Dom Chambers Today's winners ...
My 30 Dime play is on Florida International to cover against Marshall in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. Checkang the sports boioks in Las Vegas at 8 a.m., Florida International is a four-point favorote.
ANALYSIS
Florida International has the edge here in offense.
With running back Kedrick Rhodes, who has 1,121 yards rushing and 8 TDs and receiver T.Y. Hilton, the Golden Panthers can spread out the field. Quarterback Wesley Carroll has complated 181 of 303 attempts for 2,224 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Hilton is the most versatile player on the field as he also returns kicks on special teams. He has 64 receptions for 950 yards and is ranked third nationally in kickoff return average.
What the Golden Panthers need to do is limit Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, who is second in the nation with 21 ½ tackles for a loss, including 11 sacks. He is the type of player that can dominate a game.
If Florida International can neutraliize Curry, then Carroll will have enough time to throw to pick apart the Marshall secondary. If that happens, you can expect Hilton to have a couple of long completions.
Marshall will try to pound the Florida International run defense. Marshall averages 123 yards a game and the Golden Panthers give up 121 yards rushing.
Marshall will rely on Tron Martinez and Travon Van, who each rushed for more than 500 yards this season. The duo can give a one-two punch as one is an inside runner with the other having more speed. Rakeem Cato is the Marshall quarterbock and his top receiver is Aaron Dobson, who has 42 catches this season.
The biggest difference is the Florida International defense. In their last three games, it allows its opponents only 14.0 points a game and 103 yards rushing. Marshall’s defense, in its last three games, allows 36 points a game and 459 total yards.
Take Florida International and give the points.
Jeff Benton Tuesday's Action
20 Dime winner going out on the Marshall Thundering Herd as the underaog aginst the Florida International Golden Panthers. At the time I release this winner, the Herd is listed as the 4-point underdog both here in Vegas and offshore.
10 Dime bonus hoops winner is St. Bonaventure as the small favorite versus NC State. At the time I release this winner, the Bonnies are a 1 1/2-point favorite both here in Vegas and offshore.
On the surface, this game looks like a "slam dunk" for Mario Cristobal's team, as Florida International sports eight wins on the season, they get to play in nearby St. Petersburg, and they get to play having won their bowl game last year against Toledo. Certainly a lot of positives for FIU coming into this game, but I am going to side with Marshall making their first bowl appearence under head coch John "Doc" Holliday.
The reason?
Take a look at strength of schedule. Yes, Marshall may only be 6-6 and the Herd did have to win their last game of the season - in overitime no less! - versus East Carolina just to become bowl eligible, but when you look at who each school played, you will get a clearer picture as to why I am siding with the underdog in this game.
Florida International played just three teams during the regular season that are playing this bowl season; Louisville, UL-Lafayette, and Arkansas State. Marshall meanwhile opened their season with games against West Virginia, Southern Miss, Ohio University, Virginia Tech, and Louisville. Not to mention also having played Tulsa and Houston. Count them up....that is seven teams on their twelve game schedule that are involved in bowlm play this holiday season.
All things conoidered, Marshall did well for themselves to finish at 6-6, and tonight that hard work during the regular season is going to pay dividends at the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
Take the points with this live dog, as Marshall comes to play tonight versus Florida International.
In college basketball, St. Bonaventure gets the nod as the small favorite in nearby Rochester tonight. While not a "true" home game for the Bonnies, it sure is close enough, and this is a St. Bonaventure team that is improving.
The Bonnies have followed their near upset at Illinois with back-to-back wins and covers, and now they set their sites on NC State.
Coach Gottfried's team was close early against #1 Syracuse at home over the weekend, but that game wound up getting away from them as they lost by 16-points. Now the Wolfpack has to make the trek to New York just before Christmas break and must get their mind-frame right if they wish to avoid coming out flat.
I expect State to be a little flat, and for the Bonnies to benefit.
St. Bonaventure the call in a close one.
My 30 Dime play is on Florida International to cover against Marshall in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl. Checkang the sports boioks in Las Vegas at 8 a.m., Florida International is a four-point favorote.
ANALYSIS
Florida International has the edge here in offense.
With running back Kedrick Rhodes, who has 1,121 yards rushing and 8 TDs and receiver T.Y. Hilton, the Golden Panthers can spread out the field. Quarterback Wesley Carroll has complated 181 of 303 attempts for 2,224 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Hilton is the most versatile player on the field as he also returns kicks on special teams. He has 64 receptions for 950 yards and is ranked third nationally in kickoff return average.
What the Golden Panthers need to do is limit Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry, who is second in the nation with 21 ½ tackles for a loss, including 11 sacks. He is the type of player that can dominate a game.
If Florida International can neutraliize Curry, then Carroll will have enough time to throw to pick apart the Marshall secondary. If that happens, you can expect Hilton to have a couple of long completions.
Marshall will try to pound the Florida International run defense. Marshall averages 123 yards a game and the Golden Panthers give up 121 yards rushing.
Marshall will rely on Tron Martinez and Travon Van, who each rushed for more than 500 yards this season. The duo can give a one-two punch as one is an inside runner with the other having more speed. Rakeem Cato is the Marshall quarterbock and his top receiver is Aaron Dobson, who has 42 catches this season.
The biggest difference is the Florida International defense. In their last three games, it allows its opponents only 14.0 points a game and 103 yards rushing. Marshall’s defense, in its last three games, allows 36 points a game and 459 total yards.
Take Florida International and give the points.
Jeff Benton Tuesday's Action
20 Dime winner going out on the Marshall Thundering Herd as the underaog aginst the Florida International Golden Panthers. At the time I release this winner, the Herd is listed as the 4-point underdog both here in Vegas and offshore.
10 Dime bonus hoops winner is St. Bonaventure as the small favorite versus NC State. At the time I release this winner, the Bonnies are a 1 1/2-point favorite both here in Vegas and offshore.
ANALYSIS #1
On the surface, this game looks like a "slam dunk" for Mario Cristobal's team, as Florida International sports eight wins on the season, they get to play in nearby St. Petersburg, and they get to play having won their bowl game last year against Toledo. Certainly a lot of positives for FIU coming into this game, but I am going to side with Marshall making their first bowl appearence under head coch John "Doc" Holliday.
The reason?
Take a look at strength of schedule. Yes, Marshall may only be 6-6 and the Herd did have to win their last game of the season - in overitime no less! - versus East Carolina just to become bowl eligible, but when you look at who each school played, you will get a clearer picture as to why I am siding with the underdog in this game.
Florida International played just three teams during the regular season that are playing this bowl season; Louisville, UL-Lafayette, and Arkansas State. Marshall meanwhile opened their season with games against West Virginia, Southern Miss, Ohio University, Virginia Tech, and Louisville. Not to mention also having played Tulsa and Houston. Count them up....that is seven teams on their twelve game schedule that are involved in bowlm play this holiday season.
All things conoidered, Marshall did well for themselves to finish at 6-6, and tonight that hard work during the regular season is going to pay dividends at the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
Take the points with this live dog, as Marshall comes to play tonight versus Florida International.
ANALYSIS # 2
In college basketball, St. Bonaventure gets the nod as the small favorite in nearby Rochester tonight. While not a "true" home game for the Bonnies, it sure is close enough, and this is a St. Bonaventure team that is improving.
The Bonnies have followed their near upset at Illinois with back-to-back wins and covers, and now they set their sites on NC State.
Coach Gottfried's team was close early against #1 Syracuse at home over the weekend, but that game wound up getting away from them as they lost by 16-points. Now the Wolfpack has to make the trek to New York just before Christmas break and must get their mind-frame right if they wish to avoid coming out flat.
I expect State to be a little flat, and for the Bonnies to benefit.
St. Bonaventure the call in a close one.
