This contest is a rematch of sorts, as just 3 yrs ago, the Wildcats of Kentucky (+10) prevailed over the Tigers of Clemson, in this very same bowl, 28-20. For the 'Cats, this marks a school-record 4th straight bowl campaign, with 3 trips to this particular bowl included. As a matter of fact, this is UK's 4th Music City Bowl game, losing to Syracuse, 20-13, in '99. Lately, however, things have certainly gone their way, with 3 straight bowl wins. A nice turnaround for Rich Brooks, whose first 3 seasons at Lexington resulted in a combined 8-26 mark. This season, they are led by the all-purpose brilliance of Cobb, who plays QB, RB (6.4 ypr), WR (11.4 ypc), & punt returner (13.5 ypr). And RB Locke not only is the 'Cats leading rusher, but is 2nd in the SEC in all-purpose yardage. QB is a problem, as Hartline (59%) is questionable, as of this writing (ankle). But note the fact that this year, Kentucky (+131⁄2, +91⁄2) won at Auburn for the 1st time since '61, & at Georgia for the 1st time since '77, with only mighty Florida & Alabama taking the 'Cats by more than a TD. The Tigers welcomed new coach Dabo Swinney this season, & haven't missed a beat, as far as their continuance of bowl years are concerned, with this their 10th in the last 11 campaigns. Led by the irrepressible Spiller (ACC player of the year), Clemson recovered nicely from a 2-3 start, with a 6-game winning burst, in which they averaged 40.7 ppg, while reaching the 15th spot in the polls. He has set or tied 31 school records (7,416 all-purpose yds, 50 TDs, & an NCAA record of 7 KO returns, during his career). But 2 straight losses, including a late setback in the ACC title game, & Tigers haven't covered a bowl game since '03. 'Cats! PROPHECY: Clemson 26 - KENTUCKY 24 RATING: 3
NFL Key Releases:
GREEN BAY over Seattle RATING: 3
SAN FRANCISCO over Detroit RATING: 4
BUFFALO over Atlanta RATING: 4
PHILADELPHIA over Denver RATING: 5
BALTIMORE over Pittsburgh RATING: 5
GREEN BAY 34 - Seattle 10 - (1:00) -- Five-game Pack run ended on final play at
Pitt, but still 2 up in Wild Card run, & this should clinch that spot. Are in a unique '08 Super Bowl sandwich here (Steelers/Cards), going down to Pitt on final play (19-yd pass). But note Rodgers another super game: 383 yds (3/0). He is now at 3,962 PYs & 28/7 for the year. The Seahawks have hit bottom with a 58-14 pt deficit the past 2 weeks, with Hasselbeck tossing 4 INTs in their 24-7 home loss to the 2-12 Bucs. Seattle is 6-19 ATS as a non-division RD, losing its last 5 such affairs by 25, 17, 21, 26, & 27 pts. Despite the 2-TD spot.
SAN FRANCISCO 30 - Detroit 10 - (4:05) -- Niners are now eliminated from post season play, as they succumbed to the TO bug (4 in 1st half - 3 Smith INTs) at Philly. But are still a steady play, just 22 pts from a 19-2 ATS run. In their last 3 HGs, they've allowed only 6, 3, & 9 pts, so can't expect the Lions to do much. Remember, the Lions lost their last RG, 48-3, while allowing 308 RYs, so Gore could have a field day. Detroit is minus 711⁄2 pts ATS in its last 11 games, & is 0-7 ATS vs the NFC West. Improved Niners aren't about to fold their tent yet.
ATLANTA 20- Buffalo 17 - (1:00) -- Falcons are out of it, despite win over Jets, in final 1:38, managing just 12 FDs,& 238 yds. Prevailed, thanks to recording 3 INTs vs Sanchez, & Jets botching 3 FGs, from inside the 40. Ouch! Bills got the push vs the Pats, with a TD in the final 3:02. A 28-yd drive. Note being called for 104 penalty yds in the first half. Buffalo at just 12.5 ppg in 11 of its last 12 outings, but also a solid 15-3 ATS off NewEngland, while the Falcs are 13-25 ATS off a win of 3 pts or less. And the visitor is 16-5 ATS in Buffalo tilts.
PHILADELPHIA 31 - Denver 17 - (4:15) -- Brian Dawkins returns to Philly. That's the main sidebar on this one. Eagles still a game up on the Cowboys, while the Broncos are a game up on 6 squads for a playoff spot (tied with Ravens), after losing to Oakland in the final 0:35, while absorbing a 241-80 RY deficit. They've come from 245 RYs, to 95, to 80. Eagles continue fine play: 5 straight wins, & have averaged 31.6 ppg in their last 12 HGs. Denver 7-16 ATS on Dec road, while Eagles are 8-1 ATS as Dec hosts vs a winning opponent off a SU defeat.
Baltimore 22 - PITTSBURGH 20 - (1:00) -- Five-game Steeler slide is history, but by the skin of their teeth (19-yd Ben TD toss with 0:00 left). Altho he was sacked 5 times, Roethlisberger threw for a career-high 503 yds in that escape. So yet another team at 7-7, with Baltimore a game up. Ravens a game back of Cincy, with a 79-10 pt edge in their last 2 games, but those were host affairs vs the lowly Lions & Bears..oh, my. Only TD allowed in those wipeouts: a punt return. Flacco: 4 TD passes LW, & Rice now at 1,128 RYs. Never much left on the field, when they meet. Steeler revenger, but are 4-17 ATS HFs of <4 pts.
Pointwise Newsletter 12/27
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