Free Picks for Saturday, November 25th, 2017 from some of the nations best and worst handicappers
Alan Harris
Louisville / Kentucky Over 68
Two teams that have been trending to the over will meet when the Louisville Cardinals hit the road to take on the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY, on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals have posted a 9-4 record to the over in their last thirteen road games and they have gone an excellent 13-6 to the over in their last nineteen games following a straight up win. The Wildcats have been an over team as well in the spot they are in here on Saturday as they have gone up and over the number in four of their last five home games and they have that same 4-1 record to the over in their last five games following a straight up loss. They have also gone up and over the total in each of their last four games overall and they are an impressive 8-2 to the over in their last ten games following a game where they allowed 40 points or more. Throw in the fact that these two schools are 4-1 to the over in their last five head-to-head meetings and that's where we'll have our play as our numbers have this one turning into a shootout in Lexington on Saturday afternoon.
Doc's Sports
Fresno State (+7) over Boise State
It is hard to gauge the motivation for both teams since this will be the first of two meetings in consecutive weeks between Boise State and Fresno State. Fresno State has been the surprise team in the conference this year as nobody expected them to be bowl eligible let along beat San Diego State to win the West Division. We will gladly grab the points in this match-up as I believe this game just means more to Fresno State. Boise State will not be making a New Year's Six Bowl as that spot will go to the American Athletic Conference winner, and thus the best they can hope for is a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl.
Strike Point Sports
Old Dominion vs William Mary
Play: Old Dominion
The Monarchs have had a pretty good start to the year at 4-1, including some quality wins. ODU predicates their game on defense and was never really considered a massive scoring team. That seems to be the case this year, holding three teams already under 60 points and all four under 70. They lost this game on their home floor by double digits, so look for them to exact some revenge on the Tribe here. Good spot for a road win as the Monarchs already have three wins this season away from home. You can also get our full Saturday card including a 7-Unit top play for just $30 as we aim for another big Feast Week in college hoops.
Doc's Sports
Chicago at Florida
Play: Under 5.5
The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a sluggish start to the season. They made some big moves in the offseason and it certainly has affected the chemistry early on. While the offense has struggled quite a bit, the defense has been the one constant that has carried over from prior years. Corey Crawford is still one of the best in the net, and Chicago still has some big time blueliners, including Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. On Saturday they get the Panthers in Florida. Panthers have been playing to the UNDER of late, with six of the last seven going UNDER the total. They've had trouble consistently putting the puck in the net this season. I don't expect too many quality scoring chances in this matchup, so take the UNDER in our Saturday Free Play selection.
Wunderdog
Vanderbilt @ Tennessee
Pick: Vanderbilt +1
Vanderbilt junior QB Kyle Shurmur (22 TDs, 10 INTs) has had a fine season and in his four road games he has 12 TDs, and two picks. Vandy is 29-15 ATS on the road after two or more consecutive defeats, plus 30-11 ATS away after failing to cover the spread in two out of their last three contests. They head to rival Tennessee, a team that had big expectations this season but has flopped, winding up a lost campaign. They've been overvalued at home, 1-5 ATS here, have an interim coach and are winless in the SEC. The offense has all kinds of problems. They have a makeshift offensive line that finished the last game with just four scholarship players. Interim coach Brady Hoke has a dilemma at quarterback: He can go with redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, who played last week on an injured ankle and tends to hold the ball too long. Or he can go with true freshman Will McBride, who has played exactly 1 1/2 games of collegiate ball. And McBride only recently returned from concussion protocol after missing last week. Tennessee is 6-18 ATS at home after two consecutive games where they forced one or fewer turnovers. The underdog is 7-3 ATS when these rivals clash, with the Commodores covering four of the last five meetings, so back the dog again with the superior edge at quarterback.
3G-Sports
Alabama vs. Auburn
Play: Auburn +4.5
Sitting in the SEC it's never easy for anyone. Auburn also comes in on a hot scoring streak - with 4 straight games of scoring 40+. In a bigtime game here in Auburn - this means a lot to both coaches, as well as players. Both teams are offensive minded, and want to put the ball in the end zone often. Kerryon Johnson with 24 attempts/game - and Kam Martin is always dangerous with a 6.7 YPC avg. In the end the game - Auburn will be the ones standing tall. Auburn just has too much RB skill for even Alabama to contain. The big difference that I see between both teams is a stout defense, and a more potent offense. Auburn are even better on their home field, and getting big plays made for momentum shifts. Alabama has a lot of offensive firepower but their timing can be questionable. On 3rd downs, Alabama has also had their share of problems converting on the road at just 34% - that will be a huge key in this game. Tigers are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 conference games Auburn pulls away in the 4th quarter for the outright win!
Mike Anthony
Notre Dame vs. Stanford
Play: Stanford +2.5
RB Bryce Love has the exceptional ability to be something really good for Stanford - when he breaks a run to the outside of the tackles - the 200lb RB has been awesome, as his ability to avoid the big hit indicates. Stanford also does a great job protecting their QB - with just 12 sacks given up on the year. The Dline of Notre Dame is going to have a problem getting to QB K.J. Costello. RBs Love and Cameron Scarlett have been outstanding with moving the ball on the offense with 8.8 YD/carry and 4.8 respectively...to much on the ground to handle. The team leader in receptions, WR Chase Claypool was easily managed - to say the least - vs a far lesser secondary vs Navy last game. This week they will battle against a defense in Stanford that has 5 games of giving up 17pts or less. Stanford has a great ability to burn teams TEs with LBs, Bobby Okereke and Peter Kalambayi - and their CB, Justin Reid has been playing really well. Fighting Irish are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Stanford wins taking the points here in this one!
Doc's Sports
Boise State vs. Fresno State
Play: Fresno State +7
It is hard to gauge the motivation for both teams since this will be the first of two meetings in consecutive weeks between Boise State and Fresno State. Fresno State has been the surprise team in the conference this year as nobody expect them to be bowl eligible let along beat San Diego State to win the West Division. We will gladly grab the points in this match-up as I believe this game just means more to Fresno State. Boise State will not be making a New Year’s Six Bowl, as that spot will go to the American Athletic Conference winner and thus the best they can hope for is a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl.
Red Dog Sports
Oregon State vs. Oregon
Play: Oregon State +26
Oregon State has just one win but this is a rivalry game and both are from the same state. Oregon State won last year at home. Two years ago at Oregon, the Beavers lost by just 10 and before that, they lost by just one point. I think the Ducks win easily but Oregon State covers the big number.
Jeff Allen
Arizona vs. Arizona State
Play: Arizona State +2½
The Territorial Cup has been a home field series of late with the home team winning the last four meetings. These games have not been close, with the average margin of victory 20 points. Arizona phenom Khalil Tate had his jets cooled at Oregon last week rushing for just 32 yards after averaging 201 ypg. overland his previous six games. The Sun Devils will take note and also play defense on offense keeping Tate off the field now that they've established their own running game with Richard who has run for 5 TDs and averaged 144 ypg. in his L3. We'll grab the home team and the points in series being dominated by the host.
Jesse Schule
Alabama vs. Auburn
Play: Auburn +4.5
The Alabama Crimson Tide are still undefeated, but they appear to be about as vulnurable as they have ever been. Two weeks ago against Mississippi State they needed to rally late in a game that they were losing in the fourth quarter. They have been hit hard by injuries to several key defensive players. Not only did they lose a pair of linebackers in the win over LSU a few weeks ago, but they had already lost two star linebackers in Week 1 against Florida State. Minkah Fitzpatrick is hoping to play with a sore hamstring, but he's nowhere near 100 percent. They face an Auburn team that has scored 40+ points in all four games during a four game win streak. That includes a 40-17 home win over #1 ranked Georgia. They gained 488 total yards on the Bulldogs defense, and I like their chances of doing the same thing here against Alabama. The Crimson Tide have been extremely fortunate so far, padding their stats against weak opponents. Their most impressive win was at home to LSU, in a game where they were out-gained 306-299 in total yards. My money is on the home team plus money.
Buster Sports
Kansas at Oklahoma St
Play: Under 70
The 2nd best offense in college football will go against the 112th defense in the nation and that will spell trouble for the Kansas Jayhawks. However, Oklahoma State may not be so set on crushing the Jayhawks this week as after two losses in three games they have been knocked out of the BIG 12 championship game. We will see an Oklahoma State club going through the motions today (which will be good enough to win) and because of this we believe that the total of 70 at the time of this writing is slightly too high. Not too sure where Kansas will get their points from today as when they have played the upper echelon of the BIG 12 they have scored a total of 3 points combined, when playing Iowa State, TCU and Oklahoma. Once Oklahoma State gets a solid lead, we would not be surprised if a lot of the starters did not play come late 3rd quarter. All this leads to a game that both teams will be very disinterested in playing. It will be very tough to get to that lofty 70 point mark today in Stillwater.