College Football Odds: Alamo Bowl

Texas Tech may have the edge over Michigan State, seeing as how their coach kind of screwed them over. Having something to prove to their now fired ex-coach Mike Leach may be fuel enough to win the Alamo Bowl. (AP Images)

Saturday night’s Alamo Bowl in San Antonio is being called by many the Suspension Bowl because of some disciplinary news involving both Michigan State and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders opened as 8-point favorites on Bodog’s college football odds.

Michigan State (6-6, 4-6-1 ATS) suspended 11 players stemming from a Nov. 22 campus fight at a fraternity. Included among them are four who would have started and/or played big roles: wide receivers B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell (second and third in receiving yards), cornerback Chris L. Rucker and running back Ashton Leggett.

Then came the shocking news this week that Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was suspended indefinitely by the school from coaching because of reports he allegedly mistreated a player and didn’t apologize to the family for it. Leach is looking into legal options into forcing the school to let him coach the game, but as of this writing defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will lead the team in the bowl. The player, by the way, is Adam James, the son of ESPN analyst Craig James, who was supposed to work this game but will be replaced now on the telecast.

So which team can better put aside these hefty distractions and focus on football is the main question to consider when making that college football bet at Bodog.

The Red Raiders (8-4, 6-5 ATS) certainly closed the season well, beating both Oklahoma and Baylor. They of course will have a huge home-field crowd advantage in this one. And Taylor Potts will start at quarterback. He started nine games this season but was replaced a few times before getting the start in the two wins to close the season. He threw for 3,068 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year. TTU has the No. 2 pass offense in the country.

Michigan State goes with QB Kirk Cousins, who finished second in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally with a 145.2 passing efficiency rating. He completed better than 61.5 percent of his passes and threw 18 touchdowns.

The Spartans have a better rushing attack than does Texas Tech but MSU is one of the worst teams against the pass in the country. The Red Raiders can’t run the ball at all but are better at defending the pass. This game should be a shootout, which favors TTU. The teams didn’t have a common opponent this year.

Get all your college football betting lines & odds at Bodog Sportsbook.