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2018 Jared Birmingham Bowl Odds And Prediction

By Mike Marteny

WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs in a touchdown reception against the Louisville Cardinals late in the first quarter of the football game at BB&T Field on October 28, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs in a touchdown reception against the Louisville Cardinals late in the first quarter of the football game at BB&T Field on October 28, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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jared birmingham bowl
BIRMINGHAM, AL – DECEMBER 23: Spencer Adkinson #48 and Jeremi Hall #73 of the South Florida Bulls carry the championship trophy following the Birmingham Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Legion Field on December 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Alabama. South Florida won 38-34. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2018 Jared Birmingham Bowl Odds And Prediction

Bowl season is finally upon us! We had six bowl games to kick us off on Saturday. There were games all week, and now we have another four game Saturday. After Christmas we get up to more than one game per day, so the season is really picking up now.

More from College Football Odds

I did pretty well to open bowl season on Saturday with my against the spread picks. We can make some money on these games. Are you with me?

For the rest of the bowls, you will get my picks against the spread and point wagers just like I did all season long. I had a solid regular season, but I can make it look a whole lot better with a strong bowl season!

Just in case you missed any:
Autonation Cure Bowl
Progressive New Mexico Bowl
Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl
Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl
DXL Frisco Bowl
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

jared birmingham bowl
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 01: Brady White #3 of the Memphis Tigers scrambles in the first quarter against the UCF Knights during the American Athletic Championship at Spectrum Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Memphis(-3.5) vs. Wake Forest at Birmingham, AL(2):

Memphis 8-5, 5-4 (2nd AAC):

Wins: vs. Mercer(66-14), vs. Georgia State(59-22), vs. South Alabama(52-35), vs. Connecticut(55-14), at East Carolina(59-41), vs. Tulsa(47-21), at SMU(28-18), vs. Houston(52-31)

Losses: at Navy(21-22), at Tulane(24-40), vs. Central Florida(30-31), at Missouri(33-65), at Central Florida(41-56)

Record vs. bowl teams: 1-4

What kind of shape is Memphis going to be in after almost breaking the streak not once, but twice? They had a huge lead over UCF in the AAC Championship game only to give it away and lose by double digits. All of this after they only lost by one in the regular season. The Tigers will also be without Darrell Henderson, who is preparing for the NFL Draft that is still four months away.

Offense was never the issue with Memphis though. Brady White is still there, and so is leading receiver Damonte Coxie. Patrick Taylor is an excellent back as well. The only difference here is that Tony Pollard will be seeing a lot more carries.

The issue for Memphis is and has always been defense. That’s not good facing a Wake team that topped 50 four times this season.

Wake Forest 6-6, 3-5 (t-5th ACC Atlantic):

Wins: at Tulane(23-17), vs. Towson(51-20), vs. Rice(56-24), at Louisville(56-35), at North Carolina State(27-23), at Duke(59-7)

Losses: vs. Boston College(34-41), vs. Notre Dame(27-56), vs. Clemson(3-63), at Florida State(17-38), vs. Syracuse(24-41), vs. Pittsburgh(13-34)

Record vs. bowl teams: 2-5

What better way to become bowl eligible that smashing your rival on the road by 52 points? That’s where Wake is now. This team has actually been better with Jamie Newman under center than Sam Hartman. The thing that will decide where I stand on this is the status of Greg Dortch. Wake struggled with him off the field earlier this year.

Prediction:

Wake’s pass defense is weak enough that Memphis is going to get their points. The Tigers didn’t run because they had to. They run because they want to. I have a feeling that Brady White is going to be carrying the team a little more here, and the Memphis receivers are good.

Wake can match them blow for blow if Dortch is healthy. If not, I think Memphis runs off with this. If Dortch plays, I’m taking Wake. Memphis wont be able to stop him. UPDATE: I still don’t trust the Memphis defense. Wake has been so much better with Newton, and Surratt is a solid WR. I’m taking Wake still, but lowering the bet.

Pick: Wake Forest

Next. ESPN Capital One Bowl Mania picks. dark

Stay tuned for the rest of the bowl picks against the spread, and our DFS picks for the NBA, NFL, and even some NHL action! We have something for everyone!