Bowl season is a big time of year for sports betting. Though it will never be as big or exciting (thanks for that, BCS) as the NCAA basketball tournament, bowl season is the biggest time of year for college football fans. The games usually pit two relatively unfamiliar foes, teams that are not used to facing each other. There are often contrasts in styles, like the smashmouth attack of Wisconsin versus the speed of Miami.
All of that brings a lot of uncertainty to the betting. When two teams from different conferences get together, it’s difficult to compare their records accurately, because they have completely different schedules. There’s also the motivation factor. Some teams are more motivated for the bowl games than others. A small school not used to success will likely be happy in any bowl, but an elite program won’t be excited by a small, obscure bowl somewhere in the Midwest. Some teams feel that they should have gotten a better bowl game and their disappointment can lead to a lack of motivation. Whatever the reason, sometimes a team doesn’t seem up for the game.
All of that pales in comparison to the uncertainty surrounding the Valero Alamo Bowl. Here’s what we know: Texas Tech (8-4) will face Michigan State (6-6) on January 2 in San Antonio. That’s about it. It is a matchup of contrasting styles, with the Spartans featuring a power rushing attack and Texas Tech featuring their dynamic spread passing offense. Texas Tech has always had one of the highest scoring offenses in the nation since head coach Mike Leach arrived 10 years ago, while Michigan State usually relies on defense and the running game. So it should be interesting watching that dynamic offense work against a Big Ten defense…Or will it?
The biggest question mark of all for the game is we don’t even know who will coach the Red Raiders. Will it be Leach or defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill? Texas Tech suspended Leach indefinitely after a player, Adam James, complained of mistreatment after an injury. Leach denies any wrongdoing and has filed an appeal in court that, if approved, would allow him to coach in the bowl game. Many speculate that his suspension is a prelude to a firing.
Not much is known about what happened with James, the son of former NFL great and ESPN analyst Craig James. There are many conflicting stories. James says he was confined to a dark equipment room for hours following a concussion and described the experience as being like solitary confinement in prison. Leach’s attorney says he was placed in the equipment room because it was cooler and darker (both good for someone with a concussion) and was released after he was examined by a doctor.
Whatever happened, it has shrouded the game in uncertainty. Tech had been favored in the game, but that was with everyone expecting Leach to conduct a Leach-like offense. If the defensive coordinator is running the show rather than the offensive genius, it’s unlikely that the team will have the same offensive spark. Also, whether Leach coaches or not, this has been and will continue to be a huge distraction for the players. The situation will continue to change as more information is learned and Leach’s legal battle plays out. Betters beware.