Ben Burns
Islanders at Rangers
Play: Rangers
The Rangers badly need a victory and this should be an excellent spot to get one. While they came up short (5-4) last time out, their fourth straight loss, the Rangers were having to face the defending champs. Even with that loss, they're still 7-1 the past eight times that they'd lost three or more in a row. Catching the Isles fresh of a trip out West, expect a huge effort from the Rangers as they bounce back and move to 33-21 the past 54 times they'd allowed four or more goals in their previous game.
Bob Balfe
Dodgers -160
Clayton Kershaw has looked like a human in his last few outings, but there is nobody else I would want on the mound when trying to punch a ticket to the World Series. This is the 5th game of the series and the Cubs don’t have one run outside of home runs. This team is struggling to hit the ball which is bad news going against a pitcher like Kershaw. If the Dodgers can get a small lead it will be hard to crack this bullpen when this game gets into the later innings.
The Real Animal
Memphis +3
Memphis has won three straight games over top-25 schools the last two seasons versus Navy twice and UCLA. Last week Houston allowed Tulsa 288 rushing yards at 5.4 per carry. The Cougars are known for their defense but they are just #88 in the country with 10 sacks on the season. Meanwhile Memphis returned four starters on the offensive line and they have yielded just eight sacks on QB Ferguson or #8 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed. This is a dramatic improvement over last season when they O-line permitted 35 sacks. Following their lopsided loss to Central Florida, Memphis has rebounded and QB Ferguson has a 10-0 ratio in his last two games. Plus RB Henderson offers the Tigers balance averaging 8.1 yards per carry. It's been quite an adjustment for Houston without talented QB Ward, now in the NFL. QB Kyle Allen started the season but was yanked after compiling a mediocre 4-4 ratio. However current QB Kyle Postma has a 4-5 ratio (four picks last two games) and did not have a touchdown pass last week in the lopsided loss to Tulsa. Memphis entered this season as the fifth most-experienced team in the nation. QB Ferguson threw for over 400-yards and four touchdowns in the 48-44 win over Houston last year. Memphis last week held Navy to more than 100-yards below their rushing average per game. Houston has had problems offensively throughout the season and they may struggled against the powerhouse offensive teams in the conference. The Cougars are #107 in points per yards gained this season. I'll take the points with Memphis who has the better QB and a very opportunistic defense as they are #3 in the country with 17 takeaways. Wide receiver Anthony Miller is a stud with 45 receptions for 606 yards and nine touchdowns while catching at least one pass in 34 straight games. Houston has scored 109 points in the first half but just 44 in the second half.