Matt Rivers
For Saturday take the points with Hawaii.
I do fully admit that the Rainbows have very little going for them today as they will not only lose this game against the big bad Gators but will get squashed. At times it may even look like a college team against a High School squad but the points are still the way to go as this number is just too much. Urban Meyer's team is extremely banged up and to be honest not really taking this game all that seriously by holding people out.
Tim Tebow is in and that is all that Florida will need to dominate with their phenomenal offense but Percy Harvin and Cornelius Ingram are out and Louis Murphy may miss as well. Then defensively where the Gators may have some issues this season, when healthy, are also a little thin today as their star in Brandon Spikes is expected to miss among a ton of others.
Hawaii is not close to the team of last season and we saw Colt Brennan and that team get drilled by another big physical SEC team in Georgia in the Sugar Bowl which is obviously not great. They will be outmatched both physically and athletically and get pounded as Brennan and others are long gone including coach June Jones but five touchdowns, even in the swamp against Florida, is a ton, end of story!
42-13!
ATS Lock
7 units Wyoming -12.5
7 units Idaho +27
2 unit parlay on above
5 units TCU -6.5
5 units UAB +13
4 units LaTech +8
DUNKEL
LA Dodgers at Arizona
The Dodgers lost their eighth straight last night and have to face Arizona's Dan Haren, who is 10-3 at home this season. The Diamondbacks are the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has Arizona favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-140). Here are all of today's games.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
Game 951-952: Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Myers) 15.190; Cubs (Lilly) 16.350
Dunkel Line: Chicago Cubs by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-160); No Run Line
Dunkel Pick: Chicago Cubs (-160); N/A
Game 953-954: Colorado at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Jimenez) 16.873; San Diego (Greer) 14.691
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2; 9
Vegas Line: Colorado (-160); 8
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-160); Over
Game 955-956: Milwaukee at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee (Suppan) 14.524; Pittsburgh (Maholm) 14.728
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+135); Over
Game 957-958: St. Louis at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Looper) 14.806; Houston (Moehler) 15.380
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+135); Under
Game 959-960: NY Mets at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Pelfrey) 15.857; Florida (Nolasco) 14.988
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 9
Vegas Line: NY Mets (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (-115); Over
Game 961-962: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Reyes) 13.787; Washington (Bergmann) 14.770
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Washington (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-115); Over
Game 963-964: San Francisco at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Correia) 14.587; Cincinnati (Ramirez) 15.272
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-140); Over
Game 965-966: LA Dodgers at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Billingsley) 12.711; Arizona (Haren) 14.728
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-140); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-140); Over
Game 967-968: Seattle at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Washburn) 15.157; Cleveland (Reyes) 16.847
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 2; 11
Vegas Line: Cleveland (-170); 10
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-170); Over
Game 969-970: Toronto at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Parrish) 16.212; NY Yankees (Rasner) 15.893
Dunkel Line: Toronto by 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-160); 10
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-150); Under
Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Buehrle) 16.230; Boston (Pauley) 16.161
Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 973-974: Kansas City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Duckworth) 13.105; Detroit (Rogers) 15.132
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Detroit (-215); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-215); Over
Game 975-976: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Waters) 16.137; Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) 15.832
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 977-978: Minnesota at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Liriano) 16.790; Oakland (Braden) 14.522
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-185); 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-185); Over
Game 979-980: Texas at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Feldman) 14.724; LA Angels (Weaver) 16.848
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-185); 10
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-180); Under
NCAAF
Game 149-150: Utah at Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 97.120; Michigan 98.451
Dunkel Line: Michigan by 1 1/2; 39
Vegas Line: Michigan by 4; 42
Dunkel Pick: Utah (+4); Under
Game 151-152: Syracuse at Northwestern
Dunkel Ratings: Syracuse 76.506; Northwestern 86.038
Dunkel Line: Northwestern by 9 1/2; 62
Vegas Line: Northwestern by 12; 58
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (+12); Over
Game 153-154: Memphis at Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 76.840; Mississippi 80.848
Dunkel Line: Mississippi by 4; 49
Vegas Line: Mississippi by 9; 56 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+9); Under
Game 155-156: Ohio at Wyoming
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 74.056; Wyoming 86.855
Dunkel Line: Wyoming by 13; 48
Vegas Line: Wyoming by 10 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Wyoming (-10 1/2); Under
Game 157-158: Akron at Wisconsin
Dunkel Ratings: Akron 74.498; Wisconsin 98.599
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 24; 57
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 26 1/2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Akron (+26 1/2); Over
Game 159-160: Western Michigan at Nebraska
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 77.293; Nebraska 94.738
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 17 1/2; 68
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 14; 62 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-14); Over
Game 161-162: Washington at Oregon
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 92.007; Oregon 109.385
Dunkel Line: Oregon by 17 1/2; 72
Vegas Line: Oregon by 13 1/2; No Total
Dunkel Pick: Oregon (-13 1/2); N/A
Game 163-164: Tulsa at UAB
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 85.815; UAB 75.325
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 10 1/2; 73
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 14 1/2; 68
Dunkel Pick: UAB (+14 1/2); Over
Game 165-166: TCU at New Mexico
Dunkel Ratings: TCU 95.131; New Mexico 91.625
Dunkel Line: TCU by 3 1/2; 36
Vegas Line: TCU by 7; 42
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico (+7); Under
Game 167-168: Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 87.377; Louisiana Tech 74.756
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 12 1/2; 48
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 7 1/2; 45 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (-8); Over
Game 169-170: Boston College at Kent
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 91.221; Kent 85.413
Dunkel Line: Boston College by 6; 51
Vegas Line: Boston College by 10; 49
Dunkel Pick: Kent (+10); Over
Game 171-172: Oklahoma State at Washington State
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 98.710; Washington State 88.531
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 10; 61 1/2
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 6 1/2; 68
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-6 1/2); Under
Game 173-174: Northern Illinois at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Illinois 75.623; Minnesota 80.755
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 5; 53
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 8 1/2; 59
Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (+8 1/2); Under
Game 175-176: Bowling Green at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 78.066; Pittsburgh 88.700
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 10 1/2; 50
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 12 1/2; 56 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (+12 1/2); Under
Game 177-178: Hawaii at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Hawaii 70.025; Florida 108.189
Dunkel Line: Florida by 38; 77
Vegas Line: Florida by 35; 72
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-35); Over
Game 179-180: Virginia Tech at East Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia Tech 101.946; East Carolina 89.116
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 12; 55
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 9 1/2; 48
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-9 1/2); Over
Game 181-182: Illinois vs. Missouri (N)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 98.134; Missouri 104.850
Dunkel Line: Missouri by 6 1/2; 66
Vegas Line: Missouri by 8 1/2; 59 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (+8 1/2); Over
Game 183-184: Michigan State at California
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 93.217; California 102.726
Dunkel Line: California by 9 1/2; 63
Vegas Line: California by 4; 59
Dunkel Pick: California (-4); Over
Game 185-186: USC at Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: USC 114.215; Virginia 90.769
Dunkel Line: USC by 23 1/2; 49
Vegas Line: USC by 19 1/2; 45
Dunkel Pick: USC (-19 1/2); Over
Game 187-188: Alabama vs. Clemson (N)
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 93.610; Clemson 96.100
Dunkel Line: Clemson by 2 1/2; 50 1/2
Vegas Line: Clemson by 5 1/2; 48 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Alabama (+5 1/2); Over
Game 189-190: Idaho at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 67.729; Arizona 92.517
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 25; 67
Vegas Line: Arizona by 28; 62 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+28); Over
Game 191-192: Utah State at UNLV
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 68.364; UNLV 76.880
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 8 1/2; 53
Vegas Line: UNLV by 12 1/2; 49
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (+12 1/2); Over
Game 193-194: Western Kentucky at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 70.347; Indiana 88.312
Dunkel Line: Indiana by 18; 60
Vegas Line: Indiana by 21; 56
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (+21); Over
Game 195-196: UL Monroe at Auburn
Dunkel Ratings: UL Monroe 71.636; Auburn 101.728
Dunkel Line: Auburn by 30; 44
Vegas Line: Auburn by 26 1/2; 47
Dunkel Pick: Auburn (-26 1/2); Under
Game 197-198: UL Lafayette at Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: UL Lafayette 70.836; Southern Mississippi 80.112
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 9; 48
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 11; 53
Dunkel Pick: UL Lafayette (+11); Under
Game 199-200: Florida Atlantic at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Florida Atlantic 83.595; Texas 101.565
Dunkel Line: Texas by 18; 72
Vegas Line: Texas by 24; 67
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (+24); Over
Game 201-202: Florida International at Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 68.091; Kansas 100.060
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 32; 52
Vegas Line: Kansas by 36 1/2; 57 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida International (+36 1/2); Under
Game 203-204: Arkansas State at Texas A&M
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 72.623; Texas A&M 96.503
Dunkel Line: Texas A&M by 24; 49
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 20; 54
Dunkel Pick: Texas A&M (-20); Under
Game 205-206: North Texas at Kansas State
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 63.078; Kansas State 84.203
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 21; 77
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 24 1/2; 71
Dunkel Pick: North Texas (+24 1/2); Over
Alex Smart
Oklahoma State -6.5
There are some key mismatches in this non conference tilt featuring Oklahoma State and their hosts Washington State . One of the most glaring of which comes via the Cowboys offensive line and the Cougars defensive line . With four key starters back for Oklahoma State I expect this big experienced group will step over and dismantle their opposition play after play, making for big gaping holes up the middle , that running backs Kendall Hunter and JUCO transfer Beau Johnson will exploit . I also expect lots of time for QB Zac Robinson to sit in the pocket and pick apart an extremely vulnerable Wazzu secondary. There is not doubt in mind, that the Cowboys are going to score points in bunches today.
Meanwhile, Washington State under new HC PaulWulff, comes into his first game , ready to fire back behind a shot gun offense, that is gearing up to play wide open football this season, in part because of their obvious defensive deficiencies. Oklahoma States pedestrian defense has proven itself to be equally inept , but with this tilt being so early in the season, the Cougars , who are still learning a multitude of new schemes , will be unable to consistently take advantage of the situation, which I believe will have them on the wrong side of the score when the final whistle blows.
Final notes & Key Trends: This is not a true home game for Washington State, as this contest will be played in Seattle. WSU has lost 25 of their L/37 SU against Big 12 opposition . The Cowboys when they have scored 28 points or more in a road game are a perfect 6-0 ATS L/6 winning those games by an average of just under 20 PPG.
Play on Oklahoma State -Projected score: Cowboys 38 Cougars 30
NY Mets @ Florida Marlins
Prediction: Flordia Marlins
The Mets are in a tough spot today against the Marlins as they send Mike Pelfrey (13-8, 3.70 ERA) out to the hill to face a Marlins team that has smashed him all season long, as evident by his 0-3 record and ugly 10.66 ERA . I know Pelfrey has performed well of late, but he is not as dominant on the road as he is at home, where he has garnered a bloated 5.40 ERA, allowing 81 hits in 61 2/3 innings of work . Note: Mets are 0-5 in Pelfreys last 5 starts vs. Marlins. Meanwhile, his pitching opponent, Ricky Nalasco (13-7,3.62 ERA) is off two dominating performances out west , where he controlled the DBacks and Giants for back to back quality starts and wins. The right hander struck out 21 batters in those above mentioned tilts, allowing just 5 hits . I expect more of the same, from a guy that has become a real stopper. Note: Marlins are 10-1 in Nolascos last 11 starts after his team allowed 5 runs or more in their previous game, which happened last night when they lost 5-4. Play on the Florida Marlins
Tom Stryker
OREGON (-) over Washington
If you’re going to fade Oregon in Eugene, you better have a darn good reason. In their last 86 games at Autzen Stadium, the Ducks have quacked their way to an impressive 68-18 SU and 47-34 ATS record including a blistering 14-6 SU and ATS in this role in conference play.
UO skipper Mike Bellotti won’t have quarterback Dennis Dixon on the sidelines. That will certainly hurt a little. However, the Ducks won’t be lacking in talent. Oregon has five experienced seniors on the offensive line and senior running back Jeremiah Johnson in the backfield. Defensively, the Ducks return seven starters from a unit that surrendered an average of 23.6 points per game. Injuries took their toll on UO’s “D” last year especially at linebacker. That unit is healthy now and the “D” will show significant improvement.
With a 10-26 SU (15-19-1 ATS) record in its last 36 on foreign soil, a visit from the University of Washington won’t scare anyone. To make matters worse, the Huskies have struggled as big dogs in this role notching a dismal 7-11-1 ATS mark when priced at +9 or more.
History won’t favor UW here either. In their last four meetings against Oregon, the Huskies are a stiff 0-4 SU and ATS with all four losses coming by at least 20 points.
Dating back to the 1985 season, the Ducks have played five season openers against Pac-10 competition and cashed them all posting a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS record. Chalk up another win and cover here men. Take Oregon!
Drew Gordon
Utah +3 at MICHIGAN
Given a couple years to recruit his "type" of player, coach Rich Rodriguez will have this Wolverines team rockin' and rollin' again, but for the time being, this Michigan team is NOT built for his system and it'll show this afternoon against a very solid Utah squad. The loss of most of their key offensive weapons won't help either!
Don't make the mistake of sleeping on the Utes, as dynamic veteran QB Brian Johnson is finally healthy, after struggling with injuries last season. This Utah offense appears to set for a HUGE season, as they have the balance between Johnson and RBs Mack & Asiata to keep defenses honest. Also of note, their massive O-line returns 4 starters, and should keep Johnson off his back for the most part today.
Defensively, we give the nod to Michigan, but the Utes aren't as far behind as you'd think, especially with the question marks surrouding the Wolverines offense. They led the nation in passing efficiency defense last season, and return 3 starters in the secondary, including standouts McCain and Johnson. While the Utes D-line is anchored by DEs Kruger and Misi, both of whom are expected to have big seasons.
Bottom line, while most expect Michigan to protect their house today, I'm not convinced. Rodriguez complex offense looked great with Pat White and Steve Slaton running it, but doing it with Sheridan and McGuffie (among others) won't be nearly as easy. We take advantage of some early growing pains to cash in on the Utes in this one!
Take Utah plus the points over Michigan in this college football match up.
3♦ UTAH
N.Y. Mets at FLORIDA -110
First of all, I can understand the reluctance of some bettors to go against Mike Pelfrey, who's had back-to-back complete game winners in his last 2 starts. However, before we go jumping to conclusions, its important to note 2 things: A. both of those wins came at Shea, whereas tonight he pitches on the road, where he's 5-3 with an ugly 5.40 ERA this season. And B. Pelfrey has NOT pitched well against the Marlins this season, going 0-3 with a laughable 10.66 ERA in 3 starts!
Second, its tough to argue against Ricky Nolasco, who's been nothing but consistent this season, and is 2-0 with a stellar 1.61 ERA over his last 3 starts! Although the Marlins lost his last home start, he pitched against a tough St. Louis batting order, allowing only 2 runs over 6 innings, and I expect he'll be just as good in this critical contest.
That brings me to my final point, as the Marlins cannot afford to keep losing ground, if they plan on making the postseason. Sitting now 7 games back, this contest becomes a virtual "must-win" for this Marlins club, and I expect they'll respond accordingly tonight. In the end, for all his success, Pelfrey has yet to figure out this Marlins batting order, and doing so on the road, while being opposed by Nolasco, is biting off a little more than he can chew! Fish roll!
Take Florida behind Nolasco over the NY Mets and Pelfrey in this MLB match up.
2♦ FLORIDA
Tony Matthews
MEMEPHIS +7½
Because this is the South Eastern Conference Vs. Conference USA, the favorite has clearly been shaded for the public. Comparing these conferences skews the reality and neglects to show the facts for this particular matchup. What is significant is the top of the SEC, while the bottom positions are not as meaningful for our purposes here. When you actually look at the close competitions between these two games in the past 4 years, it is clear that Mississippi has no advantage when it comes to brute force, speed or size in any aspect. If you examine these teams over a four year period you have the virtue of charting, which effectively works to reveal the numbers that represent the careers of those who have been red shirted. This technique delivers statistics that are irrefutable. For those last 4 contests, the Rebels won 74-72. While obviously they are good, they also owed their victory to chance as much as they did skill. In first downs, the Tigers had an advantage with 94-70 and for total offense 1,471 to 1,124. With these numbers its hard to understand how with such force and ferocity from both of these regional rivals one of them is being favorer by more than a touchdown. The fact is that the conference reputations have everything to do with the favorite. Memphis arguably has the skill and ability to match up, but the Tigers also have a number of significant advantages over the Rebels. First off, Memphis has one of the best corps of wide receivers in the country and their sheer size towers over the Rebels secondary. Even though they will be getting used to their new QB Arkelon Hall this season, the returning players ( Carlos Singleton, Maurice Jones, Duke Calhoun, Steve Black and tight end Bert Russell) who caught at least 33 passes last season, collectively average in height 6’ 5” and weigh in at 220 pounds. Singleton was particularly exceptional last year with 11 out of 51 catches for touchdowns. By comparison the Rebels max out at 5’11” (6 key players are shorter than 5’10”) and it doesn’t take a genius to see that this difference creates an advantage for Hall and his receivers. Beside the factor of height, the Rebels have some other issues that have to be considered. The defensive line has lost SEC Greg Hardy, and starters Peria Jerry and Ted Laurent because of injury, players who Coach Houston Nutt was counting on to make up for the disadvantage in size with the pass rush. This unfortunate lack of depth will become a clear detriment as this weekend’s game progresses. Nonetheless, Mississippi has highly skilled, physically substantial, experienced Wide Receivers so all in all this game is anyone’s when your talking about an outright win. The oddsmakers are placing more value than what is the actual reality. Take Memphis +7½!
Scott Delaney
I'm headed to Sin City for opening weekend, and word out of Vegas is that UNLV is a pure lock winner over the depleted and hapless Aggies of Utah State. Even though I turned down tickets to the game (who wants to sit in the middle of a dust bowl when I can be hanging with my favorite Vegas cocktail waitress) I will definitely have action on this one. UNLV comes into contest highly motivated to get the season underway and in a positive manner for coach Mike Sanford. And why not, as the system has been in place for a few years and any time the Rebels open up at Sam Boyd Stadium, you can expect their best effort. I hate to use this phrase, too, but the Rebels are already in a must-win situation. Heck, their entire schedule might as well be must-win for Sanford and his staff. Utah State has nothing back on offense to contend with, and will struggle in this one agaisnt a fired-up Rebels defense, as the Aggies will be sans wide receiver and returner Kevin Robinson, who left to play on Sundays; USU will also start quarterback Sean Setzer, who has just one career pass.
2♦ UNLV
Jake Timlin
FLORIDA
Tough spot here for Hawaii who will be have to start their rebuilding without master mind June Jones and against a tough SEC team in Florida who will more then likely will be able to duplicate what Georgia did to the Warriors in the Sugar Bowl last season. An even harder situation for the Warriors to overcome will be the fact they be traveling six time zones to face Florida in the Swamp. So behind the reining Heisman winner look for the Gators to open up the season a much bigger winner then expected for something like 50 points. Take Florida minus the points!
Tony Weston
WESTERN MICHIGAN
Sure, go ahead and question it all you want ’Husker fans, but Bo Pelini ain’t parting the waters just yet and this Nebraska team is far from the Black Shirts of the Tom Osborne era. Hey, consider that was only 2-5 ATS at home last year and was 1-2 ATS when laying double-digits at home. The Huskers are also on a 3-11 run ATS. You also want to consider some information regarding new head coaches taking over teams that recorded four wins or less prior the year before, like Bo and Nebraska. Since 1990 head coaches in new bad coaching jobs are 77-106-6 ATS in Game 1 with a team. Pelini may end up righting this Nebraska ship and may win SU today, but take the points and go with Western Michigan.
3♦ WESTERN MICHIGAN
PURELOCK
PHILADELPHIA @ CHICAGO CUBS
PLAY: PHILADELPHIA 5 UNITS
Vegas Experts
Illinois Fighting Illini at Missouri Tigers
Missouri is the better team here, yes, but this is too many points to lay against a revenge-minded Illinois squad. Remember that last year Illini QB Juice Williams was knocked out of the game with a blow to the head that was not called by the officials. With Juice presumably in there for four quarters tonight, we look for Illinois to cover for the 3rd time in 4 tries as a dog, dating back to last season.
Play on: Illinois
Michael Alexander
Hawaii vs. Florida
Play: Florida -34.5
After getting demolished in las year's Sugar Bowl the Hawaii Rainbows hope to make that a distant memory when they travel to the "Swamp" to take on the Florida Gators today. The visitors come into this one not only off a big Bowl loss but also with the loss of their three year starting QB Brennan and head coach June Jones. To add insult to injury their QB picked to replace Brennan, Graunke, was not put on the roster due to personal reasons.
In the meantime the Gators come into this one with an offense that ranked No. 3 nationally in scoring (42.5 points per game) last year and looks to be even more potent this season because of yet another influx of talented freshmen and seven returning starters. On defense the Gators had a lot of injuries last season and that forced coach Meyer to shuttle six freshmen into the rotation at different points and now that young group has experience to back up its talent.
SUPPORTING TRENDS: FLORIDA is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when they score 28 or more points over the last 3 seasons. FLORIDA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when they gain 6.5 or more total yards per play over the last 2 seasons. FLORIDA coach Meyer is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in the first two weeks of the season in all games he has coached since 1992.
Not many teams will be able to compete with the Gators on a regular basis, and Florida’s biggest competition will come from within the SEC which is not the case today. It's a lot of points to give but it's not much of a matchup. I'm taking the Gators.
FRANK ROSENTHAL
MLB
956 PIRATES+115 SB
958 ASTROS+120 SB
960 FISH-110 SB
966 DBACKS-135 SB
980 ANGELS-170 SB
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
149 UTAH+3.5 SB
UNDER 41.5 SB
152 NW UNDER 57 SB+
160 NEBRASKA-14 SB
163 TULSA-13 SB
166 NEX MEX+7 SB
169 BC-9.5 SB
178 FLORIDA-34 SB
UNDER 67.5 SB
179 VA TECH UNDER 46 SB
184 CAL-4 SB
185 USC-19 SB
OVER 42 SB
187 BAMA+4.5 SB
191 UTAH ST+13 SB+
200 TEXAS-23 SB
206 K ST-26 SB
Sean Higgs
Hawaii vs. Florida
Play: Florida -34.5
We will lay the wood with the Gators. Hawaii in for a major rebuilding project, and heading to the Swamp won't help matters. Urban Meyers squad is very good, even with injuries. The only question here is, will Tim Tebow, cover this number by himself....