Drew Gordon
Clemson at MIAMI-FLORIDA -4'
For today's complimentary play, we're looking at the ACC match up featuring Miami-Florida hosting Clemson!
At first glance, the line on this game may seem a bit high based on the Tigers 38-3 win against Wake Forest last week. However, don't make the mistake of judging this Clemson team based on one game, as they're inconsistency will once again remerge this afternoon. What inconsistecy? How do you explain their 24-21 outright loss at Maryland (as a 12'-point road favorite)?! Or their 30-27 loss at Georgia Tech (a team Miami killed this season)? Guys, this Tigers team is average at best on the road, while Miami has been downright nasty at Landshark Stadium this season.
The biggest match up in this game is the loaded 'Canes offense against a very good Tigers defense. However, the advantage goes to Miami, as the Tigers play almost strictly man-to-man coverage thanks to their talented secondary. That over-confidence in their cover guys will be their downfall today, as we've seen Jacory Harris slice and dice his way through every defense he's faced this season, and especially against man-to-man coverage with his stable of wide receivers (Note: Harris' biggest game of the year came against Florida State's man-to-man coverage). You simply can't play that kind of coverage against the 'Canes anymore, not with Harris playing the way he is.
Finally, forget about the Tigers defense for a second, and focus on Miami's stop unit, which has been great since losing at Virginia Tech. They man-handled the Sooners, and crushed in-state schools Florida A&M and Central Florida. They're allowing 17 ppg at Landshark Stadium on just 277 total yards, and have rewarded their backers with the cash in every lined game this season but one. In the end, its Clemson's offense that runs aground in this contest, while the 'Canes high-octane attack picks up where it left off. Hurricanes roll Saturday afternoon!
Take Miami-Florida over Clemson in this college football match up.
2♦ MIAMI-FLORIDA
Dominic Fazzini
Arizona State at STANFORD -6'
Stanford has lost two straight games, both on the road, but it is a much better team when it plays on its home field.
The Cardinal has won and covered in nine straight games at Stanford, including wins this season over Washington and UCLA.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Luck is developing into a top-notch passer under coach Jim Harbaugh, and tailback Toby Gerhart is fifth in the nation with 124.1 yards rushing per game.
Arizona State has a tough defense that is ranked seventh in the nation overall and second against the run, but Stanford is averaging 31.7 points per game, and has a balanced offense that is ranked 23rd, including 17th in rushing and 51st in passing.
Even if the Sun Devils manage to contain Gerhart, Luck is coming off of a 423-yard, three-touchdown performance last week in the Cardinal's 43-38 loss at Arizona.
This is a big game for Stanford, with matchups against Oregon, USC, California and Notre Dame to follow, and the team knows it can't afford a third straight loss, especially at home, with such a tough schedule down the stretch.
The home team in this series is 8-1 straight up and 7-2 against the spread, and those trends will continue today. Take Stanford to win by double digits in this one.
3♦ STANFORD
Jimmy the Moose
Carolina Hurricanes at Minnesota Wild
The Hurricanes played in Colorado last night and lost 5-4, another road loss. Carolina is averaging 2.20 GPG on the road while allowing 4.40 per road game and the result has been 0-5 on the road to start the season. The Hurricanes are 2-7 on the season overall and come into this one having lost 5 straight games. Cam Ward has been decent between the pipes but he hasn't stolen a game of late for the Hurricanes. Carolina has lost 13 of their last 16 games dating back to last season. In their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record they are 1-4.
After losing last night in St. Louis Minnesota is also off to a horrible 2-7 start to the season. The Wild have played 7 road games already and are 0-7 but tonight they'll be at home where they are 2-0 on the year. At home Minnesota is averaging 3.00 GPG while giving up 2.50 GPG. Dating back to last season the Wild have won 5 straight at home. In their last 30 games vs. a team from the Southeast Division they are 22-6-2. The schedule hasn't been kind to Minnesota to start the season but with 3 of their next 5 games at home where they are usually good look for them to turn it around a bit.
The home team is 6-0-1 in the last 7 meetings between the clubs. Minnesota has won 2 of the last 3 meetings with Carolina and with them being at home tonight they'll have the edge in this one.
Play on the Minnesota Wild -
Randall the Handle
ATLANTA +1.31 over San Jose
We’re really get some pretty sweet value on the Thrashers here, as they continue to be an offensive force and it sure doesn’t appear that it’s going to slow down. Atlanta is coming off a 5-4 loss to the Caps but that was upon returning home from a very successful five-game road trip. Fact is, they own a better winning percentage than the Sharks and already have some very nice wins on their résumé that include victories in Buffalo, New Jersey and St. Louis. The Sharks, meanwhile, are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Lightning. They’ve already lost three road games in L.A., Washington and the aforementioned Tampa Bay and this will be its fifth consecutive on the road. The Sharkies two road wins have come in New York against both the Islanders and Rangers but in that game at MSG, the Rangers started Valiquette as oppose to Lundqvist, built a 2-0 lead and eventually Valiquette was yanked after allowing five goals on 18 shots. Had Lundqvist started that game the result certainly could have been different. The Sharkies look impressive at home but on the road they look very beatable indeed. Furthermore, Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has been absolutely brilliant and it’s not an aberration. He’s quick, he’s big and he stands his ground as well as anyone. This guy is the straight goods. Based on this year’s results and play, the Sharkies should not be favored in Atlanta and thus, win or lose, we’re going with the best of it. Play: Atlanta +1.31 (Risking 2 units).
OTTAWA -½ +1.31 over Boston
The Sens have had one bad game this season and it came in its last when they lost 6-5 in OT at home to the Preds. However, they showed some resiliency by coming back from an early 3-0 deficit after some serious defensive miscues and it’s games like that which helps build character and in reality it could be considered a good loss. Fact is, aside from that game and a 4-1 loss in Pittsburgh the Sens have not allowed more than two goals in any of its other games. The defense has been very good and it could be said that the Sens got away from its style against Nashville. You can be sure they’ll be back playing its game tonight, that being a methodical, strong fore-checking game and getting on every loose puck. The Bruins are a team that had a great season last year but this year they’re without Phil Kessel and both Marc Savard and Milan Lucic are sidelined. That’s a lot of offense gone and it’s also worth noting that David Krejci is still without a goal this year. The Bruins have a lot of young, inexperienced call-ups filling in until they get some healthy bodies back. They’re coming off a 4-3 loss in Philly, which incidentally is a flattering score to the Bruins, as they were outplayed badly. Prior to that they narrowly beat the Preds 3-2, they lost in Phoenix 4-1, they were tooth and nails to win in OT in Long Island and frankly, the Bruins are just not the same team this season and look very beatable indeed. Play: Ottawa -½ +1.31 (Risking 2 units).
Los Angeles +1.26 over PHOENIX
The Coyotes are this year’s biggest surprise and they’re playing great hockey but this looks like a vulnerable spot for them. For one, the line seems a little low when you consider they’re at home, they’ve won four straight over Boston, St. Louis, San Jose and Detroit and are off to a 6-2 start. Based on that one would think they’d be a higher price and thus, this line seems a bit curious. What I don’t like about the Coyotes here is that its last road game was on Oct 12, thus they’ve been at home for about 12 days and that’s too long. Very often you’ll see teams come out very flat after an extended stay at home and after a win over Detroit, combined with the two-week stay at home, some complacency could definitely set in tonight. The Kings are feisty, talented and lost its season opener to the Coyotes 6-3. The Kings will be very ready tonight while the Coyotes may not. The line says so. Play: Los Angeles +1.26 (Risking 2 units).
Detroit -½ +1.16 over COLORADO
The Red Wings have not gotten in gear yet but it’s only a matter of time until they get hot and it’s only a matter of time before they put a beating on someone. This looks like the perfect opportunity for the Red Wings, who are well rested and have to be feeling sick about blowing four leads this year already including a two-goal lead at the Joe against these same Av’s one week ago. They also blew a late lead in Phoenix on Thursday. Now they’ll come in here hungry and determined to not only avenge that loss a week ago but to finish the deal. The Wings have only played twice this week and have no excuses whatsoever here. Also, Pavel Datsyuk is back and after watching Detroit, you can just sense that they’re about to pop big time. Enter the Av’s, a team that will be playing its third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs after a tough 5-4 win over the Canes last night. Allowing the Canes to score four times is troubling, as is a 3-2 home loss to the Wild in its previous game. Furthermore, a flu bug is going through the dressing room, spark-plug Darcy Tucker is out and this is the Av’s second game back after a grueling seven-game trip. Man, this one looks just so sweet and the perfect setting for a Red Wing romp. Play: Detroit -½ +1.16 (Risking 2 units).
Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
344 - 233 run = 58 %
Sat Oklahoma Sooners
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