AAA
N. Texas / La.-Monroe Over
Note: There is no reason to get too long winded on this one. This line opened too low and primarily because of some lower than usual scoring by both teams over the last few games. But both have played much better D's than they will face tonight and both have played lower than usual paced squads as well, including a very slow Tempo Denver Team who has the former head coach of Princeton in their stable. The Fact is, Monroe has the 84th highest paced team in the land and they also have the 314th D Team. That combination alone usually means that road Monroe games are crazy affairs, but when we put that together with the Mean Green, who are #36 Tempo-Wise, we have more than crazy, we have Insane Asylum. The Pace will be insane tonight with the liklihood of 125 to 130 shots taken a good possibilty, perhaps more. The last 2 NT Games have seen 148+ and that is almost unheard of. Hold onto your hats, because this one could produce heavy winds in this arena as players zip past you, throwing up gobs of shots, many being 3 pointers. We also have two very good free throw shooting teams and that is an added bonus but probably not important. Play up to 157.
Drew Gordon
Today's Games...
1. 400,000♦ Ohio State
2. 50,000♦ Colorado
1. Ohio State- Do you really believe Coach Tressel and his Buckeyes learned nothing from their 41-14 debacle against the Florida Gators in last year's BCS Title Game? For a year now they've been hearing everyone with an opinion say that they're too slow, the SEC is too quick, and that they might as well kiss their Championship hopes goodbye this season. Well, fast forward a year, and the 11-1 Buckeyes have been playing inspired football all season, and tonight they get their redemption and here's why:Besides the huge motivational factor, there's no question the Buckeyes defense is the more dominant stop-unit in this contest. Led by Butkus award winning LB Laurinaitis, this defense is dominant, ranking 1st in total yards (227 yards/game), passing defense (148 yards/game), and scoring defense (10.7 ppg allowed), and 3rd overall in rush defense (79 yards/game). Critics will argue this defense didn't play the same caliber opponents that LSU did, but if you saw the Tigers defense collapse down the stretch, how can you argue against this point?
Speaking of the LSU defense, they struggled mightily over their last 3 games, allowing a whopping 29 ppg on 440 total yards. What has to be scariest for LSU-backers is the fact the Tigers surrendered 226 rushing yards per game over that stretch... Can't you just hear the OSU O-line and Beanie Wells licking their chops at that stat?! Again critics will say that they're collapse at the end of the season was due to Glen Dorsey's injury, but that's a long way to fall because of one player.
While I expect both offenses to struggle somewhat against these defenses, I'm just not convinced the Matt Flynn/Ryan Perrilloux combo is going to be able to get it done against this Buckeyes stop-unit. Flynn struggled with inconsistency, finishing with a below average 55% completion rate. You can make the same argument against QB Boeckman, who struggled down the stretch, but with plenty of time to make adjustments (51 days off) and RB Beanie Wells pounding his way through a suddenly vulnerable Tigers defense, Boeckman will prove why Tressel is so high on him (not to mention the fact his stats this season far supercede anything Flynn and/or Perriloux did).
Bottom line, the Buckeyes got embarrassed from top-to-bottom in last year's BCS Title game, and tonight, they're not only playing for the championship, but also for personal pride, which can be the greatest motivator of all. Ohio State has all the motivation it needs, plus the defensive and coaching edges. I'd call the offenses a push, but its hard not to like RB Wells against a suddenly struggling LSU defense. We'll take the points, as I expect a close contest here, but don't be too surprised if the Buckeyes pull out the outright upset tonight at the Superdome!
Take Ohio State plus the points over Louisiana State as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Colorado- While Tulsa has been padding its stats with 5 straight home wins against sub-par competition, tonight they take their show on the road, where they're 0-3 & 1-2 ATS. Granted, the Buffaloes are 3-3 SU and 0-4 ATS at home this season, but they've won two straight there, and are playing much better basketball at this point in the season.
Another unintended benefit of the Buffaloes numbers at home is the very conservative price tag on this contest. Listen guys, Colorado may not have the best numbers, but having watched both these teams play, I can tell you Tulsa's road play is atrocious, averaging 58 ppg on just 35% shooting. Their 84-70 loss at Oral Roberts in a non-lined contest should tell you a lot about their ability to get it done in hostile territory.
Match ups also favor the Buffaloes, as their 4-guard attack of Roby, Hall, Silas, adn Higgins can and will run circles around a bigger, more lumbering Golden Hurricane squad. There's no question Colorado will have some trouble with 6'11 C Jordan, but he's still a project offensively, and has averaged only 7 ppg in Tulsa's 3 road games!
Bottom line, Colorado protects its house, building off consecutive home wins to beat a road-weary Tulsa team in this one. With more than a week off, its possible we see Tulsa come out flat, which would doom them from the beginning. Either way, count on the Buffaloes to eventually pull out the home win and cover against a Tulsa squad that can't hit the broadside of barn in hostile territory.
Take Colorado at home over Tulsa in this college hoops match up.
Mr.A's
BCS Title Game New Orleans, La.
No. 1 Ohio State (11-1) vs. No. 2 Louisiana State (11-2)
Ohio State is 9-1 in their last 10 games, 7-3 ATS
Louisiana State is 8-2 in their last 10 games, 2-7-1 ATS LSU - 4½
The major factor in this contest is LSU talented squad returning back in good physical shape. Besides, the Tigers have home field advantage. This game is in New Orleans. Take LSU, the Buckeyes haven’t faced a highly regarded opponent this season.
PPP GAVAZZI
1* Ohio State
2* Ohio State under
3* Ohio State under - first half only
king creole
CBB Sides
double-dime bet505 Wis.-Milwaukee 3.5 vs Youngstown St.
Analysis: 2** WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE PANTHERS plus the points vs Youngstown State
We'll continue to ride the DOUBLE-Revenge Systems which have paid off so handsomely so far in the 2007/2008 season. In fact, There were 3 qualifying teams going yesterday, and they went a PERFECT 3-0 ATS (Northwestern / Ball State / Buffalo).
So far this season, College teams playing with DOUBLE-Revenge from last year have gone a profitable 32-15 ATS (68%). If our 'Revenger' also has the added confidence of playing off a SU WIN (like Wisconsin-Milwaukee), the results improve to 17-3 ATS (85%). And if our 'Revenger' is actually off 2 or more SU wins in a row (like Wilsconsin-Milwaukee), the results improve to 9-1 ATS on the year
Keith Martin Sports
LSU -3.5
Samford Over 121.5
Rockdeman Sports
BOWL - OHIO ST AND UNDER
NBA - SPURS - UNDER
CBB - SE MISSO
NHL - STARS - OVER
Gold Medal Club
25* Ohio State Money Line
10* Under 24.5 ( 1st Half)
NBA: 10* Warriors -3
CBB: 10* Tenn Martin +6.5
* Murray State ML
*UL Monroe +10
NHL: 25* Ducks -1.5
Dominic David
2 * Ohio State
Malinsky
6* Ohio St
Wolkosky Milan
10* LSU -3½
10* OSU/LSU OVER 47
Matt Fargo's Pick Pack
Matchup: Tulsa at Colorado
Play: Colorado -2.5
Don’t look now but here comes a hot Tulsa team into Boulder to face the Buffaloes. While its been hot with five straight wins, you certainly cannot go by just that as all five of those games were at home and with the exception of Charlotte, the other four teams were well below average. The Golden Hurricane have not had a road game since December 5th so the fact that they have not traveled in a month is pretty huge. They are 0-3 on the road and all three were bad losses including a defeat against another rebuilding Big XII team Oklahoma by 26 points. Colorado is certainly not in the upper class of the Big XII but it is a much improved team from a season ago and a lot of the success has to do with first year head coach Jeff Bzdelik who turned around Air Force and is doing the same here. The Buffaloes have won three-straight games for the second time this season and have eclipsed more victories than last year’s seven already. The unselfish attitude that Bzdelik has brought in is a trademark as he stripped the names off the backs of the jerseys after he decided that the name on the front is more important than the one on the back. Tulsa has played a schedule that is one of the worst in the country as it is ranked 325th overall and that has played a big part in its stats being skewed. One huge edge for the Buffaloes is in assist/turnover ratio which happens to be another Bzdelik trademark. Colorado is +0.23 in ratio at home while the Golden Hurricane are -0.78 on the road with their ratio. The shooting numbers for Tulsa are even worse and the length of time between road games is going to catch up with it here. This is a great price for a team that is really starting to gel together and playing at home against a team struggling to find an identity away from its home gym.
Play Colorado Buffaloes 2 Units
Pointwise phone plays-Hoops
NBA
2* SanAntonio
NCAAB
2* N. Texas
2* San Jose St
Kelso
30 units LSU -3.5 v. OSU
10 units LSU/OSU OVER 48
Parlay both 10 units
Spritzer
bowl goy.................ohiost
tko.....................cal full,butler
5 star hammer gow.................gold st
Cokin
Fat man releases.......ohio st under 47.5,n texas
bowl goy....................ohio st
window.......................cal full
under the hat..............butler
3 star action................n texas
Feist
platinum.................ohio st
inner circle.....................san jose st
5 star executive.................north tex
total......................suns over
inner circle...............gold st
5 star executive..........nuggets
L. Ness
LSU
Ohio St is back for another try in the BCS title game, after getting blown out by Florida last year, 41-14. Once again the Buckeyes come in as the nation's No. 1 ranked team and once again they will face an SEC team (LSU). The big difference though, is that unlike LY when Ohio St was the solid favorite (minus-7 1/2), this time around the Buckeyes are the underdogs. However, one wouldn't know it by the "line movement," as LSU opened a six-point favorite but seemingly ALL of the money has come in on Ohio St! I DON'T understand it? This year's Ohio State is NOT as good as last year's team, as Troy Smith was a much more athletic and dangerous player than this year's starting QB, Todd Boeckman. While Boeckman had a surprisingly good year, he's got little mobility in the pocket and has nowhere near the playmaking ability of Smith. Also note that in his last two games (Illinois and Michigan), he passed for a total of just 206 yards with an 0-4 ratio. He also doesn't have the one-two punch Smith had in WRs Ginn and Gonzalez. While Beanie Wells (1,463) had a great season at RB, he's surely no better than Antonio Pittman. One could make the case that Ohio' St's D is better this year, as it ranks No. 1 in both scoring (10.7 PPG) and total yards (225.3) but then again, one must consider the competition. The Big 10 was CLEARLY down TY (only Michigan has played well in the bowls) and Ohio St's non-conference schedule consisted of Youngstown St (Div I-AA), Akron (4-8), Kent St (3-9) and Washington, which lost NINE of its last 11! Now to LSU. Many think this is the nation's most talented team overall but in fairness, the Tigers did lose to both Kentucky and Arkansas, teams which finished with a collective 10 losses! Granted, both came in triple-OT but the Tigers LOST just the same! However, LSU played NINE bowl-eligible teams TY, yet its defense finished ranked third in the nation YPG, allowing just 283.9. The rush D allowed 103.1 YPG (3.1) and with DT Dorsey back at 100% (that's the claim), the pass rush (32 sacks) should be fearsome. LSU's pass D allowed just 46.4% completions and came up with 21 INTs. Just like LY, Ohio St's offense will NOT be able to cope with LSU's defensive speed, quickness to the ball and overall athleticism! While OSU has a great D itself and has plenty of athletes, the LSU offense has been helped by the layoff, giving underrated QB Matt Flynn time to get healthy. Also don't discount backup Perrilloux's ability to bring a "different look" when he's used at QB. Hester (1,017 / 5.0) leads a running game which averages 218.9 YPG (5.1) and has scored 34 TDs, while the WRs are "better than their numbers," especially with Doucet now healthy. Les Miles has led LSU to two DOMINATING bowl wins since coming to Baton Rogue, beating No. 9 Miami 40-3 in the Peach Bowl two years ago and trashing ND 41-14 in LY's Sugar Bowl. Playing in New Orleans is basically a "home" game for the Tigers and while I don't expect Ohio St to lose by fours TDs (like LY), a two-TD margin seems about right. Weekly Wipeout Winner on LSU
Bob Akmens
10* dallas -145
10* dallas over 5
College foots
Ohio state
Sports Investors
OSU/LSU Under
Pointwise Phone
3* Ohio St.
Dr. Bob
Monday College Basketball Opinions
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (+3) over YOUNGSTOWN STATE
I lost my Best Bet on Wisconsin-Milwaukee (-6) over Detroit on Saturday, but the Panthers still won the game 55-53 despite a season’s worst 32% shooting. Part of the reason for the play on Saturday was the improved team chemistry since head coach Rob Jeter kicked a few players with bad attitudes off the team, including leading scorer Torre Johnson. The offensive efficiency has actually been about the same since the suspensions, even with Saturday’s horrible offensive performance included, but the defense has been much better as a result of better team chemistry and better defensive effort. I’m sure kicking Johnson and Tim Flowers off the team served as a wake up call for the remaining players and I expect the Panthers to continue to play hard on the defensive side of the floor. With the offense no worse off and the defense better there is some value in backing the Panthers. I’ll lean with Wisconsin-Milwaukee plus the points.
SANTA CLARA (-11) over San Jose State
Santa Clara will be looking to end a two game losing streak tonight by beating up on San Jose State for a second time this season. The Broncos beat the Spartans by 10 points in San Jose in early December, as 6-10 305 pound center John Bryant dominated inside for 21 points and 12 rebounds in just 24 minutes. San Jose State has added some height with 6-9 F Chris Oakes becoming eligible shortly after that game, but Oakes is a very lean 225 pounds and will certainly not help in containing Bryant. Santa Clara applies to a solid 98-47-2 ATS situation and my ratings favor the Broncos by 12 ½ points in this game, but that angle doesn’t work quite as well when applying to favorites of more than 10 points so I’ll consider Santa Clara an opinion in this game at -11 or less. But, I will take Santa Clara in a 2-Star Best Bet at -10 points or less.