NCAAF DUNKEL
Maryland at Virginia Tech
The Hokies return home after two straight road losses and will look to take advantage of a Maryland team that is 0-5 ATS since 1993 in road games where the total is under 42. Virginia Tech is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Hokies favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-2 1/2).
Game 111-112: TCU at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: TCU 103.284; Utah 104.794
Dunkel Line: Utah by 1 1/2; 37
Vegas Line: TCU by 2; 43 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (+2); Under
Game 109-110: Maryland at Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 90.612; Virginia Tech 97.583
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 7; 44
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 2 1/2; 42 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-2 1/2); Over
NFL DUNKEL
Denver at Cleveland
The Browns look to bounce back from their loss to Baltimore last week and take advantage of a Denver team that is just 2-7 ATS in its last nine road games. Cleveland is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Browns favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-3).
Game 107-108: Denver at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 127.254; Cleveland 134.359
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 7; 50
Vegas Line: Cleveland by 3; 46
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-3); Over
NBA DUNKEL
Houston at Portland
The Blazers look to bounce back from last night's loss in Utah and build on their 10-6 ATS mark as a home underdog between 3 1/2 and 6 points. Portland is the pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has Houston favored by just 1. Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5).
Game 701-702: Philadelphia at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 114.634; Orlando 122.668
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 5 1/2; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-5 1/2); Over
Game 703-704: Houston at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 121.882; Portland 120.639
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 1; 179
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 5; 184 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5); Under
NHL DUNKEL
Tampa Bay at NY Rangers
The Lightning bring a three-game winning streak into New York to face a Rangers team that has dropped two straight. Tampa Bay is the underdog pick (+155) according to Dunkel which has the Lightning favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+155).
Game 51-52: Edmonton at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.149; Pittsburgh 12.634
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-155); Over
Game 53-54: NY Islanders at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 9.932; Atlanta 11.216
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-150); Over
Game 55-56: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.982; Boston 11.193
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+150); Over
Game 57-58: Tampa Bay at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.357; NY Rangers 10.536
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-175); 5
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+155); Over
Game 59-60: Carolina at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.325; Washington 11.500
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-155); 6
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+135); Under
Game 61-62: Philadelphia at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 12.480; Ottawa 11.483
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+120); Under
Game 63-64: Minnesota at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.369; Colorado 10.528
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+135); Under
Game 65-66: Nashville at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.842; Calgary 12.388
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-160); Under
Game 67-68: Phoenix at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.902; Vancouver 13.313
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-165); Under
Game 69-70: St. Louis at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 10.381; San Jose 13.438
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 3; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-250); 5
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-250); Under
Game 71-72: Florida at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 10.214; Los Angeles 11.785
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-130); Over
Drew Gordon
Texas Christian -1' at UTAH
Interesting Moutain West match up here, as two teams with a lot to prove come into this contest. Fact is, I'm not sold on Utah, who's played next to no one this season, and looked pretty damn shaky at New Mexico last week. A return home should do a lot for the Utes high-powered offense, however if a 4-6 Lobos team can hold them to just 13 points, imagine what the Horned Frogs vaunted stop-unit will do!
Look guys, Utah can trade scores with anyone in the nation, but that's not the problem. The problem is stopping at Texas Christian offense that's firing on all cylinders right now, especially when you know the TCU defense will get a stop here and there. Andy Dalton may not have the numbers Brian Johnson has, but he commits far fewer turnovers, and his last game was a perfect example, completing about 55% of his passes for 3 TDs and no picks at UNLV (not amazing, but more than enough to compliment a balanced TCU run attack).
Now let's talk about the Horned Frogs defense, which is as good as anyone in the country. Their lone loss came on the road at powerhouse Oklahoma, and even then, the defense did an admirable job against the Sooners run game (36 rushes for 25 yards or 0.7 yard per carry average), only to get punished by QB Sam Bradford (no shame in that, he's damn good). Look guys, not only will TCU completely shut down the run, but star DE Jerry Hughes (14 sacks) and the stud Horned Frogs d-line will have Johnson running for his life all game long.
Finally, going back to the New Mexico game, I strongly believe the Utes were exposed in that contest. Brian Johnson had almost identical numbers to the Colorado State game (which the Utes won going away 49-16), but what was the difference? Against Colorado State, they were able to run the ball at will, racking up 327 rushing yards on a gaudy 8.8 yard per carry average. Make no mistake, they won't get ANYWHERE near that number tonight, and fact is, the Utes offense doesn't run nearly as efficiently when they can't run the ball. In the end, the defense is the difference, as the Horned Frogs win and cover a close hard-fought road game tonight in Salt Lake.
Take Texas Christian over Utah in this college football match up.
2♦ TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Sportsbettingstats
Horned Frogs -2.5 at Utah Utes
Last week the Utes beat New Mexico 13-10 while the Horned Frogs beat UNLV 44-14. The outcome of this game does not really mean much, except the Mountain West Conference title and a possible berth in a BCS Bowl game. Yeah, this game is huge. The Utes can keep their slim hopes of a national championship alive with a win tonight. The Utes are led by QB Brain Johnson (1820 yds 14 TD 8 INT) and his main targets are Freddie Brown (37 rec 463 yds 4 TD) and Bradon Godfrey (37 rec 385 yds 3 TD). The Utes rushing attack is led by RB Matt Asiata (531 yds 9 TD). The Horned Frogs are led by QB Andy Dalton (1473 yds 9 TD 3 INT) and his main targets are Jimmy Young (43 rec 729 yds 5 TD) and Walter Bryant (19 rec 193 yds 1 TD).
Staff Pick: This game features 2 of the best defenses in college football as the Horned Frogs rank 2nd and the Utes rank 7th. Texas Tech has the better rushing offense while Utah has the better passing offense. The Utes struggled on offense last week barely beating New Mexico 13-10 and they will have a harder time against the ferocious defense of the Horned Frogs. Even though the Horned Frogs rank higher in terms of rushing yards per game, Utah has ran the ball well as of late rushing for 520 yards in their last 2 games. The key to this game will be which team can score on the other's legit D. Since losing to Oklahoma back in the end of September the Horned Frogs have been on fire, as they won 5 straight games by an average of 28.4 points. Utah is at home tonight, where they have won 9 straight and in their last 5 games against Texas Tech the Utes have won 4. The Horned Frogs can win at least a share of the MAC title with a win tonight, while Utah still needs to win 1 more game to earn the title. Look for the Horned Frogs to stifle the offense of the Utes and for them to score just enough to win this huge road game and end Utah's undefeated season.
Horned Frogs 23 Utah 18
SportsKingz
CFB
MARYLAND +3
TCU/UTAH OVER 42.5
NFL
BRONCOS/BROWNS OVER 46
Tom Freese
Game: Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames
Prediction: Under
Calgary is 5-1 UNDER their last 6 games and they are 7-2-1 UNDER when playing their fourth game in six days. The Flames are 7-3 UNDER vs. Central Division teams and they are and they are 4-1 UNDER their last 5 games vs. Western Conference teams. Nashville is 7-2-1 UNDER their last 10 games at Calgary and they are 6-2 UNDER their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Predators are 9-4 UNDER vs. an opponent who scored 2 or less goals in their last game. PLAY ON 'UNDER'
Doc's Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers
Play: Over 5
The rule of thumb for the early part of the 2008 season is that whenever you see a total play of 5, attack it with the over. That will once again be the case on Thursday, as we will not worry about who wins this game and just collect with the over.
Jimmy Boyd
Maryland vs. Virginia Tech
Play: Virginia Tech -3
After back-to-back road losses, I like the Hokies to get jacked up for first place Maryland tonight and to pick up a big win against the Terps. This will be a huge test for the Terps who are 0-3 SU and ATS and have been outscored by over 31 ppg vs. Virginia Tech. Maryland has also struggled mightily on the road this season, getting blown out 31-0 by Virginia and losing by 10 at Middle Tennessee State. You have to like the Hokies in the Thursday night prime time spotlight as they are 12-3 ATS on Thursday nights the last 10 seasons while Maryland is just 1-6 SU and ATS in their last 7 on the same day. Maryland is just 10-22 ATS in road games versus good rushing defenses - allowing <=120 rushing yards/game since 1992, losing these games by 14.5 ppg on average. Lay the points.
Mr A
Maryland at Virginia Tech
Maryland Terrapins will have a big challenge on Thursday night against the Hokies in Blacksburg. Maryland has won five of its last six games, but has not been successful against Virginia Tech, dropping the last three meetings, including a 28-9 defeat in the last battle in Virginia. The Hokies are 8-2 at home on Thursday night since 1994. Take the Hokies with home field advantage in a close fight.
Virginia Tech Hokies -2½
Orlando Magic -5
Houston Rockets -5
Johnny Guild
Philadelphia 76ers at Orlando Magic
Philadelphia offense has gone cold and is playing reckless, apparent by Wednesday night’s ghastly performance against the Heat, turning over the ball 26 times in a 106-83 defeat. Don't expect 76ers road struggles to end in Orlando. Take the Magic at home. Philadelphia lost the last two clashes against the Magic last season at Amway Arena.
Orlando Magic -5
Gina
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has lost five straight contests against the Rockets and is a horrible 2-7 in their last nine home games against Houston, going 3-6 against the spread. Go with the Rockets. The 1-3 Blazers defensive woes continue.
Houston Rockets -5
JB Computer Plays
Denver Broncos +3
Wunderdog
Minnesota at Colorado
Pick: Colorado -140
The Avalanche have had a roller coaster season so far, winless in three, undefeated in five, and now winless in four. The Wild have not been very productive of late either, as they opened the season with just 1 OT loss in their first six games, but have been a much different team since. They have now dropped three of their last four, and are having a hard time putting the puck in the net. The Wild has averaged less than two goals per game in their last four, and that spells trouble for a team that has allowed two or more goals in nine of their 12 games. Colorado seems to have the Wild's number as they took the last three from them in the playoffs last year, as well as the season finale. I'll back the Avalanche in this one.
Info Plays
3* on Philadelphia 76ers +5.5
Reaasons why the 76ers covers the spread Thursday:
1.) Short travel for the 76ers in between games. Philadelphia played in Miami last night and they’ll have a short trip to Orlando to play this game tonight. This will help the 76ers be able to recover quickly from their game last night.
2.) The 76ers will be looking to bounce back. After falling behind huge to the Miami Heat early last night, the 76ers were pretty much out of that game the rest of the way. Look for the 76ers to get off to a much better start against the Magic tonight and sustain their play. The 76ers stack up very well against Orlando ever since bringing Elton Brand into town. Philly has the big men inside with Samuel Dalembert, Andre Iguodala and Brand to slow down Dwight Howard of the Magic. Also, Thaddeus Young may win the most improved player in the league award. Young is scoring 16.0 points/game this season and he’ll be a big factor tonight to go along with the Big 3.
3.) System Play. We’ll Play On - Underdogs (PHILADELPHIA) - excellent shooting team (>=47.5%) against an average defensive team (43.5-45.5%). This is a 101-53 ATS System hitting 65.6% since 1996. The 76ers are shooting lights out this season and they’ll get right back on track tonight with an upset road win at Orlando. Bet Philadelphia on the road.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Portland Trail Blazers +5
The Portland Trail Blazers had the Utah Jazz by the balls last night, and they let them off the hook. Utah pulled away in the 4th quarter. Portland will be looking to forget this loss in a hurry by destroying the Houston Rockets when they come to town Thursday. We cannot believe the odds makers have listed the Blazers as the home dog here. They are clearly putting too much stock in Greg Oden’s injury. Remember, Portland finished with better than a .500 record last season and that was without Oden the whole way. This is still a very good team that added a couple more pieces in the offseason to really compete in the West. The Blazers have just been stuck with a brutal schedule to start the year, with road games at the Jazz, Lakers and Suns. But Portland did win their only home game, a 100-99 victory over the Spurs despite being the underdog in that one as well. Portland is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. The Blazers are 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) as a home underdog over the last 3 seasons. Take Portland and the points.
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Philadelphia 76ers +5
I love the 76ers catching 5 points in this major bounce back spot after getting blown out by Miami . Plays on any team (76ers) off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite, team that had a losing record last season are 32-6 ATS since 1996. Also, plays on road underdogs (76ers) - tired team - playing their 2nd road game in 2 days, team that had a losing record last season are 25-7 ATS the last 5 seasons. We'll ride a pair of very strong systems to a cover tonight.