Posted on
12/28/2007 1:04:41 PM
Wager On NCAA Football - Independence Bowl
By Robby Maddux
The Alabama Crimson (-3½) Tide come into Sunday's Independence Bowl in Louisiana against the Colorado Buffaloes (+3½) having lost three consecutive games SU (straight up), and the NCAA football betting family supporting the Crimson Tide this year have gone into bankruptcy because Alabama is a money-shredding 2-9 ATS (against the spread).
Colorado and Alabama have met twice, both in bowls. The Buffaloes won the 1969 Liberty Bowl 47-33, while the Crimson Tide won the 1991 Blockbuster Bowl 30-25.
At 6-6 SU, the Crimson Tide will be trying to avoid their first back-to-back losing seasons in 45 years.
Alabama's offense played well through the first nine games, averaging 31.8 points and 395.9 yards while committing only 11 turnovers. But in its last three games, Alabama scored just 12.0 points, averaged 302.7 yards and turned the ball over seven times.
As a unit, the Crimson Tide scored 26.8 points per game and collected 372.6 yards on offense this season. Defensively, they allowed 21.8 points and 341.3 yards.
Signal caller John Parker Wilson's inconsistency under center is much to blame on Alabama's recent struggles. His quarterback rating of 111.9 was 11th out of the 12 full-time starters in the SEC, and he struggled down the stretch, throwing one touchdown and five interceptions in the last three losses.
Alabama is no stranger to playing in Shreveport. Aside from their 2006 Independence Bowl loss, the Tide also played in the bowl in 2001, knocking off Iowa State 14-13.
- Crimson Tide are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big 12.
- Crimson Tide are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
- Crimson Tide are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
- Crimson Tide are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Buffaloes, who also closed the regular season at 6-6 SU (6-6 ATS), finished third in the Big 12’s North division. Colorado defeated then-No. 3 Oklahoma 27-24 on Sept. 29 at home in its signature victory of the season.
The Buffaloes were expected to be rebuilding for a second straight season, and that appeared to be the case following a 1-2 SU start. But then Colorado ran off three impressive victories, yet 4-2 quickly turned into 5-6 after four losses in five games before beating Nebraska 65-51 on Thanksgiving. They dropped the cash in four of their last six games to finish the year.
On offense, Colorado struggled in its losses, averaging just 15.3 points. In their wins, the Buffaloes scored 39.8. Overall, they posted 27.6 points per game and 377.0 yards.
Redshirt freshman Cody Hawkins leads the Buffaloes on offense at quarterback. Hawkins had an up-and-down season, with a rating of 117.4 which is 10th among Big 12 quarterbacks.
Colorado linebacker Jordon Dizon leads a defense that allowed 29.4 points and 389.4 yards. Dizon was named the Big 12 defensive player of the year and was a first-team AP All-American. He had 160 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble, and was the leader of a defense that ranked sixth in the Big 12.
- Buffaloes are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in December.
- Buffaloes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win.
- Buffaloes are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
NCAA football odds list Alabama the 3½-point favorites with a game total of 51½.
- Crimson Tide are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 games as a favorite.
- Buffaloes are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog.
NCAA Football Free Picks: Colorado Buffaloes +3½
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