Lions have covered the last 8 meetings...

Wilmington had a great 2024 finishing 24-10 and they lost in the CAA tournament and then all the leading scorers transferred out of school. But here they are this year starting the season 10-3 and 8-3 against the spread and they play Towson who lost six in a row until beating Bryant at home in their last game which was December 22nd. Wilmington's last game was the 28th and they've won three straight games. Wilmington to win and cover.

I have to bet this one on principle with Oregon who I can't believe is not favored in this game. They have not lost one game this season and Ohio State, who lost two games one to Oregon and the other to Michigan and I might add they lost to Michigan as 19.5-point favorites. What gives Ohio State the right to be favored against Oregon in this game on a neutral field? Oregon to cover.

I put ASU in the same category as SMU and Clemson but the difference here is that Texas is not at home and that's where my edge might be with Arizona State in this game. It's also nice knowing that they covered almost every game they played. They were 11-2 ATS on the season. And they have the biggest baddest bowling ball of a running back in college football in Cam Skattebo who ran for over 1,500 yards and had 19 touchdowns. Texas is in the first year of SEC play but I'm not impressed with their schedule and they lost to the best team Georgia twice. Arizona State gives them a battle, covers.

Penn State and Boise State are in the college playoff together but they're from two completely different worlds. Penn State had two losses this year and they came against the best, Oregon and Ohio State. The Big Ten is just a better more competitive conference. Boise State's only loss on the year came to Oregon but the rest of their wins are against UNLV twice, Wyoming barely, and Nevada in a struggle. It's the defense that I think is going to be the separator between the two conferences and Penn State has the No. 5 defense in the nation allowing 279 yards and allow only 100 yards per game rushing which is the strength of Boise State and running back Ashton Jeanty. Penn State covers.

South Carolina will be without defensive player of the Year Kyle Kennard but they got freshman quarterback LeNorris Sellers at quarterback and that's my main concern to make me bet South Carolina to win and cover. It's what they've been doing all year they're 9-3 and 9-3 against the spread and they come in hot with the six-game win streak covering six of their last seven games. South Carolina has the nation's No. 15 defense; their only losses the year were to Alabama, Mississippi, and LSU. South Carolina to cover.

Alabama was 2-3 in away games as they meet Michigan with both teams missing players to the transfer portal and NFL draft. Michigan was playing well at the end of the season beating Ohio State and Northwestern and a close one with Indiana that they lost 20-15. They were a different team with a different attitude than earlier in the season. What sticks out to me with Alabama is they lost to Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, and the Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw 4 interceptions in his last two games and had no touchdown passes. Michigan despite the slow start has always been solid with the run ranking this year No. 3 at 92 yards allowed per game and No. 14 overall in defense.

The Cavs have taken over this year where the Warriors left off and perfected the shooting this year with record of 27-4. They have three straight wins over them including this year in November, 136-117, in Cleveland. The Cavs have won six straight games covering four of them and are No. 1 in shooting at 50.6%. The Warriors are a surprising No. 24 in the NBA at 44% shooting. The Warriors have lost six of their last eight with their last win against Phoenix. Cavs cover.

Last season the Lions had the 49ers right where they wanted them with a 24-7 halftime lead and were writing their ticket to the Super Bowl. But the ball bounced the 49ers way in the second half and ended up winning 34-31. Things are slightly different this year as the Lions are 13-2 and the 49ers are 6-9. The 49ers have had many problems this year in the health department with Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams missing. The 49ers have lost five of their last six games and their rating remains relatively high for some reason which means they haven't covered six of the last seven. The Lions are 7-0 on the road. Lions to cover.

Houston plays their first true road game of the season after three losses on neutral sites but 7-0 at home. Oklahoma State is 5-0 at home and they also took their three losses at neutral sites. Houston's defense has gotten tougher as the season has gone on and they hold their opponents to 55 points per game which is No. 1 in the nation. They also hold their opponents to 34% shooting which is No. 2 in the nation and only allow 17.6 made buckets which is No. 1 in the nation. I'm taking the under.

Iowa had a couple of players opt out for the transfer portal and one running back Kaleb Johnson decided to turn pro. They've got their quarterback back in Brendon Sullivan but it's not the quarterback that Iowa started the season with, Cade McNamara. Missouri's got quarterback Brady Cook is healthy after having a high ankle sprain against Alabama. Missouri's top receiver Luther Burden III is preparing for the NFL draft and then they've got a couple more that are out due to injury. Both teams were two and three in away games. But Missouri went 9-3 and 8-4 against the spread and 7-0 at home. I was surprised with Iowa 9-3 to the over. Missouri is the play.

BYU started the season 9-0 but lost two of their last three games to miss the Big 12 championship. They didn't cover their last four games. Colorado covered nine of their last 10 games but lost to Kansas to miss out on the Big 12 championship. Here they are meeting when they didn't even meet in the Big 12 this season. The big news here is that Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will play even though they will be top three picks in the NFL draft. Colorado's defense got better this year but not as good as BYU's which is 20th in the nation allowing 317 yards per game. The Buffs want to be playing in the Alamo Bowl. Colorado wins this game.

The 9-6 Broncos have the best cover record in the NFL at 11-4 ATS and can clinch a playoff berth with the win today at the Bengals. The 7-8 Bengals are playing their last home game and have the NFL's passing leader in several categories in Joe Burrow. They need the win to just stay alive and then need some help. The Broncos have the No. 8 defense in the NFL averaging 319 yards per game. The Bengals have won three straight. But all those wins were against losing teams and all the Bengals wins on the season have been against losing teams. When they meet a good team they lose, the Broncos are a good team. Broncos to win.

The Hurricanes entered the bowl season with a 10-2 record, the No. 1 in points with 44.2 a game, and total yards with 538 per game. Iowa State comes off a game where they got waxed by Arizona State 45-19. Cam Ward is staying for his team's last game which is a breath of fresh air amid most things going on in the bowls. The problem with the Hurricanes is that they don't cover very often. Just 6-6 ATS. Their defense isn't very good. But the number is short enough to sweat the defensive play in a trade-off for the offense. Miami to cover.

The Chargers are 9-6 this season and have covered the spread 10 out of 15 while staying under nine of 15. They face a trouble spot with the Patriots who are 3-12 but scrappy and dangerous with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots have lost five straight but went down to the wire last week at Buffalo 24-21 when they were getting 14 points and they barely lost against the Colts 25-24 3 weeks ago. The Chargers beat the Broncos 34-27 last week. The Chargers have also been playing over the total in four of their last six games compared to a conservative approach earlier in the season. Most of all the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth with the victory. Chargers cover.