Triple Crown Sports
3* Cleveland Cavaliers
Power Play Wins
Super Bowl Play Of The Day
Arizona Cardinals +7
KBHOOPS
7* NBA GOW Orlando Magic -6 **POD**
NCAAB
5* Penn State/Michigan UNDER 139 -120
5* Virginia +23
5* Loyola Maryland +3
5* Creighton -10.5
Superbowl Selection = 3* Arizona Cardinals +6.5
Teddy June
10* Arizona
Billy Coleman
4* SAC
3* TOR
4* CINN
4* CREIGH
3* RIDER Over
Lenny Stevens
20* Pittsburgh
10* Over
NATIONAL SPORTS SERVICE
3* Pittsburgh/Arizona OVER 46.5
3* St. Johns -2.5
RAS
Loyola +3
Feist
5* AZ
Platinum OVER
Spreizter
5* AZ
KO Total GOY UNDER
Cokin
Magic (hat)
St Joes
Lenny Del Genio
Pittsburgh -7
Despite what the Arizona Cardinals have pulled off in the postseason, we are calling for the dream to die at Super Bowl XLIII. No, this is not the "worst playoff team in NFL History." A shocking upset of Carolina proved that. So too has the respective performances of QB Warner and WR Fitzgerald. They also have former Steelers OC Wisenhunt as their HC as well as five other former Steelers assistants on their sideline. However, all this being said, we are not going to back away from our basic assertions from before the Carolina game. This team was 0-5 SU in non-division road games during the regular season. Some of those losses included by 40 to the Patriots, 28 to the Eagles and 21 to the Jets. They beat only one playoff team and that was Miami back in September. Granted, they've proven throughout this playoff run that you probably need to throw some of that out, but consider some fortunate breaks they've received these last three games. Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan was tipping them off with the snap count in the Wild Card round. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme turned the ball over six times in the Divisional Round and two weeks ago they became the first #4 seed EVER to host a Conference Title Game, were outgained by 85 yards and still won. The defense, while playing better, still allowed an average of 26.6 PPG during the year and allowed 36 TD Passes, an NFL worst. Even with the resurgence of RB Edgerrin James, the offense remains largely one-dimensional as they ranked last in the league with 74 RYPG, getting outgained on the ground by an average of 37 YPG. QB Warner, who has turned the ball over 26 times, will be a sitting duck against the Pittsburgh blitz that had the 2nd most sacks in the league with 51. In terms of yards allowed, the Steelers were #1 across the board on defense. QB Roethlisberger is an outstanding 7-2 SU in playoff games. The running game is coming back with RB Parker topping the 100yd mark in two of his last three games. This offense is pretty good too, having topped 30pts in five games this season. Off 4+ ATS wins, the Cardinals are just 1-9 ATS since 1992. Pittsburgh is 72-49 ATS on turf. We just do not like Arizona's chances against this physical defense and big game experience is firmly on the side of the Steelers. Pittsburgh is our Super Bowl XLIII Oddsmaker Mismatch.
Cajun Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Over 46.5
Cigar City will be the site of Sunday’s Super Bowl between the AFC representative Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFC representative Arizona Cardinals. It took the Steelers winning just two home playoff games as the number 2 seed to get their invitation to the Big Game while the Cardinals as a number 4 seed had to win three games as an underdog to make their dream a reality.
Once again we have a team with an outstanding defense in the Super Bowl as Pittsburgh led the league in almost every conceivable defensive category and this makes them the eleventh such team to make it to the Super Bowl. For us the great part of that defense is they actually score points in fact the Steelers defense and special teams have accounted for a touchdown in each of their playoff games this season.
Most people had this Cardinals team dead and buried in the first round of the playoffs when they hosted the Atlanta Falcons. After that home win over the Falcons the public knew there was no way they could go on the road especially when that road led to the East Coast of the US where the Cardinals had been completely annihilated in each of their previous trips and defeat the only team that had a perfect 8-0 home record during the regular season. Well the Cardinals destroyed that Carolina team to ensure the next game would be played in the desert. The Championship Round would certainly be the end as everyone knows “defense wins championships” and the Eagles will take down this weak Cardinals team, well the people in the “know” were wrong once again as the Cardinals handled that Eagles “D” and punched their ticket to the Super Bowl.
In 2008 the New York Giants became the first team in thirty-three years to win the Super Bowl without reaching the twenty-point plateau. There have been seventeen previous Super Bowl teams to fail to reach fourteen points and their record is perfect 0-17 both straight up and against the spread. The last twenty-five teams who scored 20 or fewer points in the Big Game are 1-24 SU and 4-20-1 against the spread. The only winner was of course the 2008 NY Giants. The last fifteen favorites to score less than thirty points are 2-12-1 against the number. The moral of the story is you better score some points if you plan on taking home the Lombardi.
Arizona has been one of the best teams in the NFL for going ‘over’ the posted total with a record of 13-6 ‘over’ on the season. The Cardinals have proven to be a solid ‘over’ proposition the last three seasons going 35-16 ‘over’. Pittsburgh may surprise a few with their record of 10-8 ‘over’ this season and five of their last eight have all sailed over the posted total.
Pittsburgh’s defense has been stingy allowing only 13.9 points per game but this has come against some teams that are also known for their defensive prowess and not necessarily their offensive scoring abilities. In fact the Steelers have only faced one other true passing attack, the Houston Texans and that resulted in fifty-five points being scored in that contest.
The Steelers offense has faced the Ravens twice, the Titans and the Eagles who all have solid defensive units. Arizona by contrast ranks 28th in the league in scoring defense and allow 26.6 points per game. The Steelers have averaged 28.5 points per game over their last eight games which include games against five of the league’s best defensive teams. The Steelers realize they will have to put points on the board to win this game; it will be highly unlikely that their defense can shutdown this Cardinals offense completely.
The Cardinals ranked second in yards passing per game and third in points scored during the regular season. The Cardinals offense threw the ball sixty-five percent of the time during the regular season but during the playoffs we saw that ratio become significantly different with one hundred rushing attempts to ninety-two passing attempts. That change in philosophy didn’t change the scoreboard as the Cardinals put up 30, 33 and 32 respectively.
Arizona’s Kurt Warner will not be intimidated by the Steelers pass rush his ability to get rid of the ball quickly has proven to be effective against this type of defensive scheme. We also expect Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger to improve on his last performance in the Super Bowl, he was 9 for 21 for 123 yards no touchdowns and two interceptions. Even with his poor performance the Steelers were able with the referees help to defeat the Seattle Seahawks back in 2006. We expect him to have a much better performance and along with Warner they should be able to send this one ‘over’ the posted total.
On the technical front we see that Pitt is 8-1 ‘over’ versus teams averaging <=3.5 rushing yards per carry the last 3 seasons and 6-0 ‘over’ after covering the spread in 5 or 6 out of their last 7 games over the last 3 seasons. Arizona is 8-1 ‘over’ when playing against a team with a winning record this season, 9-1 ‘over’ vs. defenses allowing 5.7 or less passing yards per attempt the last 3 seasons, 13-5 ‘over’ as an underdog the last 2 seasons, 8-0 ‘over’ off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons and 10-1 ‘over’ after allowing 6 or more yards per play in their previous game the last 2 seasons.
This bureau is recommending a play on the ‘over’ in this year’s Super Bowl as both teams should help this one sail over the posted number.
GRADED PREDICTION: 3* Pittsburgh / Arizona OVER 46.5
Joe D'Amico
Cleveland at Detroit
Play: Cleveland -4
The Cav's are 11 games ahead of the 2nd place Piston's in the Central division. Cleveland has had some difficulty with Detriot over their last 3 meetings. However LeBron James and company come into this game red-hot, winning 5 of their last 6 and 8 of 10. While the Piston's have only won 3 of their last 10 overall and are 1-4 at home their last 5 both SU and ATS. The Cav's are 8-1 ATS their last 9 a a favorite of 0.5-4.5 points, 37-16 ATS their last 53 overall, and 15-7 ATS their last 22 vs. teams with a winning record. The Piston's are 1-6 ATS their last 7 at home, 0-8 ATS their last 8 Sunday games, and 0-4 ATS their last 4 as a 'dog. Cleveland's Forwards James and Wallace will prove to be too physical for Detroit.
Robert Ferringo
1.5-Unit Play. Take Illinois (-12.5) over Iowa
I expect the Illini to bounce back with a strong performance after that embarrassing showing at Minnesota this week. Bruce Weber will have his team motivated and ready to blow out a significantly weaker foe. Illinois is 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 and really have been one of the best home teams in the country, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field for the season in Champagne. Iowa is a scrappy team and plays tough as a home dog, but they lost by 15 at Michigan, by 22 at Purdue, and by 17 at Drake. That's three of their last five road games. We'll pick a rare big favorite and see if Illinois can get it done.
1-Unit Play. Take South Florida (+3) over St. John’s
I like the points and the dog in this one. South Florida has played well for about 30 minutes at Pitt, at Louisville and at WVU, but in the end superior talent won out there. St. John's does not have superior talent here and I don't know if they deserve to be
Marc Lawrence
College Hoops Top Dog Play
Missouri St at Creighton
Pick: Missouri St +10.5
Analysis: When Missouri State takes on Creighton in a Missouri Valley Conference clash Sunday afternoon they will look to avenge a pair of losses suffered last year against the Blue Jays. That's good news for the Bears considering that teams who won 15 or more games and lost twice to Creighton last year are 8-2 ATS with revenge the next season, including 5-0 ATS as dogs of more than 8 points. In addition, Missouri State is 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS as a dog of more than 3 points in this series when playing off a loss. Toss in the Bears' 4-0 ATS mark as dogs of more than 7 points off a double-digit loss against and opponent off a double-digit win and the fact that Creighton is 0-7 ATs as a favorite of 4 or more points against an opponent off a loss and you have all the makings of a live double-digit dog with Missouri State today.
DR BOB
2 Star Selection
**Virginia (+23) over DUKE
Duke is coming off a hard faught 2 point loss at Wake Forest and it will be tough for the Blue Devils to bring their "A" Game today after that battle. Duke is only 24-37-1 ATS in conference games after a loss and the Blue Devils apply to a very negative 1-37 ATS subset of a 15-65-1 ATS big home favorite situatoin that is based on their loss to Wake Forest. My ratings favor Duke by 23 1/2 points, but the situation is good enough to give up a bit of line value. I'll take Virginia in a 2-Star Best Bet at +23 points or more and for 3-Stars at +24 or more.
3 Star Selection
***CREIGHTON (-10 1/2) over Missouri State
Missouri State is now 4-16 ATS on the road the last two seasons and the Bears are just 2-13 ATS as an underdog in conference play after losing at Southern Illinois on Thursday. Creighton has failed to cover the spread in their last two games, but the Bluejays have covered the spread in their last 16 conference games following consecutive spread losses and they apply to a solid 208-104-9 ATS situation. The possible absence of Creighton guard P'Allen Stinnett doesn't concern me much considering he shoots just 43% from the floor and has a horrible assist to turnover ratio. The Blue Jays played better than average in the one game earlier this seson that he missed, so I see no reason to adjust for his questionable status. My ratings favor Creighton by 12 points and I'll take Creighton in a 2-Star Best Bet at -11 points or less and for 2-Stars at -11 1/2 or -12 points.
2 Star Selection
**MONTANA STATE (+5 1/2) over Portland State
I won going against Portland State as a road favorite at Montana on Thursday and the situation is against the Vikings again today.Montana State applies to a 25-4-1 ATS subset of a 93-39-2 ATS home underdog situation that partially has to do with the fact that Portland State is coming off a loss. My ratings favor Portland State by only 4 1/2 points, so the line is fair, and I'll take Montana State in a 2-Star Best Bet at +5 points or more and for 3-Stars at +6 or more.
College Opinion
Iowa (+12) over ILLINOIS
Iowa's performance has fallen off in 5 plus games without big man Cyrus Tate, but the line has nearly caught up to the Hawkeyes current level of play and Illinois applies to a very negative 1-37 ATS subset of a 15-65-1 ATS big home favorite letdown situation (yes, 1-37!). I still don't like to give up too line value no matter how good the situation and my ratings favor the Illini by 13 1/2 points. I'll lean with Iowa at +12 or more based on the strong situation and I'll take Iowa in a 2-Star Best Bet at +13 points and for 3-Stars at +13 1/2 or more.
M&M Sports
4* Duke -22
3* Cavs -4
2* Pitt under 46
1* 1st team to kickoff; Pitt -170
1* Ed. James under 43 1/2 yards, -140
1* Parker 1st reception over 1 1/2 yards, +190
Wayne Root
Chairman- Cardinals
Millionaire- St Johns
CHARLIE
500* Pittsburgh vs Arizona Over 46'
30* Pittsburgh -6'
10* Detroit +4'
Eddie Mush
4* Duke -23.5
4* Cavs -4
10* Cardinals +7
NORTHCOAST PROPS
3 unit willie parker will score a T.D.
3 unit over 1 and half fumbles.
2 unit ARIZONA first team to record sack
2 star will be field goal 1ST quarter
2 unit PITT.over 18 receptions
JB Sports
2*Sacramento
Sports Unlimited
7* Pittsburg -6'
Mike Neri
3* Duke
3* Cleveland Cavs
Sports Bank
400 Pittsburgh
GOLD SHEET
1* Arizona
Score
400 Pittsburgh
Dave Malinsky
4* Creighton
Heisman Trophy Club
20* Ariz/Pitt Over 46.5
Bob Akmens
Montreal
Executive
300% Pittsburgh -6'
350% Fairfield -3
Jr Tips
10 Million Star Over 46.5
Magliosa
Pitt/AZ Over
John Fina
3 units Arizona Cardinals +7
3 units Pittsburgh/Arizona Over 46.5
1 unit Over 2.5 Total Interceptions
1 unit Ben Roethlisberger Pass Attempts: Over 30.5
1 unit Kurt Warner Pass Attempts: Over 38.5
1 unit Longest Gross Punt by Mitch Berger: Over 50.5
1 unit Will a Ben Graham Punt Result in a Touchback: No
C-Stars Sports
5000 units Arizona Cardinals
1000 Units Arizona/Pittsburgh Over
Youngstown Connection
St John's -3
Looks like most of today's stuff has been posted so I will do a final update at 4:00 pm est
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