The last day of 2008 offers up five bowls encounters, staggered by times, as an appetizer before New Year’s Eve celebration. It will feature running teams like the Air Force and Georgia Tech, along with teams that love to throw the ball like Houston and Kansas. Other universities will be attempting to end losing streaks like Minnesota and LSU, while a squad like Pittsburgh wants to keep that winning feeling prevailing into next season. On this the 366th day of the leap year, we even get a team that last appeared in a bowl game in 1982 (Vanderbilt), when one of the most popular groups of that year was Culture Club, fronted by Boy George.Armed Forces Bowl - Air Force vs Houston
This bowl contest is a marvelous matchup in contrast in styles. Air Force uses the option ground game to rack up 268.9 yards per game (5th in the nation) and Houston (7-5, 4-7 ATS) prefers spread attack with the pass in totaling 413.5 yards per game (2nd in the country). This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Falcons, being one of the youngest teams in the country. They exceeded expectations with 8-4 and 7-4 ATS record and are 13-4 ATS in road games with two or more weeks off. Houston’s defense cost them C-USA title shot in 56-42 loss to Rice and they are only 4-13 ATS after allowing 50 or more points. Air Force may be just 8-9-1 in bowls; nevertheless a 10-5 ATS record makes them attractive potential play. Houston is 6-6 ATS in a dozen tries in the postseason.
Why to Watch and Wager
The Mountain West Conference was believed to be stronger than presumed this season and the Air Force could essentially cement that belief with a victory, assuring the league of a winning postseason record with unbeaten Utah still to come. Military schools are normally very good bowl wagers, since they play with the same intensity all the time and are accomplished in running the ball and eating up time, making bowl foes nervous. The Flyboys are 8-1 ATS after gaining 125 or less passing yards in three straight games. Most people didn’t realize these teams met on Sept.13 when the game was moved to Dallas because of Hurricane Ike. Houston was obviously out of sorts having to give up home game and players worried about their family and friends, losing 31-28 as four point favorites. Some might question the Cougars motivation, but after losing chance to play in C-USA championship, losing three straight bowl games and in revenge spot, there is plenty to prove for Houston.
Bookmaker.com Line – Houston -4, 66
Sun Bowl -Oregon State vs Pittsburgh
The Sun Bowl was able to secure two Top 25 teams and has one of the better non-BCS matchups. If freshman Jacquizz Rodgers is healthy for Oregon State (8-4 SU & ATS), this will set up a hookup between two of the nation's most exciting running backs. Pittsburgh’s LeSean McCoy is sensational runner and totaled 21 touchdowns in 2008. Both squads overcame slow starts to finish strong. The Panthers (9-3, 6-6 ATS) closed 4-1 straight up and ATS, but were sloppy with the ball and are 3-16 ATS after consecutive games committing three or more turnovers. The Beavers were a busy 8-2 ATS after losing first two, and are 8-0 ATS after covering the spread in two of last three games. Oregon State is on 4-0 and 3-1 ATS in recent bowls; Pitt plays in the postseason for first time since 2002.
Why to Watch and Wager
Among the bowls before 2009, this has the possibility of being a real head-knocker. Both teams prefer to run the ball and each has an above average passing game. Pittsburgh will have health edge with Jacquizz Rodgers still a little uncertain, but his bother James is definitely out with broken collarbone which he suffered in last game. Though Pittsburgh faired well, they are still coached by Dave Wannstedt, meaning anything is possible, good or bad. Off their 34-10 pasting of Connecticut, the Panthers are 4-11 ATS following a SU win of more than 20 points. Oregon State slid from trip to Pasadena to El Paso, but chances are still realized they lost four games. Coach Mike Riley has normally been sound in bowl preparation, with the Beavers 6-2 ATS in last eight off a loss. Sun Bowl fact- The underdog is 16-4 ATS the last two decades.
Bookmaker.com Line – Oregon State -2, 51.5
Music City Bowl - Boston College vs Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt waited 26 years to play in first bowl game and they don’t even get to leave Nashville, playing in Music City Bowl. The Commodores (6-6, 7-5 ATS) come in among the coldest bowl teams, losing six of last seven encounters. The offense caused this to happen, finishing 117th in total yards. Vandy is 22-7 ATS away from home after playing their last game on the road. Boston College (9-4, 7-5 ATS) suffered a second straight ACC title game defeat and their motivation will come into question. With two defensive teams, this conflict could go Under. Boston College is 22-9 UNDER on the road after a spread loss and Vanderbilt is 17-6 UNDER in all games over the last two seasons. The Eagles are riding eight bowl game winning streak and had reeled off nine bowl covers in a row before losing last two.
Why to Watch and Wager
Let’s start with the fact if your dad or grandfather was a sports bettor and made you watch the bowls when you were around 10 years old, you would be 36 now being able to witness Vanderbilt in a bowl game again. The Commodores haven’t moved the ball against hardly anyone and with the behemoths Boston College has like B.J. Raji, probably aren’t going to be moved by Vandy’s less than dandy O-Line. At least the ‘Dores are 7-2 ATS as underdogs. The Eagles would most likely have played in a better bowl, but B.C. fans are well known for watching bowl games on television, not in the stands. If Boston College could not cover last year against Michigan State in Champs Bowl, they could have equally as difficult a time against Vanderbilt, who has solid defense. The Music City Bowl is notorious for dogs covering with 8-2 ATS mark, with faves losing outright seven times.
Bookmaker.com Line – Boston College -3.5, 40.5
Insight Bowl - Minnesota vs Kansas
Though Minnesota (7-5, 7-4 ATS) finished with four straight losses, this bowl experience should be cherished after 1-11 2007 campaign. The Golden Gophers have real deficiencies in the offensive line and are 3-12 ATS after gaining 125 or less rushing yards in four straight games. Minnesota was 81st in points scored and figures to have to do better against potent Kansas (7-5, 6-5 ATS) offense. Possibly the defense can get after talented Kansas QB Todd Reesing, who was sacked frequently (92nd overall) in 2008.
The Jayhawks schedule was tougher and the talent not quite as good as last year’s Orange Bowl outfit, however the upset of rival Missouri had to be satisfying. Kansas is 17-6 ATS in all lined games over the last two years and 12-3 ATS as chalk. This is the Jayhawks fourth bowl experience in six years and first ever in back-to-back seasons.
Why to Watch and Wager
Which Minnesota team shows up, the won that beat Purdue and Illinois on the road or the one that gained 134 total yards at home against Iowa in season finale 55-0 massacre? On the heels of 1-11 season, seven wins and bowl should look pretty good; however a fifth consecutive loss wipes away that momentum. The Golden Gophers come in 9-3-1 ATS after allowing 40 or more points. You saw how excited Missouri played in Alamo Bowl; will Kansas have the same feeling after Orange Bowl bout from a season ago? The Jayhawks are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 games overall and should be good as long as they don’t turn the ball over excessively. Nevertheless, teams like Minnesota having lost three straight games and catching points cover the spread over 70 percent of the time.
Sportsbook.com Line – Kansas -9, 59
Chick-fil-A Bowl - LSU vs Georgia Tech
Nobody would have expected the final records of these two clubs, heading into this bowl matchup when the 2008 began. The thought of LSU allowing 30 or more points in half their games in ludicrous, yet it occurred. The Tigers (7-5, 2-9 ATS) were the first consensus national champion since Ohio State in 1943 to follow their national championship title with a losing conference record and are 2-10 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record.
The wisdom in hiring Paul Johnson to run option offense with the speed of ACC players was questioned, yet Georgia Tech (9-3, 8-2 ATS) led the league in total offense. The Yellow Jackets were 8-2 ATS this season and are 7-0 ATS off a close road win by three points or less. LSU is 4-1 SU and ATS in last five bowls, with serious questions about their desire after playing in so many big contests.
Why to Watch and Wager
If Georgia Tech can run for almost 1,500 yards in last four games against bowl teams Florida State, North Carolina, Miami-Fl and Georgia, why should LSU be any different? Toss in this angle, the Tigers are 0-10 ATS versus rushing teams averaging 4.75 rushing yards per carry over the last two seasons. The Yellow Jackets will be playing before predominantly home crowd in there own city, though LSU will have plenty of support. What could fire up the Tigers are turnovers. Georgia Tech gave the ball up 24 times and had nearly that many they recovered themselves. If they play dropsies again, LSU still athletes that can be difference makers and cash them in. The Bengal Tigers are 10-1 ATS away from home after two consecutive games where they forced one or less turnovers.
Sportsbook.com Line – Georgia Tech -4, 53
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