Bowl Season Continues

AuthorAuthor

Zach Beier & Chubbs Scheffler
December 27, 2023

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – North Carolina vs. West Virginia 4:30 pm central.

North Carolina will suffer notably losing key players Drake Maye, Cedric Gray, and Tez Walker. This setback complexes the challenges for a team already struggling, especially when facing a Mountaineer squad that retains the majority of its core. As of the latest update, West Virginia's only significant absence will be star center Zach Frazier which is  not severe enough to undermine confidence in WVU's ability to navigate through a vulnerable UNC defense. Despite the Mountaineers sharing defensive metrics similar to the Tar Heels' poor numbers, they gain an advantage defending against a UNC offense without Drake Maye. Playing a backup quarterback in an offense emphasizing efficiency rather than explosiveness doesn't bode well for UNC's chances of consistency. Expect the UNC offense to struggle while the Mountaineers steadily pull away against a weakened Tar Heel defense.

 

Holiday Bowl – Louisville vs. USC 7:00 pm central

After three and a half years Miller Moss will finally get his first opportunity to start as USC's quarterback. With Caleb Williams opting out, causing significant line movement in favor of Louisville, Moss now has the chance to prove himself under the spotlight.

Despite several starting offensive players opting out or entering the transfer portal, USC's offense remains deep in skill positions. Running back Austin Jones, wide receivers Zachariah Branch and Tahj Washington, along with freshmen Duce Robinson and Ja’Kobi Lane, provide depth and potential for an impactful performance.

Louisville, too, faces significant losses on offense, with RB Jawhar Jordan and WR Jamari Thrash opting out for the NFL Draft. While Isaac Guerendo is a strong replacement for Jordan, Thrash's absence affects the passing offense's potency. The national narrative has shifted against Lincoln Riley and USC, but they enter the game motivated, considering it a quasi-home game in San Diego. Riley emphasizes the game's importance for recruiting efforts.

 

Texas Bowl – Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State

8:00 pm central.

In the bowl season, understanding the active players is crucial, and Texas A&M's roster has been heavily impacted. Wide receivers Ainias Smith and Evan Stewart, along with several defensive starters, including Walter Nolen and Edgerrin Cooper, won't be playing. The coaching staff's instability, with former head coach Jimbo Fisher fired during the season and interim head coach Elijah Robinson accepting a new position, adds further uncertainty. Oklahoma State, led by coach Mike Gundy, boasts a strong track record in bowl games and appears more motivated and intact than Texas A&M. Despite opening as the underdog, I'm betting on Oklahoma State securing a win in Houston.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 1981 Wayne Gretzsky becomes fastest player to get a 100 point season,

2022 Luka Doncic is the first NBA player to register a 6-21-10 Triple-double in NBA History.

The Denver Broncos are benching Russell Wilson and starting Jarrett Stidham against the LA Chargers on Sunday.

The Giants are going to start Tyrod Taylor against the Rams this week.

Slumping Sam Howells will be benched for Jacoby Brissett against he 49ers on Sunday.

Lions lose T.J. Hockenson for the season with an ACL and MCL tear.

Tennessee QB Milton to miss bowl game and enter the NFL draft.

Duke to hire Texas State’s Patke as DC.

Former 5-star DT Nolen joining Ole miss #1 transfer portal class. 

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏀 Bucks at Nets

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee

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

🏀 Knicks at Thunder

  • The total has gone OVER in 8 of New York's last 10 games on the road

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City

  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Oklahoma City's last 8 games at home

  • Oklahoma City is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

🏀 Suns at Rockets

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games

  • Houston is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games at home

  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston's last 11 games at home

🏀 Cavaliers at Mavericks

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games

🎓🏈 UNC at WVU

  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of West Virginia's last 7 games

🎓🏈 #15 LOU at SC

  • The total has gone OVER in 17 of Southern California's last 20 games

🎓🏈 TX&M at #20 OKST

  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas A&M's last 9 games when playing Oklahoma State

  • Texas A&M is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma State

  • Oklahoma State is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Texas A&M

  • Oklahoma State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Texas A&M

🎓🏈 #24 SMU at BC

  • Southern Methodist is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

  • Southern Methodist is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston College's last 14 games

  • Boston College is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

🎓🏈 RUT at MIA

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Rutgers's last 6 games

  • Rutgers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami-FL

  • Miami-FL is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Rutgers

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami-FL's last 7 games

🏈 Jets at Browns

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Jets's last 5 games on the road

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏀 NBA

15% of bets and 45% of money is on UNDER 225 PHX at HOU

26% of bets and 48% of money is on CLE +3

23% of bets and 47% of money is on UNDER 232 CLE at DAL

🎓🏈 NCAAF

30% of bets and 70% of money is on UNDER #17 SMU at BC

36% of bets and 63% of money is on RUT -2.5

34% of bets and 63% of money is on RUT -130

16% of bets and 34% of money is on UNDER 47 #19 NCST at KSU

49% of bets and 73% of money is on #14 ARI -3

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Picks 🔒

West Virginia -6 | Without Maye and Walker take the Heels go from favorites to underdogs, giving the Mountaineers a significant advantage. With WVU committed to coach Neal Brown for another year, I feel confident his team will take advantage of UNC's depleted roster.

A&M/ OK State over 54.5 | Three of the Aggies’ last 4 games surpassed the projected total for this game while 9 of the Cowboys’ final 10 games had totals higher than the projected total for this game. The Aggies scored 30 or more in final 5 games. The Cowboys got at least 40 in 4 of their final 7 games.