Cnotes 2018 College Football Thru The Bowl Games News- Trends-Stats-Best Bets !

[CNOTES]

December 27
Independence Bowl, Shreveport
Temple’s coach is off to Georgia Tech, isn’t coaching here. Owls won six of last seven games after a 2-3 start that included a loss to a I-AA team. Temple allowed 36-45-52 points in their three I-A losses; they’re 7-0 vs I-A teams when allowing less than 36 points. Duke allowed 200+ YR in last five games; they lost four of last six games after a 5-1 start- they lost last two games after a 5-1 start. Blue Devils went from 1960-2015 without winning a bowl; they’ve won last two bowls, 44-41/36-14; this is their 5th bowl in last six years. ACC teams won this bowl last three years; favorites are 4-3 vs spread in last seven, with average total of 65.2 in last five. Last four years, AAC teams are 17-11 vs spread when playing an ACC team. Four of last six Temple games stayed under total; under is 5-3 in last eight Duke games.


Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx
Wisconsin (+5) beat Miami 34-24 in LY’s Orange Bowl; it’ll be a little cooler at this game. Miami lost seven of last eight bowls; four of their last five bowls stayed under total. Miami QB Perry has off-field issues, may be held out of this game; former starter Rozier (threw 144 passes this year) would step in his place. Wisconsin Hornibrook (concussion) is out here. Hurricanes are 6-0 when they score 24+ points, 0-5 when they don’t. Wisconsin is 2-3 in its last five games; they’re 0-4 when they score 21 or fewer points, 7-0 when they score. Underdogs covered this bowl six of last seven years; Big 14 team won three of last four, with an average total of 58.6 in last five. Last five years, Big 14 teams are 18-13-1 vs spread when playing an ACC opponent. Last six Miami games, four of Badgers’ last five games stayed under the total;


Texas Bowl, Houston
Baylor was 1-11 LY, improved to 6-6 this year- this is their 8th bowl in last nine years. Bears are 3-0 vs spread in last three tries as bowl underdogs. Vanderbilt is in bowl for only second time in last five years; they split last four bowls, covering both chances as bowl favorites. Bears lost four of their last six games, are 3-2 vs spread this year in games with single digit spread. Vanderbilt won three of last four games to become bowl eligible, scoring 45-36-38 points in the wins; Commodores are 4-2 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Favorites covered this bowl three of last four years; Big X teams are 4-2 in last six tries here, with average total of 53.8 in last five. Five of last six Baylor games, four of last five Vandy games stayed under the total; Since 2011, SEC teams are 17-15-1 vs spread when playing Big X teams.

 

[CNOTES]

Thursday, December 27


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DUKE (7 - 5) vs. TEMPLE (8 - 4) - 12/27/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


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MIAMI (7 - 5) vs. WISCONSIN (7 - 5) - 12/27/2018, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
WISCONSIN is 1-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 1-0 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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VANDERBILT (6 - 6) vs. BAYLOR (6 - 6) - 12/27/2018, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Thursday, December 27


Temple Owls
Temple is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Temple is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Temple's last 6 games

Duke Blue Devils
Duke is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Duke is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Duke is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Duke's last 23 game


Miami-FL Hurricanes
Miami-FL is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Miami-FL is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Miami-FL is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami-FL's last 5 games


Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Wisconsin is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wisconsin's last 5 games


Baylor Bears
Baylor is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Baylor is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baylor's last 6 games


Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vanderbilt's last 5 games




-----------------------------------------




Thursday, December 27


Duke @ Temple


Game 235-236
December 27, 2018 @ 1:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Duke
84.254
Temple
93.613
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Temple
by 9 1/2
65
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Temple
by 3
55
Dunkel Pick:
Temple
(-3); Over


Miami-FL @ Wisconsin


Game 237-238
December 27, 2018 @ 5:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Miami-FL
97.811
Wisconsin
87.642
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami-FL
by 10
51
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami-FL
by 4
47
Dunkel Pick:
Miami-FL
(-4); Over


Vanderbilt @ Baylor


Game 239-240
December 27, 2018 @ 9:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Vanderbilt
97.273
Baylor
85.052
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Vanderbilt
by 12
56
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Vanderbilt
by 3 1/2
55
Dunkel Pick:
Vanderbilt
(-3 1/2); Over




-----------------------------------






THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27


Matchup Skinny Edge


DUKE vs. TEMPLE (Independence Bowl)...Duke 3-6 vs. spread last nine this season in rare spread slump under Cutcliffe. Blue Devils, however, have covered last four bowls, and Cutcliffe 4-0 as dog this season. Duke 24-11-1 as dog since 2013. Owls 8-4 vs. number this season but 1-2 SU and vs, line last three years in bowls.
Duke, based on extended trends.


MIAMI-FLA. at WISCONSIN (Yankee Pinstripe Bowl)...Rematch of LY’s Orange Bowl won by Wiscy 34-24! Miami rallied at end of season with pair of wins and covers but had dropped five previous vs. spread. Richt on 5-11 spread skid. Canes 1-4 SU and vs. line last five years in bowls (1-1 with Richt). Badgers however a miserable 3-9 vs. spread this season and just 1-2 as dog after Chryst was 6-2 as dog previous three years. Badgers have won and covered last four bowls.
Slight to Wisconsin, based on extended trends.


VANDERBILT vs. BAYLOR (Texas Bowl)...Derek Mason 8-4 vs. spread this season, and enters on 5-game spread win streak. Vandy 5-1 last six vs. line away from home. Dores have also covered last six vs. BCS-level non-SEC foes. Matt Rhule 4-3 as dog this season but just 8-8 in role since arriving at Baylor LY.
Vanderbilt, based on team trends.




--------------------------------------




Thursday's Bowl Tips
Joe Williams


**Duke vs. Temple**


Independence Bowl


-- The Duke Blue Devils (7-5 straight up, 6-6 against the spread) from the Atlantic Coast Conference will square off against the Temple Owls (8-4 straight up, 8-4 against the spread) from the American Athletic Conference in the Walk-On's Independence Bowl.


-- Prior to the arrival of head coach David Cutcliffe the Blue Devils of Duke had appeared in just eight postseason games, going 3-5. Since the 2012 season, Duke has appeared in a bowl game in six of the past seven seasons, including victories in each of their past two appearances against Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2015, and Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl last season.


-- The Owls do not have an extensive bowl history, as this will be just their eighth-ever appearance in the postseason. Much of that success has been recently, as they appeared in only the Sugar Bowl (1934) with head coach Pop Warner and the Garden State Bowl (1979) prior to 2009. Since 2009 they're 2-3 in bowl games, winning last season's Gasparilla Bowl over Florida International.


-- Temple will be led by interim head coach Ed Foley, as Geoff Collins accepted the head coaching job at Georgia Tech. Oddly enough, Foley also was the interim when Matt Rhule bolted for Baylor and he will be the only head coach in Temple history to coach the team in two separate bowl games.


-- Duke fired out to a 4-0 SU start, covering their first three. That includes wins over bowl teams Army and Northwestern. They suffered a 31-14 loss against Virginia Tech on Sept. 29, and lost against Virginia at home on Oct. 20. They also fell at Pittsburgh, 54-45, on Oct. 27. Duke was outscored 82-13 in the final two games by Clemson and Wake Forest. The Blue Devils were a tough team to figure, as they went 4-1 SU/5-0 ATS in five games as an underdog, and 2-5 SU/1-6 ATS in seven games as a favorite. Bettors might be relieved to see Duke catching 3 1/2 from Temple in this one, as of Wednesday morning.


-- Temple suffered losses to FCS Villanova and Buffalo to start the season, and it looked like it might be a lost season under Collins. They bounced back with a 35-14 win at Maryland on Sept. 15, which perhaps saved their season, and they rattled off wins in five of the next six games. They secured bowl eligibility over Houston, 59-49, on the road Nov. 10, and closed out the season with three straight wins.


-- Temple heads into this one ranked 50th in total yards (420.8 yards per game) while finishing 41st in passing yards (255.8 YPG). They also rolled up 35.6 points per game (PPG) to finished 23rd in the nation. Defensively, the Owls have it on lock down. They were 39th in total yards (356.7 YPG) while checking in seventh in the land against the pass (166.3 YPG). The Owls also finished 47th in the nation in points allowed (24.7 PPG).


-- Duke managed to finish 75th in total yards with 392.6 yards per game, and they were 66th in passing yards (229.6 YPG). Defensively the Blue Devils had some major issues, especially near the end of the season. They ranked 82nd in total yards allowed (419.4 YPG) and 116th in the nation with 222.3 yards per game allowed on the ground. The Blue Devils were also 70th in the country with 27.4 PPG allowed.


-- For Duke, QB Daniel Jones (lower body) is listed as questionable. He threw for 2,251 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also running for 325 yards and a pair of touchdowns.


-- For Temple, QB Anthony Russo (hand) is listed as probable. He managed to pass for 2,335 yards with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. RB Ryquell Armstead (ankle) is listed as questionable, while third-leading receiver Randle Jones (undisclosed) is also listed as questionable.


-- Temple has posted a 14-6 ATS mark over their past 20 games against winning teams while going 37-17 ATS in the past 54 overall.


-- Duke has covered in four straight bowl games while also posted a 4-0 ATS mark in the past four neutral-site appearances. They have covered seven of the past nine against teams with a winning record, too.


-- The 'under' has hit in five of the past six games in the month of December for Temple, although the over is 4-1 in their past five vs. ACC foes.


-- The 'over' has connected in five straight bowl games for Duke, while going a perfect 4-0 in their past four neutral-site affairs. The under is 4-0 in their past four against winning teams, however.


-- This is the first-ever meeting between the Blue Devils and the Owls.


-- Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.




**Miami-Florida vs. Wisconsin**


Pinstripe Bowl


-- In the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York the Miami Hurricanes (7-5 straight up, 5-7 against the spread) from the ACC will take on the Wisconsin Badgers (7-5 straight up, 3-9 against the spread) from the Big Ten. It's a rematch of last season's Orange Bowl when the Badgers pushed aside the Hurricanes 34-24.


-- The Hurricanes were once one of the most feared bowl opponents, and they went 7-1 SU in an eight-game stretch from 1996-2004. However, they're just 1-7 SU over their past eight bowl appearances, with a lone win in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec. 28, 2016 against West Virginia.


-- The Badgers enter on a four-game bowl win streak, including last season's Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl in the season before. They also faced the Hurricanes in the Champs Sports Bowl back on Dec. 29, 2009, winning that one 20-14 in Orlando.


-- Miami had an up-and-down season. They lost a neutral-site game against LSU to start the season, but won five in a row from Sept. 8-Oct. 6. However, they dropped four in a row at Virginia, at Boston College, home to Duke and at Georgia Tech, slipping to 5-5 SU/3-7 ATS. However, the Canes enter this one on a two-game win streak, outscoring Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh by a 62-17 margin.


-- Wisconsin won four of their first five games, but they were just 1-4 ATS during the span. They struggled away from home, losing at Michigan, at Northwester and at Penn State. They ended up covering just three of their 12 games overall, including a 37-15 loss at home to Minnesota in the season finale.


-- The Badgers ranked 38th in total yards (437.0 YPG) while posted 268.4 yards per game on the ground to finish seventh in the nation. QB Alex Hornibrook (concussion) will be missing in this one due to injury. RB Jonathan Taylor is the one to watch, as they'll lean heavily upon him. He rushed for 1,989 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns.


-- The Hurricanes were outstanding on defense, ranking second in the nation in total yards allowed (268.1 YPG) while ranking first overall in passing yards allowed (140.8 YPG). They were also strong against the run, ranking 25th (127.2 YPG), so Taylor will have his work cut out. They also were 15th in the country with 18.2 PPG. On offense, Miami was just 92nd overall in total yards (374.6 YPG) and 109th in passing yards (177.2 YPG).


-- The Hurricanes are 2-5 ATS over the past seven games overall, while going 1-6 ATS across the past seven bowl appearances. They're also just 1-6 ATS in their past seven tries against teams with a winning overall record and 1-8 ATS in the past nine neutral-site affairs.


-- The Badgers are 1-4 ATS over their past five outings, while going 1-4 ATS in the past five against winning teams. They're also 3-8 ATS in the past 11 neutral-site battles.


-- The 'under' has cashed in four of Miami's past five bowl games, while going 5-0 in their past five against teams with a winning record. They're also 5-0-1 in the past six games overall, and 6-1 in their past seven games on a neutral-site field.


-- The under has hit in four of the past five for Wisconsin, while also going 4-1 in their past five neutral-site affairs.


-- Kickoff is slated for 5:15 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.




**Vanderbilt vs. Baylor**


Texas Bowl


-- The Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl takes place at NRG Stadium in Houston, so the Baylor Bears (6-6 straight-up, 5-6-1 against the spread) of the Big 12 might have the advantage in terms of crowd support. They'll take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6 straight up, 8-4 against the spread).


-- Baylor is searching for its first-ever three-game win streak in bowl games. They took care of Boise State at the 2016 Cactus Bowl in their most recent postseason appearance, 31-12. They're 4-2 SU over the past six bowl apperances. The Bears made one other appearance in the Texas Bowl back on 2010, but they were hammered 38-14 by Illinois in the first bowl under Art Briles.


-- Vanderbilt does not have an extensive bowl history, but they're a respectable 4-3-1 SU in their eight postseason appearances. They lost their last bowl game in 2016, falling 41-17 to N.C. State in the Independence Bowl. This is their first-ever appearance in the Texas Bowl.


-- The Bears won their first two games against Abilene Christian and Texas-San Antonio, and the over finished in both of those games and five of their first six overall. They fell against Duke for the second straight season, and were doubled up at Oklahoma 66-33 on Sept. 29. They lost four of five games from Oct. 13 to Nov. 17, although the four losses came against bowl teams. The lone win was a 35-31 victory against Oklahoma State as six-point 'dogs. They wrapped up bowl eligibility with a 35-24 win at Texas Tech on Nov. 24.


-- The Commodores opened with wins over Middle Tennessee and Nevada, but they suffered their first loss 22-17 at Notre Dame on Sept. 15. The 'Dores sat 3-5 SU/4-4 ATS after a loss at Kentucky on Oct. 20. However, the Commodores racked up a 36-29 overtime win against Ole Miss and a rare win over Tennessee, 38-13, to close out the season with bowl eligibility.


-- Baylor's offense was solid this season, as they posted 441.7 YPG to rank 34th in the country, and 22nd in passing yard per game (282.2 YPG). Their weak point was rushing the ball, posting just 159.5 YPG to finish 81st. Defensively the Bears were very subpar, ranking 77th in total yards (412.6 YPG) allowed, 79th in passing yards (237.6 YPG) allowed and 79th in rushing yards (175.0 YPG) allowed.


-- Baylor backup RB JaMycal Hasty (knee) is listed as questionable due to a knee. He ran for 376 yards (5.1 YPC) with three scores, while leading WR Jalen Hurd (knee), who posted 69 grabs, 946 yards and four touchdowns, is ruled out with a knee.


-- Vandy ranked 69th in total yards per game (397.8 YPG) while ending up 56th in the country in passing yards (240.2 YPG) They were also so-so in points scored, ranking 76th in the nation with 27.7 PPG. On defense, they ranked 83rd in total yards allowed (419.8 YPG) while finishing 88th against the run (187.2 YPG). The Commodores were able to be a bend-don't-break defense, giving up 25.1 PPG to finish 48th in the country.


-- Vanderbilt RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn (arm), the team's leading rusher, is listed as questionable with an arm injury. He was the team's most explosive offensive option with 1,001 rushing yards (7.0 YPC) and 10 scores on the ground while adding two more TDs through the air.


-- The Bears are 9-1 ATS in their past 10 games played in the month of December, but 0-5-1 ATS in the past six non-conference games while going 4-11-1 ATS in the past 16 following a straight-up win.


-- The Commodores have covered five in a row while going 5-1 ATS in the past six non-conference battles. They're also 4-0 ATS in their past four appearances on a fieldturf.


-- The under has cashed in four in a row for Baylor while going 7-1 in the past eight in the month of December. The over is 20-8 in their past 28 non-conference battles, however, and 10-4 in the past 14 neutral-site contests.


-- The over has hit in four straight bowl games for Vandy. However, the under is 4-1 in the past five overall, 7-1 in the past eight non-conference games and 8-3 across the past 11 fieldturf battles.


-- This is the first-ever meeting between Baylor and Vandy on the gridiron.


-- Kickoff is slated for 9:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

 

[CNOTES]

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


TEM at DUKE 01:30 PM
DUKE +3.5
O 55.0


MIA at WIS 05:15 PM
MIA -2.5
U 44.0


BAY at VAN 09:00 PM
BAY +4.5
O 55.5

 

[CNOTES]

Taylor rushes for 205 yards in Wisconsin's Pinstripe victory
December 27, 2018
By The Associated Press


NEW YORK (AP) Jonathan Taylor ran for 205 yards and a touchdown and topped the 2,000-yard season mark to help Wisconsin rout Miami 35-3 in a chilly Pinstripe Bowl on Thursday night.


Taylor, just a sophomore, ripped off runs of 39 and 41 yards and was sensational at Yankee Stadium and combined with a defense that forced five turnovers to help a Wisconsin (8-5) team ranked fourth in the first AP Top 25 poll salvage its fifth straight bowl victory.


Last season. Taylor ran for 130 yards in Wisconsin's 34-24 win over Miama in the Orange Bowl.


The Badgers, certainly used to the cold, came out swinging for the fences - they scored two touchdowns just 3 1/2 minutes into the game and seemingly knocked the will out of Miami (7-6).


Jack Coan made the most of his start for injured Alex Hornibrook (concussion) and hit Kendric Taylor for a 35-yard TD on the first drive. Rosier's first pass of the game was intercepted and Taylor capitalized with a 7-yard score to make it 14-0.


Coan is a Long Island native and needed nearly 50 tickets for friends and family. He scored on a 7-yard run in the fourth for a 28-3 lead.


TEXAS BOWL


BAYLOR 45, VANDERBILT 38


HOUSTON (AP) - Charlie Brewer threw for 384 yards and two touchdowns, the second a tiebreaking 52-yarder in the fourth quarter, and ran for 109 yards and another score to help Baylor beat Vanderbilt in the Texas Bowl.


Brewer connected with Marques Jones for the 52-yard stroke that that made it 45-38 with less than two minutes left. The Bears then stopped Vanderbilt on fourth-and-5 to secure the victory.


Brewer's other touchdown pass was a 75-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter and he scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.


The Bears finished 7-6 a year after they managed just one in coach Matt Rhule's first season.


Vanderbilt (6-7) was led by Kyle Shurmur, who threw for 286 yards and a touchdown, and Ke'Shawn Vaughn, who ran for two touchdowns and set a Texas Bowl record with 243 yards rushing - which ranks second in school history. Shurmur moved past Jay Cutler (8,697) for most career yards passing in school history with 8,865.


INDEPENDENCE BOWL


DUKE 56, TEMPLE 27


SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - Daniel Jones threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns, T.J. Rahming caught 12 passes for 240 yards and two scores, and Duke blew past Temple in the Independence Bowl.


Duke (8-5) snapped a two-game losing streak, scoring touchdowns on seven straight drives. The Blue Devils flipped a 27-14 deficit in the second quarter to a 56-27 lead by midway through the fourth.


Jones set Independence Bowl records with the five touchdown passes and 423 yards passing, and Duke also had the most points in the event's history.


Coach David Cutcliffe won his fourth Independence Bowl. He led Ole Miss to victories in Shreveport in 1998, 1999 and 2002 and is already enshrined in the bowl's Hall of Honor.


Anthony Russo passed for 228 yards and a score for Temple (8-5).

 

[CNOTES]

2018-2019 College Bowl Record - Opinions and Best Bets !


DATE W-L-T % UNITS


12/27/2018 5-1-0 83.33% +19.50
12/26/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
12/22/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
12/21/2018 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
12/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
12/19/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
12/18/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
12/15/2018 4-6-0 40.00% -13.00


TOTAL............17-21-0.......44.73%.....-30.50




*********************************




DATE........................ATS................... UNITS..................O/U....................UNITS.................TOTAL


12/27/2018.............2 - 1.................+4.50...................3 - 0....................+15.00..............+19.50
12/26/2018.............0 - 2..................-11.00..................1 - 2....................-6.00.................-17.00
12/22/2018.............2 - 2..................-1.00....................2 - 2....................-1.00.................-2.00
12/21/2018.............1 - 1..................-0.50....................1 - 1....................-0.50.................-1.00
12/20/2018.............1 - 0.................+5.00....................0 - 1....................-5.50.................-0.50
12/19/2018.............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1....................-5.50.................-11.00
12/18/2018.............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1....................-5.50.................-11.00
12/15/2018.............0 - 4..................-22.00..................3 - 2....................+4.00................-18.00


TOTAL.....................6 - 12.................-36.00.................10 - 10..................-5.00.................-41.00

 

[CNOTES]

Friday’s 6-pack
Top six college basketball teams in defensive eFG% this season:
— Saint Peter’s, 42.8%
— Temple, 43%
— Kentucky, 43.1%
— Kansas, 43.2%
— USC, 43.2%
— Florida State, 43.5%


Quote of the Day
“I’ve always felt I could play in the NFL. I’m a confident guy. There’s not a lot of short quarterbacks in the league, but I think there’s more guys paving the way for the transition of not really caring about how big you are, how tall you are. I’ve played this game my whole life and I’ve always felt I could do it.”
Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray


Friday’s quiz
Which state is known as the Garden State?


Thursday’s quiz
Dak Prescott played his college football at Mississippi State.


Wednesday’s quiz
Kevin Johnson was the mayor of Sacramento from 2008-2016.




*****************


Friday’s List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here…….


13) How is it that Duke hasn’t won an ACC regular season basketball title since 2010, and they tied with Virginia that year? Last time Duke won regular season title by itself was 2006.


12) There are 80 offensive linemen in NFL on IR or PUP; Cardinals/Redskins have seven each, followed by Jacksonville with six. Staying healthy is a big part of winning games.


11) Baltimore Ravens’ safety Eric Weddle made the Pro Bowl, so if Baltimore makes it to the playoffs, Weddle cashes in on a $1M incentive he gets for a Pro Bowl/playoff quinella.


10) DH Nelson Cruz signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins. Cruz has homered 203 times the last five years, more than anyone else in the majors.


9) Duke 56, Temple 27— Owls led this game 20-7 early, 27-21 at the half, then the roof fell in. Duke scored on seven straight possessions, plus added a defensive TD during that run. Been a rough bowl season for the AAC.


From 1940-2011, Duke went to seven bowl games; they’ve been to six bowls the last seven years. It is way easier now to go to a bowl than long time ago, but David Cutcliffe has done a great job with the Blue Devils.


8) Old Dominion’s QB Blake LaRussa threw for 495 yards in an upset of Virginia this season, but is leaving ODU and skipping his senior year of football in order to enroll in seminary school.


7) Nevada sportsbooks won a net $27.1M in November, including $18.4M from football, both NFL and college.


Total of $581.1M was wagered in Nevada sportsbooks in November, compared to $527.9M in November, 2017.


6) From Saturday-Tuesday, CG Technology sportsbooks will be offering -108 on all football wagers. This includes: Cosmopolitan, Venetian, Palazzo, MResort, Palms, Venetian and Hard Rock casinos.


5) Right now, no NBA teams are on pace to win 60+ games this season; last time there was an NBA season with no 60-win teams was 2000-01.


4) Jets TE Eric Tomlinson went on IR because he needed surgery on his foot after he dropped a weight on the foot in the weight room Wednesday afternoon.


3) Alabama’s starting left guard Deonte Brown is suspended for the Oklahoma game this week, and maybe beyond that, if the Crimson Tide advances. Bad news for Alabama’s OL.


2) Wisconsin 35, Miami 3— This score won’t go over well in south Florida. Total yardage was 406-169, Badgers, and it wasn’t that cold in the Bronx.


1) Wouldn’t want to be a policeman in Las Vegas; there are no quiet days here. Lot of places, there are plenty of days where not too much happens, but I’ve heard sirens here all week and at all hours of day/night. Every night here has a little bit of New Year’s Eve in it.

 

[CNOTES]

December 28


Music City Bowl
Favorites covered this bowl four of last six years, with average total of 54 the last four years. Auburn is in its 6th straight bowl; they lost four of last five bowls, losing as 10-point favorite LY— over last 20 years, are 5-5 vs spread as favorites in bowls. Tigers lost two of last three games, getting waxed by 52-21 by Alabama; Auburn is 5-0 when it scores more than 24 points, 2-4 when it doesn’t. Tigers are 3-1 this year in games with single digit spread. Purdue is in bowl for only 4th time in last 11 years; Boilers are 2-3 in last five games, giving up 545-487 yards in last two games. Under Brohm, Purdue is 6-2 vs spread as an underdog, 3-0 this season; they’re 5-3 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Under is 7-3 in last ten Auburn games. Last four years, SEC teams are 8-5 vs spread when playing a Big 14 opponent.


Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx
West Virginia QB Grier is sitting this game out so he doesn’t get hurt; spread moved 8 points since then. WVU’s backup QB threw 10 passes this year; how does he respond to this spot? Underdogs covered this game six of last seven years; average total in this bowl last four years is 62. Syracuse lost 36-3 on this field to Notre Dame last month; Orange won five of their last six games- they’re 5-1 vs spread this season in games with single digit spread. West Virginia lost four of its last five bowls; they lost last two regular season games 45-41/59-56, giving up 570 RY. This is first bowl for Syracuse since 2013; they beat WVU 38-14 (+4) in this game six years ago. Over is 5-2 in last seven Syracuse games, 5-0 in last five Mountaineer games. Warm, possible rainy weather expected in NYC for this.


Alamo Bowl
Underdogs covered this bowl last three years; Big X teams won those games. Average total in last four Alamo Bowls (played in dome) is 71.5. Iowa State won bowl LY, its first in five years; they split last four bowls, with both wins by a point. Cyclones held four of last five opponents to 24 or fewer points; under Campbell, they’re 15-8-1 as underdogs, 4-2 this year. Mike Leach’s offense struggled in bowls last three years, scoring 20-12-14 points, losing two of three games. Washington State won seven of last eight games, losing Apple Cup 28-15; Coogs are 6-2 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Under is 3-1-1 in last five ISU games, 3-1 in Wazzu’s last five. Since 2011, Big X teams are 17-12-1 vs spread when playing Pac-12 teams, 10-4-1 when an underdog.

 

[CNOTES]

Friday, December 28


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


AUBURN (7 - 5) vs. PURDUE (6 - 6) - 12/28/2018, 1:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYRACUSE (9 - 3) vs. W VIRGINIA (8 - 3) - 12/28/2018, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
W VIRGINIA is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in a bowl game since 1992.
W VIRGINIA is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 Units) against ACC opponents since 1992.
W VIRGINIA is 7-21 ATS (-16.1 Units) in games played on a neutral field since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


IOWA ST (8 - 4) vs. WASHINGTON ST (10 - 2) - 12/28/2018, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
IOWA ST is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA ST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


-------------------------------------------------------------




Friday, December 28

Auburn Tigers
Auburn is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Auburn's last 10 games

Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Purdue is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games


*****************************


Syracuse Orange
Syracuse is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Syracuse is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Syracuse's last 7 games
Syracuse is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing West Virginia
Syracuse is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing West Virginia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games when playing West Virginia


West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia is 2-3-2 ATS in its last 7 games
West Virginia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of West Virginia's last 5 games
West Virginia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Syracuse
West Virginia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Syracuse
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of West Virginia's last 5 games when playing Syracuse


***************************


Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Iowa State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Iowa State's last 20 games


Washington State Cougars
Washington State is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games
Washington State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Washington State's last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington State's last 6 games




----------------------------------------------------




Friday, December 28


Auburn @ Purdue


Game 241-242
December 28, 2018 @ 1:30 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Auburn
95.961
Purdue
94.309
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Auburn
by 1 1/2
56
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Auburn
by 4 1/2
54 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Purdue
(+4 1/2); Over


Syracuse @ West Virginia


Game 243-244
December 28, 2018 @ 5:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Syracuse
98.343
West Virginia
102.215
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
West Virginia
by 4
63
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
West Virginia
by 1 1/2
68 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
West Virginia
(-1 1/2); Under


Iowa State @ Washington St


Game 247-248
December 28, 2018 @ 9:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Iowa State
95.812
Washington St
96.849
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington St
by 1
58
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington St
by 5
54 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Iowa State
(+5); Over




---------------------------------------




FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28


Matchup Skinny Edge


AUBURN vs. PURDUE (Music City Bowl)...Malzahn 1-3 SU and vs. line in bowls last four seasons, also 10-19-2 overall vs. spread since mid 2016. Brohm has won bowls the past three tries and covered his last two bowls at WKU and Purdue. Boilermakers 3-0 as dog TY, 8-2 in role for Brohm since last season.
Purdue, based on team trends.


SYRACUSE vs. WEST VIRGINIA (Camping World Bowl)...Holgorsen 0-5 SU and vs. line last five bowls. Cuse 8-3-1 vs. spread this season, also 9-3 vs. spread last 12 away from Carrier Dome. Orange also 9-3 as dog sine last season, though not sure where this number goes post-Grier.
Syracuse, based on team trends.


IOWA STATE vs. WASHINGTON STATE (Alamo Bowl)...ISU slumped late in season with four straight spread Ls to close campaign though Cyclones were 3-1 SU in those games. ISU was 22-8-1 vs. line in 31 previous games dating to early 2016. Matt Campbell 15-8-1 as dog since taking over at Ames in 2016. Leach was 3-0 vs. spread laying points away from home this season, but Cougs just 1-3 SU and vs. line in bowls for Leach. Wazzu 8-11 vs. spread last 19 against non-Pac 12 foes. Note Pac-12 1-8 SU in bowls LY.
Iowa State, based on team trends.




----------------------------------------------

 

[CNOTES]

Friday's Bowl Tips
Joe Williams


**Auburn vs. Purdue**


Music City Bowl


-- The Auburn Tigers (7-5 straight up, 5-7 against the spread) of the Southeastern Conference will face off against the Purdue Boilermakers (6-6 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) from the Big Ten Conference in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadum in Nashville, Tenn.


-- The Tigers have a lengthy history in bowl games, including a pair of national championships to their credit. But lately things have not gone according to plan in the postseason. They're just 1-4 SU over the past five bowl appearances, with only a win in the Birmingham Bowl in 2015 to their credit during the span. This will be their first appearance in the Music City Bowl since a 28-14 win against Wisconsin back in 2003.


-- The Boilermakers do not have as long a track record in the postseason, although they have had some success lately. Purdue is 3-1 SU over the past four bowl games, although this is only their second bowl game since 2012. They won the Foster Farms Bowl against Arizona, 38-35, last season. They haven't faced an SEC team in a bowl game since a 34-27 loss to Georgia in the Capital one Bowl in 2003.


-- Auburn kicked off the season with a lot of promise, pushing aside Washington 21-16 in a neutral-site marquee game. However, they lost their SEC opener 22-21 on the Plains back on Sept. 15, a bitter pill for sure. They rebounded in the next two games, but lost at Mississippi State and against Tennessee to slip to 4-3 SU/2-5 ATS and out of the playoff picture. They refocused their goals and beat Mississippi and Texas A&M to qualify for the postseason. After a rout of Liberty on Nov. 17, they were pounded 52-21 by rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl.


-- Purdue got off to a rough start, losing their opener to Northwestern on Aug. 30 and then slipping up against Eastern Michigan in a soaking rain. A loss against Missouri on Sept. 15 had them off to an 0-3 SU/1-2 ATS start, looking like the season might be lost. However, they rattled off four in a row, including a signature win against Ohio State by a 49-20 score, winning outright as 12-point favorites. However, they didn't officially qualify for a bowl until a 28-21 win at Indiana in the final weekend of the season, also taking home the Old Oaken Bucket as an extra prize.


-- Purdue enters the day 24th in the country with 459.0 total yards per game while finishing ninth in the land with 317.8 yards per game on the ground. Their pass game is lacking, and they ranked just 103rd in the nation with 141.2 yards per outing. They were able to score 31.9 PPG, ranking 44th overall. The defense struggled, posting a 103rd rank with 445.3 yards per game allowed, while giving up 280.8 yards per contest to finish 126th.


-- Auburn's offense was very subpar this season, a major reason they were unable to realize their lofty goals. They ranked just 94th overall with 373.6 YPG, 89th in passing yards (209.5 YPG) and 71st in points scored (28.2 PPG). The defense managed to finish 44th overall with 363.6 YPG, while holding the opposing offenses to just 141.2 YPG to check in 41st. The Tigers did yield just 19.6 PPG, finishing 18th in the country.


-- QB David Blough did a good job for the Boilers when asked to pass, posting 3,521 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions, getting better as the season progressed. RB D.J. Knox, who had 868 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground is the top weapon, and the team doesn't lose much if RB Markell Jones (98-502-5) gets into the game. WR Rondale Moore led the team with 1,164 receiving yards and 12 scores, while WR Isaac Zico (43-712-6) is a nice secondary weapon.


-- Tigers QB Jarrett Stidham didn't live up to expectations, totaling just 2,421 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. RB JaTarvious Whitlow led the way on the ground with 777 yards (5.4 YPC) and four touchdowns. WR Ryan Davis (upper body), who is listed as probable for the game, led the team with 64 grabs and 523 yards, but he failed to score any touchdowns.


-- Purdue is 7-1 ATS in their past eight non-conference tilts, and 4-1 ATS in the past five neutral-site battles while going 7-3 ATS across the past 10 overall. However, they're just 2-5 ATS in their past seven bowl appearances.


-- Auburn enters 2-5 ATS in their past seven neutral-site battles while going 2-7-1 ATS in the past 10 outside the SEC.


-- The over has connected in four straight bowl games for Purdue.


-- The under is 4-0-1 in the past five bowl games for Auburn, while the under is 6-0-2 in the past eight neutral-site contests. The under is also 12-4 in the past 16 overall for Auburn, while going 15-4-2 in their past 21 non-conference tilts.


-- This is the first-ever meeting between the Boilermakers and Tigers.


-- Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.



**Syracuse vs. West Virginia**


Camping World Bowl


-- The Camping World Bowl takes place in the aptly named Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. featuring a battle of Top 20 teams. The West Virginia Mountaineers (8-3 straight up, 6-3-2 against the spread) from the Big 12 Conference will face down the Syracuse Orange (9-3 straight up, 8-4 against the spread).


-- Bowl games haven't been terribly kind to the Mountaineers lately, as they're 2-6 SU over their past eight postseason appearances, including a loss in this stadium on Dec. 28, 2016 against the Miami Hurricanes when the game was called the Russell Athletic Bowl. They also lost when this game was called the Champs Sports Bowl, falling to N.C. State back on Dec. 28, 2010.


-- Syracuse has been outstanding in bowl games in recent seasons, success unrivaled by most. They're 3-0 SU in the past three bowl games, 5-1 in the past six and 12-3 over their past 15 bowl appearances. They were routed by Georgia Tech on Dec. 21, 2004 in this game when it was the Champs Sports Bowl.


-- The big news leading up to this game is West Virginia QB Will Grier announcing he'll sit out to prevent injury as he gets ready for the NFL Scouting Combine and 2019 Draft. As such, sophomore QB Jack Allison will draw the start. He was just 6-of-10 for 75 yards, a touchdown and an interception in limited work this season.


-- The Mountaineers started out 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS and they were in the Top 10 with thoughts of the playoffs running through their heads. However, a 30-14 humbling at Iowa State on Oct. 13 changed things a bit. They rattled off three wins after that to get back on track, but back-to-back losses to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma to close out the season took them out of a more prestigious bowl.


-- The Orange started out 4-0 SU/3-0-1 ATS, including a 30-7 win against Florida State on Sept. 15. They nearly pulled off a monumental upset at Clemson on Sept. 29, and followed that up with a narrow overtime loss at Pittsburgh on Oct. 6. They rebounded with four wins leading up to a measuring stick game at Notre Dame. They failed miserably against the Irish, but cleaned things up in time for a nice win over Boston College in the finale.


-- Syracuse ranks 15th in the country with 471.8 total yards per game, and they posted 40.8 PPG to finish 10th in the nation. Their rushing offense was also solid, ranking 27th with 210.2 YPG, thanks in large part to senior QB Eric Dungey, a dual threat. The defense ranked 88th in total yards (426.8 YPG) allowed and a dismal 113th against the pass, allowing 263.0 YPG.


-- West Virginia ranked seventh in total yards (520.4 YPG) and third in the country in passing yards per game (358.1 YPG), but remember, those stats are basically meaningless with Grier not playing. They were also ninth overall in scoring at 42.3 PPG, but can Allison lead them close to that kind of success? Defensively the Mountaineers struggled, giving up 405.5 YPG while checking in 99th in pass defense (254.6 YPG)


-- The Mountaineers are 3-0-2 ATS in their past five against teams with a winning record, but they're just 1-6 ATS in the past seven neutral-site appearances, 0-5 ATS in their past five bowl games and 0-4 ATS in the past four meetings against ACC foes.


-- The Orange are 4-1 ATS in the past five against teams with a winning overall mark, 4-1-1 ATS in the past six outside of the conference and 4-1 ATS in the past five overall.


-- The over has cashed in five straight for the Orange and 4-0 in the past four against winning teams. The under is 3-0-1 in the past four against ACC clubs, however.


-- The under is 5-1 in the past six neutral-site games for Syracuse, while the over is 5-2 across their past seven games overall.


-- These former Big East Conference combatants also met Dec. 29, 2012 in the Pinstripe Bowl, with Syracuse coming out on top by a 38-14 count.


-- Kickoff is slated for 5:15 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.




**Iowa State vs. Washington State**


Alamo Bowl


-- The Valero Alamo Bowl pits the Iowa State Cyclones (8-4 straight up, 6-6 against the spread) from the Big 12 Conference facing the Washington State Cougars (10-2 straight up, 10-2 against the spread) from the Pac-12 Conference in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex.


-- Iowa State has back-to-back bowl appearances under Matt Campbell, and they were able to surprise Memphis last season in the Liberty Bowl by a 21-20 score. It was just one of four wins in 13 bowl appearances overall. This will be their first-ever apperance in the San Antonio bowl game.


-- Washington State is appearing in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season, and they're looking to snap a two-game postseason losing streak dating back to 2015 with a win over Miami in the Sun Bowl. This will be Wazzu's first appearance in the Alamo Bowl since Mike Price led the Cougars to a 10-3 win over Baylor in the 1994 installment of this game.


-- Iowa State has traditionally been a bit of a pushover in the Big 12, but not lately. Campbell has changed the culture and belief. The Cyclones struggled with a 1-3 SU/2-2 ATS start, including 0-2 in the conference. However, a win at Oklahoma State by a 48-42 count on Oct. 6 really jump-started things, and the Cyclones became bowl eligible by Nov. 10 with a win over Baylor.


-- Washington State fell short in their bid for a potential playoff spot, losing the Apple Cup against Washington in the snow. They fired out of the gate with eight consecutive covers, including their only previous loss in conference at USC back on Sept. 21. The Cougars posted 31 or more points in nine of their past 12 outings overall.


-- Iowa State posted rather marginal numbers on offense, ranking 105th in total yards on offense (359.2 YPG) while doing even worse in the run game, averaging just 124.4 YPG to rank 114th in the country. They ended up with a mediocre 26.8 PPG to finish 83rd in the nation. Defensively they were a respectable 32nd with just 351.0 total yards allowed, and they were particularly hard on the run, ranking 21st overall (122.2 YPG). They allowed just 22.5 PPG, too, finishing 35th overall in points allowed.


-- Washington State had a magical offensive season, finishing first in the land in passing yards per game with 379.8 YPG. Graduate transfer QB Gardner Minshew led the way with a ridiculous 4,477 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions while also running for three scores. The mustachioed quarterback will look to cap off an amazing season in style down in San Antonio before getting a legit shot at an NFL job next season. The Cougs also ranked 15th in the country with 38.3 PPG. Defensively they were strong, and perhaps a bit underrated. They were 39th in the country with just 23.1 PPG allowed, impressive considering they play in the air-it-out Pac-12. They were 29th overall in total yards allowed (345.9 YPG).


-- Iowa State is 15-6-1 ATS in the past 22 games against teams iwth a winning record. However, they're 0-4 ATS in their past four overall and 1-5 ATS in the past six neutral-site affairs.


-- Washington State cashed in 10 of their 12 games overall this season, and they're 4-1 ATS in the past five non-conference battles. They're also 6-2 ATS in the past eight against teams with a winning record, but 0-5 ATS in the past five against Big 12 Conference combatants.


-- The 'under' is 5-0-1 in Iowa State's past six bowl games, 6-0-1 in their past seven neutral-site games and 3-1-1 in their past five against winning teams. The under is also 4-0-1 in their past five non-conference tilts and 11-1-1 in the past 13 following a straight-up win.


-- The under is 4-1 in Washington State's past five against teams with a winning record and 7-2-1 in their past 10 following a straight up loss. The under is also 7-0-1 in Washington State's past eight following a double-digit loss at home.


-- This is the first-ever meeting between Iowa State and Washington State on the gridiron.


-- Kickoff is slated for 9:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


PUR at AUB 01:30 PM
PUR +3.5
U 59.5


WVU at SYR 05:15 PM
SYR -3.0
O 67.5




CHECK BACK LATER FOR THE ALAMO BOWL WINNER !

 

[CNOTES]

ISU at WSU 09:00 PM


ISU +2.5


O 56.5

 

[CNOTES]

No. 17 Syracuse beats No. 15 West Virginia 34-18
December 28, 2018
By The Associated Press


SAN ANTONIO (AP) Gardner Minshew II threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and No. 12 Washington State stopped No. 25 Iowa State on a late two-point conversion in a 28-26 victory in the Alamo Bowl on Friday night.


Minshew passed for 299 yards to help Washington State (11-2) set a school record for wins in a season.


Minshew's biggest play came out of desperation and it set up the winning score.


Iowa State (8-5) rallied from down 21-10 at halftime to 21-20 early in the fourth quarter before running back David Montgomery fumbled on the Cyclones 30.


Minshew, who had been held in check in the third quarter, escaped a third-down pass rush to flip a shovel pass that went for 20 yards. The play stunned the Cyclones, and Max Borghi ran in from 10 yards on the next play to put the Cougars ahead 28-20.


Iowa State's last chance came after Brock Purdy scored from a yard out with 4:02 left. The Cyclones went for two, but a pass play was stopped well short of the goal line after a false-start penalty pushed the line of scrimmage back to the 7.


Purdy passed for 315 yards and Cyclones receiver Hakeem Butler caught nine passes for 192 yards. Montgomery rushed for 124 yards.


CAMPING WORLD BOWL


NO. 17 SYRACUSE 34, NO. 15 WEST VIRGINIA 18


ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Abdul Adams and Trishton Jackson made their Syracuse debuts memorable, combining to score three touchdowns and helping the Orange secure their first 10-win season since 2001 by topping West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl.


Adams rushed for two first-half scores, and Jackson hauled in a TD pass from Eric Dungey on the first play of the fourth quarter (AP) - for Syracuse (10-3), which survived a game that featured eight lead changes. Adams and Jackson were both transfers who had to sit out a year, which by NCAA rule was satisfied at the end of the first semester.


Dungey completed 21 of 30 passes for 303 yards for the Orange, who trailed 18-17 going into the final quarter. Barely five minutes later, it was 34-18. Dungey connected with Jackson, the Orange got an interception one play later and turned that possession into a field goal by Andre Szmyt, and Jarveon Howard barreled in from 4 yards out with 9:59 left to cap the SU flurry.


Syracuse got a fourth-and-goal stop on the next possession, and from there the orange-clad faithful who came south from Central New York could start to celebrate.


Jack Allison, making his first collegiate start because West Virginia star quarterback Will Grier elected to skip the bowl game and focus on preparing for the NFL, completed 17 of 35 passes for 277 yards for the Mountaineers (8-4).


MUSIC CITY BOWL


AUBURN 63, PURDUE 14


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Jarrett Stidham threw for 373 yards and five touchdowns in his final college game and Auburn routed Purdue in the Music City Bowl.


Auburn (8-5) rolled in the finale of a season that opened with a top-10 ranking, stumbled a bit in the middle and concluded with a record-setting performance. It was the Tigers' first postseason victory since beating Memphis in the 2015 Birmingham Bowl.


Auburn scored the most points by a Southeastern Conference team in a bowl, topping Alabama's 61-6 victory over Syracuse in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 1953. The Tigers had a chance to match the most points ever in a bowl at 70, most recently by Army in the Armed Forces Bowl last week, but they took a knee at the Purdue 1 with 1:01 left.


Auburn scored TDs on its first eight possessions. It tied the Music City Bowl records for most points and TDs set by West Virginia in 2000 - with 5:36 left in the first half. By halftime, Auburn led 56-7 with the most points scored in any half in program history after holding the ball for only 11 minutes.


Purdue (6-7) dropped three of its last four games in its second season under coach Jeff Brohm.

 

[CNOTES]

2018-2019 College Bowl Record - Opinions and Best Bets !


DATE W-L-T % UNITS


12/28/2018 2-4-0 33.33% -12.00
12/27/2018 5-1-0 83.33% +19.50
12/26/2018 1-3-0 25.00% -11.50
12/22/2018 4-4-0 50.00% -2.00
12/21/2018 2-2-0 50.00% -1.00
12/20/2018 1-1-0 50.00% -0.50
12/19/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
12/18/2018 0-2-0 0.00% -11.00
12/15/2018 4-6-0 40.00% -13.00


TOTAL............19-25-0.......43.18%.....-42.50




*********************************




DATE........................ATS................... UNITS..................O/U....................UNITS.................TOTAL


12/28/2018.............2 - 1.................+4.50...................0 - 3.....................-16.50..............-12.00
12/27/2018.............2 - 1.................+4.50...................3 - 0....................+15.00..............+19.50
12/26/2018.............0 - 2..................-11.00..................1 - 2....................-6.00.................-17.00
12/22/2018.............2 - 2..................-1.00....................2 - 2....................-1.00.................-2.00
12/21/2018.............1 - 1..................-0.50....................1 - 1....................-0.50.................-1.00
12/20/2018.............1 - 0.................+5.00....................0 - 1....................-5.50.................-0.50
12/19/2018.............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1....................-5.50.................-11.00
12/18/2018.............0 - 1..................-5.50....................0 - 1....................-5.50.................-11.00
12/15/2018.............0 - 4..................-22.00..................3 - 2....................+4.00................-18.00


TOTAL.....................8 - 13................-31.50.................10 - 13..................-21.50.................-53.00

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday’s 6-pack


— Washington State 28, Iowa State 26— Cyclones failed on 2-point play to tie game with 4:02 left. Wazzu killed off rest of the clock after that.


— Syracuse 34, Wast Virginia 18— First 10-win season for Orange since 2001


— Nuggets 102, Spurs 99— Denver is very quietly a 22-11 team.


— Auburn 63, Purdue 14— This game was 56-7 at the half; thank God I was on an airplane and didn’t see it.


— Four of last six Heisman Trophy winners played on the national title team.


— Someone at MGM in Las Vegas wagered $525,000 on Alabama on the money line in tonite’s semi-final; if the Crimson Tide wins, the guy makes $95,000.

Quote of the Day
“Our football’s team performance tonight- and at other times this season- is simply unacceptable to all of is who love the U. I am committed to getting UM football back to national prominence and that process is underway……”
Miami athletic director Blake James


Saturday’s quiz
Where was Mike Leach head coach, before he went to Washington State?


Friday’s quiz
New Jersey is known as the Garden State.


Thursday’s quiz
Dak Prescott played his college football at Mississippi State.


-----------------------------------------


Saturday’s List of 13: Random lists of 3


13) Best 3 NBA players of all-time:
1) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2) Michael Jordan 3) Lebron James.


12) Favorite Las Vegas hotels:
T1) Aria/Vdara 3) Mandalay Bay 4) SouthPoint


11) Favorite Las Vegas sports books:
1) Westgate 2) Aria 3) Golden Nugget


10) Favorite Batman villains:
1) Riddler (Frank Gorshin) 2) Egghead (Vincent Price) 3) Mad Hatter (David Wayne)


9) College football bucket list:
Games at: 1) LSU 2) USC 3) Rose Bowl


8) College basketball bucket list:
1) NC State 2) Iowa State 3) Colorado State


7) Favorite non-sports movies:
1) Rounders 2) The Bodyguard 3) Begin Again


6) Favorite QB’s (non-Rams) to watch:
1) Dan Fouts 2) Aaron Rodgers 3) John Elway


5) Best Oakland A’s managers:
1) Dick Williams 2) Bob Melvin 3) Tony LaRussa


4) Best LA/St Louis Rams head coaches:
1) Dick Vermeil 2) Sean McVay T3) George Allen/Chuck Knox


3) My favorite comedians:
1) Steve Martin 2) Bill Murray 3) David Letterman


2) Favorite dinners:
1) Pizza 2) Spaghetti and meatballs 3) Scrambled eggs and bacon


1) Favorite TV characters:
1) Oscar Madison (Odd Couple) 2) Jonathan Higgins (Magnum PI) 3) Henry Blaker (M*A*S*H*)

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday, December 29


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ARKANSAS ST (8 - 4) vs. NEVADA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARKANSAS ST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


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FLORIDA (9 - 3) vs. MICHIGAN (10 - 2) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
FLORIDA is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992.
MICHIGAN is 30-49 ATS (-23.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
MICHIGAN is 1-0 against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
MICHIGAN is 1-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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S CAROLINA (7 - 5) vs. VIRGINIA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
S CAROLINA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
S CAROLINA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


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OKLAHOMA (12 - 1) vs. ALABAMA (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ALABAMA is 81-56 ATS (+19.4 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
ALABAMA is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1992.
ALABAMA is 58-34 ATS (+20.6 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1992.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


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NOTRE DAME (12 - 0) vs. CLEMSON (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEMSON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEMSON is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.


Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.


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Saturday, December 29


Florida Gators
Florida is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Florida is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 7 games
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games


South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
South Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Carolina's last 5 games
Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia's last 5 games


Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Arkansas State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arkansas State's last 5 games
Nevada Wolf Pack
Nevada is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Nevada is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nevada's last 8 games


Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Notre Dame's last 9 games
Clemson Tigers
Clemson is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Clemson is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games


Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Oklahoma is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 5 games
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Alabama's last 14 game


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December 29


Peach Bowl, Atlanta
Michigan is 2-0 vs Florida last four years, beating Gators 41-7 in Citrus Bowl three years ago, 33-17 in season opener LY. Mullen was 6-2 in bowls at Miss State, beating Michigan 52-14 in Gator Bowl in 2010. SEC-Big 14 teams have played 34 bowls the last eight years; this is only 6th team the Big 14 team has been favored (3-2 vs spread in first five). Underdogs covered four of last six Peach Bowls; average total in last five is 59.8. Michigan won 10 of its last 11 games overall, but lost 62-39 at Ohio State, giving up 567 yards. Under Harbaugh, Wolverines are 6-9 vs spread in games with single digit spread, 1-2 this year. Michigan lost four of its last five bowls. Florida won its last three games overall; they won six of last eight bowl games, but didn’t bowl LY. Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Florida games.


Belk Bowl, Charlotte
Favorites won last seven Belk Bowls (6-0-1 vs spread); ACC teams are 4-3 in those games, with average total of 71 in last five. South Carolina won five of its last six bowl games; they’re 3-3-1 vs spread in last seven bowls as a favorite. Carolina is 4-3 vs spread this year in games with single digit spread; they’re 3-2 vs spread as favorites, but they also allowed 44-35-56 points in last three SEC games. Five of SC’s 12 games were decided by four or less points. Virginia is 0-3 in bowls since ’06, losing 49-7 to Navy in bowl LY; Cavaliers lost three of last four games overall after a 6-2 start- they allowed 145.3 YR in last four games. Virginia is 4-1 vs spread as an underdog this year. SEC teams are 5-2 vs ACC teams this year (7-0 vs spread). Four of last five Virginia games went over.


Arizona Bowl, Tucson
Underdogs are 2-1 in this bowl; Nevada won the first one 28-23 (+3) three years ago. Average total in the three games is 54.3. Arkansas State won its last four games after a 4-4 start; they beat Nevada’s rival UNLV 27-20 at home in September. ASU is 7-0 when it allows 21 or fewer points, 1-4 when it allows 28+- they’re 3-3 vs spread in games with single digit spread this year. Red Wolves 228+ rushing yards in all four of their losses. Nevada won four of last five games after a 3-4 start, but lost 34-29 at rival UNLV. Wolf Pack is in bowl for first time in three years; they lost three of last four bowls, with only win here in ’15. Under is 8-2 in last ten ASU games, 6-2 in nevada’s last eight. Over last four years, Mountain west teams are 9-4-1 vs spread when playing a Sun Belt opponent.


Cotton Bowl
Favorites covered Cotton Bowl five of last seven years, with average total of 36.3 last three years. Clemson (-2.5) beat Notre Dame 24-22 at home in rain three years ago. Tigers are in national semis for 4th year in row; they won semi-final game two of last three years, are 6-2 in last eight bowls, but since ’05, are 1-6 vs spread as bowl favorites- last time they were favored in a bowl was 2011, when they lost 70-33 to West Virginia. Clemson is 12-0, with last eight wins by 20+ points; three of their last four games stayed under total. Notre Dame is 12-0, beating Michigan 24-17 in only game as an underdog this year. Fighting Irish won three of last four bowls; since ’09, they’re 5-2 vs spread as a double digit underdog. Under Kelly, they’re 17-18 as an underdog. Six of last nine ND games went over the total.


Orange Bowl
Underdog won five of last seven Orange Bowls; average total in last five Orange Bowls is 67. Sooners lost this game in 2012, 2015- they’re 2-4 in last six bowls, and lost in national semis two of last three years, but they did beat Alabama 45-31 (+15) in Sugar Bowl five years ago. Oklahoma scored 39+ points in each of its last nine games. Oklahoma won its last seven games since a 48-45 loss to Texas; over last 11 years, Sooners are 6-3 as an underdog. Alabama won national title two of last three years; they’re 3-5 vs spread in last eight bowls, all as a favorite. Last eight years, SEC teams are 17-15 vs spread when playing a Big X opponent, 9-6 when favored. Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Oklahoma games, 6-3-1 in Alabama’s last ten games. Last four years, SEC teams are 8-5 vs spread when playing a Big 14 opponent.




-------------------------------




Saturday, December 29


Arkansas St @ Nevada


Game 245-246
December 29, 2018 @ 1:15 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Arkansas St
85.067
Nevada
81.608
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arkansas St
by 3 1/2
64
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arkansas St
Pick
58 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arkansas St
Over


Florida @ Michigan


Game 249-250
December 29, 2018 @ 12:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Florida
99.961
Michigan
103.058
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Michigan
by 3
47
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Michigan
by 7 1/2
51
Dunkel Pick:
Florida
(+7 1/2); Under


South Carolina @ Virginia


Game 251-252
December 29, 2018 @ 12:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
South Carolina
88.720
Virginia
93.720
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Virginia
by 5
58
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
South Carolina
by 6
54 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Virginia
(+6); Over


Oklahoma @ Alabama


Game 253-254
December 29, 2018 @ 8:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma
108.210
Alabama
119.746
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Alabama
by 11 1/2
76
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Alabama
by 14
81
Dunkel Pick:
Oklahoma
(+14); Under


Notre Dame @ Clemson


Game 255-256
December 29, 2018 @ 4:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Notre Dame
106.074
Clemson
120.731
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Clemson
by 14 1/2
60
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Clemson
by 11
55 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Clemson
(-11); Over




-----------------------------






SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29


Matchup Skinny Edge


ARKANSAS STATE vs. NEVADA (Arizona Bowl)...Red Wolves 1-3 SU and vs. line last four bowls, though they did cover last four this season. Still, only 4-5 vs. spread last nine away from Jonesboro. Wolf Pack dropped last two vs. line this season after 4-game cover streak. Nevada no covers last five vs. non-MW BCS foes.
Slight to Arkansas State, based on team trends.


FLORIDA vs. MICHIGAN (Peach Bowl)...Rematch of opener last season won by Harbaugh, 33-17. That was pre-Dan Mullen at Florida; Gators were 8-4 vs. spread in Mullen debut, Michigan 1-4 vs. spread away from Ann Arbor this season, and 2-8 against spread last 10 away from home. Also just 2-6 last 8 as chalk away from Ann Arbor.
Florida, based on team trends.


SOUTH CAROLINA vs. VIRGINIA (Belk Bowl)...Cavs only 1-3 vs. spread last four in 2018 but overall were 8-4 vs. number this season. Wahoos also 4-1 as dog in 2018. Mendenhall, however, 0-4 SU and vs. line last four bowls. SC 4-1 vs. line away from Williams-Brice this season. Muschamp has won and covered bowls the past two seasons and Gamecocks 6-0 SU, 5-0-1 vs. spread in bowls since 2011.
South Carolina, based on team trends.


OKLAHOMA vs. ALABAMA (CFP Orange Bowl)...OU just 2-4 SU and vs. spread last six bowls but did beat Saban in 2013 Sugar Bowl. Lincoln Riley 2-0 as dog (0-0 this season). Saban just 3-5 vs. spread in bowl/playoff games since 2013. Tide just 5-6 vs. line last 11 away from Tuscaloosa.
Slight to Oklahoma, based on team trends.


NOTRE DAME vs. CLEMSON (CFP Cotton Bowl)...Dabo 7-1 vs. line last eight bowl/playoff games. Clemson on 10-3 spread uptick since late last season. Tigers also 7-2 vs. points last nine away from Death Valley. Brian Kelly just 2-2 as dog since 2016 (0-0 TY) and Irish 2-4 vs. line last six bowls (both covers vs. LSU).
Clemson, based on team trends.

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday's Early Bowl Tips
Brian Edwards


**Florida vs. Michigan**


-- This is the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl pitting the Big Ten vs. the SEC in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.


-- Michigan has absolutely dominated Florida in football and basketball for decades! In the Round of 32 at the 1988 NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Wolverines ended Vernon Maxwell’s UF career out in Salt Lake City by dealing out a 108-85 pimpslap. I was at Jerry World for the 2013 South Region finals when Nik Stauskas drained a plethora of 3-balls and sent the Gators packing from the Elite Eight for the fourth straight season in a blowout. The Wolverines beat UF 38-30 at the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day of 2003. Then at the Capital One Bowl on New Year’s Day of 2008, Michigan bested Florida by a 41-35 count to send Lloyd Carr into retirement as a winner. In the 2016 Outback Bowl, Michigan destroyed UF 41-7.


-- When these schools met at Jerry World in Week 1 of the 2017 season, Florida raced out to a 17-3 lead thanks to a pair of first-half pick-sixes from C.J. Henderson and Duke Dawson. However, Jim Harbaugh’s club would respond with 30 unanswered points and win 33-17 as a five-point favorite. It was the first career start for Feleipe Franks, who was yanked in the third quarter after completing 5-of-9 passes for 75 yards. He coughed up a crucial fumble trying to scramble for a first down.


-- As of early Friday, most books had Michigan (10-2 straight up, 6-6 against the spread) installed as a six-point favorite with a total of 50.5. The Gators were +190 on the money line. The Wolverines opened as 7.5-point ‘chalk,’ but the decisions of four players to skip the game has led to a 1.5-point adjustment.


-- Michigan will be without LB Devin Bush, DE Rashan Gary, RB Karan Higdon and OT Juwan Bushell-Beatty. Bush produced a team-best 79 tackles along with five sacks, four tackles for loss, six passes broken up and a pair of QB hurries. Gary, who is pegged as a first-round pick by most NFL Draft experts, recorded 44 tackles, four TFL’s, 3.5 sacks and five QB hurries in nine games. Higdon rushed for 1,178 yards and 10 TDs while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Bushell-Beatty started 11 games this year and 19 in his career.


-- Michigan ripped off a 10-game winning streak after losing its opener 24-17 at Notre Dame. Harbaugh’s bunch was poised to win the Big Ten East and advance to the College Football Playoff if it could win its regular-season finale at Ohio State and follow up that win with another vs. Northwestern the next week at the Big Ten Championship Game. But those hopes were shattered in 60 minutes of football at The ‘Shoe, as the Buckeyes blasted the Wolverines 62-39 as 4.5-point home underdogs. Shea Patterson completed 20-of-34 passes for 187 yards and three TDs with one interception. Higdon rushed for 72 yards on 15 attempts and Nico Collins had four receptions for 91 yards and two TDs.


-- Patterson, the transfer from Ole Miss who played two seasons for the Rebels and was granted immediate eligibility in Ann Arbor, connected on 64.8 percent of his throws for 2,364 yards with a 21/5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Patterson ran for 268 yards and two TDs with a 4.1 YPC average. His favorite target is Collins, who has 33 catches for 552 yards and six TDs. Donovan Peoples-Jones has 39 receptions for 541 yards and seven TDs, while Zach Gentry has 30 grabs for 475 yards and two TDs.


-- With Higdon out, the ground game will lean on Chris Evans and Tru Wilson. Evans has 403 rushing yards, four TDs and a 5.4 YPC average, while Wilson has run for 355 yards and one TD while averaging 6.0 YPC.


-- Michigan has compiled a 1-2 record both SU and ATS in three games as a single-digit favorite this year.


-- Michigan is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense, second in pass defense, 16th at defending the run and 12th in scoring ‘D’ (17.6 points per game).


-- Michigan is 7-5 in 12 bowl games against SEC opponents since 1984.


-- After a nightmare 2017 campaign ended in a 4-7 record and saw Jim McElwain dismissed after a torturous tenure that covered (nearly) three seasons, Florida (9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS) enjoyed an excellent initial year on Dan Mullen’s watch. Mullen, who was UF’s offensive coordinator in 2006 and 2008 when it won a pair of national championships, spent nine seasons as head coach at Mississippi State before returning to Gainesville.


-- UF’s three losses came at home vs. Kentucky (27-16), vs. Georgia (36-17 in Jacksonville) and at home vs. Missouri (38-17). The Gators’ best victories were at Mississippi State (13-6) and vs. LSU (27-19). They posted comeback wins at Vanderbilt (37-27 after being down 21-3) and vs. South Carolina (35-31 after trailing 31-14), in addition to crushing arch rivals Tennessee (47-21) and FSU (41-14) at Neyland and Doak Campbell Stadiums, respectively.


-- Florida brings a three-game winning streak to The ATL after trouncing the Seminoles as an 8.5-point road ‘chalk.’ The Gators produced 24 first downs and 536 yards of total offense, while the ‘Noles had only 15 first downs and 293 yards. Franks completed 16-of-26 passes for 254 yards and three TDs without an interception. He also ran 12 times for 46 yards. Lamical Perine rushed for 129 yards and one TD on 13 carries, while Jordan Scarlett had 88 rushing yards and one TD on 20 attempts. Trevon Grimes had five receptions for 118 yards and one TD, while Van Jefferson caught four balls for 92 yards and one TD.


-- Franks has completed 58.5 percent of his throws for 2,284 yards with a 23/6 TD-INT ratio. He passed his stats with eight TD passes without an interception in a pair of games against FCS foes, but the Wakulla County (FL.) High School product was nonetheless more effective than most (my hand is raised) thought he’s be, which is a credit to Mullen. Franks proved to be a tough, physical runner with 276 rushing yards and six TDs.


-- Gamblers should expect true freshman QB Emory Jones to be a part of UF’s offensive plan. Jones has played in only three games so he’ll still retain his redshirt status per the NCAA’s new rules. He completed 12-of-16 passes for 125 yards and two TDs without an interception. Jones ran for 27 yards on 14 attempts.


-- Perine has rushed for a team-high 750 yards and six TDs while averaging 5.9 YPC. Scarlett, who sat all of 2017 due to a suspension, returned to produce 717 rushing yards, four TDs and a 5.9 YPC average.


-- Jefferson, a transfer from Ole Miss who used to play with Patterson, hauled in a team-best 31 receptions for 439 yards and six TDs. Grimes, a transfer from Ohio State who, like Jefferson, is a former five-star recruit, has 25 catches for 366 yards and two TDs. Josh Hammon has 26 grabs for 308 yards and four TDs, and Freddie Swain has 14 catches for 265 yards and five TDs.


-- Florida WR Tyrie Cleveland is ‘out’ after breaking his collarbone in the win at FSU. Cleveland has 18 receptions for 212 yards and three TDs.


-- UF was an underdog three times this year, going 2-1 both SU and ATS.


-- UF is ranked 27th in the nation in total defense, eighth at defending the pass and 22nd in scoring ‘D’ (20.4 PPG).


-- UF owns an 8-3 record in 11 bowl games since 2005. The only loss to a foe not named Michigan was the 33-23 loss to Louisville at the 2012 Sugar Bowl.


-- The ‘over’ went 5-2 in Michigan’s last seven regular-season games to improve to 7-5 overall. The Wolverines have seen their games average combined scores of 54.4 PPG.


-- The ‘over’ has hit in three straight UF games and is 5-1-1 in its last seven contests to improve to 7-4-1 overall. The Gators have watched their games average combined scores of 54.9 PPG.


-- Kickoff is scheduled for noon Eastern on ESPN.




**South Carolina vs. Virginia**


-- This is the Belk Bowl in Charlotte that’ll be played at Bank of America Stadium. As of early Friday, most betting shops had South Carolina (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) installed as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 54. The Cavaliers were +180 to win outright (risk $100 to win $180).


-- South Carolina finished fourth in the SEC East with a 4-4 record in league play. Will Muschamp has the Gamecocks bowling for a third straight season. They rallied to beat Michigan 26-19 as an eight-point underdog in last year’s Outback Bowl. During Muschamp’s first season, South Carolina lost 46-39 to South Florida in overtime at the Birmingham Bowl but took the money as a 10-point underdog.


-- South Carolina’s best wins were at Vanderbilt (37-14) and vs. Missouri (37-35). The Gamecocks lost heartbreakers vs. Texas A&M (26-23) and at Florida (35-31). In their rivalry game on Nov. 24, they were without nine injured defensive players at Clemson. Facing one of the nation’s premier defenses, USC rolled up 600 yards of total offense thanks to junior QB Jake Bentley, who completed 32-of-50 passes for 510 yards and five TDs compared to just one interception. Unfortunately, the Tigers racked up 744 yards of offense, including 351 rushing yards. Deebo Samuel had a monster game, hauling in 10 receptions for 210 yards and three TDs. Shi Smith caught nine balls for 109 yards and one TD.


-- Since USC had its Week 3 home game vs. Marshall cancelled due to a hurricane, it played host to Akron on Dec. 1 to get a 12th game in. Muschamp’s club saw its 4-0 ATS surge snapped in a 28-3 win over the Zips as a 28.5-point home favorite. A streak of four consecutive ‘overs’ also came to a halt with the 31 combined points dropping ‘under’ the 55-point tally. Mon Denson ran for 110 yards on 17 carries and Rico Dowdle produced 86 rushing yards on 13 totes. Bentley hit 14-of-27 throws for 199 yards and three TDs compared to interceptions. Bryan Edwards had five receptions for 109 yards and one TD, while Samuel had four catches for 33 yards and two TDs.


-- Samuel, who was a first-team All-SEC return specialist and a second-team All-SEC WR, will skip the bowl game to stay healthy for the NFL Draft. Samuel had a sensational career, scoring six TDs in the first 2.5 games of the 2017 campaign before sustaining a season-ending leg fracture. He finished this season with 62 receptions for 882 yards and 11 TDs, in addition to 570 yards on kickoff returns and one TD. For his career, Samuel played in 30 games and produced 148 catches for 2,076 yards and 16 TDs. He had 1,219 yards on kick returns and four TDs and rushed for 154 yards and seven TDs with a 6.2 YPC average.


-- Bentley has completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 2,953 yards with a 27/12 TD-INT ratio. He also has two rushing scores. For his career, Bentley has a 54/28 TD-INT ratio and eight rushing TDs.


-- Edwards, a junior who hasn’t announced whether he’s going to return to school skip his senior season to enter the NFL Draft yet, has 52 receptions for 809 yards and seven TDs. Smith, a true sophomore who is listed as ‘questionable’ vs. UVA for undisclosed reasons, has 39 catches for 597 yards and four TDs.


-- South Carolina has four quality RBs. Dowdle rushed for a team-best 638 yards and four TDs while averaging 5.5 YPC. Denson has 415 rushing yards, two TDs and a 5.1 YPC average, while Ty’Son Williams has 319 rushing yards, four TDs and a 4.8 YPC average. A.J. Turner has run for 294 yards and two TDs while averaging 6.4 YPC.


-- USC has been a single-digit favorite just twice this year, posting a 2-0 SU record and a 1-1 ATS mark.


-- Virginia (7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS) is in the postseason for a second straight year for the first time since 2004-2005. During the third season of Bronco Mendenhall’s tenure, UVA won seven games for the first time since 2011. The Cavaliers got destroyed 49-7 by Navy as 1.5-point underdogs in last year’s Military Bowl.


-- UVA has been an underdog five times this season, going 4-1 ATS with a pair of outright wins at Duke (28-14) and vs. Miami (16-13).


-- Mendenhall’s team took a 6-2 record into a home game vs. Pitt on Nov. 2. However, the Panthers came to Charlottesville and won a 23-13 decision as seven-point road underdogs. UVA would bounce back to top Liberty 45-24, only to lose back-to-back overtime games at Ga. Tech (30-27) and at Va. Tech (34-31) to close the regular season.


-- Virginia was a four-point road favorite to snap a 14-game losing streak against the Hokies, who raced out to a 14-0 halftime lead. UVA signal caller Bryce Perkins hit Joe Reed for a pair of third-quarter TD passes of 29 and 75 yards and the Cavs trailed 17-14 heading into the final stanza. After Va. Tech extended its lead to 24-14 on the opening play of the fourth quarter, UVA countered with a 12-yard TD run from Jordan Ellis to cut the deficit to 24-21 with 12:55 remaining. Then with 6:51 left, the Cavs took their first lead on a 29-yard scoring strike from Perkins to Hasise Dubois. They would go up 31-24 on Brian Delaney’s 28-yard field goal with 2:41 left. Va. Tech pulled even when Hezekiah Grimsley recovered his teammate’s fumble in the end zone with 1:51 remaining. In the extra session, the Hokies had the ball first and went ahead on a 42-yard FG by Brian Johnson. On UVA’s possession, it got a quick first down only to botch a handoff between Perkins and Ellis on the next play. The fumble was recovered by Va. Tech to end the game and give it a 15th straight win in the in-state rivalry.


-- UVA comes to Charlotte having lost three of its past four games both SU and ATS. The Cavs covered as 6.5-point underdogs in the OT loss to the Yellow Jackets on The Flats in Midtown Atlanta.


-- Perkins, a juco transfer who started his career at Arizona State, has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,472 yards with a 22/9 TD-INT ratio. He’s also a playmaker with his legs, rushing for 842 yards and nine TDs with a 4.3 YPC average. Ellis has run for a team-best 920 yards and nine TDs while averaging 4.9 YPC.


-- Olamide Zaccheaus is Perkins’ favorite target, catching 82 balls for 973 yards and six TDs. Dubois has 47 receptions for 521 yards and five TDs, while Reed has 24 grabs for 455 yards and seven TDs.


-- UVA is ranked 24th in the country in total defense, 14th at defending the pass and 27th in scoring ‘D’ (21.8 PPG).


-- After cashing in four of its last five regular-season games, the ‘over’ improve to 7-5 overall for the Gamecocks. Their games have averaged combined scores of 59.8 PPG.


-- The ‘over’ has hit three consecutive UVA contests and four of its last five to improve to 7-5 overall. The Cavs have seen their games average combined scores of 50.2 PPG.


-- ABC will provide the telecast at noon Eastern.

 

[CNOTES]

Cotton Bowl Preview
Brian Edwards


Clemson and Notre Dame will square off at Jerry World in Arlington, TX., in the first College Football Playoff semifinal game Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. As of early Friday, most books had the Tigers listed as 12.5-point favorites with a total of 56.5. The Fighting Irish were +350 on the money line (risk $100 to win $350).


For first-half wagers, Clemson is favored by seven and the total is 28 points. Notre Dame is available on the money line for a +270 payout.


Clemson (13-0 straight up, 7-6 against the spread) has been favored by 16 points or more in 12 of its 13 games. The lowest spread for the Tigers this year was -12 in a Week 2 showdown at Texas A&M. They survived the trip to College Station by winning 28-26.


Dabo Swinney’s squad was tested only one other time in a 27-23 comeback win over Syracuse. Clemson won 11 of its 13 games by 20 points or more. The Tigers trailed the Orange 23-13 after Eric Dungey’s one-yard TD run gave The ‘Cuse a 23-13 advantage with 12:58 left.


Trevor Lawrence, the true freshman who had been named the starting QB that week, had been knocked out of the game in the second quarter. But Chase Brice, a redshirt freshman QB, made some key plays, Travis Etienne ran like a beast and the defense got key stops to spark a critical rally.


Clemson pulled to within three on Etienne’s 26-yard TD run with 11:08 remaining. The sophomore RB found the end zone again with 41 ticks left to lift his team to victory. Etienne rushed for 203 yards and three TDs on 27 attempts.


Lawrence returned the next week and quickly went about establishing himself as one of the country’s premier signal callers. In his next three starts after being injured vs. Syracuse, Lawrence threw seven TDs without an interception in blowout wins at Wake Forest (63-3), vs. N.C. St. (41-7) and at FSU (59-10).


For the season, Lawrence has completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards with a 24/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His favorite target is Tee Higgins, who has 52 receptions for 802 yards and 10 TDs. Justyn Ross has 34 catches for 699 yards and six TDs, and Amari Rodgers has 46 grabs for 514 yards and four TDs. There’s also ‘Mr. Reliable,’ senior Hunter Renfrow, who has 43 receptions for 472 yards and one TD.


Etienne garnered second-team All-American honors by rushing for 1,464 yards and 21 TDs while averaging 8.3 yards per carry. He also had 10 receptions for 65 yards and one TD. The Tigers are four-deep in the backfield with excellent reserves in Lyn-J Dixon, Adam Choice and Tavien Feaster.


Dixon has rushed for 536 yards and five TDs with a 9.6 YPC average. Choice has 506 rushing yards, seven TDs and a 7.4 YPC average, while Feaster has run for 409 yards and six TDs with a 5.8 YPC average.


Clemson is fourth in the country in total offense, 27th in passing yards, ninth in rushing yards and fourth in scoring with its 45.4 points-per-game average. Senior OT Mitch Hyatt was a third-team All-ACC pick as a freshman in 2015, a first-team All-ACC selection in ’16, a second-team All-American in ’17 and a first-team All-American this season.


If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it at least 100 times: The best move of Swinney’s coaching career was hiring Brent Venables away from Oklahoma to become his defensive coordinator after Geno Smith and West Virginia hung a 70-spot on the Tigers at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 5 of 2012. It was a coup to pull Venables away from Norman after serving as OU’s DC for 13 seasons under Bob Stoops.


Venables has delivered and then some. This year’s Clemson stop unit ranks fifth in the nation in total defense, 18th at defending the pass, third in run defense and second in scoring ‘D’ (13.7 PPG).


Three defensive linemen for Clemson earned first-team All-American honors, including Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Lawrence is ‘out’ for the rest of the season after testing positive for a trace amount of ostarine, an illegal muscle-growth supplement. Reserve TE Braden Galloway and reserve OL Zach Giella were also suspended for the same reason. All three players could be facing a one-year suspension, but that’s of no consequence to Lawrence, as the junior is expected to turn pro anyway.


Lawrence had produced 37 tackles, seven QB hurries, six tackles for loss, three passes broken up and one blocked kick. He was also used as a fullback in goal-line packages and had one two-yard TD run.


Wilkins has recorded 45 tackles, 8.5 TFL’s, five sacks, six QB hurries, two passes broken up, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and two fumble recoveries for 21 return yards. Like Lawrence, Wilkins is also used on some short-yardage situations. He has three carries for three rushing yards and a pair of TDs.


Ferrell has 46 tackles, 10.5 sacks, seven QB hurries, 6.5 TFL’s, three PBU and two forced fumbles. The Tigers are third in the nation in sacks with 46.


Notre Dame (12-0 SU, 7-4-1 ATS) scored only 24, 24 and 22 points in its first three games of the season. Brian Kelly’s club defeated Michigan (24-17), Ball St. (24-16) and Vanderbilt (22-17) in one-possession games at home. With the offense dragging a bit, Kelly decided to name sophomore Ian Book as his new starting QB replacing Brandon Wimbush, who had led the Irish to a 10-3 record in 2017 when he rushed for 14 TDs and had a 16/6 TD-INT ratio.


The move was a stroke of genius. The offense was parked immediately, producing 56, 38 and 45 points in its next three games. Notre Dame went to Winston Salem and blasted Wake Forest 56-27 in Book’s second career start. Then the Irish thumped Stanford 38-17 as a 4.5-point home favorite before going to Blacksburg and spanking Va. Tech by a 45-23 count.


Eight of Notre Dame’s opponents made the postseason. The Irish won 31-21 at Northwestern, 36-3 vs. Syracuse at Yankee Stadium and 24-17 at Southern Cal in the regular-season finale.


Kelly’s team has only been an underdog once this year, beating Michigan as a 2.5-point home underdog. Notre Dame has won three of its past four bowl games, including a pair of wins over LSU at the 2014 Music City Bowl and last year’s Citrus Bowl.


Book and senior RB Dexter Williams are the catalysts for an offense that averages 33.8 points per game. Book has completed 70.4 percent of his throws for 2,468 yards with a 19/6 TD-INT ratio. He has run for 250 yards and four TDs.


Williams has run for 941 yards and 12 TDs while averaging 6.6 YPC. Tony Jones Jr. has run for 392 yards and three TDs with a 4.7 YPC average, while Jafar Armstrong has 377 rushing yards, seven TDs and a 5.3 YPC average.


Miles Boykin has posted team-bests in receptions (54), receiving yards (803) and TD catches (eight). Chase Claypool has caught 48 balls for 631 yards and four TDs, while Chris Finke has 47 grabs for 547 yards and two TDs. Alize Mack has 34 receptions for 349 yards and three TDs.


Notre Dame is ranked No. 21 in the country in total defense, No. 35 at defending the pass, No. 31 in run defense and No. 10 in scoring ‘D’ (17.2 PPG). This unit is led by senior MLB Te’von Coney, who has produced 107 tackles, 5.5 TFL’s, five QB hurries, four PBU, 3.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception.


These storied programs squared off at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3 of 2015, with Clemson winning a 24-22 decision. However, the Irish covered the number as a three-point road underdog. Notre Dame mounted a furious rally after trailing 21-3 early in the fourth quarter. Torii Hunter Jr. one-yard TD receptions from DeShone Kizer with seven ticks left cut the deficit to 24-22, but the two-point conversation failed. The 46 combined points slithered ‘under’ the 48-point total.


Totals were a wash (6-6) overall for Notre Dame, but the ‘under’ cashed in its last two regular-season contests. The Irish’s games have average combined scores of 51.0 PPG.


The ‘under’ is 3-1 in Clemson’s past four games to improve to 7-6 overall. The Tigers have seen their games average combined scores of 59.1 PPG.

 

[CNOTES]

Orange Bowl Preview
December 28, 2018
By Brian Edwards


Cotton Bowl Preview


Alabama and Oklahoma are poised to collide in Saturday’s Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This College Football Playoff semifinal pits the SEC champs vs. the Big 12 champs.


As of late Friday afternoon, most books had Alabama (13-0 straight up, 8-5 against the spread) installed as a 14-point favorite with a total of 77 or 77.5. The Sooners were +425 on the money line (risk $100 to win $425).


For first-half wagers, the Crimson Tide was favored by 7.5 points with a total of 39. OU had +310 odds to be leading at intermission. Nick Saban’s team went 10-0 ATS in the first half to start the season, but it has failed to cover the number in the first half of each of its last three contests.


Alabama won its first 12 games by 22 points or more, marking the first time in more than a century that a college football team had been so dominant. However, Saban’s team was pushed to the limit by Georgia – again – in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 1.


Alabama trailed by double digits twice (21-7 and 28-14) and was tied or in catch-up mode for nearly 59 minutes. In fact, the Tide has been tied or trailed against UGA more than 118 minutes out of 120 played (plus overtime) in the last two head-to-head meetings. Of course, Alabama rallied to force overtime and eventually won a 26-23 decision over the Bulldogs in the finals of last year’s CFP.


Trailing 28-21 with a little more than 11 minutes left, Heisman Trophy runner-up Tua Tagovailoa went down with a foot injury and limped off the field needing assistance from the medical staff. In the blink of an eye, it was a complete reversal of roles for Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts.


Hurts led Alabama to a 26-2 record in 28 starts as a freshman and sophomore in 2016 and ’17. With his team down 13-0 at halftime to UGA in last year’s slugfest, Tagovailoa was called on to replace Hurts in the second half. We all know how that worked out.


I had sensed all year long, especially after Tagovailoa injured his knee late in a win at Arkansas, that Hurts would be called upon at some point during the season. But not necessarily at the same venue and against the same team when his career fortunes had taken a turn for the worse 11 months before.


Given the opportunity, Hurts took advantage and then some. He promptly guided the Tide to a game-tying TD drive that covered 16 plays, 80 yards and more than seven minutes of clock. Hurts capped the drive by hitting Jerry Jeudy with a 10-yard scoring strike.


After Kirby Smart lost his sanity and called a fake punt on fourth and 11 from around midfield with about three minutes left, Alabama took over with great field position. Hurts took his team down the field and gave it the lead for the first time on a 15-yard TD drive with 1:04 remaining.


Saban’s defense would shut the door on UGA and Alabama won a 35-28 decision to remain undefeated. The Bulldogs still took the cash as 11-point underdogs and the 63 points resulted in a push for wagers on the total.


Hurts completed 7-of-9 passes for 82 yards and one TD without an interception. The junior signal caller rushed for 28 yards and one score on five attempts. Tagovailoa had struggled the entire game, connecting on just 10-of-25 throws for 164 yards and one TD with a pair of interceptions. Josh Jacobs ran for 83 yards and two TDs on eight carries.


Tagovailoa indicated earlier this week that he was about 80-85 percent healthy. He underwent surgery on his ankle shorty after the win over UGA. The expectation is that he’ll start vs. OU, but how effective and comfortable he’ll be remains to be seen.


Tagovailoa has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 3,353 yards with a 37/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. When healthy, he’s a threat with his legs, as he’s run for 190 yards and five TDs with a 4.0 yards-per-carry average.


Hurts has completed 50-of-67 throws (74.6%) for 755 yards with an 8/2 TD-INT ratio. He’s rushed for 167 yards and two TDs while averaging 4.9 YPC.


Alabama is facing an Oklahoma defense that’s ranked dead last out of 130 FBS teams in pass defense, giving up 291.4 yards per game through the air. The Sooners are ranked No. 108 in the nation total defense, No. 54 versus the run and No. 96 in scoring ‘D’ (32.4 points per game).


The Tide is ranked fifth in the country in total offense, seventh in passing yards, 35th in rushing yards and second in scoring with its 47.9 PPG average. Alabama’s ground attack features a trio of outstanding RBs.


Damien Harris has run for 771 yards, seven TDs and averages 6.1 YPC. Najee Harris has 679 rushing yards, four TDs and a 6.7 YPC average, while Jacobs has run for 495 yards and 11 TDs with a 5.3 YPC average. Jacobs, who is also a standout on special teams, has 15 catches for 171 yards and two TDs.


Jeudy enjoyed a breakout campaign, catching 59 balls for 1,103 yards and 12 TDs. Jaylen Waddle has 41 receptions for 803 yards and seven TDs, while Henry Ruggs III has 42 grabs for 724 yards and 10 TDs. Irv Smith Jr. has 38 receptions for 648 yards and seven TDs, and Devonta Smith has 30 catches for 524 yards and five TDs.


Like Clemson, Alabama has three players suspended for the CFP semifinals. The most important of those is starting OG Deonte Brown.


Oklahoma (12-1 SU, 5-7-1 ATS) won its first five games, winning four times by double-digit margins. Lincoln Riley’s squad needed overtime to get past Army in a 28-21 win as a 30-point home ‘chalk,’ however. The Sooners took their only loss of the year by a 48-45 count vs. Texas on Oct. 6.


Since then, OU has ripped off seven straight victories, although we’ll note its 1-3-1 spread record in its past five outings. The Sooners won three one-possession games down the stretch, capturing a 51-46 triumph at Texas Tech a week before beating Oklahoma State 48-47 in Norman. In the regular-season finale at West Virginia on a short week (Friday game), they won 59-56 over the Mountaineers.


To get the fourth seed in the CFP just ahead of No. 5 Ohio State, Oklahoma faced a revenge game against the Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship Game. This time around, the Sooners got even and covered the spread in a 39-27 victory as 9.5-point favorites.


Junior QB Kyler Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner who beat out Tagovailoa for the award, completed 25-of-34 passes for 379 yards and three TDs without an interception. CeeDee Lamb had six receptions for 167 yards and one TD. Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown had five catches for 54 yards before suffering a foot injury.


For the season, Murray has connected on 70.9 percent of his passes for 4,053 yards with a 40/7 TD-INT ratio. Murray has run for 892 yards and 11 TDs with a 7.3 YPC average. He has Michael-Vick-like quickness and can not only elude pass rushers and scramble for positive yardage, but he can also keep plays alive hit streaking WRs. Obviously, he’ll be facing the toughest defense he’s seen, but pressure on the QB doesn’t necessarily translate to sacks when dealing with Murray.


Brown, who was upgraded to ‘probable’ Friday morning, has 75 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 TDs. Lamb has caught 57 balls for 1,049 yards and 10 TDs, while Lee Morris has 21 grabs for 457 yards and eight TDs. Grant Calcaterra has 25 receptions for 378 yards and six TDs.


When star RB Rodney Anderson went down with a season-ending injury in Week 1, there was concern about depth at the position for OU. Those concerns were quickly alleviated by the emergence of redshirt freshman RB Kennedy Brooks, who has run for 1,021 yards and 12 TDs with a 9.0 YPC average. Trey Sermon has run for 928 yards and 12 TDs while averaging 6.0 YPC.


This is only the fourth underdog situation for the Sooners since Riley took over for Bob Stoops. They were ‘dogs three times last year, going 2-1 both SU and ATS. OU won outright by a 31-16 count at Ohio State as a seven-point puppy and captured a 62-52 win at Oklahoma State while catching 2.5 points. The loss came to Georgia in the epic Rose Bowl thriller won by the Bulldogs 54-48 in double overtime.


Oklahoma hasn’t been a double-digit underdog since thumping Alabama 45-31 as a 15-point ‘dog in the 2013 Sugar Bowl.


The ‘over’ has hit at an 8-4-1 clip for Alabama, which has seen its games average combined scores of 62.8 PPG.


The ‘over’ is 11-2 overall for the Sooners, who have watched their games average combined scores of 81.8 PPG.


Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29
GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


SOCAR at UVA 12:00 PM
UVA +3.5
U 53.5


FLA at MICH 12:00 PM
MICH -4.5
U 51.0


ARST at NEV 01:15 PM
ARST +1.0
U 56.0


ND at CLEM 04:00 PM
CLEM -11.5
U 57.5


OKLA at ALA 08:00 PM
ALA -13.5
U 79.0

 

[CNOTES]

Florida routs Michigan 41-15 in Peach Bowl
December 29, 2018
By The Associated Press


MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Tua Tagovailoa threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns and No. 1-ranked Alabama beat No. 4 Oklahoma 45-34 on Saturday night in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.


The high-scoring Sooners reached the semifinal despite a porous defense that was no match for Alabama's diverse attack, and the Crimson Tide led 28-0 after only 17 minutes.


Alabama (14-0) advanced to the national championship game for the fourth consecutive season and will play Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California against familiar foe Clemson, which beat Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl. Clemson, ranked No. 2, and Alabama will face off in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, and have split two title games.


Tagovailoa's performance in the semifinal argued for a Florida recount in the Heisman Trophy vote. He finished as the runner-up to Oklahoma's Kyler Murray but won sweet consolation by completing 24 of 27 passes, with scores to four receivers.


While Tagovailoa connected on his first nine passes for 184 yards, Murray was sacked twice before he threw a pass, and his first completion came with his team already down 21-0.


Murray had one brilliant moment, a perfect deep throw on the move to Charleston Rambo in the end zone for a 49-yard score. He passed for 308 yards and ran for 109 but took several jarring hits, including when All-America nose guard Quinnen Williams dislodged his helmet and forced him from the game for one play in the fourth quarter.


The Sooners finished 12-2.


COTTOM BOWL


NO. 2 CLEMSON 30, NO. 3 NOTRE DAME 3


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Trevor Lawrence threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns and Clemson beat Notre Dame to reach the championship game for the third time in four seasons.


Clemson's overpowering and experienced defensive line, led by ends Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, smothered Ian Book and the Fighting Irish, holding them to 248 yards to help the Tigers improve to 14-0.


On offense, freshmen led the way. Lawrence, making his 10th career start, was 27 for 39 and did not throw an interception against a Notre Dame defense that had been one of the best on the country. Freshman receiver Justyn Ross had six catches for 148 yards and two long touchdowns.


The Irish (12-1) hung around for a quarter, with the team's exchanging field goals. But early in the second quarter, Notre Dame All-America cornerback Julian Love went out with what coach Brian Kelly said after the game was a head injury and Lawrence started taking apart the Irish secondary.


Lawrence hooked up with Ross on a deep throw down the sideline and the big receiver beat Love's backup, Donte Vaughn, for a tackle-breaking, 52-yard score early in the second quarter. The Irish looked as if they might be able to keep it close to halftime, but the offense couldn't keep that ferocious Clemson front, even without suspended star tackle Dexter Lawrence, out of the backfield.


In the final 2 minutes, Trevor Lawrence connected with Ross on a 42-yard score and with Tee Higgins for a one-handed, 19-yard touchdown reception - again over Vaughn - with 2 seconds left in the second quarter. Lawrence was 13 for 15 for 229 yards in the quarter.


That made it 23-3 at half and once again the Fighting Irish looked outclassed against the best of the best. Not so different from the 42-14 loss to Alabama in the 2012 BCS championship game or the 44-28 loss to Ohio State in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. In fact, Notre Dame is 0-8 in BCS and New Year's Six games since winning the Cotton Bowl in 1993.


PEACH BOWL


NO. 10 FLORIDA 41, NO. 8 MICHIGAN 15


ATLANTA (AP) - Lamical Perine had a 5-yard scoring catch and 53-yard touchdown run to lead Florida's strong rushing attack Saturday, helping the Gators cap their comeback season with a blowout victory over Michigan in the Peach Bowl.


After finishing 4-7 in 2017, Florida enjoyed a dramatic turnaround in Dan Mullen's first season as coach. Florida (10-3) closed the season with four straight victories. Michigan (10-3) closed a promising season with two straight lopsided losses.


Feleipe Franks ran and passed for touchdowns for Florida. He had a 20-yard scoring run in the second quarter and finished with 74 yards rushing on 14 carries. Franks passed for 173 yards.


Chauncey Gardner-Johnson led Florida's defense with two interceptions, including one returned 30 yards for a touchdown with less than five minutes remaining. Gardner-Johnson's first interception early in the second half, when Florida led only 13-10, set the tone for the Gators.


The Wolverines faced the unenviable task of having four top starters, including top rusher Karan Higdon and leading tackler Devin Bush, skip the game to focus on the NFL draft.


After giving up 567 yards in a 62-39 loss to Ohio State to close the regular season, Michigan's defense again couldn't play up to its No. 1 ranking. Florida had 427 yards - 257 on the ground.


BELK BOWL


VIRGINIA 28, SOUTH CAROLINA 0


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Bryce Perkins threw three touchdown passes to Olamide Zaccheaus, Virginia's defense dominated and the Cavaliers beat South Carolina in the Belk Bowl for their first bowl victory since 2005.


Perkins completed 22 of 31 passes for 208 yards and ran for 81 yards to help the Cavaliers (8-5) ended the ACC's longest bowl drought. Zaccheaus had 12 catches for 100 yards. Jordan Ellis ran for 106 yards and a touchdown, helping Virginia hold the ball for more than 42 minutes.


The Gamecocks (7-6) were shut out for the first time since an 18-0 loss to Georgia in 2006.


ARIZONA BOWL


NEVADA 16, ARKANSAS STATE 13, OT


TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Reagan Roberson bulldozed through one tackler and dove into the end zone on an 11-yard catch-and-run in overtime, lifting Nevada over Arkansas State in the Arizona Bowl.


Nevada (8-5) labored against Arkansas State's defensive front all game before coming to life late, going up 10-7 on Devonte Lee's 1-yard touchdown run with 1:06 left.


Arkansas State (8-5) racked up 499 yards, but was 1 for 5 in the red zone with two turnovers before marching quickly down the field at the end of regulation. Blake Grupe, who had one field goal blocked and badly missed on another, drilled a 32-yarder to tie it on the final play.


Grupe opened overtime with a 24-yard field goal, but Roberson bulled his way into the end zone to send the Wolf Pack rushing onto the field.