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Picking Every 2016-17 College Football Bowl Game Against the Spread

By Michael Collins

Jan 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the college football playoff trophy during media day at Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the college football playoff trophy during media day at Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) runs the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) runs the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /

Hyundai Sun Bowl
No. 18 Stanford (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12) vs. North Carolina (8-4, 5-3 ACC)
Dec. 30 – 2 p.m., CBS
Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

Average Line: Stanford, -3.5

If someone told you three months ago that Stanford would be playing in the Sun Bowl against an unranked North Carolina team, you’d think them looney.

Yet here we are, with two teams who nowhere near met expectations.

The Cardinal have Christian McCaffrey and the Tar Heels have Mitch Trubisky. Those are the two big reasons to watch this game. Everyone knew Stanford would be rebuilding this year, so a 3-loss regular season doesn’t really look that terrible.

North Carolina was supposed to take their next step after giving Clemson all they could handle in the ACC title game last season. At times they looked ready, and other times they looked inept.

This will be a strength against, strength matchup with Stanford’s defense trying to stop North Carolina’s powerful offense. In those cases it’s usually best to lean towards the defense. This will be McCaffrey’s final game as a member of the Stanford Cardinal, so look for him to make it something to remember.

Prediction: The combination of good defense and McCaffrey put Stanford on top in this one. Covering 3.5 shouldn’t be a problem.

Next: Music City Bowl

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