Poinsettia and Hawaii Bowl Previews
Written by Greg Waters
Thu, 24 Dec 2009
Category sportsbook
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What a difference a year makes. Just ask the Utah Utes. Last bowl season Utah was busy pulling off an upset (as a 9.5-point underdog) over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. The 13-0 Utes parlayed that bowl win into a No. 2 ranking in the final BCS standings of 2008.
They have not reached such lofty heights this season, as they now prepare for a pre-Christmas Day bowl game, quite a drop from the bright lights of the BCS.
The No. 23 ranked Utes will face the California Golden Bears on Dec. 23rd in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Cal are 3.5 point favorites, with an Over/Under set at 52.5.
The Utes have thrived in the role of the underdog when listed at +4 or less going 15-5 SU and 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games in this situation.
Keep an eye on the line in this one, as Cal hasn’t fared well when a relatively small favorite. In fact, when favored by 4-points or less, they are only 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games. As well, the Golden Bears have gone 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played in December.
And Cal has not fared well in the last nine games against opponents from the Mountain West conference as the Bears own a record of 3-6 ATS in that time.
Over/Under bettors will want to note that Utah has a record of 3 Overs and 8 Unders in their last 11 starts.
Online sportsbooks are reporting even action on this one, with SPORTSBETTING.com seeing 57% of the early action on the Golden Bears.
Hawaii Bowl
On Christmas Eve, the Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach June Jones will be returning to a familiar locale with a different team.
SMU will play the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl in Aloha Stadium — Jones was coach of the Hawaii Warriors between 1999 and 2007.
The Mustangs are big underdogs heading into the Dec. 24 matchup, listed at +12.5 with a total of 73 at SPORTSBETTING.com.
The last time Southern Methodist played in December was back in 2001 and it was under similar circumstances.
SMU covered as a 23.5-point ‘dog in a 19-10 loss to UNC back in 2001.
In the Mustangs’ last 18 games when listed as underdogs of more than 8-points, they have produced 4 Overs, 13 Unders and 1 push.
Nevada has been hot in its last nine games, going 7-2 ATS and in their last 20 games when favored by more than 8, have cashed at a 15-5 ATS clip.
The betting action has favored the underdog in this one, with SMU receiving 68% of the volume.
Enjoy the Bowl Betting!
link: http://wheretobet.com/redirect/sportsbetting.com-205/all