The Fiesta Bowl ended in a 31-27 Miami classic; Miami advances to the CFP title game. Friday’s Peach Bowl has No. 1 Indiana a 3.5-point favorite, but projection models give Oregon a 54% chance to cover at +3.5 — punters might prefer Ducks on the spread. NBA bettors should note Memphis is heavily favored to cover vs. an injury-hit Thunder.
Fiesta Bowl Recap: Miami Outlasts Ole Miss in Instant Classic
Miami edged Ole Miss 31-27 in a back-and-forth Fiesta Bowl that wasn’t decided until the Rebels’ Hail Mary fell short. The Hurricanes move on to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, the program’s first shot at a title since 2001. Miami’s late-game execution and defensive stops proved decisive in a winner-take-all setting.
Peach Bowl Preview: Indiana vs. Oregon — Stakes and Storylines
Indiana (14-0) and Oregon (13-1) meet in Atlanta with a spot in the CFP title game on the line. Indiana is the last undefeated FBS team and enters as a 3.5-point favorite. The teams met on Oct. 11 in Eugene, where Indiana won 30-20 despite a middling offensive output; Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza engineered a fourth-quarter drive that proved decisive.
Rematch Dynamics and Historical Trends
Historical playoff and postseason trends suggest rematches are often unpredictable — in four of five recent CFP rematches, the team that lost the earlier meeting prevailed the second time. It’s difficult to beat an elite opponent twice in one season, and that context makes Oregon a live underdog in Atlanta.
Betting Outlook: Spread and Model Projections
A projection model gives Oregon a 54.0% chance to cover at +3.5 and grades that pick around a C. For bettors: if you want to fade the favorite, Ducks +3.5 presents value given the rematch angle and Oregon’s motivation. If you prefer the chalk, the Hoosiers’ undefeated run and Mendoza’s playmaking remain compelling.
NBA Best Bets and Injury Notes
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder — Grizzlies +5.5
Oklahoma City has been uneven recently and will be missing key players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) and Chet Holmgren (shin), which severely limits their ceiling. A projection model gives Memphis about a 68.0% chance to cover at +5.5 and assigns that pick a B-grade. With a shorthanded Thunder, backing the Grizzlies on the spread is a smart move for bettors.
Lakers vs. Bucks — Over/Under Considerations
Los Angeles faces Milwaukee in a game with an Over/Under near 229.5. Defensive inconsistencies for both clubs and questionable status for LeBron James make this a watchful situation. The projection model estimates a 57.9% chance the game hits the Over 229.5 and assigns a B grade to that play, but monitor injury reports up to tip-off.
NFL Playoff Lookahead: Wild Card Angles
Rams vs. Panthers — Upset Potential and Money-Line Value
The Rams open Super Wild Card Weekend against the Panthers in a rematch from Week 13, when Carolina won 31-28. The Rams boast the league’s top scoring offense, but road favorites by 10+ points have historically struggled in the postseason. A projection model gives Carolina roughly a 24.0% chance to win outright and values the Panthers money line (+445), citing historical tendencies for home underdogs in the playoffs.
Bears vs. Packers — Division Rivalry Breakdown
Chicago and Green Bay renew a historic rivalry at Soldier Field. The teams split their regular-season meetings, and Chicago’s strong rushing attack (third in the league) creates matchup complications for the Packers. The projection model gives the Bears a 54.0% chance to cover at +1.5 and grades that play a B, suggesting bettors can reasonably consider the small home-side edge.
Quick Betting Tips and Closing Notes
Projection models favor Oregon to cover as a slight underdog in the Peach Bowl, Memphis to cover against an injury-depleted Thunder, and the Over in Lakers-Bucks as a plausible play if LeBron is cleared. In the NFL, the Panthers’ money-line offers long-shot value and the Bears present solid cover potential in a close rivalry game. Always monitor injury updates and final odds before placing bets.
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