Daily Sports Roundup
Saturday, November 28
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Gators take on the Seminoles, the Horned Frogs try to leap over the Lobos, and the Warriors play host to the Lakers.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
Top-ranked Florida will meet Florida State on Saturday afternoon in a battle of state rivals. The Gators (11-0 SU, 4-5-1 ATS) pounded Florida International last time out, getting 215 yards and two TD strikes from Tim Tebow in a 62-3 victory. Tebow also rushed for 102 yards and a score in that win, and he'll be playing his last home game on Saturday. The Seminoles (6-5 SU, 3-7 ATS) beat Maryland 29-26 in their last game, but they're pegged as big 24.5-point 'dogs for Saturday.
Unbeaten TCU is also a big favorite on Saturday, as they're giving 44.5 points to New Mexico. The No. 4 Horned Frogs (11-0 SU, 8-2 ATS) had no trouble with Wyoming last time out, rolling to a 45-10 road victory. Andy Dalton threw for 168 yards and a touchdown for TCU in that win, while Matthew Tucker ran for 134 yards and a pair of scores. The Lobos (1-10 SU, 4-7 ATS) finally picked up a victory last week, snapping a 14-game skid with a 29-27 win over Colorado State.
No. 18 BYU is a 7.5-point home favorite against No. 22 Utah in Saturday's lone ranked matchup, while No. 7 Georgia Tech is giving 7.5 points to Georgia. As well, it's No. 11 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (-8), No. 14 Virginia Tech (-16) at Virginia, No. 15 Clemson (-3) at South Carolina, Arkansas at No. 17 LSU (-3.5), and No. 19 Miami (-7) at South Florida. As well, No. 24 USC (-13) hosts UCLA.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are just five games on the NBA's schedule for Saturday, with Charlotte at Washington, Dallas at Cleveland, Orlando at Milwaukee, Portland at Utah, and the Lakers at Golden State. Los Angeles last played on Tuesday night, cruising to a 100-90 home win over New York. Kobe Bryant poured in 34 points in that win, and Ron Artest added 17 points. Golden State fell 118-104 to San Antonio in their last game on Wednesday, with Monta Ellis scoring 42 points in that defeat.
The Legends Classic, Chicago Challenge, and Las Vegas Invite all continue in college hoops action on Saturday, while No. 4 Villanova plays host to La Salle. The ranked Wildcats have started the season 5-0 (3-1 ATS), and they're coming off a 79-67 win over Mississippi in the championship game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Scottie Reynolds tossed in 21 points in that win. The Explorers (3-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) beat Tulane 61-59 last game, with Kimmani Barrett scoring 14 points.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are 13 games on the NHL's Saturday slate, with the Islanders at New Jersey, Ottawa at Boston, Philadelphia at Atlanta, Calgary at Columbus, Carolina at Buffalo, the Rangers at Pittsburgh, Detroit at St. Louis, Florida at Nashville, Tampa Bay at Dallas, Minnesota at Colorado, Edmonton at Vancouver, Chicago at Los Angeles, and Washington at Montreal. The Capitals blanked Buffalo 2-0 in their last game on Wednesday, with Semyon Varlamov picking up the shutout. The Habs fell 3-1 in Pittsburgh in their Wednesday outing.
Today's Helpful Tips
Saturday, November 28
Back-to-back
If there is one thing the Washington Wizards aren’t big fans of, it’s back-to-back games. Playing Friday night, the Wiz then turn around and host Charlotte Saturday. The three times the Wizards have played on consecutive days, the squad is just 1-2 SU and 1-2 ATS with the lone win coming in a 123-104 win over the winless Nets. Washington is averaging a meager 86.5 points per game in the second half of its other back-to-back games and should see a similar drop-off against the Bobcats. Meantime, the Bobcats are second in average points allowed (88.9) and fourth in field goal percentage (43.6).
Road Woe-iors
The Los Angeles Lakers have played 14 games this season, but an NBA-low three on the road, going just 2-1 SU and a pathetic 0-3 ATS in games against Houston, Oklahoma City and Denver, with both wins coming by only a basket in overtime. On Saturday, Showtime visits Golden State, which itself has played only four home games, but is 3-1 ATS in those contests. No line has been posted yet for this game.
Getting Wild
The Minnesota Wild might have found a new scoring threat. The team has a mediocre 60 total goals this season, and just put forward Martin Havlat on the disabled list. Havlat has a horrendous two goals and six assists through 19 games. But on Friday, Chuck Kobasew netted his second career hat trick against the Avalanche to lead his team to a 5-3 win. The team’s rematch again on Saturday in Colorado, and expect the Avalanche killer to get plenty of ice time in the Mile High City. Minnesota is listed at +155 with a total of 5.5.
House of Blues
Remember when Detroit used to own the Blues? Not any more. St. Louis has taken both meetings with the Red Wings this season and has won three of its past four games overall. Meantime, the Red Wings are just 4-10 in their past 14 road games and are reeling from various injuries that have depleted their depth and led to them dropping four of their past five overall. St. Louis also has yielded just 57 goals this year and is playing some of the most disciplined hockey in the league. The Blues are listed at -102 with a total of 5.5.
Rams not so tough
St. Louis running back Steven Jackson missed his third straight day of practice on Friday, making him questionable for Sunday’s game against Seattle. He would be a critical loss for an offense that already will be without quarterback Marc Bulger and tackle Jason Smith. The Rams have scored more than 13 points just four times this year and were shutout, 28-0, against Seattle earlier this year. St. Louis is listed at +3.5 with a total of 42.
AP nursing an ankle
Vikings stud running back Adrian Peterson is questionable for the team’s game against the Bears on Sunday. Peterson has been nursing an ankle injury that limited him in practice earlier this week and, combined with an illness, missed practice on Friday. Peterson has yet to miss time for the Vikings, and if he is sidelined, backup Chester Taylor will get the majority of the team’s carries. Minnesota is listed at -10.5 with a total of 47 points.
Boomer Sooner
So how are the No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys still more than a touchdown underdog to the in-state rival Sooners? Just look at recent history. The home team is 8-3 ATS in the past 11 meetings, but more important, Oklahoma has covered the spread in four straight and five of their past six clashes. The Sooners also are a perfect 5-0 at home this season, averaging nearly 50 points per game in those victories. Oklahoma is listed at -7.5 with a total of 49 points.