NBA Slam Dunk - SACRAMENTO KINGS
Classic look-ahead game for the Cavaliers as they are focused in on the Christmas Day game with the Lakers that is getting all the attention and national TV exposure. They already struggle with the Kings, failing to cash in four straight meetings with Sacramento. The Kings are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 and they have won two straight and four of six overall after getting a pair of road wins over Milwaukee and Chicago. Grab the points and play Sacramento tonight.
Charley Sutton WEDNESDAY'S PLAYS 200 Unit Utah
50 Unit Kentucky
Utah vs. California
UTAH - Of Utah’s three SU losses this season, two came against teams that will be playing in BCS bowl games. And of their three losses, two were by a touchdown or less. Coming into tonight’s Poinsettia Bowl the Utes have covered in 3 of their last 4 games and have covered in 2 of their last 3 games on the road. Cal, on the other hand, has been losing money all year long, covering in just 3 of their last 9 games, including only 2 of their last 5 games on the road. It’ll happen again tonight as Utah gets over.
Long Beach State at Kentucky
KENTUCKY - I’ve said it before that I think Kentucky may very well be the best team in the country. The Wildcats have jumped to a 12-0 start and are beating teams by nearly 18 points per game (81.8-64). At home, that number is even better where the Wildcats are beating opponents by more than 20 points per game (85.1-65). Coming into tonight’s game the Wildcats have covered in 3 of their last 4 games and they’ve had huge SU wins over North Carolina and UConn over the last two weeks. Now they battle a Long Beach State team that’s covered in just 1 of its last 3 games and got destroyed 107-74 the last time it played a ranked team (Dec. 7 at Texas). The 49ers will get hammered again today at Kentucky.
Chuck O'Brien WEDNESDAY"S WINNER ... 15 DIME: UTAH (plus the points vs. Cal in the Poinsettia Bowl)
NOTE: With this number sitting at a solid 3, go ahead and buy the half-point and grab +3 1/2 with Utah. That way, if Cal wins by a field goal, we still collect.
Utah
BREAKDOWN: It’s easy to surmise that Utah, one year removed from pummeling Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to end a perfect season, would be less than enthused to be playing in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego before Christmas. In reality, Cal is the team that’s disappointed to be here. The Bears were expected to challenge for the Pac-10 championship this year, but back-to-back disastrous losses to Oregon and USC – by the combined score of 72-6! – ended those dreams. Then the Bears limped to the finish line, losing two of their final four games, including a 42-10 loss at Washington as a 6½-point road favorite to end the regular season. Cal completely quit in that game, and because of that, I doubt they’ll play with much energy tonight. … Despite losing a lot of key players from last year’s team, Utah went 9-3 this year, and all three losses were to very good teams (BYU, TCU and Oregon) and all three were on the road. … Utah owns the nation’s longest bowl winning streak (eight in a row), and it has cashed in six of its last seven bowl games. The Utes are also 26-12-1 ATS in their last 39 out-of-conference games, 26-7-1 ATS in their last 34 as an underdog and 6-1 ATS in their last seven when catching three points or less. Meanwhile, Cal has failed to cover in four of its last five as a favorite and 13 of 16 when giving away three points or less.
Jay McNeil Wednesday's plays 20 Dime -- Utah (plus points vs. California)
UTAH
The Utes have lost just three games this year -- to Oregon, TCU and BYU, all teams that could finish the season ranked in the top 10 -- are 26-7-1 in their last 34 games as an underdog and have won eight straight bowl games, the longest streak in the nation, going 6-1 ATS in their last seven. The Golden Bears have not been as potent on offense since running back Jahvid Best went down with a concussion, they lost 42-10 at Washington in their last game on Dec. 5 and Utah has a strong defense that has not allowed more than 17 points against any team other than Oregon, TCU and BYU.
5 Dime -- Harvard (plus points vs. GEORGETOWN)
HARVARD
Do-it-all star guard Jeremy Lin has helped Harvard jump out to a 7-2 start, with the Crimson already winning at Boston College and playing Connecticut tough in a 79-73 loss, and the Hoyas are 0-2 ATS at home this season and face a tough defensive squad today. Harvard is on ATS runs of 7-0 as an underdog, 6-0 as a road 'dog, 6-1 on the road and 9-2 overall, while Georgetown is on ATS slides of 1-8 at home, 1-7 as a home favorite, 4-11 as a favorite and 7-17-1 overall.
Joel Tyson WEDNESDAY'S SELECTIONS 500♦ - Cal Golden Bear minus the points
I know the Mountain West handled the Pac 10 last night, but if you ask me Oregon State let that 40 mph wind get to them, and that is what really beat the Beavers last night.
Anyway, this is not the same Utah team that went undefeated last season, including their 8th straight bowl win in a shocker over Alabama.
No, the Utes will have a true frosh under center, and while Utah plays solid, no-nonsense football, I prefer the big-play capabilty of the Golden Bears in this one, as California does have a 5 game bowl win streak of their own to hang their hat on.
Junior QB Kevin Riley is ready to take that next step and lead the Bears to their 6th straight bowl win.
Go with Cal.
100♦ - Orlando Magic minus the points
Orlando was resting at home last night, while Houston played in a home win over the LA Clippers.
Tonight marks the Rockets 4th game in 6 nights, and on the road I expect them to lose touch with Orlando.
Orlando is looking to snap a 3 game series losing streak both straight up, and against the spread, and tonight the schedule is greatly in their favor.
Magic pull away late for the cover.
100♦ - Ole Miss Rebels
Rebs catching a bunch here, and I like them plus the points to cover in Morgantown.
These schools did play last December in Oxford, West Va hanging on for a 2 point win as the 2 1/2 point road favorite.
Not sure Ole Miss is going to get their revenge, but they will be there plus the generous impost, as the Mounties record this year has been padded with some easy early season matchups. This figures to be West Virginia's toughest test to date.
Take the points.
Pete Angelo Wednesday's Winner ... 200♦ UTAH UTES - Another slim number to take advantage of, as I am playing the underdog in this one. Last night I told you that you could put a piece on the moneyline, that it was entirely up to you. Tonight JUST TAKE THE POINTS, as the line you should be looking for is 3-1/2 points.
Down the final stretch of the 2009 campaign, following a six-game win streak, Utah lost to both TCU (55-28) and BYU (26-23 in OT) in Mountain West Conference play to finish 9-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play. Normally I'd be a little skeptical about the Utes tonight, as it's apparent superior competition has had its way with them.
But the remaining players from last year will lend experience. Remember, the Utes scored a 31-17 upset win over Alabama in last year's Sugar Bowl. That marked a national-best eighth straight postseason victory and pushed the team to 11-4 in bowl opportunities dating back to the 1939 Sun Bowl.
I will take my chances with another Mountain West team against the overrated Pac 10.
