Marc Lawrence
West Virginia over LOUISVILLE by 10
It's early November and the high-powered Cardinals are on the outside looking in at the BIG EAST race. As disappointing as they've been, WVU coach Rich Rodriguez realizes a wounded dog bites hardest when his belly is aching. Picked by many to win conference honors in 2007, Louisville will rely on a week of rest and a staunch defensive effort in its last game (held Pitt to season low 270 yards) in hopes of springing a second double-digitdog upset win this year. The last three games in this series have witnessed scoreboard burnouts, playing to combined totals of 78, 90 and 70 points with the losing team tallying 34 or more points each game. With Rodriguez nothing special at home off back-to-back wins (4-9 ATS), and Louie 5-1 ATS (3-2 SU) taking doubles, we'll opt-in with the hungry dog.
Vegas Sports Picks
LOUISVILLE +17
Louisville (5-4, 2-2) which ranks sixth in the nation in passing yardage is 12-4 ATS last 16 as an underdog. No.6 West Virginia (7-1, 2-1) which ranks sixth in the nation in rushing yardage is 3-5 ATS last eight home games. Teams have split past two meetings each winning at home, Louisville 44-34 last season, WVU 46-44 in triple OT the previous season.
Jim Feist
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
There comes times when you just have to go with a trend on face value. Trends can be a good part of anyones overall handicapping, but usually it shouldn't be your sole handicapping tool. But, on Thursday we have one of those games where you just have to give in to the Trend. For whatever reason, the Golden State Warriors have just dominated the Dallas Mavericks during the regular season. The figures? How about the Warriors going 20-4 ATS the last 24 meetings!!! The Warriors have won four straight ATS and have covered 10 of the last 11 games. Even straight up the numbers are heavy on the Warriors side; 9-2 SU the last 11 meetings. Now, the Mavericks may even be without forward Josh Howard, who is questionable with an ankle injury. We'll just take this Trend on face value and stick with the Warriors here on Thursday.
GOLD SHEET
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8
*WEST VIRGINIA 42 - Louisville 20?Visiting Cardinals need 1 more win to
be bowl eligible, and notching that victory at expense of rival WV would be
doubly satisfying. Easier said than done against Mountaineer squad that is still
lurking around BCS title picture, however. Speedy duo of QB White & RB
Slaton will strike early & often vs. poor-tackling Louisville stop unit. And
improved WV pass defense (11 ints., only 7 TDP) better equipped to deal with
dangerous Card sr. QB Brohm TY. CABLE TV?ESPN
(06-LVL. 44-W. Va. 34...W.24-22 W.50/318 L.32/114 L.19/26/0/354 W.13/21/0/222 L.1 W.3)
(06-LOUISVILLE -1' 44-34 05-WEST VIRGINIA +7 46-44 (OT)...SR: West Virginia 6-2)
*BYU 24 - Tcu 20?It?s almost as hard to beat BYU in Provo (where it?s won
10 straight) as it is to find Coca-Cola Classic at LaVell Edwards Stadium?s
concession stands. But it?s also difficult to extend margins vs. TCU, especially
with ?D? in ornery mood once more now that DE Blake has returned to lineup,
and Frogs jumping again after last week?s romp past New Mexico. Another
controlled effort by RS frosh QB Dalton (2 TDP vs. Lobos) should keep TCU close.
(06-Byu 31-TCU 17...T.29-20 T.32/141 B.34/72 B.23/37/0/321 T.26/50/1/296 B.1 T.1)
(06-Byu +5' 31-17 05-Tcu +3' 51-50 (OT)...SR: BYU 4-2)
POINTWISE
THURSDAY
WEST VIRGINIA 55 - Louisville 27
(7:45 - ESPN) -- Barnburners are the norm
in this series, but can't see it recurring. Not only does the 'Ville own porous "D",
but formerly explosive "O" has reached 30 pts in just 1 of last 5 games. No
such shortcomings for Mounties, who average 41 ppg, along with 3rd best "D".
BYU 33 - Tcu 26 - (9:00)
Coogs missed cover LW, on INT runback in final 4:07.
Averaging 42 ppg in last 15 HGs, & Hall in off 355 PY effort. But complete
turnaround for Frogs LW, with 25-6 FD & >300 yd edge over always tuff NMex.
Dave Cokin
DETROIT PISTONS
What's up with Chicago? The Bulls are 0-4 and look terrible. Tyrus Thomas has been very erratic, and for whatever reason key contributors Duhon and Nocioni are not seeing as many minutes as one would expect, leading me to believe there may be something physical with one or both players. The Bulls should straighten themselves out eventually, but until they do, they're a fade. Detroit owns the series to the tune of 19-6 SU, 17-8 ATS so no real reason to shy away here. I'll grab the Pistons.
THE SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL football 4
Louisville (5-4, 2-6 ATS) at (6) West Virginia (7-1, 6-1-1 ATS)
West Virginia looks to continue its ascent up the BCS standings when it hosts Louisville in a Big East showdown that figures to be a high-scoring affair.
The Mountaineers come into this one riding a three-game winning streak (2-1 ATS), outscoring those three foes ? Syracuse, Mississippi State and Rutgers ? by a combined score of 124-30. In its most recent game at Rutgers on Oct. 27, West Virginia rolled 31-3 as a 6?-point road chalk
Louisville also has been idle since Oct. 27, when it struggled to beat Pitt 24-17 as a 10-point home favorite. The Cardinals, who like West Virginia began the year with BCS title hopes, have alternated wins and losses in their last six games.
These conference rivals have played two thrilling games the last two seasons, with the home team coming out on top each time. In 2005, West Virginia prevailed 46-44 in triple-overtime as a seven-point home underdog, but Louisville got revenge last year with a 44-34 win as a two-point favorite. Last year?s contest featured 1,008 yards of total offense.
Louisville is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 November contests and 11-4-1 ATS in its last 16 as an underdog, including 8-3 ATS as a road pup.
West Virginia is on ATS runs of 25-11-1 in Big East play, 8-3 following a bye and 4-1 on Thursday nights. On the downside, Rich Rodriguez?s club is just 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight home games.
Both teams feature high-octane offenses piloted by talented quarterbacks. Louisville puts up 37 points and 510.4 yards per game, with drop-back passer Brian Brohm completing 68.2 percent of his throws for 3,229 yards with 26 TDs and seven INTs. Meanwhile, the Mountaineers, who average 41 points and 471 total yards per game, are led by junior QB Pat White, who is connecting on 70 percent of his passes for 1,070 yards with nine TDs and two INTs. The mobile White also has 620 rushing yards (8.2 per carry) and nine rushing TDs.
The biggest difference between these squads is on the defensive side of the ball, where West Virginia gives up just 15 points and 262 (101.1 rushing yards per game) and Louisville yields 27.3 points and 411.3 yards per contest (154 rushing ypg). The Mountaineers have not given up more than 24 points in any game this year, holding six of their last seven foes to 14 points or less. On the flip side, the Cardinals have surrendered 24 points or more five times this year.
West Virginia has outgained all eight of its opponents, including seven by 124 yards or more.
The under is 5-1 in West Virginia?s last six, while the Cardinals have stayed low in five of their last seven, including the last three in a row. However, the over is 11-3 in West Virginia?s last 14 home games, 12-3 in its last 15 November contests and 2-0 in the last two series meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
TCU (5-4, 2-5-1 ATS) at BYU (6-2, 3-4 ATS)
BYU can move a step closer to clinching its second straight Mountain West Conference title when it welcomes league rival TCU to LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars carry a five-game winning streak into tonight?s game after topping Colorado State 35-16 on Saturday. BYU allowed two four-quarter touchdowns and failed to cash as a 21-point home chalk, dropping to 2-4 ATS in its last six games. The Cougars sit atop the Mountain West standings at 4-0 (2-2 ATS), and they?ve won 12 consecutive league games (8-4 ATS).
TCU is coming off its most dominating effort of the season, a 37-0 whitewash of New Mexico, covering as a four-point home chalk after going 1-5-1 ATS to start the season. The Horned Frogs, who were supposed to provide BYU its toughest challenge in the conference race, are just 2-3 in league play (2-2-1 ATS).
The visitor has taken the last two meetings. In 2005, TCU scored 21 fourth-quarter points and outlasted BYU 51-50 in overtime as a three-point underdog, while the Cougars rolled 31-17 as a seven-point road underdog last year, snapping the Horned Frogs? 13-game winning streak. BYU is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings
TCU is on a 6-2-1 ATS run in conference play. However, the Horned Frogs are 0-2 in MWC road games this year (0-1-1 ATS). For the season, TCU is averaging 22.2 points on the road, but giving up 28.5.
The Cougars are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine home games, the only non-cover coming on Saturday against Colorado State. This year, BYU is 4-0 at home (3-1 ATS), outscoring its opponents by an average of 23 points per game (32-9).
Continuing BYU?s storied quarterback tradition is sophomore Max Hall, who is completing 60 percent of his tosses for 307 yards per game with 17 TDs and nine INTs.
The over is 9-4-1 in TCU?s last 14 November games and 7-2 in BYU?s last nine November contests. Also, the last two battles between these schools have hurdled the total. However, the Cougars are on a 6-2 ?under? roll (3-0 ?under? at home), while the Frogs are 5-2 ?under? in their last seven.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BYU
Sports Gambling Hotline
3 LOUISVILLE / WEST VIRGINIA OVER
We expect the scoring to add up to an OVER tonight in Morgantown as both the Cardinals and the Mountaineers are capable of lighting up the scoreboard. The last two meetings between the schools have seen major points being rung up, as last year these teams combined for 78-points. Two years ago, they combined for 90-points! Louisville's offense may not be as prolific as it has been in the past, but Brian Brohm is an NFL-caliber QB, and past history in this series suggests a ton of points are certainly attainable. West Virginia has scored 31-points or more in 7 of their 8 games this season, and with Louisville's defense having a hard time when it comes to tackling, we say to take this Thursday night affair, and play it OVER the posted total. Play the HIGH!
Rocco Spacamuro
100* TCU
Brandon Lang
MONDAY
15 DIME
W.Virginia
Byu
Louisville/W.Virginia (OVER)
Free Pick - Dallas Mavs -
Handicapper: Nite Owl Sports
Sport: College Football
Game: Louisville Cardinals @ West Virginia - Thursday November 8, 2007 7:30 pm
Pick: 3 units (Play of the Day) ATS: West Virginia -16 (-110)
Handicapper: Nick Parsons
Sport: NHL Hockey
Game: Philadelphia Flyers @ New Jersey Devils - Thursday November 8, 2007 7:00 pm
Pick: 5 units (Free Play) MONEYLINE: New Jersey Devils -135
Kelso
15 units Louisville +17 @ WVU
3 units TCU +7 @ BYU
BILL YOUNG / BLACK WIDOW
NCAAF
TCU vs. Brigham Young
Take Over
1* on TCU/BYU Over 46 TCU and BYU have really picked it up offensively over their last 3 games. The Horned Frogs are averaging 32 points a game while BYU is putting up a nice 34 points per game in their last 3 contests. The last 2 meetings between these schools have gone OVER the total. BYU is 10-2 OVER off a win against a conference rival the last 3 seasons. Patterson is 6-0 OVER the Total in road games off 2 or more consecutive UNDERS as the coach of TCU. These offenses are in their prime this season so get ready for a shootout boys and girls.
Take the OVER 48 points
John Fina
November 8, 2007
Selection: Washington Wizards +6.5 (-110)
Today the Washington Wizards will be on the road as they take on the New Jersey Nets. We will side with the Wizards plus the points. The Wizards have yet to win a game this season, however, we see them turning things around tonight against an overrated Nets team. We understand that the Wizards have struggled on offense this season (a part of which was their strength last season), but let's keep in mind that this team still has many key offensive players (Arenas, Butler and Jamison). All players/teams have bad runs (this is what is happening to the Wizards), but the bottom line is this Wizards offense is strong. In this case, the value is with the underrated Washington Wizards! Take the Washington Wizards +6.5