Saturday 12-29-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Camarero
Camarero - Race 4

Pick 4 (4-7) / Pick 3 (4-6) / Exacta / Trifecta / Daily Double 4-5


Maiden Claiming $4,000 • 5 Furlongs • Dirt • Age 2 • CR: 53 • Purse: $6,000 • Post: 4:00P
FOR NATIVE MAIDENS, TWO YEARS OLD. WEIGHT, 116 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $4,000.
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Stalker. ESTRELLA WANABI is the Dominant Stalker of the race. * KEY ANGLES * ESTRELLA WANABI: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
3
ESTRELLA WANABI
4/5

1/1




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
5
AWILDA MIA
5

12/1
Front-runner
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0
2
INGENIERA
2

2/1
Alternator/Front-runner
44

26

50.2

24.6

18.1
3
ESTRELLA WANABI
3

4/5
Alternator/Stalker
73

56

61.5

56.2

54.2
6
VIVIANA'S EMPRESS
6

20/1
Alternator/Trailer
70

36

48.0

32.6

28.6
1
REMEMBER PRINCE
1

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
0

0

0.0

0.0

0.0








Unknown Running Style: MI AMIGO BADUA (3/1) [Jockey: Navarro Christian J - Trainer: Morales Raymond], BATTALION SIX (15/1) [Jockey: Sanchez Miguel A - Trainer: Mayo Wendell].

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Fair Grounds - Race #5 - Post: 2:24pm - Maiden Special - 8.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $38,000 Class Rating: 79

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#3 PRADO'S ENCORE (ML=10/1)
#2 SUNDAYSATTHEBEACH (ML=10/1)
#1 OUT FOR A SPIN (ML=8/1)
#4 FREEDOM PASSAGE (ML=6/1)


PRADO'S ENCORE - When this jock and trainer team up you have to take a look. Murrill and Scherer have been great together. Have to give this filly a good shot. Ran a good outing last time around the track within the last 30 days. Took a significant drop in class rating last time around the track at Fair Grounds. Returning to a similar level in this event. Should do well. SUNDAYSATTHEBEACH - Santana and Walsh perform well when they join forces. It's hard to beat a +100 ROI for a jock and trainer. Comparing how the horses in this field have fared under similar conditions, I see this thoroughbred has the highest Equibase speed figure for the distance & surface. Rode this animal on October 28th and Santana is yet again in the irons this time. Look for this filly to run a lot better in today's race. Last race at Churchill Downs finishing fifth on the soft turf is no sign of her true talent. It is my opinion that fillys run better the 2nd time they get Lasix. Walsh puts this filly on it for the second time today, so give this one a look. OUT FOR A SPIN - Ran last race out against a tougher field at Churchill Downs. The move to a lower class level should suit her well. Don't often see a profitable ROI like +61. This jock/conditioner tandem has done well together over the last 12 months. Just see her latest speed rating, 73. That one fits well in this group. Lasix can take some getting used to, especially for a filly. They usually hit stride the 2nd time using it, like we have with this horse. FREEDOM PASSAGE - She keeps getting closer at the finish with each and every start. You'll be making money left and right by turning your gambling cash onto this jockey/conditioner combination. This filly is in top condition right now. Ran second in the last race and comes back quickly. You have to like that latest race speed fig, 73, which is the top recent race speed fig of this bunch. This animal wins a lot of cash per race around the track. Uppermost in this race.

Vulnerable Contenders: #16 ILLUMINATOR (ML=4/1), #13 BEAUTIFUL BALLAD (ML=9/2), #11 GO TO WAR (ML=5/1),

ILLUMINATOR - This filly most likely won't be really close at the wire. BEAUTIFUL BALLAD - This animal just hasn't looked sharp recently. Finished eighth in her most recent performance with a substandard speed figure. When I look at today's class rating, it would take an improved performance to triumph after that in this bunch. GO TO WAR - Would have to move up off that seventh place finish last time out of the box to make an impact here. Should be difficult for this animal to beat this group off of that last speed fig. Unlikely to improve enough to run a figure anywhere near today's class figure, so put her on the likely underlays list.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Have to go with #3 PRADO'S ENCORE on the win end if we get at least 5/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,3]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Gulfstream Park

12/29/18, GP, Race 6, 2.37 ET
5F [Turf] 00.53.03 STAKES. Purse $100,000.
$1 Daily Double / $1 Exacta / $.50 Trifecta / $.10 Superfecta /$1 Super Hi 5 - $.50 Bet 3 (Races 6-7-8) - $.20 Rainbow Pick 6 (Races 6-11)
Top Horse - Races 41, Win Percent 14.63, $1 ROI 0.98, For Race Category Non-Maiden Turf
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 7 Goldwood 15-1 Jimenez A Duarte. Jr. Jorge T
098.6956 12 Girls Know Best 4-1 Ortiz J L Kenneally Eddie SL
097.9603 1 Morticia 7/2 Gaffalione T Arnold. II George R. FE
097.6000 14 Smiling Causeway 12-1 Saez L Delacour Arnaud
096.8868 4 Miz Mayhem 5-1 Zayas E J Plesa. Jr. Edward
096.5433 2 Fire Key 6-1 Lopez P Catanese. III Joseph C
096.3799 8 Just Talkin 10-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Servis Jason
095.4333 15 Lady's Island 20-1 Gaffalione T Baxter Georgina
095.4046 13 Rumble Doll 20-1 Jaramillo E Ryan Derek S. J
094.3779 16 Coastal Sea 20-1 Alvarado. Jr. R Vazquez Gamaliel C
093.6213 9 Miss O'Hara 20-1 Landeros C Arnold. II George R.
093.4391 6 Unaquoi 20-1 Prado E S Figgins. III Ollie L.
093.2921 5 Conquest Tizfire 30-1 Panici L Potts Ron G. W
093.1845 3 Code Warrior(b+) 15-1 Albarado R De Paulo Michael P.
092.6094 10 Miss Deplorable 30-1 Coa K J Galvan Baltazar
091.1354 11 Snack Shack 30-1 Batista J A Minott Leon
If Race Is Off Turf
Top Horse - Races 76, Win Percent 27.63, $1 ROI 0.70, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 7 Goldwood 15-1 Jimenez A Duarte. Jr. Jorge T
097.9233 12 Girls Know Best 4-1 Ortiz J L Kenneally Eddie SL
096.7757 14 Smiling Causeway 12-1 Saez L Delacour Arnaud
096.7552 1 Morticia 7/2 Gaffalione T Arnold. II George R. FE
096.1719 8 Just Talkin 10-1 Ortiz. Jr. I Servis Jason J
095.4583 2 Fire Key 6-1 Lopez P Catanese. III Joseph C
095.0201 4 Miz Mayhem 5-1 Zayas E J Plesa. Jr. Edward
094.4892 13 Rumble Doll 20-1 Jaramillo E Ryan Derek S.
093.8177 6 Unaquoi 20-1 Prado E S Figgins. III Ollie L. W
093.4314 3 Code Warrior(b+) 15-1 Albarado R De Paulo Michael P.
093.2590 9 Miss O'Hara 20-1 Landeros C Arnold. II George R.
092.9276 11 Snack Shack 30-1 Batista J A Minott Leon
092.3869 10 Miss Deplorable 30-1 Coa K J Galvan Baltazar
092.3637 16 Coastal Sea 20-1 Alvarado. Jr. R Vazquez Gamaliel C
091.9889 15 Lady's Island 20-1 Gaffalione T Baxter Georgina
090.7569 5 Conquest Tizfire 30-1 Panici L Potts Ron G.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mahoning Valley Race Course - Race #1 - Post: 12:15pm - Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $10,100 Class Rating: 89

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 OSTENTATION (ML=9/2)
#8 CAN'T CATCH ME NOW (ML=15/1)
#6 WHITE GLADIATOR (ML=10/1)


OSTENTATION - When Rosario and Meyers work together on horses the win pct has been fantastic at 33. Have to make this gelding a strong challenger; he comes off a strong effort on December 5th. CAN'T CATCH ME NOW - If this gelding gets out of the gate cleanly, he'll be tough to catch. You may want to toss out that last event at Mahoning Valley Race Cour in the slop where he finished out of the money. Should do well right here without the off-track conditions. WHITE GLADIATOR - Gelding won on Oct 7th at this class and distance. This gelding is in superb form right now. Ended up third last race out and comes back quickly.

Vulnerable Contenders: #4 REPLAY (ML=8/5), #5 HAYWIRED (ML=5/2), #1 ZIPPLES (ML=8/1),

REPLAY - Didn't meet expectations when favored back to back. HAYWIRED - Has lost as the chalk twice in a row. A repeat is probably in store. ZIPPLES - This entrant just hasn't looked ready of late.



STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 OSTENTATION is the play if we get odds of 4/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [6,7,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Penn National
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Allowance - 5.5f on the Dirt. Purse: $28000 Class Rating: 93

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING, STARTER, OR PENNSYLVANIA BRED. THREE YEAR OLDS, 122 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE NOVEMBER 29 ALLOWED 2 LBS. A RACE SINCE OCTOBER 29 ALLOWED 4 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 6 DUTCH BLITZ 6/1

# 5 JUMP SHIFT 2/1

# 1 SPEIGHTSTOWN TIME 10/1

DUTCH BLITZ has a formidable shot to take this race. Ran a strong last race. He has garnered solid figures under today's conditions and will most likely fare well versus this field. Very strong jockey and conditioner combo winning 18 percent of their races working together. JUMP SHIFT - Should be used in the exotic bets. Has to be given consideration here on the basis of the figures in the speed department alone. SPEIGHTSTOWN TIME - Has solid Speed Figures and has to be considered for a bet in this race. The average Equibase class figure alone makes this horse a key contender.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Sunland Park
Sunland Park - Race 6

.50 Pick 4 (Races 6-7-8-9)/$1 Exacta/Trifecta/.10 Superfecta


Claiming $5,000 • 5 1/2 Furlongs • Dirt • Ages 3 and up • CR: 74 • Purse: $9,600 • Post: 2:35P
FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NOT WON TWO RACES SINCE JUNE 29, 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NOT WON A RACE SINCE SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON FOUR RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000 (CLAIMING RACES FOR $4,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED IN ELIGIBILITY).
Contenders

Race Analysis
P#
Horse
Morn
Line

Accept
Odds


Race Type: Dominant Front-runner. ENDLESS THYME is the Dominant Front-runner of the race. * KEY ANGLES * ENDLESS THYME: Horse has the highest TrackMaster Power Rating. Horse has the highest average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Class Rating at the distance/surface.
11
ENDLESS THYME
5/2

9/5




P#

Horse (In Running Style Order)

Post

Morn
Line

Running Style

Good
Class

Good
Speed

Early Figure

Finish Figure

Platinum
Figure
11
ENDLESS THYME
11

5/2
Front-runner
82

76

73.0

71.2

68.7
6
AMERICAN PROUD
6

20/1
Front-runner
76

68

63.4

48.8

34.8
9
CHEERZ TO CLARE
9

15/1
Stalker
60

66

61.2

57.6

45.6
3
ALIZARIN BEAUTY
3

4/1
Stalker
76

69

50.8

68.0

62.0
2
BUY LOW SELL HIGH
2

8/1
Alternator/Stalker
78

62

69.4

49.0

38.0
8
LEFT TRAIN
8

20/1
Alternator/Stalker
65

61

53.4

62.4

51.9
7
MULBERRY
7

7/2
Trailer
73

66

37.2

65.6

58.1
4
SINGING ALLI
4

6/1
Trailer
67

57

24.6

57.0

44.0
10
KATHY'S DAY RATE
10

12/1
Alternator/Non-contender
65

57

48.8

51.8

35.8
5
AMERICAN RAISA
5

20/1
Alternator/Non-contender
68

60

29.8

32.8

15.8
1
WINNIE CAPPELLA
1

30/1
Alternator/Non-contender
89

72

0.0

0.0

0.0

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by Top Horse Analytics at Tampa Bay Downs

12/29/18, TAM, Race 7, 3.22 ET
5 1/2F [Dirt] 1.02.04 CLAIMING. Purse $10,400.
Claiming Price $8,000 (Races where entered for $6,250 or less not considered in allowances). FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES
Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta ($.50 minimum) / Superfecta ($.10 minimum) - Pick 3 ($.50 minimum) (Races 7-8-9) / Pick 4 ($.50 minimum) (Races 7-8-9-10) - Super High 5
Top Horse - Races 63, Win Percent 25.40, $1 ROI 0.56, For Race Category Non-Maiden Dirt
Best in race - (J)ockey (T)rainer (S)peed (F)inish (E)arnings (W)orkouts (L)ead (C)loser
Rating Pgm# Horse Name M/L Jockey Trainer FLAGS
100.0000 9 Mind Bottling 8-1 Feliciano R Rini Anthony F. EL
099.7457 2 Mr. Top Fleet 5-1 Pedroza B Hinsley David H. FW
099.5228 5 A. P. d'Oro 9/2 Allen M Ward Dennis
098.5591 4 Mulled Wine 10-1 Spieth S Gonzalez Aldana T
098.2800 1 Easter Vigil 6-1 Gallardo A A Decker Kenneth J
096.8372 3 Flat Zapper 5/2 Mena R Lopez Bernardo G. C
096.6971 8 Call Me Handsome 8-1 Hamilton Q Yanez Moises R.
096.0713 6 Vive Le Roi 6-1 Martinez O Westlye Kenneth
093.7593 7 Rollin 20-1 Garcia J A Jones Kelly D. S

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Turfway Park
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 4 - Claiming - 8.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $6100 Class Rating: 67

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 123 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE NOVEMBER 29 ALLOWED 3 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $5,000


RECOMMENDED CHOICES
The Walker Group Picks

# 7 DOMINUS VOBISCUM 10/1

# 4 EVERYDAY ICE 3/1

# 2 LOVE TOTEM 10/1

DOMINUS VOBISCUM has a solid shot to take this contest and is a very good value bet given the line at 10/1. Have to love when any horse makes a quick return to the races. Earning some nice paychecks in dirt route races. EVERYDAY ICE - Corderolopez has this filly racing well and is a very good choice based on the decent speed figures earned in route races lately. Is a solid choice - given the 65 speed rating from her most recent race. LOVE TOTEM - The Equibase Speed Figure of 58 from her last affair looks respectable in here.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Michigan, Florida will meet in Peach
Associated Press

The Peach Bowl will match a couple teams very familiar with each other.

Michigan and Florida will square off for the third time in four seasons when they meet Dec. 29 in Atlanta. The Wolverines won the previous two meetings, along with bowl games against the Gators in 2003 and 2008.

For the eighth-ranked Wolverines (10-2, No. 7 CFP), the game is a consolation prize after their College Football Playoff hopes were crushed in a 62-39 loss at Ohio State last week.

A berth in a New Year's Six game is a remarkable accomplishment for Dan Mullen and his 10th-ranked Gators (9-3, No. 10 CFP). Mullen's first Florida team has won five more games than it did a year ago and finished second to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.

Jim McElwain, who was the Wolverines receivers coach this season, was the Gators head coach for the last two meetings. McElwain was announced as Central Michigan's new coach on Sunday and won't be around to help the Wolverines get ready to face his old team.

''I know guys we've competed against who are there,'' Harbaugh said. ''Looking forward to watching how they've developed, and mainly just looking forward to the preparation of the game.''

In the last Michigan-Florida game, the Wolverines defense allowed just 192 yards and three points in a 33-17 win in the 2017 opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Gators defense scored two touchdowns.

Harbaugh's team also won 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl following the 2015 season.

This game will match two strong defensive teams. Michigan, despite giving up 567 yards to Ohio State, still ranks No. 1 in total defense, holding eight opponents under 300 yards and five to 10 points or fewer.

Florida's Jachai Polite and Jabari Zuniga have combined for 16 1/2 sacks and 27 tackles for loss after combining for six sacks and 13 1/2 TFLs in 2017.

''I'm proud of our team of how they have embraced everything this year and finished strong and now they get the reward of playing in a high-profile bowl game for the opportunity to win 10 games,'' Mullen said.

FRAGILE MENTAL STATE?

Harbaugh said he wasn't concerned about the possibility of his team allowing the devastating loss to Ohio State to lead to an emotional letdown for the bowl.

''Our players have played a great season, the coaches have coached a great season,'' Harbaugh said. ''We've overcome every adversity. Nothing changes. Just means the work isn't done.''

GOING FOR TEN

A win would give Florida a 10th win in a season for the 15th time and first since 2015. Mullen would become the 11th coach in SEC history to win 10 games in his first season, and he would join Auburn's Gus Malzahn (2013) as the only other coach to do it after inheriting a team that won fewer than five games the year prior to his arrival.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

The Gators' best win was 27-19 over then-No. 5 LSU in Gainesville on Oct. 6, a week after they went on the road and beat then-No. 23 Mississippi State.

Michigan bounced back from a 24-17 season-opening loss at Notre Dame to win 10 straight, beating three straight ranked opponents in Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State.

GARY A NO-GO

Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary, who announced last week he would declare for the NFL draft, will not play in the bowl, Harbaugh said.

Gary was the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2016, and he is projected to be an early draft pick. A shoulder problem limited him to nine games this season.

MCDANIELS TO COACH RECEIVERS

Offensive analyst Ben McDaniels will coach the receivers in place of McElwain. McDaniels was offensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2015 and was an analyst for the Chicago Bears for two years before joining the Wolverines staff.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Clemson draws Notre Dame in Cotton
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Clemson played Notre Dame during a hurricane on the way to its first College Football Playoff appearance.

Now the ACC champion Tigers (13-0, No. 2 CFP) are in football's final four for the fourth season in a row, and taking on playoff first-timer Notre Dame (12-0, No. 3 CFP) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29.

The national semifinal will be the first meeting for the teams since that October 2015 game, when Clemson won 24-22 at home while playing in heavy rains from Hurricane Joaquin as it hit the East Coast.

''I will never forget that game,'' Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday. ''It was an amazing game. Both teams truly left it all on the field. We played in a hurricane, literally a hurricane. ... They were an amazing opponent. And I think, you know, both teams walked away from the game with great respect for each other.''

When they play again for a spot in the national championship game, there will be no concerns about the weather. The Cotton Bowl is played at AT&T Stadium, which has a retractable roof.

Notre Dame has its first undefeated regular season since 2012 when the Irish were 12-0 before losing 42-14 to Alabama in the BCS national championship game.

While Notre Dame is the first independent team to make the playoff, the Irish went undefeated with 10 wins over Power Five teams. That included five ACC teams, four of them that Clemson also beat this season.

''They have been a model of consistency. We'll have a great challenge but one that we're excited about,'' Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. ''We've been on a journey here the last couple years to put our football team back in this position. So we're certainly excited for the challenge that's in front of us.''

Clemson has never played at the home stadium of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, which hosted the first national championship game in the CFP era in 2014. The bowl last served as a semifinal three years ago, when Alabama beat Michigan State 38-0.

The Tigers' only Cotton Bowl was on Jan. 1, 1940, a 6-3 win over Boston College.

Notre Dame last played in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day 1994, beating Texas A&M when the game was still in its namesake stadium about 20 miles away at the site of the State Fair of Texas. The Fighting Irish are 5-2 in Cotton Bowl games.

The Irish were off Saturday when the Tigers were beating Pittsburgh 42-10 to win their fourth consecutive ACC championship game exactly 10 years after Swinney was hired as their coach.

Clemson didn't make the first playoff in 2014, but has been in every year since. The Tigers made the championship game in 2015 and 2016, losing to Alabama the first time before beating the Crimson Tide two years ago.

SEC champion Alabama (13-0, No. 1 CFP), the only team that has made the playoff every year, plays Oklahoma (12-1, No. 4 CFP) in the other semifinal game Dec. 29 in the Orange Bowl. The Sooners, in their third playoff, won the Big 12 championship over Texas on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

The semifinal winners play in the national championship game Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California.

The Fighting Irish have played at AT&T Stadium once, beating Arizona State 37-34 in October 2013.

This will be only the fourth meeting between Clemson and Notre Dame, the first in a bowl game. The Irish won in 1977. The Tigers won in 1979 and again in 2015 when Deshaun Watson threw two TDs and ran for another score.

''To watch those kids battle, it was one of those games you remember because it was college football at its best,'' Kelly said. ''And, again, it will be similar, right? It will come down to a couple of plays, and every great college game somebody has got to make a play. Clemson made a couple more plays in that game.''

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bama, OU to meet in Orange Bowl
Associated Press

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Alabama was the easy pick. Oklahoma was the difficult choice.

They're on equal footing now.

Top-seeded Alabama (13-0) will continue its quest for a second consecutive national championship in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29, when the Crimson Tide will take on the fourth-seeded Sooners (12-1) - who got to the College Football Playoff semifinals on the strength of their Big 12 championship win over Texas.

''Sooner Nation, we just got some great news,'' Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said in a video posted to Twitter shortly after the announcement was made.

The Crimson Tide knew they were headed to the playoff. What the defending champions don't know is who will be at quarterback for their semifinal matchup.

Alabama starter Tua Tagovailoa was diagnosed Sunday with a high right ankle sprain, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. When Tagovailoa went down in the Southeastern Conference title game Saturday - a game where Alabama had to rally past Georgia - the Tide turned to former starter Jalen Hurts, who threw for one touchdown and then ran for the winning TD with about a minute left.

Tagovailoa will be scoped in an effort to accelerate the ankle's healing process, and Saban said Alabama is thinking his recovery could take two weeks.

''We're hopeful that by the time we get started in practice, he'll be ready to go,'' Saban said.

Oddsmakers don't seemed worried, and listed Alabama as about a two-touchdown favorite.

''We've got a lot of respect for the team that we're getting ready to play, no question about that,'' Riley said. ''But we've got a formula that we believe in and we've got a program that's used to winning and players that are used to winning. We know it's going to be a great challenge, but we're going to go prepare like we do and our goal will be for us to be at our very best.''

Ohio State, Georgia and even UCF all felt deserving of a spot, but the selection committee obviously believed Oklahoma's resume was the best off that long list of contenders for the fourth and final entry into the playoff.

''There was a lot of debate about Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State,'' CFP committee chairman Rob Mullens said. ''The debate was deep, detailed, and occasionally contentious. There was division.''

Alabama has won 15 consecutive games, starting with its two wins in last season's playoff. Oklahoma's only defeat this season was to Texas, a 48-45 game on a neutral field in Dallas on Oct. 6 - and the Sooners won the rematch in Saturday's Big 12 title game, 39-27.

''Oklahoma was ranked No. 4 because they're a one-loss conference champion with a dynamic offense,'' Mullens said.

It's a matchup of the two highest-scoring teams in the nation this season. Oklahoma, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Kyler Murray, averages 49.5 points per game. Alabama averages 47.9 points per game.

Murray has faced Alabama once before: He was 2 for 4 passing for Texas A&M in a game against the Tide in 2015.

''I think he's about as dynamic as any player I've seen all season long,'' Saban said.

Alabama is going to the Orange Bowl for the ninth time. This will be Oklahoma's 20th trip to the Orange Bowl, extending the Sooners' record for most appearances in the game.

Alabama-Oklahoma got slotted for the Orange Bowl instead of the Cotton Bowl in part because of how close the Sooners' home is to Dallas. It would have largely been a home game for Oklahoma had this matchup been in the Cotton Bowl.

''I didn't have a preference at all,'' Saban said. ''I knew that we would be playing a good team in a first-class venue, wherever we played.''

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Saban: 3 Alabama players suspended
Associated Press


MIAMI (AP) Alabama has suspended starting left guard Deonte Brown and two other players from the Orange Bowl for violating unspecified team rules.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said in a statement that Brown, tight end Kedrick James and offensive lineman Elliot Baker didn't make the trip to Miami on Monday.

Top-ranked Alabama faces Oklahoma Saturday night in the College Football Playoff semifinal game.

Saban didn't indicate the duration of the suspensions or whether they might extend to the national championship game if Alabama wins.

Brown replaced Lester Cotton as the starter in midseason. Brown has been dealing with a turf toe injury.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Clemson DT Lawrence faces ban
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and two other players failed NCAA tests for performance enhancing drugs and might not play in the Cotton Bowl against No. 3 Notre Dame.

Swinney said at a news conference Monday at AT&T Stadium that the NCAA informed Clemson trace amounts of ostarine were found in samples given by Lawrence, reserve offensive tackle Zach Giella and freshman tight end Braden Galloway. Ostarine, also known as enobosarm, is used to treat osteoporosis, but can also act like an anabolic steroid.

Swinney said the players told him they had not intentionally taken the substance. Clemson is awaiting results of a second sample from each player. The NCAA ban for failing a PED test is one calendar year.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Long Sheet

Saturday, December 29

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ARKANSAS ST (8 - 4) vs. NEVADA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARKANSAS ST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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FLORIDA (9 - 3) vs. MICHIGAN (10 - 2) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
FLORIDA is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992.
MICHIGAN is 30-49 ATS (-23.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
MICHIGAN is 1-0 against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
MICHIGAN is 1-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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S CAROLINA (7 - 5) vs. VIRGINIA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
S CAROLINA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
S CAROLINA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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OKLAHOMA (12 - 1) vs. ALABAMA (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ALABAMA is 81-56 ATS (+19.4 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
ALABAMA is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1992.
ALABAMA is 58-34 ATS (+20.6 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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NOTRE DAME (12 - 0) vs. CLEMSON (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEMSON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEMSON is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.