Friday 12-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:26 AM

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Temple Owls Preview and Predictions 12-27-2019

MILITARY BOWL PRESENTED BY NORTHROP GRUMMAN STORYLINES

1. North Carolina returns to a bowl game for the first time since 2016 when it takes on Temple in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27 in Annapolis, Md. Under the guidance of first-year coach Mack Brown, who previously led the Tar Heels to four bowl appearances in the 1990s, the team is looking to win a postseason game for the first time since 2013. "Our No. 1 goal when we returned last year was to send the seniors out the right way," Brown said. "Everything we did, from spring practice to summer workouts to fall camp, was with an eye on winning enough games to get these seniors to a bowl game. Now, when this group looks back on their careers, they'll be able to say they helped get the program on the right track and finished with a bowl game. I'm just so happy for everyone involved in our program, but especially, that group of young men."

2. The Owls are playing in a bowl game for the fifth straight season and are playing in the Military Bowl for the third time overall. They most recently played in the Military Bowl in 2016 when they were upended by Wake Forest, and they also lost to UCLA here in 2009 when it was known as the EagleBank Bowl. "I've really enjoyed my first season here at Temple and only wish that I can spend more time with this outstanding senior class," Temple coach Rod Carey said. "We want to try and send them off on the right note by being the first group in Temple history to win two bowl games."

3. Both teams closed the season in strong fashion with North Carolina winning its final two games to earn bowl eligibility and Temple wrapping up with three wins in its final four outings. The Tar Heels routed Mercer and North Carolina State by a combined score of 96-17 to close out the regular season and, after the win over the Wolfpack, Brown noted "they're really happy in that dressing room." The Owls rolled over Connecticut 49-17 in their regular-season finale, prompting senior linebacker Sam Franklin to beam, "These are memories that will last a lifetime."

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: North Carolina -4.5

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (6-6): The Tar Heels rank 25th in the nation in passing yards (285.0) but only sit 198th nationally in scoring (31.4 points). Sam Howell has completed just over 60 percent of his passes with a nice ratio of 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions with Dyami Brown (11 TD catches) averaging 20.6 yards per reception. Chazz Surratt is a player to watch on defense as he has 110 tackles - 31 more than anyone else on the team - and he also paces the squad with six sacks.

ABOUT TEMPLE (8-4): Anthony Russo threw for 2,733 yards this season and enters the bowl game with 21 touchdowns, thanks in part to a dynamic trio of wide receivers. Jadan Blue leads the team with 87 catches and 975 yards, although his four touchdown catches actually rank fourth on the squad behind Branden Mack (56 catches, 886 yards, 7 TDs), Isaiah Wright (4, 442, 5) and Kenny Yeboah (19, 233, 5). Re'Mahn Davis ran for 105 yards against UConn - his second-highest total of the season - and enters with three straight games averaging at least 5.3 yards per carry, and he needs 100 yards on the ground to reach 1,000 for the year.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 39, Temple 33

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:26 AM

Michigan State Spartans vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview and Predictions 12-27-2019

NEW ERA PINSTRIPE BOWL STORYLINES

1. Michigan State was expecting a better season than 6-6, which it needed to win its last two games to achieve, and because of that, coach Mark Dantonio's job status has been talked about over the last few weeks. Dantonio, who becamse the school's all-time wins leader this season, has been with Michigan State since 2007, going 113-57, but the last four seasons have seen the Spartans finish with a cumulative 26-24 record, with only one bowl victory. Last season's 7-6 loss to Oregon in the Redbox Bowl was a sad finish to a 7-6 campaign, and another ugly setback in this game could end up being Dantonio's last with the Spartans.

2. Wake Forest is going for a fourth bowl victory in four seasons and a ninth win on the season for the first time since the 2007 campaign and only the third time in school history. The Demon Deacons are trying to right the ship after dropping three of their last four games following a 7-1 start to the season. Wake Forest will try to do that running a high-tempo offense that ranks 12th in the country with 473.4 yards per game while playing in temperatures in the 30s and rain, according to early forecasts for Yankee Stadium on the day of the game.

3. The Spartans rank 15th in the country in run defense, led by senior linebacker Kenny Willekes, holding teams to 108.6 yards per game, but they have trouble against the pass. Michigan State allowed 21 touchdowns through the air this season and 210.6 passing yards per game, which could be trouble against a Wake Forest squad that led the ACC with 297.8 passing yards per game. Demon Deacons quarterback Jamie Newman is questionable for the bowl game with a leg injury, but if the junior can play, he'll try to add onto his 23 touchdowns passing this season.

TV: 3:20 p.m. ET, Dec. 27, ESPN. LINE: Wake Forest +4.5

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (6-6): The Spartans have had a lot of trouble scoring this season, especially in the second half of the campaign, averaging 15.3 points over their final seven games. Senior quarterback Brian Lewerke has been hot and cold thoughout the season, and Michigan State has really struggled near the goal line, converting just over half of their red-zone trips into touchdowns while kicker Matt Coghlin has missed nine field-goal attempts this season. Much like last season's bowl game, when the Spartans defense held Justin Herbert and the Oregon offense to just seven points but lost 7-6, the Michigan State offense hasn't been able to hold up its end of the bargain more often than not.

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (8-4): Wake Forest needs to put things back together after its last four games saw the Demon Deacons give up 38.5 points per game in going 1-3 after they were allowing just 25.5 points per game through their first eight contests. If Newman isn't able to play in this one, the Wake Forest defense will need to keep the game close, which means putting pressure on Lewerke and stopping the Michigan State running game. Junior defensive lineman Carlos Basham Jr. will be a key after leading the Demon Deacons with 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss this season.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 24, Wake Forest 20

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:26 AM

Southern California Trojans vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Preview and Predictions 12-27-2019

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL STORYLINES

1. It is USC's Air Raid offense versus a talented Iowa defense in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27 in San Diego. The Trojans, behind Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year Kedon Slovis at quarterback and Biletnikoff Award finalist Michael Pittman Jr. at wide receiver, ranked fifth nationally in passing offense with an average of 335.9 yards per game and scored 33.2 points per game. They will be going against a Hawkeyes defense - led by two-time first team All-Big Ten defensive end A.J. Epenesa, a likely first round NFL draft pick - that is fifth nationally in scoring defense allowing 13.2 points per game and 10th in pass defense allowing just 184.2 yards per game.

2. Who will be calling the plays for USC? Hot-shot Trojan offensive coordinator Graham Harrell was offered a contract extension two days after new athletic director Mike Bohn elected to retain head coach Clay Helton for another season but the Texas native interviewed for the same job at Texas and has yet to sign the new contract. Harrell was hired in January after Kliff Kingsbury abruptly quit to become head coach of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and quickly drew plaudits for his offensive schemes and the development of Slovis, a three-star recruit who was forced into action following the season-ending knee injury suffered by JT Daniels.

3. Which team will have more fans in the stands? The obvious answer would seem to be USC with its large alumni base in Southern California a short drive away. But Iowa is known for traveling to bowl games - who wouldn't want to escape the snow and cold temperatures of the upper midwest for a few days of sun and fun? - while there was a large backlash from Trojan fans, many of whom were hoping Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops would be patrolling the sidelines, when Bohn elected to give Helton another season.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Iowa -2

ABOUT USC (8-4): The Trojans, who are 7-2 all-time against Iowa including winning the last six in a row, didn't go to a bowl after finishing 5-7 a year ago and lost to Ohio State 24-7 in their most recent bowl game - the 2017 Cotton Bowl. All eyes will be on the coaching staff which could lose both Harrell as well as defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast and special teams coordinator John Baxter, whose futures remain uncertain. Slovis completed 260-of-362 passes (71.8 percent) for 3,242 yards, 28 touchdowns and nine interceptions and had three wide receivers with 68 or more receptions - Pittman (95, 1,222 yards, 11 TDs), sophomore Amon-Ra St. Brown (68, 879, six TDs) and junior Tyler Vaughns (68, 858, six TDs) while the defense, which features just two seniors, is led by three-year starter John Houston Jr. (100 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and sophomore safety Talanoa Hufanga (76 tackles, 2.5 sacks).

ABOUT IOWA (9-3): The Hawkeyes finished third in the Big Ten's West Division with a 6-3 mark but closed the season on a 5-1 run including three straight victories over Minnesota, Illinois and at Nebraska to end the campaign. Senior quarterback Nate Stanley is a three-year starter who completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 2,738 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions while junior offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs was named the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year and has been rated by some scouting services as the top tackle prospect for next spring's NFL draft. Epenesa, who like Wirfs said he planned to play in the bowl game, had 45 tackles, nine sacks and three forced fumbles and along with senior linebacker Kristian Welch (80 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks) leads a defense that posted shutouts over both Rutgers and Northwestern while holding Michigan to just 10 points.

PREDICTION: USC 28, Iowa 24

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:26 AM

Air Force Falcons vs. Washington State Cougars Preview and Predictions 12-27-2019

CHEEZ-IT BOWL STORYLINES

1. Washington State and No. 24 Air Force will meet in a battle of contrasting offensive philosophies in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec. 27 in Phoenix. The Cougars led the nation in passing offense (444.3) and Anthony Gordon became the first Pac-12 quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in Mike Leach's Air Raid system while the Falcons finished third nationally in rushing yards per game (292.5) under Troy Calhoun's triple-option attack. Washington State's efficiency through the air failed to translate into wins as they finished with their lowest amount of victories since 2014 while the Falcons ended the regular season with their third-highest win total in program history.

2. Air Force won seven consecutive games, including a 20-6 victory over Wyoming in the regular-season finale, to move into the Top 25 for the first time in nine years. The Falcons will be making their first bowl appearance since 2016, and have an opportunity to reach 11 wins for the first time since 1998 when they finished 12-1 and ended the season ranked 13th in the nation, as they hope to knock off another Power 5 team, after taking down Colorado in Week 2. "It's going to be a gigantic challenge," Calhoun told reporters. "I think our guys embrace challenges and this is going to be one unlike we've ever encountered."

3. Washington State hopes to overcome a disappointing regular-season campaign after it was ranked 20th nationally after the first three weeks, but three straight losses in conference play, including a 67-63 setback to UCLA after blowing a 32-point lead, ultimately derailed their season. Leach made national headlines when he called his players "fat, dumb and entitled" following a 38-13 loss to No. 10 Utah on Sept. 28, and hopes his team is motivated enough to secure two straight bowl wins for the first time since the early 1990s. "We couldn't be more excited and we're thrilled to be playing a team the quality of Air Force," Leach told reporters. "Being American and everything I always root for Air Force."

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Air Force -2.5

ABOUT AIR FORCE (10-2): Quarterback Donald Hammond III threw for 1,286 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 491 yards on the ground with 11 scores to help the Falcons reach 10 regular-season wins for the first time since 1998. Running back Kadin Remsberg earned honorable mention for the all-Mountain West team after leading Air Force with 872 rushing yards while fullback Timothy Jackson also garnered honors as he finished with 745 yards and six touchdowns. Jackson is questionable with a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (6-6): Gordon was named to the All-Pac 12 Second Team after leading the nation with 5,228 passing yards, which was the sixth-most in FBS history and 45 touchdowns. Gordon is the 16th quarterback to pass for more than 5,000 yards in a season and the first to achieve the feat since Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes did it with Texas Tech in 2016 while kicker Blake Mazza was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team after making 20-of-21 field goal attempts. Wide receiver Brandon Arconado, who caught 67 passes for 942 yards and six touchdowns during the season, is nursing a wrist injury and his status is unknown for Dec. 27.

PREDICTION: Air Force 35, Washington State 31

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:26 AM

Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Texas A&M Aggies Preview and Predictions 12-27-2019

ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS TEXAS BOWL STORYLINES

1. Former Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State and Texas A&M will be on the same field for the first time in eight years when they square off in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27 in Houston. The No. 25 Cowboys won the final four meetings between the teams and are appearing in a bowl game for the 14th straight season, the ninth-longest active streak in the nation. The Aggies are right behind with an 11-season bowl streak that ranks 10th.

2. There has yet to be a formal announcement per whether or not Oklahoma State sophomore All-American running back Chuba Hubbard will declare for the NFL draft and skip the bowl game or decide to play. Hubbard, who rushed for 1,936 yards and 21 touchdowns this season, is currently projected to be a second-round pick and recently told reporters he has requested his draft grade from the NFL. Cowboys coach Mike Gundy had this take: "I haven't talked to him about it, but I would expect him to play in this game."

3. Oklahoma State and Texas A&M were conference mates from 1996-2011 before the Aggies - who hold a 17-10 series edge - departed the Big 12 in favor of the SEC. Gundy said he wished the Aggies were still in the Big 12 but Fisher said there is no question the SEC is the right league for Texas A&M. "We love being in the SEC," Fisher said. "Tremendous challenges. You know our schedule and who we play week-in and week-out. Just like the Big 12 is a great conference, it's still a good thing for us to be in the SEC."

TV: 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texas A&M -7.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (8-4): Hubbard notched 11 100-yard games, including four efforts of more than 200 yards, in an epic campaign in which his 2019 yardage ranks second in school history behind the NCAA-record 2,850 yards (counting a bowl game) that Barry Sanders racked up in 1988. Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Sanders (2,065 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) missed the final two games of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his right (passing) thumb and could be cleared to start practicing about 7 to 10 days before the bowl - if he can't play, senior Dru Brown (626 yards, five TDs, one pick) will start. The Cowboys allow 27 points per game but have a trio of solid playmakers in sophomore safety Kolby Harvell-Peel (team-high five interceptions), junior safety Malcolm Rodriguez (team-best 94 tackles) and junior linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (team-leading 14.5 stops for loss).

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (7-5): The Aggies were obliterated 50-7 by top-ranked LSU in their regular-season finale and now won't have the services of junior defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (team-high 5.5 sacks), who declared for the NFL draft and is skipping the bowl game. Junior quarterback Kellen Mond was just 10-of-30 passing for 92 yards and three interceptions in that game and he enters the bowl game with 2,802 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Running back Isaiah Spiller rushed for 869 and nine touchdowns in a promising freshman campaign and had a 217-yard outing among his four 100-yard outings.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 33, Oklahoma State 31

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:31 AM

Kenny Walker

Dec 27 '19, 12:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-F | North Carolina vs Temple
Play on: Temple +6 -105 at pinnacle

Free Pick on Temple

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:31 AM

Red Dog Sports

Dec 27 '19, 12:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-F | North Carolina vs Temple
Play on: North Carolina -4½ -109 at pinnacle

UNC -4.5
UNC is 6-6 under Mack Brown and will look to finish with a winning 7-6 record. They played well in their finale winning at NC State by 3 touchdowns. Mack Brown is 13-8 in bowls. UNC is led by freshman QB Sam Howell who has played well.
I think we see UNC win by 7 to 10 points on Friday. Take the Tar Heels.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:31 AM

Larry Ness

Dec 27 '19, 3:20 PM in 6h
NCAA-F | Michigan State vs Wake Forest
Play on: Wake Forest +4 -110 at 5Dimes

My free play is on Wake Forest (Pinstripe Bowl) at 2:30 ET.Mark Dantonio has been with Michigan State since 2007 and the Spartans are only four years removed from an appearance in the College Football Playoff,. Yes, Dantonio became the school's all-time wins leader this season and is 113-57 at East Lansing, but the Spartans are only 26-24 the last four seasons. In fact, they needed victories over sad-sacks like Rutgers and Maryland in the final two weeks just to become bowl eligible. MSU takes its 6-6 record to Yankee Stadium for this year's Pinstripe Bowl to take on 8-4 Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons opened 5-0 and got ranked in the AP poll on Sep 29 (22nd) for the first time since 2008 (ending the third-longest drought among Power 5 schools). Wake would reach 7-1 but finished with THREE losses over their last four games. However, Dave Clawson has Wake Forest in a bowl game for the FOURTH straight season.
The Spartans have had a lot of trouble scoring this season, averaging just 22.0 PPG (107th) on 362.6 YPG (101st). Senior QB Brian Lewerke has been hot and cold thoughout the season, and Michigan State has really struggled near the goal line, converting just over half of their red-zone trips into TDs while PK Matt Coghlin has missed nine FG attempts this season. Getting back to Lewerke, after throwing 20 TDs and seven INTs as sophomore, he enters the final game of his career with 24 TDs and 23 INTs in his junior and senior years. It sure hasn't made his job easier that MSU's running game checks in with only 124.1 YPG rushing this season to rank 116th in the nation. Once again, the Mich St defense has been good, allowing 22.7 PPG (36th) on 320.1 YPG (18th).
It's fair to say that Wake looked worn down in November, losing three of four after that 7-1 start. The defense 'caved' in November, allowing 38.5 PPG in going 1-3, allowing a more modest 25.5 during its 7-1 start. first eight contests. The offense averaged 32.8 PPG (39th) on 473.3 YPG (12th). Wake led the ACC with 297.8 passing yards per game, mostly behind QB Jamie Newman (23 TDs and 10 INTs). Newman, was arguably the MVP of the non-Clemson portion of the ACC, but his health is in question after a couple of KOs in November, including a knee injury in the Syracuse finale. Newman is expected to be available but note that backup Sam Hartman, who started for much of 2018 and passed for 350 yards in Newman’s absence vs Syracuse, can get the job done (if needed).
Michigan State is really fortunate to be 'bowling' this season (thank Rutgers and Maryland, schools with a 1-17 combined record in the Big Ten). The Michigan State defense is typical of past Dantonio units but the 2019 offense hasn't been able to hold up its end of the bargain, more often than not (note: Mich St averaged 15.3 points over its final seven games!). Yes, the Big Ten rep has won THREE straight Pinstripe Bowls but I see that run ending here. Wake Forest is slowly becoming a player in the ACC, a difficult proposition considering Wake Forest plays in the Atlantic Division with Clemson. However, head coach Dave Clawson has steadily been positioning his team as a factor in the conference and I believe will lead the Demon Deacons to a FOURTH straight bowl win, here. Any points are a bonus.
Good luck...Larry

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:31 AM

Rob Vinciletti

Dec 27 '19, 4:05 PM in 7h
NBA | Cavs vs Celtics
Play on: Celtics -13 -104 at pinnacle

FRIDAY Featured Free play
The NBA Comp play is on Boston at 4:05 eastern. The Celtics have won and covered the last vs the Cavs with every win by at least 20 points. Today should be no different as Teams like the Cavs that are road dogs with 3 or more days rest and off a home dog win where they scored 120 or more points fail to cover 86% since 1995. The Cavs are 0-3 ats as a road dog of more than 12 and have failed to cover 6 of 8 with same season revenge as well as 6 of 8 vs Atlantic Division opponents. The Celtics are 3-0 ats off a 10+ point road win and have covered 6 of 7 off a division game and are 6-2 ats as a home favorite from -12 to 18. Look for the Celtics to cover. For the NBA Free pick. Play on Boston. RV- GC Sports.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:32 AM

Mike Lundin

Dec 27 '19, 7:05 PM in 10h
NBA | 76ers vs Magic
Play on: UNDER 210 -114

MIKE LUNDIN'S 76ERS @ MAGIC FREE PICK
The Orlando Magic have one of the worst offensive efficiency ratings in the NBA, and here they'll run into a Philadelphia team that is boasting one of the best defenses in the league.
Through their last four games, the Magic have scored 102, 104, 103 and 103 points, and their defense really came through in a 103-95 win over Chicago last time out.
As for the Sixers, they've been involved in several high-scoring affairs lately but note that they're 5-2 to the under through their last seven on the road.
Free pick on UNDER.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:32 AM

Sean Murphy

Dec 27 '19, 8:00 PM in 11h
NCAA-F | USC vs Iowa
Play on: OVER 52 -109

Friday CFB Free play. My selection is on the 'over' between USC and Iowa at 8 pm et on Friday.
I like the way this one sets up as a higher-scoring game than expected in San Diego. USC closed out the season on an absolute tear offensively and I look for it to pick up right where it left off against Iowa on Friday. The Hawkeyes relied heavily on their defense over the course of the season but I'm not convinced they'll bring the same level of intensity to the table following a nearly month-long layoff. The fact that Iowa posted a lopsided 3-8-1 o/u record this season weighs heavily on this total, giving us a very reasonable number to work with. Note that USC allows just shy of five yards per rush away from home this season. Take the over (8*).

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:32 AM

Bobby Conn

Dec 27 '19, 8:05 PM in 11h
NHL | Penguins vs Predators
Play on: Predators -125 at Mirage

1* Free Play on Predators -125

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:32 AM

Andre Ramirez

Dec 27 '19, 8:05 PM in 11h
NHL | Blues vs Jets
Play on: Blues -115 at betonline

NHL 100 DIME MEGA MOVE GOY
BLUES -115
St. Louis are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games against Winnipeg. The Blues have been strong on the road going 12-4. The Jets took another hit in injuries with Laine on the sidelines. This Blues team is has great talent.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 12-27-2019, 08:32 AM

Hunter Price

Dec 27 '19, 8:05 PM in 11h
NHL | Penguins vs Predators
Play on: Predators -125 at Mirage

1* Free Pick on Predators -125

Friday 12-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Friday 12-27-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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