Wednesday 1-1-20 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 06:46 AM

Michigan Wolverines vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Preview and Predictions 01-01-2020VRBO CITRUS BOWL STORYLINES

1. No. 9 Alabama looks to get over the disappointment of missing out on the College Football Playoff for the first time when it faces 17th-ranked Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 in Orlando, Fla. The Crimson Tide appeared in all five previous editions of the playoff, winning national championships in 2015 and 2017, and seemed poised to earn another berth, but losses to top-ranked LSU (46-41) and No. 13 Auburn (48-45) in the month of November derailed their championship ambitions. "Everybody has to refocus their mindset when playing in this game," Alabama coach Nick Saban told reporters. "I think we have a lot of reasons to play well so we can vindicate some of the disappointments we had in our season."

2. Michigan hopes to end a disappointing campaign with a signature win after suffering another blowout loss to No. 2 Ohio State. The Wolverines failed up to live up to their lofty preseason expectations as they dropped a pair of games to No. 11 Wisconsin and 12th-ranked Penn State to bow out of the race for the Big Ten championship before getting routed by the Buckeyes 56-27, which was their eighth straight loss in the rivalry, and aim to placate a frustrated fan base by registering their first bowl win since Jan. 1, 2016. "We lost some big games this year, but this is just another opportunity to play a big-time team," Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson told reporters. "To put that on the resume for this season would be huge."

3. The Crimson Tide have fared well against Big Ten opponents recently, compiling a 7-1 overall record since 2010, and hope to continue their dominance in their first meeting with Michigan since a 41-14 win in the Advocare Classic in 2012. Alabama will be without linebacker Terrell Lewis and cornerback Trevon Diggs, who both opted to sit out the game to prepare for the NFL Draft, but received a big boost with the news that wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith will all play despite being projected to be drafted in the first round. Michigan will have a full complement of players at its disposal after defensive stars Rashan Gary and Devin Bush, who were drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, sat out last year's Peach Bowl loss to Florida.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Alabama -7

ABOUT MICHIGAN (9-3): Shea Patterson accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl after overcoming a sluggish start of the season to finish with 2,828 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, including 10 TDs in his last three games. Junior wide receivers Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones could be playing their last game for the Wolverines as they mull over a decision to go pro while senior defensive stalwarts Lavert Hill and Khaleke Hudson are suiting up for the last time. Right guard Ben Bredeson was named a third-team All American by the Associated Press while wide receiver Tarik Black, who battled foot injuries for the previous two years, will miss the game after revealing that he entered the transfer portal.

ABOUT ALABAMA (10-2): Mac Jones will make his third consecutive start after Tua Tagovailoa dislocated his right hip in the 38-7 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 16, and might have played his last game for the Crimson Tide, as he will decide whether to declare for the NFL Draft in the upcoming weeks. Jeudy was named to the All-SEC first team after hauling in 71 passes for 959 yards and nine touchdowns. Running back Najee Harris, who chose the Crimson Tide over the Wolverines in a fierce recruiting battle, racked up 1,088 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with 27 receptions for 304 and seven scores.

PREDICTION: Alabama 42, Michigan 31

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 06:46 AM

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Auburn Tigers Preview and Predictions 01-01-2020

OUTBACK BOWL STORYLINES

1. Auburn takes on Minnesota in the Outback Bowl at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Day in a matchup of teams who made big improvements in 2019 and came close to special seasons. Minnesota, which has already earned its most victories since 2003, won its first nine this season before dropping two of the past three and coming up just short of a trip to the Big Ten championship game after winning 12 games combined in coach P.J. Fleck's first two seasons. The Tigers lost three games - all against top seven teams in the final coaches' poll - by a total of 21 points and finished the regular season with a 48-45 victory over rival and No. 9 Alabama in the Iron Bowl to reach nine wins - two more than 2018.

2. There is plenty of star power on the defensive side of the ball for each team, including a pair of Consensus All-Americans with Auburn senior defensive lineman Derrick Brown and Minnesota sophomore defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. Brown, who joins senior defensive back Jeremiah Dinson (79 tackles) and senior defensive end Marlon Davidson (7.5 sacks) on a team ranked 19th in the nation in total defense, has 50 tackles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries. Winfield is fourth in the nation with seven interceptions and leads the team with 83 tackles as the Golden Gophers ranked 15th in the country in total defense.

3. Two talented young quarterbacks will be looking to finish off outstanding seasons in their first full campaign behind center as Minnesota sophomore Tanner Morgan battles against Auburn freshman Bo Nix. Morgan played in the Golden Gophers' 34-10 over Georgia Tech at the Quick Lane Bowl last season, throwing for two touchdowns, and came back to pass for 2,975 yards and 28 TDs in 2019 while completing 66.1 percent of his attempts. Nix beat eventual Pac-12 champion Oregon in his collegiate debut with a brilliant late drive before going on to pass for 2,366 yards along with 15 touchdowns and run for another 301 and seven scores.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Auburn -7

ABOUT MINNESOTA (10-2): Morgan has been blessed with two of the best receivers in the nation as senior Tyler Johnson boasts 74 catches for 1,114 yards and 11 TDs while sophomore Rashod Bateman made 57 receptions for 1,170 yards and 11 scores. The rushing attack has also been a factor for the Golden Gophers as senior running back Rodney Smith finished the regular season with 1,094 yards along with eight TDs on the ground while sophomore Mohamed Ibrahim and senior Shannon Brooks have each run for more than 400 yards. Kamal Martin (66 tackles, two interceptions) announced he will forego playing in the Outback Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft, but fellow senior linebacker Carter Coughlin (44 tackles, 4.5 sacks) is expected to play.

ABOUT AUBURN (9-3): Nix has completed 57 percent of his passes overall with six interceptions, but did not get picked off in any of the last four games - and once in six contests since having three versus Florida. Sophomore forward Seth Williams is the top target for Nix with 55 catches for 801 yards and eight touchdowns while sophomore JaTarvious Whitlow (739 yards, nine touchdowns) and freshman D.J. Williams (387, two) lead the ground attack as the Tigers try to reach 10 wins for the second time in three years. Auburn offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham has left to take the same position at Florida State and recently fired Arkansas coach Chad Morris was hired to take his place, but coach Gus Malzahn is expected to call the plays.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 31, Auburn 24

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 06:46 AM

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Oregon Ducks Preview and Predictions 01-01-2020

ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

1. Wisconsin spent the early part of this decade coming up just short in bowl games and the last half of it making up for those difficult setbacks. The 11th-ranked Badgers enter their New Year's Day showdown at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., against No. 6 Oregon in search of a sixth straight bowl victory - a winning streak that followed a four-game postseason skid. Three of those defeats came by one score in succession at the Rose Bowl from 2010-12, including a 45-38 loss to the Ducks on Jan. 2, 2012.

2. Badgers junior Jonathan Taylor ranks sixth all-time with 6,080 career rushing yards and could be playing his final college game as he wrestles with the decision to turn pro. Entering the postseason, the two-time Doak Walker Award winner needs to outrush Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard by 28 yards to become the first player since Texas' Ricky Williams to lead the country in rushing in back-to-back years. He also finds himself 91 yards away from joining former Iowa State great Troy Davis as the only players in FBS history to run for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons.

3. Oregon's Justin Herbert heads into his final college game as the nation's active leader with 95 career touchdown passes - the sixth-best mark in Pac-12 history. The Campbell Trophy winner turned down a chance to be a high first-round pick in the NFL Draft last winter in order to spend one more year bringing the program he watched as a kid back to national prominence. Herbert can become only the third quarterback in the last 100 years to lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl win with a victory over Wisconsin.

TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Wisconsin -2.5

ABOUT WISCONSIN (10-3): Junior quarterback Jack Coan (2,541 passing yards, 17 TDs, four interceptions) owns the third-best passer rating in the Big Ten (156.11) and is ranked eighth in FBS in completion percentage (70.1). Junior wideout Quintez Cephus (team-high marks of 52 catches, 842 receiving yards and six receiving TDs) turned it on over Wisconsin's final two games, combining for 12 receptions and 236 yards against No. 16 Minnesota and in a 34-21 loss to second-ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. The Badgers own the eighth-stingiest run defense in the country (102.4 yards) and boast two of the conference's most productive pass rushers in senior linebackers Zack Baun (12.5 sacks, second in the Big Ten) and Chris Orr (11.5, third).

ABOUT OREGON (11-2): Sophomore running back CJ Verdell (1,171 yards rushing) had the unenviable task of facing the nation's top rush defense in the Pac-12 championship game and promptly erupted for 208 yards and three TDs on 18 carries in a 37-15 upset of No. 10 Utah. One of the most important components of the success Herbert and Verdell enjoyed this season is sophomore left tackle Penei Sewell, who became the first player in Oregon history to win the Outland Trophy. Junior wideout Johnny Johnson III (team-high marks of 55 catches, 818 receiving yards and seven receiving TDs) is riding a four-game scoring streak after finishing with six catches for 87 yards and a touchdown versus the Utes.

PREDICTION: Wisconsin 27, Oregon 20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 06:47 AM

Baylor Bears vs. Georgia Bulldogs Preview and Predictions 01-01-2020

ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL STORYLINES

1. Eighth-ranked Baylor heads to the Sugar Bowl to face No. 5 Georgia on Jan. 1 in New Orleans with the hope that junior quarterback Charlie Brewer will be able to play after he left the Big 12 championship game with a possible concussion during the second quarter of the 30-23 overtime loss to fourth-ranked Oklahoma. "He's in the (concussion) protocol," Baylor coach Matt Rhule told reporters as the Bears returned to practice. "It's just step by step. It's really all up to the doctors." Brewer passed for 2,950 yards and 20 touchdowns, and rushed for 10 scores while directing a Baylor offense that averaged 35.2 points.

2. The Bulldogs are back in the Sugar Bowl for the second consecutive season and, like last season, come to New Orleans after the disappointment of losing the SEC championship game and missing the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs played poorly and never led in last season's 28-21 loss to Texas, and will play this Sugar Bowl without starting offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson, both of whom have declared for the NFL draft. "What I found out last year was that for a lot of kids, it was the most important game of their season and meant so much to them, and then maybe for some others it didn't," Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters in mid-December.

3. Georgia gave up 37 points to top-ranked LSU in the SEC championship game, but the Bulldogs have played defense at an elite level most of the season, ranking second nationally in points allowed (12.5 per game) and third in rushing defense (75.7 yards). "They're a great team, and have as good a defense as we've ever seen," Rhule told reporters. Baylor also has experienced plenty of success on defense this season as it leads the Big 12 and ranks 16th nationally in scoring defense (19.3 points) while recovering 13 fumbles (tied for third nationally).

TV: 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia -7

ABOUT BAYLOR (11-2): Redshirt freshman quarterback Gerry Bohanon hurt his knee against Oklahoma after relieving Brewer, but freshman Jacob Zeno completed two passes for 159 yards in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Junior running back John Lovett (637 yards) and senior JaMycal Hasty (614 yards) lead the rushing attack, while senior receiver Denzel Mims is second in the league and 13th nationally with 11 touchdown receptions. Junior defensive lineman James Lynch was named to the Walter Camp All-America team after recording a school-record 12.5 sacks on the season to give him 21 for his career, while junior safety Grayland Arnold leads the Bears with six interceptions.

ABOUT GEORGIA (11-2): Junior running back D'Andre Swift has rushed for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns, but suffered a shoulder injury against Georgia Tech and only rushed twice for 13 yards against LSU. Junior quarterback Jake Fromm has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 2,610 yards and 22 touchdowns, but will be without two key targets as senior Lawrence Cager and freshman Dominick Blaylock (nine combined TDs) are out with injuries. The defense is led by senior defensive back J.R. Reed, who landed on the Walter Camp All-America team, and junior linebacker Monty Rice, while senior kicker Rodrigo Blankenship won the Lou Groza Award.

PREDICTION: Georgia 24, Baylor 20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:00 AM

263MICHIGAN -264 ALABAMA
ALABAMA is 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) after gaining 450 or more total yards in 5 consecutive games since 1992.

267WISCONSIN -268 OREGON
OREGON is 20-3 ATS (16.7 Units) in road games after leading their last 2 games by 14+ points at the half since 1992.

269BAYLOR -270 GEORGIA
GEORGIA is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) after an ATS loss over the last 2 seasons.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:01 AM

NCAAF
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 1

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MICHIGAN (9 - 3) vs. ALABAMA (10 - 2) - 1/1/2020, 1:00:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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MINNESOTA (10 - 2) vs. AUBURN (9 - 3) - 1/1/2020, 1:00:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

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

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WISCONSIN (10 - 3) vs. OREGON (11 - 2) - 1/1/2020, 5:00:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON is 48-24 ATS (+21.6 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.
OREGON is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
OREGON is 61-37 ATS (+20.3 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
WISCONSIN is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
WISCONSIN is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) after a bye week since 1992.

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

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BAYLOR (11 - 2) vs. GEORGIA (11 - 2) - 1/1/2020, 8:45:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGIA is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.
GEORGIA is 34-13 ATS (+19.7 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1992.
GEORGIA is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BAYLOR is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
BAYLOR is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

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

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:02 AM

NCAAF

Bowl Season

Trend Report

Wednesday, January 1

Michigan @ Alabama
Michigan
Michigan is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Michigan is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Alabama
Alabama is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games

Minnesota @ Auburn
Minnesota
Minnesota is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Auburn
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Auburn's last 5 games
Auburn is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games

Oregon @ Wisconsin
Oregon
Oregon is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oregon's last 7 games
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Wisconsin's last 5 games

Georgia @ Baylor
Georgia
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Georgia's last 8 games
Georgia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Baylor
Baylor is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Baylor is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:03 AM

NCAAF

Bowl Season

Jan 1- Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Alabama is out of national playoff for first time in six years; they’re playing with a backup QB. Crimson Tide scored 45 points at Auburn with the backup playing, turning ball over three times. Bama lost two of last three I-A games (46-41/48-45); they scored 35+ points in every game TY. Three of their last four games went over. In their last three games, Michigan threw ball for 1,055 yards, ran it for 271. Wolverines scored 38+ points in seven of their nine wins; they’re 2-3 scoring less than 38. Wolverines are 4-8 ATS in last 12 games as an underdog, 1-2 TY. Over is 7-3 in their last ten games. Michigan lost its last three bowls, giving up 33.3 ppg; their last bowl win was here, four years ago. Underdogs won last two Sugar Bowls; average total in last five: 45.

Outback Bowl, Tampa
Minnesota lost two of last three games after starting season 9-0; Gophers allowed less than 300 yards in their last six wins, 518/453 in their two losses- under Fleck, they’re 8-9-1 ATS as an underdog, 2-2 TY. Five of their last six games went over. Minnesota won its last three bowls, allowing 12 ppg, but they’re moving little bit up bowl ladder here; average total in their last five bowls, 39.2. Last nine times Auburn beat Alabama, they went 6-3 ATS in their bowl that year; they lost three of last five bowls, but crushed Purdue 63-14 LY. Auburn lost this bowl 34-31 to Wisconsin in ’14. Tigers are 10-12-2 ATS in last 24 games as a favorite, 4-2 TY. Four of their last five games went under. Dogs covered three of last five Outback Bowls, with average total, 48.6.

Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Wisconsin won four of its last five games, losing 34-21 to Ohio State in the Big 14 title game. Badgers scored 24+ points in their wins, 23 or less in their three losses; they’re 11-5 ATS in last 16 games as a single digit favorite, 3-1 TY. Four of their last five games went over. Wisconsin won its last five bowls (average total 49); they were underdog in three of them. Oregon won 11 of last 12 games; they’re 4-12-1 ATS in last 17 games as an underdog, 1-1 TY. Four of their last five games went over. Ducks lost three of last four bowls, winning Redbox Bowl 7-6 LY; average total in their last five bowls: 61.6. Favorites are 3-2 ATS in last five Rose Bowls, last three of which were decided by 5 or fewer points or in OT. Average total in last five Rose Bowls: 78.8.

Sugar Bowl, New Orleans
Baylor split last four games after a 9-0 start, with both losses to Oklahoma; Bears covered seven of last nine games as an underdog, 4-0 TY. Bears are 4-2 TY in games decided by seven or fewer points. Baylor won its last three bowls, all as an underdog; dogs covered their last five bowls, with average total: 78. Georgia is 11-2 TY, but was held under 300 TY in three of last four games; they completed only 48% of passes in their last three games. Georgia is 17-7 ATS in last 24 games as a single digit favorite (2-0 TY). Seven of their last eight games stayed under the total. Dawgs lost their last two bowls; two of their last three bowls went to OT. Favorites covered three of last four Sugar Bowls; average total in this game the last five years: 55.6.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:04 AM

NCAAF
Dunkel

Bowl Season

Wednesday, January 1

Michigan @ Alabama

Game 263-264
January 1, 2020 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Michigan
105.876
Alabama
114.983
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Alabama
by 9
55
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Alabama
by 7
59
Dunkel Pick:
Alabama
(-7); Under

Minnesota @ Auburn

Game 265-266
January 1, 2020 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
98.560
Auburn
109.021
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Auburn
by 10 1/2
50
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Auburn
by 7
53
Dunkel Pick:
Auburn
(-7); Under

Wisconsin @ Oregon

Game 267-268
January 1, 2020 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Wisconsin
107.920
Oregon
108.360
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oregon
by 1
55
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Wisconsin
by 2 1/2
51
Dunkel Pick:
Oregon
(+2 1/2); Over

Baylor @ Georgia

Game 269-270
January 1, 2020 @ 8:45 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baylor
106.027
Georgia
109.958
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Georgia
by 4
54
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Georgia
by 7
41
Dunkel Pick:
Baylor
(+7); Over

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:05 AM

Nick Saban and Alabama reached the College Football Playoff in each of its first five years, but missed out this season, The Crimson Tide are 7-point favorites against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

Much of the college football talk this past week centered on the four-team College Football Playoff and the other four New Year’s Six bowl games. But there are plenty of other interesting matchups spread across the holiday season. Covers checks in on the opening lines and early action for a handful of games, and provides a complete list of every other matchup, with insights from oddsmaker Matt Lindeman at Circa Sports in Las Vegas.

Citrus Bowl

(14) MICHIGAN VS (13) ALABAMA (-6.5)

Alabama lost quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a hip injury in mid-November in a blowout win at Mississippi State, which might have kept Nick Saban’s squad out of the CFP. Two weeks later at Auburn, the Crimson Tide (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) fell just short 48-45 as 3.5-point favorites.

Had ‘Bama won that Iron Bowl matchup, it would’ve been interesting to see how the CFP selection committee rated the Tide against one-loss Oklahoma.

Michigan had a nice October/November stretch in which it won four in a row SU and five consecutive ATS, but the regular season ended with a big thud at the Big House. The Wolverines (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS) got trucked by Ohio State 56-27 as 9-point home underdogs.

“We opened this number at ‘Bama -6.5. As you could expect, there isn't a ton of Michigan interest early, and ‘Bama money has driven us up to -7,” Lindeman said of this New Year’s Day game. “We've also seen a flood of Over money that's pushed the total up from 54.5 to 59.5. This is an intriguing game, because both teams could potentially have players sitting out in preparation for the NFL Draft.

“Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines didn't show any interest in their bowl game against Florida last season,” Lindeman added, alluding to a 41-15 Peach Bowl loss. “But the Crimson Tide have questionable motivation after missing out on the playoff for the first time in years.”

Outback Bowl

(18) MINNESOTA VS (12) AUBURN (-7)

Heading into Week 12, Minnesota was surprisingly undefeated and in the Big Ten title chase, and therefore was a possible CFP contender if things broke right. But they didn’t. The Golden Gophers (10-2 SU, 7-4-1 ATS) lost at Iowa that week, and in the regular-season finale two weeks later, they tumbled at home to Wisconsin 38-17 as 3-point pups.

Auburn faced a stretch of SEC games in which it traveled to Florida and LSU, then hosted Georgia in a span of six weeks, and Gus Malzahn’s troops lost all three games. However, the Tigers (9-3 SU and ATS) finished the regular season with a big exclamation point, outlasting Alabama 48-45 catching 3.5 points at home in the Iron Bowl.

“There has been some Auburn support early, as they've bet the game from -7 to -7.5,” Lindeman said. “P.J. Fleck's squad has been a pleasant surprise this year, but doesn't quite stack up to Auburn from a talent standpoint. This could be one of the best defenses Minnesota has faced yet.”

Lindeman said the total spiked from Sunday’s opener of 49 up to 52.5 by Saturday, with Over money coming in early for this Jan. 1 affair.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:06 AM

Bowl Tech Trends - Week 3
Bruce Marshall

Wednesday, January 1

MICHIGAN vs. ALABAMA (Citrus Bowl)...Harbaugh covered 5 of last 6 TY but Wolverines 0-3 SU and vs. line last three bowls and Harbaugh just 3-4 in rare dog role since 2015. Michigan also “over” 10-4 since late 2018. Saban 3-7 vs. spread last ten bowls, Tide 7-4 vs. spread last 11 vs. non-SEC, 11-6 “over” since late 2018.
“Over” and slight to Alabama, based on “totals” and team trends.

MINNESOTA vs. AUBURN (Outback Bowl)...Gophers cooled a bit at end of season (0-2-1 vs. line L3) after 9-0 SU break from gate. Fleck however 0-2-1 vs. spread non-league TY. Gophers 3-0 SU and vs. line last three bowls (two of those with Claeys). Gus on 10-3 spread uptick since late 2018, and has covered last six vs. non-SEC.
Slight to Auburn, based on team trends.

WISCONSIN vs. OREGON (Rose Bowl)...Ducks covered 4 of last 5 away from Eugene TY, though hasn’t covered in its last four bowl trips. Badgers 9-5 vs. line since late 2018 and have won and covered in their last five bowls. and 6-1 vs. spread last seven away from Madison.
Wisconsin, based on team trends.

BAYLOR vs. GEORGIA (Sugar Bowl)...Matt Rhule on 13-5 spread run since late 2018, also 8-0 last eight as dog. Dawgs had covered 5 straight bowls/playoffs before loss to Texas In Sugar LY. Kirby Smart also on 12-3 “under” run.
Baylor and “under” based on team and “totals” trends.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:08 AM

Wednesday's Bowl Tip Sheet
Joe Williams

Citrus Bowl (ABC, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Michigan vs. Alabama

-- The Michigan Wolverines (9-3 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) from the Big Ten Conference will ring in the new year with the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2 straight up, 6-6 against the spread) from the Southeastern Conference in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. at Camping World Stadium.

-- Michigan regitered a few nice victories during the season, including wins over bowl teams Iowa, Illinois, Michigan State and Indiana, as well as a 45-14 whitewashing of Notre Dame back on Oct. 26. However, they also showed how far away they are from the College Football Playoffs, as they were blown out 35-14 at Wisconsin on Sept. 21, and 56-27 in the season finale on their home field against rival Ohio State, while also slipping 28-21 at Penn State on Oct. 19. That blowout loss to the Buckeyes snapped a 5-0 ATS run from Oct. 19-Nov. 23. They also closed on a 3-0 'over' streak, and 6-1 run in the final seven.

-- Alabama is a perennial national championship contender, and anything less than an appearance in the playoffs is viewed as a huge disappointment. That's where the Crimson Tide appeared to be rolling, even after a 46-41 loss to LSU on Nov. 9. Certainly the Tide gave the Tigers their biggest test of the season. However, that made the road to the CFP much more difficult since a trip to the SEC Championship Game was off the table, and a 48-45 loss at Auburn in the finale blocked the road completely. They ended up just 2-2 ATS in the final four, and 5-6 ATS in their final 11 of the season.

-- Each of these teams obviously have long and extensive bowl histories. The Wolverines have enjoyed their previous appearances in Orlando, as Jim Harbaugh's group squeezed Florida 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016. They also topped Florida 41-35 when the bowl was called the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2008. They made back-to-back appearances in this bowl in 2001 and 2002, topping Auburn and losing to Tennessee in 2002. They topped Arkansas 45-31 on Jan. 1, 1999, too.

-- These teams have met a handful of times during bowl season. The last time was a duel between the Tide's RB Shaun Alexander and the Wolverines with QB Tom Brady. The result was a 35-34 win by Michigan in overtime as a result of a missed extra point. They also met in the Outback Bowl, with the Tide coming out on top by a 17-14 score on Jan. 1, 1997, while the Wolverines won the Hall of Fame Bowl (now Outback) on Jan. 1, 1988 by a 28-24 margin. So Alabama will be looking to even the all-time ledger in bowl games at 2-2.

-- Alabama ranked seventh in total yards with 513.5 per game, while checking in third in passing yards per game at 343.5. They weren't particularly special rushing the football, ranking 57th with 170.0 yards per game, but they were second in the country with 48.3 PPG. Defensively they were solid as usual, ranking 17th in total yards (318.8), 10th in passing yards (183.4) and 36th in rushing yards (135.3) allowed while yielding 18.8 PPG to rank 15th.

-- Of course, QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) was under center for a majority of that time. He will skip this bowl game, and it will be QB Mac Jones leading the way. The team will be without CB Trevon Diggs and LB Terrell Lewis, who elected to skip the game to prepare for the NFL Draft, but projected first-rounders WRs Henry Ruggs III, Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith will also suit up for Nick Saban's group.

-- Michigan wasn't quite as dangerous on offense, ranking an average 68th in total yards (402.7), while ending up 50th in passing yards (252.3) and rushing yards (150.3), while scoring 33.0 PPG to check in 38th. Defensively, they had it on lockdown, ranking seventh in total yards allowed (293.9), while finishing fifth in passing yards (173.8) allowed, 23rd in rushing yards allowed (120.2) and 18th in points allowed (19.5).

-- Michigan hasn't won a neutral-site or road game against an Associated Press Top 15 team in each of the past 19 outings since head coach Lloyd Carr's final game against Florida in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2008, 41-35.

-- The Wolverines are 4-1 ATS in the past five games against winning teams, while going 5-1 ATS in the past six games overall. However, Michigan is 1-4 ATS in the past five bowl games and 2-8 ATS in the past 10 non-conference tilts.

-- The Tide are just 2-5 ATS in the past seven against winning teams. However, they're 6-1 ATS in the previous seven against Big Ten teams.

-- The over has cashed in four straight bowl games for Michigan, while going 8-0 in their past eight showings against SEC foes. The over is also 12-2 in their past 14 neutral-site games, and 4-0 in the previous four bowl games, too.

-- The over has connected in seven of the past 10 non-conference tilts for Bama, and 12-5 in their past 17 bowl games. The over is also 4-1 in the previous five against teams with a winning overall record.

Outback Bowl (ESPN, 1:00 p.m.)

Minnesota vs. Auburn

-- The Outback Bowl has the Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-2 straight up, 7-4-1 against the spread) from the Big Ten Conference meeting the Auburn Tigers (9-3 straight-up, 9-3 against the spread) from the Southeastern Conference at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

-- Minnesota surprised this season, and was unbeaten into mid-November while they flirted with the potential of a trip to the College Football Playoffs. However, all of those considerations ended with a 23-19 loss at Iowa, and they also had their doors blown off against Wisconsin, 38-17, losing Paul Bunyan's Axe in the season finale. Losing Floyd of Rosedale and Paul Bunyan's Axe in the same season is likely a huge disappointment to Minnesota despite the double-digit wins.

-- Auburn had a near-playoff experience this season. They kicked off the campaign with a 27-21 win over Oregon on a neutral-site, winning and cover each of their first five. They slipped up 24-13 at Florida on Oct. 5, but remaining in the mix until a 23-20 loss at LSU on Oct. 26. Still, that was an impressive showing, and served notice that they can play with anyone in the land. They also fell 21-14 to Georgia on Nov. 16, but capped off their season with an impressive 48-45 win over Alabama in the season finale to roll into bowl season on a very high note.

-- Minnesota claims seven national championships, including 1904, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941 and 1960. The last time they won it all, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, so yeah, it's been a while, but they have a long and storied football history. However, in that long history they have never faced Auburn on the gridiron, so Wednesday's game will be a first. The Golden Gophers lost seven straight bowl games from 2005 through 2015, but have rattled off three bowl wins in a row over Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl (2015), 17-12 over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl (2016) ad 34-10 over Georgia Tech last season in P.J. Fleck's first bowl, another Quick Lane Bowl victory. This is their first appearance on New Year's Day since losing 33-17 to Missouri in the Citrus Bowl, however, another SEC team. They haven't beaten an SEC team since topping Alabama Dec. 31, 2004 in the Music City Bowl under Glen Mason.

-- The Golden Gophers rank 50th in total yards (426.8) on offense, while ranking 51st in passing yards (251.2). They were also 47th in rushing yards (175.7) while checking in 23rd in points scored (34.3). Defensively the Golden Gophers were very underrated, ranking 14th with 312.8 yards per game, 12th in passing yards allowed (184.9) and 28th in rushing yards allowed (127.9). They also yielded just 22.4 PPG to rank a respectable 35th.

-- The Tigers struggled in the pass game, as freshman QB Bo Nix had some consistency issues. They ranked 51st in total yards (421.4), while ranking just 85th in passing yards (210.1) per contest. They ran well, piling up 211.3 yards, while scoring 34.0 PPG to rank 29th. On defense, they ranked 19th in total yards allowed (323.9), 41st in passing yards (208.4) per game and 20th in rushing yards (115.5) yielded, while coughing up just 18.6 PPG to rank 13th.

-- The Golden Gophers covered seven of the past nine games overall, while going 6-2 ATS in the past eight games as an underdog. They were 6-2-1 ATS in the past nine non-conference tilts, too.

-- The Tigers are 10-3 ATS in the past 13 games overall, while cashing in five of the previous seven against winning teams. They're also an impressive 6-0 ATS in the past six non-conference battles, while connecting in 10 of the past 12 games as a favorite.

-- The over has hit in five of the past six overall for the Golden Gophers, although the under is 4-1 in Minnesota's past five neutral-site games and 7-2 in the past nine against winning teams. The under is 13-6 in the past 19 non-conference tilts, too.

-- The under is 7-1-2 in the previous 10 neutral-site battles, 4-1 in the past five games overall and 4-1-1 in the past six bowl outings. The under is also 18-6-2 in the past 26 non-conference battles, while going 24-11-1 in the past 36 against winning sides.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:09 AM

49NASHVILLE -50 DALLAS
NASHVILLE is 11-18 ATS (-15.2 Units) against good offensive teams - averaging 29.5+ shots on goal per game in the current season.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 01-01-2020, 07:09 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, January 1

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NASHVILLE (18-14-0-6, 42 pts.) at DALLAS (22-14-0-4, 48 pts.) - 1/1/2020, 2:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NASHVILLE is 18-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 296-234 ATS (+26.8 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
NASHVILLE is 19-11 ATS (+30.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 21-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 8-8 (+1.3 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 8-8-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

Wednesday 1-1-20 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 1-1-20 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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