2011 Insight Bowl Preview - Oklahoma to win, Iowa to cover

The Insight Bowl will take place on 12/30 pitting Iowa against Oklahoma. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

Iowa is ranked #41 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 71.753 against a schedule strength of 67.308. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were fairly consistent, their worst game being against Michigan State and best game being against Michigan. They are 3-4 against the spread this year and the computer is 2-6 picking their games against the spread and 6-2 picking winners in their games.



Oklahoma is ranked #7 by the computer with a 9-3 record and a rating of 83.030 against a schedule strength of 73.611. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were pretty good except for their 3 losses, their worst game being against Texas Tech and best game being at Kansas State. They are 5-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 5-4 picking their games against the spread and 8-1 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 2 degrees through Iowa State and 3 degrees as follows:


2 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Indiana-->Ball_St-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Baylor-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Kansas-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Kansas_St-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Missouri-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Oklahoma_St-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Texas_A&M-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Texas-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Iowa_St-->Texas_Tech-->Oklahoma
3 Iowa-->Louisiana-Monroe-->Florida_St-->Oklahoma


Against Iowa State, Iowa lost 44-41 on the road and Oklahoma won 26-6.

The spread is Oklahoma by 14 and the computer agrees but not by as much picking them by 11.3. Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:

.Iowa +14.0 over *. Oklahoma 11.3 2.7 0.873 0.609

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.

2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Preview - Tulsa to win and cover

The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl will take place on 12/30 pitting Brigham Young against Tulsa. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

Brigham Young is ranked #45 by the computer with a 9-3 record and a rating of 71.014 against a schedule strength of 63.055. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were fairly consistent after an early glitch against Utah, their worst game being against Utah and best game being at Hawaii. They are 4-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 4-4 picking their games against the spread and 6-2 picking winners in their games.



Tulsa is ranked #34 by the computer with a 8-4 record and a rating of 72.462 against a schedule strength of 67.210. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were quite consistent until their loss against Houston, their worst game being against Houston and best game being against SMU. They are 3-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 2-5 picking their games against the spread and 7-0 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 2 degrees through Central Florida and 3 degrees as follows:


2 Brigham_Young-->Central_Florida-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Central_Florida-->Alabama-Birmingham-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Central_Florida-->Marshall-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Central_Florida-->SMU-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Central_Florida-->UTEP-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Hawaii-->Tulane-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->New_Mexico_St-->UTEP-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->TCU-->Boise_St-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->TCU-->SMU-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Texas-->Oklahoma_St-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Texas-->Oklahoma-->Tulsa
3 Brigham_Young-->Texas-->Rice-->Tulsa

Against Central Florida, BYU won 24-17 at home and Tulsa won 24-17 on the road.


The spread is even and the computer also has it close picking Tulsa by 1.4. Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:

*.Tulsa -0.0 over . Brigham Young 1.4 1.4 0.548 0.548

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.

2011 Valero Alamo Bowl Preview - Baylor to win, Washington to cover

The Valero Alamo Bowl will take place on 12/29 pitting Washington against Baylor. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

Washington is ranked #53 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 69.781 against a schedule strength of 69.895. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were very up and down this year, their worst game being at Oregon State and best game being at Utah. They are 5-2 against the spread this year and the computer is 2-6 picking their games against the spread and 5-3 picking winners in their games.



Baylor is ranked #15 by the computer with a 9-3 record and a rating of 78.690 against a schedule strength of 71.994. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were ok early, but great late, their worst game being at Texas A&M and best game being against Texas. They are 5-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 6-3 picking their games against the spread and 6-3 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 3 degrees in only one way, an indication of how little big Pac-12 and Big-12 play, as follows:

3 Washington-->Arizona-->Oklahoma_St-->Baylor

The spread is Baylor by 10 and the computer agrees picking them by 8.6. Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:

.Washington           +10.0 over *.               Baylor  8.9  1.1 0.817 0.544

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.

2011 Champs Sports Bowl Preview - Notre Dame in the upset

The Champs Sports Bowl will take place on 12/29 pitting Florida State against Notre Dame. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

Florida State is ranked #23 by the computer with a 8-4 record and a rating of 75.871 against a schedule strength of 64.818. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were up and down, especially late, their worst game being against Virginia and best game being at Florida. They are 2-4 against the spread this year and the computer is 5-2 picking their games against the spread and 4-3 picking winners in their games.



Notre Dame is ranked #22 by the computer with a 8-4 record and a rating of 76.126 against a schedule strength of 70.308. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were up and down early, a little more consistent late but finished a little down, their worst game being against South Florida and best game being against Michigan State. They are 5-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 6-3 picking their games against the spread and 9-0 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 2 degrees 3 ways through BC, Maryland, and Wake Forest, and 3 degrees as follows:

2 Florida_St-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
2 Florida_St-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame
2 Florida_St-->Wake_Forest-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Boston_College-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Boston_College-->Wake_Forest-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Clemson-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Clemson-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Clemson-->Wake_Forest-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Duke-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Duke-->Stanford-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Duke-->Wake_Forest-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Maryland-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Maryland-->Wake_Forest-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Miami_FL-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Miami_FL-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Miami_FL-->South_Florida-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->North_Carolina_St-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->North_Carolina_St-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->North_Carolina_St-->Wake_Forest-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Virginia-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Wake_Forest-->Boston_College-->Notre_Dame
3 Florida_St-->Wake_Forest-->Maryland-->Notre_Dame

Against BC, Florida State won 38-7 on the road and Notre Dame eked out at 16-14 win at home.  Against Maryland won big on at home and Notre Dame won big effectively on the road.  Against Wake Forest, FSU lost 35-30 on the road and Notre Dame won 24-17 on the road.

The spread is FSU by 3 and the computer disagrees picking the upset of Notre Dame by 0.4. Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:

*.Notre Dame +3.0 over . Florida State 0.4 3.4 0.515 0.638

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.

2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl Preview - Texas to win, Cal to cover

The Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl will take place on 12/28 pitting California against Texas. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

California is ranked #33 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 72.945 against a schedule strength of 69.202. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were up and down but finished strong, their worst game being at UCLA and best game being against Utah. They are 3-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 4-3 picking their games against the spread and 4-3 picking winners in their games.



Texas is ranked #24 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 75.652 against a schedule strength of 73.244. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were also up and down, their worst game being at Baylor and best game being at Iowa State. They are 5-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 4-5 picking their games against the spread and 6-3 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 2 degrees through UCLA and 3 degrees as follows:

2 California-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Arizona_St-->Missouri-->Texas
3 California-->Arizona_St-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Colorado-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Oregon_St-->Brigham_Young-->Texas
3 California-->Oregon_St-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Oregon-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Southern_Cal-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Stanford-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Utah-->Brigham_Young-->Texas
3 California-->Utah-->UCLA-->Texas
3 California-->Washington_St-->UCLA-->Texas

Against UCLA, Texas won 49-20 on the road and Cal lost 31-14 on the road.


The spread is Texas by 4 and the computer agrees but by less picking them by 2.3. Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:

.California            +4.0 over *.                Texas  2.7  1.3 0.598 0.547

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.

2011 Military Bowl Preview - Toledo to win and cover

The Military Bowl will take place on 12/28 pitting Toledo against Air Force. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

Toledo is ranked #31 by the computer with a 8-4 record and a rating of 73.236 against a schedule strength of 65.935. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were up and down, their worst game being at Syracuse and best game being at Temple. They are 4-1 against the spread this year and the computer is 2-4 picking their games against the spread and 4-2 picking winners in their games.



Air Force is ranked #77 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 64.782 against a schedule strength of 62.266. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were more consistent, their worst game being against San Diego State and best game being at Boise State. They are 3-3 against the spread this year and the computer is 3-4 picking their games against the spread and 5-2 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 2 degrees through Boise State as follows:


2 Toledo-->Boise_St-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Ball_St-->Army-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Boise_St-->Colorado_St-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Boise_St-->New_Mexico-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Boise_St-->San_Diego_St-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Boise_St-->TCU-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Boise_St-->UNLV-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Boise_St-->Wyoming-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Bowling_Green-->Wyoming-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Miami_OH-->Army-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Northern_Illinois-->Army-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Temple-->Army-->Air_Force
3 Toledo-->Temple-->Wyoming-->Air_Force

Against Boise State, Toledo lost 40-15 at home and Air Force lost 37-26 on the road.


The spread is Toledo by 3 and the computer agrees picking them by more, 7.6.  Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:

*Toledo -3.0 over .. Air Force 7.6 4.6 0.788 0.686

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.

2011 Belk Bowl Preview - Louisville to cover and almost win outright

The Belk Bowl will take place on 12/27 pitting Louisville against North Carolina State. A subscription for all previews a week in advance of the games is available.

Louisville is ranked #55 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 69.608 against a schedule strength of 66.288. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were fairly consistent but steadily improved during the year, their worst game being against Florida Int'l and best game being at South Florida. They are 5-2 against the spread this year and the computer is 3-5 picking their games against the spread and 1-7 picking winners in their games.



North Carolina State is ranked #54 by the computer with a 7-5 record and a rating of 69.754 against a schedule strength of 64.680. Their performance chart can be found below and shows they were up and down, particularly late, their worst game being at Cincinnati and best game being against Clemson. They are 3-3-1 against the spread this year and the computer is 3-4-1 picking their games against the spread and 4-4 picking winners in their games.



The teams are separated by 2 degrees through Cincinnati and North Carolina as follows:

2 Louisville-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
2 Louisville-->North_Carolina-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Connecticut-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Kentucky-->Central_Michigan-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->North_Carolina-->Clemson-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->North_Carolina-->Georgia_Tech-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->North_Carolina-->Virginia-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->North_Carolina-->Wake_Forest-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Pittsburgh-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Rutgers-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Rutgers-->North_Carolina-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->South_Florida-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Syracuse-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->Syracuse-->Wake_Forest-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->West_Virginia-->Cincinnati-->North_Carolina_St
3 Louisville-->West_Virginia-->Maryland-->North_Carolina_St

Against Cincinnati, NC State lost 44-14 on the road and Louisville lost 25-16 on the road.  Against North Carolina, NC State won 13-0 at home and Louisville lost 14-7 on the road.


The spread is NC State by 3 and the computer barely agrees picking them by just 0.2.  Given Louisville's strong finish Louisville plus the points seems like a good pick.  Here is the pick using the format from the newsletter:


.Louisville +3.0 over *. North Carolina State 0.2 2.8 0.510 0.630

Enjoy!


Newsletter pick format:

The x denotes the home team. The * denotes the pick to win the game. The . is just a place holder. The number before "over" is the best line I've found typically from Maddux Sports. The team on the left is the pick against the spread. The first column after the second team is what the computer predicts the winning team will win by. The next column is the difference between the Vegas line and that prediction. The next column is the confidence of my pick to win. The last column is the confidence of the pick against the spread.