12-26-09

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

TRACE ADAMS

2000* - Ohio Bobcats,

1000* - North Carolina Tar Heels



Marshall comes into this game in disarray, as their 52-21 loss to UTEP was followed by head coach Mark Snyder's resignation. Enter Rick Minter who will coach this game, and that's all, as West Virginia assistant Doc Holliday is slated to be the new head coach at Marshall.

Kinda makes it tough for the Thundering Herd to win this ball game if you ask me. Especially when you consider that Ohio is about as disicplined a football team as you will find. They don't turn the ball over, in fact, the Bobcats are the ones who force the turnover, as OU came up with 36 takeaways this year, with 10 TDs scored by the defense and the special teams.

The Bobcats are healthy once again, and I fully expect their passing game to exploit a Herd pass defense that was ranked down near 100th in the nation in that category.

Ohio's QB Theo Scott is a 5th year senior, so this is his last chance to leave with a good taste in his mouth, and I don't have any issue laying the small chalk with an Ohio team that just played Central Michigan in the MAC title game down to the wire in 20-10 loss, but cover as the dog.

The Bobcats have sold out their allotment of tickets, while sales from the Herd's camp have been less than brisk.

Lay it with Ohio U.

2000? - Ohio University Bobcats

I just gave you the small favorite in Ohio, but did you know that the underdog in this year's bowl games is 5-1 both straight up, and against the spread thus far?

I like those kinds of numbers, and while I am bucking them with the Bobcats, I will support them in this game between North Carolina and Pittsburgh.

I can't get the memory of Pitt's ugly 3-0 loss to Oregon State in last year's bowl game out of my mind. Now I know that the Panthers offense is plenty imrpoved, but North Carolina does have a staunch defense, and I have a feeling with the Tar Heels playing so close to home, they will get the added boost of having the crowd in their corner.

North Carolina is definitely offensively-challenged, but after dropping a 31-30 bowl thriller to West Virginia as the 2 1/2-point dog last year in their bowl game in Charlotte, I have a feeling the Heels will be ready for the win this go'round.

Take any points they are giving with UNC.

1000? - North Carolina Tar Heels

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

MARC LAWRENCE PLAYBOOK: 5-1


Marshall over Ohio U by 1

N Carolina over Pittsburgh by 3

Usc over Boston College by 6

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

THE MAXIMUS REPORT

SOLID PLAY:

Little Caesar's Bowl
Location:* Ford Field - Detroit, MI* (FieldTurf)* Time:* 10:00am EST
EVALUATION:* Breaking down the Little Ceasars Bowl between Marshall (6-6) and Ohio (9-4).

Take OHIO UNIVERSITY BOBCATS -3 vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
This bowl game could be a dud with Marshall playing with a lame duck interim staff, after their head coach Mark Snyder stepped down after a lackluster 6-6 SU record, and this stunned several of the players on the squad, and now defensive coordinator Rick Minter steps in as the interim coach not knowing if he will be retained full time. * This bowl game could be his one and only game as head coach if they lose.* * The Herd will have their leading rusher Darius Marshall back after missing the last two games with a high ankle sprain, and word is he has looked good in practice, and should be 100 percent healthy for this bowl game.* His 1,054 yards along with 11 touchdowns can be a good thing for the Herd, and this could be a problem for Ohio since they have struggled against the run allowing an average of just a hair over 150 yrds a game.** Ohio, on the other hand, is looking for its second 10-win season in its history as an FBS team. The Bobcats last won 10 games in 1968. This is a dramatic turnaround from winning four games a year ago, but we have always known that Frank Solich can coach.* Ohio last lost to Central Michigan in the MAC Championship 10-20 on this same field, and we expect them to show up ready to play in this one.** The Bobcats have only lost 4 games, and those were to UConn in their first game, Tennessee in week 4, Kent St.* on 10/24, and Central Mich in that MAC Championship game.* It's hard to judge whether a team with a lame duck interim coach will be motivated to play, but Ohio has a lot to play for and we think they will be up for their second consecutive game at Ford Field
PROJECTION:*** OHIO* 31*** Marshall* 17

NCAA Football 12/26/09

SOLID PLAY:

Meinke Car Care Bowl
Location:* Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte, NC* (Grass)* Time:* 1:30pm EST
EVALUATION:* Breaking down the Meinke Car Care Bowl between North Carolina (8-4) and Pittsburgh (9-3).

Take NORTH CAROLINA TARHEELS +1.5 vs. Pittsburgh Panthers*
These two coaches know each other very well, having been on Jimmy Johnson's coaching staff together for 11 years.* That includes four seasons at Oklahoma State, three at Miami and four with the Dallas Cowboys. There will be some familiarity on the opposing sidelines Saturday, when Butch Davis and Dave Wannstedt square off, but they never met as opposing coaches in the NFL.* If UNC's defensive line can hold up, it should help their linebackers Quan Sturdivant and Bruce Carter to pursue the Panthers' standout running back, Dion Lewis. Robert Quinn is one of the best defensive ends in the country, and he enters the game with 19 tackles for losses of 120 yards and 11 sacks for 94 yards. He also has forced six fumbles and has 15 quarterback hurries.* On the offensive side UNC quarterback T.J. Yates, has had an inconsistent season, but some of that can be attributed to his young receivers and average-at-best pass protection. He enters the bowl game needing 224 yards to reach the 6,000-yard career passing mark. For the season, Yates is 195 of 323 for 1,953 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He'll need to limit the mistakes in this game and help UNC win the turnover battle, but his supporting cast will have to help him out more, too.* For the first time in more than a decade, UNC is making an appearance in back-to-back bowls. Carolina's 16 wins over the last two years are the most by a Tar Heel team since posting 21 victories in 1996 and 1997. The program is changing under Davis, but can it take the next step and gain a postseason win?* UNC has proven it's capable of the upset this season, as it earned wins against No. 14 Virginia Tech and No. 12 Miami. A win over Pittsburgh would give Carolina nine wins for just the 15th time in school history and the first time since 1997.* Pitt has a tendency to find a way to lose (See: Big East title on the line vs. Cincinnati and regular season game against NC State). The Tar Heels will have the edge with Davis on the sidelines, Yates will redeem himself from an inconsistent season, and UNC's defense will once again be the difference. They'll pressure Pittsburgh QB Bill Stull into mistakes and come out on top of a defensive game.** The crowd should be pro Tarheel and we expect this to give them a slight advantage in the motivation department.
Projection:* ** North Carolina* 23***** Pittsburgh 20

NCAA Football 12/26/09

BEST BET:

Emerald Bowl

Location:* AT & T Park- San Francisco, CA* (Grass)* Time:* 7:00pm EST

TAKE USC TROJANS -7 vs. Boston College Eagles.

EVALUATION:* Breaking down the Emerald Bowl between No. 24 USC (8-4) and Boston College (8-4).
This game comes down to one thing, which USC quarterback named Matt Barkley will show up.* The one that led a game-winning drive in the waning moments at Ohio State on Sept. 12, or the one who looked like an overmatched true freshman quarterback in their . The Trojans offense sputtered down the stretch, and Barkley ended seventh in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency, with 12 interceptions and only 13 touchdowns. If Barkley reclaims his steady, heady self from the first half of the season, which means getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers and avoiding risky throws, the Trojans offense should * have no problem matching the smooth-running unit that scored 106 points against California, Notre Dame and Oregon State.** Most people think the Trojans will come out flat and uninspired because: 1. the Emerald Bowl is beneath a team that's played in seven consecutive BCS bowls; 2. the program has been in the news a lot of late for all the wrong reasons, and that will dilute motivation. * Know that BC will show up hungry and unintimidated. * Even without its A-game, which we haven't seen since the first three quarters of the win at Notre Dame, USC might prevail because it's got better players, but a lackluster effort could lead to another embarrassing defeat. * * If the Trojans roll and post an impressive win, it would suggest the program is righting itself and will be back in the Pac-10 and national mix next fall. If they look sloppy and uninspired, folks will start to wonder if the dynasty is truly dead. And keep in mind: While USC has lost four times in the Pac-10 this season, no team outside the conference has beaten USC since the 2005 national championship game. ** The problem we see with BC is that they just haven't got a respectable win away from Alumni Stadium, losing 3 of 5 to Clemson, Va. Tech, and Notre Dame.* Yes they were great at home, but when they traveled they either lost or played bad football and just managed to win.* Away from home the Eagles only scored 7, 14, 16, 14, and 19. ** We are thinking that USC has too much pride to play without fire. The absence of three starters and a reserve due to academics and NCAA issues will hurt, but that might be off-set by a team that was beaten up getting three weeks to rest and heal, mentally as well as physically.* We like the Trojans talent to prevail in this game.
PROJECTION:* USC 31* Boston College13

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

THE BOOOOJ

NCAA Football-
10 units on Ohio (-3) over Marshall
10 units on North Carolina (+2) over Pittsburgh
25 units on USC (-7) over Boston College


NCAA Basketball-
15 units on West Virginia (-4) over Seton Hall

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

SuperSportsGroup

Saturday Dec 26th

Pizza Bowl 1pm
Ohio has been pretty impressive all year ending with a 9-4 record. Marshall enters the Bowl with a 6-6 record. Ohio is 5-1 on the road and Marshall is 2-4. How then is the line in this game only 3? You can maybe argue that Marshall has had Ohio number in the past but after seeing this Ohio team play this year, we think this line is a mistake. If its a sucker bet, then call us suckers. We are laying the points with Ohio
PICK: Ohio -3 Game (9*) Best Bet of the day


Car Care Bowl 4:30pm
PICK: North Carolina +1.5 Game (8*)

Emerald Bowl 8pm
PICK: UNDER 45 Game (4*)
PICK: USC -7 Game (7*)

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

Matt Fargo’s **ALL ACCESS** NBA SATURDAY *TRIPLE PLAY*

This game reminds me a lot of the Golden St./New Orleans game on Wednesday. New Jersey is horrible and currently playing some bad basketball so this is a good time to back the Nets. Just like taking the Warriors then, we are buying low tonight as this line is severely inflated yet the public is riding it out. There are a lot of +10.5 lines out there and just a week ago, the Nets were +12.5 against the Lakers and there is no way the Rockets are only two points worse than the Lakers. Houston is in a horrendous spot here as it is coming off a game in Orlando on Wednesday and has a game at Cleveland tomorrow. Despite losing to the Magic, I do not see the Rockets getting up for this one especially with the Cavaliers on deck. There certainly is not much good to say about New Jersey but winning in the NBA is about winning ugly and it does not get uglier than this. 8* New Jersey Nets

The wrong team is favored here or I should at least say that the Spurs should not be favored as this game should be in the pickem range. San Antonio was favored by eight points in the first meeting at home this season and the venue change should turn this one into a game right around even. Since that game, the Spurs have gone 9-5 while the Bucks have gone 4-11 so the teams have not been on equal ground but the schedule has had a lot to do with it. Also, Milwaukee has had some brutal losses as three of the last four defeats have come by three points or fewer including two one-point losses at home. You cannot ignore the fact that the Spurs are just 3-6 on the road which is a bad record and it also shows that only just over a third of the games have come away from home. The Spurs and the Lakers are the only two teams in the NBA to play fewer than 10 road games on the year. 8* Milwaukee Bucks

The thinking here will be that the Lakers bounce back from that huge loss against Cleveland on Christmas day but I think it is just the opposite. Obviously the Lakers are a great team but that defeat can linger as they were humbled pretty good and if anything, this will be a big letdown the day after. Add to that, Los Angeles is at Phoenix in two days. I played the Kings in their last game and they covered for 48 minutes but the problem is that the game went to overtime which no underdog bettor ever wants to see and Sacramento was outscored 13-0 by the Cavaliers. That can leave a lingering sting but they have had time to get over it and with another marquee team in town, the Kings will be up once again. They are 10-4 at home and they have been solid in these spots, going a percent 9-0 ATS in their last nine games following a double-digit loss. The Lakers meanwhile are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a double-digit loss. Also, Sacramento is 10-3 ATS in its 13 games this season against teams averaging 99 or more ppg. 10* Sacramento Kings

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

MREAST NBA SATURDAY UNDER THE RADAR

The Milwaukee Bucks have been very tough at home vs the good teams in the NBA. They have faced 5 winning teams at home, the Lakers,Blazers,Nuggets,Mavs, and Magic. The results of those 5 games show 2 wins, and 3 losses by a combined 5 points! They have not lost to any of these teams by more than 2 points. The road has not been kind to the Spurs as they enter this one just 3-6. This also fits into what I call the 10/10 system, that says to play on teams revenging a 10 point or greater loss, off a game tey lost by 10 or more as a favorite. This system is now 103-58 ATS the last dozen years in the NBA. The Bucks are the play in this one.

#713 SAN ANTONIO SPURS @ #714 MILWAUKEE BUCKS 8:30PM EST

PLAY PN #714 MILWAUKEE BUCKS +3 -110 FOR 3 UNITS

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

ASA

4* North Carolina

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

Alex smart goy
10 units UNC + 3

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

Fairway Jay

Best Bet: USC -8

Much will be made about USC’s potential lack of motivation for this contest, as the Trojans have been playing in premier bowl games each of the past seven years. Yet playing in their home state with a superior coach and motivator should be enough intangibles for the Trojans to roll. Once the players hit the field, USC will prove their class over what I feel is a much weaker Boston College outfit. USC has faced the superior schedule and offensive and defensive units. While the Trojans’ offense was lackluster at times, they still ran the ball for over 5.0 ypc. Boston College’s defense was solid for much of the year and that could technically keep them within striking distance,however,the offense is going to struggle against USC’s superior speed and strength. Boston College turned the ball over 24 times against less skilled and tal- ented teams and failed to score 20 points in any road contest this season.They also were gashed against their only two quality road opponents; at Clemson and Virginia Tech.The Eagles may be excited to face such a prestigious program but we see this matchup favoring USC across the board and a double-digit victory a likely result

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

GREAT LAKES SPORTS

College Football
4* Boston College
3* NORTH CAROLINA

NBA
4* Atlanta
3* New Orleans
3* Milwaukee

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

Handicapper: Dock Sports
Sport: College Basketball
Game: West Virginia Mountaineers @ Seton Hall Pirates - Saturday December 26, 2009 3:30 pm
Pick: 1 unit ATS: West Virginia Mountaineers -3 (-110)

#721 Take West Virginia over Seton Hall (Saturday 3:30 pm CBS) It is the only game of the day in college basketball and it is the opening of Big East play for these two squads. We will side with the visitor and take advantage of this favorable number. The Hall will enter this game at 9-1 on the year but they have played a schedule full of cupcakes. Their only true test of the season came against Temple and they lost to them at home. West Virginia has played a much more difficult schedule and playing in New Jersey on a holiday weekend is not that tough of an environment. Lay the small wood and watch the money grow in your pocket. Doc’s Sports is one of the best college basketball handicappers in the country and now is the tie to jump on board a handicapper with 38 years of experience.

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

Northcoast
3* Pitt
Top-BC
Reg-Marshall

1* Marq---Under in all 3 games

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

Seabass (3-4 Bowls)
50 Pitt
50 Ohio over
50 USC
Steam (100) CBB Charlotte
CBB 50 Seton Hall
NBA 50 Sac, 50 Hou, 100 NO

[Mr. IWS]

Re: 12-26-09

SAMMY JANKUS

Always play the OTHER SIDE of my game writeups.

Ohio U vs Marshall
3* Marshall +3

What a ridiculous line. A mere three points is a small price to pay for a 9-4 Ohio team that held Central Michigan to just 20 points in the MAC championship game versus a 6-6 squad that doesn’t deserve to be in a bowl game. With Marshall managing only 18 PPG this year against fellow bowlers, I expect Frank Solich’s Bobcats to HAMMER the Herd today – so your play is on MARSHALL.