Number one ranked Kentucky versus the NCAA championship hopefuls Georgia? Appears like a recipe for a crushing defeat, specifically as Kentucky barely regained that coveted No. 1 location on the rankings for the 1st time in the prior two months. While the Wildcats are at the top of the rankings and enjoying an eleven game win streak, the Bulldogs can best be described as sporadic thus far in the season.
These two squads have been doing comparatively well this season. This should not be a shocking to anyone as these two colleges are well noted for their share of victories in basketball for plenty of years. These two squads will be at it on the hardwood on January 9, when Western Virginia visits Connecticut.
While this specific contest might not have the same energy that its football version does, the Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own brand of excitement. With the conference basketball year just arrived, both the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will make an effort to set the tone for the rest of their year with this match. In Oklahoma’s case, they’re going to be looking to continue what has been a quality start as they finished the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.
On January 8th, postseason ncaa football comes to Mobile, AL when the Arkansas State Red Wolves face the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both teams arrive in the game with rookie head coaches with the Huskies led by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Interim head coach David Gunn who has been the running backs coach all year heads the Red Wolves. Arkansas State has appointed Gus Malzahn who will take over after the year ends. The take from the sportsbook is currently Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under established at 63 points.
It’s not only the Division I-A colleges getting face time on ESPN, on January seventh the NCAA Division I-AA Tournament game is performed at Pizza Hut Park in Fricso, TX. The Bison face the Sam Houston Bearkats in a fight of the two greatest small colleges in the nation. Both the Sam Houston Bearkats and the North Dakota State Bison have steamrolled their opponents all year long and both are also coming into play with comparable styles on offense. As the defenses are going to get a workout, anticipate plenty of running and plenty of 1st downs by each squad. The sports book is having a tough time with this one as the line currently is currently at North Dakota State (-1) with the over-under established at 46.
Birmingham, AL plays sponsor to the Compass Bowl on January 7th with the Panthers competing with the Mustangs. The Pittsburgh Panthers come in just after the one-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. After taking the head coaching job at Arizona State, Graham quit his post on December 14th. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will don the headset for the Pittsburgh Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU comes into play with the threat of the “Death Penalty” passed on in the 1980′s still being talked about today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is now in his 4th year on the side lines of Southern Methodist University. The gambling line has this established at Pittsburgh (-3) with the over-under of 47 points.
It all boils down to this as the #1 rated Tigers take on the #2 rated Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January 9th. After winning the national tournament in 2009 and also winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this match. LSU head coach Les Miles is also no stranger at this moment as he has won the national tournament in 2007. 2 great teams and head coaches clashing on a collision course in what is certain to be a great game. The odds makers currently have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under established at 40 points.
Dec . 20 signifies the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl in St Petersburg, Florida with the Golden Panthers competing with the Thundering Herd. FIU comes into play with an 8-4 record as well as a 5-3 record in the Sun Belt Conference. FIU averages 26.3 points per game on offense and 19.4 points per game on defense. FIU additionally leads the country in punt return yardage with their return team a constant threat to take it all the way. FIU is headed by fifth-year head coach Mario Cristobal. Marshall comes into play with a 6-6 record that is second in Conference USA. The Thundering Herd average 22 points per game on offense and a somewhat confusing 30.2 points per game on defense. 2nd-year head coach Doc Holliday will guide Marshall.
The Louisiana Superdome is lit up on December 17th when the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl kicks off. The Aztecs face the Ragin’ Cajuns in a fight to the end. The San Diego State Aztecs arrive with an 8-4 record and a 4-3 record in the Mountain West Conference. The San Diego State Aztecs average 29.8 ppg on offense and 24.4 ppg on defense. The San Diego State Aztecs are headed by first year head coach Rocky Long. The Ragin’ Cajuns come into New Orleans with an identical 8-4 record and a 6-2 record in the Sun Belt Conference. The Ragin’ Cajuns average 32.3 ppg on offense and 29.8 ppg on defense. 1st year head coach Mark Hudspeth will be leading Luisiana-Lafayette.
Dec 17 is circled on the calendar for the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this clash of two fantastic teams, the Temple Owls battle against the Cowboys. The Owls come into play with an 8-4 record and a 5-3 record, which is good for second in the MAC. The Wyoming Cowboys additionally have an 8-4 record with a 5-2 record, which is 3rd in the Mountain West Conference. With near-identical records, this match should demonstrate to go right down to the last whistle. Temple comes into the game averaging 30.1 ppg on offense with an amazing 13.8 ppg on defense which rates 3rd in the country. s the Wyoming Cowboys average 27 ppg on both sides of the ball.
