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Quick Lane Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Quick Lane Bowl between the Pittsburgh Panthers and Eastern Michigan Eagles, with betting odds, picks, tips and bets.

The Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) and Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-6) tangle in the Quick Lane Bowl Thursday. Kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit is set for 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pittsburgh-Eastern Michigan odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan: Three things you need to know

1. Pittsburgh’s bowl history goes all the way back to the 1927 Rose Bowl, a game it lost 7-6 to Stanford. The Panthers also fell to Stanford 31-24 in the Sun Bowl last season. They’ll be more than happy to face anyone else. This will be Pitt’s first-ever bowl game vs. a Mid-American Conference foe.

2. Eastern Michigan makes the short jaunt from Ypsilanti to downtown Detroit for its fourth bowl game in school history. The Eagles are 1-2 all-time, falling last season to Georgia Southern in the Camellia Bowl in Birmingham. Their only bowl win was back in 1987 in the California Bowl vs. San Jose State, 30-27.

3. Pitt is 5-1 against the spread in the past six non-conference games, and 4-1 ATS in the past five vs. MAC opponents. EMU is 17-5 ATS in the past 22 non-conference games, and 17-8 ATS in the past 25 vs. winning teams.

College football season is almost over! Place your bets on this game, or others, at BetMGM now. Place your bets and win, win, win!

Pittsburgh vs. Eastern Michigan: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pittsburgh 26, Eastern Michigan 17

Moneyline (ML)

Pitt (-435) had a so-so offense this season, but the defense was super stout. As such, the Panthers are expected to roll to a victory against the boys from Eastern Michigan (+325). Even so, the Panthers are just too expensive, when having to risk more than four times your return, especially since this game is right down Interstate 94 from Ypsi.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Pitt to win outright would return a profit of just $2.30.

Against the Spread (ATS)

EASTERN MICHIGAN (+11.5, -110) likely isn’t going to win this game, but it is the Eagles’ national championship game. It’s primetime. It’s in their home state. And they have the passing attack to hang with most marginal Power 5 teams, for which Pittsburgh (-11.5, -110) certainly qualifies.

The Eagles were 29th in passing yards per game at 279.7, while posting 29.1 points per game to rank 64th in the land. EMU also has DB Brody Hoying, cousin of former Ohio State standouts Bobby Hoying and Ross Homan, patrolling the secondary. He led the team with four interceptions.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 49.5 (-115) is going to be a strong play for me in this one, also included perhaps as a part of a three-team teaser. The Under is 28-10-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 39 games overall, and 7-1 in the past eight as a favorite. The defense will dictate the pace of the game.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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South Carolina at Virginia odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s South Carolina Gamecocks at Virginia Cavaliers betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks and tips.

The South Carolina Gamecocks (7-4, 0-0 SEC) and Virginia Cavaliers (9-1, 2-0 ACC) do battle at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville at 3 p.m. ET Sunday. We analyze the South Carolina-Virginia odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Cavaliers are ranked seventh in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll.

South Carolina at Virginia: Three things you need to know

1. UVA is a perfect 6-0 at home this season, and the Cavaliers have allowed an average of just 41.3 points per game in those six outings. Vermont had the highest production with 55 points in a game Nov. 19.

2. South Carolina ranks just 213th in points scored with 70.6 PPG, and it is 321st in the nation with a success rate of just 28.8% from behind the 3-point line.

3. The Gamecocks have failed to cover the spread in six of the past eight, while the Wahoos are just 1-7 ATS in the past eight overall, so something’s gotta give.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

South Carolina at Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Virginia 58, South Carolina 51

Moneyline (ML)

PASS. Talk about chalk. Virginia (-650) is going to win, but the price is too high – every $6.50 wagered on the Cavaliers ML will only profit $1 if they prevail. South Carolina (+475) offers close to a 5-to-1 payoff, but it ain’t happening.

Against the Spread (ATS)

SOUTH CAROLINA (+10.5, -110) is catching double digits on the road, and that’s a little much. The Gamecocks aren’t a great team, but they’re not bad, either. While they have struggled with the perimeter shooting, they’ll be able to get some inside scoring against Virginia (-10.5, -110). The Wahoos don’t blow anyone out, but they aren’t about to lose this one, either.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 112 (-110) is the play, as this one isn’t going over 110. In this day and age that sounds crazy to say, but Virginia just tosses a blanket on the opposition and teams struggle to score 50 against the Cavs. In fact, that’s considered a ‘good’ day.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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College Football Futures: National Championship Best Bets

Previewing the College Football Playoff futures including National Championship best bets.

The College Football Playoff kicks off Dec. 28 with the semifinals. Top-ranked LSU Tigers (13-0) faces the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners (12-1) in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (13-0) will battle the No. 3 Clemson Tigers (13-0) in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Below is my best bet and rationale for who will be crowned the national champion on Jan. 13.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. ET.

CLEMSON +200

It’s amazing how relatively under-the-radar defending champion Clemson has flown in 2019. A bonafide dynasty, the Tigers have played in four of the five College Football Playoffs, winning two titles in their three Championship Game appearances, including last year’s 28-point blistering of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. (Photo Credit: Jamie Rhodes – USA TODAY Sports)

Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence received Burrow-esque hype following Clemson’s 2018 title run, but has been largely missing from the national conversation because of a shaky start to 2019 – he threw eight interceptions in his first seven games. However, he finished strong with 20 passing touchdowns and NO interceptions and ended up with 41 total touchdowns. While LSU’s Joe Burrow is getting all the buzz heading into the CFP, make no mistake, Lawrence should be the No. 1 pick whenever he enters the NFL Draft, presumably in 2020.

Led by coach Dabo Swinney and defensive wizard Brett Venables, Clemson has the best coaching staff in the Playoff. No other coach in the CFP has a national championship appearance or title. The Tigers have been here before and the moment will not be too big for them. Despite all the defensive players drafted back in April, Clemson’s defense is still stout, allowing the least passing yards per game (138.5) in the country, and ranking ninth in rushing yards allowed (106.2 YPG).

Another random tidbit that I cannot explain but thought was worth mentioning: The No. 1 seed in the CFP has never won the national title. I don’t know if that’s because the top team is really feeling themselves during the extended break, grows complacent or the opening-round matchup against the No. 4 team isn’t difficult enough to get them ready for the title game. Whatever the case is, Clemson entering the CFP as the 3-seed only makes me feel better about my CLEMSON +200 ticket.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on Clemson to win the National Championship would profit $20 if the Tigers prevail.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Maryland at Seton Hall odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Maryland Terrapins at Seton Hall Pirates sports betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks, tips and bets.

The Maryland Terrapins (10-1, 1-1 Big Ten) and Seton Hall Pirates (6-4, 0-0 Big East) meet up at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Maryland-Seton Hall odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Maryland at Seton Hall: Three things you need to know

1. The Terrapins look to rebound from their first loss of the season – 76-69 at Penn State Dec. 10.

2. The Pirates are on a two-game skid. They lost 76-66 at Iowa State Dec. 8, and 68-48 at Rutgers in a Garden State Hardwood Classic Saturday, falling as 1.5-point favorites.

3. Seton Hall G Myles Powell, the team’s leading scorer (21.2 points per game), is considered out indefinitely due to a concussion. In fact, Powell was so concussed in the game against the Scarlet Knights last time out, he reportedly asked coach Kevin Willard why his team was practicing at Rutgers. Scary stuff. He joins second-leading scorer Sandro Mamukelashvili (wrist) on the shelf.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Maryland at Seton Hall: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Maryland 75, Seton Hall 61

Moneyline (ML)

Maryland (-300) is costly – every $3 wagered profits a $1 if the Terps win outright. Seton Hall (+250) offers a 2.5-to-1 payoff, but this is a PASS. We’ll focus on the spread below.

Against the Spread (ATS)

MARYLAND (-6.5, -110) hits the road looking to rebound from a loss to the Nittany Lions. The Terps catch a break with Powell likely sidelined for the Pirates, and Mamukelashvili already on the mend. Look for the Terrapins to make a statement in this road battle. UMD is 13-5 ATS in the past 18 games following a non-cover, and 7-3 ATS in the past 10 after a straight-up loss, too.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 138.5 (-110) is the play in this one, as it’s uncertain where Seton Hall’s scoring is going to come from. The Pirates’ only two guys averaging double-digit point totals are dealing with serious injuries. Look for the under to hit.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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North Carolina at Gonzaga odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s North Carolina Tar Heels at Gonzaga Bulldogs betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks and tips.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-1, 0-0 WCC) and North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4, 1-1 ACC) battle at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Wash. at 9 p.m. ET. We analyze the North Carolina-Gonzaga odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

North Carolina at Gonzaga: Three things you need to know

1. The Tar Heels are injury ravaged, as all kinds of key personnel are fighting through injury to play or they’re sidelined. Star Cole Anthony (knee) will miss at least four weeks due to arthroscopic knee surgery, while G Leaky Black (foot) is battling through a sprained right foot.

2. UNC is on a three-game winning streak in this series, going 3-1 all-time vs. Gonzaga.

3. Gonzaga enters as the much healthier team. F Filip Petrusev leads the team with 15.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

North Carolina at Gonzaga: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Gonzaga 84, North Carolina 63

Moneyline (ML)

Gonzaga (-667) is an overwhelming favorite to beat the banged-up and struggling visitors from North Carolina (+475), but you can’t risk nearly seven times the return. Look to the spread instead.

A $10 bet on the Bulldogs to win outright would return a profit of just $1.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

GONZAGA (-10.5, -134) remembers the 103-90 beating it took against North Carolina (+10.5, +110) the last time these teams faced. The Bulldogs are not going to feel sorry for UNC’s injury woes and poor shooting from the perimeter. Look for the Bulldogs to house the Tar Heels in this one.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 145.5 (-106) is a nice small-unit play, especially as part of a parlay. The only concern with the Over is whether or not the Tar Heels can generate enough offense in a potential blowout. They rank 310th in the nation in 3-point shooting, and that’s a huge concern.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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North Carolina at Virginia odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers college basketball matchup, with NCAA basketball betting odds, picks and best bets

The North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2) square off with the Virginia Cavaliers (7-1) in the ACC opener for both at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. We analyze the North Carolina-Virginia odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Cavaliers are ranked second in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Tar Heels are No. 7.

North Carolina at Virginia: Three things you need to know

1. UNC is looking to bounce back after taking it on the chin Wednesday at the Smith Center, falling to No. 6 Ohio State 74-49.

2. The Tar Heels are 1-6 ATS across the past seven games overall, and 1-4 ATS in the past five on the road.

3. Virginia is 0-6 ATS in the past six games overall, and 0-4 ATS in the past four against winning teams. Something’s gotta give in this one.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

North Carolina at Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Virginia 64, North Carolina 61

Moneyline (ML)

Virginia (-250) is a little steep on the moneyline, and North Carolina (+200) cannot be trusted after their showing Wednesday. Plus, UNC will be without super frosh F Armando Bacot (ankle), as he is expected to be out indefinitely.

Against the Spread (ATS)

NORTH CAROLINA (+3.5, +115) will be catching a few points in this one, and even though it’s shorthanded, it will be able to keep Virginia within arm’s length. The Cavaliers (-3.5, -139) don’t blow anyone out, and they play a slow, deliberate style which keeps the opposition in it even when they’re not playing their best. Take UNC and the points.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on UNC to win by at least four points returns a profit of $9.09.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS. The O/U 115.5 (+115, -139) is so low based on Virginia’s deliberate style. The Under is 4-0 in UNC’s past four on the road, and 25-9 in the past 34 overall. For UVA, the Under is 6-2 in the past eight overall, and 7-3 in the past 10 at JPJ. If there is a slight lean on the total, it’s to the ‘Over.’

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Final 2019 College Football Bowl Projections

Finally, with all of the college football games (aside from Army-Navy) complete, we can look ahead to the bowl season. Teams will find out where they’re going bowling at some point on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t try to tell you where every team will be going. We’ve been patiently tracking rumors and conversations about who will be going where. After patiently dealing with all of the rules and regulations for each conference, here are my best guesses as to every bowl matchup.

Remember: Nowadays, bowl projections are more of an art than a science. Most conferences no longer allow the bowls to select teams in order, but instead provide “pools” of teams for certain tiers of bowls. The Group of 5 conferences essentially have no selection order preference. The conferences then work with the bowls to determine which team goes where. Anything can be the cause for this–geography, fan interests, matchup quality, whether the conference thinks its team is more likely to win, or any other reason. Therefore, at the end of this article, I will provide a list of which conference pools would be tied to which bowl. That way, you have as much information as possible when figuring out where each team could be headed.

79 teams are bowl-eligible this year, and there are 78 slots available in bowl games. Right now, I have Eastern Michigan being the unlucky team that will stay home, though it could definitely be Toledo or Kent State.

I will also update these for the next few hours Saturday night if any credible rumors come in.

College Football Playoff

Peach Bowl	Sat, Dec 28, 4:00 PM	LSU	vs	Oklahoma
Fiesta Bowl	Sat, Dec 28, 8:00 PM	Ohio State	vs	Clemson

This is simple enough. No. 1 plays No. 4, and No. 2 plays No. 3. The committee will ensure that the No. 1 team is not given a geographic disadvantage, so LSU will get the Peach Bowl against Oklahoma.

The times for these matchups are flexible and not yet set, but given that Ohio State vs Clemson will by far be the bigger draw, I expect that to be the game given prime time billing.

Next… NY6 and other Big Ten bowls

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Notre Dame Basketball: Winning Streak vs. Boston College Ends

As Notre Dame furiously tried to keep its 13-game winning streak against Boston College alive in the waning moments of Saturday’s contest at Purcell Pavilion, Irish radio play-by-play announcer Jack Nolan reminded listeners that the arena is one of the easiest places to shoot in the country. It’s easy to the point where Nolan said he once made three 3-pointers while playing in a charity game there. He brought this up because the Eagles’ hot shooting in the game (49.2 percent from the field) and particularly in the first half put them on the precipice of a win. Yet it took enduring a 13-3 Irish run and Marcel Goodwin’s missed half-court shot at the buzzer for Boston College to complete a surprising 73-72 win in South Bend.

Derryck Thornton was the best shooter for the Eagles (5-5, 2-0) by going 9 of 12 from the field in a 19-point effort. Jay Heath did most of his damage from downtown as he scored 12 of his 16 points behind the 3-point line. Jared Hamilton came off the bench and added 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

T.J. Gibbs played the entire game for the Irish (6-3, 0-2) and justified Mike Brey’s decision to have him do that with a game-high 22 points. John Mooney achieved his latest double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, six of which came on the offensive end. But they weren’t enough for Notre Dame to overcome 39.7 percent shooting from the field on an afternoon in which half of its shots came from behind the 3-point line, where it went 8 for 29.

Notre Dame Basketball: Robby Carmody Update

Although not surprising, the still unfortunate word on the rest of his 2019-20 season came this morning in a release from the Notre Dame Athletic Communications Department:

With under a minute to go last night in their loss at No. 3 Maryland, Notre Dame guard Robby Carmody suffered what looked to be a brutal knee injury.

Although not surprising, the still unfortunate word on the rest of his 2019-20 season came this morning in a release from the Notre Dame Athletic Communications Department:

Sophomore guard Robby Carmody has suffered a left ACL injury – confirmed by an MRI conducted this morning – and will miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

Carmody had played in seven of Notre Dame’s eight games to date and was averaging 5.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest in this, his sophomore season.

Notre Dame returns to the court Saturday as they host 4-5 Boston College.

Week 15 College Football Bowl Projections

With just the conference championship games remaining, our Bowl Projections look at how all teams currently stand in the bowl picture.

Welcome to the second-to-last set of bowl projections that I will be providing. Make sure not to miss Phil Harrison’s projections. Every week, Phil projects to the end of the season and gives you where he thinks the Big Ten teams will end up.

I, however, will not be predicting who will win games. Instead, these projections are based on where every team sits now. Meaning, if the season ended today, where would every team be heading to bowl games? That way, readers can know what their team needs to do to move up or down in bowl selection order.

My final set of bowl projections will come out on Saturday night, right after the games end. Those might look very different than these, depending on what happens Saturday. (For example, there are currently two SEC teams in the Playoff. That will almost certainly no longer be true if LSU beats Georgia.)

Also, remember that nowadays, bowl projections are more of an art than a science. Most conferences no longer allow the bowls to select teams in order, but instead provide “pools” of teams for certain tiers of bowls. The Group of 5 conferences often have no selection order preference. The conferences then work with the bowls to determine which team goes where. Anything can be the cause for this–geography, fan interests, matchup quality, whether the conference thinks its team is more likely to win, or any other reason. Therefore, at the end of this article, I will provide a list of which conference pools would be tied to which bowl. That way, you have as much information as possible when figuring out where each team could be headed.

As we approach Selection Sunday, we will be able to hear rumors and whispers as to which team is headed where. I do my best to keep track, and my projections on Saturday night will be based mostly on those. For now, though, all we know is that BYU has accepted an invitation to the Hawaii Bowl and that the Bahamas Bowl will be Buffalo against Charlotte.)

So, without further ado, here are this week’s bowl projections:

College Football Playoff

Peach Bowl	Sat, Dec 28, 4:00 PM	LSU	vs	Clemson
Fiesta Bowl	Sat, Dec 28, 8:00 PM	Ohio State	vs	Georgia

This is simple enough. No. 1 plays No. 4, and No. 2 plays No. 3. The committee will ensure that the No. 1 team is not given a geographic disadvantage, so Ohio State will not be forced to play Georgia in Atlanta.

The times for these matchups are flexible and not yet set, but given that Ohio State vs Georgia will likely be the bigger draw, I expect that to be the game given prime time billing.

Next… NY6 and other Big Ten bowls

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