Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2) @ Texas Longhorns (9-3)
Line: Sun Devils (+2.5) @ Longhorns (-2.5) O/U 71.5
Time: 12/27/2007 20:00pm EST on ESPN
Sun Devils: After starting the season undefeated through 8 games, the Sun Devils lost 2 of their last 4 to finish out of the Rose Bowl, but still found a highly talented Texas team to play in the Holiday Bowl this Thursday in San Diego. After losing to each and every opponent that finished the season ranked, the Sun Devils have a chance to make a big time statement against one of the better teams in the Big 12. ASU was 6-6 ATS on the season, but lost each of their last 4 games against the spread. The Sun Devils have finished under the total in 7 of their last 10 games, and are just 3-9 O/U on the year.
Longhorns: The Longhorns come in losing to Texas A&M in their last game, but had won 5 straight to get back into the BCS picture prior to their loss. Like ASU, the Longhorns didn’t get much respect, and instead had to settle for the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. Lucky us. It’s rare that two teams as talented and successful as these two meet up this early in the Bowl season. Like ASU, the Longhorns were just 6-6 ATS on the season. Unlike the Sun Devils, Texas finished over the total 67% of the time, going 8-4 O/U on the year. They ended the season on a 3 game over streak despite going up against totals over 60 in each contest. The Longhorns were just 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games, despite going 4-1 SU.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (8-4) @ Conn. Huskies (9-3)
Line: Demon Deacons (-2.5) @ Huskies (+2.5) O/U 48
Time: 12/29/2007 13:00pm EST on ESPN
Demon Deacons: After starting 0-2, the Deacons finished with 8 wins in their next 10 games, but still couldn’t get ranked by either the AP or the Coaches Poll. What a joke. Wake Forest was part of a weak ACC this season, but had their way with 3 quality bowl teams, beating Maryland, FSU (pre 36 player suspension of course), and Navy (by 20). Even more telling of their team strength, the Deacons beat two teams in the final two games, both of which could have gained Bowl eligibility if they had won. The Deacons were 8-4 ATS on the season, and 8-4 O/U as well. That makes 8-4 all around for them. They were 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games. Not only are the Deacons a solid team, their head coach ignored the chances at a high-paying job at a “Big Football School” to stay in Wake Forest with the kids he’s helped build into successful program. That’s the vote of confidence not every smaller school gets to have.
Huskies: UCONN had one heck of a year considering they were expected to be a middle of the pack Big East team at best. They won 9 games on the season, including back to back to back wins over Louisville, South Florida, and Rutgers - 3 very good teams in the Big East. But, they still didn’t end up ranked in the Top 25 - yet another snub. The Huskies were 7-3 ATS on the season and 4-6 O/U. They lost 2 of their last 3 heading into their Bowl Game with Wake Forest, but West Virginia and Cincinnati aren’t necessarily pushovers. UCONN’s only other loss was to Virginia, in Virginia, by one point. The Huskies are one of the top 25 teams in the Nation, don’t believe their lack of ranking for a minute.
Other Games this week w/Belmont’s Lines:
New Orleans Bowl
Central Michigan (+8) vs. Purdue (-8)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 7:30 pm EST
Champs Sports bowl
Boston College (-3.5) vs. Michigan State (+3.5)
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 5:00 pm EST
Texas Bowl
TCU (-4) vs. Houston (+4)
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 8:00 pm EST
Emerald Bowl
Maryland (+5) vs. Oregon State (-5)
Friday, December 28, 2007 - 8:30 pm EST
Liberty Bowl
Central Florida (-3) vs. Mississippi State (+3)
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 4:30 pm EST
Alamo Bowl
Penn State (-5.5) vs. Texas A&M (+5.5)
Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 8:00 pm EST
Independence Bowl
Colorado (+3.5) vs. Alabama (-3.5)
Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 8:00 pm EST
