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Bears vs. Knights Gambling Prediction & 2014 Fiesta Bowl Preview

Baylor vs UCF College Football Spread/Handicapping

I was so glad to see both of these teams make the BCS but it is a little bittersweet to see them square off because now one of them has to lose. The winner will have some serious momentum heading into next season while likely becoming the darling of the 2013 season to boot.

2014 Fiesta Bowl
Baylor Bears (11-1) vs. UCF Knights (11-1)
Wednesday January 1
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
8:30PM
Moneyline: Baylor -705, UCF +570
Spread: Baylor -16.5
O/U: 69.5

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There is kind of a contrast in styles too which should make this competitive game entertaining as well. Probably the best game on New Years Day.

Baylor

The Baylor Bears truly had a great season. Their offense finished the year ranked first in total yards and points and when you watch them put up 60+ in a game you are struck by the fact that they could probably put up even more if they had to, which they never really did.

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Equally impressive is that they did it even though they were missing their top running back and top receiver for big chunks of the season.

That would be RB Lache Seastrunk, who didn’t get his 2000 yards but did average 7.5 yards per carry, and WR Tevin Reese, who finished second on the team in receiving yards despite missing the last 4 games.

With their full compliment of weapons, QB Bryce Petty and the Bears are going to be awfully difficult to stop.

Defensively they have become pretty strong as well but it is tough to decipher how much their offense helps their defense out.
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UCF

It was one of the greatest games of the year when the Knights came back on the road at Louisville to win back in October. In fact they are just three points from a perfect season with their lone loss being to South Carolina, a game they led early.

People want to knock the new AAC but the Knights have earned their spot in the BCS by beating Louisville and winning the conference and looking good in all their game including a win against Penn State at Happy Valley.

They come into this one with a lot of momentum, they have won 8 in a row, and an offense and defense that are both very good. On offense the combination of running and throwing by RB Storm Johnson and QB Blake Bortles is really, really good.

The Baylor defense will be challenged to slow them down which is why I think the Knights can win despite being huge underdogs.

When the Bears have the ball the Knights will have to play really well but lets not forget that this team grew up in Conference USA, at a time when everyone was chucking it like crazy.

They know how to play defense and this number is insulting.

You have to go with UCF or pass I think.

Spread Pick: UCF +16.5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: UCF 45 – Baylor 42

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.