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Free Prediction: BYU vs. Memphis Gambling Spreads & Miami Beach Bowl Preview

Miami Bowl: Cougars vs Tigers Pick

NCAA Football Bowl Season betting action sees the Brigham Young Cougars taking on the Memphis Tigers on Monday, December 22nd at Marlins Park. Cappers Picks provides free college football handicapping tips all season long.

BYU and Memphis meet in shiny new Marlins Park in south Florida before Christmas, with the winner perhaps fuelling speculation of a move up to the Big 12.

NCAA Football Wagering

2014 Miami Beach Bowl
BYU vs Memphis
Date/Time: Monday, Dec. 22 2014, 2 pm EST
Venue: Marlins Park, Miami FL
Broadcast: ESPN
BYU +1.5, Memphis -1.5
Over/Under: 55.5
***2014 CFB BONUSES***
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Click here to view… NCAAF Betting Stats & NCAAF Handicapping Insight!

Both programs had respectable seasons, but in the era of the almighty dollar, smaller programs are always looking to make steps up in their national exposure.

The Cougars finished with an 8-4 record on the campaign as an Independent, while Memphis had a solid 9-3 effort in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

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Brigham Young had a remarkably streaky regular season; it won its first four games followed by losing four, and winning four more. The Cougars lost junior starting QB Taysom Hill to injury, so backup senior Christian Stewart has come in and performed respectably.

Stewart has finished with 2,273 passing yards and a 22/6 TD-INT ratio.

The Cougars have always been known to be a tricky competitor under head coach Bronco Mendenhall.

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Even with Stewart, BYU rolls out a Top 25 scoring offense (averaging 36.2 points per game) thanks to two great WRs in Mitch Mathews (64 receptions for 840 yards and eight TDs) and senior Jordan Leslie, who brings NFL size (6″3, 215 lbs) to pair with 54 snags and 756 yards.

However, Memphis has also had a nice season, emphasized by its 7-1 record within the AAC. The Tigers feature a ferocious defense that ranks fifth in the nation, yielding only 17.1 on average per game.

The Tigers get the job done offensively with an effective rushing attack, led by senior Brandon Hayes, who’s made the most of his sixth year of eligibility by racking up 900 yards and five majors.

Quarterback Paxton Lynch has done a great job running Memphis’s up-tempo attack in 2014. The Chip Kelly-ish system has been good for 2,725 pass yards and 18 TDs for Lynch. The 6″6 sophomore should only improve in 2015.

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The Cougars have always been a plucky competitor, but Memphis really looks to be on the rise under head coach Justin Fuente.

For years, the Tigers were a graveyard for passed-over JUCO players and transfers from major colleges. Yet, this program seems to be gaining momentum of late. They took a big step forward after a 3-9 record in 2013.

NCAAF Trends

* Over is 7-2 in BYU last 9 games overall.
* Over is 7-2 in BYU last 9 non-conference games.
* Under is 7-2 in BYU last 9 neutral site games.
* MEM are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games on grass.
* Under is 6-2 in MEM last 8 non-conference games.
* Under is 6-2 in MEM last 8 games on grass.

For these reasons, I see Fuente continuing to push the expectations higher for this former outpost, forgotten in-state by the likes of the Volunteers and even Vanderbilt. A convincing win in the Miami Beach Bowl might see some buzz about the Tigers getting an invite to a better conference.

4* Free Miami Bowl Pick: Memphis 27, BYU 13

Look for the Tigers to win in the baseball stadium in the Miami Beach Bowl.

Check out our Updated CFB Bowl Game Odds.

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By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!