The Tennessee Volunteers and the Virginia Tech Hokies will both be gunning for a victory when they meet at Georgia Dome in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

Oddsmakers currently have the Hokies listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Volunteers, while the game’s total is sitting at 49½.

Montario Hardesty rushed for the winning touchdown in overtime as Tennessee defeated Kentucky 30-24 in Week 13. Tennessee covered the 3-point spread, and the 54 points made it OVER the posted total of 50.5.

Hardesty finished with 180 yards and three touchdowns in that victory.

Virginia Tech unleashed a 42-13 beating on rival Virginia at Scott Stadium in Week 13.

Virginia Tech covered as a 14-point road underdog, while the final score played OVER the 44-point total.

Team records:
Tennessee: 7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS
Virginia Tech: 9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS

Tennessee most recently:
When playing in December are 3-4
When playing on turf are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 3-7
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

Virginia Tech most recently:
When playing in December are 5-5
When playing on turf are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tennessee’s last 5 games
Tennessee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Tennessee is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tennessee’s last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Virginia Tech’s last 6 games
Virginia Tech is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Virginia Tech is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

The Stanford Cardinal and the Oklahoma Sooners will both be gunning for a victory when they meet at the Sun Bowl in the Sun Bowl.

Oddsmakers currently have the Sooners listed as 10-point favorites versus the Cardinal, while the game’s total is sitting at 55.

Toby Gerhart scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Stanford flew past Notre Dame 45-38 in Week 13. Stanford failed to cover the 10-point spread, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 64.

Gerhart finished with 205 yards and three touchdowns in that victory.

DeMarco Murray scored two touchdowns to lead Oklahoma to a 27-0 win over Oklahoma State in Week 13.

The Sooners covered the 7.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day’s posted total of 48.5.

Team records:
Stanford: 8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS
Oklahoma: 7-5 SU, 4-6-1 ATS

Stanford most recently:
When playing in December are 3-3
When playing on turf are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 4-6

Oklahoma most recently:
When playing in December are 7-2
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Stanford’s last 7 games
Stanford is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Oklahoma’s last 10 games
Oklahoma is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Oklahoma is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets meet at Toyota Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 1-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game’s total is sitting at 198½.

The Mavericks defeated Denver 104-96 as a 5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (207).

Drew Gooden scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Dallas, while Josh Howard added 17 points in the win.

Aaron Brooks dropped 27 points to lead the Rockets past the Hornets 108-100 on Tuesday night.

Houston covered as 5.5-point home favorites, while the game played OVER the 193-point total set by oddsmakers.

Current streak:
Dallas has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Dallas: 22-9 SU, 16-15 ATS
Houston: 19-13 SU, 19-13 ATS

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Sacramento are 3-7
After playing Denver are 3-7
After a win are 6-4

Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing New Orleans are 5-5
After playing New Orleans are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Dallas is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Dallas is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
Dallas is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games when playing at home against Dallas

Next up:
Dallas at Sacramento, Saturday, January 2
Houston at New Orleans, Saturday, January 2

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Kohl Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Badgers listed as 6-point favorites versus the Buckeyes, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

David Lighty poured in a game-high 30 points to lead Ohio State over Cleveland State 72-59 on Tuesday. Ohio State failed to cover the 15.5-point spread, while the teams played UNDER the posted total of 137.5.

William Buford added 13 points, and Dallas Lauderdale added 12 in that win.

Wisconsin defeated Illinois-Chicago 79-43 as a 22-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (127.5).

Jon Leur netted 17 points for Wisconsin and Jason Bohannon added 15 points in the win.

Current streak:
Ohio State has won 3 straight games.
Wisconsin has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Ohio State: 10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS
Wisconsin: 10-2 SU, 6-4 ATS

Ohio State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-1
Before playing Michigan are 8-2
After playing Cleveland State are 3-0
After a win are 7-3

Wisconsin most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Penn State are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Ohio State’s last 5 games when playing Wisconsin
Ohio State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Ohio State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Wisconsin
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Wisconsin’s last 5 games when playing Ohio State
Wisconsin is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Wisconsin is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Wisconsin is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Ohio State

Next up:
Ohio State at Michigan, Sunday, January 3
Wisconsin at Penn State, Sunday, January 3

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Oklahoma meets Stanford in the Sun Bowl, while the Rangers face the Hurricanes, and the Mavericks seek a win in Houston.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

There are five bowl games on the schedule for Thursday, with Houston vs. Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl, Navy vs. Missouri in the Texas Bowl, Minnesota vs. Iowa State in the Insight Bowl, Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, and Oklahoma vs. Stanford in the Sun Bowl. The Sooners (7-5 SU, 4-6-1 ATS) beat Oklahoma State 27-0 last time out, while the Cardinal (8-4 SU, 7-5 ATS) are coming off a 45-38 win over Notre Dame. Oklahoma is listed as a 10-point favorite for the bowl matchup, with the game’s total set at 55.5 points.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The NBA has five games on tap for Thursday, with Chicago at Detroit, Miami at San Antonio, Utah at Oklahoma City, Philadelphia at the Clippers, and Dallas at Houston. The Mavericks improved to 22-9 on the season (16-15 ATS) with a 104-96 win in Denver last time out on Sunday; Drew Gooden had 19 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Dallas in that contest. The Rockets won’t have former All-Star Tracy McGrady in the lineup on Thursday, as he’s left the team and is waiting for a trade. Houston won 116-108 in Dallas back on December 18.

On the college hardwood there’s just one Top-10 team in action on Thursday, with No. 7 Duke playing host to Pennsylvania. However, the day’s top matchup has No. 15 Ohio State at No. 23 Wisconsin. The Buckeyes (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) had no problem with Cleveland State last time out, rolling to a 72-59 victory behind 30 points from David Lighty. The Badgers (10-2 SU, 6-4 ATS) blasted Illinois-Chicago 79-43 last time out, as Jon Leuer tossed in a team-high 17 points.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, the NHL offers up a busy slate of 11 games on New Year’s Eve, with Montreal at Florida, the Islanders at Ottawa, Nashville at Columbus, Colorado at Detroit, San Jose at Phoenix, Vancouver at St. Louis, Los Angeles at Minnesota, Anaheim at Dallas, New Jersey at Chicago, Edmonton at Calgary, and the Rangers at Carolina. The Rangers won’t have forward Vaclav Prospal in the lineup on Thursday; he’ll be out for two to three weeks with a knee injury. The Hurricanes fell to 10-22-7 on the year with a 6-3 loss to the Capitals on Monday.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Arizona Wildcats will both be trying to pick up a win when they battle at Qualcomm Stadium in the Holiday Bowl.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cornhuskers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Wildcats, while the game’s total is sitting at 40½.

Alex Henery kicked four field goals in Nebraska’s 13-12 loss to Texas in Week 14 as 14-point underdogs. Those 25 points fell UNDER the posted total of 47.

Arizona took advantage of an unmotivated USC team, winning 21-17 at Los Angeles Coliseum in Week 14.

Arizona covered as a 7-point road underdog while the final played UNDER the 49.5-point total.

Team records:
Nebraska: 9-4 SU, 8-5 ATS
Arizona: 8-4 SU, 6-5 ATS

Nebraska most recently:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 8-2

Arizona most recently:
When playing in December are 5-1
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Nebraska is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Nebraska’s last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 6 games
Arizona is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Arizona is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games

The Bowling Green Falcons and the Idaho Vandals will both be gunning for a victory when they meet at Bronco Stadium in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Oddsmakers currently have the Vandals listed as 1-point favorites versus the Falcons, while the game’s total is sitting at 68.

Bowling Green flew out to a 24-0 first quarter lead en route to a 38-24 victory over Toledo in Week 13. Bowling Green covered the 7.5-point spread, while the 62 points fell UNDER the posted total of 66.5.

Idaho couldn’t fight back in the fourth, losing 52-49 to Utah State at the Kibbie Dome in Week 13.

Utah State covered as a 3-point road underdog in that game while the final score played OVER the 70-point total.

Team records:
Bowling Green: 7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS
Idaho: 7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS

Bowling Green most recently:
When playing in December are 2-1
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 3-7

Idaho most recently:
When playing in December are 1-0
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing outside the conference are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Bowling Green is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Bowling Green is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Bowling Green’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Idaho’s last 5 games
Idaho is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Idaho is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games

The Connecticut Huskies and the Cincinnati Bearcats will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Fifth Third Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Bearcats listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Huskies, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.

Connecticut defeated Iona 92-74 as a 14.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (132.5).

Stanley Robinson scored a game-high 29 points for UConn and Jerome Dyson added 17 points and seven assists in the win.

Current streak:
Connecticut has won 3 straight games.
Cincinnati has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Connecticut: 9-2 SU, 2-7 ATS
Cincinnati: 8-3 SU, 3-4 ATS

Connecticut most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Notre Dame are 9-1
After playing Iona are 2-0
After a win are 7-3

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Rutgers are 0-6
After playing Winthrop are 1-0
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Connecticut’s last 8 games on the road
Connecticut is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Connecticut is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cincinnati is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games

Next up:
Connecticut home to Notre Dame, Saturday, January 2
Cincinnati at Rutgers, Saturday, January 2

The Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena.

Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game’s total is sitting at 193.

Mo Williams drained 20 points to lead the Cavaliers over the Hawks 95-84 on Tuesday night.

Cleveland cashed as 2.5-point road underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 193-point total listed by oddsmakers.

Delonte West chipped in with 17 points off the bench for the Cavaliers, who got 15 points from Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the upset.

Reserve Jamal Crawford netted 26 points for Atlanta, while Josh Smith added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Hawks.

Current streak:
Cleveland has won 5 straight games.

Team records:
Atlanta: 21-9 SU, 21-9 ATS
Cleveland: 25-8 SU, 18-15 ATS

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing New York are 7-3
After playing Cleveland are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Atlanta is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 10 games on the road
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

Next up:
Atlanta home to New York, Friday, January 1
Cleveland at New Jersey, Saturday, January 2

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Sharks battle the Capitals, the Celtics try for a win in Phoenix, and the Wildcats and Cornhuskers meet in a bowl game.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

There are two bowl games on tap for Wednesday, with Bowling Green vs. Idaho in the Humanitarian Bowl, and No. 22 Arizona vs. No. 20 Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. The Wildcats (8-4 SU, 6-5 ATS) slipped past USC 21-17 in their last game of the regular season, while the Cornhuskers (9-4 SU, 8-5 ATS) fell 13-12 to Texas last time out. The oddsmakers have Nebraska pegged as a 1-point favorite at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, with the total for the matchup at 41.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

There are 10 games around the NBA on Wednesday, with Charlotte at Toronto, Milwaukee at Orlando, Memphis at Indiana, Atlanta at Cleveland, New York at New Jersey, Utah at Minnesota, Miami at New Orleans, the Clippers at Portland, Philadelphia at Sacramento, and Boston at Phoenix. The Celtics (23-7 SU, 13-17 ATS) were beaten 103-99 in Golden State in their last game on Monday night, with Rajon Rondo scoring 30 points. The Suns (20-12 SU, 18-13-1 ATS) got past the Lakers 118-103 Monday night, as Amare Stoudemire was good for 26 points.

As well, ranked teams in action in college hoops on Wednesday include No. 10
Connecticut (at Cincinnati), No. 11 Michigan State (vs. Texas Arlington), No. 24 UAB (at Virginia), No. 18 Temple (at Northern Illinois), No. 25 Northwestern (at Illinois), and No. 9 North Carolina (vs. Albany). The Tar Heels (10-3 SU, 4-6 ATS) had no trouble taking care of Rutgers in their last game, cruising to an 81-67 victory behind 18 points from Dexter Strickland. North Carolina is 9-0 at home.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, the NHL offers up eight games on Wednesday, with Atlanta at Boston, Pittsburgh at New Jersey, Philadelphia at the Rangers, Colorado at Ottawa, Montreal at Tampa Bay, Los Angeles at Calgary, Toronto at Edmonton, and Washington at San Jose. The 24-9-6 Capitals were doubled up 6-3 by Carolina on Monday night, with Alex Ovechkin scoring his 26th of the season. The 24-8-7 Sharks have won five games in a row, topping Phoenix by a score of 3-2 on Monday night. Joe Pavelski potted the shootout winner for the Sharks in that win.