Jack Clayton
Houston at Oklahoma State
Pick:Oklahoma State
Houston has a new head coach in Kevin Sumlin, and takes over a soft defense. Oklahoma State (1-0 SU/ATS) has a deadly offense under Head coach Mike Gundy, off an impressive win at Washington State, and now comes home to the home opener. Oklahoma State is 5-1 SU/ATS its last 6 as double digit chalk. Play Oklahoma St.
Dwayne Bryant
Minnesota at Bowling Green
Play: Minnesota +5
Bowling Green enters this game off their stunning 27-17 upset victory over then-No. 25 Pittsburgh. The Falcons were actually dominated in that game, losing the yardage battle 393-254 and also first downs 27-15. Pittsburgh simply gave the game away with three fumbles and an interception. And we all know turnovers are the great equalizer in football games.
Minnesota barely got by Northern Illinois at home last week, 31-27. The Golden Gophers scored the deciding touchdown with just 22 seconds left in the game. Despite the final score, Minnesota played well on both sides of the ball. Minnesota has nine returning starters on offense, including starting quarterback Adam Weber. Weber completed 64 percent of his passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Running back Duane Bennett carried 18 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns (5.1 yards per carry).
The Falcons defense played well against the Panthers, but they could be in for some trouble here. Minnesota put up 434 yards in last season's meeting, including 246 yards on the ground. The rushing defense allowed a whopping 207.9 yards per game last season. And while it did a good job against Pittsburgh on Saturday, this spread attack will be much tougher to defend. Bowling Green finished 93rd overall and 94th in scoring defense a season ago.
College football teams coming off a straight-up win as a 7+ point underdog (Bowling Green in this case) are just 6-19 ATS (24%) as non-conference home favorites in game 2 of the season. Bowling Green is also a money-burning 2-9 ATS in its last 11 home games. Minnesota is a very impressive 16-3 SU (84%) against MAC opponents. And they'll be playing with revenge after opening last season with a 32-31 home loss to these Falcons as a 14-point favorite.
Take Minnesota +5 over Bowling Green.
Rocketman
Stanford @ Arizona State
Play:1* Arizona State -14
Stanford is 1-8 ATS in September last 3 years. Arizona State is 7-0 ATS last 3 yeras as a favorite of 10 1/2 to 21 points. Cardinal are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 conference games. Cardinal are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. Cardinal are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win. Cardinal are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Cardinal are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game. Sun Devils are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games in September. Home team is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Arizona State
Sports Advisors
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Georgia Tech (1-0, 0-0 ATS) at Boston College (1-0 SU and ATS)
Boston College begins its quest to defend its Atlantic Division title when it hosts Georgia Tech in the first ACC game of the season.
Both teams prepped for this contest with easy victories last week. Boston College rushed for 230 yards en route to blanking Kent State 21-0 as a 10-point road favorite, while Georgia Tech easily disposed of I-AA foe Jacksonville State 41-14 in a non-lined game. The Yellow Jackets had 349 rushing yards, but did commit two turnovers.
The Eagles have struggled in ACC contests of late, going 1-4 ATS in their last five and they’ve struggled getting the cash in front of the home fans, going 0-4 ATS in the last four. On the plus side, Boston College is on ATS runs of 6-2 in September games and 15-7 against teams with a winning record.
The ‘Jackets are on ATS slides of 1-4 overall dating back to last season, 0-5-1 after a straight-up win and 1-4 against a team with a winning mark. But in the role of underdog, Georgia Tech is 6-2-1 ATS over the last two campaigns.
Boston College took last year’s battle, getting a 24-10 win as a 6½-point road ‘dog. The underdog has cashed in four of the last five between these two dating back to 1989, and the road team has won four straight outright.
Georgia Tech has stayed under in 14 of its last 21 September kickoffs, but the Yellowjackets have topped the total in their last four overall. Boston College has gone over the total in seven of its last 10 home games and five of its last seven in September. But otherwise for the Eagles, the under is on streaks of 5-0 overall, 4-1 against winning teams and 5-2 in ACC battles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: GEORGIA TECH
(8) West Virginia (1-0, 0-0 ATS) at East Carolina (1-0 SU and ATS)
A week after a thrilling upset victory over Virginia Tech, East Carolina will try to shock yet another Top 25 foe when it hosts West Virginia in a non-conference clash.
The Pirates returned a blocked punt for a game-clinching touchdown in the waning minutes against Virginia Tech a week ago, winning 27-22 as a 9½-point home underdog. East Carolina held a massive edge in total offensive, piling up with 369 yards to Va-Tech’s 243.
West Virginia fattened up on Villanova in its opener, rolling 48-21 in a non-lined game. The Mountaineers, always among the nation’s leaders in rushing, finished with just 149 yards on the ground, but passed for 205, while the defense forced three turnovers.
The Pirates have been a moneymaking machine in recent seasons, going 21-8 ATS dating back to the 2005 campaign, including 18-6 ATS as a ‘dog. The Pirates are on additional ATS streaks of 11-3 in September, 4-1 at home, 3-0 against teams with a winning record and 10-4 in non-conference matchups. However, against Big East opposition, East Carolina is just 3-7 ATS in its last 10.
West Virginia has won eight of its last nine games dating back to last September and the Mountaineers are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 road outings and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 on grass. They’ve also scored at least 28 points in eight of their last nine (4-4 ATS).
West Virginia has dominated this annual rivalry game, winning nine of the last 10 and cashing five of the last seven, including last year’s 48-7 blowout victory as a 24-point home chalk. The straight-up winner is 6-3-1 ATS in the last 10 clashes, and the home team is 6-2 ATS in the last eight.
For the Pirates, the over is on streaks of 6-2-1 at home, 4-0 when they face a winning team and 5-1-1 after a spread-cover. For West Virginia, the over is 9-4 in its last 13 non-conference games, but the under is 7-2 in its last nine after a straight-up victory.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WEST VIRGINIA
Cincinnati (1-0, 0-0 ATS) at (4) Oklahoma (1-0, 0-0 ATS)
After an easy victory in Week 1, Cincinnati takes a big step up in class when it visits Norman, Okla., to battle the fourth-ranked Sooners.
The Bearcats took it to Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky in a 47-17 opening-week victory, finishing with a 557-195 advantage in total offense, including 209-48 on the ground.
Oklahoma feasted on its own cupcake a week ago, opening up a 50-0 halftime lead en route to a 57-2 home victory over Tennessee-Chattanooga. QB Sam Bradford was sharp, completing 17 of 22 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns in limited action for the Sooners, who ended with a ridiculous 487-36 edge in total offense.
The Bearcats are on positive ATS streaks of 15-5-2 overall, 8-2-1 as an underdog (4-0 last year), 5-1 on the highway, 6-0 in September, 11-2 on grass, 5-1 versus winning teams and 23-8-1 on the road against winning teams.
The Sooners are on ATS runs of 6-1 in September, 9-4 at home and 4-1 in non-conference matchups. On the negative side, Oklahoma is just 3-7 ATS in its last 10 overall and 2-6 ATS in its last eight after a straight-up win.
Cincinnati is on under runs of 5-2 overall, 4-1-1 against teams with a winning record and 4-0 following a straight-up victory. Conversely, Oklahoma has topped the total in eight of nine non-conference games, six of nine at home and six of eight in September.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Miami (Fla.) (1-0, 0-0 ATS) at (5) Florida (1-0 SU and ATS)
Tim Tebow and the Gators renew their in-state rivalry with Miami (Fla.), and they do so as a massive favorite to upend the Hurricanes at The Swamp in Gainesville.
Tebow, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, was rather pedestrian in his first game as a junior, completing 9 of 14 passes for 137 yards and one TD while adding 37 rushing yards against Hawaii. But it didn’t matter as Florida crushed the Warriors 56-10, easily covering as a 34½-point home favorite.
The Hurricanes took an even easier route to their first victory of 2008, blasting Charleston Southern 52-7 in a non-lined game. Miami had 224 rushing yards, 192 passing yards and held Charleston Southern to just 126 total yards.
Miami is just 7-19-1 ATS in its last 27 games overall and on further negative ATS streaks of 5-11 against winning teams, 3-7 on the highway, 3-9 in September and 3-8 in non-conference games. Additionally, the ‘Canes went just 4-8 ATS last year and are now 12-24 ATS since 2005, including 5-10 ATS on the road in that span and 0-5 ATS in non-conference roadies.
Urban Meyer’s Gators went 6-1 ATS as home favorites last season and they are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 against non-conference foes. Florida is also on ATS streaks of 5-1 overall, 8-2 against winning teams and 5-1 on grass, but the Gators are just 2-5 in their last seven September kickoffs.
These two squads haven’t met since 2004, but Miami has been dominant in this series, winning six straight dating back to 1986, including a 27-10 win back in 2004, easily getting the cash as a four-point home favorite. Miami is 5-1 ATS against the Gators since 1986, and the straight-up winner is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings.
For Miami, the under is on streaks of 40-18 overall, 20-6 in non-conference games, 12-3 in September and 17-6 on grass. Florida has stayed under the total in 10 of its last 14 September games, but otherwise the over for the Gators is on streaks of 8-1 overall, 16-5 on grass, 5-1 at home and 5-1 in non-conference games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: FLORIDA
(12) Texas Tech (1-0, 0-0 ATS) at Nevada (1-0, 0-0 ATS)
The scoreboard figures to be working overtime in Reno tonight, as Texas Tech visits Nevada in a battle between two high-powered offenses.
Texas Tech blew out I-AA Eastern Washington 49-24 in a non-lined home game last week, with star QB Graham Harrell playing the entire game and finishing 43-for-58 for 536 passing yards, two TDs and one INT.
Normally a passing team, the Wolf Pack put their running game on display against I-AA Grambling last Saturday, rushing for 426 yards in a 49-13 non-lined home win. Nevada’s defense also stepped up, allowing Grambling just 5 net rushing yards on 40 carries.
The Red Raiders have been a solid play as double-digit chalk since 2003, going 14-7 ATS, including 5-2 ATS as double-digit road favorites. Otherwise Texas Tech is on ATS slides of 5-12 following a straight-up win, 2-5 in non-conference games, 1-4 on the road and 2-6 against winning teams.
The Wolfpack has been tough in front of the home fans, going 20-7 ATS in their last 27 in Reno. They are also on ATS surges of 6-2 in non-conference games and 5-1 in September.
For Texas Tech, the over is on streaks of 10-3 following a straight-up win, 5-1 in non-conference games and 4-1 in September. On the flip side, Nevada is on a host of under streaks, including 4-0 overall, 6-1 at home, 8-2 following a straight-up win and 4-1 at home against winning teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS TECH
(15) BYU (1-0, 0-0 ATS) at Washington (0-1 SU and ATS)
Washington tries to get over the sting of an ugly season-opening loss at Oregon when it welcomes 15th-ranked BYU to Seattle for a non-conference tussle.
The Huskies rallied from an early 14-0 hole against the Ducks on Saturday and closed to within 14-10 at halftime. After the break, though, Washington got steamrolled, losing 44-10 as a 13½-point road underdog, the team’s third straight loss (1-2 ATS) and its 10th in the last 12 games (4-8 ATS). The Huskies gave up 256 rushing yards and 240 passing yards while producing just 242 total yards on their end.
BYU, which is being billed as a possible BCS Bowl party-crasher, got off to a fine start last week, albeit against I-AA Northern Iowa, rolling 41-17 in a non-lined game, extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 11 in a row (6-4 ATS in lined games). QB Max Hall (34-for-41, 485 yards, two TDs, no INTs) was outstanding versus Northern Iowa, but the Cougars got outgained on the ground 149-77 and committed four second-half turnovers.
BYU is 22-11-1 ATS in its last 33 games going back to the middle of the 2005 season. Additionally, the Cougars are on spread-covering tears of 14-7 as a favorite since 2006, 7-3 as a road chalk since 2005, 7-2 against losing teams and 11-5 on the road.
Washington has been a miserable bet at home the last three-plus seasons, going 11-27-2 ATS. However, the Huskies have cashed in four of their last five non-league outings.
These teams met for four straight seasons from 1996-99, with Washington going 3-1 (2-1-1 ATS). The home team is 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS in the past six battles since 1985.
The over is 4-0 in Washington’s last four at home, but the under is 5-2 in BYU’s last seven lined games overall and 5-0 in its last five against the Pac-10.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BYU
Ole Miss (1-0 SU and ATS) at (20) Wake Forest (1-0 SU and ATS)
Having kicked off the Houston Nutt era in impressive fashion, Ole Miss now heads out on the road for a tough assignment against Wake Forest.
The Rebels were about as balanced offensively as you could possibly be last week against Memphis, rushing for 216 yards and passing for 222 en route to a 41-24 victory as a 7½-point chalk. However, the defense surrendered 453 yards (188 rushing), but did force two turnovers. Last year, Ole Miss started the season with a win over Memphis, but then lost nine of its final 11 games.
Wake Forest took the field as a preseason Top 25 squad for the first time in school history on Aug. 28 and lived up to its ranking, blitzing Baylor 41-13 as an 11½-point road favorite. Like Ole Miss, the Demon Deacons had a balanced attack (156 rushing yards, 220 passing yards), while the defense forced five turnovers.
Wake Forest has now won and covered four in a row, and since starting out 2007 with consecutive losses, Jim Grobe’s squad is 10-2 SU in its last 12. Also, in addition to cashing in four straight, the Deacons are on ATS rolls of 8-1 overall, 5-0 at home and 13-3 against winning teams.
Going back to the end of last season, the Rebels have covered the number in four straight lined games and six of the last seven. During this stretch, they’re 3-0 ATS on the road and 4-1 ATS as a ‘dog. On the downside, Ole Miss is 7-19 ATS in its last 26 September contests and 3-9 in its last 12 non-conference games.
The schools last faced each other in 2006 in Oxford, Miss., with the Demon Deacons cruising to a 27-3 victory as a two-point road underdog.
The under is on streaks of 7-2 for Ole Miss in September, 20-8 for Ole Miss on the road, 7-2 for Wake Forest in September, 9-3 for Wake at home and 15-5-1 for Wake in non-conference play.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WAKE FOREST and UNDER
Stanford (1-0 SU and ATS) at (15) Arizona State (1-0, 0-0 ATS)
Stanford, which won just three conference games a season ago, looks to start off 2008 with consecutive Pac-10 victories when it travels to Tempe, Ariz., for what figures to be a daunting matchup against the Sun Devils.
The Cardinal kicked off the second year of the Jim Harbaugh era with an impressive 36-28 home win over Oregon State as a three-point underdog. Coupled with last year’s season-ending 20-13 upset of Cal, Stanford has won consecutive games for the first time since October 2005, a stretch of 30 contests.
Against Oregon State, the Cardinal did the bulk of their damage on the ground (210 rushing yards), but the defense allowed a whopping 404 passing yards. They prevailed in large part by winning the turnover battle (3-0).
Arizona State easily dispatched of Northern Arizona 30-13 in a non-lined Week 1 contest. Senior QB Rudi Carpenter was in midseason form, going 22-for-38 for 388 yards and a touchdown, but the Devils got outgained on the ground (139-94).
The Sun Devils have blasted Stanford the last two seasons, winning 38-3 as a 23½-point home favorite in 2006 and 41-3 as a 15-point road chalk last year. Previously, the Cardinal had been on a 7-1 run in this rivalry. Finally, the SU winner has cashed in eight of the last nine meetings.
Despite last week’s win, Stanford remains mired in ATS funks of 6-14 in conference play, 1-9 in September and 8-13 as an underdog. Conversely, ASU is on a 20-8-1 ATS roll in September and a 10-1 ATS spurt as a double-digit favorite, but Dennis Erickson’s squad ended 2007 with five straight non-covers.
For Stanford, the under is on runs of 45-17-1 overall, 37-14-1 in Pac-10 play and 23-6-1 on the road. Meanwhile, Arizona State sports under streaks of 12-4 overall in lined games and 4-1 in Pac-10 play. Also, the last two series meetings have stayed low after the previous five had flown over the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA STATE and UNDER
Cal (1-0 SU and ATS) at Washington State (0-1 SU and ATS)
Cal will try to build on last week’s hard-fought win over Michigan State when it opens Pac-10 play against Washington State.
The Bears got caught up in a back-and-forth shootout with the Spartans last Saturday, but they got two touchdowns a little more than a minute apart in the fourth quarter and prevailed 38-31 as a five-point home favorite. Cal, which snapped an 0-7 ATS regular-season losing skid with the win and cover, rolled up 467 total yards and outrushed Michigan State, 226-81.
Washington State struggled in coach Paul Wulff’s debut, producing just 202 total yards in a 39-13 loss to Oklahoma State as a seven-point underdog on a neutral field in Seattle. The Cougars have alternated wins and losses in their last seven games, but they’re just 3-6 SU in their last nine efforts, giving up an average of 42 points per game in the last three.
Cal has won three straight meetings against Washington State, including last year’s narrow 20-17 home victory. However, the Cougars cashed easily as a 15½-point ‘dog in that one, and they’re 6-2 ATS in the last eight head-to-head clashes since 1997. Also, the visitor has covered in four straight in this rivalry going back to 2002.
Although they’ve followed up an 0-7 ATS slide with back-to-back spread-covers (including last year’s bowl game), the Bears are just 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 road games (0-4 ATS last four), including 0-4 ATS as a road favorite last year. Additionally, they’re 2-12 ATS in their last 14 Pac-10 games.
Wazzu is on an 8-3 ATS roll as a home ‘dog and a 4-1 ATS spurt in Pac-10 play.
The under is 5-2-1 in Washington State’s last seven overall, 5-1 in its last six against winning teams, 8-1-1 in Cal’s last 10 road games and 5-1 in Cal’s last six league affairs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON STATE and UNDER
Jeff Benton
Frankly, I’m just not sold on the Bulldogs like most everyone else is. Don’t get me wrong – they’re a very deep, talented and experienced squad. But I have to believe Georgia’s players read all the press clippings in the summer about how great there are, and that’s gotta have an affect on 18- to 22-year-old kids.
I’m not saying Georgia loses this game to Central Michigan – I just don’t think it’s going to be a four-touchdown blowout, that’s all. In addition to Georiga’s potential overconfidence, I think the Chippewas can put up a decent fight. The two-time defending MAC champs have 16 returning starters, including versatile QB Dan LeFevour, who had 27 passing TDs and 19 rushing TDs last year. (Last week against Eastern Illinois, LeFevour went 21-for-31 for 217 yards and three TDs, while adding 42 rushing yards, in a 31-21 win.)
Also, this isn’t the first time this experienced Central Michigan squad has knocked heads with a formidable foe. Last year, the Chippewas faced Purdue (twice), Kansas and Clemson. Yes, all three destroyed the Chips in the regular season (Purdue won by just three in a bowl game), but now with another year under their belt and a possible Top 25 spot on the horizon, I expect Central Michigan to give a much stronger effort here.
Throw in the fact that Georgia, which is 1-5 ATS in its last six as a double-digit favorite, has a legitimate revenge game on deck against South Carolina, and I’ll take the generous points with CMU, which has cashed in 24 of its last 34 lined games.
5♦ CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Jake Timlin
Saturday selection is the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Good chance at winning outright take the Yellow Jackets plus the road points. After all with this game being impacted by rain I like the Yellow Jackets running attack that will put all kinds of pressure the Eagles defense. Meanwhile also helping the Yellow Jackets to keep this one close is their above average defense that will give the Eagles inexperienced offense all kinds of fits, as after watching life without Matt Ryan last week I don’t see the Eagle offense blowing out anyone this year. Flat out Georgia Tech has revenge on their minds and thanks to their ability to run the ball I look a closer then expect game in Chestnut Hill.
KING CREOLE
90% ATS System
Northwestern Wildcats @ Duke Blue Devils
Play on: DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Since this System hit on Thursday night with VANDERBILT... and it has another qualifier on Saturday, count me IN! Most players are aware that Duke's win over Northwestern last year probably kept the Wildcats out of a Bowl appearance. So there's big time REVENGE going here. But like the Commodores proved 2 nights ago, sometimes it's better to play INTO Revenge.
27-13 ATS since 1980: GAME TWO home DOGS (Duke) playing INTO non-conference Revenge. Shorter dogs of +7.5 or less points have gone 20-8 ATS in this same time span... and an almost PERFECT 9-1 ATS since 1998.
Scotts Picks
Akron at Syracuse
Not overly impressed with the Orangemen but even as a bad team they've played well at home the past several years (21-7 ATS as home favorite) and Akron will really struggle to stop even the limited attack of 'Cuse.
Syracuse -4.5
Miami-Oh at Michigan
The Wolverines were beaten last week by Utah, as we predicted, so perhaps some bad value in the line but a closer look at last weeks game shows that Utah dominated the game more than the score indicated. Miami-Oh with just enough talent and great effort to stay within a big number.
Miami-Ohio +14.5
Tulane at Alabama
Line over inflated here, yes - in fact if not 'Bama would be a power play. Even with a higher number than perhaps should be we still see the Crimson Tide as the far superior team and Nick Saban has a nice history of not taking his foot off the gas until very late.
Alabama -30
Utah St at Oregon
Another huge line here, but again rightfully so. Common in week 2 we quickly start to see a big seperation in talent and although Utah State is a solid team they are very out classed in this game as the Oregon talent runs very deep.
Oregon -35.5
Cincinnati at Oklahoma
Perhaps getting greedy with another big line but week 2 the favorites really flex their muscles, expect to see it again here as OU will post yet another huge win to keep impressing pollsters all season long. OU is too talent, too deep and too tough at home. OU a great pick!
Oklahoma -21.5
Texas Tech at Nevada
Tech has put up 40 plus against better defenses than this and not sure we see the Red Raiders defense all that improved while Nevada getting rather scary with their high powered offense. Plenty of points here.
Texas Tech/Nevada OVER 65
Mississippi at Wake Forest
Continue to be impressed with much improved Ole Miss team that has plenty of talent on defense to keep this one close. Expect a close game, down to the wire making a plus 8 line a very nice looking pick in this game.
Mississippi +8
UConn at Temple
Owls have all 22 starters back this season and built some real confidence with a big win last week. That absolutely carries over to this week and gives us a home dog pick.
Temple +7
Louisana Tech at Kansas
The Jayhawks D was very tough last week and get an offense that will likely struggle mightly all season long. At the same time the KU offense looked to sputter at times and has a much tougher test this week. Also expect KU to keep offense rather vanilla with biggest early test up on the road next week.
La Tech/Kansas UNDER 52
Stanford at Arizona State
Things looking up at Stanford, optimism abound. But reality check here. Carpenter should have a huge game against a secondary that struggled to slow down Oregon St (404 yds passing) last week. Big day for Arizona State!
Arizona State -14
UAB at Florida-Atlantic
Both teams offenses well ahead of their defenses, still. UAB can score quickly and stops nobody. FAU not quite as quick on the attack but still plenty of weapons on offense, but few on defense.
UAB/FAU OVER 56.5
MJP Sports
ARIZONA -23 Best Bet!
EASTERN MICHIGAN +21
TEXAS A&M -2.5
CONNECTICUT -7
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Chicago Cubs -144
We got burnt with the Cubs yesterday, but they'll buckle down and end the losing streak today. The Cubs are 14-4 in their last 18 road games, 8-2 in their last 10 road games vs. a right-handed starter, and 6-1 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a losing record. The Cubs are also 5-1 in Marquis' last 6 Saturday starts and 17-6 in Marquis' last 23 starts following a team loss in their previous game. The Reds are just 6-20 in their last 26 games vs. a right-handed starter and 0-5 in Cueto's last 5 starts vs. a team with a winning record. We'll take the Cubbies.
Bob Harvey
LAA Angels vs. Chicago White Sox
Play: Under 9
I’m looking for a nice bounce back effort from the Angels tonight as they take on the White Sox. Chicago took last night’s series opener as the Halo’s used spot starter Dustin Mosley in place of the injured Jerrod Weaver. As expected, the Pale House lit up Mosely like some 4th of July fireworks. Don’t expect a repeat though, not with the Angels big stud John Lackey going to the hill. Lackey is 11-3 with a 3.10 ERA and has proved to be a stopper his entire career. He’ll be opposed by one of the “young guns” on this Chicago staff, 15-game winner Gavin Floyd. I look for this one to be a low scoring affair for several reasons. The UNDER is 22-7-3 in Lackey’s last 32 outings. The UNDER is 7-1 in the last eight series meetings and 16-5 in their last 25 series meetings. The White Sox also lost one of their big offensive weapons this week when Carlos Quentin suffered a “temper related” broken-wrist. Quentin slammed his right hand on the bat he was holding in his left hand after fouling off a pitch against Cliff Lee Monday night. Quentin was batting .288 with an American League leading 36 homers and a team-high 100 RBIs. The Angels are 4-4 against Chicago this year and 2-2 at U.S. Cellular Field. They’ve got the best road record in baseball at 42-27. They’ve accomplished that with great starting pitching and Lackey has lead the way. Floyd with his 15 wins and an ERA of 3.61 is a big reason the White Sox leads the AL Central. Runs figure to be at a premium in today’s contest.
Play the UNDER.
Jimmy The Moose
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins
Prediction: Minnesota Twins
The Tigers are 3-9 in their last 12 games. Detroit has lost 6 of their last 8 vs. NL Central opponents. The Tigers are 7-24 in their last 31 road games vs. a team with a winning record. The Tigers are 4-10 in Verlander's last 14 starts. Detroit has lost 6 of his last 8 starts overall. The Twins are 14-3 in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a losing record. Minnesota is 43-17 in their last 60 home games. In their last 36 overall vs. a team with a losing record the Tiwns are 25-11. The Tigers have lost 4 of Verlander's last 5 starts vs. Minnesota. The Twins are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings. Play on the Minnesota Twins -.
Jimmy Thompson
Georgia Tech vs. BC
Pick:Under 38
There is a chance for some bad weather in Chestnut Hill today, but even if the weather is good we like this game under. BC struggled offensively last week in their 21-0 win at Kent and both defenses match up well here. The only way this game goes over is if we see 2 OT's and we are willing to bet against that.
Tom Stryker
Oregon State vs. Penn State
Play: Penn State -15.5
After getting rocked at Stanford last week, Oregon State will need to regroup quickly before making the difficult journey to Happy Valley to take on Joe Pa and Penn State. That’s not going to happen.
The Nittany Lions absolutely dismembered Coastal Carolina 66-10 last weekend and that blowout victory places PSU in an automatic “play on” situation. Dating back to the 1980 season, game two hosts are a marvelous 58-31 ATS provided they won by 40 points or more in their season opener. If our host is matched up against an opponent that is NOT off a straight up loss of 10 points or more and find themselves priced as an underdog or a favorite of -18 or less, this system zips to a sensational 39-14 ATS. Penn State fits this system and its tightener perfectly.
Fading Oregon State shouldn’t be a problem for anyone. The Beavers have struggled big time as a non-conference guest notching a dismal 11-35 SU and 13-22 ATS record. Even worse, in the second of two or more away, OSU is a soft 8-31-3 SU and 15-25 ATS including a stunning 6-16 ATS in this role priced as a pup of +15 or more.
Joe Pa and the Lions have posted a 24-6 SU and 18-10 ATS mark in their last 30 in Beaver Stadium including a sizzling 9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS in this set battling a foe that enters off a straight up loss. Things are about to go from bad to worse for Oregon State. Lay the lumber here men. Take Penn State!
Golden Contender
Kent@ Iowa.St
Pick: Iowa St
On Saturday the comp is on the Iowa St.Cyclones.Game number 354 at 7pm eastern,The Cyclones are supported by a solid 22-4 shutout system that plays against Kent in this game.The system dates to 1980 and is in effect as long as our play against team DOES NOT have revenge.Actually its Iowast with the embarassing home loss revenge situation here as Golden Flashes went into Jack Trice stadium in game 1 last year and came away with a 23-14 win.Usually non-conference teams are playing a home and home,but not in this series as Iowast gets to play them a second straight year here in Iowa city.While both teams stunk last year going 3-9, last years game was a very close game statistically.This years game has Kent in some negative situations,consider that they are 1-11 ats off a su loss vs an opponent off a double digit win,and 2-14 ats as dogs of more than 4 if there opponent won there last game by 20 or more.Back the cyclones. to get there revenge here on Saturday.