ProfessorWins
12-21-2007, 02:54 AM
NO PLAY - Florida-Atlantic vs. Memphis
FLORIDA-ATLANTIC vs. Memphis: A team few have ever seen play out of the Sun Belt being favored in a bowl over a much better name school is very telling as the odds-makers seem to be giving you the side in this game in my humble opinion. That said, there is also plenty of reason for me to like Florida-Atlantic in this game as well. First, Sun Belt opponents have gone 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS versus Memphis the last two years, and the Sun Belt is 9-1 ATS last 10 meetings overall with members of C-USA. Florida-Atlantic has also been a decent favorite of late going 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in the chalk role since the start of last year. And, Florida-Atlantic has a big advantage in defenses, as Memphis is a bowler with a horrible defense allowing 200+ yards both passing and rushing. Of course, not too many defenses like that win bowl games. Finally, while this is Florida-Atlantic's first bowl game, it is not coach Schnellenberger's as he has coached in the biggest of bowl games (1983 Orange Bowl), and won the national championship. It is the coach that ensures his players are ready and prepared, and there is no doubt in my mind that Florida-Atlantic will be ready. However, I simply can't put money on Florida-Atlantic as they are just 3-13 ATS last 16 non-conference games, and Memphis qualifies in a decent technical angle as a bowl dog that won just 3 or less games last year. What's more, Florida-Atlantic had to pull the huge upset over Troy to even get to this bowl game, and bowl teams that win their season finale as dogs of +7 or more are just 15-24-1 ATS since 1985. There simply isn't enough reason to play either side in this game as there are much better wagering opportunities down the road. I lean to Florida-Atlantic based on what I believe is a favorable matchup, but then again if they were blown out I wouldn't be surprised either.
FLORIDA-ATLANTIC vs. Memphis: A team few have ever seen play out of the Sun Belt being favored in a bowl over a much better name school is very telling as the odds-makers seem to be giving you the side in this game in my humble opinion. That said, there is also plenty of reason for me to like Florida-Atlantic in this game as well. First, Sun Belt opponents have gone 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS versus Memphis the last two years, and the Sun Belt is 9-1 ATS last 10 meetings overall with members of C-USA. Florida-Atlantic has also been a decent favorite of late going 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in the chalk role since the start of last year. And, Florida-Atlantic has a big advantage in defenses, as Memphis is a bowler with a horrible defense allowing 200+ yards both passing and rushing. Of course, not too many defenses like that win bowl games. Finally, while this is Florida-Atlantic's first bowl game, it is not coach Schnellenberger's as he has coached in the biggest of bowl games (1983 Orange Bowl), and won the national championship. It is the coach that ensures his players are ready and prepared, and there is no doubt in my mind that Florida-Atlantic will be ready. However, I simply can't put money on Florida-Atlantic as they are just 3-13 ATS last 16 non-conference games, and Memphis qualifies in a decent technical angle as a bowl dog that won just 3 or less games last year. What's more, Florida-Atlantic had to pull the huge upset over Troy to even get to this bowl game, and bowl teams that win their season finale as dogs of +7 or more are just 15-24-1 ATS since 1985. There simply isn't enough reason to play either side in this game as there are much better wagering opportunities down the road. I lean to Florida-Atlantic based on what I believe is a favorable matchup, but then again if they were blown out I wouldn't be surprised either.