East Carolina brings some excitement to this game for sure, but I don't see how they can overcome one huge glaring weakness -- the Pirates have the worst defense in all of FBS. Maryland proved to be a much better defensive team this year and they can hold their own on offense.
MARYLAND -7.5
TEXAS BOWL ILLINOIS VS. BAYLOR
Illinois had the better defense on paper this year, giving up 80 yards per game less than Baylor (#37 at 340 ypg vs. Baylor #96 at 420 ypg). The tables are flipped on offfense. Baylor was #13 at 480 ypg compared to Illinois at #57 at 386 ypg.
I think that the difference here will come at the QB position. Both quarterbacks can use their legs, but Baylor's Robert Griffin was a much better passer, completing 274 passes for a 66% clip. Scheelhasse was 57% for the season and he looked terrible at times -- in Illinois' last two games, they called pass only 29 times and completed just 13 of those.
BAYLOR -1
ALAMO BOWL OKLAHOMA STATE VS. ARIZONA
Oklahoma State has too many weapons for the Arizona defense. The Wildcats have played teams tough for 1H this year, but I see the Cowboys pulling away for the win and cover.
East Carolina brings some excitement to this game for sure, but I don't see how they can overcome one huge glaring weakness -- the Pirates have the worst defense in all of FBS. Maryland proved to be a much better defensive team this year and they can hold their own on offense.
MARYLAND -7.5
TEXAS BOWL ILLINOIS VS. BAYLOR
Illinois had the better defense on paper this year, giving up 80 yards per game less than Baylor (#37 at 340 ypg vs. Baylor #96 at 420 ypg). The tables are flipped on offfense. Baylor was #13 at 480 ypg compared to Illinois at #57 at 386 ypg.
I think that the difference here will come at the QB position. Both quarterbacks can use their legs, but Baylor's Robert Griffin was a much better passer, completing 274 passes for a 66% clip. Scheelhasse was 57% for the season and he looked terrible at times -- in Illinois' last two games, they called pass only 29 times and completed just 13 of those.
BAYLOR -1
ALAMO BOWL OKLAHOMA STATE VS. ARIZONA
Oklahoma State has too many weapons for the Arizona defense. The Wildcats have played teams tough for 1H this year, but I see the Cowboys pulling away for the win and cover.
December 17 New Mexico Bowl: BYU vs. UTEP | PICK: BYU -11.5 (WIN) Humanitarian Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State | PICK: FRESNO +2 (LOSS) New Orleans Bowl: Ohio vs. Troy | PICK: TROY -2 (WIN)
December 21 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: Louisville vs. Southern Miss | PICK: UNDER 59.5 (WIN)
December 22 Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Boise State | PICK: UTAH +16.5 (LOSS)
December 23 Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. San Diego State PICK: SAN DIEGO STATE -3 (WIN) PICK: UNDER 57.5 (WIN)
December 24 Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Tulsa | PICK: OVER 73.5 (WIN)
December 26 Little Caesars Bowl: Florida Intl vs. Toledo | PICK: TOLEDO -1.5 (LOSS)
December 27 Independence Bowl: Air Force vs. Georgia Tech PICK: AIR FORCE -3 (WIN) PICK: UNDER 56 (WIN)
December 28 Champs Sports Bowl: North Carolina State vs. West Virginia | PICK: WVU -2.5 (LOSS) Insight Bowl: Missouri vs. Iowa | PICK: MISSOURI-2.5 (LOSS)
December 17 New Mexico Bowl: BYU vs. UTEP | PICK: BYU -11.5 (WIN) Humanitarian Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State | PICK: FRESNO +2 (LOSS) New Orleans Bowl: Ohio vs. Troy | PICK: TROY -2 (WIN)
December 21 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: Louisville vs. Southern Miss | PICK: UNDER 59.5 (WIN)
December 22 Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Boise State | PICK: UTAH +16.5 (LOSS)
December 23 Poinsettia Bowl: Navy vs. San Diego State PICK: SAN DIEGO STATE -3 (WIN) PICK: UNDER 57.5 (WIN)
December 24 Hawaii Bowl: Hawaii vs. Tulsa | PICK: OVER 73.5 (WIN)
December 26 Little Caesars Bowl: Florida Intl vs. Toledo | PICK: TOLEDO -1.5 (LOSS)
December 27 Independence Bowl: Air Force vs. Georgia Tech PICK: AIR FORCE -3 (WIN) PICK: UNDER 56 (WIN)
December 28 Champs Sports Bowl: North Carolina State vs. West Virginia | PICK: WVU -2.5 (LOSS) Insight Bowl: Missouri vs. Iowa | PICK: MISSOURI-2.5 (LOSS)
I understand the OKST pick but at the same time i think that it is a trap. Consider this: the spread opened at OKST -6.5, 76% of people are betting on OKST and the spread has gotten smaller not larger. I feel like vegas is begging you to take OKST. I still think the Cowboys are the right bet but I don't think I am going to touch that game.
I understand the OKST pick but at the same time i think that it is a trap. Consider this: the spread opened at OKST -6.5, 76% of people are betting on OKST and the spread has gotten smaller not larger. I feel like vegas is begging you to take OKST. I still think the Cowboys are the right bet but I don't think I am going to touch that game.
It could be ---- I do get nervous when I don't understand a line or when the line moves a lot but I don't think that I (or most people really) have the ability to read those tea leaves with any consistency.
For example, San Diego State opened -5 and moved down to -3 for the final spread and they rolled Navy 35-14. I just do my best to handicap the game first and I will gladly take points if the lines moves to my favor.
It could be ---- I do get nervous when I don't understand a line or when the line moves a lot but I don't think that I (or most people really) have the ability to read those tea leaves with any consistency.
For example, San Diego State opened -5 and moved down to -3 for the final spread and they rolled Navy 35-14. I just do my best to handicap the game first and I will gladly take points if the lines moves to my favor.
maryland has to win... i won 6,000 by half yard bettinf miss in 2nd hald.. thank god they didnt score a td on that last play wolda blown my 2nd hald line of -3 with missour. thank god got tackled then kneeled it
maryland has to win... i won 6,000 by half yard bettinf miss in 2nd hald.. thank god they didnt score a td on that last play wolda blown my 2nd hald line of -3 with missour. thank god got tackled then kneeled it
Moses3690: Nice hit . . . whenever I see a crazy play like the INT return to the 1/2 yard line, I always wonder who was made ecstatic and who was left forlorn with their betting slips
Moses3690: Nice hit . . . whenever I see a crazy play like the INT return to the 1/2 yard line, I always wonder who was made ecstatic and who was left forlorn with their betting slips
I actually like the under in all three games tomorrow but this one stands out as the best. Illinois scored 13 or less in three games this year (Missouri, Ohio State, Michigan State) and those were all games where LeShoure was held in check. Those were also games where Illinois had to chase down a lead and therefore called the most passing plays all year. Again, Scheelhaase is simply not an accurate passer and will kill any attempt by Illinois to sustain drives and score points.
I actually like the under in all three games tomorrow but this one stands out as the best. Illinois scored 13 or less in three games this year (Missouri, Ohio State, Michigan State) and those were all games where LeShoure was held in check. Those were also games where Illinois had to chase down a lead and therefore called the most passing plays all year. Again, Scheelhaase is simply not an accurate passer and will kill any attempt by Illinois to sustain drives and score points.
in a season full of brutally painful beats, this one takes the cake...
Agreed ------ killer loss.
But I try not to let that bother me too much. These are 18-22 year old kids (for the most part - Weeden) and we all have to realize that they are going to make mistakes. But ouch!
in a season full of brutally painful beats, this one takes the cake...
Agreed ------ killer loss.
But I try not to let that bother me too much. These are 18-22 year old kids (for the most part - Weeden) and we all have to realize that they are going to make mistakes. But ouch!
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