Happy New Year Everybody! I’m really looking forward to what we’ll be bring you from SportsFormulator.com this year. Part of our additional content is doing picks in my segment so I’m starting the year with my thoughts on all of the New Year’s Day Bowl Games and a NBA pick. Hopefully my thoughts are worth something. I’m selective in investments so stay with me as I work through the card and find the good investment opportunities.
New Year’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year because of the great college football games it tends to produce. The Gator Bowl kicks the day off and tends to provide one of the best bowls each year. This year looks no different. Mississippi State and Northwestern are worthy of being a pick ’em game basically. Both had good seasons but weren’t able to break through and challenge for a conference title. I’m fans of both coaches. This game is too much of a toss up for me to invest in so I’m passing on it thought I lean to Mississippi State simply because they’ve been through the SEC.
The Heart of Dallas Bowl features a lopsided affair I think. Oklahoma State faces an overmatched Purdue team. Purdue will have trouble covering the aerial attack of the Cowboys. It’s a lot to ask a team to cover 17 points though. So again I’ll pass. I know you’re dying for a pick so let’s get to the next game.
The Outback Bowl features South Carolina and Michigan. It’s the last time we’ll see Denard Robinson for the Wolverines. He’s been one of the most exciting college football players in recent memory. He didn’t win a Heisman like many predicted when he had such an impressive season but he’s had a good career and will look to cap it off with a win. South Carolina survived injuries to have a good year and make it back to this game. I think this one is a tight contest decided by a field goal so take Michigan +4.5
Nebraska and Georgia collide almost a month after losing their conference championship games in the Capital One Bowl. The Cornhuskers were destroyed by Wisconsin while Georgia came up just yards shy of a spot in the BCS Championship. Is Georgia motivated for this game? John Jenkins is ineligible and that could hurt in stopping the Huskers run game. Georgia has great backs themselves and will hope to slice through the Nebraska D like the Badgers did in the Big Ten Championship. I’m not a Nebraska fan at all but think they’re going to play tough in this one to make up for the humiliating loss they’re trying to bounce back from so this is a pass for me. I think Georgia is vastly more talented and well coached but motivation could be a factor having missed out on the SEC crown and a spot at the national championship.
The Rose Bowl features the return of Barry Alvarez to coach Wisconsin for this one game. Stanford is great against the run so this is definitely going to be a good battle of wills. I think Wisconsin will be ready for it and keep this one close. I think Stanford wins a close, low scoring affair. Take Wisconsin +5.5.
The day ends with Northern Illinois against Florida State at the Orange Bowl. This again is a question of motivation. Northern Illinois has had a month to hear how they don’t belong in this game. Is Florida State taking them seriously? The Huskies will be fired up and leave it all on the field but FSU has far superior talent. If they are focused, this game is a blowout. If not, NIU could hang around. I think this is a pass as too much hangs on the motivation factor.
So just to recap, I think Michigan and Wisconsin are plays as underdogs today in college football.
I’m a NBA fan so I’m going to throw out one more pick for today and make it from the Association. I like the Nuggets to end the Clippers winning streak. This is basically a pick ’em game and I think Denver at home will pull off the win. This should be a great game to watch if you like two teams that can run and score a lot of points.
Good luck and have a great 2013!
And always if you’ve got feedback post a comment or you can email me directly at matt@sportsformulator.com.
View Comments (4)
I've just recently in the pkast 2 weeks started following your site... I would like to know more on your formulas and strategies... i've been sports gambling for 10 years but not seriously.. I like this site and thank you for it.. any info would be great.. happy new year.. also, are you going to post results? it's pretty easy to find out the results, but was just wondering... thanks again
Mike
Hey Mike,
Do you have specific questions about the formula or strategy? I'd be glad to answer them. We'll be tracking results daily and have a results page plus they'll be on each sports daily projections. Thanks for the feedback and good luck in 2013!
Matt
I have looked at other predictive sites but to me they are more just a guess. I know this is your formula and you've spent probably countless hours on it. I do like to do my research and research almost every game on most all sports but not extensively. So I guess specific questions would be what all accounts for your results. Weather? Injuries? Chemistry? I know a little about most teams but if I can use my knowledge and understand yours more. I could get a better grasp. Hope this makes sense. Thx again. Appreciate it
The formula factors in more tangible factors (aka statistics) rather than intangibles like weather and chemistry. Injuries are factored in but do not impact the game that much. Outside of a few NFL QB's an individual player's impact is often greatly overstated I feel. The formula is objective using forecast models for games. Let me know if you have more questions.