Triple Option

By Michael Maynard

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl (12:30 PM CT, ESPN, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN): Purdue vs. Auburn

LINE: AUB -3.5, O/U: 59, FPI: Auburn 58.8%, Public: 77% Auburn

Why I Care: Yours truly is in Nashville for the Music City Bowl.

Why You Should Care: The Tyler Trent factor. The inspirational story of the cancer-stricken Purdue super-fan has energized the Boilers season, and the Colts, also playing a big game in Nashville this week, flew him in where he will serve as an honorary captain for the game. Purdue is undefeated in games Tyler attends in 2018.

Team Stats:

Purdue: 6-6, 5-4 B1G (3-3 WEST). BER: 3-6. OPPG: 31.9, DPPG: 27.3, Pt. Diff: +56

Auburn: 7-5, 3-5 SEC (3-3 WEST). BER: 3-4. OPPG: 28.3, DPPG: 19.6, Pt. Diff: +104

Game Notes:

• B1G is 2-0 so far, SEC is 0-1. Last year the B1G washed out everyone going 7-1 in bowl games, but only 1-1 vs. the SEC and Michigan suffered the conference’s only loss to South Carolina.
• Purdue lost 4 games by a combined total of 11 points, omitting a 10-point loss to Michigan State and a blowout from Minnesota.

Camping World Bowl (4:15 PM CT, ESPN, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL): #16 West Virginia vs. #20 Syracuse

Why I Care: First bowl game of ranked v ranked teams, ACC #2 vs. Big 12 #4. Both teams had a shot at NY6 contention late in year

Why You Should Care: Shootout potential. If you liked the Birmingham and Texas Bowls and seeing easy hits on the over, this game should be even better. Both coaches want to score fast and often, even if West Virginia doesn’t have QB Will Grier and star receiver Gary Jennings. The offensive mentalities will dictate the outcome of this game

Team Stats:

West Virginia: 8-3, 6-3 Big 12. BER: 3-3. OPPG: 47.4, DPPG: 26.5, Pt. Diff: +229

Syracuse: 9-3, 6-2 ACC (5-1 ATLANTIC). BER: 4-3. OPPG: 40.8, DPPG: 27.8, Pt. Diff: +156

Game Notes:

• The clash of former Big East foes last collided in the 2012 Pinstripe Bowl in 2012, Syracuse winning 38-14. Doug Marrone was the Syracuse coach at the time.
• Grier is out, but Syracuse’s Eric Dungey ends a successful career today in Orlando as well.
• Syracuse makes their first bowl appearance in 5 years, tied for the longest streak being snapped this year.

Valero Alamo Bowl (8 PM CT, ESPN, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX): #24 Iowa State vs. #13 Washington State

Why I Care: Mike Leach. Coach Leach doing anything is virtually must see content. After one of the best seasons of his career and a loss in the Apple Cup away from a chance to go to the Rose Bowl, Coach gets a chance to finish this historic season in style.

Why You Should Care: Minshew Magic concludes today as well as the ECU grad transfer put together one of the biggest storylines in college football after guiding the Cougars to a 10-win season. But this isn’t a lock for Wazzu, as Iowa State built on a solid 2017 campaign with true freshman Brock Purdy flashing elite potential. Cyclones electrifying running back David Montgomery gets a showcase game for his draft status, as the Junior could easily be one of the first selected at his position

Team Stats:

Iowa State: 8-4, 6-3 Big 12. BER: 3-4. OPPG: 26.8, DPPG: 22.5, Pt. Diff: +52

Washington State: 10-2, 7-1 Pac 12 (4-1 NORTH). BER: 5-1. OPPG: 38.0, DPPG: 23.1, Pt. Diff: +179

Game Notes:

• Big 12 has won last 3 Alamo Bowls
• Wazzu playing 5th bowl game in 6 seasons, Leach is 1-3 in those games
• Matt Campbell is 3-1 as HC in bowl games.
• Iowa State can win bowl games in consecutive seasons for the first time ever.

Published December 28, 2018 @10:41 PM C.T.

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