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  • expert headshot
    Mike Tierney
    +281
    (67%)
    6-3 in Last 9 NCAAF ATS Picks
    PITT -7
    -105
    Spread
    Picked: Dec 16 @ 11:00am

    Analysis

    Erase the starting QB, transfer-to-be Katin Houser, and both coordinators who left for greener pastures, and there's not much for East Carolina to hang its hat on. Pitt thrived on the road, winning four of five outright, and improved gradually as freshman QB Mason Heintschel got acclimated to the job. The Panthers' lone SU losses in their last eight games were to Notre Dame and Miami. No shame there.
  • expert headshot
    Bruce Marshall
    #5
    +635
    (56%)
    52-41-3 in Last 96 NCAAF Picks
    PITT -10.5
    -104
    Spread
    Picked: Dec 26 @ 11:43pm

    Analysis

    The portal hasn't just hit East Carolina, it has devoured the Pirates, robbing them, among others, of their starting QB (3300-yard passer Katin Houser), top rusher (London Montgomery 742 YR), and 2nd-leading receiver Yannick Smith (44 catches). Moreover, both coordinators (OC John David Baker and DC Josh Aldridge) have moved to other jobs. Expect to see lots of mobile QB Mike Wright, who once created a buzz at Vanderbilt, but little since, as Blake Harrell has to reconfigure his offense on the fly. Pitt has had a few portal losses, too, but the Panthers were a revelation after frosh Mason Heintschel took over at QB, covering all six wins thereafter, with a win margin of better than 18 ppg. Play Pitt (Military Bowl at Annapolis)
  • expert headshot
    Mike Tierney
    +281
    (67%)
    6-3 in Last 9 NCAAF ATS Picks
    PSU +3.5
    -110
    Spread
    Picked: Dec 15 @ 5:51pm

    Analysis

    Would anyone like to volunteer to join Clemson's roster? The Tigers wll be wthout at least two-dozen players from a combination of injuries, NFL draft preparation and intent to transfer. Somewhat encouraging is that QB Cade Klubnik, whose pro prospects have plummeted during a disappointing season, hopes to use the bowl to win over skeptical scouts, though he is left to pilot a stripped-down offense. Penn State, with a coaching change, also will suffer from the expected withdrawals, but the Nittany Lions do not face the depth headaches that confront Clemson. Penn State rallied to close with three SU wins to become bowl eligible, providing some momentum.
  • expert headshot
    Matt Severance
    #1
    +1221.5
    (62%)
    64-40-1 in Last 105 NCAAF Picks
    CLEM
    -133
    Money Line
    Picked: Dec 27 @ 10:47am

    Analysis

    I truly do not like college football right now. It's utterly ridiculous how many guys can just leave in the midst of a season. Look, everyone deserves a raise or whatnot but does no one believe in loyalty? I am as loyal as they come (still have grade school buddies) so would never leave my teammates like that. But also didn't get paid to play college sports, so hopefully not sounding like a "get off my lawn" type. It seems like Clemson is less devastated by defections and its QB will play. Really all this is. And clearly the program cares about bowls having won a postseason game in an NCAA-record 14 straight seasons (includes ACC title game). And no coaching change there at least.
  • expert headshot
    Mike Tierney
    +216
    (57%)
    12-9 in Last 21 NCAAF Picks
    Over 42
    -110
    Over/Under
    Picked: Dec 27 @ 10:51am

    Analysis

    In its three bowls between the 2016-18 seasons, Army tallied 38, 42 and 70 points. So there is precedence for plenty of scoring in the Black Knights' bowls. This season, aside from the perenially points-starved matchup with Navy, their scores look quite normal. UConn ranked 15th among the most productive offenses in FBS. While QB Joe Fagano and both O-tackles have departed (along with coach Jim Mora Jr.), All-America WR Skyler Bell and premier RB Cam Edwards have pledged to play -- subject to change, of course. The Huskies are unlikely to throttle down, especially with soon-to-depart offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis serving as interim boss.

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