Number one rated Kentucky against the NCAA tournament hopefuls Georgia? Appears like a recipe for a blowout, especially as Kentucky just regained that desired No. 1 berth on the rankings for the first time in the earlier 2 months. Whereas the Kentucky Wildcats are at the top of the rankings and relishing an 11 game win streak, the Georgia Bulldogs can best be called inconsistent so far in the season.
These two squads have been doing relatively well this season. This should not be an unexpected to any person as both of these colleges are well noted for their share of wins in basketball for plenty of years. These two squads will be at it out on the hardwood on January 9, when Western Virginia visits Connecticut.
Whilst this particular competition may not have the same intensity that its football version does, the Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own brand of exhilaration. With the conference basketball year just arrived, both the Sooners and Cowboys will make an effort to established the tone for the rest of their year with this match. In Oklahoma’s case, they will be seeking to continue what has been a quality start as they ended the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.
On Jan 8th, postseason college football comes to Mobile, AL when the Red Wolves take on the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both teams come into play with rookie head coaches with the Huskies led by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Temporary head coach David Gunn who has been the running backs coach all year heads the Arkansas State Red Wolves. Gus Malzahn, who will take over after the year ends, has been opted for by Arkansas State. The take from the sports book is Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under established at 63 points.
It’s not only the Division I-A schools gaining face time on ESPN, on January 7th the NCAA Division I-AA Tournament game is performed at Pizza Hut Park in Fricso, TX. In a struggle of the 2 top small colleges in the nation, the North Dakota State Bison take on the Sam Houston Bearkats. Both the Bearkats and the North Dakota State Bison have steamrolled their opposition all season long and both are furthermore arriving into play with similar styles on offense. As the defenses are going to get a workout, expect a lot of running and a lot of 1st downs by each squad. The sportsbook is having a hard time with this one as the line currently stands at North Dakota State (-1) with the over-under set at 46.
Birmingham, AL plays sponsor to the Compass Bowl on January seventh with the Panthers competing with the Mustangs. The Panthers come in following the 1-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. Graham resigned his post on December 14th to take the head coaching job at Arizona State. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will wear the headset for the Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU comes into play with the specter of the “Death Penalty” handed down in the 1980’s still being debated today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is already in his 4th year on the sidelines of SMU. 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 Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January 9th. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this match, winning the national championship in 2009 and additionally winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003. LSU head coach Les Miles is additionally no stranger at this time as he’s won the national championship in 2007. Two fantastic squads and head coaches coming together on a collision course in what will certainly be a great game. The odds makers now have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under set at 40 points.
Dec . 20th signifies the Beef O’Brady’s Bowl in St Petersburg, Florida with the Golden Panthers taking on the Thundering Herd. FIU comes into play with an 8-4 record along with a 5-3 record in the Sun Belt Conference. FIU averages 19.4 points per game on defense and 26.3 points per game on offense. FIU additionally leads the nation in punt return yardage with their return team a constant menace to take it all the way. FIU is directed by 5th-year head coach Mario Cristobal. Marshall comes into play with a 6-6 record that is 2nd in Conference USA. The Marshall Thundering Herd average a somewhat confusing 30.2 points per game on defense and 22 points per game on offense. Marshall Is directed by second-year head coach Doc Holliday.
