Steam On-Line
HOFSTRA -5.5
Dr. Coglye West
12* OTW/PHL OVER 5.5
Northcoast
Top Opinion TCU
Marquee UNDER
KBHoops
NCAAF
5* TCU -3
NCAAB
5* Missouri -2.5
5* Kent State +7 -120
5* Arizona -2.5
NBA
5* Boston -13 **POD**
5* Lakers +3
Fairway Jay
Big Drive: TCU
Las Vegas Sport Picks
NBA:
1* Bulls +7
2* Pacers/Nets o207
7* Lakers +3
NHL:
1* Wild -145
1* Islanders -110
2* Blues/Wings o6 even
NCAAF:
1* TCU -3
3* TCU/Boise o45
NCAAB:
1* Cleveland St. -6
2* Missouri -3
BIG AL
At 10:05 pm, our Northwest Division Game of the Year is on the Portland Trail Blazers minus the points over Denver, as the Blazers seek revenge from last night's loss in the Mile High City. In Monday's game, Denver overcame the absence of Carmelo Anthony (who will also be out tonight), and defeated Portland 97-89. However, according to my database, Denver will have a difficult time sweeping this "home-and-home" series. Consider that, since 1990, .644 (or worse) NBA teams which play back to back games over two nights vs. an opponent are 31-58 ATS if they covered the spread in the first game. That angle goes against the Nuggets. Also, Denver is a miserable 7-29 ATS on the road vs. division foes if it played at home the previous night, and is now priced from -5 to +15 points, including 2-17 ATS vs. foes off a straight-up loss. And, finally, Portland is 30-14 ATS at home the past three seasons vs. winning foes. Take Portland.
Mark Lawrence
3* Wisconsin
Are these premium plays?
Anything bold is a premium play
Usually I have two seperate threads but didn't today.
BILLY COLEMAN
4* TCU
3* TCU Under
4* Phil/Bost Under
3* Utah Jazz
4* Toledo
3* Kent
3* New Mexico
Wayne Root
Chairman- TCU
HOOPS
Chairman- La Monroe
Millionaire- Cleve St
Money Maker- Cent Mich
Bob Balfe
College Football
TCU -3 over Boise State
What a great game to have on before the real bowl games even start. This will be a great matchup between two teams that proved smaller conference teams can compete with anyone. Boise State is 12-0 this year and feel they should be in a BCS Game. Will they be up for this game as much as they would if they were playing in a major bowl? TCU has two losses this year. One being to a team playing in a big bowl game and the other to Oklahoma who is playing for the National Title. This line is a little fishy to me. The talk is on Boise State being such a great team and we all remember what they did against Oklahoma two years back. This Broncos team is a fan favorite team and usually treat the general public well. This game is away from the Smurf Turf and with a young Freshman QB it could be a long day for their offense. This will be a good one. Let's go with the favored Horned Frogs.
NBA Basketball
Hawks -12 over Thunder
NCAA Basketball
Arizona -2 over Kansas
Kelso
10 Units TCU -3.
25 Units Hoffstra -4
Brandon Lang
20-Dime TCU
(if line is 3 1/2 you buy the 1/2 and lay 3 ... if your line 3 you buy the 1/2 and lay 2 1/2)
Halfbets
Take Boise State +3.5 (5*play) buy the hook for insurance.
I recommend that you wait closer to game time to get this at 3.5 if possible. Some books are already starting to move that way with all the public money coming in on the Horned Frogs of TCU, which is a good thing for us dog backers! At my book right now the line is at +3(EVEN)looselines.com so buying the hook is regular juice at -110.
TCU is favored in this game largely part to the "strength of schedule." TCU had the 41st while Boise State had the 75th strength of schedule and everyone is raving about TCU's defense and how they held up against Oklahoma. How quick people forget that TCU only had 10 pts in that game. I do not believe strength of schedule should be taken into consideration as much as it has especially when TCU lost the games they faced solid teams.
TCU's Defense is stout and it has been tested by the best offense in Oklahoma. they have a solid rusher in Hughes off the edge that will give any team head aches. Boise State also has a stout defense and has only given up more than 16 points twice. Wouldn't it be ironic if this ended up being a high scoring game?
Two Key Players-
Jerry Hughes-DE TCU leads the nation with 14 sacks and has the athleticism to get pressure on Kellen Moore at any time.
Kyle Wilson-CB Boise State shut down corner who can make some tackles when TCU runs the ball. Also their punt returner and can have a huge impact on the game.
Where this match up really matters:
In the trenches! We know all about the defenses and how both rushing games will struggle tonight, but who will be able to do more with what they are given? Field position will be most important factor in this game. Both Defenses will be able to keep their respected teams in the game, but what one team can not do is force their defense to continually hold off the opponent in the field position battle.
The team that really seems to have an edge here is Boise State. I think Kellen Moore and the Boise State offense will have some success in the air being able to pick up a few first downs. However, TCU is going to struggle offensively running the ball. If Boise State can stop the run like I think they can then I am not worried about TCU's QB Dalton beating me in the air. Which brings me to field position and turnovers. Boise State's defense has picked of 20 passes and has allowed only 51.3% completion percentage. I would not be surprised if Dalton gives up one tonight that becomes the key to the game.
Other X-factors:
I mentioned that special teams and field position will be critical in this low scoring battle, both truly favor an underdog of 3+points. Boise State really has a solid weapon in Kyle Brotzman. Brotzman is the kicker and punter for Boise State. Boise State also leads the nation in blocking kicks the last two years with a whopping total of 15. TCU's kicker Evans missed two key kicks in a huge game against Utah proving that the pressure might be just too much for him. With Kyle Wilson averaging 14.7 yards per return and 3 punt return TDs I'll put my money on Boise State to dominate the field position giving them a win ATS.
In the end:
Boise State will have a couple of key trick plays and TCU's stout defense will be caught off guard. TCU will struggle to find points and force turnovers. In a low scoring game Boise State stays in control the entire game and wins by a field goal.