12/28/16 Bowl Games (open thread)

Submitted by goblueram on

Today's slate of games includes two Big Teams in action.

2:00 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern
Pinstripe Bowl;  ESPN

5:30 Miami (FL) vs. West Virginia
Russell Athletic Bowl;  ESPN

8:30 Utah vs. Indiana
Foster Farms Bowl;  FOX

9:00 Texas A&M vs. Kansas State
Texas Bowl;  ESPN

 

Thankfully all 4 games are in the top 20ish of bowls on the S&P+ "Watchability" index, which is the sum of S&P margin ratings of the two opponents.  Russell Athletic Bowl (#11), Texas Bowl (#12), Pinstripe Bowl (#17), and Foster Farms Bowl (#21).

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mGrowOld

December 28th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^

I bet exactly opposite of you.

Parlay'd Northwestern +4 & WVU +3 and then bet WVU straight up on the money line -130.

And depending on how I do with the early games witll determine how heavy I go on the Indiana/Utah game and, you guessed it, I like Utah a lot in that game.

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goblueram

December 28th, 2016 at 2:11 PM ^

Nice.  I bet strictly based on S&P+ differentials against the spread.  14/20 so far this bowl season.  

But if we want to talk instincts...I don't trust WVU.  Seems like they've been a fraud all year.  I'll admit I am not confident with the Indiana game, so you might be right there.

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Steves_Wolverines

December 28th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^

Big day for the B1G. 

Kinda got screwed in the lower-tier bowl matchups due to OSU being in the playoffs, and Michigan/PSU/Wisconsin all going to New Years 6 games. 

This left the lower B1G teams all "moving up" into better bowls vs better opponents.

Yesterday we saw Minnesota surprise everyone by beating WSU. 

Can NW and IU do the same today? 

I think NW has a better chance, with Justin Jackson and Austin Carr. IU could surprise, but I think Utah is too well-rounded. 

My picks: 

NW 48 - Pitt 41
WVU 42 - Miama 27
Utah 27 - IU 20
Kansas State 20 - Texas A&M 13

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mGrowOld

December 28th, 2016 at 1:50 PM ^

Or better put - I'm sitting at a desk away from my house.

But I do have a desk that faces outward so anyone who walks by sees the back of my computer monitors and I have dual monitors so one of them will have football instead of a powerpoint up and running.

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Mr. Yost

December 28th, 2016 at 2:14 PM ^

I'm not working today...but I do the same thing. Especially during March Madness.

Throw a game up on the second monitor and just use one for the day. It sucks when you're used to two, but hey, that's a sacrifice you have to make for sports.

You can also open two WatchESPN windows and watch two games full screen - one per monitor.

I had to work when Michigan basketball was playing SMU (I believe) and Houston/Louisville football was on. I just sat in my office and watched both and toggled the sound back and forth every now and again.

#Productivity

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jonesie022

December 28th, 2016 at 1:48 PM ^

Yesterday's results absolutely baffled me, especially the final three games. Not sure if teams are just mailing it in or what...

Give me Pitt and Utah comfortably and A&M/Miami in squeakers.



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M-Dog

December 28th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^

Teams that don't really want to be in their bowl game play like it (see Florida last year).  Those teams frequently lose.

I would not want to be Wisconsin this bowl season.  Nothing to gain.

A lot of media talking heads are actually saying that Michigan might mail it in because of the dissapointment of missing the Playoffs so closely.  It helps us that the opponent is FSU and not some generic opponent that does not move the dial.

 

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UM Fan from Sydney

December 28th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^

Finally getting to the better games. This is not a great slate, but better than the past week or so.

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SpikeFan2016

December 28th, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^

Northwestern is doing a damn good job! After Minnesota's big upset yesterday, I'm feeling a lot better about the Big Ten's chances to impress. 

 

Too bad Maryland choked away their opportunities to win on Monday. 

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Steves_Wolverines

December 28th, 2016 at 3:29 PM ^

Recruits surveyed at the Under Armour All-America Game were asked what words came to mind when they think of Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. Fifteen respondents used the word "great," while six prospects said "winner" and four used "legend." Not all of the reviews were positive, as three recruits said "cocky" and another said "used-car salesman."

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xtramelanin

December 28th, 2016 at 3:40 PM ^

love NU, my second fav team after michigan.  just spoke with older brother who played ball at NU, wishing his team a victory.  

Image result for northwestern wildcat

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jonesie022

December 28th, 2016 at 4:09 PM ^

I like the "Trust Yourself" block the NW players slap going into the locker room at halftime. Pretty cool.

Sometimes he comes across as a douche, but Fitz is actually similar to Harbaugh in many ways.



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uminks

December 28th, 2016 at 4:24 PM ^

Justin Jackson?  How can these smaller school have great backs and we could not have a great back this season. I think if we had a go to back and a good running game we would be in the playoffs.

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