Alabama, Georgia Meet Saturday For SEC Championship

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Georgia Bulldogs
College Football Betting Preview
Date: 12/01/2012 at 4:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Alabama -7½, O/U 50½
Television: CBS

Alabama Crimson Tide: Coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide (11-1 straight-up, 6-6 against the spread) can punch their second consecutive ticket to the BCS Championship with a victory at the Georgia Dome. Alabama closed out its regular season SEC slate with a 49-0 laugher vs. Auburn, the team's second straight 49-0 triumph. The Tide covered the huge 34-point spread in the contest and pushed the total past the 46-point mark on their own. Alabama's defense ranks first in the nation, allowing just 9.3 points per game and first in fewest yards surrendered (233.7 per game) while the offense is scoring at a 39.0 ppg clip (15th). This will be the eighth SEC Championship Game for 'Bama, who is 3-4 in the previous seven. The Tide's most recent appearance in the contest was 2009 when they dismantled Tim Tebow's Florida team by a 32-13 count en route to winning the BCS title vs. Texas.

Georgia Bulldogs: The Dawgs (11-1 SU, 6-6 ATS) tuned up for this contest with a 42-10 rout of Georgia Tech, giving them six consecutive wins and covers in four of the last five outings. The final score was a bit misleading due to the Yellow Jackets suffering a couple of crucial turnovers, and it marked the second consecutive game Georgia surrendered over 300 rushing yards in a contest after Georgia Southern ran with relative ease on the Bulldogs defense a week earlier. Aaron Murray continued to shine at quarterback for Coach Mark Richt's club in the win over Georgia Tech, completing 14-of-17 passes and two touchdowns. Murray is 71-for-97 (73.1 percent) over the last four games while tossing 13 TDs without a pick in that span. Georgia is making its second straight trip to the SEC Championship and fifth overall after falling 42-10 to LSU last December. It's the first time the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have met since 2008, a 41-30 regular-season win for 'Bama. The last four battles between the schools all went "over" the total.

Georgia Tech Gets Shot At ACC Title Against Florida State

Florida State Seminoles vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
College Football Betting Preview
Date: 12/01/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: FSU -13, O/U 63½
Television: ESPN

Florida State Seminoles: Coach Jimbo Fisher and the 'Noles (10-2 straight-up, 4-8 against the spread) come off a 37-26 loss to Florida last week as 7-point favorites, their third consecutive setback vs. the line. The Gators reeled off 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to deny FSU a sweep of its two biggest rivals this season after beating Miami 33-20 in Week 8. The final vaulted past the total for a fourth straight game, leaving the Seminoles 7-3 "over" coming into this tilt. Florida State is making its third appearance in the ACC Championship, winning the inaugural affair in 2005 vs. Virginia Tech (27-22) and losing to the Hokies in 2010 (44-33). The 'Noles own the nation's second-ranked defense allowing just under 250 yards per game and are fourth in the rushing department (85.1 yards per game), which will now be pitted against Georgia Tech's third-ranked rushing attack (323.3 ypg).

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Miami's self-imposed bowl ban allowed the Ramblin' Wreck (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) to back into the conference title game. It marks the eighth straight year the Coastal Division will be represented by either Georgia Tech or Virginia Tech. Thoughts of the Yellow Jackets contending for a conference crown and BCS bowl were nonexistent when they opened the season with four losses in the first six games. But Georgia Tech managed to close its ACC slate with four consecutive wins and covers to get in position to take advantage of the Hurricanes defaulting on the game. The Yellow Jackets are making their third appearance in the ACC Championship, losing to Wake Forest in 2006 and beating Clemson in 2009, a victory that was later taken away due to NCAA violations. It is the first time in three years these two schools have met on the gridiron, and Georgia Tech has won the last two meetings while covering the four most recent clashes with the Seminoles.

Kansas State Looks To Clinch Big 12 Title Against Texas

Texas Longhorns at Kansas State Wildcats
College Football Betting Preview
Date: 12/01/2012 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: KSU -10½, O/U 63½
Television: ABC

Texas Longhorns: Coach Mack Brown and the Longhorns (8-3 straight-up, 5-6 against the spread) come off a 20-13 loss on Thanksgiving night to the TCU Horned Frogs, who were getting seven points in Austin. Texas coughed the ball up four times, including two picks thrown by starting quarterback David Ash before Case McCoy relieved him. McCoy will get the starting nod this Saturday in Manhattan despite not faring much better than Ash vs. the Horned Frogs. The Texas defense has been vulnerable to the run this season, allowing over 201 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 105th. That doesn't bode well against a KSU squad that is churning up 202 yards per game rushing, 28th in the nation. The 'Horns are searching for their first win in Manhattan since 2002, and their first triumph over the Wildcats since a victory in Austin in 2003.

Kansas State Wildcats: The Big 12 title is on the line for Bill Snyder's Wildcats (10-1 SU, 8-2-1 ATS), who last won the conference crown in 2003. A win Saturday, or an Oklahoma loss, would send Kansas State to the Fiesta Bowl, where the likely opponent would be Oregon. The 'Cats saw their national title hopes dashed a couple of weeks ago in Waco, where they suffered their first loss of the season to Baylor, 52-24 as 12-point favorites. Heisman Trophy candidate Collin Klein threw three interceptions in the game, and the Bears stonewalled the KSU running game while running wild on the K-State defense. The three turnovers were definitely out of character for the Wildcats, who had given it away just six times going into the game, and currently lead the nation with a +20 turnover margin on the season. Kansas State has covered all eight meetings with Texas as Big 12 opponents, and three of the last four clashes have skipped "over" the total.

NCAAF

Saturday, December 1

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Alabama vs. Georgia: What bettors need to know
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Alabama vs. Georgia (7.5, 50)

A berth in the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame is at stake when No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia clash in Saturday’s SEC title game in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide are making their eighth appearance (3-4) in the game, most of any SEC West team, while the Bulldogs are making their fifth (2-2). Alabama leads the nation in points allowed (9.3) and total defense (233.7). The Bulldogs rank 17th in points allowed (17.7) but have been especially stingy the last five games, allowing an average of 8.6 points. Two Georgia defensive backs proclaimed this week that they have the nation’s top defense, providing Alabama some bulletin-board material.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, CBS.

LINE: Alabama -7.5, O/U 50. The Crimson Tide opened as 8.5-point favorites at most books.

ABOUT ALABAMA (11-1, 7-1 SEC): Seeking their third national title in four years, the Tide are dominant on defense and balanced on offense. Quarterback AJ McCarron (25 touchdown passes, two interceptions) spreads the ball around to a talented group of targets led by freshman wide receiver Amari Cooper (45 catches, 767 yards, eight touchdowns), but the wideout corps took a hit last week when Kenny Bell broke his leg against Auburn. That might prompt coach Nick Saban to pull the redshirt off freshman Chris Black. Running backs Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon have combined for 1,848 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. They run behind the nation’s top offensive line, which is anchored by center Barrett Jones. The senior is a finalist for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.

ABOUT GEORGIA (11-1, 7-1): This is arguably Georgia’s best team in coach Mark Richt’s 12-year tenure. Quarterback Aaron Murray leads the nation in passing efficiency (177.2) and has 89 career touchdown passes, tied for second in SEC history. The three-year starter opted not to talk to the media this week, possibly an indicator he’s tired of explaining his struggles against elite defenses. For Murray to exploit Alabama’s beatable secondary like LSU’s Zach Mettenberger did, freshmen running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall must keep the Tide honest. They’ve combined for 1,858 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (24 career sacks), linebacker Alec Ogletree (team-high 87 tackles in only eight games) and safety Bacarri Rambo (16 career interceptions) lead a defense loaded with playmakers.

TRENDS:

* Crimson Tide are 6-0 ATS in their last six neutral site games.
* Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Under is 6-0 in Bulldogs’ last six games overall.
* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Alabama leads the series 36-25-4 and won the most recent meeting 41-30 in Athens in 2008.

2. Gurley’s 14 rushing touchdowns are one shy of Georgia’s freshman record, set by Herschel Walker in 1980.

3. Alabama is plus-14 in turnover margin, Georgia plus-9.

NCAAF

Saturday, December 1

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Florida St. vs. Georgia Tech: What bettors need to know
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Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (14, 61)

Fortunately for Florida State and Georgia Tech, neither team needed a win last week to reach Saturday’s ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, N.C. Both teams are coming off disappointing losses to their in-state rivals, with Florida State losing 37-26 to Florida and Georgia Tech falling 42-10 against Georgia. The Yellow Jackets won the ACC Coastal Division despite three conference losses, while the Seminoles blew any chance of reaching the BCS title game when they committed five turnovers in their loss to Florida. The winner advances to the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day, possibly against the Big East champion. Florida State leads the all-time series 12-9-1, with the last four meetings decided by a combined 16 points.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Florida State -14, O/U 61.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-50s with partly cloudy skies. Winds will be light out of the SE.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (10-2, 7-1 ACC): The Seminoles are led by the nation's fourth-most efficient passer in quarterback EJ Manuel, who needs 33 passing yards to reach 3,000 this season. The 6-5 senior threw a season-high three interceptions in the loss against Florida. The Seminoles boast the nation’s second-best defense, allowing 249.42 yards per game, but they’ll be without senior defensive end Cornellius (Tank) Carradine for the rest of the season. Carradine, who leads the Seminoles with 80 tackles, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Gators. The secondary is led by cornerback Ronald Darby, who was named the ACC’s top defensive freshman.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (6-6, 5-3): The Yellow Jackets rank third in the nation in rushing at 323.3 yards per game, with senior guard Omoregie Uzzi leading an impressive offensive line. Senior quarterback Tevin Washington has 18 rushing touchdowns this season, and the team is hoping to get leading rusher Orwin Smith back after he missed last week’s game against Georgia with a sprained right ankle. Smith, who leads the ACC with an average of nine yards per carry, expects to practice this week and play in the title game. The Yellow Jackets are not as strong on the other side of the ball, where they rank 84th nationally in scoring defense while allowing an average of 31 points.

TRENDS:

* Over is 3-0-1 in Seminoles’ last four games overall.
* Seminoles are 0-2-2 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Yellow Jackets are 4-0 ATS in their last four conference games.
* Over is 5-1 in Yellow Jackets’ last six games following a loss.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Georgia Tech has lost five straight games against nationally ranked teams.

2. Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops was named the University of Kentucky's new coach Tuesday, but will remain with the Seminoles at least through Saturday’s game.

3. The Yellow Jackets have requested a bowl-eligibility waiver from the NCAA in case they lose Saturday and fall to 6-7, which would make them ineligible for a bowl game.

NCAAF

Saturday, December 1

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Nebraska vs. Wisconsin: What bettors need to know
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Nebraska vs. Wisconsin (3.5, 48.5)

Wisconsin played a significant role in ushering No. 12 Nebraska into the Big Ten Conference prior to the start of last season. Now, with a Rose Bowl berth on the line Saturday, the Badgers are the only obstacle that remains in the way of the Cornhuskers winning their first Big Ten conference championship. Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez – a Nebraska graduate – was a key figure in brokering talks with the Big Ten for the Cornhuskers, easing their transition from the Big 12 in the process. In only its second season in the Big Ten, Nebraska will play for its 44th conference championship overall against the Badgers. Wisconsin, winner of the inaugural Big Ten championship last season, finished third in the Leaders Division, but is appearing in this game only because Ohio State and Penn State are ineligible for postseason play this season.

TV: 8:17 p.m. ET, Fox.

LINE: Nebraska -3.5, O/U 48.5.

WEATHER: Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-50s with partly cloudy skies. Winds will blow out of the south at 13 mph.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten): The Cornhuskers, playing in their first conference title game since winning the Big 12 in 1999, lead the conference in total offense (460.9 yards per game), rushing (252.2) and rank second in scoring (35.4). They should also get a boost from the fresh legs of Rex Burkhead, the team’s leading rusher from last season who has missed six games this year because of knee injuries. Burkhead returned from a four-game absence last Friday and rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown in Nebraska’s 13-7 victory over Iowa.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (7-5, 4-4): The Badgers have dropped three of their past four games, but all three were in overtime. In fact, all five of Wisconsin’s losses this season were by seven points or less and have come by a combined 19 points. Wisconsin is led by running back Montee Ball, who rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns the Badgers’ 30-27 loss at Nebraska on Sept. 29. Ball set a FBS record last week with his 79th career touchdown in the team’s 24-21 setback at Penn State.

TRENDS:

* Under is 8-0 in Cornhuskers’ last eight neutral site games.
* Over is 4-1 in Badgers’ last five vs. a team with a winning record.
* Cornhuskers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four vs. a team with a winning record.
* Over is 7-1 in Badgers’ last eight games following a loss.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Nebraska is in the midst of a six-game winning streak, its longest such same-season run since 2001.

2. Ball is 162 yards shy of becoming the 17th player in FBS history to rush for 5,000 yards in a career.

3. The Huskers were the only team to score more than 26 points against the Badgers this season.

College football betting weather watch: Week 14

Oklahoma State at Baylor (5, 87.5)

Site: Floyd Casey Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-70s with mostly cloudy skies. Winds will blow out of the south at 13 mph.

Oklahoma at TCU (5.5, 60)

Site: Amon G. Carter Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the low-70s with partly cloudy skies. Winds will blow out of the south at 14 mph.

Central Florida at Tulsa (-2.5, 54)

Site: Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-70s with partly cloudy skies. Winds will be strong out of the south at 20 mph.

Middle Tennessee at Arkansas State (-10.5, 62.5)

Site: Liberty Bank Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-60s with partly cloudy skies. Winds will blow out of the south at 14 mph.

Boise State at Nevada (8.5, 59)

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-50s and a 50 percent chance of rain. Winds will gust out of the south at 23 mph.

Cincinnati at Connecticut (4.5, 40.5)

Site: Rentschler Field

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-30s with a 40 percent chance of snow. Winds will blow out of the east at 5 mph.

South Alabama at Hawaii (-6.5, 52.5)

Site: Aloha Stadium

Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the mid-70s with a 55 percent chance of rain. Winds will blow out of the south at 7 mph.

Saturday, December 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Oklahoma State - 12:00 PM ET Baylor +4 500
Baylor - Over 88 500

Oklahoma - 12:00 PM ET Texas Christian +5.5 500
Texas Christian - Over 55 500

Central Florida - 12:00 PM ET Tulsa -3 500
Tulsa - Over 53.5 500

Kansas - 2:30 PM ET Kansas +20.5 500
West Virginia - Over 70 500

Middle Tennessee - 3:00 PM ET Middle Tennessee +12 500
Arkansas State - Under 63.5 500

UL Lafayette - 3:00 PM ET UL Lafayette -8 500
Florida Atlantic - Under 61 500

Boise State - 3:30 PM ET Nevada +8 500
Nevada - Under 56.5 500

Cincinnati - 3:30 PM ET Connecticut +4 500
Connecticut - Under 40 500

Saturday, December 1

Game Score Status Pick Amount


Pittsburgh - 7:00 PM ET South Florida +7.5 500
South Florida - Over 46.5 500

Texas - 8:00 PM ET Kansas State -10.5 500
Kansas State - Under 60 500

Florida State - 8:00 PM ET Georgia Tech +14 500
Georgia Tech - Over 59 500

Nebraska - 8:17 PM ET Wisconsin +3 500
Wisconsin - Over 50.5 500

South Alabama - 11:00 PM ET South Alabama +7 500
Hawaii - Over 51 500

NCAAF Top 4: Best pre-New Year's Day bowl games

When you think of bowl season, you think of endless hours of college football on New Year’s Day. And while that image is the standard, bowl season will be well underway by the time 2013 rolls around.

The schedule makers may save the best for January 1 and beyond, but there are a ton of great bowl matchups before we ring in the New Year.

Here’s a look at the four best pre-New Year’s Day bowl games for college football bettors:

Holiday Bowl: Baylor Bears vs. UCLA Bruins (-2)

Any game involving the Bears is interesting. Baylor can put up points and give them back in a hurry, finishing fifth in points scored (44.1 ppg) and 117th in points allowed (38.2 ppg). The Bears come to San Diego on a three-game winning streak and have gone 4-1 in their last five games, covering the spread in each of those outings.

UCLA missed out on a Rose Bowl appearance thanks to a 27-24 loss to Stanford Saturday – the second straight loss to the Cardinal. Before those defeats, the Bruins won five in a row and have gone 4-3 ATS in their last seven outings. UCLA won’t have to travel far to face the Bears at Qualcomm Stadium on Dec. 27.

Pinstripe Bowl: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Syracuse Orange (+4)

The Orange could be the hottest team in college football, finishing the season with three straight victories and five in their last six to become bowl eligible and earn a spot in a solid postseason matchup. Syracuse’s offense sprang to life down the stretch, averaging 35.8 points over its final six games and posting a 5-1 mark against the spread.

Quarterback Ryan Nassib will try to out-gun WVU signal-caller Geno Smith in Yankee Stadium on Dec. 29. Smith and the Mountaineers had bigger goals than taking the field for a pre-New Year’s Day bowl back in the fall. A five-game, mid-season skid pulled the plug on a BCS bowl bid. However, West Virginia did manage to right the ship before the end of the year, winning its final two games SU and ATS.

Alamo Bowl: Texas Longhorns vs. Oregon State Beavers (-1.5)

Texas was eying a bigger bowl game a few weeks ago but perhaps got caught looking ahead to December, losing back-to-back outings to TCU and Kansas State respectively. The Longhorns failed to cover in both of those losses and went just 2-6 ATS in their final eight games of the schedule. Texas should have RB Joe Bergeron back from a shoulder injury by the Dec. 29 game.

Oregon State stumbled a bit in the second half of the schedule as the competition took a step up. The Beavers were flattened by rival Oregon then took out that frustration on poor FCS Nicholls State in the final game of the year, winning 77-0. Oregon State will face a bowl-starved Longhorns program, that hasn’t been to the postseason since 2006, in enemy territory. San Antonio is just a short trip down the highway for the Horns.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl: LSU Tigers vs. Clemson Tigers (+3.5)

It’s Tiger time in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve. The LSU brand of Tiger may find it hard to get up for a pre-New Year’s Day game after holding on to BCS title game hopes for most of the season. And anything short of a national championship is a failure in the eyes of LSU faithful. The Bayou Bengals seemed mildly interested in the final games of the season, inching past Ole Miss and Arkansas while failing to cover the spread in each win.

Clemson could also be a bit sour about the Chick-Fil-A Bowl spot. The Tigers were in the mix for a BCS bowl but a loss to South Carolina in the final game of the season soiled those chances. Clemson’s high-powered offense (42.3 ppg – sixth in FBS) will test LSU’s eighth-ranked defense (297.1 yards against per game) in one of the better matchups of bowl season.

NCAAF odds: Bowl season opening line report

The Monday following the final week of the college football season is one of the busiest and frustrating days for oddsmakers.

Not only are they called upon to produce spreads and totals for 35 bowl games in a hurry but they also have to decipher how teams will play weeks removed from their last outing. Notre Dame, which faces Alabama in the BCS Championship on Jan. 7, must wait 45 days between games.

“What’s tough for us is the long waiting period,” Peter Korner, founder of the Nevada-based odds service The Sports Club, told Covers. “It can really dull the numbers.”

“You don’t know which team you’re going to get out there,” he says. “It’s a totally different game when you wait five weeks to play. I think you’d get a completely different outcome if these games were played right now.”

We picked Korner’s brain about the toughest games, the widest spreads, the closest contests and the highest totals on the bowl season board:

Toughest line to set

Pinstripe Bowl: West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Syracuse Orange (+4, 67)

Korner says his guys had WVU anywhere between -1 and -7 for this matchup at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 29.

“We put this one right in the middle,” Korner told Covers. “You have one team playing really well in Syracuse and another that has played tougher competition, in West Virginia. There’s nothing really motivating either side, which makes it tough.”

Music City Bowl: North Carolina State vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (-6.5, 52)

Korner says his oddsmakers had Vanderbilt between -2 and -8 but eventually settled with -4.5 because of the Commodores’ strength of schedule.

“There are no real motivational factors but there is a difference in schedules played,” he says. “Vandy would have the edge with an SEC schedule and in situations like this, we tend to lean towards the SEC and that’s why Vandy is giving a handful of points.”

Biggest spread

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Purdue Boilermakers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (-17.5, 69)

The Boilermakers are the biggest dogs on the bowl season board, and Korner says this spread could have easily been higher.

“The Big Ten didn’t have an up year football wise,” he says. “We had this one as high as -20 (OSU). It seems like a ridiculous number for a bowl game but this is a wasted game, we could really see how high we could go.”

Korner says the big spread will draw some action on the underdog and wouldn’t be surprised if it came down before kickoff on New Year’s Day.

Shortest spread

GoDaddy.com Bowl: Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (Pick, 62)

This game is the bring-down bowl before the BCS Championship, the same thing as a ho-hum band going on before the headliner. A battle of MAC versus Sun Belt may come down to which program can stay focused with such a long layoff between action.

“Three of us had this at pick,” says Korner. “That one is very, very close.”

The spread for the GoDaddy.com Bowl has been bet all the way up to as high as Arkansas State -5 as of Tuesday morning.

Highest total

Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State Wildcats vs. Oregon Ducks (-9, 82)

Two offensive juggernauts collide in this BCS bowl, prompting one of the highest totals of the college football season. Korner says the long layoff could hurt the timing off both potent passing games, which rank among the top 10 in points scored this season.

“These lightning-quick, pass-heavy offenses don’t play for all this time,” says Korner. “You saw a high total last week (Baylor-Oklahoma State) go up to 87 and 88 points. I don’t think that happens with this one. If could come down before then.”

Sportsbooks are playing it cool with the total for the Fiesta Bowl, opening the number at 77 points. That number has been bet down to 76.5 at some markets.

Lowest total

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: TCU Horned Frogs vs. Michigan State Spartans (-1, 42)

Two teams, known more for their defense this season, collide in Sun Devils Stadium for what should be a low-scoring affair, according to the 42-point total – the lowest on the bowl season schedule.

“We probably could have gone lower,” says Korner. “We’ve seen nothing explosive on offense from either team. It wasn’t a very tough total for us to make. We all had something in the 40’s.”

Books posted a 41.5-point total for the Buffalo Wild Wings bowl.

Opening odds for all 35 college football bowl games

Check out a full list of the opening odds for all 35 college football bowl games, as provided by Nevada-based odds service The Sports Club:

New Mexico Bowl

Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Arizona Wildcats (-9, 73)

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Toledo Rockets vs. Utah State Aggies (-9, 58)

Poinsettia Bowl

BYU Cougars vs. San Diego State Aztecs (+3, 51)

Beef O'Brady's Bowl

Ball State Cardinals vs. UCF Knights (-8.5, 61)

New Orleans Bowl

East Carolina Pirates vs. UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (-3, 67)

Maaco Las Vegas Bowl

Washington Huskies vs. Boise State Broncos (-6, 49)

Hawaii Bowl

SMU Mustangs vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (-12, 61)

Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (-5.5, 59)

Military Bowl

Bowling Green Falcons vs. San Jose State Spartans (-7, 49)

Belk Bowl

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Duke Blue Devils (+10.5, 57)

Holiday Bowl

Baylor Bears vs. UCLA Bruins (-2, 78)

Independence Bowl

Ohio Bobcats vs. UL Monroe Warhawks (-5, 60)

Russell Athletic Bowl

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (-3, 44)

Meinke Car Care Bowl

Minnesota Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders (-12, 57)

Armed Forces Bowl

Air Force Falcons vs. Rice Owls (+2.5, 60)

Fight Hunger Bowl

Navy Midshipmen vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (-16, 57)

Pinstripe Bowl

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Syracuse Orange (+3.5, 67)

Alamo Bowl

Oregon State Beavers vs. Texas Longhorns (Pick, 61)

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

TCU Horned Frogs vs. Michigan State Spartans (-1, 42)

Music City Bowl

North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (-4.5, 52)

Sun Bowl

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. USC Trojans (-10, 62)

Liberty Bowl

Iowa State Cyclones vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (-2.5, 53)

Chick-Fil-A Bowl

Clemson Tigers vs. LSU Tigers (-2.5, 56)

Cotton Bowl

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (-17.5, 69)

Gator Bowl

Northwestern Wildcats vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (-2, 52)

Outback Bowl

Michigan Wolverines vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (-3, 50)

Capital One Bowl

Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Georgia Bulldogs (-7, 57)

Rose Bowl

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Stanford Cardinal (-6, 50)

Orange Bowl

Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Florida State Seminoles (-15, 59)

Sugar Bowl

Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida Gators (-14, 47)

Fiesta Bowl

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Oregon Ducks (-9, 82)

Cotton Bowl

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners (+4.5, 71)

Compass Bowl

Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Mississippi Rebels (+1, 52)

GoDaddy.com Bowl

Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (Pick, 62)

BCS National Championship Game

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+7.5, 45)

Army-Navy Game In College Football Spotlight Saturday

Navy Midshipmen vs. Army Black Knights
College Football Betting Preview
Date: 12/08/2012 at 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Navy -8½, O/U 57
Television: CBS

Navy Midshipmen: The Commander-in-Chief Trophy is up for grabs as the Middies (7-4 straight-up, 4-7 against the spread) prepare for battle with the Cadets in Philadelphia. Navy last took to the gridiron three weeks ago with a 21-10 win over Texas State, just missing the cover as a 12-point home favorite. The Midshipmen rushed for over 400 yards in the game for a third time this season, and Noah Copeland led the way with 110 yards on 17 carries, two of them crossing the goal line for touchdowns. Gee Gee Greene leads the team with 750 rushing yards on the year, followed by Copeland (592) and quarterback Keenan Reynolds (585), who also has 754 passing yards and an 8:1 TD-to-interception ratio. Navy has won the last 10 meetings with Army and stands 56-49-7 all-time in the series. The last six clashes have stayed "under" the total, and the Middies are 7-3 to the low side of the scoreboard this season.

Army Black Knights: Despite just two wins on the campaign, the Cadets (2-9 SU, 3-8 ATS) can still lay claim to a successful season with a victory on Saturday, which would give them their first Commander-in-Chief Trophy since 1996. Army has had three weeks to digest a 63-32 pounding at the hands of Rutgers in a game that saw the two teams combine for over 900 yards rushing, 534 of those belonging to the Scarlet Knights. The Black Knights ran for over 400 yards in the contest, the fifth time this year they have topped the 400-yard rushing plateau in a game, as they sit atop the national rankings with nearly 370 yards per contest on the ground. Quarterback Trent Steelman leads the team with 1,152 rushing yards and 16 TDs, and he is joined in the 1,000-yard club by Raymond Maples (1,059). Though they have lost the last 10 games vs. Navy, the West Pointers have covered three of the last six, including last season's 27-21 defeat as touchdown underdogs.

NCAAF
Dunkel

Navy vs. Army
The Black Knights look to bounce back from their 63-32 loss to Temple and build on their 7-3 ATS record in their last 10 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game. Army is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Midshipmen favored by only 5. Dunkel Pick: Army (+7). Here are all of this week's games.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8

Game 103-104: Navy vs. Army (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Navy 82.611; Army 77.627
Dunkel Line: Navy by 5; 59
Vegas Line: Navy by 7; 56
Dunkel Pick: Army (+7); Over

OTHER GAMES:

Sam Houston State at Montana State (8:00 p.m. EST on 12/7)
Dunkel Ratings: Sam Houston State 87.672; Montana State 82.634
Dunkel Line: Sam Houston State by 5

Georgia Southern at Old Dominion (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Southern 76.939; Old Dominion 81.680
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 4 1/2
Jackson State at AR-Pine Bluff (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jackson State 55.029; AR-Pine Bluff 55.051
Dunkel Line: Even

Wofford at North Dakota State (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 74.494; North Dakota State 91.793
Dunkel Line: North Dakota State by 17 1/2
Illinois State at Eastern Washington (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois State 73.197; Eastern Washington 76.113
Dunkel Line: Eastern Washington by 3

NCAAF
Long Sheet

Saturday, December 8

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NAVY (7 - 4) vs. ARMY (2 - 9) - 12/8/2012, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NAVY is 81-38 ATS (+39.2 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
NAVY is 62-34 ATS (+24.6 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field since 1992.
NAVY is 33-13 ATS (+18.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record since 1992.
ARMY is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
ARMY is 11-29 ATS (-20.9 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
ARMY is 9-29 ATS (-22.9 Units) after a bye week since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
ARMY is 1-1 against the spread versus NAVY over the last 3 seasons
NAVY is 2-0 straight up against ARMY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NCAAF

Saturday, December 8

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Trend Report
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3:00 PM
NAVY vs. ARMY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Navy's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Navy's last 5 games when playing Army
Army is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Army is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Navy

Saturday, December 8

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Navy - 3:00 PM ET Navy -6.5 500

Army - Under 56 500

Nevada Meets Arizona In New Mexico Bowl Saturday

Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Arizona Wildcats
New Mexico Bowl Betting Preview
Date: 12/15/2012 at 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Arizona -9, O/U 76
Television: ESPN

Nevada Wolf Pack: Oddsmakers are expecting the bowl season to kick off with a high-scoring affair at the New Mexico Bowl where the Wolf Pack (7-5 straight-up, 3-9 against the spread) collide with the Wildcats. Nevada faltered down the stretch with four setbacks in the final five contests, including home losses to San Diego State, Fresno State and Boise State to finish a disappointing fifth in the Mountain West Conference. The Pack had one of the top ground games in the nation (260.0 yards per game, 7th), paced by Stefphon Jefferson's 1,703 yards on the ground (second in the country). Nevada also ranked 20th in scoring with a 37 points per game, but that was offset by a defense that surrendered 32.5 ppg, ranked 95th in the nation. Wolf Pack backers endured a seven-game losing streak from late-September through November, a string that was snapped with the cover vs. Boise, and "over" bettors had a slight 6-5 advantage on the year.

Arizona Wildcats: It was a trying season for Coach Rich Rodriguez and the 'Cats (7-5 SU, 6-6 ATS) who could manage just a 4-5 record in Pac-12 play (4-5 ATS). The highlight of the regular season turned out to be a 39-36 upset of USC as 5-point underdogs in late-October. Running back Ka'Deem Carey led Arizona and the nation with over 1,750 yards rushing, picking up nearly 6.4 yards per tote, and quarterback Matt Scott ranked 16th in the land with over 294 yards per game through the air. Only four schools allowed more yards on defense than the Wildcats (485.7 ypg), and opponents scored 34.3 ppg, which ranked 103rd. With those stats, it's no wonder that "over" bettors cashed eight of 11 lined games, including seven of the last eight on the schedule. Arizona was also guilty of 25 turnovers, tied for 30th most, four of those coming in the 41-34 loss to rival Arizona State in the regular-season finale.

Potato Bowl Features Toledo Against Utah State Saturday

Toledo Rockets vs. Utah State Aggies
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Betting Preview
Date: 12/15/2012 at 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Opening Lines: Utah St. -10, O/U 57½
Television: ESPN

Toledo Rockets: Things were looking up for the Rockets (9-3 straight-up, 7-5 against the spread) when they reeled off an eighth straight win and were on the verge of cracking the polls at the end of October. But Toledo dropped its next two games to Ball State and Northern Illinois to finish third in the MAC West. The Rockets ended the campaign on a winning note with a 35-23 win over Akron despite missing their two offensive stars, quarterback Terrance Owens and tailback David Fluellen. Owens passed for more than 2,600 yards and 14 touchdowns while ranking second on the team with 381 yards rushing, and Fluellen was eighth in the country, averaging nearly 133 yards per game on the ground. The good news is both are listed as probable for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (click to check updated college football injury report). The Rockets finished the season with five consecutive "under" results and were 8-3 to the low side of totals on the year.

Utah State Aggies: One of the most profitable teams to follow this season, the Aggies (10-2 SU, 10-1-1 ATS) netted nearly nine units of profit for their backers while also putting money in the pockets of "under" bettors with an 8-3 record. Utah State ended a perfect campaign in the WAC with a 45-9 trouncing of Idaho in the regular-season finale, the only point spread loss for the Aggies with the final margin just missing the closing 37-point spread. The only two SU defeats came on the road and were decided by a total of five points (16-14 at Wisconsin and 6-3 at BYU). Utah State finished eighth in the country, allowing just 15.4 points per game, and ranked 15th in surrendering less than 323 yards per contest. Sophomore QB Chuckie Keeton directed a well-balanced offense with more than 3,100 yards through the air and a 27:9 TD/INT ratio. His 527 yards on the ground were second on the team to Kerwynn Williams' 1,277.

NCAAF

Saturday, December 15

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New Mexico Bowl: What bettors need to know
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New Mexico Bowl: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. Arizona Wildcats (-9.5, 75.5)

GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL STORYLINES

1. The game will feature two of the nation's top four runners in Arizona sophomore Ka'Deem Carey (second) and Nevada junior Stefphon Jefferson (fourth). Carey’s 1,757 rushing yards is already a single-season school record while Jefferson stands at 1,703 yards and needs 30 to break the Wolf Pack’s single-season mark.

2. The stage is set for both runners to have memorable games. Nevada, which ranks seventh in the country in rushing and 20th in scoring, will square off against Arizona’s 89th-ranked rush defense and 103rd scoring defense. Similarly, the Wildcats’ ground game and scoring offense – both ranked 17th in the nation – will face the Wolf Pack’s 112th-ranked rush defense and 95th-ranked scoring defense.

3. Two of college football’s most innovative coaches will be matching wits for the first time. Arizona’s Rich Rodriguez is considered as a pioneer of a no-huddle, run-oriented version of the spread offense while Nevada’s Chris Ault is credited as the creator of the “Pistol” offense that has only accentuated the athletic ability of quarterbacks such as Colin Kaepernick since he began using it in 2005.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Arizona opened as an 8-point favorite and has been bet up as high as -10. The total has climbed from 75 to 75.5.

WEATHER: There is a 9 percent chance of snow for University Stadium and temperatures will dip into the high 30s. Winds are expected to blow west at 8 mph.

CONSENSUS: 54 percent of Covers Consensus players are picking Arizona while 53 percent are on the over.

TRENDS:

* Wolf Pack are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games.
* Wildcats are 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. MWC.
* Under is 5-1 in Wolf Pack's last six Bowl games.
* Over is 7-1 in Wildcats' last eight games overall.

ABOUT NEVADA (7-5, 4-4 Mountain West, 3-9 ATS): Unlike the “Pistol” attack that saw the quarterback (Kaepernick) overshadow the running back (Vai Taua) two years ago, Jefferson has been the main beneficiary this season. But sophomore quarterback Cody Fajardo certainly did his best impression of Kaepernick in 2012, throwing for 2,530 yards and 17 touchdowns while running for 981 yards and 11 more scores. However, the Wolf Pack – and the defense in particular – have been in a tailspin since a 6-1 start as they went 0-4 against the top four teams in their conference over the second half of the schedule. In those four losses, Nevada surrendered an average of 277 rushing yards, 471 total yards and 41.5 points.

ABOUT ARIZONA (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12, 6-6 ATS): While the running game is the primary focus, the passing game is hardly without playmakers. Sophomore receiver Austin Hill posted 1,189 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns – the fourth and seventh-best single-season totals in school history, respectively – while Matt Scott’s 3,238 passing yards is the third-highest mark for a Wildcats quarterback in a season. Despite all the offensive success and surprising wins over the likes of Oklahoma State and USC, this is the same team that scored a combined 10 points in losses to Oregon and UCLA. Rodriguez’s seven wins in his rookie campaign were the most by an Arizona coach in his first season since Jim Young led the Wildcats to an 8-3 mark in 1973.

NCAAF

Saturday, December 15

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: What bettors need to know
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Toledo Rockets vs. Utah State Aggies (-10, 58.5)

FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL STORYLINES

1. Toledo’s talented running back David Fluellen and quarterback Terrance Owens both missed the last regular-season game on Nov. 20 against Akron with ankle injuries, but will have almost four weeks to recover.

2. Utah State set a school record for victories this season, won an outright conference title for the first time since 1936 by finishing 6-0 in the Western Athletic Conference and tries to win its first bowl game since 1993.

3. Toledo averages 32.9 points and 456.1 yards (28th in the nation), while 20th-ranked Utah State is eighth in the nation in scoring defense (15.4) and 15th in total defense.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Utah State opened as low as -8 and has been bet up to as high as -10.5. The total has moved from 57.5 to 58.5.

WEATHER: Snow is in the forecast for Boise, with an 18 percent chance of precipitation. Temperatures will be in the low 30s.

CONSENSUS: 53 percent of Covers Consensus players are on Utah State while 60 percent are on the over.

TRENDS:

* Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. WAC.
* Aggies are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 non-conference games.
* Under is 5-0 in Rockets' last five games overall.
* Under is 6-0 in Aggies' last six non-conference games.

ABOUT TOLEDO (9-3, 6-2 MAC, 7-5 ATS): The Rockets hope to have Fluellen and Owens back for Utah State, although senior quarterback Austin Dantin threw for five touchdowns and David Pasquale rushed for 93 yards in the 35-23 victory over Akron to end the regular season. The versatile Fluellen fuels the Rockets' offense, averaging 132.7 yards with 13 touchdowns. Owens, who has completed 62.8 percent of his passes and averaged 243.4 yards through the air, has also thrown for 14 scores. Bernard Reedy is the top target with 82 receptions for 1,051 yards. The Rockets will need some big plays from their defense, which has 17 interceptions but has allowed an average of 27.3 points. Toledo edged Air Force 42-41 in the Military Bowl last year to improve its bowl record to 8-4.

ABOUT UTAH STATE (10-2, 6-0 WAC, 10-1-1 ATS): The Aggies come into the game with six straight victories and have won 15 of their last 18 overall. Utah State lost 24-23 in the Potato Bowl last year to Toledo’s MAC rival Ohio and its two defeats this season have come by a combined five points to Wisconsin (16-14) and Brigham Young (6-3). The Aggies are the only team in the nation not to allow a touchdown in the first quarter. Utah State’s offense has also produced, averaging more than 30 points led by quarterback Chuckie Keeton. The sophomore has completed 67.6 percent of his passes, thrown for 27 touchdowns and rushed for more than 500 yards. Senior running back Kerwynn Williams leads the team in rushing (1,277 yards) and receiving (663), while scoring 17 times. The Aggies are 1-6 in bowls.