Friday 10/23/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[superbeets]

French Ligue 1 TODAY 19:30

Lyon

v

Toulouse

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT2		8/11	13/5	17/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT LYON	RECENT FORM
HWALHLHWADAL​ Most recent​	3 - 0 1 - 1 3 - 1 3 - 2	HDADHDALADHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Toulouse have not won since the opening day of the season

EXPERT VERDICT: Lyon have not yet hit top form this season but they have a great opportunity to claim a third consecutive home league win providing they are over the exertions of Tuesday’s trip to St Petersburg. Toulouse are winless in their last nine games and should be vulnerable against classy opponents.

RECOMMENDATION: Lyon
2

 

[superbeets]

German Bundesliga TODAY 19:30

Hoffenheim

v

Hamburg

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BTEU		21/20	13/5	5/2	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT HOFFENHEIM	RECENT FORM
HLALHDAWHDAL​ Most recent​	3 - 0 3 - 0 1 - 4 4 - 0	AWHDAWHLALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Hoffenheim have won once this season

EXPERT VERDICT: This is unlikely to be pretty as the teams sitting 16th and 17th in the Bundesliga’s shots on target table do battle with favourites Hoffenheim looking too short to win for the second time this season. Hamburg have kept four clean sheets in their last six and can build on last week’s decent goalless draw with Leverkusen.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

Championship TODAY 19:45

Rotherham

v

Sheff Wed

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		2	12/5	6/4	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ROTHERHAM	RECENT FORM
ALHWAWHLALHD​ Most recent​	2 - 3 2 - 1 1 - 3 0 - 2	HWAWAWHWHDAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Rotherham have failed to score in just one league game this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in their last seven matches but they may have to settle for a point at Rotherham. The Owls have drawn against Hull and QPR in the last week and the hosts seem to be picking up after a superb 1-1 draw with Reading on Tuesday.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1

 

[superbeets]

Championship Sa 24Oct 12:30

Blackburn

v

Burnley

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		6/4	12/5	2	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT BLACKBURN	RECENT FORM
ADHWADHWALHD​ Most recent​	1 - 2 1 - 1 3 - 2 2 - 1	HWADHLAWHWAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Blackburn have only won two of their 12 league games this season

EXPERT VERDICT: This local derby should be entertaining and backing both teams to score looks to be the best bet. Burnley have scored 17 times already this campaign and have failed to notch on only two occasions, although the Clarets have kept only one away clean sheet.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
3


REFEREE: Keith Stroud STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 24Oct 15:00

Norwich

v

West Brom

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		Evs	5/2	16/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT NORWICH	RECENT FORM
HWADHWADHLAL​ Most recent​	3 - 0 0 - 1 4 - 0 0 - 1	HDAWALHLALHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Norwich have not kept a clean sheet this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Norwich have looked good going forward but their defensive frailties were ruthlessly exposed by in a 6-2 defeat at Newcastle. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet this season so both teams to score looks an attractive price. West Brom are far from hotshots but they are capable of notching at Carrow Road.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2


REFEREE: Kevin Friend STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

Premier League Sa 24Oct 15:00

Aston Villa

v

Swansea

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		2	23/10	8/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ASTON VILLA	RECENT FORM
ALHLHWALHLAL​ Most recent​	0 - 1 1 - 1 2 - 0 0 - 2	ALHDALALHDHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Villa have picked up only one point in four league games

EXPERT VERDICT: Reports that Tim Sherwood is fighting to save his job will intensify if Aston Villa, still without a home win, fail to beat Swansea. And although the Swans are winless in their last four away games, they are playing better than recent results suggest and could hammer the final nail into Sherwood’s coffin.

RECOMMENDATION: Swansea
2


REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

Memphis
San Diego St
Royals

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Canadiens (7-0) at Sabres (1-4)

Date: October 23, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

Extending the best start in franchise history Friday night will result in the Montreal Canadiens adding to the early season woes of an Atlantic Division opponent.

The Canadiens return to the road looking for an 8-0 record as they take on the offensively challenged Buffalo Sabres.

Montreal is the only unbeaten team in the NHL and can double its previous high in wins to start a season Friday. The Canadiens last won eight in a row to close the 2005-06 season.

They've trailed once in 2015-16, for less than three minutes, and haven't scored fewer than three goals or given up more than two. Their seven goals allowed are easily the lowest total in the league.

Montreal opened the season with a four-game trip, and is beginning a stretch of four of five away from home.

"We see one game at a time," coach Michel Therrien told the team's official website. "It's like when I'm driving my car. I'm not constantly looking in the mirror to know what's going on in the back. I'm watching ahead."

One way he's doing so is by resting star goaltender Carey Price for the second time this season, with rookie Mike Condon set to start this contest. Condon made 20 saves in his NHL debut, a 3-1 win over Ottawa on Oct. 11.

Montreal's depth and strong defense has given it confidence regardless of who's in goal.

"We're rolling four lines and it feels like everyone is a big part of it," right wing Torrey Mitchell told the team's official website. "Everyone has their role."

Canadiens among the league leaders in plus/minus rating are Andrei Markov (plus-10), Max Pacioretty (nine), P.K. Subban (nine) and Tomas Plekanec (eight). Their penalty killing percentage of 91.7 ranks near the top of the league, and they haven't surrendered a first-period goal while giving up one in the third.

Montreal allowed one goal while sweeping its three-game homestand against the New York Rangers, Detroit and St. Louis.

Buffalo (2-4-0) has scored once in the opening period. The Sabres have picked up both of their victories at home and won their last three meetings with the Canadiens, but Montreal is 6-2-1 in the past nine matchups - 4-1-0 in Buffalo.

The Sabres defeated Toronto 2-1 in a shootout Wednesday, with Evander Kane tying it with 4:29 left in the third period. That snapped Buffalo's scoreless streak that covered more than 107 minutes.

"It doesn't seem like we've scored a goal in a long time," coach Dan Bylsma said. "To get the puck to pop out on Kaner's stick there and to get that goal and to have to fight for it for 55 minutes is a big one for us."

Chad Johnson picked up his second win for the Sabres by making 23 saves and limiting the Maple Leafs to one goal on five attempts in the tiebreaker. Johnson has made one start against Montreal, stopping 18 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Islanders on Dec. 23.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Bruins (2-3) at Islanders (4-1)

Date: October 23, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Though the Boston Bruins have done their best work on the road this season, their first visit to Barclays Center may be their toughest challenge yet.

The New York Islanders return to their new home carrying a four-game winning streak into Friday night's clash between two of the NHL's highest-scoring teams.

They've scored 18 goals and averaged 33.2 shots during the run while getting a lift from Jaroslav Halak's return from an upper-body injury.

Halak made 37 saves in his second start back to lead New York (4-1-1) to a 4-0 victory at Columbus Tuesday, following up the club's first three wins at Barclays Center. The veteran goaltender now faces a Bruins team that's averaging 3.67 goals per game and has won both of its road tests during an overall uneven start.

Boston (2-3-1) remains winless at home after squandering a two-goal lead in the third period of Wednesday's 5-4 overtime loss to Philadelphia, the latest tough outing for the slumping Tuukka Rask. The 2014 Vezina Trophy winner owns a 4.40 goals-against average and an .854 save percentage while allowing at least three goals in each of his five starts.

'I wouldn't call it a struggle,' Rask said. 'But, then again, you let in five, four goals every game ... can't be pretty happy about that.'

The Bruins have overcome some of their defensive lapses with a power play that's converting at a league-best 38.1 percent. All of Patrice Bergeron's four goals have come on the man advantage, and he's totaled five points over the last two games.

David Krejci is on a hot stretch as well, tallying nine of his team-best 11 points in the last four after notching two assists Wednesday.

"We're scoring a lot of goals," defenseman Torey Krug told the Bruins' official website. "But it's our defensive foundation that we're trying to get back to, and being stingy and not giving so many scoring chances away. If we clean those areas up, we'll have some good hockey games."

The Islanders have been better on the back end of late, in part due to Halak's return. They haven't allowed a power-play goal in three straight and killed off all six chances against Columbus.

"Our goaltender is our best penalty killer, but our guys have been structured and have been doing the right things at the right times," coach Jack Capuano told the team's official website. "Faceoffs have been key for us too."

New York also is getting strong offensive contributions during its four-game surge. Captain John Tavares has three goals and five assists, Kyle Okposo has six points and Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Nikolay Kulemin each have two goals over the streak.

Tavares recorded two goals and two assists in the Islanders' three 2014-15 meetings with Boston, which enjoyed great success during the final few years of Nassau Coliseum. The Bruins have won five of six on the road in the series and are 10-2-1 in their last 13 against New York as the visitor.

Rask is 8-3-0 with a 2.34 GAA in 12 starts against the Islanders and won both his matchups last season. Halak is 8-4-0 with a 2.04 GAA in 12 starts against Boston but permitted four goals in 5-2 home loss on Jan. 29.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lightning (4-2) at Jets (4-2)

Date: October 23, 2015 8:00 PM EDT

The Winnipeg Jets are getting a lengthy stay at home and a break they feel will provide a benefit moving forward.

That sounds much better than the stretch the Tampa Bay Lightning are enduring.

Winnipeg looks to deal Tampa its fourth defeat in five games as the Lightning continue their road trip against Central Division foes Friday night.

The Jets (4-2-0) have been in Winnipeg since beating Calgary last Friday to begin a six-game homestand that takes them through Oct. 29. Mathieu Perreault and Drew Stafford scored Sunday, but St. Louis scored twice in the third period to win 4-2.

The four-day break is Winnipeg's longest of the season as it prepares to play a game every other day for the remainder of its homestand.

"It's huge," forward Adam Lowry told the team's official website of the layoff. "You see some breakdowns early in the season that you're not accustomed to seeing later in the year. It's important to fix those as soon as you can so those bad habits don't creep into your game. This week's huge. It gives some guys a little bit of rest before a pretty busy schedule coming up."

The Lightning (4-2-1) know a bit about that. They began a four-game trip featuring all Central opponents with Tuesday's 5-4 shootout loss to Nashville and face the Jets before a Stanley Cup Final rematch with Chicago on Saturday.

Tampa, which concludes the journey Tuesday in St. Louis, allowed the tying goal with 5:30 left in the third period before getting blanked in the shootout. Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Ryan Callahan and Erik Condra scored.

"We deserved a point and we got it," coach Jon Cooper said. "We're moving on the road here and we keep building on what we did."

The Lightning have killed off all six penalties over their last two games, a solid turnaround after opponents scored seven times in 15 chances with the man advantage through the first five.

"What we were doing before wasn't getting it done, so we changed things up, changed a little personnel up and I think it's changed our vibe out there a little bit," Cooper said. "We've got a few more shot blockers. We're going to work different guys in there on the penalty kill because you can never have enough of them. But we like what we have going on right now."

Stamkos had scored in eight straight games against the Jets before Stafford and Blake Wheeler had goals within three minutes of each other in the third period to give the Jets a 2-1 win in the last meeting March 14.

Ondrej Pavelec needed to stop only 15 shots to earn that victory, and he likely will be in net again for this matchup. Pavelec has a 2.52 goals-against average in four starts this season after making 37 saves Sunday.

Ben Bishop has a 2.56 GAA while starting all seven for the Lightning, including one back-to-back set. Regular backup Andrei Vasilevskiy has been cleared for full activity after having a procedure last month to remove his top left rib that was pinching a nerve and caused a blood clot, but he's not expected to rejoin the club until next week.

That leaves Kevin Poulin as the only other option in goal if Cooper doesn't want Bishop facing both Winnipeg and Chicago.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Capitals (5-1) at Oilers (3-4)

Date: October 23, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

Winning streaks have been rare for the Edmonton Oilers, but they've put together one in October for the second straight season.

This time, though, they hope they can sustain their improved play.

Edmonton aims for a fourth straight victory Friday night against the visiting Washington Capitals, who are looking for a fifth consecutive win of their own.

The Oilers (3-4-0) opened with four losses in a row, going 1 for 14 on the power play and totaling five goals. They've scored 10 in their three victories while converting 3 of 9 chances with the man advantage.

A win Friday would put them in a position similar to last year when they started 4-4-1 and had a four-game winning streak. They then lost 24 of their 27 en route to a 24-44-14 finish, however, tying their second-worst winning percentage in club history.

After failing to record a point in his first two games, Connor McDavid is doing his best to live up to the hype that comes with being drafted No. 1 overall and the expectations of being a franchise cornerstone at 18 years old. He has four goals and two assists in the last five contests, and his 0.86 points per game have him on the best pace by an Oilers rookie since Jason Arnott (0.87) in 1993-94.

He scored in the second period of Wednesday's 3-1 win against Detroit, Edmonton's first regulation victory in 18 meetings.

"It was a good win," coach Todd McLellan said. "It is one that we will bank and be proud of, but there are still areas of our game where we have to get better. We're going to be saying that in February. We need to keep plugging away."

While this marks just the sixth winning streak of three-plus games for the Oilers since the 2012-13 season began, the Capitals (5-1-0) are on their 20th in that span, taking a 3-2 win in Vancouver on Thursday for their fourth straight.

Washington hadn't trailed past the first period in its first three consecutive wins, but overcame a 2-1 third-period deficit Thursday behind goals by Jay Beagle and Alex Ovechkin.

"We'll take the win, maybe not our best game, but that's what we're trying to do - collect points," coach Barry Trotz said.

Ovechkin, who has one goal in all five games in which he's played, had the last of his three six-game goal streaks in 2008. He also has eight goals and four assists in his last seven matchups with Edmonton, including three multi-goal games.

Washington's only loss came 5-0 to San Jose on Oct. 13 when Ovechkin sat out after missing the team's morning skate.

The Capitals are limiting opponents to an NHL-low 24.3 shots per game, while the Oilers' 27.0 shots rank near the bottom of the league.

Philipp Grubauer will make his first start of the season for Washington, spelling Braden Holtby, who has posted a 2.03 goals-against average while starting each game. Grubauer is 7-6-5 with a 2.44 GAA in 20 career games.

While the Capitals own one of the NHL's best power plays with five goals on 18 chances, Edmonton is killing off a league-best 92.0 percent of penalties after finishing 28th last season (76.7 percent).

The Oilers won both meetings last season and own a 31.4 percent power-play success rate while winning nine of the last 11 meetings in Edmonton.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Wings (3-3) at Flames (1-5)

Date: October 23, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

After a promising start, the Detroit Red Wings have hardly performed at their best in all three phases lately - including half of a road trip - but they'll next face a team that's fared even worse so far this season.

The Calgary Flames' next chance to end one of the lowliest starts in franchise history and worst on their home ice will come Friday night.

Detroit beat its first three opponents by a combined 11-4 margin but has seen that differential reversed in three consecutive defeats, getting outscored 12-5. The Red Wings (3-3-0) have gone 0 for 11 on the power play in those defeats and allowed four goals in 11 times short-handed.

They went 0 for 6 with a man advantage in a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Wednesday, the second of four consecutive road games.

"We just have to figure it out. It's in the locker room. We know we can play good hockey. We just have to put it behind and play a little better," forward Tomas Tatar said. "We will talk about it for sure. We will see the video, what we did wrong, refocus and we have the next game against Calgary."

The Red Wings will try to begin their turnaround against a Flames team that's 1-5-0 and has lost its first four home games for the first time.

Calgary has been outscored 11-4 in the first two of three straight at home, losing 6-2 to Washington on Tuesday. Karri Ramo was pulled in the second period and sent to the minors Thursday.

Bob Hartley, last season's Jack Adams Award winner, might also shake up the team's defensive pairings if the past two practices are an indication.

"Things aren't working so you've got to change something and try to get the guys going. Anytime you can move up and play a little more or do something different, it's great," Hartley told the team's official website. "Everyone wants to play as much as possible, but whatever a team needs to win, we've got to find a way to do it."

The Flames have never earned fewer than three points in their first seven games. They had three ties and four losses to begin 1995-96, eventually bottoming out at 0-7-3.

They have dropped the past two home games against Detroit - each by one goal - but snapped a three-game overall skid with a 5-2 win in the most recent meeting March 6.

Former Red Wings forward Jiri Hudler had a pair of goals in that victory, but he's pointless in his last three games after collecting two goals and two assists in the first three. Mikael Backlund has two goals and two assists in his last three against the Red Wings, but he's scored once this season.

The Flames are expected to face Jimmy Howard, who is 1-3-0 with a 3.56 goals-against average in his past four matchups. He lost 5-3 to Carolina last Friday after allowing one goal in his first two games.

Calgary's Jonas Hiller is 3-1-0 with a 1.73 GAA in his last four against Detroit.

Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader has four goals and two assists in his past three against Calgary. He has no points in his last four games after totaling four goals and an assist in the first two.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hurricanes (2-4) at Kings (3-3)

Date: October 23, 2015 10:30 PM EDT

Sound play from a pair of Stanley Cup-winning goaltenders has helped the Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes recover from slow starts.

Jonathan Quick seeks to maintain his current form and lead the Kings to a fourth consecutive victory when the Hurricanes visit Staples Center Friday night.

Los Angeles (3-3-0) was outscored 12-2 in losing its first three games, all on home ice. They've allowed just three goals during the win streak as Quick and Jhonas Enroth, who made 39 saves in his Kings debut in Thursday's 4-1 victory at San Jose, have helped trigger the turnaround.

Quick recorded a 3.70 goals-against average in the losses before stopping 47 of 49 shots in consecutive 2-1 wins over Minnesota and Colorado.

Carolina (2-4-0) also opened 0-3 while receiving shaky goaltending from Ward and Eddie Lack, but has since won two of three to begin a season-long seven-game road stretch.

Ward was instrumental to the latest victory, recording 26 saves that included a breakaway stop on Jarome Iginla in overtime, moments before Victor Rask scored the game's lone goal Wednesday at Colorado. He entered the contest with a 4.00 GAA through his first four starts.

'With 3-on-3 obviously you have to be ready for the scoring chance because they're going to be coming,' Ward said. 'The way we've seen throughout the league, the goaltender has to make a big save and then hopefully you can turn it around and go back the other way. Fortunately we were able to do that.'

Hurricanes coach Bill Peters hasn't declared whether Ward or Lack will start in Friday's opener of a back-to-back. Carolina continues the trek Saturday in San Jose.

Lack struggled in his only start, a 4-1 loss to Florida on Oct. 13, but went 2-1-0 with a 1.62 GAA in three against the Kings while with fellow Pacific Division member Vancouver last season.

Whomever gets the call will be facing an improving Los Angeles offense led by Tyler Toffoli, who scored in a third straight game Thursday and owns four of the team's 10 goals.

Jeff Carter added his first two of the season as part of a four-point night and Milan Lucic contributed his first as a King. Both scored on a power-play unit that was 1 for 21 over the first five games.

'I think it was big for us to come in and prove ourselves. We pretty much had to," Carter said. "This was a big task coming in here. I thought we did a good job.'

The Hurricanes also have struggled in power-play situations, having gone 2 for 25.

Quick is 3-1-0 with a 1.72 GAA in four starts against Carolina, which is aiming for its first win at Los Angeles since Dec. 8, 2005, after posting the franchise's first in Denver since the Hartford Whalers prevailed in 1996.

The Hurricanes have lost four straight at Staples Center and are 1-6-1 in their last eight visits.

Quick made 25 saves in a 3-2 home win over Carolina on Nov. 20, helping Los Angeles avenge a 3-2 defeat in Raleigh 18 days earlier behind Ward's 30 saves.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Hot teams
-- Montreal won first seven games; they allowed one goal in last three games.
-- Islanders won last four games, scoring 18 goals.
-- Winnipeg won four of its first six games.
-- Washington won last four games, outscoring foes 17-6. Edmonton won last three games, allowing a total of four goals.
-- Los Angeles won last three games, allowing one goal in each.

Cold teams
-- Buffalo lost four of its first six games.
-- Bruins are 2-4 this season; 2-0 on road, 0-4 at home.
-- Lightning lost three of their last four games.
-- Detroit lost last three games, outscored 12-5. Flames lost last four games, outscored 18-8.
-- Hurricanes lost four of their first six games.

Series records
-- Sabres won their last three games with Montreal.
-- Islanders lost three of last four games with Boston.
-- Jets won five of last seven games with Tampa Bay.
-- Red Wings won three of last four games with Calgary.
-- Oilers won last two games with Washington, 5-4so/3-2.
-- Kings won six of last eight games with Carolina.

Totals
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Buffalo-Montreal games.
-- All six Boston games went over the total.
-- Over is 3-0 in Tampa Bay's last three visits to Winnipeg.
-- Six of last nine Detroit-Calgary games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Washington games stayed under.
-- Under is 3-0-2 in last five Carolina-LA games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Memphis at Tulsa
By Brian Edwards

**Memphis at Tulsa**

-- Memphis (6-0 straight up, 3-2-1 against the spread) is coming off one of the biggest wins in school history after knocking off Ole Miss on Saturday at the Liberty Bowl. The Tigers remained unbeaten with a 37-24 win over the Rebels as 10.5-point home underdogs. Paxton Lynch completed 39-of-53 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Miller had 10 receptions for 132 yards and one TD, while Mose Frazier hauled in eight catches for 83 yards and one TD. Dion Witty and Arthur Maulet collected interceptions off of Chad Kelly.

-- Lynch is enjoying a sensational season, throwing for 305 yards or more in five consecutive games. The 6-7, 245-pound senior has connected on 71.4 percent of his passes for 1,919 yards with a 13/1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

--Memphis is fifth in the nation in total offense and ninth in passing. The Tigers aren’t one-dimensional, however, rushing for nearly 200 yards per game (196.0 to be exact). Five different players have rushed for more than 100 yards this year led by Jarvis Cooper, a sophomore RB who has run for a team-high 320 yards and four TD while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Junior RB Sam Craft has rushed for 219 yards and five TDs.

-- Coming off the huge win over an SEC team and a regional rival (Ole Miss is 45 minutes from Memphis) that has thrust it into the national spotlight, Memphis enters a classic letdown spot for Friday’s AAC showdown. The short week of preparation and road assignment make this an especially tough spot for the Tigers, who now have to be considered a potential darkhorse to get to the College Football Playoff. Now obviously, Justin Fuente’s team will have to handle its business and get some help for that notion to become a reality. But make no mistake, it’s a possibility. For starters, Memphis will need Ole Miss to play outstanding football down the stretch. In fact, it probably needs the Rebels to win the SEC West, but that’s exactly what will happen if they run the table. Also, the Tigers want Bowling Green to keep playing good football and a win or two from Kansas would help the cause, too. Remember, Memphis won 55-23 and 44-41 at KU and Bowling Green in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively. There are still two games against ranked and unbeaten foes remaining with road games at Houston and Temple next month. Also, the Tigers face a 4-1 Navy squad in two weeks, so there are quality wins remaining on the schedule.

-- Tulsa (3-3 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) has lost three of its last four games, including Saturday’s 30-17 loss at East Carolina as a 14-point underdog. This was a wild affair for our purposes. ECU went ahead of the number for the first time when it took a 17-0 lead with 5:50 left in the second quarter. With 1:13 left until halftime, the Pirates tacked on a field goal for a 20-0 advantage at intermission. Tulsa finally got on the board thanks to a Zack Langer one-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter. With 7:12 remaining, Redford Jones’s 21-yard field goal put Golden Hurricanes supporters back in front (23-10). When ECU’s James Summers scored on a six-yard TD run with 1:24 left, gamblers on the Pirates appeared to be in business. However, Dane Evans hit Keyarris Garrett with a 47-yard scoring strike with 30 ticks remaining, and Jones’s successful PAT gave Tulsa backers the backdoor cover.

-- Tulsa produced more yardage than ECU by a wide margin (463-382), but a pair of turnovers and three failed fourth-down attempts were a killer. Evans threw for 288 yards and one TD, while Langer rushed for 76 yards and one TD on 18 carries. Josh Atkinson had eight receptions for 136 yards.

-- Evans has completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 2,127 yards with an 11/4 TD-INT ratio. His favorite target is Garrett, who has 45 receptions for 698 yards and two TDs. Atkinson has 36 catches for 576 yards and two TDs, while Langer has rushed for a team-best 596 yards and 11 TDs.

-- Tulsa junior WR Keevan Lucas was lost to a season-ending knee injury in a 38-24 home loss to Houston on Oct. 3. Lucas, who had 26 receptions for 409 yards and a team-high five TDs in the first four games, was a first-team All-AAC selection last year when he had 101 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 TDs. Blake Belcher, a starting offensive tackle, was also lost for the season to a knee injury two weeks ago. RB D’Angelo Brewer, who has run for 362 yards and one TD while averaging 5.7 yards per carry, missed the loss at ECU with an undisclosed injury and was listed as ‘questionable’ for Memphis as of early Wednesday afternoon.

-- Memphis has been a road ‘chalk’ seven times on Fuente’s watch, compiling a 4-3-1 spread record.

-- Tulsa owns a 3-1 ATS record in four games as an underdog this year. However, the Golden Hurricane failed to cover in its lone home ‘dog spot this year. Going back to 2010, it is an abysmal 2-6 ATS in the last eight situations as a home puppy.

-- Dating back to last season, Memphis has won 13 consecutive games.

-- As of early Wednesday afternoon, most books had Memphis listed as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 77. Tulsa was +330 on the money line (risk $100 to win $330).

-- The ‘over’ is 4-2 overall for Memphis, 2-1 in its three previous road assignments. After the ‘over’ cashed in the Tigers’ first four games, but the ‘under’ has been a winner in back-to-back contests. They have seen their games average a combined score of 72.3 points per game.

-- After cashing in three straight games, the ‘under’ is 4-2 overall for Tulsa, 2-1 in its home outings. The Golden Hurricane has seen its games produce average combined scores of 68.2 PPG.

-- ESPN will have the broadcast Friday night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

-- There’s also a late-night game Friday to get gamblers warmed up for the weekend. Like Memphis, Utah St. is off a huge win and in a letdown scenario at San Diego State. These Mountain West Conference rivals will collide at 10:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. As of early Wednesday, most spots had the Aggies listed as five-point road favorites with a total of 44. Matt Wells’s team crushed Boise St. by a 52-26 count as a 7.5-point home underdog. Utah State created eight turnovers and a 90-yard pick-six by Marwin Evans gave it a 45-10 halftime lead over BSU. Kent Myers threw three TD passes without an interception and also scored on a 39-yard TD scamper.

-- The ‘over’ has hit in four straight games for Utah State.

-- The Westgate SuperBook updates its lines for Games of the Year earlier this week. Ohio State is now a 2.5-point favorite at Michigan in the regular-season finale for both teams.

-- Bovada sent out a tweet earlier this week showing a 12-game parlay from one of its players that netted more than $12,000 with just $10 at risk. Guess who the player had in the parlay? Michigan St. on the money line.

-- Best ATS records: Central Michigan 7-0, Toledo 5-0-1, Notre Dame 6-1, So. Miss 6-1, Stanford 5-1.

-- Worst ATS records: Old Dominion 0-6, UCF 1-6, Michigan State 1-6. UCF and Sparty collected their first spread covers in Week 7.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the Day: Memphis at Tulsa

Memphis Tigers at Tulsa Golden Hurricane (+10.5, 76.5)

Fresh off its biggest win of the year, No. 17 Memphis ventures to Tulsa on Friday looking to remain unbeaten. The Tigers posted their 13th straight win last weekend, topping then-No. 12 Ole Miss 37-24 despite trailing 14-0 early in the contest.

Memphis owns the third-longest active winning streak in the nation behind Ohio State and TCU, but will be challenged Friday by some talented Tulsa skill players. "Offensively, they are as good as anybody in America," said Tigers coach Justin Fuente, whose team has plenty of offensive firepower of its own. Paxton Lynch has paced Memphis with 300-plus yards passing in each of the last five games and has a sparkling 13-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio this season. "Anytime you get a team that’s ranked in the Top 25, you get the chance to prove yourself on a national stage," Tulsa offensive lineman Garrett Stafford told reporters. "We're just looking forward to giving them our best shot and see where we stack up."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Books opened Tulsa as a 10.5-point home dog. Tohe total is up to 76.5 from the opening 75.

INJURY REPORT:

Memphis - OL Trevon Tate (Questionable, personal).

Tulsa - CB Darrell Williams (Probable, undisclosed), RB D'Angelo Brewer (Questionable, undisclosed), RB Ramadi Warren (Questionable, undisclosed), T Blake Belcher (Out for season, knee), WR Keevan Lucas (Out for season, knee).

WEATHER: Temperatures in the low-70s with a 68 percent chance of thunderstorms. Wind will blow toward the north end zone at around seven miles per hour.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Tigers are undefeated at 6-0, and their offense is firing on all cylinders. Memphis ranks 8th nationally averaging 46 points per game." Jesse Schule.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (6-0 SU, 3-2-1 ATS, 4-2 O/U): The Tigers average the fourth-most points in the country (46) and are 10th in yards per contest (533), thanks in large part to Lynch and a three-headed receiving attack. Anthony Miller, Mose Frazier and Phil Mayhue all have at least 20 receptions and have combined for over 1,000 yards, while Memphis' running game also features balance with five backs having contributed multiple TDs this year. The Tigers hope to get off to a good start against the Golden Hurricane, although they have proven the ability to come from behind with four comebacks of at least 10 points this season - tops in FBS.

ABOUT TULSA (3-3 SU, 3-2-1 ATS, 2-4 O/U): Behind quarterback Dane Evans (2,127 yards, 11 touchdowns), the Golden Hurricane rank second in the league in both passing (354.5 yards per game) and total offense (550.5 yards). Zack Langer already has 11 rushing touchdowns on the season, although his 3.9 yards-per-carry average leaves much to be desired. Keyarris Garrett (45 catches, 698 yards) and Joshua Atkinson (36 catches, 576 yards) pace a dynamic receiving attack, while Keevan Lucas has caught a team-high five TDs.

TRENDS:

* Tigers are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings.
* Road team is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Golden Hurricane are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight home games.
* Tigers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight Friday games.

CONSENSUS: Sixty-six percent are backing Memphis.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tech Trends - Week 8
By Bruce Marshall

Friday, Oct. 23

MEMPHIS at TULSA
Tigers 6-2-2 vs. line last 10 away from Liberty Bowl.

Slight to Memphis, based on team trends.


UTAH STATE at SAN DIEGO STATE
First time these two have met in a long while. Rocky Long 2-0-1 last three as home dog, and has covered four straight and five of last six at Qualcomm vs. MW foes. Utags 7-1 as road chalk for Matt Wells since 2013.

Slight to SDSU, based on team trends.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAF

Friday's games

Trap game for Memphis after big win over Ole Miss LW; Tigers are 6-0 this season, 1-1-1 as road favorites, winning by 32-3-7 points- they are 4-3-1 as road faves under Fuente. Memphis (-24) ran ball for 243 yards in 40-20 home win over Tulsa LY. Hurricane lost three of their last four games, allowing 40 ppg in losses; they're 2-6 in last eight games as home dog. AAC home underdogs are 1-4 vs spread in conference games TY.

Utah State had eight takeaways (+7!!!) in 52-26 home win over Boise St. LW; Aggies are 3-0 in league play, with all wins by 15+ points; they've scored 47 ppg vs MW foes- their only two losses were to Pac-12 foes, both on road. San Diego State won its last three games, allowing total of 28 points; they're 3-2-1 as home underdogs under Long. Mountain West home underdogs are 4-4 vs spread TY. Last four Utah State games went over total; last three Aztec games stayed under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CFL Betting Notes - Week 18
By David Schwab

Week 17 of the CFL regular season is in the books and in an amazing turnaround from a two-win season as a new expansion team, the Ottawa RedBlacks became the third team to clinch a playoff spot with Friday’s 27-24 victory against Winnipeg; however they could not cover as four-point home favorites.

Saturday’s CFL double-header started with Calgary hammering Toronto 27-15 as a one-point road underdog followed by Edmonton’s 26-23 victory against British Columbia as an 8 ½- point favorite at home. These wins kept the two front-runners in the West tied at the top the standings.

Hamilton closed things out on Sunday with a 23-11 victory against Montreal as a three-point road favorite and in the process the Tiger-Cats also clinched a playoff spot.

Friday, Oct. 23

Montreal Alouettes (5-10 SU, 6-8-1 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (9-6 SU, 8-7 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -8
Total: 52

Game Overview

Last week’s loss was Montreal’s fourth in a row both straight-up and against the spread, but even at 5-10 it still has a good chance to clinch the final CFL playoff spot in the West Division as a crossover team from the East, but it is going to have to start winning some games. That could be a tall task for newly acquired quarterback Kevin Glenn leading an offense that has averaged just 16.5 points a game during this current four-game slide.

Toronto actually clinched a playoff spot with the Alouettes’ loss on Sunday, but it also needs to regain some momentum after its recent three-game winning streak both SU and ATS came to an end. Argonauts’ quarterback Trevor Harris needs to do a better job throwing the ball after completing 59 percent of his 44 attempts in Saturday’s loss with one touchdown throw and three interceptions.

Betting Trends

Montreal is 5-0 both SU and ATS in its last five road games against Toronto and the total has stayed UNDER in the last five meetings overall. Two weeks ago, the Argonauts drew first blood in the season series with a 25-17 win as 1 ½-point road favorites.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-5 SU, 11-4 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (5-10 SU, 8-7 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -1 ½
Total: 50 ½

Game Overview

The Tiger-Cats have to be happy with Sunday’s win given their current injury situation and while it looks like they will have the go the rest of the way with Jeff Mathews at quarterback, a few key personnel rejoined the lineup including wide receiver Andy Fantuz. He caught two of Mathews’ 21 completions against Montreal for 16 yards.

BC is also in line for that last playoff spot, but its current form paints a bleak future with just one SU win in its last six games. The Lions have gone 4-2 ATS during this slide and the total has gone OVER in their last five games. They have averaged 24.2 points a game on offense, but that has not been able to keep pace with a defense that is allowing 28 points a game.

Betting Trends

Hamilton has covered ATS in five of its last six road games against the Lions, but BC has a 14-4 SU edge in the last 18 meetings here. The Tiger-Cats won the first meeting this year 52-22 as 8 ½-point home favorites on Aug. 15.