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Like bundling up alongside a cozy fire to watch Home Alone 3, this season's bowl session was rough on the retinas. Twenty-four -- count 'em, 24 -- games decided by double digits turned the traditional trepidation into dull delirium. Remote control power buttons received the workout of a lifetime.
However, that doesn't mean we were devoid of bad beats in the betting world this bowl season. Similar to ESPN analyst Scott Van Pelt's 'Bad Beat' segment on his late-night montage, we captured the social media glitz of how bettors lost money in the worst way.
Northwestern vs. Tennessee
Line: Tennessee -8.5, 48.5
The Volunteers harnessed the Wildcats for much of four quarters, aside from allowing a meager six points in the second frame of the Outback Bowl.
With Tennessee leading, 24-6, heading into the final quarter, Northwestern tickets appeared all but buried six feet under, while under backers hoped for the clock to churn. Tennessee's John Kelly and Joshua Dobbs would cash in on rushing touchdowns to widen the gap to 38-6 and bring the total to 44 points. With 4:24 remaining, the dreaded backdoor, meaningless touchdown for Northwestern still hung in the balance.
Waltzing down the field with ease, backup quarterback Zack Oliver tossed an interception in Tennessee's redzone. Instead of going down to end the game, however, Evan Berry returned the pick the full length of the field with zero seconds remaining to end the game, 45-6. Some saw it coming, others relished, some advised alcohol consumption.
This Tennessee under is going to be terrible.
— K-20 (@KizzyK20) January 1, 2016
I sat next to two Northwestern fans with 1k on the under. This will keep me smiling through 2016. https://t.co/bePET5ofZW
— KD (@kristengrace81) January 4, 2016
Lol northwestern under backers, 100 yard pick 6 with 8 ticks on the clock
— Brandon Schweitzer (@BkSchweiGuy) January 1, 2016
If you had under 48 in the Tennessee game you have my thoughts and prayers
— HMDSportsBlogVU (@HMDSportsBlogVU) January 1, 2016
If u had that Tennessee under start drinking again
— jason han (@JasonHan808) January 1, 2016
Everyone that had the under in the Outback Bowl is SO pissed right now
— Adam Reisinger (@AdamReisinger) January 1, 2016
Oregon vs. Texas Christian
Line: Oregon -7, 73.5
Most are probably familiar with the epic comeback that the Horned Frogs made over the Oregon Ducks, as TCU would claw back from a 31-0 halftime deficit to reign victorious in triple overtime. The spread was also impacted.
If Oregon can win I'll lock up first place in the bowl pick'em. Quack quack!
— Joshua Sebesta (@JoshuaSebesta) January 3, 2016
Second place is always respectable too, Joshua.
Lock of the Week: Oregon steamrolls TCU! Book it! #GoDucks #QuackAttack — watching Alamo Bowl
— PDX SportsFan (@PDXsportsfan) January 2, 2016
I blame this guy for using the dreaded 'L' word.
1/2 NCAAF Pick: Oregon -7; Boykin out because the idiot got into a bar fight. Lock it in for easy $
— Nirav Shah (@drgator) January 2, 2016
Lock it in for maximum heartburn and possible absence from work.
@_abbrev line went from TCU -1 to Oregon -7. Hope someone took my advice Oregons up 31-0 at half
— jimmy (@_abbrev) January 3, 2016
I hope they didn't, Jimmy.
Oregon -7 was stealing. Oregon has been REALLY good with healthy Adams and TCU has been devastated by injuries, plus Boykin loss was HUGE.
— Steve DeClue (@bmoresportsexam) January 3, 2016
First play of the day we have Oregon -7 over TCU for 3-units https://t.co/KNWCsVU6eE
— David Bets (@iPickYouwin) January 3, 2016
Now I'm just trolling at this point.
Oregon -7 backers already had their money spent at halftime
— Heal (@Root_em_in) January 3, 2016
I may never recover from the Oregon/ TCU game. An all time bad beat. Top ramen and water for the foreseeable future #JustKidding #KindOf
— Sam Phillips (@SamPhillips303) January 3, 2016
A bettor at Vegas book @CGTechnology_ put $15,000 on Oregon to beat TCU straight-up, per @jsimbal.
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) January 3, 2016
Who's got the lighter fluid?