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Western Kentucky-Florida International Preview

The fans at FIU Stadium will be treated to a game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Florida International Golden Panthers when they take their seats on Saturday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Panthers listed as 8-point favorites versus the Hilltoppers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
David Wolke had 213 yards, one TD and one interception as Western Kentucky lost 21-10 to Middle Tennessee in Week 12.
The Hilltoppers did not cover the 1-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the total of 44.
Florida International lost 57-50 to Florida Atlantic in overtime in Week 14, as 4.5-point favorites. The combined 107 points sailed OVER the posted total of 50.5.
Paul McCall completed 27-of-47 for 400 yards with four touchdowns in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Western Kentucky has lost 7 straight games.
Florida International has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Western Kentucky: 2-9 SU, 2-7 ATS
Florida International: 4-7 SU, 7-4 ATS
Western Kentucky most recently:
When playing on turf are 1-9
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing outside the conference are 2-8
After playing Middle Tennessee are 0-1

Florida International most recently:
When playing in December are 3-1
When playing on turf are 5-5
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 1-9

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Western Kentucky’s last 7 games
Western Kentucky is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Western Kentucky is 2-18 SU in its last 20 games on the road
Western Kentucky is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Florida International is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Florida International’s last 13 games at home
Florida International is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games at home
Florida International is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

 

Arkansas State-Troy Preview

The fans at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium will be treated to a game between the Arkansas State Red Wolves and the Troy Trojans when they take their seats on Saturday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Trojans listed as 11½-point favorites versus the Red Wolves, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Arkansas State beat the North Texas 33-28 in Week 14.
The Red Wolves failed to cover the 20.5-point spread, while the final score played OVER the day’s posted total of 58.
Troy ran all over LA Lafayette on Saturday night by a final score of 48-3. Troy easily covered the 11-point spread, while the 51 points went UNDER the posted total of 64.
DuJuan Harris ran for a career-high 234 yards and threw a touchdown pass in the win.
Current streak:
Arkansas State has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Arkansas State: 6-5 SU, 3-7 ATS
Troy: 7-4 SU, 6-4 ATS
Arkansas State most recently:
When playing in December are 0-1
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 3-7
When playing within the conference are 6-4

Troy most recently:
When playing in December are 3-2
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Arkansas State is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Troy is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Troy is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

 

Southern Cal-UCLA Preview

The fans at Rose Bowl will be treated to a game between the Southern Cal Trojans and the UCLA Bruins when they take their seats on Saturday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Trojans listed as 33-point favorites versus the Bruins, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.
Mark Sanchez threw for 268 yards with two touchdowns as USC crushed Notre Dame 38-3 in Week 14. USC covered the 32-point spread, but the 41 points went UNDER the posted total of 50.
Sanchez completed 22-of-31 pass attempts, and Damian Williams had 88 yards receiving with a TD in the win.
UCLA was upended 34-9 by Arizona State in Week 14, as 10-point underdogs. The 43 points fell UNDER the posted total of 44.
Kai Forbath booted three field goals in the loss, including a 53-yarder.
Current streak:
Southern Cal has won 8 straight games.
Team records:
Southern Cal: 10-1 SU, 7-4 ATS
UCLA: 4-7 SU, 6-5 ATS
Southern Cal most recently:
When playing in December are 4-3
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing within the conference are 9-1

UCLA most recently:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on grass are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing within the conference are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Southern Cal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Southern Cal is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing UCLA
Southern Cal is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Southern Cal is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing UCLA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of UCLA’s last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UCLA’s last 5 games at home
UCLA is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
UCLA is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home

 

SEC title game:Alabama-Florida Preview

The SEC champion has romped to victory in the BCS title game two years in a row. Either the Alabama Crimson Tide or the Florida Gators will get a chance to make it three in a row for the SEC, but first they have to win the SEC title game on Saturday at Georgia Dome.
Oddsmakers currently have the Gators listed as 10-point favorites versus the Crimson Tide, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.
John Parker Wilson threw for 135 yards and one touchdown to lead Alabama to a 36-0 blowout of Auburn in Week 14.
The Tide covered the 14.5-point spread, while the combined score played UNDER the posted total of 40.5.
Tim Tebow threw three touchdown passes, ran for 80 yards and another score, and Florida thumped Florida State 45-15 in Week 14.
The Gators covered the 17-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 53.5.
Team records:
Alabama: 12-0 SU, 9-3 ATS
Florida: 11-1 SU, 9-2 ATS
Alabama most recently:
When playing in December are 3-4
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 8-2

Florida most recently:
When playing in December are 4-3
When playing on turf are 5-2
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing within the conference are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Alabama is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Florida
Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Florida is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Alabama
 

 

Washington-California Preview

The Washington Huskies and the California Golden Bears will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Memorial Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Bears listed as 35½-point favorites versus the Huskies, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.
Willie Griffin rushed for 110 yards and one TD for Washington in a 16-13 overtime loss to Washington State in Week 13.
The Huskies failed to cover the 7-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the posted total of 46.5.
Jahvid Best rushed for 201 yards and scored three touchdowns in the second half, and California kept Stanford out of the postseason with a 37-16 victory in Week 13.
The Bears covered the 8-point spread, while the final score played OVER the posted total of 50.5.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 11 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 0-11 SU, 1-10 ATS
California: 7-4 SU, 8-3 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing in December are 1-7
When playing on turf are 0-10
After being outgained are 0-10
When playing within the conference are 1-9

California most recently:
When playing in December are 6-3
When playing on turf are 7-3
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing California
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 6 games
Washington is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing California
Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
California is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
California is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of California’s last 5 games when playing Washington
California is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington

 

ACC Title Game: Boston College-Virginia Tech Preview

The ACC title and a trip to the Orange Bowl are at stake when the Boston College Eagles and the Virginia Tech Hokies hit the gridiron Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Eagles listed as 1-point favorites versus the Hokies, while the game’s total is sitting at 38.
Billy Flutie, nephew of Mr. Hail Mary and CFL MVP Doug, threw for a 9-yard touchdown on a fake field goal in Week 14 to lead Boston College to a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game with a 28-21 victory over Maryland.
The Eagles just covered the 6.5-point spread, while the final score played OVER the day’s posted total of 42.5.
Dustin Keys kicked a 28-yard field goal with 6:41 to play to give Virginia Tech a 17-14 win over Virginia in Week 14.
The Hokies failed to cover the 7.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day’s posted total of 38.5.
Team records:
Boston College: 9-3 SU, 7-4 ATS
Virginia Tech: 8-4 SU, 4-7 ATS
Boston College most recently:
When playing in December are 8-2
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 6-4

Virginia Tech most recently:
When playing in December are 4-6
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Boston College is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Virginia Tech
Boston College is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston College’s last 5 games when playing Virginia Tech
Boston College is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Virginia Tech
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games when playing Boston College
Virginia Tech is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games
Virginia Tech is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Boston College
Virginia Tech is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston College

 

C-USA Title Game:East Carolina-Tulsa Preview

The Conference USA championship is on the line Saturday and the East Carolina Pirates and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane will both be trying to claim it at Chapman Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Golden Hurricane listed as 12½-point favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total is sitting at 65.
East Carolina defeated UTEP 53-21 as a 6.5-point favorite on Friday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (54.5).
Trevor Vittatoe threw for 312 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions for UTEP, while Kris Adams caught nine balls for 116 yards and a TD.
Jarod Tracy’s 22-yard field goal with 4:15 remaining gave Tulsa a 38-35 win over Marshall in Week 14.
The Golden Hurricane failed to cover the 16-point spread, while the combined final score played OVER the posted total of 65.5.
Team records:
East Carolina: 8-4 SU, 4-8 ATS
Tulsa: 10-2 SU, 7-4 ATS
East Carolina most recently:
When playing in December are 3-4
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 7-3

Tulsa most recently:
When playing in December are 2-2
When playing on turf are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of East Carolina’s last 6 games
East Carolina is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
East Carolina is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
East Carolina is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulsa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tulsa is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games

 

Pittsburgh-Connecticut Preview

The fans at Rentschler Field will be treated to a game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Connecticut Huskies when they take their seats on Saturday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Huskies listed as 3-point favorites versus the Panthers, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.
The Panthers upset West Virginia 19-15 as a 3-point underdog on Friday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (49).
LeSean McCoy rushed for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 33 carries for Pittsburgh, while Bill Stull passed for 156 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the win.
Connecticut lost to South Florida 17-13 as a 3-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (48.5).
Tyler Lorenzen threw for 119 yards with a touchdown for Connecticut and Donald Brown rushed for 96 yards on 28 carries.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 8-3 SU, 5-6 ATS
Connecticut: 7-4 SU, 5-5 ATS
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in December are 5-3
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the conference are 6-4

Connecticut most recently:
When playing in December are 1-4
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the conference are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Connecticut is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
Connecticut is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Connecticut’s last 6 games
Connecticut is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

 

Navy-Army Preview

The Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Michie Stadium.
Oddsmakers currently have the Midshipmen listed as 11-point favorites versus the Black Knights, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.
Quarterback Ricky Dobbs ran for 122 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown to lead Navy past Northern Illinois 16-0 in Week 14.
Navy covered as 4-point road underdogs as the teams played under the 51-point total set by oddsmakers.
Collin Mooney rushed for 112 yards on 12 carries for Army as they lost 30-3 to Rutgers in Week 13.
The Black Knights did not cover the 17.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day’s posted total of 43.5.
Current streak:
Army has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Navy: 7-4 SU, 5-5 ATS
Army: 3-8 SU, 6-4 ATS
Navy most recently:
When playing in December are 7-3
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing within the conference are 7-3

Army most recently:
When playing in December are 2-8
When playing on turf are 3-7
After being outgained are 2-8
When playing within the conference are 1-9

A few trends to consider:
Navy is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Army
Navy is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Army
Navy is 18-6 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
Navy is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Army is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Army’s last 6 games
Army is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Army is 3-14 SU in its last 17 games

 

Betting

College football offers up the MAC Championship at Ford Field on Friday night, while the NBA provides a full slate. Here’s a look in your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

No one has been able to beat the Ball State Cardinals (12-0 straight-up, 9-2 against-the-spread) so far this season, but the Buffalo Bulls will give it a shot in the Mid-American Conference’s championship game on Friday night (8pm ET).

The No. 12 Cardinals capped off their perfect regular season with a 45-22 win over Western Michigan on November 25. Ball State quarterback Nate Davis completed 17-of-25 pass attempts for 273 yards on that day, with one touchdown strike. MiQuale Lewis led the way on the ground with 120 yards and three scores.

The Bulls (7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS) had their five-game winning streak snapped by Kent State last time out, falling 24-21. Buffalo actually lost four of their first six games this year before rebounding to win their half of the conference. Still, the oddsmakers have Ball State listed as a big 14.5-point favorite to get the victory.

Other Notable Events

The Lakers and Wizards have combined for 18 wins so far this season, but unfortunately for Washington fans 15 of those victories sit on Los Angeles’ side of the ledger. The Lakers (15-2 SU) are coming off a 114-102 road win over the Sixers in which Kobe Bryant had 32 points. The Wizards (3-13 SU) fell 98-92 to the Trail Blazers last time out despite Antawn Jamison’s 22-point performance.

There are 10 other games on the NBA’s schedule for Friday, including Portland on the road in Boston. The Blazers (14-6 SU) have won six games in a row; the Celtics (18-2 SU) have won 10 straight games. Rounding out the schedule: Oklahoma City at Orlando, New York at Atlanta, Indiana at Cleveland, Minnesota at New Jersey, the Clippers at Memphis, Philadelphia at Detroit, Golden State at Houston, Charlotte at Milwaukee, and then Toronto at Utah to finish the evening.

The Rest of the Schedule

Friday’s four-game NHL slate is highlighted by the Canucks and Wild in Minnesota. The Wild blanked the Blues 4-0 in their last outing on Wednesday night, with 22 saves from Niklas Backstrom. Elsewhere, it’ll be Colorado heading to Dallas to play the Stars, along with Calgary at St. Louis, and Edmonton at L.A.

Finally, there are no ranked college basketball teams in action on Friday night, so hoops fans will have to settle for an Arizona / Texas A&M matchup in College Station to get their fix. South Carolina will be in action against Furman, while SMU hosts Texas A&M International, and Bryant will play Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

News from the Wire

Bills quarterback Trent Edwards could be forced to give way to J.P. Losman this weekend because of his groin injury . . . Vikings DT Pat Williams and DT Kevin Williams both received four-game suspensions from the NFL, but a restraining order might keep them on the field this weekend . . . the Cowboys are hoping that star running back Marion Barber (dislocated toe) is able to play through his injury…Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson will finally get his due as he was sentenced to at least 15 years behind bars…Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, who a year ago was inexplicably shoved out of the door as Arkansas Razorbacks coach, is being mentioned as a possible successor to Tommy Tuberville at Auburn…As rumored, Junior Seau has come out of retirement to sign with the New England Patriots…The NHL suspended Sean Avery for a “pattern of anti-social behavior.” …Lines-Maker.com will continue to monitor the status of the Florida Gators Percy Harvin for their big SEC Championship clash with Alabama. This game is the CFB Game of the Year from the top sports handicapper of all-time GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com

A Peek at the Future

Saturday’s most notable NBA game sees Utah in Phoenix, while Cleveland will travel to Charlotte, and the Hawks and Mavs will meet in Dallas . . . the Bills technically have a home game on Sunday, but in reality they’ll be playing the division-rival Dolphins in the climate-controlled confines of Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Most books have this game as a pickem, with the total listed at 42 points…It’s Manny Pacquiao against Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday Night.

Dixie Chick is Girl Gone Wild

Dixie Chick Natalie Maines is being sued for unsubstantiated allegations made against Arkansas stepfather Terry Hobbs of the infamous West Memphis 3 case…Norm Coleman continues to lead Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race count.