Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Nebraska -16.5
Following a loss at Texas A&M last week, expect the Huskers to bounce back strong on senior day to wrap up the Big 12 North. This line opened at 20 but has been bet down to where we now see it. This creates some nice line value in favor of Nebraska, considering the Buffs are losing by an average of 18.0 points in road games this season. Playing on short rest does not benefit this inferior Colorado team in the least. In fact, Colorado is 1-10 ATS in road games when playing with 6 or less days rest over the last 3 seasons, losing these games by 21.1 points on average. Lay the points.
Black Widow
1* on Charlotte Bobcats -3.5
The Houston Rockets are just 4-10 this season, and a big reason has been due to the fact that they are playing without two of their best players. Both starting PG Aaron Brooks and starting C Yao Ming remain out of the line-up until at least early December. The Charlotte Bobcats are fully healthy, and after back-to-back losses we expect them to bounce back at home Friday night. The home team has won 4 of the last 5 meetings in this series. The Rockets are 9-21 ATS in their last 30 vs. Eastern Conference. Houston is 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games following a S.U. win. Charlotte is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5. They have been stellar with this line set playing on their home floor. The Bobcats are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5. Take Charlotte and lay the points.
Info Plays
3* on Portland Trail Blazers -3
Reasons the Blazers cover:
1.) System Play. We'll Play On - Home teams (PORTLAND) - off a home loss, extremely well rested team - playing 3 or less games in 10 days. This is a 50-16 ATS System hitting 75.8% over the last 5 seasons. This will only be Portland's 2nd game in 8 days so they'll be well-rested and ready to go at home tonight. Bet the Blazers at home.
O.C. Dooley
Eastern Michigan +23.5
It is easy to see why Eastern Michigan is getting so many points in their home finale considering that their overall record the past two years (2-21) has placed the Eagles as one of the worst college football programs in the entire country. We have already seen a pair of head coaches lose their jobs in the Mid-American Conference, but from all indications Ron English will most likely be holding on to his job. The bottom line is that it would behoove both Eastern Michigan and their head coach not to be embarrassed this afternoon and that most likely will happen as the visitor does not have motivation to run up the score. Northern Illinois has won EIGHT games in a row and has already secured a spot in the Mid-American Conference Championship game. Even though the 8-0 run is impressive, Northern Illinois is now getting into “rarified air” as this is their longest sustained run of prosperity since the school joined Division I-A way in the year (1969) that man landed on the moon. From what I have been able to find out the Huskies will be RESTING the majority of their starters for a decent portion of this contest, in anticipation of that conference championship game appearance. It was one year ago when Northern Illinois limped to the finish line losing the last pair of regular season games, putting an end to a prosperous 7-2 run. Not only did the Huskies lose the last pair of regular season contests, they were also a 27-3 “loser” in a postseason Bowl appearance. Getting back to Eastern Michigan they have a grand total of 14 different SENIORS taking the field for a final time including quarterback Alex Gillett who has more than 2,400 pass yards and 1,200 rush yards in his career. Last week Dwayne Priest ran for a career-best 192 yards on the ground which gives today’s underdog confidence. I will admit that Northern Illinois has pounded Eastern Michigan the past two years in this series by a combined 87-7 count, but that certainly is reflected in the price tag. As mentioned earlier today’s heavy favorite has very little motivation to “run it up” on the scoreboard since they have already qualified for the Mid-American Conference Championship game
VEGAS EXPERTS
Arizona at Oregon
Oregon is a perfect 9-0 Over as a home favorite the last two seasons and a perfect 8-0 Over if they went Under in their previous game. They are a perfect 6-0 Over off a road win, 8-0 Over off a road game period. 62.5 seems like a high number, but when you consider that the Ducks are averaging 50+ by themselves, it's really not.
Play on: Over
SPORTS WAGERS
Carolina +1.72 over BOSTON
These big home favorites in matinee games are a huge risk because they simply don’t win enough. The Canes are in a bit of a funk with five losses in its last six game but at the same time they’ve picked up points in three of its last four games. In reality, they’re playing very good they just gotten unlucky in OT with and therefore we’ll play this in regulation only. The other good news is that the Hurricanes are an extremely dangerous team and always gives the Bruins fits. When these two get together it’s a complete toss-up, as each team wins about 50% of the time and this is the best squad that Carolina has had since they won the Cup a few years ago. Boston is also tough and play a more methodical style. However, they’ve split its last eight games, they’ve lost two of three and they play a whole lot better on the road than they do at home. In fact, the Bruins are a .500 team at home and there is just too much value on Canes here to pass up on them. Play: Carolina +1.72 (Risking 2 units).
Nashville +1.03 over MINNESOTA
This equation is a rather simple one and it goes like this; when the Wild are favored, bet against them. Minnesota’s luck has run out somewhat after winning a whole bunch of games and deserving to win none of them. This is by far the least talented team in the NHL that gets badly outplayed game in and game out. Now they’ve lost two straight and have been outscored by a count of 11-3 and that’s what you can expect to see a lot of from the Wild until they make some serious changes. They create few scoring chances every game and it’s a rare night when the muster up more than about 23 shots on net. Known previously for its stingy defensive play, the Wild is no longer that team. The defense is as bad as the offense and as a result, Minnesota’s chances of losing is far greater than its chances of winning and you can triple that against quality opposition like they’ll face here. The Preds rarely get outworked and they won’t be in a giving mood after losing two straight. However, they’ve also been unlucky and in fact, they completely dominated the Blue in its last game but still lost 2-1 in OT. Half that effort here gets us to the cashier’s booth. The bottom line is that we’re getting great value on the visitor, as any take-back against the Wild is an early Christmas gift. Play: Nashville +1.03 (Risking 2 units).
N.Y. Rangers +1.00 over FLORIDA
Well, the Rangers are in a very ugly mood and games like this happen only a few times a year. That being a gut-check game in which the team is coming off a very ugly performance and owned up to it afterwards. What we’re going to see tonight is an all out 60-minute, determined effort from the Blue Shirts and that will put them in a good position to win. There is no chance of a lackluster effort from them here. This is a good squad that works very hard on most nights and that has proven to be difficult to beat. The Rangers have goal-scorers, grit, and lots of talent and despite that ugly game in Tampa, they still had won its previous two but were still hugely disappointed in their performance in Tampa. That just proves how determined this team really is. The Panthers are usually an undervalued squad that gets very little recognition. They’re going to win its fair share of games but they’re also much appealing as the pooch than the favorite. Florida has lost three of four with only win over that stretch coming against the bottom feeding Islanders. It’s also uninspiring at best to play your hearts out and then play to a half empty arena and that’s exactly what the Panthers endure every time they step on the ice at home. Rangers will respond tonight after ugly game in Tampa. Play: N.Y. Rangers +1.00 (Risking 2 units).
San Jose +1.28 over VANCOUVER
The Sharkies are not dominating in the regular season like they normally do and the ironic part is that this is the best team they’ve iced in many years. That moderate record they now possess has made them about the most undervalued team in the NHL at this point. Fact is, the Sharkies are a powerhouse squad that will roll out three lines that all create chances and that can score goals. Offensively speaking, this is the NHL’s most potent attack regardless of what the stats say. The Sharks had dropped three in a row (two in OT) before beating Chicago 5-2 in its last game. They’ve picked up points in eight of its last nine games but that has been overshadowed by three OT losses. Fact is they could just as easily have eight wins in its last nine and had that been the case this game would be a pick’em. Meanwhile the Canucks have been anything but impressive. They had dropped four straight before beating the Av’s in its latest but they were not the better team on the ice in that game, mustering up a mere 19 shots on net. They were recently crushed by the Hawks at home 7-1 and frankly, the Canucks have not outplayed many teams this year. We get a tag on the superior team that’s playing about 100 times better than the Canucks. This line is predicated on the Canucks reputation but this host is in trouble for the first time in years. Overlay. Play: San Jose +1.28 (Risking 2 units).
Sports Insights
Idaho vs. Fresno State
Idaho snapped a three-game losing streak last week against Utah State. Quarterback Nathan Enderle lead the way for the Vandals, completing 20 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
Fresno State will be looking to rebound from back-to-back losses, including last week's 51-0 pounding at the hands of Boise State. The Bulldogs couldn't get anything going on offense, gaining only 125 total yards.
Fresno State opened as a 7-point favorite at Pinnacle and is currently receiving 81% of spread wagers. These lopsided betting percentages have pushed the line three points to -10, with some sportsbooks moving an extra half-point to -10.5.
Sports Insights' Betting Systems have triggered two positive Smart Money Plays on Idaho, one each at WSEX (+12.77 units) and ABC (+7.83 units), our #1 and #2 ranked sportsbooks, respectively, for NCAA Football Smart Money Plays.
Idaho +10.5