Free Pick: Cure Bowl at Orlando 12/17/21

COASTAL CAROLINA 10-2 vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS 9-4

This game features, Coastal Carolina, one of the best teams from the Sun Belt Conference, and the MAC champions, Northern Illinois. The Chanticleers ( a rooster from a fairy tale, in case you wanted to know) lost games to Appalachian State in the regular season and that cost them a chance to win the Sun Belt Championship. They have gone 21-3 over the last two seasons. They lost to Liberty last year in this Bowl game. Meanwhile, the Huskies were picked near the bottom of the MAC in the preseason, and finished off a great turnaround season with a 41-23 win over Kent State in the championship game.

Coastal Carolina: This team features an offense that is averaging 40 points and 493 total yards per game. They are very balanced between the run and the pass. They are led by quarterback, Grayson McCall and running back, Shermari Jones who is a 1,000 yard rusher. They have scored 27 or more points in every game. This is a team that has plenty of players and they should be able to exploit a shaky Husky defense. The Coastal Carolina defense has been stout allowing 20 points and 325 total yards per game. However, in their two losses they have given up 72 points.

Northern Illinois: The Huskies have bounced back this season because of and offense averaging 32 points and 422 yards of total offense. They are very balanced and have put up over 30 points in 9 of their 13 games. Other than Michigan, the Coastal Carolina defense will probably be the best they have faced. The most glaring weakness for Northern Illinois is their defense. Allowing 33 points and 448 total yards of offense usually spells trouble and this unit will be a big key if the Huskies are to pull off an upset.

OVER/UNDER: 64 Combined Team Points This is definitely a game that should see a lot of points put up by both teams. They are averaging 73 combined points and neither defense is exactly a shut-down unit. I’m taking the OVER in this game.

POINT SPREAD: Coastal Carolina is a 10.5 point favorite. On paper, this line seems about right. The Chanticleers have better stats across the board and if they are emotionally ready, they should cover this spread. But, bowl games are tricky, and a lot of times the underdog plays a helluva lot better than the favorite. This could be one to watch.

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS PICK: Northern Illinois +10.5