2005/06 College Bowl Season Preview

Handicappers could get a hernia toting around facts and figures on the 29 college football bowl games that will be played from December 20 to January 4.
Trying to keep track of all the Cotton, Oranges, Peaches, Roses and Gators, not to mention Poinsettia's, is a taxing task. So we're dishing out some interesting trends and angles for every bowl matchup below.
NEW ORLEANS
Favorites have cashed three of four in the New Orleans Bowl, getting the money in the last pair. Southern Miss was just 2-4 as a favorite this season. Arkansas State finished with a rush, 'covering' five of its last seven and three straight as underdogs. The Golden Eagles are 4-3, both straight up and against the spread, in the postseason since 1997. Southern Miss has been on the low side in 19 of its last 26 non-conference games.
GMAC
The chalk has cashed in the last three GMAC Bowls. Toledo and UTEP both finished on a down note. The Rockets came up short in four of their last five ATS and dropped their last four as favorites. The Miners faltered in their last four ATS. Toledo has 'covered' 11 of 12 after scoring 42 points or more in its last game. The Rockets have been on the low side in eight of nine on the road after the first month of the season. They have slipped below the number in seven of their last nine.
LAS VEGAS
BYU has lost and failed in its last three bowl appearances since 1998. California failed to cash in seven of its last nine while the Cougars cashed in five of their last seven. The Golden Bears are 24-42 as favorites since 1992. BYU has failed in 10 of 25 ATS coming off an upset loss as favorites. California dipped 'under' in seven of its last nine. The Cougars have taken the low road in nine of 10 on a neutral field.
POINSETTIA
Navy has 'covered' 20 of 27 non-conference tests. Colorado State has skipped 'under' in 12 straight after failing to cash five or six of seven games.
FORT WORTH
Houston cashed four of five as underdogs this year. Kansas is making its first bowl appearance since 1995. The Jayhawks topped the total in four of their last five outings.
HAWAII
Nevada is playing in the postseason for the first time since 1996. Central Florida is 9-1 ATS on the road after failing to get the money in two of three games. The Knights eclipsed the total in six of their last eight chances.
MOTOR CITY
Akron has 'covered' seven straight versus good rushing teams. The Zips cashed four of their last five and five of six as underdogs this season. Memphis was just 1-5 as a favorite, but it did cash its last three regular season battles. The Tigers slipped below the number in their last three games and Akron followed suit in seven of nine.
CHAMPS SPORTS
The favorite has 'covered' in the last three Champs Sports Bowls. Colorado is 2-6 ATS in its last eight trips to the post. The Buffaloes have thrived in the postseason, winning and cashing five of their last seven. Conversely, Clemson has lost six of its last eight bowl games (4-4 ATS).
INSIGHT
The favorite has failed in six of the last eight Insight Bowls. Rutgers is 5-15 ATS when playing with two or more weeks rest. Arizona State is 1-9 ATS on road grass. The Sun Devils have failed in four of their last six postseason battles (3-3 ATS). ASU has topped the total in 13 of 17 as favorites.
MPC COMPUTERS
Boston College has won and 'covered' in its last five bowl appearances. Boise State is 42-2 at home since 1999. The Broncos are 28-10 as home favorites and they cashed their last five as chalk this year. Boise State is 21-5 ATS after winning five or six of seven. The Eagles slipped 'under' in six of their last eight games.
ALAMO
The underdog has barked in three of the last four Alamo Bowls. Nebraska is 6-3, both SU and ATS, in its last nine postseason chances. Michigan has lost three of its last four bowl games (2-2 ATS). The Wolverines have failed in 12 of their last 18 as favorites.
EMERALD
Utah has won four straight postseason battles since 1999 (3-1 ATS). The Utes were just 2-7-2 ATS this season. However, they have 'covered' at a 10-1-1 clip as underdogs. Utah is 20-7 ATS when getting 3 1/2 to 10 points. Georgia Tech is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games and 2-4 as favorites. The Yellow Jackets strayed below the number in six of their last seven. They have been on the low side in 16 of 19 when playing on Thursday. The Utes have ducked 'under' in 12 of 14 non-conference road tests.
HOLIDAY
Favorites have taken a beating in the Holiday Bowl, cashing at a tepid 4-10-1 clip and dropping the last seven ATS. Oregon has lost its last two bowl games after winning its previous five. Oklahoma is 2-4 ATS in its last six postseason outings. The Sooners are 2-18 ATS after gaining 300 or more rushing yards in their last game. The Ducks 'covered' at a 5-1-1 clip in their last seven regular season games.
MUSIC CITY
Favorites have hit a sour note in five of the last six Music City Bowls. Minnesota has 'covered' six straight non-conference games. Virginia is 12-28 ATS on the road during the second half of the season. The Cavaliers have lost and failed in five of their last seven bowl battles. The Gophers have won three straight postseason games (2-1 ATS). Virginia has tipped 'under' in 11 of its last 14 on road grass and in six of its last seven overall. Conversely, Minnesota has eclipsed the number in eight of its last 10.
SUN
The Sun Bowl has been a graveyard for favorites, with the dogs getting the money in 13 of 14, including the last 10. Northwestern has cashed six straight as road dogs of 3 1/2 to 10. UCLA is 2-5, both SU and ATS, in its last seven bowl appearances. The Wildcats have slipped below the number in six straight while the Bruins have topped the total in nine of 11.
INDEPENDENCE
The favorite is 1-6 in the last seven Independence Bowls. South Carolina has dropped 13 of its last 18 when favored. The Gamecocks have cashed 12 of 15 on the road after winning three of four games. Missouri topped the number in eight of its last 11 games.
PEACH
The Peach Bowl has been the pits for favorites (4-9 ATS, 2-5 last seven). Miami has thrived in the postseason, winning and cashing six of its last seven. LSU is 3-2, both SU and ATS, in its last five bowl trips. The Tigers dipped 'under' in six of their last seven and the Hurricanes followed suit in six of nine.
CAR CARE
North Carolina State is 5-15 as favorites the last three years. The Wolf Pack have won and 'covered' three of their last four bowl games. South Florida slipped 'under' in eight of 10 and North Carolina State dipped below the limit in nine of 10 games.
LIBERTY
The favorite has clicked in five of seven at the Liberty Bowl. Tulsa cashed nine of its last 11 and five straight as underdogs. Fresno State got the cheddar in six of its first seven as favorites before dropping its last pair. The Bulldogs have won and 'covered' three straight in the postseason. Thecashed 10 of 12 this season while scoring 40 points or more 11 times. USC was favored by more than 20 points in eight of 12 games. The Trojans failed to get the green in six of their last nine games. Texas topped the total in every game this year. The favorite has cashed in four of the last five Rose Bowl showdowns.
PEACH
The Peach Bowl has been the pits for favorites (4-9 ATS, 2-5 last seven). Miami has thrived in the postseason, winning and cashing six of its last seven. LSU is 3-2, both SU and ATS, in its last five bowl trips. The Tigers dipped 'under' in six of their last seven and the Hurricanes followed suit in six of nine.
HOUSTON
The favorite has cashed three straight in the Houston Bowl. Iowa State is 10-3 as an underdog, getting the money in four of five this season. TCU has cashed seven of its last nine. The Horned Frogs have lost three of their last four bowl outings (2-2 ATS).
COTTON
Alabama is 1-8 ATS versus good offensive teams (averaging more than 5.9 yards per play). The Crimson Tide were just 3-7-1 ATS this year. Texas Tech has won and cashed in its last three bowl outings. Alabama has ducked "under" in six straight on the road when the number was between 42 1/2 and 49. The Tide has dipped below the limit in nine of their last 10 on the highway against teams with a winning record.
GATOR
Favorites are 8-1 in the last nine Gator Bowl showdowns and 10-5 in the last 15. Virginia Tech has "covered" 28 of 36 as favorites of 3 1/2 to 10 points. Louisville has cashed nine of its last 10 versus ACC opposition. The Cardinals have floundered in five of their last seven bowl appearances (1-6 ATS). The Hokies are just 3-6, both SU and ATS, in their last nine postseason affairs.
CAPITAL ONE
Wisconsin has "covered" five of its last seven as dogs. Auburn has won three straight bowl games (2-1 ATS). The Tigers cashed eight of their last nine and six of eight as favorites. The Badgers have been on the low side in four of five while Auburn zipped "over" in six of eight.
FIESTA
Notre Dame attempts to break a six-game bowl losing slide (1-5 ATS). The Irish cashed in all four opportunities as dogs this season. Ohio State sizzled down the stretch, getting the money in six straight. The Buckeyes also clicked in eight of 10 as favorites. Ohio State has won and cashed three straight in the postseason. Notre Dame zipped "over" at a 6-2-1 clip in its last nine outings.
SUGAR
Georgia has "covered" 15 of 19 on the road against non-conference foes. The Bulldogs have won seven of their last eight bowl games (6-2 ATS). West Virginia, making its fourth straight postseason appearance, has lost its last three by 26, 34 and 12 points, respectively. The Mountaineers "covered" their last six and got the money in three of four as underdogs. Georgia clicked in six of its last eight and three in a row as favorites. West Virginia has eclipsed the total in 14 of 18 after taking two or more weeks off.
ORANGE
Orange Bowl favorites have cashed at a 10-5 clip, getting the money in three of the last four. Penn State "covered" its last seven, getting the green in five straight as favorites. However, the Nittany Lions are 1-14 ATS on the road versus good defensive teams (allowing 310 yards or less per game). Florida State had lost three straight until upsetting Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game. The Seminoles have split in their last 10 bowl games (4-6 ATS). Penn State has been on the low side in 26 of 36 outside the Big-10. Florida State has slipped below the number in 23 of 33 on the road versus non-conference foes.
ROSE
Texas cashed 10 of 12 this season while scoring 40 points or more 11 times. USC was favored by more than 20 points in eight of 12 games. The Trojans failed to get the green in six of their last nine games. Texas topped the total in every game this year. The favorite has cashed in four of the last five Rose Bowl showdowns.

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