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2009 Champs Sports Bowl Predictions: Miami v. Wisconsin Football Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 28, 2009

The 14th-ranked 9-3 Miami Hurricanes meet the 24th-ranked 9-3 Wisconsin Badgers on Tuesday, December 29th at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN in the 2009 edition of the Champs Sports Bowl. College Football odds makers have listed Miami as a 3.5-point favorite with the total set 58.

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Miami began the season ranked outside the top 25 but quickly catapulted to No. 9 in the AP poll after starting off with a pair of wins over ranked opponents. It was the first time Miami had been ranked in the Top 10 since 2005. Miami played well down the stretch, winning four of its last five games. Now, it will be looking to notch its first 10-win campaign since 20003. Miami will also be looking for its first bowl win since 2006, and with emerging star quarterback Jacory Harris under center, it will have a good chance.

Harris’ 3,164 passing yards were good for 15th in the country. He threw 23 touchdowns but could stand to cut down on his 17 interceptions. But all in all, the talent level of this sophomore is unquestionable. Harris also has the ability to scramble, making plays when it initially looks like nothing is there, and he may have to do that more than a few times as star left tackle Jason Fox won’t be available to protect his blindside. Fox will miss the game after undergoing knee surgery. Harris will be looking to shred a Wisconsin defense allowing 219.9 yards per game through the air (66th nationally).

Miami is not without balance, either, as Graig Cooper and Damien Berry form a solid running back duo. The two combined for 1,253 yards this season. Miami’s offensive attack averages 31.7 points per game.

While Miami’s defense started a bit slow, it eventually caught up with the level of play of the offense, holding three of its last four opponents under 20 points while only allowing 264 yards per game during that stretch. It is worth noting that the Badgers are on a 1-6 ATS slide versus teams with a winning record. If you like the Hurricanes to notch their tenth win and to cover the spread in the process, bet Miami at -3.5 at BetUS.

The Badgers are making their second consecutive bowl trip to Orlando, and they are hoping this one will go better than the last. Last season, the Badgers were crushed 42-13 by Florida State in the 2008 edition of the Champs Sports Bowl.

Like the Canes, the Badgers finished the season strong. They won four of their last five games, including a 51-10 rout of Hawaii in their regular season finale. During that five-game stretch, the Badgers averaged 39 points behind a punishing running attack led by Big Ten offensive player of the year John Clay. Clay rushed for 1,369 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He leads a unit that ranks 14th in the country with 206.7 rushing yards per game.

Defensively, Wisconsin boasts the nation’s 18th-best unit, allowing 310.4 yards per game. With a win, Wisconsin can notch its first 10-win campaign since going 12-1 in the 2006 season. It is worth noting that the Hurricanes are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0 points. If you like the Badgers to avenge last year’s poor bowl performance, bet Wisconsin at +3.5 at BetUS.

Join Jimmy Boyd this bowl season for winning football picks right on through the BCS championship game!

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