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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 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John
Nov 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John /

Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
No. 20 LSU (7-4, 5-3 SEC) vs. No. 13 Louisville (9-3, 7-1 ACC)
Dec. 31 – 11 a.m., ABC
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

Average Line: LSU, -3.5

The 2016 Citrus Bowl features two teams who had wildly different ideas of where they’d end up this season as compared to being in Orlando on New Year’s Eve.

Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson stumbled through the end of the season somewhat, but should be well-rested and healthy by the time this game arrives. The Cardinals knocked on the door of the ACC title game this year, but couldn’t quite get it done.

While LSU isn’t a team who can thrive in a shootout (as they showed against Texas A&M) they have a defense who stifle a good offense when they want to.

Where Louisville has had trouble this year is in turnovers, finishing the season with a -7 turnover margin, good for 108th in the nation. LSU broke even, with a flat zero turnover margin. If the Tigers can force some bad throws they’ll have a shot.

Prediction: With Orgeron now firmly in place as the permanent head coach, some of the emotional luster may be worn off the Tigers. They’ll also have trouble containing Jackson. Louisville beats the spread and wins.

Next: Taxslayer Bowl

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