Free Picks: Service Plays for Friday, November 28

DUNKEL INDEX

NHL

Minnesota at Dallas
The Wild head to Dallas tonight and come into the contest with a 4-13 record in their last 17 Friday games. Dallas is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Stars favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-115).

Game 51-52: NY Rangers at Philadelphia (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.590; Philadelphia 10.597
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 53-54: Chicago at Anaheim (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 10.607; Anaheim 11.983
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-110); Over

Game 55-56: NY Islanders at Washington (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 10.930; Washington 11.823
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-115); Over

Game 57-58: Montreal at Buffalo (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 12.471; Buffalo 11.123
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-200); 5
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-200); Over

Game 59-60: Detroit at New Jersey (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 10.941; New Jersey 11.768
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-125); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+105); Under

Game 61-62: Carolina at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.549; Pittsburgh 10.612
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-250); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+210); Under

Game 63-64: Winnipeg at Boston (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 10.581; Boston 11.995
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-165); 5
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-165); Over

Game 65-66: Vancouver at Columbus (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.772; Columbus 10.122
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-145); Over

Game 67-68: Ottawa at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.456; Florida 11.836
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 69-70: Edmonton at St. Louis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.563; St. Louis 10.370
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-290); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (+240); Under

Game 71-72: Minnesota at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 10.777; Dallas 12.321
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-115); Under

DUNKEL INDEX

NCAAB

Gonzaga vs. St. John's
The Bulldogs face St. John's tonight in the second round of the NIT Tournament and come into the contest with a 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games versus Big East Conference opponents. Gonzaga is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Bulldogs favored by 12. Dunkel Pick: Gonzaga (-6 1/2).

Game 725-726: James Madison at Ohio State (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: James Madison 49.159; Ohio State 76.812
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 27 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 22 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-22 1/2)

Game 727-728: Yale at Providence (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Yale 57.059; Providence 72.674
Dunkel Line: Providence by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Providence by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Providence (-6 1/2)

Game 729-730: South Alabama at Miami (FL) (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 47.514; Miami (FL) 72.649
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 25
Vegas Line: Miami (FL) by 22
Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (-22)

Game 731-732: Boise State at NC State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 59.539; NC State 69.509
Dunkel Line: NC State by 10
Vegas Line: NC State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC State (-6 1/2)

Game 733-734: Cleveland State at Marshall (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland State 54.320; Marshall 57.184
Dunkel Line: Marshall by 3
Vegas Line: Cleveland State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marshall (+3 1/2)

Game 735-736: North Texas at Arkansas (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 48.836; Arkansas 70.453
Dunkel Line: Arkansas by 21 1/2
Vegas Line: Arkansas by 24
Dunkel Pick: North Texas (+24)

Game 737-738: Eastern Illinois vs. North Carolina Central (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 46.405; North Carolina Central 58.322
Dunkel Line: North Carolina Central by 12
Vegas Line: North Carolina Central by 7
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina Central (-7)

Game 739-740: Southern vs. Northern Arizona (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern 44.472; Northern Arizona 51.469
Dunkel Line: Northern Arizona by 7
Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Arizona (-5 1/2)

Game 741-742: Middle Tennessee State vs. Cincinnati (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 55.045; Cincinnati 64.753
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-7 1/2)

Game 743-744: Mississippi vs. Creighton (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi 60.663; Creighton 69.093
Dunkel Line: Creighton by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Creighton by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Creighton (-3 1/2)

Game 789-790: Minnesota vs. Georgia (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 66.973; Georgia 60.768
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 6
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-4 1/2)

Game 791-792: Gonzaga vs. St. John's (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Gonzaga 75.826; St. John's 65.056
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 11
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Gonzaga (-6 1/2)

Game 793-794: Drake vs. Valparaiso (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Drake 46.245; Valparaiso 52.677
Dunkel Line: Valparaiso by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Valparaiso by 5
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (-5)

Game 795-796: Portland vs. Murray State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 55.699; Murray State 61.167
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Murray State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-2 1/2)

Game 801-802: Bradley vs. TCU (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bradley 48.901; TCU 58.082
Dunkel Line: TCU by 9
Vegas Line: TCU by 7
Dunkel Pick: TCU (-7)

Game 803-804: St. Louis vs. Mississippi State (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 54.270; Mississippi State 59.620
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (-1)

Game 805-806: Alabama State vs. TX-Pan American (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama State 40.145; TX-Pan American 44.896
Dunkel Line: TX-Pan American by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Alabama State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: TX-Pan American (+1 1/2)

Game 807-808: North Dakota at Utah (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 47.703; Utah 69.450
Dunkel Line: Utah by 22
Vegas Line: Utah by 24 1/2
Dunkel Pick: North Dakota (+24 1/2)

Game 809-810: IPFW at Dartmouth (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 50.421; Dartmouth 54.797
Dunkel Line: Dartmouth by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Dartmouth by 2
Dunkel Pick: Dartmouth (-2)

Game 811-812: Monmouth at Maryland (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Monmouth 49.780; Maryland 75.007
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 25
Vegas Line: Maryland by 16
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (-16)

Game 813-814: Tennessee State at St. Peter's (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 43.534; St. Peter's 54.932
Dunkel Line: St. Peter's by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Peter's by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (+13 1/2)

Game 815-816: Samford at Louisiana Tech (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 45.765; Louisiana Tech 66.567
Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 21
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 25
Dunkel Pick: Samford (+25)

Game 817-818: Tennessee-Martin at Nebraska (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee-Martin 46.778; Nebraska 69.275
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 22 1/2
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-17 1/2)

Game 819-820: NC-Greensboro at Indiana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Greensboro 41.236; Indiana 66.787
Dunkel Line: Indiana by 25 1/2
Vegas Line: Indiana by by 23
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-23)

Game 821-822: TX-Arlington at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TX-Arlington 49.944; Montana State 42.435
Dunkel Line: TX-Arlington by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: TX-Arlington by 4
Dunkel Pick: TX-Arlington (-4)

Game 831-832: New Orleans at Texas A&M (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 37.337; Texas A&M 68.630
Dunkel Line: Texas A&M by 31
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 26 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas A&M (-26 1/2)

Andre Ramirez

Virginia vs. Virginia Tech
Play: Virginia -1

Virgina is coming off a big win against the Miami Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Virgina Tech will try to bounce back from one of the more embarrassing performances of Frank Beamer's 28 years in charge. The Hokies lost to Wake Forest in double overtime in a game that was scoreless at the end of regulation. Virgina Tech is coming into this game with a lot of injuries. The RB corps has been particularly hit hard. As a consequence, the offense has sputtered. Virginia Tech is also 5-6 and has nothing to play for. According to my algorithms, I have Virgina winning 23-13, 24-10, and 20-9.

Andre Ramirez's Featured Package

Robert Ferringo

TCU (-4.5) over Bradley

This one is an easy take. I am a fan of the Horned Frogs this year, and Trent Johnson turned this program around quickly. They are 4-0, and even though it has come against weak competition, the games have all been blowouts. The backcourt of Kyan Anderson and Trey Zeigler is extremely talented and experienced, even if the rest of the team is a little green. This number will be low because they on the road for the first time. But I think they can more than handle the Braves. Bradley already has losses to with two bottom-tier teams (Arlington and Robert Morris), and they barely held off North Carolina AT&T. This isn’t a very good team at all, and they are punching above their weight class. The Horned Frogs are going to rack up another easy win here, and we’ll cash in with this ticket as well. Play it early because this number is going to spike.

Sleepyj

Tulsa +17.5

This is it for Tulsa and the season. They will finish 2-10 and the season will be a wrap. I do however like how Tulsa is playing. We now get them at home and this offense will pull out every trick play they have. They will want to win this game because they only have pride to play for. I like that here. If this game is close they will cover. If this game gets out of hand early..This can be a rout. I do not expect that to happen here though..ECU hasnt been playing it's best football the last 5 weeks. They just lack scoring for the most part. Two bad losses to two teams that are not that good in Temple and Cincinnati tells me they are pretty content doing what they do. They have a UCF game next week for the season finale before bowl season at home. They will be looking ahead to that game and this game is a clear look ahead. Tulsa at home will surprise some teams with the offense. i think this one is rather close and i'll take the home dog getting 17.5 to close out a season Vs. a struggling team.

Sam Martin

Virginia at Virginia Tech
Prediction: Virginia

A bowl game is on the line for this in-state rivalry, and while both Virginia and Virginia Tech have been huge disappointments for the last month and a half, we are going to back the Cavaliers to win out Friday afternoon in a virtual pick 'em spot. Both teams have lost four of their last five games overall, however, Virginia's win last week against Miami should give them enough momentum to carry them through this game.
Hokies have completely fallen apart and scored just three points in an outright loss at Wake Forest last week (as a big 13-point road favorite). That was Virginia Tech's best chance to become bowl eligible, and the players know it. Virginia didn't just upset the Hurricanes last week, they crushed them 30-13, and that's a telling score considering the Hokies just lost to Miami 30-6 a few weeks back. Cavaliers ride the momentum from last week's victory and find a way to win!

Joe Gavazzi

Virginia -1

This Friday night's ACC matchup has a lot more on the line than just the regional bragging rights that go along with this annual matchup. Each of these teams enters at 5-6 SU, meaning the winner of this game becomes eligible for a post-season party, while the other one spends the holidays at home. Of greater importance to the future of these programs is if either of these coaches survives this game.

Legendary VA Tech HC Beamer has been at the helm of the Hokies' program for 28 years. It was as recent as 2011 that the program went 11-3 SU, using an outstanding defense that allowed just 18 PPG and 305 YPG to dominate opponents. Along with the highly respected special teams' play of Beamer, Tech had become a perennial Top 20 team. That, however, was the year in which they became overrated. Since the beginning of 2011, Beamer's Hokies are now on a 15-33 ATS slide. Though they have made it to a Bowl game in each of the 2 previous seasons, that is clearly in jeopardy this season. A microcosm of their decline came last week in their matchup vs. lowly Wake Forest, a team who was 2-8 SU overall and 0-6 SU in ACC play. When the smoke cleared, these two teams had battled to a scoreless tie in regulation with Wake Forest becoming the eventual 6-3 winner in double OT. A look at this year's stats shows us clearly that a running game that had previously averaged around 200 RYPG is now averaging just 137/3.6. The Hokies gain less than 5.0 YP play, while allowing more than 5.0 YP play. In short, the decline is for real.

Over in Charlottesville, the coaching life of 5th year HC London is clearly on the line as well. In 4 previous years, London had gone 18-31 SU, 15-29 ATS. Win totals had declined from 8 to 4 to 2 victories. With 16 RS, 2014 has become an ultimatum year for London. Last week's game against Miami, FLA is certainly a start in the right direction. Virginia outrushed the Hurricanes 195-64 and romping to a 30-13 SU victory to keep their post-season dreams alive. These have clearly taken a huge hit. As entering that contest, UVA was on a 0-4 SU slide, following their 4-2 SU beginning. Now, the Cavaliers play for their post-season life and the job of HC London.

If history has any say in the matter, HC London will be in the unemployment line next week. For, VA Tech has won this rivalry game 10 consecutive years. Never easy to buck that type of history in a rivalry contest, but the reality is that Virginia is the better football team at this point in time. Good enough to break the series' stranglehold emerge with a victory and send well-loved Hokies HC Beamer into retirement.

Bryan Power

Nebraska vs. Iowa
Pick: Iowa

I would figure that Iowa would at least be favored at home Friday against Nebraska, but they're not, so I'll recommend a small wager here as they look to send Nebraska to a fourth loss, which has been a hallmark of Bo Pelini's tenure in Lincoln. Every season that Pelini has been the coach here, the Cornhuskers have lost exactly four games. Last year the fourth was handed to them by the Hawkeyes in a 38-17 upset on the road. This year Nebraska comes in at 8-3 SU and is off B2B losses to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Iowa too is off a loss and it was Wisconsin that gave it to them. But the difference is unlike Nebraska, they played the Badgers tough, losing only 26-24 as 8.5-point dogs. The Cornhuskers lost their game vs. Wisky, 59-24, and although Iowa has never really been in position to win the Big 10 West, they've generally been the more competitive team in conference play. The Hawkeyes have actually outgained Big 10 opponents by an average of over 100 YPG. Meanwhile, Nebraska is actually being outgained in conference play.

The Cornhuskers have failed to cover four in a row while Iowa generally has been a good bounce back team at 6-1 ATS off a SU loss. The Hawkeyes have burned me a couple of times this year, but I'm confident in thinking that chances are good they beat Nebraska for a second straight year.

EZWINNERS

Virginia Cavaliers Pk

I usually hate to back teams that have been dominated by their opponent but that is exactly what I am going to do in this game by rolling with the Cavs. Virginia Tech is no where near the team that they used to be and on top of that they have been hit very hard by the injury bug. The Hokies offense is pathetic and only ranks ahead of Wake Forest in the ACC who they lost to 6-3 in double overtime last week in a game that set offensive football back 100 years. The Cavs are coming off of a big home win over Miami and on a short holiday week could usually lead to a letdown, but I don't believe that will be the case here. Both of these teams need this win to become bowl eligible and Virginia is clearly the better team. Even in the games they have lost, Virginia has outgained every opponent with the exception of Florida State. I look for the Cavs to end this long losing streak to Tech and send the Hokies home for the holidays. Play on Virginia.

Bryan Leonard

Colorado State at Air Force
Play: Colorado State -7

Air Force squares off against Mountain West title hopeful Colorado State and Bryan Leonard's College Football Free Pick comes to you via Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs. Needless to say it has been a season for the ages at Colorado State this fall as the Rams have executed a brilliant 10-1 campaign to date. It has been a brilliant 10-1 season for Colorado State but unless they get an upset from Utah State when the Aggies face off against the Boise State Broncos the Rams won’t win the division title.

Air Force is the home dog with one edge in the affair and that is their ability to run the football. While noteworthy the 5-0 mark at home this season doesn't lend a significant point addition to the oddsmakers number or the in game action. Air Force did defeat Boise State at Falcon Stadium, the same team that handed the Rams their lone loss. There are College Football pundits that are trying to make a case that last week’s 30-14 loss to San Diego State was a misleading. It is true that the Falcons were seemingly in the affair from an eye-candy perspective but the underlying peripherals and the stat line tell a different story. Air Force was dominated in every phase of the contest, including running the football.

Colorado State comes into this Friday test riding a nine game winning streak and will face a Falcons team that will be without their best player, standout RB Jacobi Owens, who suffered a Lisfranc injury to his foot and will miss the remainder of the season. Rams' quarterback Garrett Grayson (66.8 completion percentage, 310.3 yards per game, 29 touchdowns, five interceptions) directs the 9th ranked FBS passing offense. Not only have the Rams won nine straight and their current form is impressive, especially on offense. Colorado State has amassed 1278 yards in their last two starts led by All American sophomore wide receiver Rashard Higgins, who leads the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns. Higgins (77 catches, 1,447 yards, 15 TDs) is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award - given to the nation's top receiver.

Air Force is missing their top offensive point producer (RB Owens) and will be hindered by an unspecified injury to quarterback Kale Pearson, who did not participate in team drills Monday or Tuesday. The Falcons won't comment on Pearson's injury but watching film of the 5-9, 175-pound senior offered evidence that he has suffered a shoulder ailment. The Air Force signal caller under-threw several passes against San Diego State before being relieved with 2:44 left following an intercepted pass attempt that was returned 56 yards for a touchdown.

"I don't think anything was wrong with him, I just think the toll of the game got to that point," offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen told The Gazette.

The old adage that you can only believe half of what you see and none of what your read applies to Pearson and the Falcons this Thanksgiving weekend as they carry long money-line odds to stay within striking distance of a red hot Colorado State squad and more likely than not are in line to receive a wire to wire Mountain West butt-whipping.

Air Force is 1-10 ATS off a road loss over the last three seasons
Air Force is 13-23 at home since 2009.
Colorado State is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 road games.

Jeff Scott Sports

3 UNIT PLAYS

Missouri / Arkansas Under 45: I have been riding unders with the Hogs of late and won’t stop here. This Arkansas defense has really come alive and has not pitched two straight shutouts in a row, while allowing just 8.5 ppg in their last 4 games. The Missouri offense is not as strong as in the last couple years and they come in averaging just 24.5 ppg at home for the year. The Missouri defense has been solid this year, especially vs the run, where they have allowed just 3.3 ypc on the year and that is facing an average of 40 rushing attempts per game. That should keep this run heavy Arkansas squad from getting too many chuck plays on offense. They will have to make time consuming drives if they are to score. Both teams are run first teams, which will keep the clock running, while the defenses for both teams will do the rest in keeping the points off the board. This has the feel of a 20-17 type of game, especially with the Under being 12-3 in Missouri’s last 15 home games vs a team with a winning record.

Virginia / Virginia Tech Under 41: Some teams you look at and say they just can't put the OU lines high enough. Well as far as Virginia Tech is concerned, im not sure they can put them low enough right now. last week I play the under 39.5 in a game between them and Wake Forest and the game was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation and even though it went 2 OTs just 9 total points were scored in the game. That's pathetic, but it also doesn't scare me away from playing this one over with this low an OU line. This Va Tech offense is struggling right now, having scored just 14.6 ppg in their last 5 games and that includes a 31 point outburst vs Boston College. Now they get to face one of the better defenses in the ACC. I don't see the Hokies putting up a whole lot here. Virginia did score 33 points at BYU earlier in the year, but in ACC road games they have scored just 14.3 ppg and while Va Tech has allowed 24 ppg at home, they have given up just a total of 19 points in their last 2 games. This has the feel of the last 2 games in this series, which put up just 22 and 31 points. Look for somewhere in between those numbers.

BEST OF THE REST

ARIZONA -2.5 over Arizona State: The Sun Devils did rout Washington State last week, but they were also outgained by 292 yards in the game, after being outgained by 131 yards in their previous game, which was vs Oregon State. This is not a team that is playing all that well right now and must now take on an Arizona team that is hot right now, having won 3 in a row, including last weeks 32 point destruction of a very good Utah team on the road. Also on the resume of this Arizona squad is a hard fought 17-7 loss at UCLA, a 2 point home loss to USC and a 7 point road win vs Oregon. This team can play with the big boys and they will do so here as well, by winning the game by at least a TD.

Michael Alexander

Georgia Tech vs. Georgia
Play: Georgia -12.5

Under head coach Mark Richt, the Georgia Bulldogs are 38-1 SU at home versus. non-SEC opponents. They are 12-1 SU overall versus Georgia Tech, covering the spread in seven of their last nine meetings. With frosh phenom Nick Chubb leading the way, UGA is averaging 6.2 yards per rush.

AC Dinero

Nebraska vs. Iowa
Play: Iowa

These 2 teams are mirror images of each other: run the ball and play tough defense. The Cornhuskers do have the edge running it, but they are giving up 4.9 ypc. Iowa comes in off a tough loss to Wisconsin. Nebraska has lost its last 2 games, and and our now out of the Big 10 hunt. This could set them up for a flat spot here on the road. I expect Iowa to exploit that lack of motivation and pull out the win at home

Scott Spreitzer

Stanford +6

The Bruins gained a big win over crosstown rival USC last weekend and they still own an outside chance at reaching college football's Final-4. The pressure is on though and getting past Stanford, at least by more than six points is going to be too tough, especially with the way the Bruins' defense disappears at times. UCLA has allowed over 27 ppg on the season and they rank 93rd against the pass. Stanford finally put it all together last weekend in their comfortable win over Cal. Obviously, the Cardinal were helped by Cal's five turnovers, but Stanford averaged 10.2 yards per pass and 6.15 yards per play, overall. And while they're 6-5 on the season, they're a grand total of just 9 points from a 9-2 mark. Stanford likely won't have WR/returner Ty Montgomery on the field for this one, but their physical style of play has been too much for the Bruins in recent seasons. In fact, Stanford has won each of the last six meetings SU, going 5-1 ATS. I expect the Cardinal to "hang the number" at least, and I'm recommending a play on Stanford plus the points on Friday afternoon.