Four Games Today

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Double dip winner in game one yesterday, as the Terps sent Ralph Friedgen off to buyout land with a 51-20 win over East Carolina (MD cover and over 68). 

Game two, Illinois and Baylor made the most unlikable pair of teams I have seen this season.  More inappropriate showboating and signifying than you will ever see from teams that know how to behave and win.  Add to that the factoid that I didn't previously know-Baylor is the most penalized team in the country-and I was assured that this would not be an enjoyable game to watch. How did Baylor win 7 games this year, they are an awful football team.  Final : 38-14, IL.  Should have gotten comfortable with my original pick.

OK State thrashed AZ in the late game to give us a two out of three day.  Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Four games today; the action is getting heavy now!  Here goes:

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Dallas
Army (6-6) v. SMU (7-6)
SMU in a bowl game for the second consecutive year, imagine that.  This one is being held not only in SMU's home town, but in its home stadium. SMU is -7.  I think they're good for that and a little bit more.

New Era Pinstripe Bowl @ Yankee Stadium
Kansas (7-5) v. Syracuse (7-5)
Welcome back to football at Yankee Stadium, assuming that they dig it out (click) from the snowstorm, and you need to ask if its worth the trouble.  Both teams went 2-3 in their last five, so neither is rolling in here with a powerhouse vibe.  Both teams have been very inconsistent, beating some good teams that you wouldn't have expected them to beat and getting thrashed by some teams you'd think they could hang with.  I'll take Kansas +1 despite this emotional side story (click).

Music City Bowl in Nashville
North Carolina (7-5) v. Tennessee (6-6)
This is effectively a home game for Tennessee, and I think it's going to be the Volunteers' day, Tennessee +1 in Nashville.  NC was 2-3 in its last five games, TN won its last 4 straight up, last 5 ATS. 

Holiday Bowl in San Diego
Nebraska (10-3) v. Washington (6-6)
Huskers are -14.  Bet the ranch.  They are going to trounce Washington.  The two teams met on September 18 of this year at Washington.  Nebraska won that one 56-21.  They will do it again.  This is the second game at Qualcomm of Bowl Season; recall Navy sucking there just last week?  Hope this isn't a Qualcomm jinx for us.