Jack’s Free Sports Picks: 1/1

Written January 1, 2009 by Jack Jones

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Let’s start off 2009 on a profitable note. I have just a single play going on the premium side and it’s going to be a double digit blood bath on one of the bowl games. I think this one will win easily for you so take a look at the Jack Jones page on the site for more information.

Here are three more free sports picks on today’s bowl games. I can’t say I’m in love with these games and won’t be playing them personally (or else they would be on the premium side), but if you are leaning one way or another maybe this will help:

Nebraska +2
The Cornhuskers finished the season strong, winning five of their last six games, including three in a row. Bo Pelini has done a great job of turning this team around and a win here is important to both the school and the head coach to signal to the fans that they have this thing turned around. Clemson has struggled this year after being considered a national title contender. Cullen Harper threw as many picks as touchdowns and the two running backs, James Davis and CJ Spiller, didn’t quite have the monster numbers everyone expected. Clemson’s defense has put up some pretty nice numbers, but when you look at how bad the offenses have been in the ACC this year you have to take that with a grain of salt. Nebraska has proven themselves this year on that side of the ball with at least 40 points in each of their last three games, and an offense that put up 36.17 ppg overall. They move the ball 284 ypg through the air and ranked 12th in the nation with 458 ypg of total offense. I think Nebraska wins this one in a shootout.

Predicted Score: Nebraska 35, Clemson 28

USC -8.5
The Trojans have won eight straight games against the Big Ten and easily took care of Ohio State earlier in the year, a team that Penn State had troubles beating in the middle of the season. Penn State hasn’t faced an offense like USC’s this year as the Trojans have gained 206 ypg on the ground and 247 ypg through the air. This offense is averaging 37.5 ppg and is stacked with talent at the skill positions. The defense has been outstanding as well, leading the nation with a 7.8 ppg against average and 206.1 total ypg. Even with Penn State having a pretty stellar offense I just don’t think they are as talented as the USC defense. The Trojans have more playmakers on both sides of the ball and should come out on top here in what should be a great game.

USC 34, Penn State 21

Iowa -3.5
You have to like a Hawkeye team that won five of their last six games and whose four losses this year have come by a total of 12 points. They are very under-rated and knocked off Penn State in early November to end the Nittany Lions’ title hopes. The offense is led by the best running back in the nation in Shonn Greene. This kid was second in rushing with 144 ypg and had more than 100 yards in every single game this year, the only player in the nation to do so. Iowa can also move the ball through the air as Rick Stanzi has emerged as a decent signal caller. He ended the season with 1,809 yards despite splitting time over the first four games with Jake Christenson. South Carolina had high hopes in the middle of the season as they were contending with the big boys in the SEC, however, a 50 point loss to Florida and by 17 to Clemson should have shown everyone that they were just pretenders. Neither Chris Smelley or Stephen Garcia have stepped up to be a team leader at quarterback, while Mike Davis is only averaging 3.6 ypc out of the backfield. Expect Iowa to pound away at this team and distance themselves in the second half.

Prediction: Iowa 24, South Carolina 14

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