Eagle Bank Bowl Betting – UCLA Bruins vs. Temple Owls

UCLA Bruins -5 -200 Over 46
Temple Owls +5 +165 Under 46

December 29 – 4:30pm

The December 29 Eagle Bank Bowl features the UCLA Bruins and the Temple Owls vying to become the second winners of the Bowl.

UCLA earned its berth in the Eagle Bank Bowl because Army failed lost their final game of the season long time rival Navy. The NCAA requires teams to finish with at least a 6-6 record to become bowl eligible.

The Bruins will face the Bill Cosby’s alma mater the Temple Owls. The Owl gained their first college bowl berth in 30 years on the strength of a 9-3 record (8-3 against the spread). Mr. Cosby has received a lot of laughs over the years at the expense of his beloved Owls but this year’s squad is no joke. After losing their first two games of the season to Villanova and Penn State, Temple reeled off nine straight wins.

Bet on UCLA -5 vs Temple >> Join Now

The Bruins barely qualified for bowl season this year finishing at 6-6 (6-6 ATS). The Bruins beat the teams they should and lose to the upper tier of the Pac-10, so based on that, the Bruins should beat the Owls who don’t face the same level of competition.

I don’t want to take anything away from the Owls great season but a 9-3 record in the MAC is not on par with having to play USC, Oregon and Arizona every season.

Temple Owls is a one-dimensional team based around the run with tailback Bernard Pierce rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Their running game pushed the Owls to score 30.3 a game while the passing attack was a non-factor ranking 112th overall.

The Owls defense is quick and that quickness allowed them to force 26 turnovers, good for 20th in the nation. They were solid against the run ranking 19th.

The Bruins found out they will be without starting center Kai Maiava and freshman wide receiver Morrell Presley who failed too many classes. Presley, who only accounted for 43 yards this season won’t be missed but Maiava was a big part of the Bruins offensive line. That will make things tougher for the already anemic UCLA offense with only scored 21.3 points a game in 2009.

On defense, the Bruins performed much better holding opponents to 21.3 points, which must account for the 6-6 record. The Bruins lead the Pac-10 in interceptions this year, as we already discussed the Owls are a run team but if they do revert to the pass the Bruins have them covered.

The Bruins record isn’t nearly impressive but they play in the best conference (if you are an SEC fan, second best) in the NCAA. The Owls play in the MAC. Both teams have strong defenses and the Bruins have an awful offense so I don’t see the predicted total of 46 points being in any danger. Temple would have to play a perfect game to have a chance against the Bruins, take the Bruins -5 and the under 46.

Eagle Bank Bowl Betting Prediction: UCLA Bruins -5 and Under 46

Top 5 Moments in BCS National Championship Game History

Before sinking our teeth any further into the BCS betting action in the title game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns, BetOnline Sportsbook takes a moment to relive the greatest moments in recent memory from BCS Championships of yesteryear…

1: 2006 – Texas Longhorns 41 – Southern California Trojans 38 : Not only was this far and away the best BCS betting affair of all-time, but many are calling it one the greatest games ever played in any sport. QB Vince Young had a flair for the dramatics for certain. USC took a 38-26 lead with 6:42 to play that seemingly locked up covering the seven-point spread. However, Texas wouldn’t be denied, as it not only scored the TD that got the Longhorns back within the number, but it also scored the game-winner when Young scrambled into the end zone with 0:19 to play. VY was a one-man wrecking crew that day, rushing for 200 yards and three TDs and going 30/40 for 267 yards through the air.

2: 2003 – Ohio State Buckeyes 31 – Miami Hurricanes 24 : The oddsmakers gave the Buckeyes virtually no chance of stopping the Hurricanes in the ’03 Fiesta Bowl, as they were 12-point underdogs to the then #1 ranked team in the country. Perhaps Miami had the game won, but on fourth down in the first overtime, the Canes were called for an interference penalty that extended the game. The Buckeyes scored shortly thereafter and then again in the next frame to seal the deal and take home the National Championship.

3: 2000 – Florida State Seminoles 46 – Virginia Tech Hokies 29 : The final score of this game may have been a little deceiving. Yes, the Seminoles were 5.5-point favorites over the Hokies, and yes, they held a seemingly insurmountable 28-14 lead at intermission. However, QB Michael Vick, who probably earned himself the right to be picked #1 in the NFL Draft that next season took charge and led the Hokies to a 15-0 3rd quarter advantage to take the lead going to the fourth. FSU scored three times in the first eight minutes of the final stanza to take control and lock up the school’s second National Championship.

4: 1999: Tennessee Volunteers 23 – Florida State Seminoles 16 : A year prior to that, the Seminoles probably felt like they should’ve won yet another crown. This time, they were slight dogs to win it all though. FSU fought valiantly against QB Tee Martin and the boys clad in orange in spite of the fact that backup QB Marcus Outzen had to start the game in place of an injured QB Chris Weinke. The Noles had a chance to erase a 23-9 lead in the dying moments, but fell just short of completing what would’ve been an improbable comeback with an unknown quarterback.

5: 2007: Florida Gators 41 – Ohio State Buckeyes 14 : One play into the first ever true, "BCS National Championship Game," WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr. put the heavily-favored Buckeyes ahead of the upstart Gators 7-0 with a KO return for a TD. However, this was a day to be dressed in blue and orange. QB Chris Leak and a dominating defense took over, handing HC Urban Meyer his first national title with a big 41-14 victory that really put the University of Florida back on track to become one of the most dominant programs in college football.

NBA Betting Line – Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks Are Going to Show Cavs They Are For Real

With both teams having just eight losses apiece, the Hawks and Cavs are about to show some clear distinctions in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta is just 1.5 games back of the conference leading Celtics and Cavs. While the Cavaliers won’t be able to prove anything until the playoffs, the Hawks need to secure big wins against big teams to make their case for real.

Boosting Atlanta as an NBA sports betting pick is their 8-2 SU/ATS record over the last 10 games. At home they’re 12-2 SU and in their last 6 hostings they’ve gone a stern 5-1 ATS. Of course, it doesn’t help they haven’t beaten Cleveland in their last five tries, and they’re 4-8 ATS in the last 12 times they’ve hosted the Cavs.

Cleveland, on the other hand, is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. Of course the Cavs have been proving that they’re a strong road team going 3-1 SU in their last 4 road games overall beating the Lakers, Kings and Suns and losing to Dallas. Against the Hawks, they’ve proven their ability to win consistently, and an injury to Joe Smith may mean that LeBron won’t have anybody on the court to stop him.

Sign up HERE to start betting on Atlanta -2 vs Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers (24-8) vs. Atlanta Hawks (21-8)

Tuesday, December 29th
Philips Arena, Atlanta — 7:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Atlanta -2 (193)

As big of a statement game as this is for the Hawks, it serves as a summit for LeBron and the Cavs to prove that they are the bees knees (sorry I just felt like using that expression today) in the Eastern Conference. Though littered with roster deficiencies across the board, the Cavs are still one of the best teams in the league because of LeBron and Mo Williams’ ability to literally blow up on command.

Of course, it doesn’t help that the Hawks have a certain sharp shooter looking for a max contract next year too. Joe Johnson, who I believe to be the deadliest shooter in the league not named Ray Allen, can certainly reassert and boost his value in the upcoming free-agent melee of 2010 by having huge games against teams like the Magic and Cavs.

I expect Johnson and Horford to keep this game close, and while I always think that a tight line in a statement game favors LeBron, it’s very difficult for me to encourage you to bet against the Hawks under any circumstances when they’re at home. Bet safely on the Hawks as both teams go conservative and hold this game in the UNDER. Smith will be a tentative play tonight with a thumb injury and that will lead the Hawks to play possession ball. In the Philips Arena, the Hawks are always the bet when they play against Eastern Conference teams.

Furious Free Pick: Atlanta -2 (UNDER)

NCAA Basketball Lines – Marquette vs. West Virginia

NCAA Basketball Lines

Marquette Golden Eagles (9-3 SU, 3-3 ATS) at West Virginia Mountaineers (10-0 SU, 4-5 ATS)
Tuesday, December 29 – 7 PM ET

BetOnline NCAA Basketball Lines: WEST VIRGINIA -12

Here are some of the NCAA basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

• MARQ has won nine of its last 12 games SU
• MARQ has lost six of its last eight road games SU
• MARQ has played five of its last seven road games OVER the total
• WV has won its last ten games SU
• WV has covered two of its last eight home games

Marquette was not supposed to be a particularly strong team after losing their top player, Wes Matthews (who is now with the Utah Jazz), but they have retooled. One of the factors is the return of Lazar Hayward, who now leads the team with 18.7 points a game, and anchors a front line that does not have a real center.

The Eagles are rather smallish, and that is reflected in the backcourt, but the guards are very talented. One of them is Darius Johnson-Odom, who provides some instant offense off the bench, shooting 51% from the field and leading the team in three-pointers.

Sign up now and get FULL access to all of BetOnline features!

Marquette sprung some early upsets in NCAA basketball lines, beating Xavier and Michigan in back-to-back games at the Old Spice Classic, and that was followed by a one-point loss to defensive-minded Florida State, which is currently in the Top 25. After a nine-point loss suffered at the hands of another ranked team, the Wisconsin Badgers, they have feasted on patsies like North Florida and Presbyterian, but now have to get themselves back up to Big East speed for this conference opener.

The size difference will become something of a problem for Marquette when it comes to keeping West Virginia off the boards. The Mountaineers, behind Bob Huggins, have averaged more than 16 offensive rebounds a game, which is huge. You’re talking about one of the best front lines in all of college basketball, when you consider the triumvirate of De’Sean Butler, Kevin Jones and former high school phenom Devin Ebanks.

Ebanks had 22 points and 17 rebounds in the NCAA basketball lines win over Seton Hall, in what was his best game as a collegian. Only one of his boards against Seton Hall was on the offensive end, but what was interesting is that in the game before, he had eight offensive boards in the win over Ole Miss. Butler is an incredibly versatile player, perhaps the most versatile in the Big East. He is currently averaging 16.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists (which by the way, leads the team). Jones shoots 59% and pulls down more than four offensive rebounds a contest.

There are good matchup advantages for West Virginia here, especially on the front line. But Marquette will carry a quickness edge. Huggins’ team is undefeated, but has not put a lot of distance between itself and capable opponents like Texas A&M, Cleveland State, Ole Miss and Seton Hall. Let’s count on Marquette to figure out a way to stay in this thing. We’ll take the Eagles with twelve points in the BetOnline NCAA basketball lines.

JAY’S PLAY: MARQUETTE +12 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

NBA Parlay Picks – Minnesota T-Wolves vs. San Antonio Spurs

Spurs Host T-Wolves, Both Teams Look To Extend Winning Ways

Timberwolves (+11) vs. Spurs
(O/U) 198½
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 8:00 PM ET

Someone’s modest two-game winning streak is coming to an abrupt halt tonight pro basketball betting enthusiasts.

The San Antonio Spurs (17-11 SU, 14-14 ATS, 14-14 O/U) and Minnesota Timberwolves (7-24 SU, 16-15 ATS, 11-19-1 O/U) have each won two straight games coming into tonight’s matchup but only one team will walk away victorious tonight.

Minnesota 411
Timberwolves are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Timberwolves are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games as an underdog.
Timberwolves are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games.

The Timberwolves have recorded their wins over two of the most disappointing teams in the league this season, beating New Jersey 103-99 on Wednesday before routing the Washington Wizards 101-89 on Saturday.

Get in on the action now bet on San Antonio -11 vs Minnesota > > SIGN UP HERE

Minnesota got a game-high 27 points from Corey Brewer as they cashed in for pro basketball betting backers as a 2.5-point home underdog.

The T-Wolves have covered the spread in each of the last two games while going an encouraging 6-4 ATS in the last 10 games overall.

San Antonio 411
Spurs are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
Spurs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Spurs are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Northwest.

The Spurs have also defeated two mediocre ballclubs their last two times out, beating Milwaukee 112-97 on Saturday before taking out the lowly New York Knicks 95-88 on Sunday.

San Antonio cashed in as a 3.5-point road favorite behind Tony Parker’s team-high 22 and Manu Ginobili’s 17 points off the bench.

Head-to-Head Key Trends
Timberwolves are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings in San Antonio.
Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings in San Antonio.
Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.

Analysis: I’ll keep it real by saying that I am not impressed with the Spurs and their play against competitive ballclubs this season.

San Antonio doesn’t play a style of basketball that makes for a bunch of blowout victories and has not been very spotty when it comes to covering the spread this season.

The Spurs have gone an incendiary 6-1 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a losing SU record but have also gone a head-scratching 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games against Northwest division ballclubs.

San Antonio will face a Minnesota team that has gone a scorching 8-2 ATS in their last 10 against Western Conference ballclubs and 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.

I know the Timberwolves have gone a dismal 3-7 ATS in the last 10 games against the Spurs in San Antonio, but Minnesota has also gone an impressive 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games as an underdog and are my pick to cover the double digit spread in this contest tonight.

With the Under going 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings in San Antonio and 3-1-1 in the last five meetings between these teams, I say the Under plays out again tonight.

NBA Expert Picks: Minnesota +11 Points/Under 198½ Total Points

The 2009 Least Valuable Player Awards – NFL Edition

Quarterback – Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears)
Cutler leads the league in interceptions, his team is just 6-9 SU and though he’s playing on a team that doesn’t have a real number-one receiver, Cutler edges out all other quarterbacks for one reason and one reason alone. To acquire Cutler, the Bears gave up two first-rounders (2009, 2010) and a second rounder (2009). If Cutler had done remotely well this season, the Broncos would’ve received a late first round pick. Instead, they’re going to get a top-10 pick because Cutler couldn’t get his act together.

Cutler’s bitch and moan routine when Denver coach, Josh McDaniels, tried to trade him not only made Denver a playoff contender, it bolstered their 2010 NFL pick. On top of that, the trade made Chicago a mid-carder at best and screwed their chances of improving through the draft. The Cutler trade made the Bears worse, ruined their future and will make his former team a formidable playoff contender for the next three years.

Runner-Up – Jake Delhomme (Carolina Panthers)

Running Back – Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills)
Nobody doubted Lynch’s abilities until he came back from a  three-game suspension due to a substance abuse violation. He was supposed to turn the Bills in to upset specialists after they opened the season with a near-upset of the Patriots and a win over Tampa. Yet in 12 games this season, Lynch has just 480 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. So much for being a “savior”.

Runner-Up – Matt Forte, Clinton Portis, Julius Jones, Darren McFadden, Brandon Jacobs

Wide Receiver – T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Seattle Seahawks)
This was definitely the hardest award to hand out, but T.J. takes the cake. He has 76 catches (17th) for 845 yards (29th) and 3 touchdowns (66th) this sports betting season. Of course, you can credit a lot of that to the inconsistencies of the Seattle offense overall, but Hoosh was targeted 129 times this season (12th) meaning that he had plenty of chances to get in the endzone, boost his stats and improve Seattle’s chances to win. He probably wishes he had stayed in Cincinnati instead of bolting to a team like Seattle which won’t be a contender until they find a suitable replacement for Hasselbeck (hint: it’s not Seneca Wallace).

Runner-Up – Santonio Holmes, Chris Chambers

Coach – Jim Zorn (Washington Redskins)
This one was really easy. While Mangini and Smith both showed unreal ineptitude, Zorn was the only guy who was actually stripped of his play calling authority. Somehow he managed to hold on to his job, and get paid in the  process, but nobody had less to do with the success of their team than Washington’s Jim Zorn. I still have no idea what he was doing wearing a headset or looking at a clipboard after his play calling duties were stripped. At least he had the best seat in the entire house as he watched his own team flounder throughout the year.

Runner-Up – Lovie Smith, Eric Mangini

Defensive Players – Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins)
I really wanted to give this award to Ray Lewis, but even losing a major step in his athletic ability couldn’t stop Lewis from ranking in the top-10 in tackles. Jason Taylor, on the other hand, spearheaded the league’s 25th ranked defense and ranked up 41 tackles (287th), just 3 forced fumbles and managed just 1 interception. The only saving grace is that he tallied seven sacks, but really who cares?

Champs Sports Bowl Pick – Wisconsin Badgers vs. Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes started the 2009 NCAAF Season with more than a bang. Playing like their nickname, the Hurricanes came down upon their opponents like a deluge from the football gods.

Miami beat two ranked teams in a row, the Florida State Seminoles 38 to 34 as 6 point underdogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 33 to 17 as 4 point favorites. Then came Week 3 in the season where the Hurricanes came up against the Virginia Tech Hokies and Miami fell down to earth.

Tech absolutely dominated the Hurricanes 31 to 7. The Hurricanes would lose two more times: to the Clemson Tigers who finished second in the ACC Championship game and to the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Miami will be trying to beat a Wisconsin team that lost only three games this season, to Ohio State, Iowa and Northwestern. The Badgers finished 4 th in the Big Ten Conference.

Here are the college football bowl betting odds on this game.

Wisconsin Badgers +3 -110 O 58 -110
Miami Hurricanes -3 -110 U 58 -110

Below are a few online bowl wagering trends for this game.

• The Wisconsin Badgers are 1 and 6 ATS in their last 7 games versus a team with a winning record.
• The Wisconsin Badgers are 4 and 1 against the spread in their last 5 bowl games as an underdog of 3 ½ to 10 points.
• The Miami Hurricanes are 7 and 3 ATS in their last 10 bowl games.
• The Miami Hurricanes are 5 and 2 against the spread in their last 7 games versus a team with a winning record.

A lot has been made regarding how Miami’s football program is resurging. I’m not sure if that is the case. The Hurricanes lost a game this season to North Carolina that they probably should have won. They also played terribly against Virginia Tech.

Miami might be on their way back, but there is no resurging going on right now. Yes, the Hurricanes deserve to be favored against the Wisconsin Badgers, but if Miami really was back then they would have won the ACC, a conference that just flat out underperformed in 2009.

Instead, they didn’t even make it into the ACC Championship game. Are the 2009 Miami Hurricanes good enough to cover the spread against the Badgers?

That really shouldn’t be a problem for the Hurricanes who should outclass the Badgers in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Badgers’ defense, which gives up over 300 yards per game, is going to have trouble with a Miami offense that averages over 31 points per game and over 400 yards per game.

In that loss to North Carolina, the Hurricanes put up 24 points against a defense that allows only 17 per game. The Hurricanes put up 21 against an Oklahoma Sooners’ defense that allows only 13.5 points per game and put up 37 against Clemson who finished second in the ACC.

Miami can score. So can Wisconsin but Miami put up points against good defensive teams. Wisconsin didn’t do that during the regular season scoring only 13 against Ohio State and 10 against Iowa.

The Hurricanes will find a way to stop Wisconsin’s offense a few times during this game. Wisconsin has no shot at stopping the Hurricanes offense.

Miami should cover the 3 points in the sportsbook.

NCAA Basketball Spreads – Syracuse Orange vs. Seton Hall Pirates

Syracuse Orange (12-0 SU, 5-2 ATS) at Seton Hall Pirates (9-2 SU, 2-3 ATS)

Tuesday, December 29 – 9 PM ET

NCAA Basketball Spread: SYRACUSE -3

Here are some of the NCAA basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

• SYR has won its last 12 games SU
• SYR has won and covered six of its last eight road games
• SYR has played six of its last seven road games OVER the total
• SH has won nine of its last 11 games SU
• SH has covered eight of its last ten home games

Also….

• SYR has covered four of the last five meetings
• SYR has won nine of the last 11 meetings SU
• SYR has covered four of the last six meetings as the road team
• SYR has won five of the last seven meetings SU as the road team

When you talk about an undefeated record on the part of Syracuse, which is now rated fifth in both major polls, you probably have to put an asterisk next to it because the Orange lost to LeMoyne State in an "exhibition" at the start of the season. We can only guess that defeat made them angry, because they cut through the opposition like a terror. two of the early wins were very significant, as they blew out high-flying California by a 95-73 score, then came back the next night in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden and beat North Carolina by 16.

Four days after that they beat defending Ivy League champ Cornell by 15, and since then they’ve scored a significant win over Florida, which was nationally ranked. They’ve earned their stripes, covering five of seven in the NCAA basketball spread.

Syracuse -3 vs Seton Hall >> Join to Bet Now

Seton Hall, like Syracuse, is one of the highest scoring teams in the nation, averaging 88.1 points a game. They aspire to be a Big East contender and like, Syracuse, they have a double-digit win over Cornell on their ledger. They also scored a resounding win over VMI on December 12, chalking up 134 points and hitting TWENTY three-point shots.

The Pirates don’t lack for offense or defense (allowing 37.6% shooting), they take care of the ball better than Syracuse (11.6 turnovers a game) and they managed to stay in Saturday’s game all the way against sixth-ranked West Virginia, covering the spread despite shooting just 38% from the field.

The main guy for the Hall is Jeremy Hazell, who leads the team with 21.9 points a game and throws up a lot of threes, although not as many drop as he’d like to (30%). Jamel Jackson (47% threes), who comes off the bench, is much more of a dead-eye out of the backcourt. Syracuse, however, shoots 55% as a team, and has four players who are not only averaging in double figures but also shoot 60% or better.

They are nine-deep, come at the opponent in droves, and force a lot of miscues (averaging 13.4 steals, which leads the nation). They may be in the midst of a difficult transition after the departure of Jonny Flynn, but they still have more assists than anyone in the country as well (22.7 per game).

Syracuse has already demonstrated that it can play with teams like Cal and North Carolina who really like to push the pace and still come out dominant. Seton Hall, on the other hand, has been competitive but really hasn’t passed a big test yet. As long as the price is reasonable, we don’t mind being on the side of the more proven commodity, and will lay the points with the ‘Cuse, the three-point favorite in the college basketball odds.

JAY’S PLAY: SYRACUSE -3 ***

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

College Bowl Picks – #15 Miami vs. #25 Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl

2009 Champs Sports Bowl

No. 15 Miami Hurricanes (9-3 SU, 6-5 ATS) vs. No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers (9-3 SU, 5-6 ATS)

Tuesday, December 29: 8:00 p.m.

College Bowl Betting Odds: Miami -3, Total Points 57 ½

Here are some betting trends which may impact this game:

Miami : 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Miami: 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
Miami: The total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 6 games

Wisconsin: 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Wisconsin: 2-1 ATS in their last 3 games
Wisconsin: The total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games

One of the best pre-New Year’s bowl games will take place in Orlando, when the Miami Hurricanes and Wisconsin Badgers do battle in the Champs Sports Bowl.

For Miami, it was a resurgence of sorts, under third year coach Randy Shannon. After years of dominating college football, “The U,” is back, getting nine wins this year, and almost capturing an ACC title.

Miami is led by one of the top up-and-coming quarterbacks in college football, sophomore Jacory Harris. Harris, a Miami native, has been phenomenal this year, throwing for 3164 yards and 23 touchdowns.

As the season wore on, Harris did become a little turnover prone though, tossing 17 interceptions, however only one was in his last two games. In the running game, Graig Cooper and Damien Berry combine to give the Hurricanes a formidable attack. On the year, they combined for over 1100 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Bet on this and more of the hottest sports events at BetOnline.com Join NOW

As for the Miami defense, it still has a long way to go, and has also been plagued by injuries this year. Still though, they rank in the top half of every important category in college football, and their 321 yards of total offense ranks 25 th in the game. The Hurricanes are led by a strong defensive front and linebacker trio.

On the other sideline is the Wisconsin Badgers. While they don’t wow you with supreme athleticism, they do attack you with an old school running game, featuring bruising back John Clay. Clay weighs in at about 250 lbs., and uses every ounce of it, as he rushed for 1396 yards and 16 touchdowns this year.

In thinking of Clay, think of Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants. At quarterback is junior Scott Tolzien, who despite some midseason struggles really was consistent most all of 2009. He threw 2445 yards and 16 touchdowns this year.

So when these two teams square off in Orlando, who’ve you got? The point spread indicates that this one is close, and personally, I believe it favors Wisconsin Badgers.

While Miami wows you with its athletes, they can also at times become turnover prone, and at others, downright careless. And with most of the Hurricanes expecting to go to the Gator Bowl, who knows how motivated they’ll be by this one.

Finally, I think Clay will be the difference. He is the type of back the Big 10 is famous for, big, punishing and a guy that wears you down after four quarters.

I’m taking the Wisconsin Badgers in an upset, in this bowl season’s betting odds.

College Bowl Pick: Wisconsin +3

EPL Betting Action: Aston Villa vs. Liverpool

Liverpool will be looking for back-to-back wins when they head to Villa Park on Tuesday. Liverpool are after a redeeming performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, beating the Wolves 2:0 at Anfield Stadium.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are after a disappointing turnout at the Emirates Stadium where they were drummed 3:0 by the Gunners. Prior to the weekend, Aston Villa had been flying high on a seven-match undefeated run. The loss itself was disappointing but its ramifications were more so because they missed on an opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal in the table and gain a firm foothold in the big four. Aston will be looking to recover lost ground at the expense of a languishing middle-of the table Liverpool.

Soccer Betting Line:

Aston Villa pk +105 +175 2½ O +105 U -125 draw +225
Liverpool pk -125 +150 2½ O +105 U -125 draw +225

Match Time: 2:45 PM EAST Tuesday December 29, 2009

Venue: Villa Park

Soccer Betting Verdict: Rafa Benitez’s side is marginally favoured to win outright at Villa Park on Tuesday. BetOnline bookies tip the Reds at +150 to win outright, slightly shorter than Aston Villa’s odds to win at +175. Since the Reds are coming off a win and the Villans off a loss, it may not be a bad selection to back the horse riding the positive trend.

The Reds have had short-lived winning streaks this season and this is an issue when considering online betting on the outright win, still you can’t deny the quality and experience of Liverpool’s camp and if you are looking for a sign, what could be more proof-positive than their favourite odds. If you are going to go in this direction then why not take the Overs at 2 ½ Over +105. I am liking the Reds to win 2:1 or 3:1 in this match.

The draw is offered at +225 and there is an argument to be had that this might be the better option in the market what with both sides tipped so close on the money line. Can’t argue this is not a solid option considering the overall state of things this season for Liverpool and Aston Villa’s recent disappointment. If so, I would recommend combining this bet with the Overs once again at 2 ½ +105.

Soccer Free Picks: This match is Liverpool’s to lose in my opinion. They need the three points more than any other club right now in some respects does. What is more, they need a convincing victory to close out the year. Liverpool should win this match so the recommended bet is Liverpool at +150 and Over 2.5 at +105

Next Page »