BCS Championship game tonight! Bama vs Texas!

The college Bowl season wraps up tonight. As the 2 best teams in the country square off in a battle of the undefeated. No more talk lets get right to this game.Oh and on a side note my podcast should be up Friday night to get you ready for the NFL this weekend.

Bowl record to date 14-12-2 ATS

*(1 star plays) 5-4-1

**(2 star plays) 2-4

*** (3 star plays) 5-3-1

**** (4 star plays) 2-1

Alabama(-4.5) / Texas

Alabama is no stranger to the big stage, as the Crimson Tide will be playing for their 13th national title this week. The team’s last national title came back in 1992. Likewise, Nick Saban is very familiar with the pressures of the big game, leading LSU to the national championship in 2003. Mack Brown is also seeking a second national title, winning his first just four years ago with the Longhorns. Texas has followed a similar path this season, sporting a perfect 13-0 mark to this point, including winning the Big 12 title with a 13-12 dramatic decision against Nebraska in the conference championship game. Texas has never lost to Alabama in the all-time series, sporting a 7-0-1 record in eight previous meetings. However, this is the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron since the 1982 Cotton Bowl, a 14-12 win for Texas. It certainly helps to have one of college football’s greatest leaders under center in senior All-American Colt McCoy. The all-time leader in career wins, McCoy had yet another stellar campaign this season, completing a ridiculous 70.5 percent of his passes, for 3,512 yards, with 27 TDs. What it boils down to is the quarterback position. It’s the most important position on the field so who do you go with? Give me McCoy over McElroy. Take the points and maybe a shot with the money line with the Longhorns.

(****4 star play on) Texas+4.5

GMAC Bowl tonight..I have the winner.

Well the last few days have been nothing short of spectacular. After starting off the Bowl season around or below the .500 mark, I have stepped it up here in the closing week. I went 4-1 on Saturday, didn’t post Sunday and won with Boise St and Iowa the last two nights. Both underdogs winning outright. Lets get to tonights game.

Bowl record to date 14-12-1 ATS

*(1 star plays) 5-4

**(2 star plays) 2-4

*** (3 star plays) 5-3-1

**** (4 star plays) 2-1

GMAC Bowl (7:00 pm )

Central Michigan (-3) / Troy

The top team from the Mid-American Conference and the best of the Sun Belt Conference will collide this Wednesday night when the 25th-ranked Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Troy Trojans for the first-time ever in the GMAC Bowl. The Chippewas claimed their third MAC title in the last four seasons thanks to an 11-2 mark this season. This will be the fourth straight bowl appearance for CMU and the sixth overall in school history. The team is just 1-4 in the postseason and has lost its last two bowl games, including a 24-21 setback to Florida Atlantic in last year’s Motor City Bowl. The Trojans of Troy grabbed their fourth straight Sun Belt title this season after going 9-3 on the year. It was the first nine-win season for Troy in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and the Trojans also became the first team to go 8-0 in league action. The Trojans were not only the best offensive team in the Sun Belt, but they put up numbers that rivaled some of the top schools in the nation. Troy finished the regular season averaging 33.1 ppg, on an impressive 478.5 total ypg. I know C.Michigan has a top NFL prospect at quarterback in Dan LeFevour. But this is a home game pretty much for Troy (Alabama) and the Chippewas have not been able to get it done in the post season. Take the points as underdogs have been the moneymakers in these Bowl games.

(* 1 star play on ) Troy +3

It’s cold in Miami but I got a hot pick for tonight’s Orange Bowl.!

My 4 star play last night on Boise St cashed in as a outright winner. The game was never really in question. Tonight it’s the Orange Bowl where temperatures are supposed to be in the low 50′s high 40′s thats cold for Miami. But here we go for tonight.

Bowl record to date 13-12-1 ATS

*(1 star plays) 5-4

**(2 star plays) 2-4

*** (3 star plays) 4-3-1

**** (4 star plays) 2-1

Orange Bowl (730pm)

Iowa / Georgia Tech (-5.5)

Iowa has an excellent defense and they have had extra time to prepare for the Georgia Tech option attack. LSU had extra time to prepare for it last year in the bowl and dominated 38-3. However this year the Yellow Jackets are running it at a much higher level. The Iowa offense has struggled all year but the two games they lost they were without injured QB Ricky Stanzi who is now back and healthy for this game. The defense will make the difference here. This line is WAY too high take the points and maybee a shot on the money line as well.

(*** 3 STAR PLAY ON ) IOWA+5.5

Monday night 4 star play on Fiesta Bowl!

I didn’t have time to post my plays for saturday. I’m not going to include them in my record since they were not up here. But I can tell you I had another good day going 3-1. But as we get closer to the National championship game thursday, we have a solid matchup tonight between TCU and Boise St. Here we go…

Bowl record to date 12-12-1 ATS

*(1 star plays) 5-4

**(2 star plays) 2-4

*** (3 star plays) 4-3-1

**** (4 star plays) 1-1

Fiesta Bowl

TCU(-8)/ Boise St

The two teams faced each other in the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl, with TCU prevailing in a 17-16 final.  Led by star QB Kellen Moore, Boise State has one of the most potent offenses in all of college football, averaging a national-best 44.2 ppg behind 460.5 total ypg. Moore, just a sophomore, has hit the mark on 64.8 percent of his passes this season for 3,325 yards with an eye-popping 39 TDs against only three INTs. His 39 scoring strikes are a school record, and his 167.35 passer rating had him ranked No. 1 in the nation at the end of the regular season. Receivers Titus Young and Austin Pettis have been the primary beneficiaries of Moore’s exploits, hauling in 71 and 62 passes, respectively, and combining for 1,819 yards and 24 TDs. Defensively, Boise State has gotten it done time and time again, yielding 17.7 ppg and only 299.6 total ypg. The effort against the pass has been particularly impressive with opponents coming up with just 172.8 ypg. The Broncos have allowed a total of 35 points in the first quarter of games this season, and have outscored the opposition by a whopping 334-92 margin in the first half. TCU, which owns the nation’s second-longest winning streak (14 games) behind only Texas (17 games), is fourth in the country in scoring (40.7 ppg), and the Horned Frogs utilize a formidable rushing attack that generates 256.5 ypg (fifth nationally) and has accounted for 35 TDs. The aerial assault generates 212.6 ypg and has resulted in 23 scores. Take the points in what should be another close game.

(****4 star play on) Boise St+8

New Years Day Bowl games! Including a 4 star selection in Sugar Bowl

Well I had a winning day yesterday going 3-2. Today there are a full slate of games. So lets get started.

Bowl record to date 8-10-1 ATS

*(1 star plays) 5-3

**(2 star plays) 1-4

*** (3 star plays) 2-3-1

**** (4 star plays) 0-1

Outback Bowl (11:00 am)

Auburn(-9)/ Northwestern

Northwestern earned its spot in this game by winning eight contests during the regular season, including three in a row to close out the schedule. During that late win streak, the Wildcats were able to knock off a pair of nationally-ranked foes, Iowa and Wisconsin.As for Auburn, it is led by first-year head coach Gene Chizik, a controversial hire who had little success in his previous role as the leader of the Iowa State football program. Chizik’s Tigers opened this season with five consecutive victories to silence critics, but losses in five of the final seven games have caused doubters to resurface. Auburn nearly knocked off SEC champ Alabama in the regular-season finale, but a late touchdown drive by the Tide resulted in a five-point defeat. I like the way the Wildcats closed out the season beating two national ranked teams. This is way to many points.

(**2 star play on) Northwestern+9

Capital One Bowl (1:00 pm)

Penn St / LSU (pickem)

Under Les Miles, LSU has gone 4-0 in bowl games and will be making its fifth straight bowl appearance, two of those being BCS bowls. Meanwhile, Penn State is playing in its fourth New Year’s bowl game in the last five years. Obviously, these two programs have been among the nation’s elite over the latter part of the decade, and now they’ll finally get to square off against one another. One of the many storylines here will be how well the Nittany Lions respond to a long layoff, as they haven’t played since November 21st.

(*1 star play on )LSU(PK)

Gator Bowl (1:00 pm)

West Virginia(-3) / Florida St

This game brings to an end what has been quite a ride for the 80-year-old Bowden, who has guided the Seminoles to two national titles, 12 ACC championships, and will leave as the second all-time winningest coach in Football Bowl Subdivision history. The city of Jacksonville and the Gator Bowl Association set aside more than three hundred tickets for former Seminole players, who will guide Bowden onto the field one final time. On paper, West Virginia has the edge over Florida State on both sides of the ball, but you can expect the Seminoles to put forth an inspired effort to try and win one last game for the man who brought the program to national prominence.

(***3 star play on) Florida St+3

Rose Bowl (5:00 pm)

Ohio St / Oregon(-4.5)

This is a classic battle that will feature strength against strength. The Ducks will try to establish the run, despite the fact that few teams have been able to do that against the Buckeyes. It should prove to be one of the bowl season’s best games. Im taking the points in a game that should come down to a fieldgoal.

(*** 3 star play on) Ohio St+4.5

Sugar Bowl (8:30 pm)

Cincy / Florida(-13)

Florida has allowed just 15 touchdowns this season, tied for the fewest in the nation with Penn State, which has played one fewer game than the Gators. The 11.5 points per game that UF is allowing ranks third nationally, and the team has given up seven or fewer points in six games. Foes are gaining a mere 101.6 yards per game on the ground against the Gators, who are yielding just 3.1 yards per rushing attempt. The pass defense has been even better, as opposing quarterbacks have notched just seven touchdowns with 20 interceptions. It’s the last game for the seniors on this Gators team including Tebow. Look for a blow out in this one.

(****4 star play on) Florida-13

New Years Eve Bowl games!

What a crazy game yesterday with Idaho and Bowling Green both teams going back and forth with the Vandals getting the late touchdown and going for a 2 point conversion. The other game was a dud. Arizona got completely destroyed by Nebraska. So it’s NYE lots of action…lets go!

Bowl record to date 5-9-1 ATS

*(1 star plays) 4-2

**(2 star plays) 0-4

*** (3 star plays) 1-2-1

**** (4 star plays) 0-1

Armed Forces Bowl (12:30 pm)

Houston(-5) / Air Force

This season, UH was an offensive juggernaut, scoring no less than 29 points in any one game and averaging 43.9 ppg to rank second in the nation by mere fractions of a point behind Boise State. But today the Cougars will be facing a tougher defense in the Falcons. This is a tough Air Force team who took Navy to OT. And the following week lost by only 3 points against a very good TCU team. I’m taking the points.

(** 2 star play on )Air Force+5

Sun Bowl (2pm)

Oklahoma(-10) / Stanford

The Cardinal are generating 36.2 ppg and 441.4 total ypg, and while the running game is certainly the team’s strength, freshman quarterback Andrew Luck provided balance during the regular season. The rookie connected on 56.2 percent of his passes for 2,575 yards and 13 touchdowns against four picks, impressive to say the least. I’m taking Stanford and the points as Gerhart will challenge the Oklahoma defense time and time again. The Sooners haven’t had much success in recent postseason bouts, and that trend will likely continue.

(*1 star play on) Stanford +10

Texas Bowl (3:30 pm)

Navy / Missouri (-6.5)

The Midshipmen, they are looking for their first 10-win season since 2004 following a 9-4 showing during the regular season. Navy is making an academy- record seventh consecutive bowl appearance and the team is seeking its first postseason win since defeating Colorado State (51-30) in the 2005 Poinsettia Bowl. This is an intriguing matchup, as Navy’s potent ground game faces the Tigers’ stingy run defense. But I think in the end Navy will come out on top. look at the ML as well as the points.

(*** 3 star play on ) Navy+6.5

Insight Bowl (6pm)

Minnesota(-2) / Iowa St

2009 was an inconsistent season for Minnesota, which finished with a mere 6-6 mark on the year. The Gophers held on for a postseason berth despite dropping four of their last six matchups. Just like the Golden Gophers, the Cyclones went through peaks and valleys all year and finished with a mere 6-6 ledger. The team also closed out its regular season in a slump, losing three of its last four games. this game is a coin flip. But I’m going with the team who has faced a tougher schedule.

(*1 star play on) Minnesota(-2)

Chick-fil-a Bowl (7:30 pm)

Tennessee / Va Tech (-5.5)

Tennessee is scoring 30.6 ppg this season while generating 395.4 total ypg. The offense has been explosive at times, and the total of 45 offensive touchdowns registered is certainly impressive. Jonathan Crompton was overshadowed by some other SEC quarterbacks this season, but the Vols’ signal caller had a tremendous campaign, passing for 2,565 yards and 26 touchdowns. Gerald Jones has 41 catches for 610 yards to pace the squad, while Denarius Moore has six receiving scores. In what figures to be a close game from start to finish, give a narrow edge to Tennessee. The Vols are a much more balanced offensive team than the Hokies. The Vols get the win outright!

(*** 3 star play on) Tennessee+5.5

2 more Bowl games for Wednesday! Including two 3* selections.

Ok is it safe to say my 2 star selections are complete garbage!! LOL…give me a break! 0-4 so far on my 2 star play while on my 1 star plays I’m 4-2. Ok so I split yesterday with my games and there are two more games here for Wednesday before a full slate of games tomorrow and New Years day..so lets get started.

Bowl record to date 5-8 ATS

*(1 star plays) 4-2

**(2 star plays) 0-4

*** (3 star plays) 1-1

**** (4 star plays) 0-1

Humanitarian Bowl (4:30pm)

Idaho(-1) / Bowling Green

Idaho, which defeated Southern Miss in this event back in 1998 as its only previous postseason endeavor, has made a remarkable comeback this season after posting a 1-11 mark in 2007 and just two wins in 12 opportunities last year. This time around, head coach Robb Akey got the squad off on the right foot with a 21-6 victory against New Mexico State in not only the season opener but the Western Athletic Conference opener as well. This is pretty much a home game for the Vandals as they stay in state to play on the “smurf” turf of Boise St. The Vandals had their issues in November mostly because quarterback Nathan Enderle, who was eventually named the team’s MVP, was missing in action because of an injury. Luckily, Idaho doesn’t have to worry about taking the field without its leader again because Enderle is back and ready to go. At the point of attack Bowling Green struggled mightily with a mere 4.2 tackles for loss per game, last in the MAC and 113th nationally. As far as sacks were concerned, James Schneider had the team lead with just 3.5, the squad as a whole averaging barely one-and-a-half sacks per game this season. Take the quote unquote home team in Idaho.

(*** 3 star play on ) Idaho-1

Holiday Bowl (8pm)

Nebraska(-3) / Arizona

Boy oh boy has this line moved. When Vegas put the lines up for these Bowl games Arizona opened as a small 1 point favorite. But now on game day the money has been pouring in on the Cornhuskers and they are now laying a fieldgoal! Both teams have solid defenses but the difference in this game is on offense. The Wildcats have a HUGE advantage on the offensive side of the ball. They are led by sophomore gunslinger Nick Foles. Since Foles took over the starting job at quarterback earlier in the season he has played like a veteran.Completing 66.0 percent of his pass attempts, with 19 touchdowns against just eight picks. It didn’t hurt that Foles was well protected either, as Arizona gave up just nine sacks. I didnt forget about the Corhuskers defense led by Heisman candidate Ndamukong Suh, but like I said Arizona’s “O” line just gave up 9 sacks all season. Take the Wildcats.

(***3 star play on) Arizona+3

2 Bowl games for Tuesday.

Another loss with my small play on the Aggies last night. But there is still plenty more action left on this Bowl schedule. It’s time to turn things around today with 2 games on the board.

Bowl record to date 4-7 ATS

*(1 star plays) 3-2

**(2 star plays) 0-3

*** (3 star plays) 1-1

**** (4 star plays) 0-1

Eagle Bank Bowl 4:30 pm

Ucla(-4.5) / Temple

Celebrating the team’s most successful campaign in decades, the Temple Owls make their way to the inaugural EagleBank Bowl at RFK Stadium in the nation’s capital against the UCLA Bruins on Tuesday afternoon.UCLA is making its 30th postseason appearance all-time and has a record of 13-15-1 in previous bowl games. The Bruins have lost two straight and four of their last five postseason bids. In the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl, UCLA was dealt a 17-16 setback by the BYU Cougars. The most recent win for the team was a 50-38 decision against Northwestern in the 2005 Sun Bowl. On paper UCLA should win this game fairly easy. But don’t be surprised to see the Owls make a game of it.

(*1 star play) UCLA-4.5

Champs Sports Bowl 8pm

Miami(-3.5) / Wisconsin

The 14th-ranked Miami-Florida Hurricanes make the short trip to Orlando to participate in the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl, as they take on the 24th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Both of these squads are looking for their 10th wins of the season. In order for Wisconsin to reach that mark, it will have to perform much better than it did in last year’s Champs Sports Bowl, when the team was pounded 42-13 by Florida State. The key to this game is Miami’s ground attack. They are averaging a solid 144.4 ypg on the campaign. Graig Cooper leads the way with 666 yards, while Damien Berry is has accounted for eight of the team’s 20 rushing touchdowns.The Badgers are a solid team, but the Hurricanes are have a more speed and athleticism on their side. Plus Miami is playing close to home and that should only help its cause. Lay the small number.

(** 2 star play on) Miami-3.5

SEC meets Big 12 in the Independence Bowl

Lost a tough one last night with Kentucky. The big play of the game was the turnover on their own 20 in the 4th quarter. And even then the Wildcats had a shot late but just fell short losing by 8 points. Tonight it is Georgia versus Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl. Here we go…

record to date 4-6 ATS

*(1 star plays) 3-1

**(2 star plays) 0-3

*** (3 star plays) 1-1

**** (4 star plays) 0-1

Texas A&M / Georgia (-7) 5 pm

Texas A&M is making its 31st bowl appearance, the most recent of which was a trip to the 2007 Alamo Bowl. The Aggies enter this tilt with a modest 6-6 overall record and closed out the regular season with a 49-39 loss to Texas, a game that was close from start to finish.As for Georgia, it made its only previous appearance in the Independence Bowl back in 1991. The program is making its 45th all-time bowl appearance, sixth most of any team in the nation, and the Bulldogs are 25-16-3 in the previous 44 showings. Take the Aggies and the points in this game for two reasons. First, Johnson is a much better quarterback than Cox. And secondly, the fact that three defensive coaches are gone has to hurt the Bulldogs.

*(1 star play on) Texas A&M+7

Kentucky / Clemson tonight in the Music City Bowl.

Well I ended up going 1-2 yesterday. With my biggest loss coming on my 4 star selection on Boston College. Not to make excuses but the turning point in this game is when a punt from Boston College hit a Trojans players foot deep in USC territory and recovered by Boston College. They replay clearly showed it but the refs still let USC have the ball. Makes you wonder sometimes. Anyway I cashed in with Marshall and lost by a point with Pitt. Here is how I stand so far.

record to date 4-5 ATS

*(1 star plays) 3-1

**(2 star plays) 0-2

*** (3 star plays) 1-1

**** (4 star plays) 0-1

Music City Bowl 8:30 pm

Kentucky/Clemson(-7)

I asked my friend Dean(Clemson Alum) the other night what he thought about this game for the Tigers. He said quote ” I wanted them in a better Bowl”. And I think the Clemson players wanted a better one as well after winning their conference division title and playing for the ACC championship. But instead they will be playing a Kentucky team who is a little banged up right now. Slowing down Clemson will be difficult without the services of linebacker Sam Maxwell, who will miss this contest because of shoulder surgery. Maxwell had a tremendous senior season, posting 80 tackles to place second on the team. But Kentucky figures to have quarterback Mike Hartline available for this game. With the exception of a brief appearance in a tilt against Vanderbilt, Hartline has been sidelined since October 10th when he injured his knee against South Carolina. So everything really points to Clemson in this game. Will CJ Spiller (who I think got robbed not going to NYC for the Heisman) put up a huge game and prove to the critics they made a HUGE mistake leaving him off the Heisman roster. That may be the case. But the fanbase of Clemson is not excited about this game and the Tigers can play down to their opponents at times. These teams met back in 2006 in this same Bowl game and Kentucky won outright as a 11 point dog! I don’t like giving points with a team that is shaky like Clemson. Would it shock me if the Tigers won by 10 points or more? No. But is likely? I dont think so. Take the points against a Clemson team that played their hearts out in the ACC championship and left them there.

**(2 star play on) Kentucky+7