Jeff ClementFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Utah State vs. UtahFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Utah State +2.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Utah State is led by 1st year coach Matt Wells and quarterbacking is Jr. Chuckie Keeton who had a fabulous season in 2012 with 3,373 yards,27 TD's passing and 619 rushing yards with 8 TD's.He will hand the ball off to Rashad Hall a Juco transfer who averaged 6.2 yards a carry there. Travis Wilson is Utah's quarterback who passed for 1,311 yards, 7 TD's and 6 INT's. and Kevin York will be the featured running back with little experience. Last season Utah State snapped a 12 game losing streak to the Utes and with Keeton at QB running the spread offense they should win this game even though it will be tough on the road. Utah only won 5 games last season and still are rebuiding so I will take the +3 points in this game. Utah State is 11-1 ATS last 2 seasons and 8-1 ATS as a underdog.
Sam MartinFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta FalconsSERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Prediction: Jacksonville JaguarsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Jaguars are 0-3 both straight up and ATS so far this preseason, losing by an average of 18 points per game. So why are they a three-point road favorite against an Atlanta team that won 13 games last year? Well, the Falcons are also 0-3 losing by an average of 13 ppg and if history tells us anything it's that Atlanta head coach Mike Smith simply doesn't care about these early games - especially here at home. Since taking over the Falcons, Smith is 7-16 straight up in the preseason, including 3-8 here at home (2-8-1 ATS) and is just 1-6-1 against the spread after playing a road game. Jags were hit hard by the turnover bug with seven combined turnovers in their first two games, and we love the way their rush-heavy offense matches up against a Falcons defense that has given up 230 rushing yards against Cincinnati and 171 rushing yards against Tennessee. Jags more desperate for a win looking to build some momentum while Atlanta looks to keep their vanilla play-calling in tact and have no motivation to win here knowing they were one of the top teams in the league last year.
Rob VincilettiFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Tennessee Titans vs. Minnesota Vikings
Play: Minnesota Vikings +4½FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Vikings fit 3 different Preseason Systems here tonight. First we want to play on dogs or favorites of 4 or less in game 4 or 5, if they are off a loss of 20 or more points and are taking on an opponent like Tennessee that is off a win. Another system that favors Minnesota plays on home dogs of 7 or less that are off back to back spread losses. Look for Minnesota to play better here at home vs the Titans then they did in San Francisco. Minnesota is 9-3 at home when the total is 38.5 to 42 and the Titans have failed to cover the only two times they have been a road favorite from -3.5 to-7. We will back the Vikings plus the points in this one.
Freddy Wills
UNLV vs. Minnesota
Play: UNLV +14
This is an interesting game because the temperature all week has been in the low 90's in the area and Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill already said they would go deep with their players because of that. For me that means he's not going to try to blow this game open as their are plenty of other games upcoming that are much more important. Minnesota wants to play smash mouth football and run the ball anyway which should slow the game down and I see no reason why Kill will try to run up the score on UNLV and I don't think they can anyway. This game was a 3 OT win by Minnesota 30-27 last year in the desert and UNLV returns 18 starters from that team and should only be better.
Minnesota also has some weakness as they are weak on the outside and will struggle vs. quicker more athletic teams. Well UNLV has that recipe with Tim Cornett who averaged 5.1 ypc a season ago and they also have a running back in Adonis Smith who transfered from Northwestern that can also get on the edges and make big plays. UNLV's defense will has enough experience back to make a couple of key red zone stops to stay in this game.
Oakland A's vs. Detroit Tigers
Play: Detroit Tigers
Max Scherzer is 19-1 and he's not slowing down posting a 1.80 ERA over his last three combined starts. He gets a day start to go for win #20 and it is an important one for the Tigers after losing 3 straight to the A's. Scherzer has a 1.56 ERA in August and a 2.97 ERA over his previous 3 years in August and should be primed to slow down the A's offense. He's got much better numbers than Bartolo Colon who peaked and has struggled down the stretch. Scherzer has elite stuff a A's are ranked 16th and 28th against his two best pitches which are the fastball/slider combination.
Bartolo Colon has not pitched since August 13th and he's got a 7.82 ERA over his last three starts. He's really cooled off and that's what happens when all you do is throw fastballs. His velocity has also slowly declined throughout this season which is huge when you throw 85% of your pitches as fastballs. His true ERA relies in his xFIP which is 4.14. He rarely gets people out himself with just 4.84 K/9 and the Tigers should take advantage as they have a .893 OPS against him in 167 AB including Miguel Cabrera who is 6-13. He also has to go up against Scherzer who the Tigers always seem to hit for and are 41-14 in his last 55 starts.
Larry NessFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh PiratesSERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Pittsburgh PiratesFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Brewers 7-1 last night, after falling 7-6 on Tuesday. Pittsburgh’s had a tough August (just 12-13) but last night’s win did move them back to a half-game behind the first-place Cards. It’s also important to note that with 30 games remaining in the regular season, the Pirates own the NL’s No. 1 wild card spot and have a six-game cushion on Arizona, seemingly in good position to end the team’s playoff drought (Pittsburgh last made the postseason back in 1992). Losing a home series to the last-place Brewers is no way to “close the deal,” so I’m looking for Pittsburgh to take tonight’s rubber game of the series.
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The Pirates hand the ball to prized rookie Gerrit Cole, the top overall pick in the 2011 draft. Cole won his first four career starts but wins haven’t come as easily, since. That said, the young righty has allowed three ERs or less in 12 of his 13 starts in 2013, allowing four ERs back on August 8 in a 5-4 Pittsburgh win over Miami (he took a no decision). Cole is 6-6 with a 3.81 ERA (team is 7-6 in his starts) and the Pirates have been limiting his innings recently. Cole has had seven days to rest since his last start, when he gave up just two runs but also a season-high 10 hits over six innings in a 2-1 loss at San Diego on August 21.
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He’s thrown 146 innings between Triple-A and the majors in 2013 (already 14 more innings than in 2012) and the Pirates are being cautious with his workload down the stretch. Here’s the bottom line. Cole is 4-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts on six-plus days' rest and 2-6 with a 4.27 ERA in nine outings with five days or fewer between starts.
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I’d be making a bigger play on Cole and the Pirates but will respect Yovani Gallardo’s 10-3 career mark with a 2.58 ERA vs the Pirates in 17 all-time starts (Brewers are 14-3). That said, Gallardo has NOT been the same pitcher in 2013, that we’ve seen the previous three seasons. After going 14-7, 17-10 and 16-9 the last three years, Gallardo enters this game 9-9 with a career-worst 4.61 ERA. Yes, he owns a 2.18 ERA in eight outings (seven starts) at PNC Park but he’ll be pitching for the Brewers (28-39 on the road), while Cole will be backed by the Pirates, who own MLB’s second-best home record (43-23), as well as its second-best home moneyline mark (plus-$1,578).
Big AlFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Akron at Central FloridaFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Central FloridaFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Dating back to the 2008 season, Akron is an awful 6-45 straight-up and 16-31 ATS (with 4 non-lined games) its last 51 games. Even worse: as an underdog of more than 4 points, it’s 0-37 straight-up! That doesn’t bode well for the Zips tonight vs. the Knights. And neither does the fact that Akron will be starting a sophomore QB, Kyle Pohl, who has yet to start a college game. Moreover, these two teams met last season in Akron, and the Zips were destroyed by UCF 56-14 (and were trailing 35-0 at half before the Knights took their foot off the gas). Overall, last year, Akron surrendered over 35 ppg, and ranked 109 (of 120 teams) in rushing defense (surrendering 211.08 ypg). Yikes! Look for UCF to again win this one in blowout fashion, as it is 22-13-1 ATS its last 36 lined home games. Lay the points.
Bruce MarshallFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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CS Sacramento at San Jose StateFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: CS SacramentoFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Mountain West sources are not so sure that San Jose, making its debut in its new league this season, is going to be able to maintain the elevation it reached in 2012 before HC Mike MacIntyre moved to Colorado. New Spartan HC Ron Caragher arrives with good credentials from U of San Diego (where Jim Harbaugh preceded him), but has proceeded to change all of the offensive and defensive schemes from a year ago, creating an adjustment period that could take some of the pop out of an offense that will now be lining up in pro sets with split backs instead of last year's spread looks that suited QB David Fales so nicely. Sac State is no pushover, a competitive Big Sky outfit that has beaten Pac-12 reps (Oregon State and Colorado) each of the past two seasons, and took Big Sky powers Montana State and Eastern Washington to the wire last fall. The Hornets, who play at Arizona State next week, return capable weapons QB Garrett Safron as well as leading rusher Ezekiel Graham and top receiver Morris Norrise. Sources indicate the near-3 TD spread looks too high.
Charlie ScottFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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UNLV vs. MinnesotaFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Under 51FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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I decided the Under is the safer play than taking the points. Last Year when these 2 Teams played on opening night, the game was a dead under that ended up going Over in OT. I expect the same play style Tonight ! Finally UNLV Coach Hauck has "His guys" in his 4th Year at UNLV. Both Teams want to be competitive in the 4th Quarter, both Offense's like to run the ball and struggle to pass. From the Gold Sheets Bruce Marshall on Wednesdays The Las Vegas SportsLine ESPN Las Vegas, In games Minn. QB Nelson started in 2012 Minnesota scored 14 or less points in 5 of 7 of his starts. PLAY UNDER
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Rutgers vs. Fresno StateFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Under 55FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Rutgers Coach Flood and his grind it out, physical style of play. I expect Rutgers a Jersey Team playing in the middle of California 3 Time Zones away to play Tonight's game at their pace. Throw in first game miscues on offense and Rutgers having a struggling offense adds up to UNDER !
Bryan Power
Cleveland vs. Atlanta
Pick: Atlanta
On Tuesday, I won w/ the Braves over the Indians. If you recall, I started my analysis by saying it would be a pretty daunting week for Cleveland as they not only were set for three games here at Turner Field, but then will be going to Detroit for the weekend. Well, they lost again last night 3-2. I see a Braves sweep.....
Atlanta has the best home record in all of baseball, now 46-18 for the year. They have won 15 of their last 18 games at Turrner Field. Therefore, the fact Cleveland will be starting Ubaldo Jimenez doesn't sound too promising. I say that because he owns a 1-12 team start record on the road during the second half of the season the last two years. The Indians as a team are just 17-37 in the month of August the last two years. The offense has scored all of two runs in this series. I'm telling you, this isn't going to be a good week if you're a Cleveland fan.
The Braves will go w/ Kris Medlen as they go for the sweep Thursday. Though his TSR isn't all that great, Medlen still has good numbers, particularly a 3.04 ERA here at home. He'd won four starts in a row before losing his last time out at St. Louis. But even then, he allowed just three runs in six innings. When working on five or six days rest in his career, Medlen has a 17-2 TSR.
Will Rogers
Rutgers vs. Fresno State
Pick: Fresno State
It's rare that you find the non-BCS schools favored by so many points over the BCS school, but in this case it is certainly justified. Big things are expected this season from Fresno State & they were a perfect 6-0 ATS last season at home. Rutgers is a BCS school in name only, out of the newly formed American Athletic Conference.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Homefield Advantage - Not only did Fresno State cover all six home games last season, but they were favored in every game. They outscored visting teams by an astounding 31.6 points/game in 2012! The only home game in which the Bulldogs did not score 42 or more points last year was the season opener, but that was a nothing game against FCS school Weber State and the 1st year coaching staff cared far more about the following game where they were to play at Oregon (would lose 42-25).
2. Returning Starters - FSU has 16. eight on each side of the ball, including a senior starting QB in Derek Carr (David's brother). Rutgers returns only 10 starters from last year's team and will be without their seven of their 11 top tacklers on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, they lose top rusher Jawan Jamison.
3. X-Factor - To say this is an unusually long trip for Rutgers would be putting it mildly. They have not travelled further West than Notre Dame since the 1999 season! Then, they lost at Cal by two touchdowns.
Jimmy Boyd
Tulsa +4
The Tulsa offense will not be intimidated by the Falcons defensive reputation. The Golden Hurricane will have seven starters returning to an offense that scored an average of 34.7 points per game last season. They will have their star quarterback, Cody Green under center again this season, as well as their top receivers and a running back duo that rushed for over 2,000+ yards.
The Falcons offense was a bit underwhelming last year, and with Tulsa having just 3 defensive starters making their return, it presents a favorable matchup for the Golden Hurricanes. Two key positions on offense, the running back and starting tackle, will see new faces this year. That is going to be a difficult adjustment for the Falcons.
I think the Falcon's are going to struggle to complete passes down field in this game. That plays right into Tulsa's favor as they are 7-0 ATS the last three seasons when the defense holds opponents to 150 to 200 net passing yards. The hype surrounding Bowling Green may have been too much and I look for Tulsa to keep this game close.
Michael Rispoli
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt
Play: Under 53½
Michael Rispoli Sports see's this game going UNDER the posted total. 6 of the last 7 years these two teams have played UNDER the total. 5 of the last 6 meetings in Nashville have gone UNDER the posted total. And Ole Miss ended last season on an UNDER streak of 6 out of 7 in away games. Take the UNDER in tonight's Ole Miss/Vandy game and prepare "your man" for a long season!
Bill Biles
Towson vs. Connecticut
Play: Connecticut -16½
UCONN struggled for much of the season last year only winning 5 games, however their defense ranked in the top 20 allowing only 19.8 PPG. UCONN returns a good running game led by junior Lyle McCombs. Look for UCONN to be to much for the Colonial school in Towson.
JR O'Donnell
Minnesota -13.5
Lay it tonight boys.... Well coached and the smart second yr QB Nelson lead the way...... Coached by 3rd yr skipper coach Jerry Kill...6-7 last year and looking for a Bowl appearance this year for these Golden Gophers . The Qb is a quiet leader. The Defense is where these Minny Gophers make some noise. JUCO transfer Damian Wilson @ middle linebacker is rock solid. The Power Rated play here is the home team.... - 21.33 points ..... Long Long Night for the Rebels............. they are 19% ATS prop play in their last 51 road games We will not buy line move off of the 17 opener
Jack Jones
Hawaii Warriors +24
I fully expect the Hawaii Warriors to be one of the most improved teams in the country. Norm Chow had little to work with last season with only nine returning starters as he was implementing his new schemes. It took a long time for the Warriors to catch on, but they finally did at the end of last season. They closed out 2012 with back-to-back blowout victories over UNLV (48-10) and South Alabama (23-7) to give them some momentum heading into 2013.
Now, with 16 returning starters, the Warriors figure to be much-improved in Chow’s second season. The offense welcomes back eight starters and adds in Ohio State transfer Taylor Graham at quarterback. Four of the top five receivers return, as do four starters along the offensive line. The defense has eight starters back as well and will be a lot better. Leading the way will be senior LB Art Laurel (51 tackles, 13.5 for loss), senior DE Tavita Woodard (38 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and junior DE Beau Yap (37 tackles, 10.5 for loss).
Hawaii has played USC reasonably tough in their two meetings over the last three years. They covered the spread in each, and last year’s 49-10 road loss was due to playing in the first game of Chow’s system, and having little returning experience. However, in 2010, the Warriors fought tough in a 49-36 home loss, which was the closest game yet in this series. Hawaii actually outgained USC 607-524 for the game.
The Trojans have a lot of talent, but they still don’t know who is going to be their quarterback for 2013. With Matt Barkley gone to the NFL, they figure to struggle at the position this year. Barkley leaves as the school’s all-time leading passer. Max Wittek did not play well in limited action last year, and if he’s under center, they are in trouble. The Warriors are 4-1 against the spread in their last five vs. Pac-12 opponents. Bet Hawaii Thursday.