Sports Gambling Hotline
Wyoming +7 at UNLV
Believe it or not, tonight's Mountain West battle shapes up to be very vital for the two schools involved, as both teams come in sporting 4 wins with 2 games to go, as both are thinking about going "bowling" this holiday season.
Our feeling is this is too many points to give the resurgent Cowboys who are off a blowout win over San Diego State, and an upset road win at Tennessee this past Saturday.
UNLV did a fine job in dumping New Mexico, especially when you consider that the Rebels had to rely on backup QB Clausen to finish the game. UNLV's starting QB Clayton is listed as doubtful for this game, and even if he can go, there is the fact the Rebels are 1-2 against the spread this year as the home favorite, and just 2-9 now in that role since the '04 season.
Wyoming has won the last 4 series meetings straight up, and they are on a 3-1 spread run the last 4 games played in Las Vegas. Throw in the fact the Rebels are just 3-12 straight up in home finales, and we are looking at a live dog in the Wyoming Cowboys tonight.
Play on the 'Pokes plus the points!
3♦ WYOMING
Drew Gordon
Wyoming at UNLV -7
Don't make the mistake every average bettor is making tonight - a knee jerk reaction to Wyoming's win in Knoxville. Yes, it was an impressive 13-7 outright win as a 26'-point underdog, but that was Vegas fault for severly overesimating a below average Volunteers squad. This Cowboys team isn't nearly as good as you think, and the fact their off a short week and traveling once again is NOT a good thing.
Listen guys, I smell a major letdown for the Cowboys in this one, who let me remind you, were absolute garbage from mid-September thru October, going a pathetic 0-5 SUATS, while getting outscored by a whopping 207 to 30 margin! In other words, once again I repeat: Don't believe the hype!
On the flip side, I know critics of this play are pointing to the Rebels poor rush defense versus the Cowboys run-based attack, but not so fast. Did you see the Rebels defense against New Mexico? True, they allowed 222 rushing yards on 4.7 yards per carry, BUT not only is that below their average, but they also stepped up when they had to, winning 27-20. I expect even better performance tonight, mainly because the Rebels 4-3 defense is finally healthy, after being forced to run a 4-2-5 defense (much more susceptible to the run) due to injuries.
Finally, let's not forget, there's a tremendous difference between these two offenses. Wyoming averages a measly 11 ppg, as compared to the Rebels 26 ppg. Obviously, handicapping games is never that simple, but I just wanted to emphasize the HUGE disparity on offense between these two teams. In the end, the Rebels defense isn't as bad as you think, but the Cowboys offense IS as bad as advertised (if not worse). Rebels protect their house Thursday night!
Take UNLV over Wyoming in this college football match up.
2♦ UNLV
Jeff Benton
For Thursday let’s take a look at tonight’s Jets-Patriots AFC East showdown and play it UNDER the total.
Obviously, the first meeting between these teams was a low-scoring snoozer, with the Patriots beating the Jets 19-10 and the game staying well under the 37-point total. Tonight, for some weird reason, the total is a good five points higher than it was two months ago … this despite the fact both teams are tied for first place in the AFC East (meaning conservative play-calling almost certainly will be the norm) and despite the fact there’s a 70-percent chance of rain. Odd.
Also, four of the last five meetings between these teams in Foxboro stayed low, including a 20-10 contest last year when the Patriots’ record-setting offense was unstoppable.
Another reason to favor the under here: Both defenses are on a roll. The Jets have held four of their last five opponents to 17 points or fewer, while the Patriots have allowed a scant 12.8 ppg in their last four, giving up 10, 18, 16 and 7 points (and the under is 3-0-1 during for New England during this four-week stretch).
Throw in these trends – the under is 4-1-1 in the Jets’ last six road games, 8-2-1 in the Jets’ last 11 against the AFC, 5-1-1 in the Jets’ last seven divisional games, 8-1-2 in the Pats’ last 11 at home, 9-1-2 in the Pats’ last 12 versus the AFC and 4-1 in the Pats’ last five AFC East contests – and the only way to look at this contest is UNDER the total.
4♦ Jets-Patriots UNDER the total
Matt Rivers
For Thursday lay the points with UNLV at home even without Omar Clayton.
It's not the easiest thing to a lay a full touchdown with this UNLV football program with or without their starting Quarterback and especially when considering Wyoming just won in Knoxville against Tennessee but the Volunteers have proven to not be the Volunteers of old and in the end the Rebels are just too superior today.
Until two weeks ago these Cowboys were a complete joke this season. Then came a dreadful San Diego State team and Wyoming looked a lot better in a blowout win. Last week the 'Boys went to Knoxville as the 27 point dog and wn outright over Fat Phil Fulmer and the Vols. It would be so easy to say how this team has found their stride and blah blah blah but that simply just is not true. Wyoming has a really good running back in Devin Moore who will get some yards but in the end Wyoming's two game winning streak is about to go by the boards as they regress a bit to the team that was blitzed in many of the earlier games and I mean blitzed!
UNLV may be only 1-5 in conference and 4-6 overall but this team is actually pretty talented as they have been ultra competitive in games against legit teams like Arizona State, Utah, Air Force, BYU and Iowa State including winning outright against both the Sun Devils and Cyclones and falling late in covers against the others.
Wyoming just traveled back across the country after visiting Tennessee and after 60 minutes today UNLV will be just too good in something like a 37-14 win as these visitors come back down to Earth in miserable fashion.
Jake Timlin
Your Thursday selection is the Wyoming Cowboys.
Playing with house money by winning their last two games I like Wyoming plus the points in Vegas. Yes, though I am still a little bitter about the Cowboys win in Knoxville I saw something I like from Wyoming and that is they are playing much better as they fight for Coach Glenn’s job. Well mix in the Cowboys recent improvement in with the fact they have won the last four series meeting and I see a closer then expected game. Especailly once you factor in that UNLV has only won 2 league games over the past two seasons. Well even though the Rebels may get a rare league win tonight it won’t be easy as Wyoming stay competitive for the third straight week.
Take Wyoming plus the road points!
Point Spread Pros
Ny Jets @ NEW ENGLAND
Our computer systems have a definite side in this game and it is the NY Jets. They are better than the Patriots in almost every facet of the game. Defensively they are extremely difficult to run on,and this should make the Patriots more one dimensional. The Patriots are also extremely tough to run on, so look for the Jets to have a tough time as well.
So that will lead us to the QB's, Cassell vs Favre. In what should amount to a close to the vest type of game, we favor Favre over Cassell.
Take the Jets +3
Mike Huguenin
Buffalo at Akron
The buzz: This is a big one in the MAC, with the winner having the inside track to the East Division title. Buffalo has won three in a row, but this is Akron’s last game in the Rubber Bowl, which has been its home since 1940.
The line: Akron by 3.5. The pick: Buffalo 28-23.
Virginia Tech at Miami
The buzz: A big game in the ACC Coastal Division, with the loser basically falling out of the title chase. The Hokies are 15-3 all-time on Thursdays – and Miami is 12-1. Tech has won four of the past five in the series.
The line: Miami by 4.5. The pick: Miami 20-17.
Wyoming at UNLV
The buzz: Neither of these teams is that good. At the same time, each has a chance to become bowl-eligible. This is the first time since 2003 that UNLV has won four games in a season.
The line: UNLV by 7. The pick: UNLV 26-16.
Indiancowboy COMP
UCLA Bruins over Miami of Ohio.
Once again, I don't have a line to work with here as I am writing this free pick early in the morning (6:30am) when no line has been released in this game. But regardless of a line, I like UCLA as Miami of Ohio struggled past Weber State and although UCLA didn't look overly impressive against Prairie View in the minds of bettors as they failed to cover the spread, this is a game that I can easily see UCLA blowing out Miami of Ohio as similar to Duke who failed to cover the first spread against Presbyterian, they came back in game 2 to absolutely pummel Georgia Southern. Why in the world can it not happen here? This will be my freebie today as I like UCLA to get it done over Miami of Ohio. Of course, note, that I do not have a line to roll with yet, but whatever the line is, this is my freebie for the day. I faded Miami of Ohio when they faced Weber State yesterday and I will fade them once again today.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on VA Tech +4.5
I like the Hokies to win a hard-fought game tonight so we'll take the points. Miami has been a lousy favorite at 0-6 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last 3 seasons, losing by a ridiculous 10.5 ppg in these spots. The Hokies meanwhile have been a sensational underdog at 15-6 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points under coach Beamer. Another thing we can always count on is VA Tech playing its best football in November and that has translated into the Hokies being a great bet in this month at 8-1 ATS in November games over the last 3 seasons. Miami is just 1-3 ATS at home this season and the odds makers have given the canes too much name recognition once again. Take the points.
Bob Harvey
The Jets have played just two playoff-worthy teams: the Pats and the Arizona Cardinals. The Pats haven't played Oakland or Cincinnati, but they did get to feast on San Francisco. The Jets are the bigger impostors. They have looked good going 4-1 over their last five, but the teams they have played over that stretch are 11-34, and five of those 11 wins belong to Buffalo.
Injuries could well determine the outcome of this game. The Patriots injury list keeps growing with linebacker Adalius Thomas joining back Laurence Maroney, Rodney Harrison, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren and Stephen Neal. New England is especially thin at running back. After Maroney went down, the responsibility fell to LaMont Jordan. A calf injury to Jordan landed Sammy Morris the gig, but after Morris hurt his knee. Now the Pats are relying on BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Who?
My take is the Patrots will try to get it done on defense while Eric Mangini and is conservative playing will help keep the score down. The Under is the play in this one.
Pick: Jets-Patriots Under 42½
Nostradamus
New England -3.5
Virginia Tech +4.5
UNLV -7
Den/Cleve Over 200.5
Tor/Edm Over 5.5 -120
Parlay (Ottawa, Dallas, San Jose)
Vegas Sports Informer
Take ‘Under’ 47.0 Wyoming at UNLV
Both of these teams are coming off stunning upsets last week. The Cowboys came out of nowhere to beat Tennessee while UNLV scored a home win over New Mexico. Wyoming has played ‘under’ in back-to-back games and I expect the UNLV offense to have a little hangover from last week’s showing. The last seven times these two have met it’s gone ‘over’, but I think the short week after an upset will help keep this one sloppy and low scoring. The ‘under’ is 10-4 after a win by the Runnin’ Rebels.
Larry Ness
Detroit Pistons @ Golden State Warriors
PICK: Detroit Pistons -4
The Pistons lost their first two games with Allen Iverson replacing Chauncey Billups in the backcourt but Iverson had 30 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in the team's 100-92 win Tuesday night at Sacramento. The Pistons go for two straight wins in the "Iverson era" tonight, playing in Oakland against the Warriors. The task is made easier with Monta Ellis (20.2 PPG last year) opening the year serving a 30-game suspension, Corey Maggette is struggling with a strained hamstring (is this guy ALWAYS hurt?) and Al Harrington is expected to miss two weeks with a bad back (not to mention a bad attitude). Those current woes are only part of the problem, as the team began the year without its best player (Baron Davis, now with the Clippers)) plus two key role players from last year, Barnes and Pietrus. The Warriors have three bright spots in their 3-5 start, namely the play of Jackson, Biedrins and Azubuike. Stephen Jackson (23.2-3.8-5.6) is having a superb season and is averaging 28.0 PPG in Golden State's home games this year. Center Andris Biedrins extended his double-double streak to 15 games with 13 points and 15 rebounds in the Warriors' last game. He is averaging 16.4 PPG and 14.9 RPG during that stretch and 16.8-14.2 in his eight games this year. Kelenna Azubuike made great strides last year but he's almost doubled his scoring average of his first two NBA seasons (8.1), by averaging 16.0 PPG to open this year. That being said, I'll stick with Detroit here, as the Pistons are surely capable of handling a three-man team. Richard Hamilton has struggled since Iverson's arrival, averaging just 14.0 PPG on 27.3 percent shooting from the floor. However, this has to be a coincidence, as Rip's career FG percentage entering this year was 45.5 and Iverson's not making him "miss shots." While Hamilton has struggled, Tayshaun Prince has thrived playing alongside Iverson, averaging 22.7 PPG and 10.0 RPG. The Pistons have opened 3-1 on the road this year and what else is new? They've gone 25-16, 27-14 and 27-14 the last three years in road games. Lay the small price with Detroit.
Mr A
Virginia Tech at Miami
Virginia Tech Hokies have more weapons on offense and should be able to grab a close win in Miami. Virginia Tech is 17-6 ATS in its last 23 games on the road, 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games against Miami at the Orange Bowl.
Virginia Tech Hokies +4
Cleveland Cavaliers -5½
Johnny Guild
Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers
Denver has won and covered the spread in the last three games since Chauncey Billups is on the hardwood. Take the Nuggets to give the Cavaliers and LeBron James a hard fought battle in Cleveland. Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games versus Cleveland and 4-1 ATS in its last 5 at Quicken Loans Arena.
Denver Nuggets +5.5
Buffalo / Akron Over 59