After a less-than-thrilling battle the first time around, and a slew of losses by other national contenders, we arrive at tonight's BCS national title game, a rematch between undefeated LSU and the 1-loss Crimson Tide of Alabama.
The two met in November when LSU squeaked past 'Bama in Tuscaloosa, 9-6. Tonight's game is back in Bayou country at the Superdome. The line on the game is Alabama -2.5, with an over/under of 40.5 at last check.
The disappointment of ending up at a rematch of two conference foes—one of whom (Alabama) who obviously did not win their own division—is palpable amongst everyone who doesn't live in a state where "FEMA" is an accepted source of income. But, here we have it, and the game is fascinating for bettors.
Will LSU's decision to start Jordan Jefferson—unavailable in the first matchup—and spell him with Jarred Lee allow the Tigers to put more points on the board? Will Alabama overcome its atrocious special teams play and capitalize on good field position? Will someone besides the kickers score in this game?
And that over/under. It's so freaking tempting to take a hard look at the under, after all, both teams accounted for a grand total of 15 points in November. There's a lot to contemplate in tonight's matchup, and here's what the staff of TNG think about the season's penultimate test.
Marcus says...
Take LSU +2.5 and the under.
Kyle says...
Take Alabama -2.5 and the under.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sugar, Orange Bowl previews and picks
We hope 2012 is starting out well for all our loyal TNG readers and also that you took the over in those games last night. Now if only we could see the next round of match-ups, oh wait that's not how it works. Don't you just hate how the college football season ends? I digress. Today we take a look at the Sugar and Orange Bowls.
Marcus Says...
SUGAR BOWL
Michigan -3 vs. Virginia Tech
O/U 51.5
Now I'm not looking to continue my BCS bashing here, but you know the powers that be are hoping both of these teams show up in this one. Michigan benefited from not playing in the B1G title game and received an at-large bid over an MSU team they lost to in the regular season. Virginia Tech was invited over the likes of Boise State, despite losing twice to Clemson this past season. With that being said, has there been a better story than Michigan this year? Brady Hoke took over a program that had lost it's mojo under Rich Rodriguez and balanced the offense while shoring up the defense in one season. Pretty impressive. Denard was inconsistent as a passer at times, but had another strong year on the ground rushing for 1163 yards. The wear and tear of the season was less of an issue thanks to the emergence of Sophomore Fitzgerald Toussaint, who had a 1000+ rushing season as well. The Wolverine defense returned to the upper echelon yielding only 317.6 yards and 17.2 points per contest. The UM offense will face an equally stout Hokie defense who maintained their status as a premiere defensive program. Va Tech gave up a mere 313.9 yards and 17.2 points per game. The Va Tech offense is led by ACC player of the year RB David Wilson who 1627 yards and 9 TDs on the ground. Sophomore QB Logan Thomas had a strong year statistically, but the fans in Blacksburg will tell you they're still waiting for that breakout year. I expect a defensive game (take the under) and Michigan covering the spread.
ORANGE BOWL
Clemson -3 vs. West Virginia
O/U 61
Offensive firepower should be the story in the Orange Bowl Wednesday night. We've written extensively on this blog about both QBs in this game. Junior signal caller Geno Smith threw for just under 4000 yards for the Mountaineers this season, while keeping the turnovers down. While Clemson was led by Sophomore Tajh Boyd who was once considered a Heisman contender. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney would love to cap off the year with a BCS victory after winning their first ACC title in 20+ years. West Virginia earned their bid after they seemed to be a lock to get the Big East bid earlier in the year. WVU is 2-0 in BCS bowls and is riding a 3 game winning streak. Expect a high scoring affair with the defense that is able to force the key turnover winning the game. I'm taking the explosive Clemson Tigers to cover and the over.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Rose, Fiesta bowl previews and picks
Happy New Year TNG nation. Over the next few days we'll be rolling out our BCS Bowl picks, starting with the Grandaddy of the all and the showdown in the desert tonight. You're essentially going to see four of the top 10 quarterbacks and offenses in the nation in tonight's games, so get ready for some fun and put your money down on the over.
Kyle says...
ROSE BOWL
Wisconsin vs. Oregon -4.5
O/U 73
Go out and bet the over right freaking now. Both teams are averaging about 45 ppg and get up and down the field in a hurry. Both defenses struggled at times against competent offenses (UW vs. MSU and UO vs. USC) and will have a hard time keeping up with the other's high-flying attacks. Wisconsin is considerably better defensively, but they haven't seen an attack as quick or as varied as the Ducks' this season, especially in the lead-footed B1G. Similarly, Russell Wilson and Montee Ball provide a very competent two-pronged attack that could pound away at the Ducks' defense long enough to open up a bomb to WR Nick Toon downfield. I look for the Badgers to cover in a close loss.
FIESTA BOWL
Stanford vs. Oklahoma Sate -5
O/U 75
Here's another matchup where neither team has problems putting points on the board. The question is, which defense is going to get a key stop when it counts? At first blush the Cardinal have the more impressive defensive unit, but they haven't done it against anyone of note outside of Washington and QB Keith Price, who is more of a runner. OSU's Brandon Weeden is the essence of a downfield thrower, averaging 11.4 yards per completion, even moreso than Oregon's Daron Thomas (7.89 yards) and USC's Matt Barkley (7.9 yards), both of whom caused huge headaches for the Cardinal this season. Andrew Luck is going to be a handful for the Cowboys' defense for sure, but they've held their own against the likes of Oklahoma's Landry Jones and Baylor's RGIII. Look for Weeden to find WR Justin Blackmon early and often to shred the Stanford secondary. OSU covers easily.
Kyle says...
ROSE BOWL
Wisconsin vs. Oregon -4.5
O/U 73
Go out and bet the over right freaking now. Both teams are averaging about 45 ppg and get up and down the field in a hurry. Both defenses struggled at times against competent offenses (UW vs. MSU and UO vs. USC) and will have a hard time keeping up with the other's high-flying attacks. Wisconsin is considerably better defensively, but they haven't seen an attack as quick or as varied as the Ducks' this season, especially in the lead-footed B1G. Similarly, Russell Wilson and Montee Ball provide a very competent two-pronged attack that could pound away at the Ducks' defense long enough to open up a bomb to WR Nick Toon downfield. I look for the Badgers to cover in a close loss.
FIESTA BOWL
Stanford vs. Oklahoma Sate -5
O/U 75
Here's another matchup where neither team has problems putting points on the board. The question is, which defense is going to get a key stop when it counts? At first blush the Cardinal have the more impressive defensive unit, but they haven't done it against anyone of note outside of Washington and QB Keith Price, who is more of a runner. OSU's Brandon Weeden is the essence of a downfield thrower, averaging 11.4 yards per completion, even moreso than Oregon's Daron Thomas (7.89 yards) and USC's Matt Barkley (7.9 yards), both of whom caused huge headaches for the Cardinal this season. Andrew Luck is going to be a handful for the Cowboys' defense for sure, but they've held their own against the likes of Oklahoma's Landry Jones and Baylor's RGIII. Look for Weeden to find WR Justin Blackmon early and often to shred the Stanford secondary. OSU covers easily.
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