Tommy Rider
Triple-Dime Bet
Southern Cal -20.0 vs Virginia
There is no reason for me to wait on this one. I've already bet it big. Some may look at this as being a square play. Well, you can call me Sponge Bob Square Pants because I'm all over the Trojans in this game. Everyone knows about USC and their amazing defense so I'm not going to waste your time talking about the obvious. But let's take a look at the Cavs. This offseason, the Virginia coaching staff visited Texas Tech so they could employ elements of the Red Raiders high flying spread offense. That's great. There's only one problem: Virginia has no quarterback. There is a chance that three different quarterbacks could play in this game for Virginia. It's like me saying I want to date a Supermodel. That's a great idea in theory but in reality, no good looking girl would even talk to my ugly ass.So, Virginia is going to throw the ball a lot more this year and its first test with its new offensive system just happens to be against the fastest, nastiest defense in the country. Good luck with that. By the way, did I mention that the Cavs must replace virtually everyone on both their offensive and defensive lines? The Trojans believe they are the best team in the country and they have a chip on their shoulder after falling short of the National Title game last year. So what does this all mean? It means that Virginia is going to get hammered and that's why I'm releasing this as my WEEK 1 CFB TRIPLE PLAY
Kansas -36 (1 unit)
This is going to be a slaughter, plain and simple. I think the Jayhawks may actually now be underrated heading into this season with all the talk of them falling off the map. It's not going to happen. This is a solid 8-9 win team. The only real question mark they have is in the secondary and FIU isn't going to be able to exploit that. They were one of the worst offenses in CFB last year and the Kansas defense is still loaded up front. Todd Reesing will be sipping Gatorade by the fourth quarter in this game. A have a guy who covers the Big 12 and he told me that he saw highly touted JUCO RB Jocques Crawford during the spring and he's the real deal. Kansas is the new Kansas State. They love scheduling creampuffs and then crushing them in front of the home crowd. Jayhawks win this one by at least 50.
Scott Spreitzer
25* UNLV
Players of America
New Mexico Lobos +7.0
Star Value: 3* (30 Units)
And we're off! Six total plays to kick off the college football season this Saturday. Keep in mind it is important to get a nice, solid feel for all of these teams before placing any wagers over our heads. Welcome to the 2008-2009 NCAA football season, brought to you by your very own Players of America.
Our first release comes to us live from the state of New Mexico. At 7:00PM EST, the Lobos of New Mexico will play host to the TCU Horned Frogs. We'll be all over the home dog here, and this is why. The Lobos are not a bad team. It is almost a slap in the face for Vegas to smack seven points on these fella's backs right off the get go. This team WON a bowl game last year and piled up an overall 9-4 record. Don't get us wrong, TCU is a solid overall team, but come on. The Lobo's absolutely laid it on Nevada opening week last year 23 to zip. After that they smacked UNLV 27-6. They went on through the season and beat Colorado State, San Diego State, Wyoming, Sacramento State, Arizona, New Mexico State along with a very talented Air Force team. These guys can play football. That is one thing their good at. Now, let's rewind a bit. Last season NM went into Fort Worth, Texas and got their rear ends handed to them by this same TCU group. Don't think that a little revenge isn't lingering in these player's minds.
Donovan Porterie is back assuming the starting role at QB for the Lobos. This guy makes it all happen. He's over looked, under-hyped and gets little credit more of less because of that Mountain West Conference out west. He threw just eight picks last season behind 3060 passing yards. In addition, he completed 59% of his passes. He had the absolute worst day of his career last season against this TCU team and now is the time to go out and regain that composure.
The Frogs are legit all the way around. "Legit" enough to come in and lay a TD on the line to this team? Not really. They are good when their good and bad when their bad. Their inconsistency cost them some decisions last year as they played dead against Utah and couldn't handle the passing attack of the Air Force Falcons (something the Lobos will be sure to exploit). Wyoming also played TCU's game as they squeaked out a win last season against the Frogs.
All in all, this one comes down to value. There is absolutely, positively no reason that this New Mexico team doesn't start this fresh season out at 1-0. Vegas is begging for action on a short line with a highly touted and hyped TCU team from the past. Don't fall into trap they've set. Porterie, the Lobos and home field advantage plus the underdog status for a 3* / 30 unit wager Saturday evening.
New Mexico 28, TCU 17
Utah Utes vs. Michigan Wolverines
The Play: Michigan Wolverines -3.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
You have got to be kidding. All the sharps think they're on to something here, right? Utah, the talk of the town...upset central to the "big time" Michigan Wolverines. "They lost to Appy State to open last year, they aren't that good!" "They've got all kinds of drama in the head coach position, question marks in the roster, and more!" SAVE IT...please. Utah is out classed, out coached, over matched in virtually every position and WILL be out played today in The Big House. You may laugh and say this one is a trap, but so be it...we'll dive in head first for the bait.
The Wolverines have a lot, and we mean A LOT, of eyeballs on them this Saturday. They may have question marks all over the place, but Sunday morning those turn into exclamation points. The Utes come in with that lethal passing attack, and more than likely a clear frame of mind. People are forgetting, Michigan went out with a bang last season. They went out how a major-conference team is suppose to. They went out Bowl Champions of a supposed sub par league. They went out knocking a "BCS Contender" back to where they came from. They showed life. They showed pride. Adapting to changes in Michigan may have been difficult for many of these young players, but that is part of the collegiate process...changes.
Digging up stats, figures and trends won't be necessary here. Michigan is Michigan. They are a powerhouse, smash mouth football team and on Saturday, August 30th they take hold of those reigns again by, making a big time statement. The blue and yellow, the Big M, the Wolves minus the small margin for a 1* / 10 unit wager.
Michigan 30, Utah 17
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. East Carolina Pirates
The Play: East Carolina Pirates +10.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
Our next release will be a doozy. Coming live from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, the Virginia Tech Hokies meet the East Carolina Pirates for an opening show down. Both of these teams are looking to take their program to the next level. Both are capable of big things this year with Tech probably getting a little more notoriety than the Pirates.
There is quite a contest at the quarterback position for Va Tech. Red shirt senior Sean Glennon has recently been tabbed the starting QB for the Hokies. He'll make his debut this afternoon. The highly talked about Tyrod Taylor will be sidelined as a red shirt this season, his sophomore. On September first last season, the East Carolina Pirates waltzed into Virginia and faced this very team. They came out behind at the end of the day, 17-7. They lost to the #9 ranked team in the country, the Hokies, by ten points in Blacksburg. If that alone doesn't tell you something, or give you some sort of idea the type of energy and intensity this team plays with, then you don't know football very well. Blacksburg, VA has been one of the toughest locations for a football team to travel to and play in.
ECU went a respectable 8-5 overall last season. They topped things off on December 23 by beating a very good Boise State team 41-38 in an absolute thriller. Other big wins for this squad included UNC, Tulane, Houston, Central Florida and more. They play with heart, they play with passion and to be, in essence, at home in front of family and friends this afternoon, it's a great spot.
Flip on ESPN at Noon EST Saturday for this one. Expect adrenaline to be pumping with this nationally televised dual, and the underdog East Carolina Pirates to put up a fight to the very end. These fellas plus double digits is well worthy of a 1* / 10 unit early day wager.
East Carolina 24, VA Tech 22
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Washington State Cougars
The Play: Oklahoma State Cowboys -7.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
The Play: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs +7.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Missouri Tigers
The Play: Over 58.0
Star Value: 1* (10 Units)
Jeffersonsports
Early Release
Florida Gators
Erin Rynning
20* UL Lafay +10.5
Jim Feist
Florida Atlantic and Texas
Take Texas
Florida Atlantic (8-5 SU/ATS in 2007) has a good offense, led by junior QB Rusty Smith. However, the Owls lost both starters at safety, a position where there was little depth, so there is inexperience, and Texas will be able to pass and run with ease. FAU's anemic pass rush was the main reason opposing offenses averaged 33.2 points per game. Florida Atlantic lost 42-6 at Oklahoma State and 45-17 at Kentucky last season. They are 1-6 SU/ATS the last two years against big schools (beating Minnesota, 42-39, last year). Texas has home field plus junior QB Colt McCoy, who threw for 3,303 yards and ran for 492 yards. The defense brings in new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, a fiery, demanding coach. Texas is on a 26-12 ATS run and the Longhorns are 5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS the last five openers. Play Texas.
John Fina
Selection: Michigan State +4.5
We were shocked last year when the Spartans, a team that was supposed to be rebuilding, ended up at a bowl game. While Michigan State is still low on the radar for this season, we are anticipating seeing even more improvement from them since last season. A big reason for the jump is attributed to Coach Mark Dantonio; while the Spartans have always been a team with skill, former coaching left much to be desired for. Dantonio is no joke and has the genuine talent to match his team?s skill. Before Dantonio, the team was drained and basically going through the motions, but now the superb coaching has brought in the needed discipline and hardiness to pull it together. Last season?s bowl game was Michigan State?s first in four years, with a 2006 record of 4-8 jumping to 7-6 at the end of last season. They lost some very close games to the Wisconsin Badgers 37-34, Ohio State Buckeyes at 24-17, and the Michigan Wolverines 28-24, where they had pushed some of the Big Ten?s finest teams to their limit. The reality is that the six games they lost were determined only by 3 to 7 points. Their near success has given the team a lot of confidence and motivating anticipation for this season. The Spartans have strengthened every component of the team. QB Brian Hoyer is growing even stronger after an already tremendous junior season and their corps of running backs will be led by Javon Ringer who looks promising in making his way to the Heisman Contention. Despite the loss of WR Devin Thomas, the Spartans are highly confident with Mark Dell and the group of deep wide receivers who will be, as a unit, capable of making up for Thomas? absence. And even more promising for Michigan State is the fact that California?s defense declined significantly from last season, coming in at a rank of 58 for total defense as well as scoring. Right now the Bears offense is in a precarious state. They have lost their top five receivers and are returning only 3 starters. California not only has to replace their quarterback, but also needs to replace their running back and receivers. Nate Longshore lost the QB position to Kevin Riley, but the Bears have yet to find replacements for DeSean Jackson and Robert Jordan as well as an RB to takeover for Justin Forsett. What this all means for California?s offense is that the starters won?t have much experience with each other with the slight exception of RB Jahvid Best. Free Safety Thomas DeCoud leaving for the NFL is also going to reduce their good pass defense from what it was last season. In this case, there is a lot of value with the underdog. Take Michigan St. +4.5!
#1 SPORTS
Michigan State @ California
Michigan State (0-0, 0-0) improved greatly over the course of the 2007 season (7-5), moving from 88th in the nation to 32nd on defense while racking up 33.1 points per game, culminating with a pair of wins over bowl-bound Purdue and Penn State to finish the Big 10 season before giving Boston College and Matt Ryan all they could handle in a 21-24 Spartan loss in the Champs Sports Bowl. Back on offense is senior QB Brian Hoyer who started all 13 games last season as is 3-time team rush leader and senior RB Javon Ringer who looks to best his 1447 rush yards in 2007 behind an offensive line that averages 6'5" 311 and returns their entire power right side of 6'3" 297 junior C Joel Nichman, 6'5" 330 senior RG Roland Martin, and 6'6" 316 senior RT Jesse Miller. If coach Mark Dantonio (7-5 in 2nd season) can develop another Devon Thomas (2nd round NFL draft) out of either Mark Dell (8 starts), Deon Curry (10 starts), or B.J. Cunningham (huge spring) at wide receiver this will be an attack to be reckoned with. Keep your eye on 6'4" 252 sophomore TE Charlie Gantt. All of Coach Dantonio's top tight ends both at Cincinnati and here in East Lansing have graduated to the NFL. On defense, developing the Spartan front 7 will be key. 1st year starters 6'0" 286 senior LDE Dwayne Holmes, 6'3" 273 sophomore RDT Oren Wilson, and 6'1" 248 sophomore RDE Collin Neely will get plenty of help from strong backup ends Brandon Long (played in 13 games in 2007) and Trevor Anderson (transfer from Cincinnati) by replacing the 10 sacks of defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic will not be easy. At backer, young returning starters WLB Eric Gordon and SLB Greg Jones look primed for breakout sophomore seasons. If the seven holds, the Michigan State defensive backfield will put up big numbers and be represented during Award Season. 9 returning letter winners make up the core of this group including all 4 returning starters led by 6'2" 210 senior SS Otis Wiley who moves from free safety and 6'1" 202 junior FS Kendall Davis-Clark. Throw in a returning punter and place kicker and Sparty will be bowl bound again!
California (0-0, 0-0) simply self-destructed the second half of last season, losing 6 of their last 7 regular season games while tumbling from a #2 ranking in the nation to a finish outside of the final top 25, despite possessing some of the best talent in the country. Now they open a new campaign with 7 players making their first career starts on Saturday at California Memorial Stadium so Coach Jeff Tedford (50-26 in 7th season) has his work cut out if his crew is to attain their 6th consecutive bowl invite. If the Golden Bears are going to thrive, the defense must lead the way. 9 starting stoppers return for the move from the 4-3 to the 3-4, led by tough inside linebackers 6'0" 250 senior Worrell Williams (105 tackle in 2007) and 6'3" 235 senior Anthony Felder (101 tackles in 2007). NFL-sized defensive linemen 6?5? 281 senior LDE Rulon Davis, 6?2? 298 sophomore Derrick Hill, and 6'3" 290 junior RDT Tyson Alualu also return to man what should be one heck of a tough front wall to run against ? at least up the middle ? while pro SCOUT s will be keeping their eyes on standout 5?9? 184 junior RCB Syd Quan Thompson (10 pass breakups in 2007) who possesses all the talent needed to compete at the next level. California's offense has many more questions after the departure of a running back, tight end, 3 wide receivers, and 2 offensive linemen to the NFL. Of the 5 players who started in 2007 that return for 2008 just 6'5" 316 All-Pac10 senior C Alex Mack and 6'2" 303 senior RG Noris Malele may be on the field for the opening snap. RT Mike Tepper will watch 6'6" 330 freshman Mitchell Schwartz from the sidelines as will QB Nate Longshore who lost his job to 6'2" 224 sophomore Kevin Riley while senior FB Will Ta?ufo?ou is pulled in the 3 receiver sets favored by Tedford. Speedy 5'10" 193 sophomore RB Jahvid Best (7.6 yards per carry last season) will likely be up to the task of replacing Justin Forsett but this season's wide receiving unit brings in a grand total of 13 career catches so starters senior Sean Young and freshman Michael Calvin better be quick studies or the Blue and Gold rushing game will be facing 8 in the box all season long. Freshmen at both the place kicker and punter positions will give the Berkley faithful some anxious moments before this season is in the books.
California has won 22 of their last 26 home games but they have too many questions for our money. The points look pretty tasty here and we'll take Michigan State + 4½
POWER INDEX
Utah +3 over Michigan*
Everyone remembers how Michigan started last season. That loss to Appalachian State was far from the biggest upset last year. Stanford over USC or Syracuse over Louisville took those honors. The Wolverines are basically starting over this season on offense. Plenty of new faces, a new coach and a completely new offensive scheme spell more trouble for Michigan against a stingy Utah defense that ranked 5th nationally in points allowed in '07.
Memphis/Mississippi* UNDER 53
Here we have an odd combination of two subpar defenses and two subpar offenses. With both teams breaking in new QB's and favored Ole Miss playing it's first game under new coach Nutt, we expect points to be at a premium, even against weak defenses.
Kansas State* -26.5 over North Texas
North Texas yielded over 500 yards a game last year and looks completely overmatched here. In a payday game, we expect to see a halfhearted performance by the not so Mean Green. Kansas State is good enough on offense to move the ball consistently and the KSU punter figures to have a rather light workload.
Dustin Hawkins
OREGON -13.5
The Huskies head in to Autzen Stadium to take on the Ducks Saturday!!! Washington Returns 13 starters for a team that was 4-9 and 6-7 ATS!!! Tyrone is on the hot seat and needs a win over a quality team like the Ducks to save his butt!! The starting QB for Washington returns and his a good one, but do they have enough talent across the board to get it done. On the other side of the ball the Ducks come into this contest also with 13 returning starters from a team that was 9-4 SU and ATS!!! This should be a good and fun team to watch as the spread offense is so tough to defend. The Favorite is 8-1 SU & ATS in the Washington game since 98!!!
Prediction : Washington 20 Oregon 44
Pick Oregon - 13.5
CKO
Confidential Kick-Off
11* Fresno State
10* Syracuse
10* Florida
10* Michigan State
10 * Kentucky
Utah,Pitt New Mexico,Colorado
Elite Sports Circle Guaranteed Selections
5000* ELITE NON CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
Florida -34
Black Widow Sports
1* on New York Mets +103
The Mets are finding ways to win the close games, hitting a grand slam in the top of the 9th last night to beat the Marlins. This comes after the Mets beat the Phillies in the late innings the game before. The great thing about tonight’s meeting with the Marlins is the fact that New York won’t need another come-from-behind victory because they are throwing Mike Pelfrey at Florida Saturday. Pelfrey has been on fire, going 3-0 with a miniscule 1.44 ERA over his last 3 starts. Pelfrey has allowed only 16 hits in 25 innings during this span. The Mets are now 17-8 in their last 25 meetings at Florida. Take the Mets on the Money Line as they lead from start to finish tonight.
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on NY Mets +103
We'll back Pelfrey here with as dominant as New York has been with him on the hill. The Mets are 14-3 in Pelfrey's last 17 starts and 6-1 in Pelfrey's last 7 road starts. The Mets are 13-4 in their last 17 overall and 14-4 in the last 18 meetings in Florida . The Marlins are 3-13 in their last 16 games vs. a right-handed starter. We'll pound the Mets here.
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on S.F. Giants +124
The Reds are 8-23 in their last 31 overall, 6-20 in their last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter, and 4-15 in their last 19 vs. a team with a losing record. The Reds are 0-5 in their last 5 Saturday games, 1-9 in their last 10 during game 2 of a series, and 1-7 in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing record. The Giants are 11-3 in Correia's last 14 starts vs. a team with a losing record. Take the Giants at a great value.