Rocketman
CBB
4* Ball St +13
3* Lamar -3
3* Campbell +3.5
3* Georgia +1.5
3* Cal Irvine -11
Jimmy Boyd
5* Stanford -6.5
4* Illinois -7.5
4* Jazz +3.5
Wayne Root
No Limit - Texas A&M
Blazer
4* Miami Fla
4* N Texas
3* Colorado St
3* Mississippi
3* Troy
Scott Delaney
50 Dime San Diego St
The biggest intangible in this game won't even be playing. He may not even be on the sidelines. I'm not sure where defensive coordinator Rocky Long is on gameday - sideline or in the coaches box - but he is the best thing about this San Diego State team as far as I'm concerned.
The defense is not overwhelming, it's not even in the Top 40 in some categories - but it can be stingy and knows how to step up and balance things out in certain games.
The defense was a mere three points worse than Missouri and BYU earlier this season, otherwise the Aztecs would be 9-1 right now. On the other hand, that stop unit has stepped up to keep Air Force at bay in a 27-25 win, and has produced big stops in three other wins.
But here's the thing, San Diego State isn't a better football team than Utah. The Utes should win this game under normal circumstances. But these aren't normal for them any longer. After starting out 8-0, the Utes were embarrassed at home by TCU, 47-7, two weeks ago. Then they went to South Bend to face an average Notre Dame team but was overwhelmed by the ambiance obviously, cause the Irish won, 28-3.
Now they're on the road again, after being outscored 75-10 the last two weeks, and will play their fifth road game over a six-week span. That's a lot of travel and hotel time for a team that was arguing for a spot in the BCS title game and is now on a two-game skid.
Looking at the competition, the schedules played, the stats - Utah would normally be the choice. But given these circumstances, I like the Aztecs outright.
Nick Bogdanovich
College Of Charleston -10
Charlotte Bobcats +2
1. Asa 9- goy mich st, 4-neb over, 3-tenn, ill
2. Ats 8-bc, fl st, 7-mia fl, tulsa, 6-n ill
3. Ben burns 3t 10-tx, s jose, 9-nc, ind, mich
4. Big money ore st
5. Blazer 6t 4-mia fl, n tx, 3- col st, ole miss, troy, sd st
6. Carolina sports 5-bc, 4-col, sd st, troy, 3-duke, cal, uab
8. Dr. Bob 2 3-penn st, 2- bc, pitt
10. Inside info 3-ore st, 2-c fl
11. Joe d 25-sd st, 20-haw, tulane, utah st, 15-pitt, e mich, neb, mia fl
12. Kelso 50- sd st, n ill, 25-byu, 5-ill 4- kansas 3- md
13. Lenny stevens 20-tenn, stan, 10-iowa, ark
14. Lt profits 3-md, ore st, 2-sd st
15. Million club 6t 2- oh st, ore st
16. Nationwide (goldst) 6t super 7-tenn, top: Vt, reg: Bc, utah st, louis, mar, neb
17. Neri 1 4-penn st, 3- syr, mich, bc
18. Ness 10-utah, 9-bc, ohio st, 8-mich, ill, utah st
19. Northcoast 4- tenn, ole miss, mia fl, 3-oh st, mich st, w mich, col
20. Preferred picks 3t 5- mis fl, 3- iowa, sd st, troy
21. Private players 5 5- fl st, 4- penn st, ole miss, tenn, haw, 3- bc, n ill, byu, sd st
22. Pure lock la laf
24.underdog sd st
25. Wildcat 10- baylor, 7-ark over, 5-rice
Sports Bank
500 Ohio State
Don Wallace
3* Nebraska -2
3* Tennessee -8
3* San Diego St. +2.5
3* Mississippi +15.5
Ben Burns
10* Dallas Stars
These teams faced each other on 11/6. I was on the Avalanche in that game and they rewarded me with an easy 5-0 victory. That was at Colorado though. Also, the Stars were coming off a game the previous night. This time, the Stars had last night off while the Avs were in action. Given that major difference and with tonight's game being played at Dallas, I expect the revenge-minded Stars to have the edge. For starters, note that the Avs are an awful 6-21 (-14.2) the last 27 times that they played the second of back to back games. After losing the game at Colorado, the Stars dropped their next two. They've responded with back to back victories though, most recently a 5-4 win over a strong San Jose team. Note that they're 42-26 (+20.8) the past few seasons when coming off a game in which they allowed four or more goals. The Stars are 7-3 at home on the season. They're also 7-3 (+4.8) the last 10 times that they were playing with 'revenge.' I feel the price is fair and I expect them to improve on those stats here.
6* San Jose Sharks
At first glance, the price on the Sharks seems rather steep. After all, the Jackets have been playing well. The Sharks are that good though and they've got the schedule strongly in their favor here. Additionally, keep in mind that they were laying -250 the last time that they played the Jackets here at San Jose. More importantly, note that the Sharks are a commanding 17-1 all-time, when facing the Jackets here at San Jose. Tonight, they catch the Jackets off a win at LA on Wednesday and off a win at Anaheim last night. Note that the Jackets are 59-93 (-13.2) when playing the second of back to back games. I expect the Sharks to continue their home ice dominance in the series, improving to 29-11 (+15.4) the last 40 times that they faced a team with a winning record, during the first half of the season.