Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Saturday, December 23, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
Brandon Lee
Dec 23 '17, 7:00 PM in 21h
NCAA-F | Appalachian State vs Toledo
Play on: Toledo -6½ -103 at 5Dimes
10* FREE NCAAF PICK (Toledo -6.5)
I think that it's worth a shot here on the Rockets laying less than a touchdown against Appalachian State in the Dollar General Bowl. I have a lot of respect for head coach Scott Satterfield and what he's been able to do with this Mountaineers program, I just think they are going to have a hard time hanging with a really good Toledo team that cruised to their first MAC title since 2004 on their way to an 11-2 season, with one of those losses coming in a true road game at Miami (FL), where they trailed the Hurricanes by just 8-points with less than 7 minutes to play in the 4th quarter (led at the half).
The Rockets have one of the best quarterbacks in the country that no one talks about in senior Logan Woodside, who thew for 3,758 yards with 28 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions (completed 65% of his attempts). Toledo also had no problem replacing Kareem Hunt, as the trio of Terry Swanson, Shakif Seymour and Art Thompkins combined for 2,641 yards and 28 touchdowns, with all three averaging at least 5.7 yards/carry.
Appalachian State has a good defense, but I don't think they have seen anything quite like this Toledo unit. The closest thing I believe they played to what Toledo has to offer is ULM, which finished 21st in the country at 458.6 ypg. The Warhawks put up 52 points and 569 yards in a 52-45 win over the Mountaineers. Toledo is 8th in the country at 509.9 ypg and rank inside the Top 30 in both rushing and passing.
Unlike ULM, which ranked 119th against the run and 128th against the pass, the Rockets have a legit defense (68th vs run and 48th against the pass) who has been tested against much better offenses than what they will see here.
Lastly, I don't think we have to worry the slightest about Toledo not taking this bowl game seriously, which is the most important part of handicapping these bowl games. That's because these same two teams played each other in bowl season last year and App St pulled out a 31-28 win. Give me the Rockets -6.5!
Info Plays
Dec 23 '17, 4:00 PM in 18h
NCAA-B | UCLA vs Kentucky
Play on: UCLA +7½ -115 at betonline
1* Free Play on UCLA +7½ -115
Red Dog Sports
Dec 23 '17, 2:45 PM in 17h
Soccer | Manchester United vs Leicester
Play on: OVER 2½ -110
over 2.5
Free soccer play takes place on Saturday in the Premier League. Take over 2.5 goals between Leicester and Manchester United. I think we see a 2-1 score.
Man United 2
Leicester 1
Larry Ness
Dec 23 '17, 8:30 PM in 22h
NFL | Vikings vs Packers
Play on: Vikings -8½ -110 at 5Dimes
My 1* Free Play is on the Minnesota Vikings (8:30 EST).
Minnesota has clinched the NFC North after handling the Bengals 34-7 last weekend. Green Bay on the other hand has been eliminated from playoff contention after last week’s 31-24 loss to Carolina.
And with that loss the Pack have shelved starting QB Aaron Rodgers for the remainder of the season. Rodgers returned from injury last week and was ineffective in the setback.
The Vikes won’t be taking the foot off the gas this week as they look to wrap up home field advantage throughout the playoffs as they still lead the NFC at this point.
Minnesota averages 24.5 PPG and concedes just 17.2. QB Case Keenum had 236 yards and two TD’s last week.
Green Bay averages 22.1 PPG and concedes 23.8. Backup QB Brett Hundley has struggled for the most part in relief and I think he’ll have his hands full against the league’s No. 2 defense this evening.
I’ll point out as well that the Vikings are 23-8 ATS in their last 31 following a SU win, while Green Bay is just 1-5 ATS in its last six home games agains a team with a winning road record.
No need to overthink this one in my opinion. All signs point to a rout, so consider laying the points.
Good luck…Larry
Marc Lawrence
Dec 23 '17, 3:30 PM in 17h
NCAA-F | Army vs San Diego State
Play on: Army +7 -115 at Bovada
Play - Army (Game 223)
Edges - Cadets: 5-1 ATS in bowl games after defeating Navy… Aztecs: Rocky Long 4-7 SUATS in bowl games, including 1-5 SUATS following consecutive wins… With military teams 22-4 ATS in bowl games against .600 or greater foes, we recommend a 1* play on Army.
Bobby Wing
Dec 23 '17, 1:00 PM in 15h
NCAA-B | Georgia State vs Tenn Chattanooga
Play on: Georgia State -2 -110 at betonline
1 Unit Free Pick: Georgia State -2 -110
Bobby Wing
Dec 23 '17, 1:00 PM in 15h
NCAA-B | Georgia State vs Tenn Chattanooga
Play on: Georgia State -2 -110 at betonline1 Unit Free Pick: Georgia State -2 -110
Fade this sucker...but I'm a homer so maybe watch you step
Brad Diamond
Dec 23 '17, 1:05 PM
NHL | Jets vs Islanders
Play on: Jets +109
Cappers Club
Dec 23 '17, 9:05 PM in 12h
NBA | Wolves vs Suns
Play on: Suns +7½ -110 at 5Dimes
Suns +7.5
This play just missed out on our premium card. The Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves face off on Saturday night, and in this game the Suns have the value.
The Timberwolves just lost to this Suns team a week ago. They looked really uninspired and that led to a 108-106 victory by the Suns.
For the Wolves they aren't a very good defensive team, and that has led to some struggles this year. Coming into this game they are giving up 106.3 points per game, and on the road that number increases to 108 points per game.
The Suns always seems to play better offensively against the Wolves and I think that will be the case again in this game.
Some trends to note. Timberwolves are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Back the Wolves.
Scott Spreitzer
Dec 23 '17, 12:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-F | Texas Tech vs South Florida
Play on: South Florida -3 +105 at BMaker
I'm recommending a play on South Florida minus the points over Texas Tech. Teams heading into their bowl games with rushing stats advantages on both sides of the line of scrimmage have been cleaning up thus far. South Florida is that team today and we suspect they'll have little trouble against the Red Raiders' defense. Tech ranks 99th in total yards allowed per game, including middle of the pack against the run and a horrible 124th against the pass. We like USF QB Quinton Flowers to be able to show off his talents as both a runner and a passer in this one. Flowers, playing in his final collegiate contest, finished the season with more than 3,500 yards in total offense, including 2,600 through the air and over 900 on the ground. While his passing accuracy dropped a bit under first year HC Charlie Strong, he still took care of the football with 21 TD passes and only 6 INTs. He'll face a defense that's banged-up in the secondary. USF owns the nation's 8th best ground attack and they're a stout 22nd against the run and 28th in total yards allowed per game. We expect Texas Tech to score a few points, but not enough to hang in this one. I'm recommending a play on South Florida minus the points. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Hunter Price
Dec 23 '17, 12:00 PM in 3h
NCAA-B | Alabama Aandamp;M vs Georgetown
Play on: Alabama Aandamp;M +26½ -110 at GTBets
1* Free Pick on Alabama Aandamp;M +26½ -110
Indianapolis at BALTIMORE (41un, -105)
By Tommy Brunson
Indy cannot score the football, and Baltimore doesn't allow the football to be scored against them, so play the Colts and Ravens Under the total.
Indianapolis just held Under the total in their last game at home against Denver, as the Colts enter this Saturday special having held Under the posted price in each of their last 6 games.
Baltimore is fresh off a Sunday Under at Cleveland, as they held the Browns to just 10 total points. It snapped a string of 2 straight Overs, but it also marked the 5th time in their last 7 games that the Ravens have held the opposition to 20-points or less.
While these teams have not tangled since the 2014 season, it is worth mentioning that the last 6 meetings, and 10 of the last 11 overall meetings between these teams have held Under the total.
Last week it was the Colts on the short side 25-13 at home to the Broncos, while it was 27-10 Ravens over the Browns. A similar combined points - in the range of 38 points or so - is what I expect to see when this one has gone final.
Indianapolis-Baltimore Under the total.
4* INDIANAPOLIS-BALTIMORE UNDER
Free Selection from Mike Wynn
Free Play: Free Early Pick Evansville +1½ Over Illinois St
Free Selection from Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR SATURDAY: Take MISSISSIPPI ST (CBB) -13½ over Southern Miss