Will Hill
FOX Sports Betting Analyst
We’ve arrived at school soccer’s model of the Elite Eight, as we await 4 thrilling quarterfinal matchups within the subsequent week.
The first spherical was chalk, with all 4 favorites successful simply and all 4 overlaying as properly. The matches had been a disappointment by way of competitiveness. But the ambiance of those playoff video games on campus is unbelievable, and hopefully the powers that be in school soccer will permit much more video games to be hosted by the upper seed sooner or later.
Now, here is a easy and apparent answer that will assist make these playoffs fairer sooner or later. Simply rank groups No. 1 by No. 12 and do not attempt to reward convention winners.
We have top-seeded Oregon because the underdog and No. 5 seed Texas as a two-touchdown favourite. That mentioned, let’s hope for higher matches as we attempt to discover some winners for the quarterfinals.
TUESDAY DEC. 31
No. 6 Pen State (-11, O/U 53) vs. No. 3 Boise State
Will any of those losers battle? Seed no. 6 is a double-digit favourite right here, so here is a fantastic instance of the egregious seeding of this event.
Yes, Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty has been on a rampage this yr, however this can be a huge step up in competitors from what he is used to seeing on a weekly foundation. Boise State traveled to Oregon in early September and misplaced by only one area aim in a formidable efficiency. Penn State demolished SMU in Round 1, however regardless of a 38-10 win, the Nittany Lions generated simply 325 yards on 18 first downs.
I count on Penn State to win and advance, however I’ll go below 53 complete factors.
I feel the Nittany Lions’ lack of explosiveness on offense, mixed with a stout protection, will preserve this from being a high-scoring recreation.
SELECTION: Under 53 factors scored by each groups mixed
Best CFB Bowl Games Bets: Iowa State vs. Miami, Penn State vs. Boise State
WEDNESDAY JAN. 1
No. 5 Texas (-13.5, O/U 52) towards no. 4 State of Arizona
Another big level develops right here. Texas gained at house towards Clemson by 14 within the opening spherical, because the Longhorns had an an identical quantity and wanted a aim line to cowl.
Arizona State was solely anticipated to win just a few video games this yr and it ended up being one of many extra exceptional tales in latest school soccer reminiscence.
But I’ll take factors right here.
The Sun Devils have a fantastic working recreation and may be capable to get the clock transferring if they will run effectively sufficient. They additionally do a superb job defending the run, which might put the sport within the fingers of standout Texans quarterback Quinn Ewers. With the heavy favorites successful and overlaying so simply within the first spherical, I feel they’re inflating this line just a little larger than it must be.
PICK: Arizona State (+13.5) will lose by lower than 13.5 factors or win outright
No. 8 Ohio State (-2.5, O/U 55) towards no. 1 Oregon
This is a rematch of the October showdown, when Oregon gained 32-31 at house. Oregon actually bought no respite from the tie. The Ducks had been the one staff to stay undefeated, and now their reward is to face maybe the second-best staff within the nation within the quarterfinals.
I’m leaning in direction of Oregon successful the sport, however my official guess shall be on the Over.
The first assembly noticed every staff rack up almost 500 yards of offense and about seven yards per play. The final time we noticed Oregon, the Ducks gave up seven yards per play to Penn State and almost 300 yards speeding. I count on lots of fireworks right here.
SELECTION: Over 55 factors scored by each groups mixed
Rose Bowl Predictions: Ohio State vs. Oregon within the CFP Quarterfinals
No. 7 Our Lady towards quantity 2 Georgia (-2, O/U 44)
Here’s one other instance of a convention champion most likely questioning if it will be higher to lose the convention title recreation.
Georgia faces a maybe underrated Notre Dame staff as critics proceed to evaluate the Irish based mostly on their previous failures in huge video games.
But is that this staff completely different? Perhaps.
But I’ll go along with Kirby Smart with additional time to organize and a Georgia staff that performed a a lot more durable schedule than Notre Dame.
PICK: Georgia (-2) wins by greater than 2 factors
Bears Bets podcast contributor Will Hill has been betting on sports activities for over a decade. He is a betting analyst who has been a visitor on VSiN and Goldboys Network.
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