Navy vs Arizona State Pick (+/-14.5, Over/Under 56): Arizona State went to a bowl last season for the first time since 2007, but the way it finished the year (six losses in its last seven games) led to the dismissal of Dennis Erickson. Todd Graham, who came over after just one season at Pitt, saw the Sun Devils nearly do the same thing this season. ASU cruised to a 5-1 start, but it lost four straight games between October 18^th and November 10^th. Those four setbacks came against some pretty stiff competition (Oregon, UCLA, Oregon, USC), though, and the Sun Devils proved they were no aberration by rebounding with wins over Washington State and Arizona in their final two games. Navy suffered through its own difficult stretch, but its slide came early with the Middies opening 1-3 thanks to losses opposite Notre Dame, Penn State, and San Jose State. Navy cruised the rest of the way, winning seven of eight games to finish with at least eight wins for the ninth time in 10 years. The Midshipmen’s success came mostly against cupcakes, though, casting doubt on their ability to overcome an ASU squad that faced a fairly grueling slate. Navy vs Arizona State Pick: Take the Over 56.

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Navy vs Arizona State Pick 2012 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Point Spreads: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Navy Midshipmen +14.5 (-110), Over 56 (-110), +460 (Moneyline)

Arizona State Sun Devils -14.5 (-110), Under 56 (-110), -620 (Moneyline)

Navy Midshipmen vs Army Black Knights (+7, Over/Under 56.5): Army looked as though it had turned the corner under head coach Rich Ellerson when it posted a 6-6 record and won the Armed Forces Bowl in 2010, but the program has since regressed. The Black Knights finished 3-9 last season and they enter this weekend’s game with a 2-9 record. Army has turned in a few solid efforts, though, taking Northern Illinois to the wire (41-40) and beating Air Force 41-21. The Black Knights have one last opportunity to leave a positive impression, but it may be difficult to do so given how well Navy has played down the stretch. The Middies, who are slated to face Arizona State in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, got off to an ugly 1-3 start, but they have won six of their last seven games. Navy has also won eight of its last 10 meetings with Army, including the last two where it beat the Black Knights 31-17 and 27-21. College Football Odds Betting Trend: The Midshipmen are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite with a total of 54.5 or more (6-4 straight up in those games).

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Navy vs Army Pick Against the Spread: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Navy Midshipmen -7 (-110), Over 56.5 (-110)

Army Black Knights +7 (-110), Under 56.5 (-110)

Odds makers offshore at online sports book SBGglobal.com list the Illini as 2-chalk College Football Odds favorites versus the Bruins with a combined score total (over/under) of 46 1/2. Bruins backers are getting +115 money line odds to win SU while a SU Illini victory is priced at -135 money line odds.

This year’s contest comes with a few sidebar stories, including the fact that both teams will be without the head coach that got them to the bowl.  Illinois’ Ron Zook was dismissed following a 6-6 campaign, including a 2-6 mark in Big Ten play. The Bruins will be led by interim head coach Mike Johnson, who takes over after UCLA opted to dismiss fourth-year head coach Rick Neuheisel after the Pac-12 Championship game.

The key matchup between the two teams will be Illinois’ defense against a ground-beating Bruin offense.  UCLA ranks third in the Pac-12 in rushing (190.7), ninth in total yards (388.8), 10th in scoring (23.8), and 11th in passing (198.1).  Success has come from the ground game with the Bruins being one of only two schools in the Pac-12 to boast two players that each rushed for more than 600 yards this season.  Junior Johnathan Franklin rushed for 947 yards and five TDS on the year, followed by Derrick Coleman with 726 yards, including a team-best 11 scores.  Under center is Kevin Prince, who threw for only 1,627 yards on the year with 10 scores and seven picks.  The Bruins’ primary target is Nelson Rosario, the Pac-12’s seventh-best receiver at 85.1 yards per game.  Rosario has been a big-play wideout as well, averaging 18.1 yards per catch, which ranks ninth in the country.

Despite the team struggles this year, the Illinois defense has continued to climb the national rankings as the Illini rank fourth in pass defense (159.1) and seventh in total yards allowed (291.8). The Illini are also third in the conference against the run (132.7) and fifth in scoring (20.1). Consensus All-American defensive end Whitney Mercilus, the Hendricks Award winner, continues to lead the nation in sacks (14.5), sacks per game (1.21) and forced fumbles (9).

Game Prediction: Illinois’ defense should be the difference. My Pick – Illini -2.

College Football Picks Bowl Record – 11 wins 7 losses 0 push.

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