The Vanderbilt Commodores notched a 6-1 spread record in their last seven games, with the ‘over’ also cashing at 6-1. They now head to Memphis for Saturday’s Liberty Bowl against the No. 24 Cincinnati Bearcats.
Sportsbooks opened Vanderbilt as a two-point favorite, with early
college football betting action moving the number between 1 ½ and three.
College football odds makers first set the ‘total’ at 49 ½, with most betting boards dropping to 48 ½ after initial wagers favored the ‘under.’
Vandy cruises in finale at Wake Forest
Vanderbilt ended its regular season with last month’s 41-7 triumph as a one-point road dog against the
Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Commodores closed the affair with a stretch of five unanswered touchdowns, while finishing with 481 total yards in its 32 minutes of possession.
Commodores running back Zac Stacy reached the end zone three times in his 28 carries, notching 184 rushing yards. Stacy’s mates Brandon Barden and Jordan Matthews caught one touchdown each, uniting for 159 receiving yards.
Vandy’s defense allowed 183 passing yards, giving up 4.8 YPP. The Commodores gave up Wake Forest’s sole touchdown through the air, with Demon Decons quarterback Tanner Price striking Terence Davis from 10 yards out.
The lopsided affair’s combined 48 points ducked ‘under’ the closing ‘total’ of 49. Vanderbilt’s Jordan Rogers connected on 7-of-15 passes under center, guiding his squad to 24 first downs.
Cincy holds on against UConn
Cincy last took the field on Dec. 3, notching a 35-27 win as a 7 ½-point home favorite against the Connecticut Huskies. The Bearcats were outscored, 15-0, in the fourth quarter, while holding UConn to 3-of-16 third down conversion.
Bearcats quarterback Munchie Legaux threw for 217 yards, completing 15-of-35 attempts. The sophomore found wide out Anthony McClung for two touchdowns, while tossing a pair of interceptions.
The Bearcats’ defense held Connecticut to a stingy 18 rushing yards on 34 carries. Cincinnati’s Drew Frey and Walter Stewart returned an interception and fumble, respectively, for the team’s first two touchdowns of the game.
The contest’s combined 62 points flew above the ‘total’ of 47 ½, ending a 4-0 ‘under’ streak in Cincinnati’s prior four games. Bearcats running back Isaiah Pead logged a sizable 23 carries, while held to 68 rushing yards.
Back the Bearcats as short dogs
Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (ET), with ABC providing the national television coverage. The early weather forecast in Memphis calls for a high of 56 degrees, with calm winds and a 20-percent chance of rain.
I am backing Cincinnati
with my college football pick, taking the short number in this spot. Bearcats starting quarterback Zach Collaros is listed as “probable” to return after missing the team’s last three games, which should give Cincy some added spark.
Collaros logged a 138.9 passer rating over his nine starts, ranking him second in the Big East Conference behind West Virginia’s Geno Smith (148.4). The senior ran for eight touchdowns in that stretch, while Pead dashed for a conference-high 14 scores out of the team’s backfield this year.
Cincinnati’s defense has held its foes to 20 PPG in its last three road contests, while logging a sizable 44 sacks and 14 interceptions over the whole season. The Bearcats will look to erase memories of surrendering 51 points in their most recent postseason matchup, two seasons ago, against the Florida Gators in the Sugar Bowl.
Vanderbilt has put up its share of points down the stretch, but could find it tough to muster the same numbers against Cincy. The Commodores’ defense has also caused some overvaluing by the oddsmakers, with Vandy going 1-7 ATS in its last eight spots that followed giving up 20 or less points in the team’s prior game.
Cincinnati has collected at 5-1 ATS in its last six non-conference contests, with another cashed ticket looming here. The Bearcats’ two straight wins have shown recovery from their pivotal 24-21 loss against West Virginia last month, which initially was followed by a 20-3 ‘hangover’ setback at Rutgers.
Look for Cincy to finish its season campaign with a statement win in the Liberty Bowl, while Collaros and Pead go out strong as departing seniors.