Michael Alexander
Maryland vs. Georgia Tech
Play: Maryland +15.5
MARYLAND is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog of 10.5 or greater
MARYLAND is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 conference games.
Underdog (MARYLAND) is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
Tony George
Missouri vs. Kansas State
Play: Missouri -4
Take Mizzou in this one. K State has pulled off 2 miracles the past 2 weeks one where Baylor gave them the game and the other where Miami thought they had a layup at home. Both thriller wins for K State, but the Missouri has won and covered 4 out of the last 5 in this series and K State has pulled out the playbook to win these last 2 games while Mizzou is off a bye wee after getting hammered by Oklahoma. Mizzou the better here, well rested and well prepared with lots of film to see everything K State has in the playbook. Mizzouri has the best defense they have seen all season, makes a difference here.
Charlie Scott
UNLV vs. Nevada
Play: Over 55
Last week I gave out NMST PK vs NM is the Ugly game, Tonight we go to Nevada's state rivalry for a Winner. It won't be pretty, but Money is Money. UNLV's defense is averaging giving up 43 points per gm, While Nevada Reno's Def gives up 37 per gm. UNLV had a bye week last week to prepare and I do feel the Offense will be prepared, while UNLV's defense needs alot more than a week off. Nevada Reno's Coach Ault takes Nevada this rivalry very serious and Loves to run up the score on UNLV. Coach Ault was also upset at his offense & QB's this week because of the way they played last week vs Boise. Nice Weather & Lots of Points is Forecasted.
Rob Vinciletti
Pittsburgh U vs. Rutgers
Play: Rutgers +7
Rutgers comes in off an Over time win at Syracuse last week and the fit a system that pertains to Conference home teams off an OT win vs an opponent off a dog win. They also fits a nice secondary system that plays on Conference dogs or favorites of less than 6 that are off a win, vs an opponent off a home dog win by 7 or more and scored 35 or more and allowed 17 or more. This one has cashed 24 of 32 times long term. The Panthers are off a nice home win vs South Florida last week but may have trouble here laying the points against a Gritty Rutgers team that has double revenge. The Cappers is the Panthers 0-5 ats spread mark on the road off back to back home games vs an opponent off a dog win.
Black Widow
1* East Carolina/Houston OVER 73
Houston is one of the highest-scoring teams in the country. We look for the Cougars to put up more big offensive numbers Saturday against East Carolina's soft defense, while the Pirates hang right with them score for score. Houston is scoring 45.2 points/game behind 610 total yards/game, including 451 passing. Case Keenum is one of the best quarterbacks in the country that nobody knows about, and by the time he's done at Houston, he will hold almost every important all-time NCAA QB record. The Houston defense is very soft, giving up 26.6 points/game and 413 total yards/game. ECU's defense hasn't been any better, allowing 32.7 points/game and 385 total yards/game. This is an ECU team that has been dealt a very tough schedule having to play South Carolina, Virginia Tech and North Carolina in three of their first four games. They haven't quite shown what they are capable of offensively because of it. Remember, ECU has six offensive starters back from a unit that put up 36.8 points and 438 total yards/game last season. They also have six starters back from a defense that allowed 44.0 points and 479 total yards/game in 2010. Keenum is completing 69.7 percent of his passes for 2,005 yards and 14 touchdowns with two interceptions, while Dominique Davis is completing 68.6 percent of his passes for 1,165 yards and nine touchdowns to seven picks. These are two little-known quarterbacks who know how to move their team down the field in a hurry. The OVER is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in this head-to-head series. As you can see, when these teams get together, offensive fireworks usually ensue. The OVER is 6-0 in Pirates last 6 road games, and 12-3 in Pirates last 15 conference games. The OVER is 8-2 in Cougars last 10 home games, and 16-5 in Cougars last 21 conference games. The OVER is 18-6 in Houston's last 24 games overall, and 7-1 in their last 8 games as a favorite of 10.5 or more. Take the OVER 73 points here.
Craig Trapp
Michigan vs. Northwestern
Play: Over 59½
Not much defense in this matchup as both teams are led by their offenses. This one will be exciting and the scoreboard operator better have a good nights sleep as he will be busy. Robinson goes for 200/200 running and passing and Persa will throw at least 4 td's. Shootout is all I have to say, 4 star play
EZWINNERS
LSU Tigers -13.5
This is a very tough spot for the Gators as they travel to Death Valley to take on LSU. The schedule makers didn't do the Gators any favors this year by scheduling them back to back against against Alabama and LSU. Last week Florida was destroyed by the Crimson Tide at home in The Swamp in a very physical game that has this Florida team beat up. The Gators lost their starting quarterback John Brantley to an ankle injury in that game and he will not play in this game against the Tigers. That leaves freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel to make his first start on the road against the number one team in the nation. The Alabama defense gave Driskel all kinds of problems last week and the LSU defense is just as good if not better than the Tides defensive unit. Alabama running back Trent Richardson was too much for the Florida defense to handle last week and the Tigers will look to take advantage of the beat up Gator defensive line and linebackers with the one, two punch of running backs Michael Ford and Spencer Ware. This one should get ugly for the Gators as Florida is just 2-6-1 against the spread versus teams with a winning record. Lay the points.
Bob Balfe
Arizona -2.5 over Oregon State
Arizona had to replace all five starters on their offensive line from last year and today will have the luxury of playing a bad defense. Simply put Oregon State is a disappointment this year and really are not good on either side of the ball. Arizona is more balanced on offense with their rushing and passing attack. Arizona has looked horrible on defense this year, but in their defense go look at the quarterbacks they have faced this season. Sean Mannion or Ryan Katz are not the type of QB’s that are on that list. Oregon State will again be without their top rusher and I just do not see them scoring as much as Nick Foles and the Wildcats. Take Arizona.
SPORTS WAGERS
NORTHWESTERN +7 over Michigan
7:00 PM EST. The Wolverines have won five in a row and find themselves ranked #12 in the nation. That liberal ranking provides us with a pretty sweet opportunity to take advantage of. Michigan has beaten Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, San Diego State and Minnesota. That’s four cupcakes and one strong club in the Irish. Against Notre Dame, only a series of bizarre occurrences allowed the Wolverines to win. They were dominated and probably should’ve lost that game by 21 or more. With last week's debacle at Illinois, Northwestern is now 2-4 under Pat Fitzgerald in games it has led by 17 points. What was already a huge home game against Michigan is now shaping up as a season definer for the Wildcats. This evening’s sellout is the first Northwestern home game with the students on campus and is being given unprecedented treatment by the Big Ten Network. It’s a huge game against a ranked and undefeated team that is not near as good as advertised. Denard Robinson will get his, but this is a young Michigan team playing its first road game, and Dan Persa and Northwestern match up well across the board. This senior-laden Northwestern group may be looking at the program's last good shot at toppling Michigan for several years. The Cats have their backs against the wall and will make the most of the opportunity. Also note that the Wolverines have a massive game against the Spartans next week. Play: #372 Northwestern +7 +100 (Risking 2 units).
TEXAS TECH +9½ over Texas A&M
7:00 PM EST. After back-to-back second-half collapses, it's time to put the Aggies on bubble-burst watch. Mike Sherman has rallied teams off three-game losing streaks in each of his first three years, and he'll probably have to do it again after this week. The demoralized Aggies head to the Llano as road favorites to continue an unpleasant farewell tour of the Big 12. Waiting for them is an undefeated Texas Tech team that can't wait to get a piece of its departing rival. Tech has mostly looked lost on defense this season, but even if Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray can't be stopped, the Red Raiders are well equipped to shoot it out. Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown's tempo attack will take its toll on an already-overworked A&M defense that is coming off losses to ranked Oklahoma St and Arkansas and that has the ranked Baylor Bears on deck next week. These games against quality clubs take its toll and so does losing to them. Tech has barely broken a sweat in four wins with its toughest opponent being Kansas. They’re not battle tested like the Aggies but they’re a whole lot fresher. Tech gets a true test today and we’ll get to see how good this host really is or isn’t. Overlay. Play: #382 Texas Tech +9½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
Don Wallace Sports
Northwestern +7.5
Northwestern has played only one home game this year, back on Sept. 10 against Eastern Illinois. The Wildcats are playing just its third night game in Ryan Field in 13 years. The last time the Wildcats played under the lights at home was in 200, when they lost to the Wolverines 33-17. The Wildcats rank second nationally in fewest turnovers lost with two. Northwestern is one of 16 FBS teams in the country that have thrown one or fewer interceptions this season. Michigan is one of eight teams on Northwestern's schedule that played in bowls last year. The Wildcats have won 29 of their last four games that have been decided by seven points or fewer. WR Jeremy Ebert, the school's active leading receiver with 1,570 career receiving yards, ranks third on Northwestern's all-time touchdown receiving list with 15 after catching three touchdown passes at Illinois last week. DE Vince Browne had one of Northwestern's four sacks last week. Browne has 18 career sacks to rank tied for eighth among active FBS players. Michigan has open the season with 5 straight home games and the Wolves are just 2-11 ATS in their 1st away game and they are a miserable 0-5 ATS as an away favorite. We had Northwestern last week as a +10 dog and they should have won outright. Michigan gets a wake up call here.
OC DOOLEY
Rutgers +7
The key to this pick actually surrounds a motivated Rutgers reserve quarterback who was impressive off the bench last week on the road helping the Scarlet Knights pick up a double-overtime victory. Gary Nova had actually committed to playing for Pittsburgh until the school ended up firing the head coach along with offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. To make a long story short Rutgers ended up hiring Cignetti which forced Nova ultimately change his commitment from the Panthers and sign with the Scarlet Knights instead. One of the reasons why Rutgers went with Cignetti as offensive coordinator is that he has installed a pro-style attack similar to the one that saw the school have a breakout season back in 2006. Rutgers has not officially named their starting quarterback but with regular signal caller Chas Dodd up to this point completing only 54% of his attempts, one would think that Nova will be given plenty of time under center. Today is the Big East Conference opener for Rutgers who one year ago in league play (1-6) were a disaster which has put an emphasis for the school to get off to a positive start in 2011. The last time Pittsburgh was on the field the entire country got to see them destroy South Florida in a 44-17 ESPN weeknight romp where the Panthers were actually cast as a home underdog. That sets up a unique handicapping setup which sees conference hosts like Rutgers off an underdog outright OVERTIME triumph a solid 5-1 ATS when facing an opponent who also just pulled off an underdog outright upset. The total for this ESPNU late afternoon national cable contest is 52’ points which opens the door to another high percentage angle that has held up well through time. Dating all the way back to the 1992 campaign Rutgers is an excellent 17-5 ATS when the posted spot is between 49’-and-56 points
Real Animal
3* San Diego State +5:
San Diego State is off a bye week and more importantly have two NFL future draft picks in their backfield in QB Ryan Lindley and RB Ronnie Hillman. Lindley has an 8-1 ratio of touchdowns to interceptions so far while Hillman is averaging 151 yards per game at 6.2 a carry with eight touchdowns. Obviously the TCU is in a rebuilding stage. We are accustomed to seeing the Frogs in the top five in total defense, a position they've occupied three straight years. Its alarming to see them at #90 in the category this year. TCU allowed a combined 763 passing yards to Baylor and SMU in two losses. San Diego State is no pushover at Qualcomm Stadium, where they are 8-1 SU in their last nine. They only lost at TCU last year by five points when the Frogs were a powerhouse with Andy Dalton and company. The Aztecs are 9-2 ATS as a conference underodg of 10 points or less. Plus they are 7-2 ATS off a SU loss of 21 points or more, which they experienced at Michigan two weeks ago. Added is the fact 3-1 teams at home in game #5 off a loss are 14-3 SU, 11-5 ATS. FYI: TCU is 5-0 'OVER' this year and both of these teams have issues. But I like the fact SD State is a home underdog off a bye week and coming off a lopsided loss, their first defeats of the season.
SPORTS WAGERS
B.C. LIONS –3½ over Calgary
At some point the Lions figure to have a letdown but until that happens we would not bet against them. Also note that last week they opened their new stadium with a win 9-point win over Edmonton and that combined with the excitement in the city could result in this being that letdown spot. The Stamps are 5-1 on the road and they’re a talented squad. However, they’re also an erratic bunch that is not to be trusted in most situations. They could certainly win here but to us, this is a pass because the Lions are too hot to wager against. No bets.
Buffalo -104 over Los Angeles
Game will be played in Helsinki. Both these teams played overseas yesterday with the Kings beating the Rangers 3-2 in OT and the Sabres beating the Ducks 4-1. From the moment the Sabres stepped on the ice yesterday you could feel and see their off-the-charts positive energy. Buffalo is loaded with talent and jumped all over the Ducks yesterday, striking quickly and jumping out to a 2-0 early lead. The Ducks never got closer than two goals the rest of the way in a 4-1 final. Buffalo fell asleep in the third but don’t pay much attention to that, as they were on cruise control. The Sabres know they’re on the verge of something good. The energy, confidence and talent levels are at an all-time high and anything less than a 2-0 start would be a disappointment. The Kings battled every minute of every period for that 3-2 win yesterday. They scored a late goal to send it into OT before winning it. Kings made a significant move in the offseason that saw them acquire Simon Gagne and Mike Richards. However, they also lost Wayne Simmonds, Alex Ponikarovski and Michael Handzus. The Kings have been picked by many to overtake the Sharkies in the Pacific but with a lack of depth up front and a defense that also has questions, we just don’t see it. What we do see is a cheap price on Buffalo today against a team that had a tough game yesterday and is not in the same class as these Sabres. Play: Buffalo -104 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
Philadelphia -½ +140 over NEW JERSEY
This is a three-way betting line and if you don’t have the option of laying a half puck, then you likely have the option of three-way betting. We much prefer the Flyers playing their second game as oppose to the Devils playing its first. Furthermore, the Devils are a non-playoff team again with very little offense, a potentially brutal goaltending duo and less changes than anyone in the league. The Devils have virtually the same team as the one they had last year that didn’t get off the mattress until March. Yeah, they went 18-2-2 down the stretch but so what. They caught some teams off guard but to expect a bounce back year, as many experts are predicting is delusional. Martin Brodeur gets the start and that’s sweet. Brodeur has too many miles on his 40-year-old body. He’s slow, he’s out of position all the time and if you think last year was embarrassing for him, you can double that this year. Expect him to get pulled more times than any other netminder before he backs up Johan Hedberg. The Flyers made a whole lot of changes and they looked real sharp in opener against Bruins after the first 10 minutes of the game. One through six, the Flyers core of defensemen is second to nobody. They’ll roll out three great lines and one solid fourth line. Ilya Bryzgalov, if nothing else, instills confidence in the whole team. These Flyers are so tough and a loss here against what might be the worst club in the NHL this year would be a surprise. Play: Philadelphia –½ +140 (Risking 2 units).
Ottawa +155 over TORONTO
This is a rather simple equation that goes like this. When the Toronto Maple Leafs are favored by this much, take the tag and ask no questions. The Leafs beat the Habs in their season opener 2-0 in what looked like an old-timers game. Three years ago when Brian Burke took over the Leafs they had no center, no depth and no goaltending. Three years later they have no center, no depth and maybe they got lucky with James Reimer but we’ll see. In other words, Burke has done nothing to improve the Leafs, as their goal this year is to finish 16th in the conference, the same goal they’ve had for the past 15 years. Leafs are a bubble team but they are absolutely, 100% not a –170 team against anyone. Ottawa lost in Detroit last night and it was ugly but this isn’t the Red Wings and the Sens could carry momentum after a good third period. They’re rebuilding and it could be a long season. However, the Sens are solid in goal with Craig Anderson, who has a history of playing great against the Leafs and they still have Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and a couple of fine-looking youngsters in Bobby Butler and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa will win games this year and this is certainly a winnable one. More than that is the take-back against Toronto, which dictates this value play. Play: Ottawa +155 (Risking 2 units).
Passing MLB
RAY MONOHAN
Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers
Play: Detroit Tigers
The Rangers took exception to last season was the suggestion that the only reason the Rangers made it to the World Series was because of pitcher Cliff Lee. After getting pounded 9-0 in the opening game of its ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Rangers regrouped and closed out the series in three consecutive games. Now Texas finds itself in a familiar situation. The Tigers surprised some baseball fans by beating the Yankees in its ALDS series, but it did not shock everyone. The Detroit pitching staff, led by ace and Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander, was excellent in the month of September and entered the playoffs on some major winning streaks.Game one of this series will be a great pitching duel between two excellent pitchers. It could be the bullpens that decide this game. C.J. Wilson gets a chance to redeem his terrible ALDS performance by kicking off the ALCS for the Rangers. Because its ALDS series went five games and the Tigers did not need to use Justin Verlander in the last two games of the series, Verlander starts the opening game of this series. Verlander is in a zone right now and very focused. The Detroit offense has been just enough to win games in the playoffs and the Tigers’ bullpen has been outstanding. The Tigers are taking game one and it will be thanks to Justin Verlander.
Phoenix Coyotes vs. San Jose Sharks
Play: San Jose Sharks -1.5
It's early in the season, and we're not entirely sure what to expect from these two teams quite yet, so we'll make this a free play opposed to selling it as a premium pick. We still like the play quite a bit as on paper, these two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Phoenix Coyotes downsized in the offseason, letting goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov walk for nothing in return and his replacements are Mike Smith (who couldn't cut it as a starter in Dallas or Tampa Bay) and Jason LaBarbera. The loss of Bryzgalov is big here as he was the team MVP. Outside of All-Star defenseman Keith Yandle and past-his-prime forward Shane Doan, this team really has nothing to hang their hat on. The one area where you could make the case that they were elite was between the pipes. As for the Sharks, they have always been a good regular season team and they made a slew of changes that they'll want to show off to their fans tonight. Brent Burns, Martin Havlat, along with a cast of other additions will be in the lineup joining a very good core that carried over. There are two downsides to be aware of betting the Sharks tonight. No. 1: starting goaltender Antti Niemi is out. No. 2: the high juice on the moneyline. So we'll make this a free play and lay the puck line on a Sharks team looking to impress against a team they've done plenty of impressing against. They've won nine of the last 10 meetings against Phoenix, so lay the puck line on a smaller play.