Larry Ness
MWC Game of the Month
15* Utah
Charlies
500* TCU @ Utah Under 43
400* Denver @ Cleveland Over 46
30* Virginia Tech -3
20* Maryland @ Virginia Tech Under 42'
20* Utah +2
10* Cleveland -3
Houston +5 free play
JB Sports
Virginia Tech
Alex Smart
Utah
LT Profits
NY Islanders
Mike Rose
Rockets / Blazers Under
Pacific Star
Browns
Scott Spreitzer
Thursday Night CFB Game of the Month
Take TCU
I'm playing the visitor in this top of the MWC battle. The Horned Frogs are a very disciplined team that runs the ball and stops the run. They have allowed a grand total of just 108 points in 10 games. Take away the loss at Oklahoma, and TCU has allowed just 8.11 points per game to their other nine opponents. They're a perfect 6-0 in conference play, winning by an average final score of 35 to 7.5! They have held four conference opponents to a TD each, one opponent to two TDs and one more to a field goal. MWC teams are averaging less than 12 first downs per game against TCU. The Horned Frogs have allowed just 298 rushing yards on 179 carries, or 1.66 yards per carry and 49.7 yards per game. The pass defense is just as strong. Their six conference opponents have connected on just 73 of 163 pass attempts, a 44.7% completion rate, for an average of 144.2 yards per game. Through their first six MWC tilts, TCU has allowed just ONE TD pass, yet they have intercepted eight passes and have sacked the QB 27 times, an average of 4.5 sacks per game. The offense is piling up yardage and points, scoring an average of 36.7 ppg! The offensive and defensive numbers would be even better, believe it or not, except HC Gary Patterson has pulled his regulars quite early in their blowout wins, including last Saturday at UNLV. I was at the game and the TCU starters got plenty of rest during the 44-14 win. That TCU defense will face a one-dimensional Ute offense. Last week, I went against Utah and cashed my Dog of the Year with UNM. I cited Utah's mediocre passing results in my write-up. The Utes have attempted the second fewest passes in the conference. They want to run the football, but as I mentioned above, TCU holds everyone in check, especially on the ground. In fact, the Frogs held mighty Oklahoma to 25 yards on 36 carries. Utah barely escaped a down Michigan team, barely got by Air Force, and escaped by the skin of their teeth at home against Oregon State and last week at New Mexico. The Utes were actually outgained by 68 yards by the Beavers and allowed 6.4 yards per play...in Salt Lake. The Utes also gave up 360 yards at 6 yards per play to Weber State in a 37-21 win. And, let's not forget, that against UNLV, Oregon State, Weber State, and New Mexico, the Utes' defense allowed a 64.5% completion rate (80 of 124) while allowing too many yards per pass. In fact, they allowed those four teams to throw for six TD passes without picking off a single pass in 124 tries. Utah has played an incredibly soft schedule to date and I believe they'll pay for it tonight. I'm laying the short number with TCU on Thursday.
Anyone see Ballinpicks? Thay have a nice card tonight.
Rocketman
5* St Louis
4* Colorado
Bob Balfe
NFL Football
Cleveland -3 over Denver
Both teams are playing on a short week, but this will hurt Denver more due to the Travel and spending their nights in a hotel. Cleveland made the switch to Brady Quinn who is perfectly capable of running this offense. Denver has some running back issues and they have a rookie fullback. I do not see the Broncos running to much on Cleveland tonight. If you make a team unbalanced you can go for interceptions and really put them away. We all saw what Cleveland did on MNF to the Giants. This team is perfectly capable of winning big games. Also, Cleveland knows that another loss with all but crush their chance at a playoff spot. Look for Cleveland to have a good offensive game against a very bad Broncos defense. Take the Browns.
College Football
Maryland/Vtech Under 41.5
Maryland is the true definition of hot and cold. You never know what team you are going to get. Virginia Tech usually always plays good home defense and should slow up the Terps Da'Rel Scott. Scott is a great running back, but his shoulder has been slowing him down and I don't see him putting up a lot of yards tonight. When Tech is on offense they will be slowed by both QB's having Ankle injuries. We all are so used to Beamer Ball and VTech getting special teams TD's however it seems like this team is just not as good as they were in years pasts. Both teams should step it up on defense keep this low scoring. Take the Under.
Utah +1.5 over TCU
Both of these teams are outstanding and credit has to be given to TCU's defense. TCU has not allowed more than 14 pt's in any game except for their loss vs Oklahoma. Utah's defense is not far behind and I do like Brian Johnson their QB in a big game like this. Both teams can run the ball well, but yards will be hard to come by tonight. I do give the passing edge slightly to Utah and this home crowd and sub freezing temperatures have to favor the Utes who are used to the cold. Take Utah.
NBA Basketball
Trailblazers +5 over Rockets
Savannah Sports
NCAA Football
3 Units on Virginia Tech -3
NBA Basketball
3 Units on Orlando -5
Primetime Sports Advisors
10 units Virginia Tech -3
5 units Denver Broncos +3
5 units Edmonton Oilers+155
5 units Florida Panthers +115
Steam On-Line Guaranteed Selections
6000* LATE STEAM NHL MONEY LINE WINNER
Atlanta -145
IndianCowboy
Maryland Terrapins @ Virginia Tech Hokies
3 units Maryland Terrapins +3 (POD)