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Heart of Dallas Bowl
Tags: Sports, Sports Betting

Christmas break is over, the Aloha Bowl ended up sucking, back to business. Boxing Day kicks off with the Heart of Dallas Bowl between the Utah Utes and the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The line for this game opened Utah -6.5 with a total of 57 and it essentially has not moved. The line briefly ticked up to Utah -7 but, is back down to -6.5 while the total sits at 56.5.

These teams are surprising close in a lot of statistical categories. Let’s start the comparison with the expected points.

This explains that West Virginia, typical of a Big 12 team, scored about 5 points more than could be expected against their schedule. While Utah allowed about 5 points less than could be expected against their schedule. According to this there is about 3 or 4 points of value on W. Va and maybe a little value on the over (although totals have been heart breaking this bowl season).

The expected points shows some value on West Virgina and the yards per play backs that up.

As mentioned in previous bowl previews team with more than 3.5 points of value in this metric perform extremely well in bowl season.

These two teams are remarkably similar in the rest of the stats usually presented here.

It looks like W. Virginia is going to be a little better at stopping Utah on 3rd down but, Utah is better at sacking the qb and is a little better at preventing explosive plays.

There is not a lot to choose from between these two teams on paper. But, the coaching match-up and some motivation could provide separation. While the Big 12 has kind of owned the PAC in bowl games recently, West Virginia is facing one of the best bowl coaches in history. Utah’s Kyle Whittingham is a whopping 10–1 in bowls as Utah’s head coach. He served under Urban Meyer on the Utah staff before being named head coach and every one should be well aware of Urban’s record with time to prepare. It would appear Whittingham learned well. The Utah players should also be fairly excited. Well it was an underwhelming year for the Utes, (they started out 4–0 and then had a brutal 3–6 record in conference play) they did have to win at home to finish the season and qualify for bowl season. Whittingham will have them ready for this game. On the other side of the field, West Virginia sports one the most under-whelming coaches in the Power 5. Other than last seasons surprising 10–3 finish, Dana Holgorsen has led the Mountaineers to a lot of 7–6 and 7–5 seasons in the Big 12, never really being a title threat. West Virginia comes into this game missing their starting qb (injury) and their starting rb (draft prep).

Have to side with Whittingham here; ignoring the yards per play advantage and taking the Utes.

Utah -6.5,

Good Luck
Arizona Bowl
Tags: Sports, Sports Betting

The fourth bowl on Friday might be one of the worst match-ups of the post season. But, there is always a chance to make some money.

The game features the New Mexico St Aggies and the Utah St Aggies. A Battle of the Aggies!

The line opened NMST -3 but, has moved all the way to Utah St -5.5, the most extreme move the bowl season.

The expected points scored and expected points allowed point to a small advantage for Utah St.

The problem here for NMST lies in their inability to hold teams below what should be expected. They are allowing just about 6 points more per game than they should.

In yards per play though, we revert back to a situation similar to some of the earlier bowls. A huge advantage for the dog.

Digging into the efficiency stats shows New Mexico matches up pretty well and may back up that 8 point advantage in yards per play.

Utah St holds the advantage in both red zone categories while New Mexico St holds the advantage in both 3rd down metrics.

The defensive specific metrics are split and don’t show any decided advantage. This should be a tight game. And hopefully motivation swings it the way of New Mexico St. They haven’t played in a bowl game since, wait for it…. 1960. Its a four hour drive. The players and the fan base should be jacked. NMST should keep this close and hopefully eek one out.

NMST +5.5

Good Luck
Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos: Free NFL Spread Pick, 12–31–2017
By: Vc Sports Monitor
Tags: Sports, NFL, Denver Broncos, Sports Betting

Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos: Free NFL Spread Pick, 12–31–2017

Free NFL Spread Pick by Vincent King

Kansas City Chiefs (9–6) vs Denver Broncos (5–10)

NFL: Sunday, December 31, 4:25 PM EST

Line: Broncos -4, 38

Last Meeting: 10/30/17 DEN 19 KC 29

Trends:

Chiefs are 9–1 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC West

Broncos are 3–7 ATS vs. a team with a winning record

Broncos are 2–9 ATS in their last 11 games overall

Chiefs are 4–0 ATS in their last 4 meetings

The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos will close out their regular season schedule on Sunday afternoon at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos will be glad the offseason is in their sights but the Chiefs have clinched their second straight AFC West title and will be moving on to the playoffs. Nevertheless, oddsmakers have the Broncos favored by -4 points at home. The Kansas City Chiefs listed seven players as questionable for Sunday’s game and also announced that Tyreek Hill will not play.

Rookie QB Patrick Mahomes will get the first start of his career as the Chiefs have decided to rest Alex Smith. Mahomes will want to rely heavily on fellow rookie RB Kareem Hunt. Hunt has 1292 yards with seven TDs to lead the KC rushers and has already broken the KC franchise record and is within striking distance of the league rushing title. It’s undetermined how long Andy Reid will leave Hunt in the game but we expect Hunt to get some touches early on. The Chiefs defense was outstanding again last week, holding the Dolphins to a 0 for 8 on third downs. They have been much better the last three weeks after a rough stretch defensively, and are now allowing an average of 21 points per game.

Paxton Lynch is expected to get the start at QB for the Broncos. Lynch has only appeared in one game this season and owns a 2:2 TD to INT ratio in four career games. The Broncos offense could not get into a rhythm all season due to their quarterback issues and are only averaging 17.7 points per game. The Broncos defense was not as effective as year’s past, however, they still feature the third-ranked rush defense. The question is how much do the Broncos have left in the tank? The Chiefs should have more motivation to play well even with their backups playing the majority of this game. Both teams will have inexperienced quarterbacks on the field but the motivation to end the regular season in the win column is still incentive enough for Kansas City to beat their rival. Take the points in this matchup with KC winning a close one.

Chiefs vs Broncos FREE Pick: Chiefs +4
Potato Bowl Preview and Prediction: Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Wyoming Cowboys, 12–22–2017
By: Precision Picks
Tags: Sports, College Football, NCAAF, Sports Betting, Gambling

Free College Football Spread Pick by Precision Picks.com

Central Michigan Chippewas vs Wyoming Cowboys

FREE CFB Bowl Prediction

Line: Wyoming -3, 45.5

Game Time: Friday, December 22nd, 4:00 PM EST

The Central Michigan Chippewas and Wyoming Cowboys will square off on the famous blue turf in Boise for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Kick off is at 4:00 pm and oddsmakers have the Cowboys pegged as -3 point favorites. Central Michigan is making a fourth straight trip to a bowl game while Wyoming is in back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1988.

Central Michigan comes into this one with an 8–4 record on the year. The Chippewas won their last five games against Ball State, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State and Northern Illinois. The Chippewas were 6–2 in MAC play, finishing a game behind Toledo in the West Division. The Chippewas average 29.7 points while their defense allows 26.8 PPG.

The Chippewas are led by QB Shane Morris who threw for 2908 yards with 26 TDs and 13 INTs this season, and Central Michigan’s top rusher is Jonathan Ward with 988 rushing yards.

Wyoming is fairly confident that QB Josh Allen will suit up on Fridayafter missing the last two games with a sprained AC joint. The Cowboys had a three-game win streak going but dropped their final pair against Fresno State and San Jose State. Josh Allen leads the Cowboys passing game with 1658 yards, 13 TDs, and six picks, and Trey Woods is the leading rusher on 133 carries, 474 yards, and two TDs.

Josh Allen is an NFL quarterback prospect and was regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in college football entering this season. The talent surrounding Allen is not great and his numbers suffered this season. The star of this team has been their defense. Wyoming currently stands 13th in scoring defense as they allow an average of 17.8 points per contest.

Even if Josh Allen plays, Wyoming figures to have a tough time matching the offensive output of the Chippewas. CMU has rattled off five straight wins and averaged 41 PPG over this time. Wyoming simply doesn’t have the athletes on offense to support Josh Allen. Take the Chippewas +3 as live dogs.

Central Michigan vs Wyoming: CMU +3
Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks Free NBA Spread Prediction, 12–12–2017
By: Sports Picks Forum
Tags: NBA, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Sports Betting, Gambling

Free NBA Pick by Samar Baht of Sports Picks Forum

Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks Free NBA Prediction

NBA: Tuesday, December 12th 7:00 PM EST

Odds: Knicks -3.5, 213

An inter-conference clash between the Los Angles Lakers and the New York Knicks take the court in our Tuesday night featured matchup. The New York Knicks (13–13) will be 3.5-point favorites at home in Madison Square Garden and the Over/Under (O/U) opened at 212 points. Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 111–107, while the Lakers beat the Charlotte Hornets 110–99.

Los Angeles won the first two games of this four-game Eastern road swing by downing Philadelphia and Charlotte. The Lakers are 14th in the league in scoring offense as they put up 106 points per game and they are 4th in rebounding. The Lakers stand 24th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 108.7 points per night. Brandon Ingram averages a team-high 16.2 points per game while Jordan Clarkson chips in 15.2 points a night. Lonzo Ball adds 8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.

The Knicks have played much better on their home court (12–5) which is one of the better home court records in the NBA. Kristaps Porzingis leads this Knicks team with 25.5 PPG and presents a mismatch playing the power forward position at 7'3". Enes Kanter has been a nice addition to this team, Kanter came from the Thunder in the Carmelo Trade. Kanter is leading the Knicks in rebounds with 10.3 per game. The Knicks are averaging 104 points per game and giving up 103.8 to their opponents.

The Lakers score the most points in the paint in the league this season, scoring 54.5 points in there per game. The Knicks, though, have been the second-best team at defending inside, allowing just 39.5 points per game. The Lakers also concede the most points in the paint in the NBA, and the Knicks will be hoping to capitalize on that given they are a top ten team in this category. The battle of the paint is always important in Lakers games, and the stats suggest they will be up against it in this one.

The Knicks are a much better team at home this season and they are 10–3 ATS in their last 13 home games, 6–1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Western Conference and they are 7–2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. I am backing the Knicks (-3.5) at home in this matchup vs the Lakers.

Lakers vs Knicks FREE Pick: Knicks -3.5
New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers Free NFL O/U Pick, 12–17–2017
By: Vc Sports Monitor
Tags: NFL, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Sports Betting, Gambling

Free NFL Pick by Vincent King of King Sports Picks

New England Patriots (10–3) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (11–2)

NFL: Sunday, December 17, 4:25 PM EST

Line: Steelers +2.5, O/U 54.5

Last Meeting: 1/22/17 PIT 17 NE 36

Trends:

Patriots are 4–1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Pittsburgh

Over is 5–2 in the last 7 meetings in Pittsburgh

Steelers are 12–5 ATS in their last 17 games in December

Two of the top teams in the AFC collide on the gridiron Sunday afternoon when the New England Patriots travel to the steel city to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh holds the top spot in the AFC but New England would move ahead of Pittsburgh with a win. These teams last met in the AFC Championship last season with the Patriots winning 36–17.

New England may have been looking ahead to this matchup last weekend when they lost in Miami on Monday Night Football. The Patriots look to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season and regain the #1 seed in the AFC. The Patriots have won six of their last seven road games. The Patriots perennially have one of the top offenses in the league and this season is no different. However, it may be their defense that has stepped up their game this season. After conceding 32 PPG through Week 1 -4, they have come together as a unit and are allowing 19.2 points and 374.6 yards per game. New England’s defense will need to play their best game of the season facing Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh has rattled off eight straight wins and their last loss came on October 8th vs Jacksonville. This will be a playoff type atmosphere considering what is at stake. The Steelers surged into sole possession of first place in the AFC thanks to their 39–38 Sunday night win over Baltimore combined with New England’s unexpected loss to Miami. They can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win this weekend.

Pittsburgh has not fared well vs the Tom Brady and the Patriots. Pittsburgh is 4–12 ATS in the last 16 meetings and 1–4 ATS in their last five at home against New England. This may be their best chance to turn the tide in their favor. However, my focus has been on this Total. Both offenses have multiple weapons and while the defenses have played well, the play here is Over 54.5 The Over is 5–2 in the last 7 meetings in Pittsburg and 9–4 in the last 13 meetings. The Over is 7–1 in Patriots last 8 games when playing on Sunday following a Monday night game. I expect both offenses to battle Sunday afternoon and exceed the Total of 54.5.

Patriots vs Steelers FREE Pick: Over 54.5
New Mexico Bowl Prediction: Marshall vs Colorado State, 12–16–2017
By: Precision Picks
Tags: College Football, NCAAF, Sports Betting, Gambling

New Mexico Bowl Prediction: Marshall vs Colorado State, 12–16–2017

Free College Football Bowl Prediction by Precision Picks

Marshall Thundering Herd vs Colorado St. Rams

Line: Colorado State -5.5, O/U 58

Game Time: Saturday, December 16th, 4:30 PM EST

The Colorado State Rams will collide with the Marshall Thundering Herd in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, December 16th from Dreamstyle Stadium in Albuquerque, NM. Both teams enter the New Mexico Bowl with (7–5) records and had promising starts to the season, only to fade off down the stretch. Oddsmakers have pegged the Rams as -5.5 point favorites with the Over/Under at 58.

Marshall had a great start to their season, starting the year off with a 6–1 record, however, struggled down the stretch losing 4 of their last 5 games. The Thundering Herd averaged 26.8 points per contest, including 237.8 passing and 132 rushing yards per game to add up to a grand total of 369.8 total yards. Quarterback Chase Litton led the Marshall offense, completing 60 percent of his passes for 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The heart and soul of this team is their defense. Their rush defense is tremendous, and their pass defense was also very effective this season: 212 passing yards per game, 125 rushing yards per game and 19.2 PPG.

The Colorado State Rams will be playing in their fifth straight bowl game and will be aiming for their first bowl win since the 2013 season. Colorado State was mentioned as a Mountain West title contender in the preseason and appeared to be on track to play for the division title in November after the 6–2 start. But the Rams stumbled in late October with a loss to Air Force (45–28), followed by defeats to Wyoming (16–13) and Boise State (59–52 in overtime). CSU features a potent offensive attack led by QB Nick Stevens (27 TD/10 INT), WR Michael Gallup (1345 receiving yards, 7 TDs) and RB Dalyn Dawkins who has accumulated 1349 rushing yards on the season.

The biggest hole in this team’s armor has been their defense. On average, they allow 27.5 PPG, 184 rushing yards per game and 243 passing yards per game.

The Thundering Herd are 5–0 ATS in their last 5 bowl games while the Rams are 2–5 ATS in their last 7 bowl games. The biggest concern for Colorado State entering this game is the motivation factor. This is not the bowl game Colorado State envisioned entering the 2017 season. However, all three top offensive players in this Rams offense are seniors and will be playing their last game for CSU. This should provide enough motivation to end on a high note and lead their team to a victory. One concern for Marshall is the level of competition they played this season. When Marshall played NC State and WKU — arguably the top two passing offenses it faced this season — the defense gave up over 300 passing yards.

This Rams offense should be too much for Marshall and the Rams should cover by a touchdown.

Marshall vs Colorado St: Colorado State -5.5
Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers Free NFL Pick, 12–10–2017
By: Vc Sports Monitor
Tags: NFL, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Sports Betting, Gambling

Free NFL Total Prediction by Kris Saint of King Sports Picks

Baltimore Ravens (7–5) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (10–2)

NFL: Sunday, December 10, 8:25 PM EST

Line: Steelers -4.5, O/U 43.5

Last Meeting: 10/1/17 PIT 26 BAL 9

Trends:

Ravens are 0–3–1 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS win

Steelers are 5–1–1 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS loss

Under is 4–1–1 in the last 6 meetings

A pair of NFC North rivals takes the field for Sunday Night Football when the Baltimore Ravens travel to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh holds a three-game lead over Baltimore with four to play, so a division title for the Ravens is unlikely. However, Baltimore leads the AFC Wildcard by 1 game over a host of teams so a win is imperative to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Ravens defense struggled to stop the run earlier in the season, but over their last five games, they have not allowed more than 78 yards on the ground. Baltimore will need a complete defensive effort to stop one of the best backs in football. Le’Veon Bell is averaging 147 yards from scrimmage and leads the NFL in that category with 1,559 yards on the season. Another key to this matchup will be Baltimore’s ability to force turnovers. Ben Roethlisberger loves to air it out but he has been prone to throwing interceptions and has 13 on the year. The Ravens lead the NFL with 20 interceptions and 29 takeaways.

Pittsburgh will need to exploit the secondary that will be without CB Jimmy Smith. Who else will be able to do that better than Antonio Brown? Brown leads the NFL with 88 catches for 1,296 yards and nine touchdowns. Will the Ravens secondary be able to stop the best receiver in football? No one has yet.

This will be a hard-hitting, AFC North style football game. Sunday night’s total is set at 43.5 points. The UNDER is 4–1 in the last five games between these two teams and I expect this trend to consider.

Ravens vs Steelers FREE Pick: Under 43.5
Military Bowl
Tags: Sports, Sports Betting

Military Bowl

The first game of the day on Thursday is the Military Bowl in Annapolis. Its pits returning participant Navy against the Virginia Cavaliers.

The line for this opened Navy -3.5 with a total of 56. Both those numbers have come down dramatically. The spread now sits at Navy -1 with a total of 51.5.

The expected points scored and expected points allowed point to some big value on the Midshipmen.

It looks like Navy’s great ability to hold opponents below their expected score by almost 5 points is helping produce an expected spread of -6.5.

The yards per play backs that value up on Navy. This metric shows that the spread is spot on.

Digging a little deeper into some efficiency stats shows some potential dominance for the Cavaliers.

Navy is definitely going to convert more 3rd downs and is looks like they have marginally more success in the red zone than Virginia. But, Virginia has some serious advantages on the defensive side of the ball. Their 3rd down defense will hopefully offset the 3rd down offense of Navy (same sized advantage). The red zone defense is where Virginia could shine. A 19 point advantage in shutting teams down in the red zone is substantial.

Looking into defensive specific stats only increases Virginia’s advantage on that side of the ball.

Virginia has significant advantages across the board. Putting Navy in bad field position and making them drive the whole field without throwing the all should pay off in the second half.

Virginia should also be super motivated to be here. While Navy plays a bowl game almost every year, to middling results (4–5 under Niumatalolo), and was actually in this home bowl 2 years ago, Virginia hasn’t been a bowl game since 2011. Not only that but, new coach Bronco Mendenhall has authored a decent start to the programs turn-around. Virginia went 2–10 and has a chance this year to win 7 games for the first time since that 2011 bowl season.

All of this is on top of that fact that Navy is coming off a crushing loss to Army for the Commander in-Chief trophy a few weeks ago.

Virginia ml +105,

Good Luck
Sacramento Kings vs Philadelphia 76ers Free NBA Spread Pick, 12–19–2017
By: Sports Picks Forum
Tags: NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Sports Betting, Gambling

Sacramento Kings vs Philadelphia 76ers Free NBA Spread Pick, 12–19–2017

Free NBA Pick by Simon Says of Sports Picks Forum

Sacramento Kings vs Philadelphia 76ers Free NBA Prediction

NCAAF: Tuesday, December 19th 7:00 PM EST

Odds: Sixers -8.5, 207

An East Coast vs West Coast matchup between the Sacramento Kings vs Philadelphia 76ers. Sacramento fell 108–93 on the road in Toronto Sunday afternoon to drop their second straight. Philadelphia was in action on Monday night, losing to Bulls 115–117.

Sacramento is in the middle of a four-game road trip and they have lost five of their last eight games. On average, the Kings score 96 PPG but it’s their defense that needs work, allowing 105 PPG. Zach Randolph is expected to return for this game after being given Sunday off, while rookie point guard De’Aaron Fox is questionable after sitting out the contest with a thigh bruise suffered early in Thursday’s loss at Minnesota.

The 76ers are playing the second game of a back to back here and they’ll likely have Joel Embiid back in action. Philadelphia squandered an eight-point lead in the final 3:49 of their 117–115 loss at Chicago on Monday night. The Sixers allowed the Bulls to hit seven straight shots in an 18–5 run over a 3:05 span and lost for the eighth time in 11 games.

It is no secret that the key to this Sixers team winning is Joel Embid. When Embid plays he changes how this offense operates and he provides a big presence down low for opposing offenses. The Sixers are 6th in the league in scoring offense with 108.9 points per game and 1st in rebounding with 48.8 boards a night.

Philadelphia is 16–6 against the spread in their last 22 versus Pacific Division opponents but are just 1–5 in their last six home games and 1–4–1 in their last six overall. The 76ers are also 0–3–1 against the spread the last four times they played on the back end of games on consecutive nights. The Kings are 1–5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Philadelphia, 7–19 ATS in the last 26 meetings and the underdog is 7–0 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

This is really a must win for the Sixers but it will be a difficult task for them coming off a game Monday night in Chicago. I think the -8.5 points are too many to lay in this situation and while the Sixers should win, I like the Kings to cover the number.

Kings vs Sixers FREE Pick: Kings +8.5
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Tags: Sports, Sports Betting

Time to bowl on the blue stuff! One of the most unique places in college football is Albertsons Stadium with their smurph_daddy turf. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl features a regular visitor this year in the Wyoming Cowboys. Their opponent is the Central Michigan Chippawas.

The line for this game opened Wyoming -1 with a total of 45. The total has held steady for the most part and still sits at 45. The Wyoming line has jumped up with the announcement that star qb Josh Allen is healthy and is going to play. On Friday morning the line was bouncing back and forth between -3 and -3.5. Hop on now.

The projected points scored and points allowed for this game show that the line opened in about the right place.

Using this metric, the game should be basically a pick’em.

The yards per play though, which tend to always favour the dog, show the lowest support yet in bowl season for taking the points.

The only other dog during bowl season that has had this low of a yards per play metric advantage is North Texas. And, as described in that bowl preview, the play was to hammer the Troy Trojans.

The deeper stats are where Wyoming really shines though.

While 3rd down metrics are pretty similar, Wyoming should dominate the red zone on both sides of the smurf turf. It’s been pointed out many times that red zone defense is a decent predictor and Wyoming has a 13% advantage in that area. Additionally, Wyoming sacks the qb way more often, tackles for loss more often, has a much, much better stop rate and allows significantly less points per drive than C.Michigan.

So, the stats lean pretty heavily to Wyoming. What about the “spot”? Well, usually, a team playing a bowl game in a locale where they play all the time should mean a bit of a letdown. But, today, Wyoming is getting their star qb back in the line-up. Josh Allen is showcasing himself for the NFL draft. There is really no other reason for him to suit up for this game. He was injured to end the year and missed the last few games of the season. The only explanation for him to be in this game to assure every scout out there that he is healthy. And the betting line on every NFL team in the top 10 of the draft having a scout or two at this bowl game has been set at -1000. On the Central Michigan side, this is their 4th season in a row in a bowl game, and the third under head coach John Bonamego and they have lost both bowl games under Bonemego. A final, interesting, side note for Central Michigan, no player on the Chippawa roster has ever played a college football game west of Oklahoma.

As the Tennys crew has been made aware… take this puppy to the bank.

Wyoming -3,

Good luck
Liberty Bowl
Tags: Sports, Sports Betting

The second noon bowl on Saturday (here is the other)is the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. It matches up the home team Memphis Tigers and the Iowa St Cyclones.

The line opened Memphis -3 and has been bouncing around Saturday morning between 3.5 and 4.

We’ve seen a few of these types of match-ups so far in bowl season, an offensively strong team facing off against a decent defensive team. The expected points scored and points allowed comparison backs up that overview.

Memphis scored 14.5 points more than they could have been expected to versus their schedule. While Iowa St allowed 9.5 points less than they could have been expected to versus their schedule. The end result is that Memphis should be favored by about 5 points.

The yards per play metric shows value on the favorite as well.

Favorites who have shown value in the yards per play metric have had middling results in bowl season — USF won and covered, as did OKST; while SDST, Arizona and Missouri all lost outright.

The efficiency stats don’t provide much separation for these two teams as they are almost identical in each category.

The one place Memphis does have a decided advantage is in 3rd down conversions. So, while the red zone conversion rate is basically the same, the guess here is that Memphis will have a few more chances than the Cyclones.

Not surprisingly, to go along with the defensive advantage pointed out in the expected points allowed, Iowa St has an advantage in the stop rate and points allowed per drive stats. But, Memphis holds their own in sacking the qb and tackling behind the line of scrimmage.

It’s not often that a team playing at home shouldn’t be marked down down bowl season. Not travelling is boring. Additionally, Memphis is coming off a terrible double OT loss in their conference championship game. Neither is a strong sign. Iowa st on the other hand, retained their star coach and is playing in their first bowl game in five years. These players should be relatively pumped. But, what about Memphis retaining their star head coach? There were plenty of rumors about Norvell leaving after the loss to UCF. Not only should the team and the program be pumped about keeping Norvell, the offense is steered by star qb Riley Ferguson. Ferguson should be uber motivated today. He is in a deep draft class of qb’s. And while Rosen and Falk no-showed and Darnold and Allen under-performed, Mayfield and Lamar have yet to have their showcases. This is a spot for Ferguson to shine. He and his star senior wide receiver Anthony Miller should be up for putting on a show for their home crowd today.

Going against the grain a bit here and cheering for the Tigers and a qb to get excited about.

Memphis -3.5,

Good luck
How to turn 5 mBTC into 8,000 mBTC — thanks to one lucky punter!
Tags: Bitcoin, Betting Tips, Betting, Sports Betting, Premier League

How to turn 5 mBTC into 8,000 mBTC — thanks to one lucky punter!

Sportsbet.io gives punters the chance to #betbigwinbig, but not many players will have had a win as big as one lucky user this week.

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That’s an equivalent of a €4 bet, with a win of over €7,000 — not bad the week before Christmas!

Each of the 11 bets, on the Premier League and Championship, came in, meaning it will be a very happy festive period for the lucky winner.

What a bet!

None of the bets, which were a combination of matchbets, double chances and both teams to scores, had an individual price of over 2.35, with a bet on Nottingham Forest v Preston the longest odds.

However, combining the bets in an 11-way accumulator paid dividends for the user, who is now 8,101.48 mBTC better off!

With hundreds of markets each day across a wide range of sport, including an in-play offering, Sportsbet.io is the perfect place to bet with Bitcoin.

This win goes to show that knowing your stuff can really pay off, and that Sportsbet.io is the best place to #betbigwinbig!
New Era Pinstripe Bowl Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Boston College Eagles, 12–27–2017
By: Sports Investor Central
Tags: Sports, College Football, NCAAF, Sports Betting, Gambling

New Era Pinstripe Bowl Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Boston College Eagles, 12–27–2017

Iowa Hawkeyes (7–5) vs Boston College Eagles (7–5)

Time: December, 27th 5:15 PM EST

Current Odds: Boston College +2.5, 45.5

The New Era Pinstripe Bowl features two physical football teams as the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Boston College Eagles. While you may see spread offenses permeate the rest of the country, these two don’t have any problems lining up with multiple tight ends or a fullback and grinding down opponents.

Iowa has had its ups and downs out of the Big Ten this season. The Hawkeyes lost three close games to Penn State, Michigan State andNorthwestern. Iowa did pull off a signature win over Ohio State, 55–24 in November. QB Nate Stanley is not asked to be a playmaker in a run-first offense, but the sophomore has thrown for 24 touchdowns to just five interceptions on the season. Stanley will keep the Eagles defense honest as they can’t just focus on the run, if they do, Stanley could make them pay with play action.

Iowa features some stand out defensive players including LB Josey Jewel, one of the top linebackers in the nation who averages 11.4 tackles per game. Another impact player is CB Josh Jackson who is projected to go in the 1st round of the NFL Draft if he foregoes his senior season.

Boston College plays a similar run-first style offense as they usher out ACC Rookie of the Year, running back AJ Dillon. Dillon rushed for over 1,400 and 13 touchdowns as a freshman this season and you can expect him to receive some Heisman hype in 2018. The Eagles found themselves in a difficult spot when starting quarterback Anthony Brown suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the last three games of the season. Darius Wade has been solid in Brown’s absence, as he has completed 46-of-75 passes for 528 yards, two touchdowns and an interception this season.



Boston College played a tough schedule this season and managed to go 8–3 ATS on the year and 5–1 SU on the road. Iowa also played a tough Big 10 schedule but they went just 5–6–1 ATS on the season and 2–3 SU on the road.

This should be a hard-hitting game that is won in the trenches. Both offenses will be chewing up the clock running the football which is a reason why this game should play to Under the total. This game could come down to a FG but expect this game to go Under 45.5.



Iowa vs Boston College FREE Pick: Under 45.5
How do we make wine fun again?
By: Vynl, The Scratch
Tags: Wine, Marketing, Entrepreneurship

How do we make wine fun again?

In our discussions to bring on a new COO we waxed lyrical about the state of the wine industry and the beverage industry as a whole. He mentioned that the drinks industry was like a big party, beer and spirits are the life of the party. They get everybody dancing, talking, having fun, or chilling out. Wine was in the corner, dressed all nice, talking to each other about tasting notes. They did not seem to know what was going on in the rest of the room.

He’s not wrong.

Wine, for better or worse, went from this drink that brought us together, to a drink of the luxury life. When most wine that gets drunk sits around the $20 marker, its not really a premium thing in 2016 is it? Wine got unnecessarily pretentious as well. No we are not talking about stuff like Petrus (the best wine in Bordeaux) or your $50+ wines that clearly are finer than the rest, but the stuff that we kind of want to drink day to day. The stuff we want to drink at regular occasions, like BBQs, tailgating, picnics, house parties, or watching Netflix with your bae.

Wine is starting to get a little bit better at that, with companies like Wine Riot, or VinoMofo pairing wines off with occasions like “Netflix and Chill” and thats awesome! It just scratches the surface though. Like anything in the world, when you get told what to do, or get told what to drink, get told when to drink it, people feel uncomfortable. They don’t enjoy it as much, because they aren’t really sure if they are, or how they are supposed to enjoy that wine. The problem for the wine industry is much, much deeper.

People enjoy things more when they discover things for themselves. This has been an under appreciated success key to marketing to millennials by the way, who are the largest consumer segments of wine in the United States. Why? It makes them feel special, it makes them feel unique, and it makes them feel like they have something that they can share with their friends. It makes it fun, and it makes it social again! Why has wine not gotten there yet? Well, we have to shift the perception of wine from that of telling you that this bottle is for this occasion, to “hey have you ever tried this wine? what do you think about it?”

Easy right? Not really. It takes a concerted effort, which is what we are building out at Vynl. Not from a single winery, but from a place that wants to see a great wineries who care about wine, but also care about people really enjoying their wine. What we will do, is help them connect with their consumers, engage them, create and strengthen their relationships. in doing so, we make wine fun again! Because thats what drinking should be all about.
Grape Notes: Pinot Noir
By: Michelle Lim Warner
Tags: Wine, Pinot Noir, Sip

Photo Credit: Left Coast Cellars

My first memory of pinot noir was over a creamy chicken dinner in an underground, hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Beaune, France more than six years ago. Sure, I’ve probably tasted pinot noir before this time, but I didn’t really know about it. Not like this. My husband, Michael, and I were spending our fourth year together as a married couple, and we decided to visit Burgundy — ride bikes through vineyards and taste some amazing wines. It was here, in this idyllic French wine region, that I got to know pinot noir as an earthy, smooth, comforting wine that has become my go-to Thanksgiving red-wine pairing. Since then, I’ve enjoyed this fickle grape in its many wine forms. The most common introduction to pinot noir is it’s classic presentation as a light-bodied red wine. Pinot noir can also be part of a sparkling trio, being one of three key varietals found in Champagne, or a rebellious white wine.

Dinner Party Trivia: Pinot noir is a varietal has been used to create new grape varietals when crossed with another varietal. For example, the South African pinotage resulted from crossing pinot noir and cinsault (known as hermitage in South Africa). Similarly, the Bulgarian bouquet is a cross of pinot noir and mavrud (an indigenous Bulgarian varietal).

Color:

Pinot noir is a black grape variety that typically presents itself as a red wine with light to medium ruby hues depending on where it’s grown. As a white wine, it tends to have a light golden color.
Best Place to Buy Cheap Alcohol Online!
By: James Travis
Tags: Wine

Best Place to Buy Cheap Alcohol Online!

In this highly technological world, life has become really fast and people are used to doing convenient things. Partying every weekend is a culture and especially in the month of December when Christmas is just round the corner. Every family would be having a party at their place with the best of food and best of drinks — alcoholic or non alcoholic. To fulfil your needs of a nice and cheap alcohol online you just have to do wine online shopping.

The best place in Austin which offers online wine delivery is Travis Heights Beverage World store. Their online supply and delivery of alcohol had a whopping increase as the people are in love with these services. It has become the best online wine store with thousands of people connected to it. It has some of the best Austin beverages with exotic tastes and flavours. The people living in and around South Austin can buy beverages online from this store without any inconvenience.

The store has become famous not just because of the online wine delivery which it has started but also because of the free evening tasting sessions which it offers. The store is known to add new drinks in its collection quite often. To make people aware of those new flavours, free tasting sessions are organised every Thursday through to Saturday evenings. It offers the best alcohol delivery both in store and online. The various reasons which cannot be overshadowed for selection of this supplier are lightening fast 30 minutes delivery, easy availability, and superb collection of beverages.

The person who is stuck somewhere or is just in a mood to relax, the one who is throwing a party at his place or just being a guest at a party, can all order great wines, beers, champagnes and other drinks from here without any hassle. The deliveries are closed on Sundays however the order can be placed online for the same. The dedicated team ensures that you can have the best of services at the best of price online.
An Approach To Relaxation
By: An Approach To Relaxation
Tags: Travel, Wine, Australia

Two years ago I gave up my home, gave away my belongings on the street in Chinatown and left New York with only a suitcase, headed into the unknown. It’s been a whirlwind and the dust is only now beginning to settle.

Along the way there have been many lessons and some that rocked my very center and tugged at the strings of my heart until it’s lovely juices happily poured out. There were also many long nights of wrestling with my decision to leave my friends, my home, my job and my city to embark on this journey.

Through it all, one thing became crystal clear: that I am the luckiest girl on the planet.

I have a best friend, I have a creative partner and I have a lover — all in the same person: Richard Betts.

I mean, who knew it was possible, to have all of the best pieces in the chocolate box?

Together we’ve gone deep to find what we both believe in, what we both want to put our collective weight behind. It had to be something we had a crush on, something that we wanted to paw at and take down… It had to be something that included a challenge, with a point of view that we could add to, something that wasn’t already ‘figured out’.

If I’ve learned anything since I left New York two years ago, it’s that a project such as this is really the most valuable kind. Everything is thrown onto the table: suggestions you’re unsure of, ideas you feel strongly about, things you are embarrassed you don’t already know…

You realize it’s not about you or your great idea at all; it’s about this super-cool opportunity to take an idea, and along with your partner, spin it from a lovely momentary gossamer thread into a bad-ass web of strength and purpose.

So yeah, An Approach To Relaxation will make wine. But the end goal is far more rich; we want to give you our all. All of the good shit we’ve mined from traveling over 300 days a year, all the scrumptious stuff we’re making, a peek into our own little world of ideas/ questions/ dreams; but most of all, a fantastic sense of levity in an otherwise dangerously serious life.

So come on! Jump on in!

We may bite, but not too hard.

Carla Rzeszewski
Gifts Your Mom Wants, Seriously.
By: Renee Jaffe
Tags: Gifts, Moms, Beauty, Wine, Shopping

She’s the most important woman in your life, which also makes her the toughest person to shop for. And even though she says all she wants is a hug from her kids, a little something extra wouldn’t hurt to show your appreciation. Here are my top gift picks for moms.

1. The coziest fur throw

Because her toes are always cold. Buy it in tons of shades for $29.99

2. A Fire tablet.

For the mom who loves to read (or watch Netflix). Buy it on sale for $39.99

3. Glasses that celebrate her tiger-momness

Fierce. Starting at $14.99

4. A heated foot massager

Ahhhhhhh. Buy it for $43.99

5. An energy drink for her eyes

Because momming is hard. Buy 12 for $16.95

6. A fancy wine opener.

Because she deserves the best. Buy it for $19.99

7. A bag that says what she really wants.

And maybe a ticket out of town. Buy it for $54

8. Best-selling silicone baking mats.

So (hint, hint) she’ll bake her famous cookies. Buy two for $13.79.

9. Unlimited range walkie talkies.

Because you already call her four times per day. Buy them for $189.99.

10. A purifying face mask that magically bubbles

The funnest in-home spa experience. Buy it for $10.98
Surviving New Year’s Eve in One Piece
By: Daedalus Howell
Tags: Wine, Drunk Driving, Happy New Year

New Year’s Eve annually conspires to reduce many of us into blithering, alcohol-infused morons. And some of us will die. The irony is many of us use booze to survive New Year’s Eve — the social anxiety, the holiday emotional hangover, the fear that next year will be even worse than this one. But be forewarned, the elixir of life giveth and taketh…

Step one to surviving New Year’s Eve is assessing how drunk you already are. Fortunately, you can use this very blog to accurately test your level of sobriety.

Instructions: A.) Print this blog out; B.) Roll it up into a tube about the width of a cigarette; C.) Blow into the tube; D.) Repeat five times.

Now, if you followed any of the preceding instructions, you are obviously intoxicated. And possibly stupid (how are you even reading this?). You should head to bed immediately and await your first hangover of 2017. You’ve earned it.

Now, if you wake up and are not in a coma or dead, but are generally dissatisfied with how you feel due to over-consumption, here’s a fix: resume drinking until you are in a coma or dead. Though this will end your hangover, it will also take much of the joy out of the New Year for you.

There are, however, several ways to avoid death this New Year’s — paramount among them is to never, ever, under any circumstances, get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated. Getting under the wheel of a car while intoxicated is another matter entirely, which will be addressed in a subsequent post.

Buckle in for a lecture

Among the surefire ways to avoid driving drunk is to NOT DRINK as well as NOT DRIVE. Or just pick one — it’s been scientifically proven that it works either way. “Driving while intoxicated” or, as we say in California (with echoes of Cassavetes), “driving under the influence,” is not only preventable, it’s the law in both the legal and cosmic sense.

Here in Wine Country, it’s been my observation that it’s not a question of “if” but “when” one will get a DUI. This is not a rite of passage I care to take and I heartily recommend the same to you dear reader(s). Statistically speaking, one of you will likely get picked up this weekend, either on the side of the road, or off the road with a shovel, thanks to a blood-alcohol level for which you alone are responsible.

Survive New Year’s Eve via Time Travel

I have no idea who you are but let’s pretend this blog is a time machine. Let’s say that you’ve decided to drink and drive (and, mind you, it IS a decision. The predictable legal, financial and medical fallout has already occurred. In those seconds after your life has been irreparably altered, you flashback to this blog. As you (re)read this line — you realize that there’s still time to change the course of events will lead to your tragic DUI…

This is that moment. Let’s make some arrangements, plan a rideshare, designate a driver, jot down some cabbie numbers… Uber for crissakes. Yes, it’s that easy. Though it’s no guarantee you will survive New Year’s Eve, your future self thanks you.
4 Plays to Win The College Bowl Championship Party and Women Game
By: Jessica Altieri
Tags: Wine, Food, College Football, Wine Tasting, Football

4 Plays to Win The College Bowl Championship Party and Women Game

Author: Jessica Altieri — CEO | Certified Sommelier

Wine Channel TV Digital Network

Women are coming over for the game. They probably don’t even know who’s playing. Want the winning play selections to keep them there for the “real game”.

Pre-game Keys: If you plan on getting lucky,. I’d start by cleaning up your dirty socks, nail clippings, and the hidden video camera pointed at your bed. For $20 bucks get a neighbor to vacuum, buy some Febreeze and fresh roll of TP.

1st Down Play: Dump the beer; from your fridge; Decent white and red wine in the $10–20 range; chill some white; clean some glasses. Get a corkscrew; for $10 bucks you can wow the ladies. Wine glasses help over those Red Plastic cups too.

2nd Down Play: Down and Out Veggie Tray — Don’t attempt on your own if you cant tell cauliflower from broccoli. Look downfield, hit the grocery store with a down and out, produce section, ask someone for help and get a tray made for you!

3rd Down Play: Chips and salsa- Ten dollar wine from Wal-Mart like Casillero Del Diablo will bring out the spiciness of the salsa …and the ladies

Get some crisp Sauvignon Blanc like Monkey Bay, it will hit the spot bring out the crispness of the wine.

Cheese dip- something creamy, Cupcake Chardonnay…did you say you wanted some of my cupcake?

4th Down Play: Dessert- Champagne- you can never go wrong… and of course this can be used for celebration…and mimosas for the morning after J

This is JustJess reminding you if all else fails, hell; wine is just a conversation waiting to happen. Make it happen already.

If you want to know more about wine…and ways to wine and dine your woman, visit Wine Channel TV and get your game on!