Liberty Bowl Lines and Pick

The East Carolina Pirates (9-4 SU, 5-8 ATS, 6-7 O/U) come into tonight’s Liberty Bowl showdown riding a three-game winning streak in the BetOnline Sportsbook while their bowl game opponents, the Kentucky Wildcats (6-6 SU, 5-6 ATS, 4-6-1 O/U) lost their final three games of the regular season and should probably be sitting at home without a bowl bid this season.

The Pirates beat Tulsa 27-24 on Dec, 6., easily covering the spread as a 12.5-point road favorite in the BetOnline Sportsbook. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney completed 10 of 24 passes for 122 yards with one touchdown while place kicker Ben Hartman’s 36-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining lifted the Pirates to victory.

"We finished the game," Pinkney said. "We got that drive, Ben hit that kick and that sealed it for us."

"I thought this football team has had more heart, they have faced more adversity and they have hung together through some very difficult times when there’s not a lot of people that have believed in them," coach Skip Holtz said. "There’s not a lot of people that gave them a chance in this football game."

Kentucky lost six of its final eight games and was crushed 28-10 by Tennessee in their regular season finale in Week 14, failing to cover the spread as a 4-point road underdog in the BetOnline Sportsbook.

Kentucky’s phenom freshman quarterback Randall Cobb was benched midway through the third quarter with only 23 yards passing, giving way to backup Mike Hartline who came in and completed 5 of 7 passes for 74 yards.

"I’m not worried about a streak," Cobb said. "I don’t know what was going on those last 23 years. I’m only worried about the time that I’m here. I’m oh-and-one right now, and it’s time to end that streak."

Running back Alfonso Smith ran for the only touchdown in the loss, picking up 37 yards on 10 carries in the process.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NCAAF Free Pick.

The Pirates are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.

The Pirates are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.

The Wildcats are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.

The Wildcats are 2-5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

The Under is 6-1 in Pirates last 7 games overall.

The Under is 4-1 in Pirates last 5 games following a S.U. win.

The Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.

The Under is 7-1 in Wildcats last 8 games as an underdog of 0.5-3.0.

NCAAF Odds

East Carolina -3 -110

Kentucky +3 -110

Over 41 -110

Under 41 -110

Analysis: This pick is as simple as pie as the East Carolina Pirates will cruise to victory over the undisciplined Wildcats. Take the Pirates to cover the spread with room to spare!!

NCAAF Free Picks: East Carolina -3 Points