CFB Thur-Sat 12/26-28: Fade ACC Faves

CFB YTD 16-15 +3.3 units

4* GOY 1-0 +4.0 units

2* 1-0 +2.0 units

1* 14-15 -2.7 units

I hit my 4* Game of the Year Monday on an easy win by UTSA.   The ACC was very weak this year and two teams that were a mess down the stretch are very vulnerable in bowls:

Thursday:

1* Toledo +7

There''s a chance I could get a better line by waiting as Pitt's excellent freshman QB is still questionable.  But Toledo comes out of a MAC that was unusually good this year and is more motivated as the game is just a short drive away in Detroit.  Pitt started out red hot but lost five in a row down the stretch as injuries took their toll.  Toledo also stunk down the stretch losing five of six but the QB is pretty good. 

Saturday:

2* UConn +3

Who is even coaching North Carolina?  Belichick is cleaning house and what's left of the coaching staff is lame duck.  The players are hardly focused on this game.  NC was putrid in a very weak ACC this year and the defense was really bad.  UConn keeps improving under Jim Mora but I admit the 8-4 SU record was against a very weak schedule.  But the key to this play is motivation.  The game is at Fenway Park which is a big deal for UConn and a pain in the ass for NC players facing obnoxious weather conditions.  Mora has had weeks to prepare for this game.  NC could have late opt-outs although the star RB may play.

Freddie Kitchens, the current interim head coach, is the first hire Belichick brought up while speaking to the media. Kitchens will still coach the UNC football program in the bowl game, but his role with the team moving forward is still to be determined.

Keeping Kitchens on the staff makes a lot of sense for Belichick, given their prior history and their connection throughout this process. Belichick noted that he has a "ton of respect" for Kitchens, a coach who is well-liked by and knows the current roster very well.

Good luck Griswold.  

@Griswold1

ADD:

Will write up later in a separate thread but want to grab all these lines now as they have already moved and will likely continue to do so:

Monday December 30:

1* Iowa +3

Tuesday December 31:

1* Illinois +9 1/2

1* Baylor ML -125