– Last Updated on August 28, 2019 11:14 pm
Free Fiesta Bowl Prediction: Tigers vs Knights Odds
Looking for LSU Tigers vs. UCF Knights free picks? 2019 Fiesta Bowl betting sees the Tigers taking on the Knights on New Year’s Day 2019 at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions like this LSU UCF Fiesta Bowl free pick.
College Football Handicapping: 2019 Fiesta Bowl
(9-3) LSU Tigers | UCF Knights (12-0)
Date: day, January 1st 2019
Time: 1:00 pm EST
Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
NCAA Football Spread: LSU -7.5
NCAA Betting Total: 55
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In one of the January bowl match-ups, we see a pairing that has become as reliable as the season’s changing of leaf color – an unbeaten mid-major conference team (UCF, yet again) locking horns with a good-but-not great program from a power conference (typically the SEC or Big Ten). We’ll see if Central Florida can keep its goose-egg in the loss column with a formidable foe in the LSU Tigers.
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Although it’s amazing that UCF has gone unbeaten two regular seasons in a row, without dealing with their wimpy strength of schedule, the Knights are unlikely to get any national respect. Despite the success, a program like the Tigers has far superior talent and depth throughout the roster, so it’ll be interesting to see how this game turns out.
LSU Tigers
The Boys from Baton Rouge’s version of ‘Death Valley’ (the other one is on Clemson’s campus) believe they’re an elite football team, and nine wins in the cutthroat SEC is always a decent output. This season, the engine of this annually strong football team is powered on defense by LB Devin White, who just brought home the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. The Tigers almost always have a great defense, and White is the best of a loaded group this time around.
On the other side of the ball, it’s rather an attack-by-committee, with QB Joe Burrow (2,500 yards passing), RB Nick Brossette (988 yards, 14 TDs) and WR Justin Jefferson (50 receptions, 788 yards, four majors) all having a crucial role to play. Nice supplementary work toting the rock has been done by RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who’s racked up over 600 yards on the ground and seven TDs.
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Louisiana State tends to always have a pile of riches alongside the offensive and defensive lines, and 2018 is no different. There is surely a smattering of players on the front lines with NFL pedigree, that we’ll hear their names called on Draft Day.
UCF Knights
College pigskin fans in the Orlando area are constantly bragging that their Central Florida Knights are under-respected and under-represented at the semifinal. They’re right – but one still needs to examine the reason(s) why. Make no mistake: Twelve-and-oh looks real nice no matter what conference you are playing in, but with UCF located in the AAC (American Athletic Conference), their foes are not nearly as challenging as those from the SEC, ACC, or Big Ten. Consequently, the powers that be overlook UCF when it comes to selecting who will have a chance to compete for the National Championship.
The Knights have done it once again with a lethal ground game and a Top 25-ranked points scored metric (44.2 per game on average). The rushing is done by RB Greg McCrae, with over 1,100 yards on just 123 carries – good for an eye-popping nine yards per carry. He buttressed that impressive stat with nine scores. Quarterback McKenzie Milton is also a threat to scramble, racking up 307 yards and finding paydirt nine times himself.
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It seemed no matter who UCF played this year, they could gouge out big gainers on the ground. Milton was dangerous with his arm, too – 2,663 yards 25 pass TDs and a QB rating of 161 is nothing to sneeze at. Milton must be at his dealing best if the Knights are going to top the dangerous LSU Tigers on New Year’s Day in suburban Phoenix.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Over is 5-2-1 in LSU last 8 games on grass.
- LSU are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games on grass.
- Under is 8-0-1 in UCF last 9 vs. SEC.
- Under is 7-2 in UCF last 9 games overall.
- Under is 6-2 in UCF last 8 games on grass.
Free 2019 Fiesta Bowl NCAA Football Pick
Despite all of UCF’s belly-acheing, even if it is deserved, the picks of the NCAA’s powers that be will likely be justified on New Year’s Day in the Fiesta Bowl. I believe the Tigers are too big and athletic for the Knights to keep up with. Aside from Pittsburgh, the Knights didn’t really have a win against a legitimately strong opponent. They have the track record, of course, but even still it’s against mid-major competition.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: LSU -7.5
I would love an upset in this one – who wouldn’t? – but it doesn’t seem likely. Louisiana State combines a balanced offense with a potent defense led by White. If the Knights manage to win this game, their case for being included in the final four teams contending for glory from here on out will be made much stronger and more vociferous.
2019 Fiesta Bowl Free Score Prediction: LSU 38 – UCF 21
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