SuperBook Sports previews the weekend ahead

CFB: Myrtle Beach Bowl: Ohio Bobcats vs. Georgia Southern Eagles

The transfer portal, for better or worse, began to wreak havoc on bowl games once it became a prominent “thing” in college football. Each year, the portal’s impact on bowl season seems to grow. And there’s no better example of just how much this trend can affect a postseason game than this year’s Myrtle Beach Bowl, which pits Ohio versus Georgia Southern.

Specifically, the Ohio Bobcats squad that went 9-3 this season, coming up just short of a MAC title, won’t be the one taking the field against Georgia Southern. Tallying nine wins and finishing runner-up in the MAC certainly doesn’t indicate a juggernaut, but Ohio had a solid year, nonetheless. But that’s where the story ends – at least in theory.

Kurtis Roarke, the Bobcats three year-starter at quarterback, won’t be playing, instead heading to Indiana. His backup, Parker Navarro, has only thrown 22 passes all season. Additionally, Ohio’s backfield is hitting the portal as well. Both Sieh Bangura and O’Shaan Allison – the leading rushers and only two backs to score rushing touchdowns for the Bobcats this season – will presumably be gone as well (remember, transfers “can” still play, it’s just that they generally don’t). And those are just the highlights, as the Bobcats have lost several others on both sides of the ball.

For Georgia Southern, the portal hasn’t hit as hard. Of course, that’s more likely when a team finishes just 6-6 in an also-ran conference. The Eagles have some talent, but their defense is weak against the run. How much of a problem that presents against a depleted Bobcats backfield remains to be seen.

Everyone eases into bowl season with these types of matchups, and there’s a reason this one takes place on December 16. Don’t bet the farm on anything here, but if you’d like to put a little dough down to kick off bowl season, here’s how…

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Georgia Southern -3.5

Don’t be fooled by the records of each team. And don’t think for a second that a bowl game should be viewed as a “normal” matchup, especially in the games on the front end of the schedule. Nothing is normal here, which is why a 6-6 team from the Sunbelt Conference is a 3.5-point favorite over a team that only lost three games all season. If this game had taken place in mid-October, the Bobcats would be a touchdown favorite. But it’s mid-December, where anything can happen. And what’s already happened to Ohio – losing a ton of key players at key positions – will dictate this game’s outcome. Go with Georgia Southern all the way.

CFB: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Cal Bears vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Of all the matchups during “opening weekend” of bowl season, the Independence Bowl is the most appealing. Or, at the very least, it’s one of just a few games on the Saturday docket that involves two major, nationally recognized programs.

While the typical college football fan might appreciate the chance to watch two teams that they’ve likely watched once or twice during the season – “name brand” schools that might even be wagered on occasionally – it’s generally not a slot bigtime programs want to occupy. In other words, if you’re a Division I FBS program playing on December 16, you likely didn’t quite hit the mark this season. In a nutshell, that describes both Cal (6-6) and Texas Tech (6-6), neither of which lit the world on fire this season. The Bears were never supposed to challenge in the high-fling Pac-12 this season, while the Red Raiders were once thought to give Texas a run for its money in the Big 12. Their respective records indicate the very definition of “blah.”

Down in Lubbock, a rough start ended with three wins out of four games, with the only loss coming at the hands of the CFP-bound Texas Longhorns. As such, the Red Raiders might be riding a bit of momentum into the game.

Cal also finished hot, winning three straight and sneaking into bowl contention. Critics of the Bears will surmise that Cal beat the teams they should have and lost to everyone else. They’ll also trot out a freshman quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, who will likely be dared by the Tech defense to beat them over the top. Whether or not he can will largely dictate who comes out on top in Shreveport. 

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: OVER 57.0

Early bowl games between underachieving Power Five schools are tricky. It’s a fine line between determining which school is on the rise, perhaps looking forward to proving they belong, and which one is there for the gift bags and payday. It’s tough say which school is which. If there’s a prediction to be made, it’s that Tech (-3.0) is the hotter team, beating a more formidable slate of opponents down the stretch. Still, that type of logic isn’t necessarily confidence inspiring. However, there’s a bet on this game that’s worth making, and it’s taking the over, even at the inflated number of 57.0.

On four occasions this season, Cal gave up more than 50 points to its opponent. In two other games, they gave up 34 and 39. In other words, the Bears defense is shaky at best. The Red Raiders didn’t surrender big points to that extent, but still, they gave up 27 or more on six different occasions. To be fair, Tech also scored more than 30 six times, too.

In other words, this one has the makings of a shootout. A point total of 57.0 might sound high – and it is – but this game feels more like an exhibition that throws caution to the wind. Take the over and root for touchdown after touchdown.

NFL: Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Rams

The Washington Commanders will be coming off their late-season bye week as they head to Los Angeles to play the Rams. The Rams are 6-7 after a devastating loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14, as they fell when Tylan Wallace returned a punt for a touchdown in overtime.

As disappointing as the loss was, the Rams still have a legit shot at making the playoffs and a win over the Commanders would certainly improve their odds. The Rams have turned things around during the second half of this season, as they were 3-6 heading into their bye week.

Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp getting healthy certainly has played a role in that turnaround. The Rams have scored 30-plus points in their last three games and have a top-10 offense on the year. And luckily for them, they will be facing a Washington team that ranks last in points allowed.

The Commanders are 4-9 this season and don’t have a ton of bright spots outside of Sam Howell, who is fifth in the NFL in total passing yards. They traded star pass rusher Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers and defensive end Jonathan Allen went viral for his comments about the team’s lack of success.

Ron Rivera is perpetually on the hot seat. Rumors about Bill Belichick taking over next year in Washington persist.

One team is trending up. The other is treading water.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Los Angeles -6.5 (-110)

The line for this game currently sits at 6.5 in favor of Los Angeles. The Rams have everything to play for. They are getting healthy at the right time and are starting to figure things out on both sides of the ball. This is essentially a must-win game for them in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. They play a Washington team that is seeking a high draft pick. This seems almost too easy. Take the Rams with the spread.

NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars

Both the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars are atop their respective divisions. For now.

The Ravens are in good shape, with the closest team to them being the Cleveland Browns. A win over the Jaguars on Sunday night would essentially seal the division and would guarantee a playoff berth.  Quite the incentive to win.

On top of that, Baltimore would maintain their one game lead for the AFC’s top seed. Last week, the Ravens were able to stave off the Los Angeles Rams in thrilling overtime fashion with a walk-off punt return by Tylan Wallace.

It was their third win in a row and their seventh win in eight games. The victory, combined with the Miami Dolphins loss, has sprung the Ravens into the driver’s seat in the AFC, somewhere they’d like to stay as it comes with a first-round bye. However, that could be easier said than done as they will go into Jacksonville to face a hungry Jaguars team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars thought all hope was lost when quarterback Trevor Lawrence went down with an ankle injury in Week 13. What looked like a three-week recovery time at minimum turned out to be a quick bounce back, as Lawrence suited up for Week 14.

Despite his shocking availability, Lawrence and the Jags weren’t able to get it done against Joe Flacco and the Browns, losing 31-27 last Sunday. However, with the losses of the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, the Jags remain one game ahead in the AFC South. With four games left, every game is crucial and a win over a team like the Ravens could effectively win them the division.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Baltimore moneyline (-180)

Despite being at home, Jacksonville enters this game as a 3.0-point underdog. The Jaguars will need to overcome the doubters if they want to avoid their third loss in a row. Sure, the Ravens seem to be the AFC’s juggernaut, but their defense was exposed a bit against the Rams. If they aren’t able to tighten it up, this game could be closer than people think. Expect a close one, but for the Ravens to come out on top.