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College Football: Picking 40 bowl games against the spread

By Brad Rowland

The Clemson Tigers celebrate after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 45-37 in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
The Clemson Tigers celebrate after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 45-37 in the ACC football championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA head coach Jim Mora looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. UCLA won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA head coach Jim Mora looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. UCLA won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Heart of Dallas – Southern Miss (+8.5) over Washington

This is just too many points for Washington to lay against a reasonable opponent. The Huskies fell outside of the top 60 nationally in scoring offense, and while they are unquestionably the better team, the extra candy swings this to Southern Miss in my view. This won’t be a fun watch for anyone, but if you just want something to root for, take the points with glee.

Pinstripe Bowl – Indiana (-2) over Duke

I don’t love this at all on either side. The weird backdrop of Yankee Stadium might play tricks on both offenses, and I’m a bit snake-bitten by Duke this season. Another reason I don’t love Indiana is that, well, everyone loves Indiana (more than 80% of the action on the Hoosiers), but Kevin Wilson is a mad genius and their offense is quite real with Nate Sudfeld and Jordan Howard. Staying away is the right move, but if forced to pick, I’ll take the Big Ten squad.

Independence Bowl – Tulsa (+13.5) over Virginia Tech

Tulsa is not very good at football but, contrary to public belief, neither is Virginia Tech. The Hokies should be a big favorite, given that Tulsa is just 6-6 in a non-Power 5 league, but laying nearly two touchdowns with this Virginia Tech team is just reckless. I know that this is the swan song for Frank Beamer, but this is a spot where you have to take the points or do nothing at all.

Foster Farms Bowl – Nebraska (+6.5) over UCLA

I have a rule about Jim Mora and the UCLA Bruins. If the game matters, take the other side.

This isn’t a full-proof plan, but it is close, as UCLA has routinely come up short in big spots during Mora’s tenure. This time, I have the benefit of getting nearly a touchdown of candy with an underrated team in Nebraska, and while the Cornhuskers have underachieved in the standings, much of that is due to inability to win in close games that don’t involve Michigan State.

Barring a last-second line move of epic proportion, I can’t imagine laying points with UCLA in this spot.

Next: Military, Quick Lane, Armed Forces, Russell Athletic

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