Sunday’s 6-pack:
— White Sox 1, Angels 0- Chicago is 10-4 since the All-Star break.
— Marlins 2, New York 0- Agustin Ramirez hit two solo home runs.
— Rays 4, Dodgers 0- Yandy Diaz hit two home runs.
— Orioles 4, Cubs 3- Chicago led 3-0 after the seventh inning.
— Mets 12, Giants 6- Pete Alonso hit his 250th career home run.
— Braves-Reds game at a NASCAR track in Tennessee was suspended by rain in the first inning; it will resume at 1:00 Sunday.
Quote of the Day
“You see, the thing is when switching sports or careers for that matter, it can be life-changing. The unexpected are often the most powerful ones because it can completely redirect your life if you’re ready to take advantage and you’re ready for the opportunity.”
Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates
Sunday’s quiz
The first time the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl (2000 season) who was their QB?
Saturday’s quiz
Brandon Marshall holds the Chicago Bears’ record for most receiving yards (1,508) in a season (2012)
Friday’s quiz
Chicago Bears have never had a QB throw for 4,000+ yards in a season; Erik Kramer holds the Bears’ single-season record for passing yardage.
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Sunday’s Den: Notes for MAC football teams
Notes for MAC football teams:
— Akron
Akron has had seven consecutive losing seasons.
Under Moorhead, Akron is 7-3 ATS as a home underdog.
Since 2015, Akron is 12-26 ATS in non-conference games.
Since 2017, Zips are 4-9-3 ATS as a home favorite.
— Ball State
Cardinals have had one winning season in the last 10 years.
New HC was an NAIA head coach.
Last three years, Ball State is 15-9 ATS in MAC games.
Ball State is 1-8 SU all-time in bowl games (1-4 ATS last five)
— Bowling Green
Former NFL star Eddie George is new coach (Tennessee State NC 2021-24)
Jeff Fisher’s son Brandon is the Falcons’ defensive coordinator.
Last four years, Bowling Green was 13-5-1 ATS as a road underdog.
Falcons lost their last four bowls, giving up 37.5 ppg.
— Buffalo
Bulls were 9-4 LY, their first winning season since 2020.
In his career, Lembo is 8-3 ATS as a road favorite.
Since 2021, Buffalo is 4-9 ATS as a home favorite.
Bulls won their last four bowl games.
— Central Michigan
Last 3 years, Chippewas were 13-23; the new HC was an NAIA head coach. Last 3 years, Chippewas were minus-42 in turnovers.
Since 2019, CMU is 8-1 ATS as a home underdog.
Last four years, Chippewas are 8-15-1 ATS coming off a loss.
— Eastern Michigan
Under coach Creighton, Eagles are 11-20 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Creighton, Eagles are 35-18-1 ATS as a road underdog.
Last three years, EMU is 12-7 ATS in games coming off a win.
Eagles are 1-4 SU/3-2 ATS in their last five bowls.
— Notes for the Kansas City Chiefs:
Last three years, Chiefs were 40-11 SU; they lost Super Bowl LY.
Last year, Chiefs were 15-2, 11-0 in games decided by 8 or fewer points.
Kansas City was +6 in turnovers (20-14) last year.
This year, Chiefs are #2 in NFL in $$$ spent on offense
This year, Chiefs are #20 in NFL in $$$ spent on defense (#30 LY)
Under is 17-9 in Kansas City’s last 26 home games.
Last four years, Chiefs are 10-13 ATS as a home favorite.
— Famous birthdays, August 3rd:
Marv Levy, 100
Martin Sheen, 85
Lance Alworth, 85
Mike Gminski, 66
Nate McMillan, 62
Kevin Elster, 61
Michael Ealy, 52
Tom Brady, 48
Mark Reynolds, 42
Tyrod Taylor, 36
Todd Gurley, 31
Dante Fowler, 31
Zac Gallen, 30
Darell Hernaiz, 24
— Kent State
Kent State went 1-23 the last two years; the new HC was OC last year.
Since 2020, Golden Flashes are 5-18-2 ATS as a road underdog.
Last three years, Kent State is 5-17-2 ATS in MAC games.
Last three years, Kent State was 2-5 ATS as a home favorite.
— UMass
Minutemen join MAC this year after struggling as an independent.
Last 10 years, UMass is 21-91 SU (21-27 ATS last four years)
Since 2019, UMass is 0-7 ATS as a home favorite.
Last two years, Minutemen were 8-4 ATS as a road underdog.
— Miami
Last two years, Redhawks were 20-8 SU/19-9 ATS
Last two years, Miami was 12-3 ATS as a favorite.
Since 2015, Redhawks are 33-20 ATS coming off a loss.
Miami is 2-3 SU/5-0 ATS in its last five bowls.
— Northern Illinois
In his career, Hammock is 8-24 ATS as a favorite.
In his career, Hammock is 17-5 ATS as a road underdog.
Last three years, Huskies are 8-16 ATS in MAC games.
Since 2018 though, NIU is 15-8 as an underdog in MAC games.
— Ohio U
Bobcats were 31-10 the last three years; the coach bolted to Charlotte.
Last three years, Ohio U is 13-5 ATS at home.
Last four years, Bobcats are 24-10 ATS in MAC games.
Ohio U is 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS in its last five bowls.
— Toledo
Last three years, Rockets are 3-11 ATS as a road favorite.
Since 2019, Toledo is 30-18 SU/20-28 ATS in MAC games.
Underdogs covered Toledo’s last five bowls (1-4 SU/3-2 ATS)
Rockets’ last three bowl games were decided by 2-1-2 points.
— Western Michigan
Last three years, Broncos were 5-7/4-8/6-7 SU.
Last three years, Broncos were +8/+4/+4 in turnovers; unusual.
Under Taylor, WMU is 6-0 ATS as a home favorite, 4-9 as an underdog.
Broncos are 1-8 ATS in last nine games vs Big 18 opponents.