We Have 4 Bowl Games Remaining As CFB Playoffs Are Set

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

The interest level in this post-playoff bowl will be elevated as the Bulldogs take the field for the first time since the untimely death of coach Mike Leach. The Fighting Illini won’t be able to match Miss State’s emotion, but the technically sound Illinois defense will still pose a formidable challenge.

This turn on the big stage is a remarkable achievement for the Green Wave, who won just two games a year ago. They already own a victory against a power-conference champion, so they won’t be intimidated by USC’s brand name. We must also hope Trojans QB and Heisman winner Caleb Williams will have had enough time to rehab his troublesome hamstring that took away a big part of his game in the Pac-12 finale.

Neither of these teams were expected to win their conference championship games against playoff-bound powers, but their most recent performances were disappointing, nonetheless. Despite LSU’s late struggles, Purdue enters as the underdog, and the disruption of a coaching change undoubtedly hasn’t helped the Boilermakers’ preparations.

Finally, we get a quality matchup even though both teams have multiple losses. The Utes got their first taste of this atmosphere last year and would love to come home with a victory this time. The Nittany Lions won the games they were expected to this year but would like to finish with a top-10 triumph to validate their season.

Headlines 🚨

Bills vs. Bengals play Monday Night Football and should be a thriller for the 12 and 11 win teams

New Orleans Saints request first round draft pick in exchange for the rights to head coach Sean Payton

The Penguins and Bruins play today at Fenway Park for the Winter Classic

TCU proved the haters wrong and are one win from a national title

Georgia stunning comeback capped prefect College Football Playoff day

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are one game away from making the playoffs

49ers win 9th straight game and end the Raiders' playoff hopes

Coastal Carolina QB McCall withdraws from portal

Buccaneers rally vs. Panthers, clinch playoff spot

Nikola Jokic gets 9th Triple Double as Nuggets crush Celtics 123-111

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏈 Bills at Bengals

• Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Buffalo's last 8 games on the road

• Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games

• Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

🏀 Suns at Knicks

• Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York

• Phoenix is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing New York

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York's last 7 games

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix

🏀 Lakers at Hornets

• LA Lakers is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte

🏀 Bulls at Cavaliers

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games

• Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home

🏀 Raptors at Pacers

• The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Toronto's last 16 games when playing on the road against Indiana

• Toronto is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing Indiana

• Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

• Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

🏀 Pelicans at 76ers

• New Orleans is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia

• New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

• Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

• Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans

🏀 Spurs at Nets

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games

🏀 Nuggets at Timberwolves

• Denver is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Minnesota

🏀 Mavericks at Rockets

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas

🏀 Hawks at Warriors

• Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Golden State

• Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State

• Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games at home

🏀 Heat at Clippers

• Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 5 games when playing Miami

• LA Clippers is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Miami

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 7AMCT

🎓🏈 NCAAF

40% of bets and 56% of money is on UNDER 46 MSST at ILL

67% of bets and 87% of money is on OVER 63.5 TUL at USC

🏀 NBA

47% of bets and 67% of money is on POR -9.5

9% of bets and 25% of money is on CHI +4

47% of bets and 65% of money is on DAL -7.5

NHL

36% of bets and 61% of money is on LV +1.5

13% of bets and 32% of money is on ANA +100

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

BUF (S) Jordan Poyer | Questionable - Knee

CIN (DE) Sam Hubbard | Questionable - Calf

CIN (OT) La’El Collins | IR - Knee

ATL (C) Clint Capela | Out - Calf

ATL (SF) De’Andre Hunter | Questionable - Ankle

BKN (SF) Joe Harris | Probable - Knee

CHA (SG) Kelly Oubre Jr | Out - Hand

CHA (PG) Dennis Smith Jr | Questionable - Ankle

CHI (SF) Derrick Smith Jr | Probable - Ankle

CLE (PF) Evan Mobley | Questionable - Ankle

CLE (PG) Darius Garland | Doubtful - Thumb

GS (C) James Wiseman | Out - Ankle

GS (SF) Andrew Wiggins | Out - Illness

LAL (SF) LeBron James | Probable 

LAL (G) Lonnie Walker IV | Probable - Lower Body

NO (PF) Larry Nance Jr | Out - Neck

NYK (PG) Jalen Brunson | Questionable - Hip

PHO (SF) Cameron Johnson | Out - Knee

PHO (PG) Cameron Payne | Probable - Foot

Picks 🔒

Gave MS State on Friday at -1.5

Tulane +2: The Green Wave are expected to be at full strength with no reported opt-outs or impact transfer portal entrants as of the time of this writing. Tulane has been a much more well-rounded team, ranking 29th in EPA per play offensively and 39th in EPA per playing defensively. Michael Pratt is one of the best quarterbacks at the Group of Five level and should hold his own against a soft defense. The Trojans already had their dreams crushed this season, whereas the Green Wave are looking for a statement win to cap what’s been a magical ride this season.

LSU/Purdue Under 55: We think Purdue will keep the ball on the ground and slow this game dowm. Purdue has a pretty good defense as well. With so many key pieces missing the boiler makers will have to play to keep the LSU offense off the field.