COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS BEST EARLY BETS WEEK 2
Summary
On December 31st, No. 10 Miami upset Texas A&M 10-3, setting up a Cotton Bowl clash with No. 2 Ohio State. The prediction is for a close Ohio State win, with Miami covering the 9-point spread and the total staying under 43 points.
The following day features three major bowl games. In the Orange Bowl, No. 5 Oregon is favored by 2 points over No. 4 Texas Tech, with a high-scoring over expected. In the Rose Bowl, No. 1 Indiana is a 7-point favorite over No. 9 Alabama. Finally, in the Sugar Bowl, No. 3 Georgia is predicted to cover a 6.5-point spread against No. 6 Ole Miss.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31
GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC
No. 10 MIAMI VS No.2 OHIO STATE (-9, O/U: 43)
Miami (11-2) got a monster upset in a very dull game to open the College Football Playoff, knocking off No. 7 Texas A&M 10-3 last week. Carson Beck was 14 of 20 for 103 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He was sacked twice. Mark Fletcher, Jr. rushed 17 times for 172 yards. Malachi Toney caught the TD pass. The defense picked off Marcel Reed twice and sacked him seven times. The Buckeyes (12-1) have been off since losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship, 13-10, a few weeks ago. Julian Sayin was 21 of 29 for 258 yards, one TD, and a pick. He was sacked five times. Bo Jackson rushed 17 times for 83 yards. Jeremaih Smith caught eight passes for 144 yards. Carnell Tate hauled in a touchdown. The defense intercepted Fernando Mendoza once and sacked him three times.Â
BEST BETS: Miami +9, Under 43
I still think Ohio State will win, but it’ll be closer than nine points. We rode the under with the Buckeyes all season to much success, and I see no reason to stop here.
THURSDAY, JAN. 1
CAPITAL ONE ORANGE BOWL
No. 5 OREGON VS No. 4 TEXAS TECH (+2, O/U: 52.5)
The Ducks (12-1) started their College Football Playoff campaign with a 51-34 beating of No. 12 James Madison, who will never get to sniff the CFP again. Donte Moore was 19 of 27 for 313 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He added a TD on the ground. Jordon Davison rushed 10 times for 90 yards. Dierre Hill, Jr. had six carries for 76 yards and a score. Malik Benson caught five passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah McClellan had six grabs for 83 yards and a TD. Jamair Johnson caught a touchdown. The defense sacked Alonza Barnett III twice. Texas Tech (12-1) has been idle after blowing out No. 11 BYU, 34-7, in the Big 12 Championship. Behren Morton was 20 of 33 for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks. J’Koby Williams rushed 15 times for 80 yards. Cameron Dickey had 18 carries for 72 yards and a score. Reggie Virgil caught eight receptions for 86 yards. Coy Eakin caught two TDs.Â
BEST BETS: Oregon -2, Over 52.5
I like Moore to solidify his position as the second-best quarterback (possibly) entering the NFL draft in this one, a game that could end up 35-30.
ROSE BOWL PRESENTED BY PRUDENTIAL
No. 9 ALABAMA VS No. 1 INDIANA (-7, O/U: 48)
Alabama (11-3) opened its College Football Playoff campaign with a 34-24 victory over Oklahoma in Round 1. Ty Simpson was 18 of 29 for 232 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked four times. Daniel Hill scored a TD. Lotzier Brooks caught five passes for 79 yards and two scores. The defense intercepted John Mateer once and sacked him four times. The Hoosiers (13-0) got the opening round bye and No. 1 overall seed thanks to knocking off Ohio State, 13-10, in the Big Ten Title Game. Fernando Mendoza, on his way to a much-deserved Heisman Trophy, was 15 of 23 for 222 yards, one TD and a pick. He was sacked three times. Kaelon Black rushed 16 times for 69 yards. Charlie Becker caught six passes for 126 yards. Elijah Sarratt hauled in a TD. The defense sacked Julian Sayin five times and intercepted him once.
BEST BETS: Indiana -7
I have no idea what Alabama team will show up here, but I’m confident the Hooziers will arrive ready to play.
ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
No. 6 OLE MISS VS No. 3 GEORGIA (-6.5, O/U: 56.5)
Interim head coach Pete Golding led the Rebels (12-1) to a 41-10 victory over No. 11 Tulane, who, again, will never get this close to the CFP ever again. Trinidad Chambliss was 23 of 29 for 282 yards, one TD and no interceptions. He added 36 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Kewan Lacy rushed 15 times for 87 yards and a score. He was sacked twice. The defense picked off Jake Retzlaff once and sacked him twice. Georgia (12-1) enjoyed the week off after defeating Alabama 28-7 in the SEC Championship. Gunnar Stockton was 20 of 26 for 156 yards, three TDs and no picks. Nate Frazier scored a TD. Jazharia Branch, Roderick Robinson and Dillon Bell all hauled in touchdown passes.
BEST BETS: Georgia -6.5
It was a nice run for Golding and the Rebs, but it wraps up here.
Follow Adam Greene on Blue Sky @AdamGreene13, threads @adam.greene and Twitter @TheFirstMan
