Bob Balfe
College Football
Rutgers +7 over UConn
UConn has covered all seven games this year which is the reason why this is not a 3pt line. These two teams are evenly matched however UConn must be physically and emotionally drained after the death of Jasper Howard. This team almost pulled an upset at West Virginia, but had their hearts broken if the final two minutes of the game. If that wasn’t bad enough the team had to bury Howard this week and the pure adrenalin has run out as reality starts to set in as things get back to normal. Rutgers is looking to become bowl eligible with a win and right now their heads are a lot clearer then Connecticut’s which means a lot when betting on kids 18-22 years old. Take Rutgers.
Duke +7 over Virginia
The winner of this game probably becomes bowl eligible and the opponent out of luck. Virginia started out cold and found their rhythm, but I think the passing game for Duke will be too much for them to handle. The UVA defense is solid, but it will be tough to stop Thaddeus Lewis. Last year Duke crushed the Cavs. I see similar results today, Duke is hungry for a bowl birth and has not been in the postseason since 1994. Take Duke getting points.
Syracuse +15.5 over Cincinnati
The Bearcats proved they have what it takes to win without Tony Pike at QB as they beat up on USF in the second half of the game Pike left in and then had their way against Louisville last week. Syracuse is no pushover anymore and will make this game close. Cincinnati is now more likely to run the ball with their mobile backup rather than throw it 40 times a game. Syracuse is actually good at stopping the run and in a dome things could get interesting. This Syracuse team with an upset win today could put themselves into position to make it to a bowl game. I don’t think Syracuse can pull an upset, but I do think they stay inside the number. Take the Syracuse.
NBA Basketball
Trailblazers -4 over Rockets
MLB Baseball
Phillies +105 over Yankees
Hamels/Pettitte
Karl Garrett
40 DIMER - AIR FORCE
10 DIMER - UNLV
10 DIMER - FLORIDA
40 DIMER - AIR FORCE FALCONS
The Rams have officially hit the skids, losing 5 straight, while failing their last pair, and 3 of 4. Hard for me to imagine Colorado State staying with the Force in this one, as Air Force may be just 4-4, but a closer look shows ALL 4 losses coming by a TD or less.
The Falcons may not be able to move through the air, but their veteran defense has been able to force 23 turnovers this season, and that defense is surely licking their chops against regressing Col State QB Stuckey who is completing his passes at less than 50% for his last 3 games!
Air Force has home games against Army, and UNLV coming up before closing at BYU, so expect the Propeller Heads to do some damage today as they start what should be a 3-game winning streak heading into that Provo date on November 21st.
The Falcons have won the last 3 in this series, and have covered the last pair of games, both wins coming by double-digits. Air Force is also 4-1 against the spread a road favorite under Coach Calhoun.
Lay it!
10 DIMER - UNLV REBELS
The Purple People Eaters of College Football are on major letdown alert after crushing BYU on the road last week.
UNLV is much better than their 3-5 record, with only a 2 point loss to Oregon State, a 3 point loss AT Wyoming (one of the toughest road venues in NCAA).
The Runnin' Rebels scored 34 points on the road last weekend in their win at New Mexico, and are being given 34 points or so this week before the kick-off!!?!?!
Last week the Rebels held onto the ball for 37 minutes and if they can hold on to the ball for a while today, they lose by no more than 17 points.
TCU is a wrecking ball, no doubt about it, but this is too many points even for the Horned Frogs to cover.
10 DIMER - FLORIDA GATORS
This is one of those games where you look at the line and automatically bite on Georgia plus the points, but I am not of that opinion.
Georgia did pull away from Vanderbilt 2 weeks ago, and did have off last week in order to get ready for this showdown, but I still have my questions regarding the Bulldogs weak defense, and their weak running game.
Florida has not be able to deliver the KO punch against Arkansas or Miss State the last 2 weeks as the double-digit favorite, and they were also sluggish against Tennessee. The fact is, the Gators are down a few weapons on offense, but Tim Tebow is out for some redemption from last week's poor showing, and we all know the Florida defense is among the best in the nation.
I expect a few forced turnovers from the Gators "D", and I expect the Tebow and his offense to cash in on the short fields set up by the defense. In the end, Florida covers this number as they quiet the critics of their # 1 ranking for the week.
Lay the chalk with the Gators.
Bob Valentino
40 DIME: NEBRASKA
NOTE: Make sure to get Nebraska at -13. If your man has this number at 13 1/2, buy the half-point and grab Nebraska at -13. ... DO NOT wait to place your wager, as I'm quite sure this number is going to jump to 14
Steven Budin
25 DIME - TEMPLE
Black Widow
6* Widow Wise guy Big Ten "STEAL" OF THE YEAR on Indiana +17.5
Iowa has just been squeaking by their opponents of late, not blowing anyone out. In fact, Iowa has won 6 straight games by 11 points or less. This is a very inflated line Saturday, and we'll take advantage with the biggest STEAL in the Big Ten this season. Iowa has a 1-point win over UNI, a 3-point win over Arkansas State and a 2-point win over Michigan this season at home. Those 3 teams are not any better than this 4-4 Indiana team this season. The Hoosiers are just 1-3 on the road, but they are 3-1 ATS in road games this season with a 38-21 win at Akron, a 33-36 loss at Michigan and a 28-29 loss at Northwestern. This is Indiana's season Saturday as a win would give them a great shot to earn a bowl bid, and national exposure by beating the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten. This is unfamiliar territory for Iowa as it's the first time they have started 8-0 in school history. Players are starting to feel the pressure, and that's why they've had so many close wins of late. If they win Saturday, it will be another nailbiter. The Hawkeyes lost starting RB Adam Robinson and starting OL Dace Richardson each for the season after both suffered injuries in their 15-13 win at Michigan State last week. These losses will force QB Ricky Stanzi to try and win this game on his own, which he cannot do. Stanzi has been prone to the interception this season, already throwing 8 picks in 8 games. The Hoosiers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Hawkeyes are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater. Indiana has won 2 of their last 3 meetings with Iowa, including a 38-20 road win in 2007 as a 9.5-point underdog. The Hoosiers are now 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road meetings with the Hawkeyes. Take Indiana and the points.
5* Wise guy ABC Saturday Night "Side" SLAUGHTER on Oklahoma State +9
Oklahoma State has been waiting for this game, a chance to knock off unbeaten Texas. If there's one team that is going to spoil the Longhorns' perfect season, it's the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has everything you need to beat a team like Texas, a balanced offense and an outsanding defense. The Cowboys are 6-1 this season, scoring 37.0 points/game and putting up 418 yards/game of total offense. They average 186 rushing yards and 232 passing yards. Defensively, they give up 20.0 points/game but they have improved as the season has progressed. The Cowboys are giving up just 12 points/game in their last 2 with blowout wins over Missouri and Baylor. Texas has won a pair of nailbiters the last 2 years, winning 38-35 at Oky State in 2007 and 28-24 at home last year. The Cowboys are sick and tired of losing tight games to this team, and they will do something about it Saturday and likely spoil the Longhorns' perfect season. One thing is certain, they won't lose by more than a touchdown at home. The Longhorns are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 3.5-10.0. The Cowboys are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games in October. Oklahoma State is playing their best football of the season right now, perfect timing to take down the undefeated Longhorns. Take Oky State and the points.
5* Wiseguy ABC Saturday Night "Side" SLAUGHTER on Oklahoma State +9
Oklahoma State has been waiting for this game, a chance to knock off unbeaten Texas. If there's one team that is going to spoil the Longhorns' perfect season, it's the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has everything you need to beat a team like Texas, a balanced offense and an outsanding defense. The Cowboys are 6-1 this season, scoring 37.0 points/game and putting up 418 yards/game of total offense. They average 186 rushing yards and 232 passing yards. Defensively, they give up 20.0 points/game but they have improved as the season has progressed. The Cowboys are giving up just 12 points/game in their last 2 with blowout wins over Missouri and Baylor. Texas has won a pair of nailbiters the last 2 years, winning 38-35 at Oky State in 2007 and 28-24 at home last year. The Cowboys are sick and tired of losing tight games to this team, and they will do something about it Saturday and likely spoil the Longhorns' perfect season. One thing is certain, they won't lose by more than a touchdown at home. The Longhorns are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 3.5-10.0. The Cowboys are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games in October. Oklahoma State is playing their best football of the season right now, perfect timing to take down the undefeated Longhorns. Take Oky State and the points.
4* on Utah State +17
Utah State has played all of their opponents very tough this season despite their 2-5 record. The Aggies are 5-2 ATS in all games this year, not losing once by more than 18 points. They have lost twice by 18 on the road to BYU and on the road to Utah, and both BYU and Utah are better than Fresno State. The Bulldogs have played a very soft schedule of late with blowout wins over Hawaii, San Jose State and New Mexico State. Look for Fresno to come out stagnant Saturday after that easy slate of games, and Utah State takes advantage by covering this monster spread, possibly winning outright. Utah State is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings with Fresno, losing by just 2, 11 and 1 in their last 3 meetings, respectively. This will be another closely-contested ball game in their 2009 meeting and that's why taking the points is the only move here. Take Utah State and the points.
4* on Georgia Tech/Vanderbilt UNDER 47
This is going to be a defensive battle between two teams who rely very heavily on the run. To put it in persective, Georgia Tech averages 56 rushing attempts/game and only 11 pass attempts. Vanderbilt averages 41 rushing attempts/game to 30 pass attempts. Vandy has been forced to throw more because they have been behind so often due to a lack of production offensively. But the Commodores are completing just 47.3% of their passes and averaging a mere 16.6 points/game offensively. Vandy won't score more than 10 points Saturday, and we don't see Georgia Tech reaching 30 in this defensive battle. The Yellow Jackets are 9-1 UNDER (+7.9 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 3 seasons. Vandy is 9-0 UNDER (+9.0 Units) after playing their last game on the road over the last 2 seasons. Vandy is 12-3 UNDER (+8.7 Units) in home games off a road loss since 1992. The Commodores are 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) in October games over the last 2 seasons. Take the UNDER 47 points here.
FRANK PATRON
50000 UNIT MUST WIN LOCK
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS -11
Anthony Redd
50 Dime Kent State
10 Dime Iowa State
10 Dime Miami (OH)
Street Rosenthal
*200 Mississippi -4
*200 Virginia -13
*200 Florida -13
*200 USC -3
*200 Ottawa Senators Over 6
Indian Cowboy
6 Unit Play. Take Under 51 between Miami @ Wake Forest
This is a big game for Wake Forest as they come off some tough losses.* This team will love to control the clock and grind the ball, especially against an offensive team such as Miami.* The goal for this Wake team to have any chance in this game, is to keep the Hurricanes off the field.* Heck, in the Navy game, there were only 23 points scored total as this team went toe to toe against Navy who is a very good team on the road losing by a field goal. Now, they return home to face a very good Miami team - a Miami team who by the way who comes off a tough loss to Clemson by a score of 37-40.* Remember, this Miami team will be looking to bounce-back from that tough loss to Clemson and in particular their defense.* Wake runs a fairly simple offense with a big reliance on running the ball and time of possession*- a poor man's version of the Miami Dolphins in the NFL a bit.* But, I like Wake coming off a loss and this could be a public burial as well as over 70% are on Miami.* So, we take the under which is an indirect public fade.* After all, what that means is that if Wake is an active dog, this is a rare case in which you will get a dog/under because Wake looks for ball control and time of possession more than anything. The Under is 5-2 in the Hurricanes last seven games as a favorite and the Under is 5-1 when the Demon Deacons are Underdogs overall and home Underdogs as well.
4 Unit Play. Take Georgia Bulldogs +14.5 over Florida Gators
Florida beat this team 49-10 last year.* You don't think Georgia is going to be ready for this game?* Yes, I know Joe Cox sucks.* So, who cares about Joe Blow.* If this Georgia defense steps up in a big way, this can certainly be Georgia's way.* Keep in mind this can be a great step up opportunity for Georgia.* This team is desperate for a win and this could be the game here. Florida did not cover huge spreads against Miss State, Arkansas or Tennessee so who is to say they are going to cover the spread here against an arch rival such as Georgia.* I like the points here. as bear in mind that Georgia will absolutely fired up for this game.* When you have a team like Georgia who has nothing to lose in this game, and everything to gain, who the hell cares?* I think Georgia is going to pull out all the stops here as this team is desperate for a big win this year after the tough loss to LSU at home and certainly, Joe got some confidence in the win over Vanderbilt.* Florida has shown its weaknesses at times especially against Arkansas at home and if Georgia can score early and get a couple of things to go their way, indeed, they could cover this game with Florida barely coming back to win very similar to the Arkansas game. The Bulldogs are 5-0 as Underdogs of 10.5 or greater and the Bulldogs are 3-1-1 ATS after a win of twenty points or more as this team feeds off confidence.
4 Unit Play.Take Under 49.5 between the Ole Miss Rebels @ Auburn Tigers
Auburn desperately needs a win here coming off the ugly loss to LSU and back to back losses. In fact, they come off three straight conference losses. The Ole Miss defense has been getting better steadily and I would not be surprised to see an Under here as the Auburn defense needs to step up big at home here as the offense is lacking.* If Ole Miss can be physical on defense, this game is likely to go under.* Yes, indeed Auburn can be an active dog here, but bear in mind that this team struggles to score against athletic defenses. If you notice this total has been going down steadily and rightfully so.* Auburn put up just ten points at LSU and even that touchdown came late, they put up 14 against Kentucky at home and Ole Miss defense is solid.* No, Ole Miss is not amazing on defense, but this team gave up 17 points to Arkansas at home, which is better than Florida, they gave up 13 to UAB, 22 to Alabama, 7 to Vandy and 16 to South Carolina.* I like this to be more of a defensive battle than folks realize and this game likely to go under. The Under is 6-0 when the Rebels are favored between a field goal and touchdown such as this week, the Under is 5-1 when the Rebels are favored on the road and the Under is 13-3 when the Tigers are an Underdog by this margin.
4 Unit Play. Take Under 47 between Georgia Tech @ Vanderbilt
With nearly 80% on Georgia Tech here, the line is just begging you take it.* Rather, we will take the Under here.* Georgia Tech is the tops in the country in many rushing categories and they will look to pound the ball on the ground once again. Vandy is no stranger to an offense that likes to run coming from the SEC and I look for Vandy to hang in there tough.* Now, does Vandy win, no.* Does Vandy even hang within the spread, maybe not.* But, they will look to slow this game down and if Vandy has any chance in this game with their limited offense, it needs to be through their defense.* This will be very similar to the Tech vs. Virginia game which totaled at 43.* Vandy has played in four straight Unders, and 8 of 9 Unders. I like Vandy to hang tough here for a bit, Tech to take a nice lead and just run this clock out through their running game. The Under is 5-0 when the Jackets come off a win of more than 20 points, the Under is 16-4-1 for the Commodores as an Underdog and the Under is 14-3-1 for the Commodores in their last 18 home games.
4 Unit Play. Take Oregon +3 over University of Southern Cal
You have to take a look at games objectively.* If you look at the numbers purely, this is a game that Oregon can certainly cover, if not win outright.* Since the loss to Boise State early on, this team has dominated teams, and is looking to just kill people.* Each and ever week, they are looking to just absolutely kill people.* Its awesome to watch.* This team remembers that loss earlier in the year on national television and they are coming back with a vengeance and it is a thing of beauty to watch.* What better way than to win the PAC-10?* This team is right there as they are ranked twelfth in the country, just beat a decent Washington team 43-19 on the road, beat UCLA on the road 24-10, crushed Cal 42-3 at home and beat Utah 31-24.* Heck, this team has covered five straight ballgames. USC is good.* No one is doubting that. But, this team has had their shaky moments including barely defeating Oregon State, losing at Washington, barely defeating Ohio State and winning by a possession at Notre Dame.* I don't like going against Pete Carroll here, but I can see Oregon hanging tough here and staying with the number of winning outright.* If USC can lose at Washington, then why not Oregon? The Trojans are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games and the Ducks are 6-0 ATS in their last six conference games.* Quack Quack baby.
4 Unit Play. Take Oregon State -9.5 over UCLA
Speaking of Oregon State, why not go with the Beavers here at home coming off their tough loss to USC.* Oregon State is a very good team and lost within one possession to the number four team in the country in USC.* This team is well coached and UCLA is a team with a lot of heart, but a bit undersized, and of course, they don't have the offensive capability as the Beavers have here.* I like Oregon State to do well here as they did beat Stanford by 10 at home, beat Arizona State outright on the road and beat UCLA by 28 on the road last year. UCLA has lost four straight games and consequently four straight covers.* I like Oregon State here off the loss to USC as the Beavers are 5-1 ATS as a favorite of 3 to 10 points, 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games and UCLA is 0-4 ATS as an underdog by this margin.
Tim Trushel
20* Wake Forest
Boston Blackie
5* Southern Miss +6.5
Ark St +3
Penn St -17
Kiki Sports
3* GOY Ole Miss
2* GOM Temple
THE BOSS
500% "Untouchable Play" Utah
300% "Bookie Buster Parlay" GTech, LSU, Utah
200% "Dog Pound" Central Mich
100% "Silent Assassins" Cincy, Ohio St., Oklahoma
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NORTHERN ILLINOIS -12
ASA
4* Fla Atl
3* WI Under
3* Ole Miss
3* USC