1-6-14

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BCS National Championship: What bettors need to know

Florida State Seminoles vs. Auburn Tigers (+9, 67)

Game will be played at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME STORYLINES:

1. Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston leads top-ranked Florida State into battle against No. 2 Auburn in the Vizio BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 6 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Winston because the youngest Heisman winner (19 years, 342 days) in history after a superb freshman campaign in which he passed for 3,820 yards and 38 touchdowns. Auburn got itself into the title game with a superb final three-game run that included miraculous late-game victories over Georgia and Alabama before beating Missouri in the SEC title game.

2. Both teams have prolific offenses with the Seminoles leading the nation with 90 touchdowns while ranking second in scoring at 53 points per game with a low output of 37 points. The Tigers have the nation’s top rushing attack (335.7) and scored 69 total touchdowns while tied for 11th in the nation in scoring at 40.2 points.

3. The difference in the game could be on the defensive side as Florida State has a ferocious unit that ranks first nationally in scoring defense (10.7) and passing defense (152 per game) and third in total defense (268.5). Auburn is suspect on this side of the ball, allowing 24 points per game and ranking 88th in total defense (423.5) and 104th in passing defense (260.2).

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Florida State opened as 9.5-point faves, were bet down to -8.5 and now sit at -9. The total opened at 65.5, was bet as high as 68 and now sits at 67.

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the lows 60s with a six mph wind blowing across the field.

ABOUT AUBURN (12-1, 11-2 ATS): Tre Mason finished sixth in the Heisman balloting after a superb regular season that included 1,621 yards and an SEC-record 22 rushing scores. Mason forms an explosive trio with multipurpose quarterback Nick Marshall (12 passing scores, 1,023 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) and receiver Sammie Coates (22.1 average, seven TDs). Cornerback Chris Davis – famous for providing the winning points with the game-ending missed field goal return against Alabama – has a team-high 69 tackles and teams with other defensive standouts like safety Robenson Therezie (four interceptions) and defensive end Dee Ford (8.5 sacks).

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (13-0, 11-2 ATS): The Seminoles have a plethora of skill players as three players have compiled more than 500 rushing yards and three receivers have more than 900 receiving yards. Devonta Freeman (943 yards, 13 touchdowns) is the primary back while Rashad Green had a team-best 67 receptions with Kelvin Benjamin hauling in 14 scoring receptions. Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (five sacks, two interceptions) and outside linebacker Telvin Smith (three interceptions, team-best 75 tackles) lead a strong defense that intercepted 25 passes, including a team-high four from safety Nate Andrews.

TRENDS:

* Florida State is 12-2 ATS in its last 14 games overall.
* Auburn is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games overall.
* Over is 10-3 in Florida State's last 13 games overall.
* Over is 4-0 in Auburn's last four games overall.

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Tale of the Tape: Florida State vs. Auburn

The Florida State Seminoles look to cap a perfect season as they face the Auburn Tigers in the BCS National Championship game Monday night in Pasadena, Califonia.

The Seminoles rolled to the number-one ranking and a spot in the national title game, leading the nation in points per game (53) and fewest points allowed (10.7) while outscoring opponents by a whopping 246 points over their final five contests. They'll face an upstart Tigers team that stunned then-No. 1 Alabama en route to an unlikely spot in the championship game.

Here's the breakdown in our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

No team in college football had an offensive as explosive as the Seminoles, who scored 40 or more points in all but one of their games. That includes dominant performances against ranked teams: a 63-0 walloping of No. 25 Maryland, a 51-14 trouncing of No. 3 Clemson and a 41-14 rout of No. 7 Miami. Quarterback Jameis Winston captured the Heisman Trophy with one of the greatest seasons in school history, throwing for 3,840 yards and 38 touchdowns; the run game was also formidable, producing 5.7 yards per carry and 41 scores.

The Florida State offense has been getting more of the attention heading into Monday's championship game, but Auburn also piled up the points during a remarkable season. The Tigers failed reached the 30-point mark just twice, and scored 136 combined in consecutive victories against ranked foes Georgia, Alabama and Missouri to wedge their way into title contention. Auburn is fueled by the nation's most potent rush offense (4,364 yards, 46 TDs), with Tre Mason leading the charge with 1,621 yards and 22 scores.

Edge: Florida State

Defense

Aside from a shootout win over the Boston College Eagles on Sept. 28, the Seminoles' defense was virtually impenetrable for the entire season. No other team scored more than 17 points against the Seminoles, and Florida State limited seven opponents to seven or fewer points. The Seminoles' 3-4 scheme made life difficult for opposing defenses, leading the nation with 25 interceptions - shared by a whopping 16 players - while compiling 33 sacks.

While it didn't compete with the top-flight offense, the Tigers' defense did enough to push the team into prominence. Difficult matchups against the LSU Tigers (35 points against), Texas A&M Aggies (41) and Georgia Bulldogs (38) sullied Auburn's defensive resume, but with five other opponents held to 20 or fewer points, the Tigers proved more than capable of succeeding on the defensive end. Auburn surrendered 423.5 yards per game, 88th in the nation.

Edge: Florida State

Special Teams

Florida State had only 27 kickoff returns on the season - but made the most of them, ranking third in the nation at 26 yards per return. The Seminoles weren't nearly as effective when it came to punt returns, averaging just 10 yards on 34 attempts with a longest return of 28 yards. Kicker Roberto Aguayo was the busiest kicker in the league when it came to extra points - going 90-for-90 - but also connected on 19-of-20 field-goal opportunities, with a long of 53 yards.

Auburn's return game was impressive, as it averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff-return attempt - ranked 15th in the nation - on 36 opportunities. The Tigers fared better than the Seminoles when it came to punt-return success, averaging 11.8 yards on 29 chances with a long of 85 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Cody Parkey was virtually automatic on extra points - hitting 63-of-64 attempts - but was just 14-for-19 on field goals, including 1-for-4 on 50 yards or longer.

Edge: Florida State

Notable Quotable

"We're excited about playing Auburn ... they're dynamic, they make plays on offense, defense, special teams. (They have) won a games a lot of different ways and (are) very well coached, and it will be a great opportunity and great challenge for our team." - Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher

"We have not been, by all standards, a really good defense this year. But we always know how to play in the moment. When there's a play on the line, we've been good on third down, we've been good in the red zone, we've been good in the fourth quarter." - Tigers defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson

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BCS Prop Shop: Auburn vs. Florida State
By SEAN MURPHY

It's almost been a whole month since Auburn and Florida State last took the field, but the BSC Championship kicks off Monday. Why not spice things up with some prop bets? Covers Expert Sean Murphy opens the doors of the BCS Prop Shop and gives you his favorite prop picks for college football's final game of the season:

Longest touchdown of game

Over 59.5 yards (-110)

My reasoning for this play is simple; we're talking about two teams with explosive offenses, opportunistic defenses, and electric return games. I won't be the least bit surprised if we see more than one 'splash' play result in a touchdown on Monday night.

There are simply too many gamebreakers on the field to remove long touchdowns from the equation in this matchup.

Total rushing yards by Tre Mason

Under 125.5 yards (-110)

Asking Tre Mason to not only turn in a 100-yard rushing performance, but eclipse that number by a significant margin is asking a little too much against the Seminoles vaunted defense on Monday night.

Florida State doesn't give up much on the ground. Entering this contest the 'Noles have held the opposition to just 3.1 yards per rush this season. Mason is a special player, but you can be sure FSU will be keying on him in this one.

Total completions by Jameis Winston

Over 20 (-110)

This is obviously a showcase game for Jameis Winston and I don't expect him to disappoint. Winston actually completed only 19 passes in Florida State's ACC Championship Game win over Duke.

He knows he'll need to be more accurate in order to guide his 'Noles past a team like Auburn. The Tigers have certainly been vulnerable against the pass, allowing 7.4 yards per pass play this season. Winston should find plenty of holes in this unit on Monday.

Total rushing yards by Devonta Freeman

Over 90.5 (-110)

While Jameis Winston gets all of the press, 'Noles RB Devonta Freeman is the engine that makes the offense go. He's shown improvement in each of his three seasons with FSU - this year rushing for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns on the strength of 5.8 yards per rush.

Auburn has been anything but a brick wall against the run, allowing 4.6 yards per rush this season. The Tigers allowed 231 yards on the ground against Missouri in the SEC Championship Game. I'm expecting Freeman to run wild on the big stage.

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BCS Prop bets: Florida State vs. Auburn

Are you looking for some extra Props to bet on for Monday's BCS National Championship between the Florida State Seminoles and the Auburn Tigers? We've got all you need to know right here.

All odds courtesy of LVH Superbook

FIRST SCORE OF THE GAME:
TOUCHDOWN -360
ANY OTHER +300

LONGEST TOUCHDOWN OF THE GAME:
OVER 59.5 -110
UNDER 59.5 -110

TOTAL COMPLETIONS BY: NICK MARSHALL (AUBURN)

OVER 12.5 -120
UNDER 12.5 EVEN

LONGEST COMPLETION BY: NICK MARSHALL (AUBURN)

OVER 38.5 -110
UNDER 38.5 -110

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS BY: NICK MARSHALL (AUBURN)

OVER 77.5 -110
UNDER 77.5 -110

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS BY: TRE MASON (AUBURN)

OVER 125.5 -110
UNDER 125.5 -110

WILL TRE MASON (AUBURN) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN IN THE FIRST HALF?

YES +110
NO -130

LONGEST RUSH BY: TRE MASON (AUBURN)

OVER 23.5 -110
UNDER 23.5 -110

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: SAMMIE COATES (AUBURN)

OVER 68.5 -110
UNDER 68.5 -110

TOTAL COMPLETIONS BY: JAMEIS WINSTON (FSU)

OVER 20.0 -110
UNDER 20.0 -110

LONGEST COMPLETION BY: JAMEIS WINSTON (FSU)

OVER 48.5 -110
UNDER 48.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: JAMEIS WINSTON (FSU)

OVER 3.0 +125
UNDER 3.0 -145

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS BY: DEVONTA FREEMAN (FSU)

OVER 90.5 -110
UNDER 90.5 -110

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: RASHAD GREENE (FSU)

OVER 70.5 -110
UNDER 70.5 -110

WILL RASHAD GREENE (FSU) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?

YES -105
NO -115

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: KELVIN BENJAMIN (FSU)

OVER 72.5 -110
UNDER 72.5 -110

WILL KELVIN BENJAMIN (FSU) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?

YES -170
NO +150

WILL THERE BE A DEFENSIVE OR SPECIAL TEAMS TOUCHDOWN?
YES +130
NO -150

TOTAL POINTS BY: AUBURN
OVER 28.5 -110
UNDER 28.5 -110

TOTAL POINTS BY: FLORIDA ST
OVER 37.5 -110
UNDER 37.5 -110

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Dave Cokin

BCS National Championship
#269 Auburn +9

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The Philly Godfather

CFB STRAIGHT BET [270] TOTAL - UNDER 68 -110
(AUBURN vrs FLORIDA STATE) 100:

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Bowl season's Best/Worst ATS and 'Over/Under' teams

If you’re looking for some solid bowl bets this postseason, why not start with the teams that made college football fans money in the regular season. We look at the best and worst ATS teams as well as the top Over and Under programs bowling this month:

Best ATS

Auburn Tigers (11-2-0 ATS)
Auburn has been fantastic this year rushing the ball, ranked first overall with 335.7 yards. They are also 11th overall in total yards with 505.3. Auburn covered its first 10 games by a comfortable margin and is an 8.5-point underdog versus Florida State – the other top ATS team in college football - in the BCS title game.

Florida State Seminoles (11-2-0 ATS)
Florida State’s margin of victory is 42.3 points per game - a record in the BCS era. Florida State is ranked second overall in points scored (53) and sixth in total yards with 529.4. Defensively, the Seminoles are first overall in passing yards allowed (152) and points allowed with a measly 10.7.

Best 'Over'

Florida State Seminoles (10-3 O/U)
The Seminoles have the most points for and the second-lowest points against in the country. Quarterback Jameis Winston ranks second with the most touchdown passes (38) and has the league’s highest yards per pass attempt at 10.9. Florida State is on pace to score more points than any team in the history of college football needing only 28 more to snap the 2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys’ record of 716 points. The total for the BCS Championship is at 66 points.

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NBA

Hot teams
-- 76ers won last four games, all as 7+-point underdogs. Minnesota covered five of its last seven road games.
-- Nets won last two games, but are 4-6 vs spread in last ten games as a home favorite.

Cold Teams
-- Hawks lost three of their last four games (4-6 last 10 AU).
-- Clippers are 3-4 in their last seven games; Chris Paul is out for six weeks. Magic lost six of their last eight road games (9-6 AU).

Series records
-- 76ers lost their last four games with Minnesota.
-- Brooklyn lost six of last eight games with the Hawks.
-- Clippers lost eight of last ten games with Orlando.

Totals
-- Five of last six Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta road games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Clipper games went over; last six Orlando road games stayed under the total.

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NHL

Hot teams
-- Islanders won three of their last four games.
-- Rangers won five of their last seven games.
-- Colorado won its last three games, allowing seven goals.

Cold teams
-- Dallas Stars lost three of their last four games.
-- Blue Jackets lost three of their last four games.
-- Florida lost four of its last six games. Canadiens lost three of last four.
-- Calgary lost eight of its last nine games.

Totals
-- Five of last six Islander home games stayed under.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Columbus games.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Florida games.
-- Last four Calgary games stayed under the total.

Series records
-- Islanders lost four of their last five games with Dallas.
-- Rangers won four of their last five games with Columbus.
-- Panthers are 2-0 vs Montreal this season, winning 2-1/4-1.

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J. Clifton

BCS:
FLORIDA STATE -10
OVER 68

NCAAB:
QUINNIPAC -2
CANISIUS -2
CHATTANOOGA -3

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Today's NBA Picks

Atlanta at Brooklyn

The Hawks head to Brooklyn tonight with a 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games versus the Nets. Atlanta is the pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Hawks favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6 Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST

Game 701-702: Minnesota at Philadelphia (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 122.029; Philadelphia 108.903 Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 13; 224 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 6 1/2; 218 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-6 1/2); Over

Game 703-704: Atlanta at Brooklyn (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 120.732; Brooklyn 115.217 Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 5 1/2; 193 Vegas Line & Total: Brooklyn by 3 1/2; 197 Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+3 1/2); Under

Game 705-706: Orlando at LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 113.568; LA Clippers 127.310 Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 13 1/2; 218 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

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NCAA Basketball Picks

West Virginia at Texas Tech

The Mountaineers bring their 9-5 record into tonight's matchup against a Texas Tech team that is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games against teams with a winning SU record. West Virginia is the pick (-1) according to Dunkel, which has the Mountaineers favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-1). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6 Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST

Game 707-708: Maryland at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 62.303; Pittsburgh 68.975 Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 6 1/2; 144 Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 9 1/2; 138 Dunkel Pick: Maryland (+9 1/2); Over

Game 709-710: West Virginia at Texas Tech (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 66.408; Texas Tech 60.389 Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 6; 133 Vegas Line: West Virginia by 1; 140 Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-1); Under

Game 711-712: Appalachian State at Elon (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 45.211; Elon 54.635 Dunkel Line: Elon by 9 1/2 Vegas Line: Elon by 14 Dunkel Pick: Appalachian State (+14)

Game 713-714: Canisius at Marist (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 55.938; Marist 50.356 Dunkel Line: Canisius by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Canisius by 2 Dunkel Pick: Canisius (-2)

Game 715-716: Chattanooga at The Citadel (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooga 43.422; The Citadel 37.449 Dunkel Line: Chattanooga by 6 Vegas Line: Chattanooga by 3 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Chattanooga (-3 1/2)

Game 717-718: Furman at NC-Greensboro (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Furman 40.688; NC-Greensboro 52.727 Dunkel Line: NC-Greensboro by 12 Vegas Line: NC-Greensboro by 7 Dunkel Pick: NC-Greensboro (-7)

Game 719-720: Iona at Quinnipiac (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Iona 52.937; Quinnipiac 57.362 Dunkel Line: Quinnipiac by 4 1/2 Vegas Line: Quinnipiac by 2 Dunkel Pick: Quinnipiac (-2)

Game 731-732: Southern at Texas Southern (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Southern 51.054; Texas Southern 50.729 Dunkel Line: Even Vegas Line: Texas Southern by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Southern (+4 1/2)

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Today's NHL Picks

Dallas at NY Islanders

The Stars look to bounce back from a 5-1 loss to Detroit as they visit an Islanders team that is 1-9 in its last 10 home games. Dallas is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Stars favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+100). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 1-2: Dallas at NY Islanders (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 12.542; NY Islanders 11.190 Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: NY Islanders (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+100); Over

Game 3-4: Columbus at NY Rangers (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 10.944; NY Rangers 12.585 Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-155); 5 Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-155); Under

Game 5-6: Florida at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.788; Montreal 10.553 Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-180); 5 Dunkel Pick: Florida (+160); Over

Game 7-8: Calgary at Colorado (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 10.239; Colorado 11.738 Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-200); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-200); Under

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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Free winner MON Texas Southern -4

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Monday

Dallas Stars +105

Hawks +4