Bowl Write-ups and Hopefully Feedback

[Br@ssknux]

Tahj brooks was supposed to play too. I wonder same about Ward

I'm not understanding why these kids are waiting until the last minute to opt out. If you aren't going to play, why go through the practices and 1st team reps and leave your backups unprepared?

I've probably mentioned this before, so forgive me if I have, but I'm convinced that if these opt out decisions were 100% made by the player with zero outside interference, almost all of them would play. I think the reason they sit out is due to influence by people who have a financial stake in their future. Those people don't share in any of the residual, non money benefits of playing, so they only see playing as a risk, as microscopic as it is.

 

[Br@ssknux]

By the way, that BC/Nebraska game was ridiculous, and still BC only failed to cover by a point. BC 0/4 on 4th down. 4 trips inside the 20 with no points. Unconscionable personal foul penalty at the end. If anything the penalty should have been on Raiola for getting in the kids face after the love tap he took when he slid at the last moment. The catch/fumble by the TE Fidone should have been reviewed too.

I thought BC was going to crack 400 yards without scoring a point on offense. At least they didn't do that. On to the next.

 

[Br@ssknux]

Same. Until looking at bowl results I was confident. MAC faves have mashed. And MAC teams overall have showed up to play last seven seasons vs MW. The over has cashed quite a bit in those games as well. Not what I expected to find.

Good call Austin. I just did a quick unscientific look and in 12 MAC v MW bowl games over the past 8 years or so, the MAC is 9-3 ATS by my count. Maybe we should be laying it with Miami after all?

 

[Br@ssknux]

New Mexico Bowl. TCU v Louisiana Lafayette. No play here. TCU is about a 13 point favorite. If I knew LaLa QB Ben Wooldridge would be back for this one I'd have some interest in LaLa, but the line would probably come down. LaLa plays the pass well on defense which is easily he major strength of the TCU offense with Josh Hoover. Too much uncertainty here though...not much interest in this one.

Hoover is good my friends. I mentioned I like him but you'll never see any unkind words about him from me again.

 

[Br@ssknux]

Hindsight is 20/20, but BYU was clearly the right side, and it was pretty square to not see it.

 

[Br@ssknux]

Not going to have a play on the Sun Bowl where Louisville is a 2.5 point favorite over Washington. I just can't justify a play for either side. Washington was absolutely horrific away from home this year, losing every game not in Husky Stadium, and several of them were not competitive. They fell off pretty dramatically in the latter half of the year statistically, and were terrible on 3rd down on both sides of the ball. They also couldn't stop the run, and Louisville profiles to be able to run it on them. However, Tyler Shough opted out so Louisville is down to Harrison Bailey who is akin to the Elephant Man. We know he exists, but we've seldom seen him on the field because nobody wants to put him there. Louisville has a pretty good statistical profile, but don't trust them here because I don't think Bailey is good and they have a pretty long list of guys that might be or are confirmed to be opting out. Sitting it out.

 

[Br@ssknux]

18. Texas Bowl: Baylor -3.5 v LSU (BR) : If both of these teams were operating at full strength I would be looking to back Baylor based on the momentum they had at the end of the year. Dave Aranda was looking like a potential early casualty in September, but they completely made a 180 and finished the season on a 6 game winning streak, including a beatdown of previously red hot Kansas in the finale. I have a Baylor +3.5 bet from a couple weeks ago, but I would play the game at this number as well based on who LSU won't have in Houston. Their offensive line is completely ravaged, with only the starting center remaining. As you know, the offensive line was a primary strength of this team. That won't be the case in this one. Also, playmakers Kyren Lacy and Mason Taylor will be out. Garrett Nussmeier is playing because he's coming back next year and a good majority of their defensive guy will be there, but this was not a good defense in Baton Rouge this year. The Baylor offense, which really isn't losing anyone, would have significant edges in pretty much every category even if all of the LSU starters were planning on playing. Also, there's a very stark difference in enthusiasm for these two squads. LSU finished off with two nice wins over 6-6 teams Oklahoma and Vandy at home, but that was after a 3 game losing streak against A&M, Alabama and Florida, all of which weren't especially close. I'm not wild about laying more than a FG, but the steam has been predictive for most of the bowl season. Baylor should be able to move the ball with ease, and with an all backup offensive line, I don't know how Nussmeier will look throwing the ball. He had some horrendous performances late in the year, and he'll be exposed to a lot more pressure than he was in those games.

 

[Br@ssknux]

19. Citrus Bowl: South Carolina -9.5 v Illinois (BR) : This line has come down from 11.5/12 a week ago, but I think it's going to go up again. Illinois has known they were going to be in this bowl for a awhile now, it was just a matter of who the opponent would be. In my opinion, South Carolina was the worst possible matchup for them on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Illinois cannot handle dual threat QBs like La Norris Sellers. Actually check that, Illinois cannot handle dual threat QBs who aren't half as dangerous as LaNorris Sellers, and you have to look no further than Purdue backup QB Ryan Browne for proof. Illinois didn't know the dual threat Browne was going to be playing in that game until late Friday, so they didn't have a lot of notice to prepare, but they were helpless against him. Purdue...yes that Purdue, gained 536 yards and 9.2 yards per play using a dual threat scheme and utilizing Browne's ability to scramble. The second half output by Purdue was almost unfathomable if you watched any of their other games. 357 yards on 30 plays. Browne himself accounted for 178 yards on the 4th quarter alone, and the Illini were a botched 2 point conversion in OT away from the ultimate embarrassment of losing to this year's Purdue team. How do you think they'll fare against Sellers, who at times is untackle-able against good defenses? Now, that was an especially bad performance for the Illini, and they fared better against some relatively capable mobile QBs(Jalon Daniels, Aiden Chiles), but even Athan Kaliakmanis had 84 yards rushing against them and converted first downs on the ground in crucial spots. On the other side of the ball, South Carolina should be able to generate pressure all day on Luke Altmyer, and although he had a very good season, he is very mistake prone when pressured, and Illinois ranked 113th in sack rate allowed, which is a death wish against this South Carolina defense, Kyle Kennard or no Kyle Kennard. Pat Bryant, who is an equalizer for the Illinois offense is opting out, so they won't have him. I also think South Carolina will be very motivated. They were in my opinion, as hot as anyone in the country by the end of the year, and they would have belonged if added to the playoff bracket. Illinois was mostly non-competitive in the two games they played against top level teams(Oregon, Penn State), and I count South Carolina as worthy of being mentioned in the same breath with those teams. Great season for the Illini, and they are mostly intact other than Bryant, but this was not the matchup they wanted for this game.

 

[Frank Costanza]

19. Citrus Bowl: South Carolina -9.5 v Illinois (BR) : This line has come down from 11.5/12 a week ago, but I think it's going to go up again. Illinois has known they were going to be in this bowl for a awhile now, it was just a matter of who the opponent would be. In my opinion, South Carolina was the worst possible matchup for them on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Illinois cannot handle dual threat QBs like La Norris Sellers. Actually check that, Illinois cannot handle dual threat QBs who aren't half as dangerous as LaNorris Sellers, and you have to look no further than Purdue backup QB Ryan Browne for proof. Illinois didn't know the dual threat Browne was going to be playing in that game until late Friday, so they didn't have a lot of notice to prepare, but they were helpless against him. Purdue...yes that Purdue, gained 536 yards and 9.2 yards per play using a dual threat scheme and utilizing Browne's ability to scramble. The second half output by Purdue was almost unfathomable if you watched any of their other games. 357 yards on 30 plays. Browne himself accounted for 178 yards on the 4th quarter alone, and the Illini were a botched 2 point conversion in OT away from the ultimate embarrassment of losing to this year's Purdue team. How do you think they'll fare against Sellers, who at times is untackle-able against good defenses? Now, that was an especially bad performance for the Illini, and they fared better against some relatively capable mobile QBs(Jalon Daniels, Aiden Chiles), but even Athan Kaliakmanis had 84 yards rushing against them and converted first downs on the ground in crucial spots. On the other side of the ball, South Carolina should be able to generate pressure all day on Luke Altmyer, and although he had a very good season, he is very mistake prone when pressured, and Illinois ranked 113th in sack rate allowed, which is a death wish against this South Carolina defense, Kyle Kennard or no Kyle Kennard. Pat Bryant, who is an equalizer for the Illinois offense is opting out, so they won't have him. I also think South Carolina will be very motivated. They were in my opinion, as hot as anyone in the country by the end of the year, and they would have belonged if added to the playoff bracket. Illinois was mostly non-competitive in the two games they played against top level teams(Oregon, Penn State), and I count South Carolina as worthy of being mentioned in the same breath with those teams. Great season for the Illini, and they are mostly intact other than Bryant, but this was not the matchup they wanted for this game.

Florida and So Carolina were / are my 2 favorite plays of the bowl season.

Quite simply, LaNorris Sellers was the best player in the country at the end of the season. Not for the entire season, but at the end. A phenomenal talent who may challenge as one of the best at the position in the next 15 years, of all time. He's that good, talent so immense, yet so young. South Carolina as a team was trending as a top 5 team down the stretch, and deservedly so. Feels like a 37 - 13 type game.

 

[B.A.R.]

Florida and So Carolina were / are my 2 favorite plays of the bowl season.

Quite simply, LaNorris Sellers was the best player in the country at the end of the season. Not for the entire season, but at the end. A phenomenal talent who may challenge as one of the best at the position in the next 15 years, of all time. He's that good, talent so immense, yet so young. South Carolina as a team was trending as a top 5 team down the stretch, and deservedly so. Feels like a 37 - 13 type game.

Excited to watch him!

 

[Br@ssknux]

Florida and So Carolina were / are my 2 favorite plays of the bowl season.

Quite simply, LaNorris Sellers was the best player in the country at the end of the season. Not for the entire season, but at the end. A phenomenal talent who may challenge as one of the best at the position in the next 15 years, of all time. He's that good, talent so immense, yet so young. South Carolina as a team was trending as a top 5 team down the stretch, and deservedly so. Feels like a 37 - 13 type game.

He was a one man wrecking crew against Clemson. I had a bet on SC in that one and I felt guilty. It was almost unfair, kind of like the Clemson guys were saying, "What are we supposed to do with this guy?"

 

[B.A.R.]

He was a one man wrecking crew against Clemson. I had a bet on SC in that one and I felt guilty. It was almost unfair, kind of like the Clemson guys were saying, "What are we supposed to do with this guy?"

Ditto that game!

 

[Br@ssknux]

20. Fiesta Bowl: Penn State -11 v Boise State (BOL) : I've found myself in this position before, but I came into this handicap looking for reasons to bet on Boise. I found some, but the more I looked into this, I found a hell of a lot more reasons to believe it's going to be hard for Boise to stay within this number. In my opinion, Boise could play a very good game here and still not cover this. By no means do I feel that Penn State is a world beater. They can be had, and there's a distribution of games within a 100 game sample in which Boise knocks them off. But it's a small sample. There are reasons to think Boise keeps this close. First, they have the pedigree and the mindet among underdogs to pull it off. Second, they have an elite talent in Ashton Jeanty and an unquestionably competent offensive mind calling the plays in Dirk Koetter. Third, the played a top level team on the road in Oregon and should have beaten them. All of that is true. I just don't think it will matter much. First, as for the Oregon game, it was a great performance, but Oregon isn't anywhere close to the same team now as they were then. Just a week prior Oregon was only leading Idaho 17-14 with 9:45 left to play in the game, so the Ducks were clearly not firing on all cylinders at that point If Penn State wants to limit Jeanty, they will. UNLV did it. So did San Diego State and so did San Jose State. Those teams had to sell out and make themselves very susceptible to giving up chunk pass plays in return, but they did it. Penn State is much different than those teams however, and will not need to put themselves at as much risk due to their overall talent on defense. Maddux Madsen had a good year and I really like former Indiana WR Cam Camper, who has been good all year, but if he is forced to make plays in the passing game on known passing downs, every metric in the world based on results of this year tell us he won't be able to do it. But even assuming he plays well, Boise will have to put up a LOT of points because I don't see how their defense will stop Penn State. Boise played a bad slate of offenses overall and still graded out poorly in many categories. Their pass defense ranks 82nd in yards per attempt against despite playing a schedule that included 5 teams ranked 90th or worse. They are mostly a one trick pony on that side of the ball, and that trick is pressuring the QB. That's not something that Drew Allar struggles with, and I'm not even sure Penn State will need to throw the ball all that much because I think Boise will have a very hard time tackling Nick Singleton and Kaetron Allen. Believe it or not, Boise finished the season ranked 133rd in tackling per PFF. Also, their pressure rates fell as the season went on, and like I said, Drew Allar had no measurable drop off in performance when pressured and committed only 6 turnover worthy plays all year per PFF. I think it's going to be a higher scoring game, so even if Boise is matching Penn State score for score(which I doubt, if they falter once they are susceptible to being out of this spread distribution. The Mountain West did not present a team that can approach the physicality and ability of this Penn State offense, even if they are a bit lacking in explosiveness on the perimeter. Penn State by no means played well on offense against SMU, but I think they are going down in class with this Boise defense. We also can't ignore Franklin's success in this spread range, which is the same as it was against SMU. I think we're talking something like 19-2 in the 7-17 spread range? Hard to go against that. I hope we get a good game here, but I don't think Boise has the defense to pull it off.

 

[Br@ssknux]

21. Peach Bowl: Arizona State +12.5 v Texas (BR): I was happy to cash a ticket on Texas in their last game against Clemson, but I have my doubts that they were the right side. One of the things I assumed was that the Texas defense wouldn't have much problem stopping the Clemson offense. That did not turn out to be true. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw the ball at will on the Horns and they were lucky to get a goal line stand late to get the cover. I think Kenny Dillngham will be able to see what Clemson did and be able to replicate some of it with Sam Leavitt, even though Jordan Tyson is out. Cam Skattebo is a force of nature and he can also be a menace in the passing game. Leavitt is also very capable in the run game and I think he and Skattebo can cause some problems on the perimeter for a Texas defense that hasn't exactly faced a murderers row of competent offenses(stop me if you've heard that before). Leavitt is underrated as a passer and leads a passing game that ranked 10th in yards per pass attempt and was very solid on 3rd down, mostly due to Skattebo's proficiency from keeping them out of 3rd and longs as well as converting short yardage situations. Most of the attention has been placed on the ASU Offense v Texas defense matchup, but I think the ASU defense has been very solid as well. They really don't have an area where they were hurt fro a per play standpoint, and they played a bend but don't break style that used zone and containment to get stops. Texas is great 20 to 20, and if they can get explosive scores, but ASU has been good at limiting explosives. That will force Texas to score in the red zone, and they have had several games in which they were not good in the red zone, most notably in the SEC title game. They dominated that game for most of it but lost outright because they had to settle for field goals. ASU's defense profiles as the type that might force Texas into those tough scenarios, and if so, they will have a hard time covering a big number. ASU is not without confidence, and I think Texas might get caught looking ahead, since so many don't expect the Sun Devils to provide much resistance here. Quinn Ewers has also reliably tossed a couple to the opposition this year, and ASU has been good at getting takeaways, so assuming Texas won't be faced with defending a couple short fields is a longshot as well. I like the Sun Devils to give the Longhorns a fight in this one. If you wait a bit, you might find 13.

 

[Br@ssknux]

22. Rose Bowl: Oregon +2.5 v Ohio State(BR) : In a game that almost certainly will come down to the wire, I can't pass up taking the points with Oregon here. We have a #1 ranked undefeated team, and the ONLY undefeated team in the country no less, playing as a dog. That is a powerful chip on the shoulder that Lanning can use to motivate his team, as if he needed more motivation. I think I have the better quarterback and the better head coach in this one. Also, I think Ohio State will have major issues covering Oregon's receivers. Both Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun spent the first meeting chasing Tez Johnson and especially Evan Stewart all over the field, and I don't think they'll fare much better this time. Also, Oregon's manhood was challenged last time out when Penn State ran over them, and I think they'll have a much better effort against an Ohio State OL that has had major injury issues. I should also point out that although Penn State had a pretty dominant effort on the ground against Oregon, they still didn't cover. I don't want to complicate this one too much. Getting points with Oregon in this game has to be taken advantage of. Ohio State looked great against Tennessee, but this is a whole different animal on a neutral site. I'm going with the Ducks here.

 

[Br@ssknux]

Will have a writeup for ND/UGA tomorrow.

 

[twinkie13]

21. Peach Bowl: Arizona State +12.5 v Texas (BR): I was happy to cash a ticket on Texas in their last game against Clemson, but I have my doubts that they were the right side. One of the things I assumed was that the Texas defense wouldn't have much problem stopping the Clemson offense. That did not turn out to be true. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw the ball at will on the Horns and they were lucky to get a goal line stand late to get the cover. I think Kenny Dillngham will be able to see what Clemson did and be able to replicate some of it with Sam Leavitt, even though Jordan Tyson is out. Cam Skattebo is a force of nature and he can also be a menace in the passing game. Leavitt is also very capable in the run game and I think he and Skattebo can cause some problems on the perimeter for a Texas defense that hasn't exactly faced a murderers row of competent offenses(stop me if you've heard that before). Leavitt is underrated as a passer and leads a passing game that ranked 10th in yards per pass attempt and was very solid on 3rd down, mostly due to Skattebo's proficiency from keeping them out of 3rd and longs as well as converting short yardage situations. Most of the attention has been placed on the ASU Offense v Texas defense matchup, but I think the ASU defense has been very solid as well. They really don't have an area where they were hurt fro a per play standpoint, and they played a bend but don't break style that used zone and containment to get stops. Texas is great 20 to 20, and if they can get explosive scores, but ASU has been good at limiting explosives. That will force Texas to score in the red zone, and they have had several games in which they were not good in the red zone, most notably in the SEC title game. They dominated that game for most of it but lost outright because they had to settle for field goals. ASU's defense profiles as the type that might force Texas into those tough scenarios, and if so, they will have a hard time covering a big number. ASU is not without confidence, and I think Texas might get caught looking ahead, since so many don't expect the Sun Devils to provide much resistance here. Quinn Ewers has also reliably tossed a couple to the opposition this year, and ASU has been good at getting takeaways, so assuming Texas won't be faced with defending a couple short fields is a longshot as well. I like the Sun Devils to give the Longhorns a fight in this one. If you wait a bit, you might find 13.

I’ve come around on this too. I had Clemson money last week and kinda felt like I’d do it again, even in the loss.
Sun Devils talked alotta shit this week, I think they believe what we know. Texas can get got. I’m gonna take the double digits too Br@ss

 

[bones]

21. Peach Bowl: Arizona State +12.5 v Texas (BR): I was happy to cash a ticket on Texas in their last game against Clemson, but I have my doubts that they were the right side. One of the things I assumed was that the Texas defense wouldn't have much problem stopping the Clemson offense. That did not turn out to be true. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw the ball at will on the Horns and they were lucky to get a goal line stand late to get the cover. I think Kenny Dillngham will be able to see what Clemson did and be able to replicate some of it with Sam Leavitt, even though Jordan Tyson is out. Cam Skattebo is a force of nature and he can also be a menace in the passing game. Leavitt is also very capable in the run game and I think he and Skattebo can cause some problems on the perimeter for a Texas defense that hasn't exactly faced a murderers row of competent offenses(stop me if you've heard that before). Leavitt is underrated as a passer and leads a passing game that ranked 10th in yards per pass attempt and was very solid on 3rd down, mostly due to Skattebo's proficiency from keeping them out of 3rd and longs as well as converting short yardage situations. Most of the attention has been placed on the ASU Offense v Texas defense matchup, but I think the ASU defense has been very solid as well. They really don't have an area where they were hurt fro a per play standpoint, and they played a bend but don't break style that used zone and containment to get stops. Texas is great 20 to 20, and if they can get explosive scores, but ASU has been good at limiting explosives. That will force Texas to score in the red zone, and they have had several games in which they were not good in the red zone, most notably in the SEC title game. They dominated that game for most of it but lost outright because they had to settle for field goals. ASU's defense profiles as the type that might force Texas into those tough scenarios, and if so, they will have a hard time covering a big number. ASU is not without confidence, and I think Texas might get caught looking ahead, since so many don't expect the Sun Devils to provide much resistance here. Quinn Ewers has also reliably tossed a couple to the opposition this year, and ASU has been good at getting takeaways, so assuming Texas won't be faced with defending a couple short fields is a longshot as well. I like the Sun Devils to give the Longhorns a fight in this one. If you wait a bit, you might find 13.

Texas grad and I lean in your direction. It is 13 here now (my local) and I am going to wait some more.

I did take TX -7 1H and will stick with that.

 

[KJ]

21. Peach Bowl: Arizona State +12.5 v Texas (BR): I was happy to cash a ticket on Texas in their last game against Clemson, but I have my doubts that they were the right side. One of the things I assumed was that the Texas defense wouldn't have much problem stopping the Clemson offense. That did not turn out to be true. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw the ball at will on the Horns and they were lucky to get a goal line stand late to get the cover. I think Kenny Dillngham will be able to see what Clemson did and be able to replicate some of it with Sam Leavitt, even though Jordan Tyson is out. Cam Skattebo is a force of nature and he can also be a menace in the passing game. Leavitt is also very capable in the run game and I think he and Skattebo can cause some problems on the perimeter for a Texas defense that hasn't exactly faced a murderers row of competent offenses(stop me if you've heard that before). Leavitt is underrated as a passer and leads a passing game that ranked 10th in yards per pass attempt and was very solid on 3rd down, mostly due to Skattebo's proficiency from keeping them out of 3rd and longs as well as converting short yardage situations. Most of the attention has been placed on the ASU Offense v Texas defense matchup, but I think the ASU defense has been very solid as well. They really don't have an area where they were hurt fro a per play standpoint, and they played a bend but don't break style that used zone and containment to get stops. Texas is great 20 to 20, and if they can get explosive scores, but ASU has been good at limiting explosives. That will force Texas to score in the red zone, and they have had several games in which they were not good in the red zone, most notably in the SEC title game. They dominated that game for most of it but lost outright because they had to settle for field goals. ASU's defense profiles as the type that might force Texas into those tough scenarios, and if so, they will have a hard time covering a big number. ASU is not without confidence, and I think Texas might get caught looking ahead, since so many don't expect the Sun Devils to provide much resistance here. Quinn Ewers has also reliably tossed a couple to the opposition this year, and ASU has been good at getting takeaways, so assuming Texas won't be faced with defending a couple short fields is a longshot as well. I like the Sun Devils to give the Longhorns a fight in this one. If you wait a bit, you might find 13.

Think the key for ASU to compete is getting Skatebo heavily involved in the passing game, stretch the defense with those short passes which might actually loosen up the running game for him. Definitely have to get him on the perimeter when they can. Hard to believe he finished 5th in the Heisman, completely under the radar season but so was basically their season. Tall order here and not sure I can stomach it but if I can get 14+ live I might nibble. GL Br@ss

 

[Timh]

Will have a writeup for ND/UGA tomorrow.

Looking forward to your thoughts on that game. I feel like the ND offense ought to be pretty straight forward for GA to prepare for, being run based and not really posing that much of a threat throwing the ball downfield ie lack of stretch. The wildcard is Stockton, just don't know what to expect out of him. My inclination is GA and under. Happy NY.

 

[Br@ssknux]

Wow, what a day. To quote Lloyd Christmas...."Oh, it's Samsonite.. I was WAYYYY off!!"

Baylor, South Carolina and especially Alabama, all outright losers, and not a fluke among them.

One thought on the Alabama performance: Could that be one of the worst bowl performances of the last decade, all things considered?

1. Michigan was not a great team this year, and for periods of time, it was hard to call them even a good team.
2. Michigan was without their top 8 players(10?)
3. Alabama had pretty much their full roster
4. Alabama was motivated and clearly wanted and needed to win the game.

Extra kudos to Michigan because they had already won their Super Bowl, and had nothing tangible to really play for, other than pride. Yet they played their asses off

 

[2daBank]

Wow, what a day. To quote Lloyd Christmas...."Oh, it's Samsonite.. I was WAYYYY off!!"

Baylor, South Carolina and especially Alabama, all outright losers, and not a fluke among them.

One thought on the Alabama performance: Could that be one of the worst bowl performances of the last decade, all things considered?

1. Michigan was not a great team this year, and for periods of time, it was hard to call them even a good team.
2. Michigan was without their top 8 players(10?)
3. Alabama had pretty much their full roster
4. Alabama was motivated and clearly wanted and needed to win the game.

Extra kudos to Michigan because they had already won their Super Bowl, and had nothing tangible to really play for, other than pride. Yet they played their asses off

I stayed away, wasn’t laying that number but I thought the talk bout bama being the super motivated team here was odd. I mean since when bama care bout anything but championships? The new coach had them laying eggs they never ever would have near Saban. I just didn’t buy it but with all the ppl out I totally ignored it.

 

[Frank Costanza]

Alabama against OU was one of the most fraudulent performances you will ever see. OU was terrible this season. Its QB, Jackson Arnold, benched for an inept JC wannabe Michael Hawkins, just ran the ball down Alabama's throat. Again, a player with one foot and more in the portal, ran it up Bama's ass without resistance. That game was encapsulated by Milroe throwing an abysmal pick 6 and putting the icing on the cake with a pathetic and disinterested attempt to tackle the guy.

Then today, against a team without a prayer to score, Alabama somehow loses to Michigan. Somehow cannot be emphasized enough. Inexecuable doesn't describe that loss today.

Outside of gps, there's no one on this board who wants Bama to win more. Sans Texas, it's my team.

But this was inexcusable in multiple respects.

Enjoy the offseason, DeBoer.

 

[Br@ssknux]

23. Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame +2 v Georgia: I felt better about this matchup and taking the Irish before DL Rylie Mills got hurt, because any time your best interior defender is hurt, it's not a good sign, to say the least. Even so, I think whichever of these team is getting points is the right side to take. I also show that ND has the edge in most of the head to head matchups. I've said this before, but this Georgia team simply does not profile as an elite level college football team. They're good, but they are an average team in a lot of areas, most notably running the ball(82nd, believe it or not) and stopping the run(42nd on a per rush basis). With Mills absent, ND will probably have to devote another body to the box , but I think they're well set up to do this because 1- their secondary is among the best in the country and can cover effectively, and 2- we have no evidence that Gunnar Stockton can be effective throwing against any defense, let alone one as accomplished in coverage as ND is. I also think there's a good chance that ND runs it effectively in this one. They have 3 guys who can hurt Georgia on the ground, and as I mentioned, Georgia's rush defense has not been great. Even UMass in week 12 or 13 was able to pile up tons of yards in the ground game. Also, Riley Leonard hardly ran the ball at all against Indiana(they didn't need to run him), and Georgia Tech showed that they could be had on the ground. The Irish rank 3rd in the country in pass yards per attempt, and I think it will be a tall order for Gunnar Stockton to have major success against this coverage unit. To be successful. Georgia will need to run it with Etienne and Stockton, and their numbers say they'll have a hard time doing that. I think ND is more likely to have success on the ground, and if he has to, Leonard has more of a passing pedigree than Georgia currently does. I'm a little worried about ND's terrible kicking game, especially in a close game, but I like ND's coordinators, and there are too many advantages with the Irish to just ignore, especially when I can take some points, which I think will be at a premium.

 

[2daBank]

Think the key for ASU to compete is getting Skatebo heavily involved in the passing game, stretch the defense with those short passes which might actually loosen up the running game for him. Definitely have to get him on the perimeter when they can. Hard to believe he finished 5th in the Heisman, completely under the radar season but so was basically their season. Tall order here and not sure I can stomach it but if I can get 14+ live I might nibble. GL Br@ss

I actually have a skateeboo under 105.5 rush prop and over 30.5 rec prop so we on same page there. Biggest reason I’d take points or pass is cause neither offense great in red zone and both have very good d’s. Fgs don’t cover big spreads. Dunno if I just stick w props tho? Both defenses I think control lot of game. Other than skateboo ov rec I lean to lot of unders. Although blue rush total is awful damn low, he could be worth a over at 50.5 rush:

 

[Br@ssknux]

I stayed away, wasn’t laying that number but I thought the talk bout bama being the super motivated team here was odd. I mean since when bama care bout anything but championships? The new coach had them laying eggs they never ever would have near Saban. I just didn’t buy it but with all the ppl out I totally ignored it.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones Bank. Great to see you and Happy New Year!

 

[2daBank]

23. Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame +2 v Georgia: I felt better about this matchup and taking the Irish before DL Rylie Mills got hurt, because any time your best interior defender is hurt, it's not a good sign, to say the least. Even so, I think whichever of these team is getting points is the right side to take. I also show that ND has the edge in most of the head to head matchups. I've said this before, but this Georgia team simply does not profile as an elite level college football team. They're good, but they are an average team in a lot of areas, most notably running the ball(82nd, believe it or not) and stopping the run(42nd on a per rush basis). With Mills absent, ND will probably have to devote another body to the box , but I think they're well set up to do this because 1- their secondary is among the best in the country and can cover effectively, and 2- we have no evidence that Gunnar Stockton can be effective throwing against any defense, let alone one as accomplished in coverage as ND is. I also think there's a good chance that ND runs it effectively in this one. They have 3 guys who can hurt Georgia on the ground, and as I mentioned, Georgia's rush defense has not been great. Even UMass in week 12 or 13 was able to pile up tons of yards in the ground game. Also, Riley Leonard hardly ran the ball at all against Indiana(they didn't need to run him), and Georgia Tech showed that they could be had on the ground. The Irish rank 3rd in the country in pass yards per attempt, and I think it will be a tall order for Gunnar Stockton to have major success against this coverage unit. To be successful. Georgia will need to run it with Etienne and Stockton, and their numbers say they'll have a hard time doing that. I think ND is more likely to have success on the ground, and if he has to, Leonard has more of a passing pedigree than Georgia currently does. I'm a little worried about ND's terrible kicking game, especially in a close game, but I like ND's coordinators, and there are too many advantages with the Irish to just ignore, especially when I can take some points, which I think will be at a premium.

Leonard rush prop is so low for him: I’m tempted. No clue on side. I’m trust Kirby more in these games but don’t really want to bet on unknown at qb. Think I like the 1st half under. Gl buddy

 

[Br@ssknux]

Looking forward to your thoughts on that game. I feel like the ND offense ought to be pretty straight forward for GA to prepare for, being run based and not really posing that much of a threat throwing the ball downfield ie lack of stretch. The wildcard is Stockton, just don't know what to expect out of him. My inclination is GA and under. Happy NY.

Thanks Timmy. I could see people leaning to Georgia based strictly on the recent big game pedigree of the two teams and the expectation that Georgia will luckbox it's way to good fortune. Continued good luck to you in the New Year.

 

[2daBank]

Best wishes to you and your loved ones Bank. Great to see you and Happy New Year!

You to bro

 

[2daBank]

Looking forward to your thoughts on that game. I feel like the ND offense ought to be pretty straight forward for GA to prepare for, being run based and not really posing that much of a threat throwing the ball downfield ie lack of stretch. The wildcard is Stockton, just don't know what to expect out of him. My inclination is GA and under. Happy NY.

If I wasn’t worried bout sacks I think I’d love Stockton over rushing at 21.5, scared he wouldn’t be able to overcome a couple 10
Yard sacks tho

 

[skanless13]

Alabama against OU was one of the most fraudulent performances you will ever see. OU was terrible this season. Its QB, Jackson Arnold, benched for an inept JC wannabe Michael Hawkins, just ran the ball down Alabama's throat. Again, a player with one foot and more in the portal, ran it up Bama's ass without resistance. That game was encapsulated by Milroe throwing an abysmal pick 6 and putting the icing on the cake with a pathetic and disinterested attempt to tackle the guy.

Then today, against a team without a prayer to score, Alabama somehow loses to Michigan. Somehow cannot be emphasized enough. Inexecuable doesn't describe that loss today.

Outside of gps, there's no one on this board who wants Bama to win more. Sans Texas, it's my team.

But this was inexcusable in multiple respects.

Enjoy the offseason, DeBoer.

Sickening. I follow them closer than anyone else for the past 25+ years. I’m disgusted by them this year outside of the first half against UGA. Today was a joke.