DOC'S
3* South Carolina
MLB
3 Unit Play. Take Atlanta -135
3 Unit Play. Take Milwaukee (-1 ½ RL) -115
3 Unit Play. Take Minnesota +100
Vegas Sports Experts
The VSE NFL Football Power Play is
10* Take Washington (+4) over New York (NFL Power Play)
(Guaranteed Winner or NFL Season Free)
NY Giants
• 2-6 SU & ATS as a home favorite of 7 points or less the last 3 years
• 1-3 SU & ATS when playing in the 1st two weeks of the season
• Allowed an average of 26 ppg on defense at home last year
3* Take South Carolina (-10) over Vanderbilt (Bonus Play)
South Carolina
• 8-2 ATS in road games when the total posted is 42 points or less
• 13-3 SU vs. Vanderbilt since 1992
• 6-1 ATS coming off a home win the last 3 seasons
WINNERS EDGE
MLB
Brewers RL -115 , 2 units
Angels - 160 , 1 unit
CFB
Vandy + 10 , 2 units
Oscarxena Sports
Washington Nationals +1.27 (3 Unit Play)
There are usually two types of teams this time of season and that is one who continues to play hard and try while another one is the team that just shows up and wants to get the games and the season over with. Tonight's game in Atlanta is the perfect example of this as the Nationals are showing grit as they have won eight of their last nine games and appear to be fairly safe of not losing 100 games this season in which they were on track to do earlier. The Nationals will hand the ball to Shairon Martis who will be making his first career start and he has some impressive minor league numbers as he was 5-6 with a 3.64 ERA and struck out 99 batters while walking 45 in 116 1/3 innings of work. Martis only allowed 7 home runs in that span and recorded a 1.38 WHIP so if he does not get overly nervous tonight he should be a formidable starter against the Braves. The Braves meanwhile are the team that is just playing out the string and you can tell by the quotes that they just want this season to end. They will hand the ball to Jo Jo Reyes and he has been awful as over his past 10 games in which 9 were starts he is 0-6 with a 6.75 ERA and has allowed 29 walks in just 45 1/3 innings. Quite simply I will take a chance on the team playing better baseball right now and recommend a play on the Nationals here tonight.
Jeff Scott Sports
2 UNIT PLAY
NY Giants/ Washngton Under 41.5
The Under is 5-0 in Redskins last 5 games in Week 1 and 17-8-3 in Redskins last 28 vs. NFC East, while the 5-1 in Giants last 6 vs. NFC East and 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings in New York. Not one of the last 8 meetings in NY have then teams gone over 41 points, with the average score being just 30.1 ppg. Jason Campbell is now in his 7th offensive scheme in the last 8 years and it may take time for this unit to gell. After putting up 30 points in the HOF game vs Indy the Skins put up just 36 toal points in their next 4 preseason games. The Giants offense looked very good in their 2nd preseason game vs Cleveland, but in their other 3 games they put up just 36 total points.The Giant defense took some hits in the offseason and in preseason, but they played pretty well in the offseason, holding 3 of their 4 opponents to 14 points or less. I see them having sucess here vs a Washington offense that will take time to get its act together. The Giant offense has not been spectacular in the preseason as they put up 19 or less in 3 of the 4 games. I also feel this will be a game with more running and that will eat clock. The defenses really seem to be ahead of the offenses in this one and that should translate into the 7th Under in the last 9 meetings between these teams in NY.
2 UNIT PLAY
South Carolina -9.5 over VANDERBILT
Vanderbilt is 0-8 SU when playing on ESPN and they are are just 3-18 ATS off a DD SU win, while teh Gamecocks are 9-3 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Last year South Carolina was 6-1 and had a home date with Vanderbilt, but they lost that game 17-6 and went on to lose the next 4 games, which kept them from making it to a bowl game. Payback is tonight. South carolina looked awfully impressive vs the Wolfpack last week, especially on the defensive side as they did not allow NC State in the redzone all night. The Offense struggled in the first half, but when Spurrier put in Chris Smelley in the second half, they put up 31 of their 34 points. Smelley gets the nod tonight. The Vandy offense put up 34 points vs a weak Miami-O defense that allowed 25 and 26 ppg the last 2 years, but this team still returns just 3 offensive starts, including none on the OL and they won't find the going so easy in this one. The Vandy defense did give up 13 points last week, but they allowed 340 yards of offense and were aided by 3 INT's. Vandy won by 21 points last week, but still outgained Miami by just 20 yards, plus they have not done well off a DD win (See Above). South Carolina may have a look-a-head game vs Georgia on deck, but Vandy upset them last year on their own field and I expect Spurrier to have his team ready to play. SC wins by 17 or more in this one.
1 UNIT PLAY
South Carolina/ Vandy Under 41
The Under is 25-9 in Gamecocks last 34 road games and 20-8 in their last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, while the Under is 8-1 in Commodores last 9 conference games and 6-1 in their last 7 games in September. I really don't see Vandy getting more than 7 points in this one, while the Gamecocks will put up about 24-28 points. Should be an easy win for SC, but with a game that will end under 41.
KELSO
High Rollers Baseball
10 units - Nationals
Best Bets Club
10 units - twins
Football 10 units - Giants
Plus10Club
Opposite Action Plays
Pick: VANDERBILT +10
JB Sports
Pick: NEW YORK GIANTS -4
Sunday Selections
Pick: Redskins / Giants OVER 41
LT Profits
Pick: S. Carolina / Vanderbilt UNDER 41.5
Mike Lineback
Pick: Redskins / Giants UNDER 41.5
Mike Rose
Pick: Twins / Blue Jays UNDER 8.5
Ken Jenkins
Pick: Redskins / Giants UNDER 41.5
Rocketman Sports
Pick: S. CAROLINA -10
Alex Smart
Pick: WASHINGTON REDSKINS +4.5
Jimmy Broadway
500* Redskins
100* South Carolina
Bob Balfe
NFL Football
Redskins/Giants Over 41
We all have heard about the Giants problems on the D-Line. The problem with that is they now had to shuffle their linebackers which were not that good to begin with and the secondary is very capable of getting beat on any given play. This Giants defense really will struggle. Washington will go with more of a hurry up offense and will throw the ball a lot more, but tonight expect a high dosage of the running game. The Giants defense. should be on their toes all night. Eli Manning has been on a tear dating back to last seasons playoff run. The Giants offense is basically in tack minus Jeremy Shockey. Washington's defense gets a huge addition with Jason Taylor, but he might not play tonight and is a game time decision. The Giants have a ton of playmakers at the receiver position and have a huge height advantage. The Redskins also have some injuries in the secondary and linebacker position with guys recovering from season ending surgery last year. I do not expect either defenses to be ready for this opener. The Giants shouldn't miss a beat on offense and the Skins will be much improved. Take the Over.
Savannah Sports
2 Units on Vanderbilt +10
Larry Ness
Las Vegas Insider (1st of NFL '08 / won 1st CFB Insider 52-7!)-Thursday
My Las Vegas Insider is on the NY Giants at 7:00 ET. The Redskins overcame the tragic death of Sean Taylor by winning their final four games of the regular season, sneaking intro the postseason at 9-7 (did lose at Seattle in the wild card round, 35-14). Starting QB Jason Campbell was lost with a dislocated kneecap in the first game of that four-game season-ending run but Todd Collins stepped in and played well, especially in the team's final two regular season games. Of course, everyone remembers New York's incredible postseason run, winning three straight road games in the NFC playoffs before upsetting the undefeated Patriots 17-14 in the Super Bowl. Much has changed for the Giants on the defensive side of the ball since last February. Five starters from Super Bowl XLII will not be in uniform on Thursday night. DE Michael Strahan retired, LBs Kawika Mitchell (Bills) and Reggie Torbor (Dolphins) left as free agents, FS Gibril Wilson also left as a FA (Raiders) and DE Osi Umenyiora is out for season after getting hurt in a preseason game with the Jets (knee). However, 10 starters return on offense, as only TE Shockey (traded to the Saints) is missing and of course, he sat out LY's playoff run with an injury. Eli "came of age" in LY's postseason and most expect his improvement to continue. As for the Redskins, QB Campbell is on his third offensive coordinator as he begins just his fourth NFL season, as well as his seventh offensive system in eight seasons, dating back to his time at Auburn. Also, there is first-time head coach Jim Zorn, who has brought his version of the West Coast offense to the nation's capital. Campbell has hardly looked comfortable in that offense, as in his last three preseason games he completed just 11-of-24 passes (45.8 percent) for 70 yards (that's a pathetic 2.92 YPA!) without a TD and one INT. LY's two starting WRs Moss and Randle-El both underachieved plus Zorn has been very critical of the team's two rookie WRs (Thomas and Kelly), saying neither would contribute much during the early part of the season. TE Chris Cooley (66 receptions, 8 TD) is probably the team's best receiver. Eli was terrific in the 2007 postseason, throwing six TDs with just one INT, while compiling a 95.7 QB rating (20 points better than his regular season mark). His supporting cast remains largely the same with Plaxico Burress (70 receptions, 12 TDs) and Amani Toomer (59 receptions, 3 TD) heading up a deep receiving corps, while Brandon Jacobs (1,009 rushing yards) and Derrick Ward (602 rushing yards) man the running game. As for the Giants' D, don't sell it short. I expect the Redskins to struggle this year, as Zorn could be in "over his head." Meanwhile, like him or not, Coughlin is a proven winner. Defending Super Bowl champs are on a 6-0-1 ATS run when opening the following season with a prime time game and I see the Giants easily extending that run here. Las Vegas Insider on the NY Giants.
Larry Ness' 20* Non-Conference GOY (1st GOY play TY / 7-1 start to CFB '08)-Sat
My 20* play is on Penn State at 3:30 ET. Oregon State opened the '08 season with a conference road game at Stanford, losing 36-28. The Beavers had a chance late but fumbled the ball away at the Stanford goal line, with just under 50 seconds remaining. QB Lyle Moevao impressed with 404 yards passing and three TDs but he also threw two INTs (one returned for a TD) and also botched a swing pass which resulted in a Cardinal safety. WR Sammie Stroughter missed of most of LY with an injury but looked great in his first game of '08, with 12 catches for 157 yards and two TDs. Fellow WR Shane Morales, who had just 16 catches in '07, almost matched that total in his first game of '08, with 13 receptions for 151 yards. However, OSU's running game, which last year featured Yvenson Bernard (1,214 yards / 13 TDs), gained just 86 yards on 28 carries. Things hardly get easier for OSU this week, as the Beavers must travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. By the way, it should be noted that Oregon State is the only BCS school which is being asked to open the '08 season with back-to-back road games. Penn State opened its '08 season with a 66-10 win over Coastal Carolina. While it's impossible to make too much of that win, it should be noted that the 66 points were the most scored in an opener by a Penn State team since 1926! I was NEVER a fan of QB Anthony Morelli and senior QB Daryll Clark was a solid 11-of-14 with 146 yards (one TD / no INTs) in the team's opener. He's made even better by a trio of WRs in Butler, Norwood and Williams, who are now all seniors. PSU rushed 43 times for 334 yards in the easy win, as four players ran for 60 yards or more, led by redshirt freshman Stephon Green's 89 yards with two TDs. The Penn State defense owns a veteran DL and 2ndy and should have little trouble with the OSU running game (sans Bernard) and will be fore-warned about Moevao, after his 404-yard effort vs Stanford. OSU's defense allowed Stanford only 301 total yards but 210 of those came on the ground. I guess that should come as no surprise, as while OSU led the nation in rushing yards allowed in '07 (71 YPG / 2.1 YPC), the team returns just THREE defensive starters in '08, including NONE of the team's front-seven! Let's note that OSU traveled to Cincy last year and lost 34-3, traveled to Boise St in '06 and lost 42-14 and visited Louisville in '05, losing 63-27. That's three non-conference road losses by an average margin of 31.7 PPG. That margin sounds about right to me here, as well. Non-Conference GOY 20* Penn State.
Larry Ness' SEC Game of the Month (7-1 start to CFB '08 / 3-0 with GOM plays)
My SEC Game of the Month is on South Carolina at 8:30 ET. When these two schools met last October 20 in Columbia, South Carolina, the Gamecocks were 6-1 and ranked No. 6 in the AP poll. South Carolina took a seven-game series winning streak into that game and Steve Spurrier had NEVER lost to the 'Dores in 14 previous meetings (most as Florida's head coach). However, the 'Dores, 13 1/2-point underdogs, won 17-6.. They held South Carolina to 282 total yards and just 26 rushing yards as the team set a school record with seven sacks. The defeat was the first of five consecutive losses for the Gamecocks, who finished the '07 season just 6-6 As for Vandy, the 'Dores won the following week vs Miami-Ohio to move to 5-3, just one win away from being bowl-eligible. That's no small deal, as Vandy hasn't been to a bowl game since 1982. However, similar to South Carolina, Vanderbilt lost its final four games (finished 5-7), with the defense allowing an average of 33 PPG. Both teams won last Thursday, South Carolina 'pitching a shutout' at home to NC State (34-0) and Vandy winning at Miami-Ohio, 34-13. South Carolina's defense was great last week, holding NC State to just 138 total yards and its QBs to five completions in 20 attempts for 49 yards with two INTs. The Gamecocks really struggled for the first three quarters offensively, as QB Tommy Beecher was awful, completing 12-of 22 passes for just 106 yards, while throwing FOUR interceptions. Spurrier replaced him with former starter Chris Smelley and he led three TD drives in the fourth quarter, completing 5-of-5 passes for 92 yards with two TDs and no INTs. Smelley has been named the team's starter this week and look for the team's best WR, Kenny McKinley (77 catches / 9 TDs) to contribute more than his six catches for only 37 yards against the Wolfpack. The South Carolina ground game struggled a year ago averaging just 3.6 YPC but the Gamecocks have four starting OL back in '08 for TB Mike Davis, who gained 101 yards last week on just 14 carries. Vandy QB Nickson had a career-high 166 yards rushing last week and two rushing TDs but that came against a Miami-Ohio defense which is nowhere near as athletic as South Carolina's. Note that Vandy only out-gained Mia-O by 20 yards last week and that in LY's upset of the Gamecocks, Vandy only gained 269 yards. South Carolina does have Georgia up next week but the memory of last year's loss will be all the motivation Spurrier's team needs here to win and win handily. The road team has covered SEVEN of the eight meetings between these schools this decade and that form follows Thursday night. SEC Game of the Month 15* South Carolina.
Dave Cokin
3* NY Giants
Hat Vandy
Jim Feist
5* Redskins
Platinum Vandy
LT Profits
2 Units NY Giants -4½
2 Units Under 41½
Scott Spreitzer
Redskins / Giants Under 41½
Beat Your Bookie
100 - Milk
50 - LAA
NFL 100 - Wash
NCAA 100 - S.Car