Service Plays Saturday 10/5/13

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Washington at Stanford: What bettors need to know

Washington Huskies at Stanford Cardinal (-7, 52.5)

Stanford aims for its 13th straight win Saturday when the fifth-ranked Cardinal host No. 18 Washington, which is 4-0 for the first time since 2001. The Huskies defeated Stanford 17-13 a year ago in Seattle, but the Cardinal offense has undergone a transformation this season while scoring at least 34 points in each of its first four games. “They’re not nearly as one-dimensional as they were maybe a year ago,” said Washington coach Steve Sarkisian. “We’re going to have to defend everything.”

The Huskies lead the Pac-12 in total defense and will be tested by a Stanford offense that is led by junior quarterback Kevin Hogan, who is 9-0 as a starter. Hogan threw for three touchdowns in last week's 55-17 victory over Washington State and Devon Cajuste added 115 receiving yards, including two long touchdown catches. The Huskies are coming off a 31-13 win over Arizona last Saturday, when junior running back Bishop Sankey had a school-record 40 carries for 161 yards and a score.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Stanford opened at -6.5 and has been bet up to -7. Total steady at 52.5.

WEATHER: Temperatures in the mid 70s with clear skies and winds blowing north at 5 mph.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12, 3-1 ATS): Sankey ranks first in the nation with 151.8 rushing yards per game and senior quarterback Keith Price ranks 12th in pass efficiency for the Huskies, who haven't trailed all season. While the offense has lived up to expectations, the much-improved defense has been critical to Washington's early success. Safety Sean Parker and linebackers Princeton Fuimaono and Shaq Thompson lead the defense, which is allowing just 3.8 yards per play this season --third-best in the nation.

ABOUT STANFORD (4-0, 2-0, 2-2 ATS): Preseason All-American David Yankey missed last week’s rout of Washington State to attend to a family situation, but he’ll be back at left guard this Saturday. Stanford’s stellar offensive line has helped the Cardinal out rush their last two opponents – Washington State and Arizona State – by a 478-101 margin. The defense is led by linebacker Shayne Skov and linebacker Trent Murphy, who returned an interception for a touchdown last week against the Cougars.

TRENDS:

* Under is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
* Huskies are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Stanford.
* Huskies are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Cardinal are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 conference games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Cardinal is 32-3 at Stanford Stadium since the final home game of 2007.

2. Washington is outscoring opponents 73-12 in the first half this season.

3. Stanford is 25-1 under coach David Shaw when it gains more rushing yards than its opponent.

 

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The Gold Sheet

Key Releases

IOWA by 13 over Michigan State
SYRACUSE Plus over Clemson
RUTGERS by 20 over Smu
ARIZONA STATE by 17 over Notre Dame

 

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Dave Cokin:
Adds. Huge card for Saturday

315 Michigan State +1
317 Louisville -32
333 Georgia Tech +6.5
363 Missouri PK
373 Texas State +11.5

 

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atrain sports
northwestern+7
auburn+3
syacuse+14

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CHASE DIAMOND


9* CFB DIAMOND DOG
Ohio vs. Akron
Point Spread: +5/-110 Akron

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Alan Boston

Northwestern +7

Nebraska -9.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

English Breakfast: Premier League betting cheat sheet

A tasty matchup between Manchester City and yet undefeated Everton and a fixture that features a pair of clubs that need points as Man United travel to Sunderland headlines Saturday's matchups in the Barclay's Premier League.

We talk to Aron Black at Bet365 to find where action is on some of the hotter fixtures.

Manchester City v Everton (-150, +310, +450)

Why bet Manchester City: Fresh off a 3-1 drubbing courtesy of Bayern Munich in Champions League and stomach-punch loss last weekend at Aston Villa, the Citizens will be looking for a positive result to get their season back on track. The club can find solace in the fact they are at home, where they are unbeaten in 36 of their last 38.

Key players out/doubtful: Martín Demichelis, Jack Rodwell

Why bet Everton: As the only unbeaten side remaining in the top flight, Roberto Martinez and the Toffees are commanding the respect of the rest of the league. Everton is coming off a close home win over Newcastle last week but has won three straight matches.

Key players out/doubtful: Gareth Barry, Steven Pienaar, Antolin Alcaraz

2012-13 fixture result: City 1, Everton 1

Key betting note: City has won just two of its previous 12 Premier League matches versus Everton, losing nine.

Where the action is: "Action so far is pretty split for who will win the match. City see fair enough support at the price, but Everton are a popular away play, the draw as well is seeing action, as Martinez’ men have had three already. It's definitely tense times for City, and Everton are full of confidence. Striker Romelu Lukaku had a great game against Newcastle last time out, and it's not going to be surprise if he pops up with a goal for Everton on Saturday. He is +200 To Score Anytime. He is full of power and raw talent, and is improving with every game."


Cardiff v Newcastle (+145, +240, +210)

Why bet Cardiff: The Welsh outfit will be brimming with confidence with a pair of wins and a couple of draw through its first six matches in the Premier League. Cardiff currently sits 11th in the table and is coming off a 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend.

Key players out/doubtful: Andreas Cornelius

Why bet Newcastle: The Magpies strung together a pair of victories earlier in the season and looked like they were finding a bit of form. Things went pear shaped and the club carries back-to-back losses heading to Wales. The back four is leaky and has surrendered the second-most goals (11) in the league.

Key players out/doubtful: Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor

2012-13 fixture result: N/A

Key betting note: There has been over 2.5 goals in the Magpies previous four away matches in the league.


Fulham v Stoke (+145, +225, +225)

Why bet Fulham: Martin Jol and his Fulham side just have not gotten anything going and will look for this match at Craven Cottage to turn the early-season woes around. The Cottagers need goals as Dimitar Berbatov just can't seem to get it done. Bryan Ruiz back in the fold certainly helps and Jol will look to Darren Bent to perhaps lead the attack.

Key players out/doubtful: Maarten Stekelenburg, Matthew Briggs

Why bet Stoke: The Potters were actually enjoying a good run before Arsenal toppled them 3-1 back on Sept. 22. They suffered a hard 1-0 home loss to Norwich one week ago and must get back in the winning column. New signing Erik Pieters has been a revelation at left back and the whole back four is still a tough nut to crack, having conceded just six goals on the season.

Key players out/doubtful: N/A

2012-13 fixture result: Fulham 1, Stoke 0

Key betting note: Fulham has defeated Stoke in five of the last six meetings at Craven Cottage in all competitions.


Hull v Aston Villa (+130, +225, +250)

Why bet Hull: The Tigers have been a pleasant surprise to start the season and sit eighth in the table with 10 points. KC Stadium has been a fortess for the club as they boast seven points from three home matches.

Key players out/doubtful: Robbie Brady, Robert Koren, James Chester

Why bet Villa: Christian Benteke who? Without their talisman, the Villains snatched three points from wealthy Manchester City behind a match-winning goal from young Austrian Andreas Weimann. The club is establishing itself as a giant-slayer having beaten City and can lay claim as they only side to beat Arsenal thus far.

Key players out/doubtful: Christian Benteke, Jores Okore, Charles N'Zogbia

2012-13 fixture result: N/A

Key betting note: Villa has won its last five matches against Hull in all competitions.


Liverpool v Crystal Palace (-500, +650, +1600)

Why bet Liverpool: After their first loss of the season, the Reds got back in the winning column with a 3-1 victory away to dismal Sunderland last week. Luis Suarez is back announced his return by netting two goals against the Black Cats.

Key players out/doubtful: Philippe Coutinho, Aly Cissokho, Sebastián Coates, Glen Johnson, Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen

Why bet Crystal Palace: Palace is bad. The only victory of the season came in a 3-1 win over Sunderland. The side is 19th in the table and it doesn't get easier for the newly-promoted club. After Liverpool, they face Fulham at home, but then Arsenal come to town, and Everton follow two weeks after. They could find themselves in deep trouble.

Key players out/doubtful: Jonathan Williams, Jack Hunt, Damien Delaney, Glenn Murray

2012-13 fixture result: N/A

Key betting note: Liverpool has played under the 2.5 goal total in its last five home matches in the Premier League.


Sunderland v Manchester United (+500, +300, -154)

Why bet Sunderland: No wins. No coach. No hope. This isn't exactly what the club had in mind after some promising transfer into the club. But maybe a visit from another club in disarray will cure what ails the Black Cats?

Key players out/doubtful: Wes Brown, Steven Fletcher, Phillip Bardsley

Why bet United: The Red Devils need to get things sorted - and fast. Sunderland is the perfect opportunity to right the ship. Especially after a midweek draw in Champions League against Shakhtar and an embarrassing home defeat at the hands of West Brom in the Premier League.

Key players out/doubtful: Darren Fletcher

2012-13 fixture result: Sunderland 0, United 1

Key betting note: United is unbeaten in its previous 19 matches in all competitions against Sunderland.

Where the action is: "Desperate times meets desperate measures. Take your pick as to which-is-which of the two teams. Both teams will survive with a draw, but a win for either would be a big lift. Or if United lose, a big hole to climb out of. The action is pretty one sided with most backing United to win the game and stop a two-game losing skid. There are bits and pieces on the draw and Sunderland, but this one so far sees the punters showing faith in Moyes’ men."

 

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Cleveland Insider

English Premier League (10am est)
1* Newcastle/Cardiff City under 2.5

 

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CKO

11 BALL STATE over *Virginia
Late Score Forecast:
BALL STATE 30 - *Virginia 21

10 *NEBRASKA over Illinois
Late Score Forecast:
*NEBRASKA 41 - Illinois 19

10 *IDAHO over Fresno State
Late Score forecast:
*IDAHO 32 - Fresno State 45

10 *SOUTH CAROLINA over Kentucky
Late Score Forecast:
*SOUTH CAROLINA 43 - Kentucky 10

RATINGS:
11 - Exceptional
10 - Strong
9 - Above Average

 

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POINTWISE

COLLEGE KEY RELEASES

EAST CAROLINA over Mid Tenn St RATING: 1

BAYLOR over West Virginia RATING: 1

STANFORD over Washington RATING: 2

MISSOURI over Vanderbilt RATING: 3

BOWLING GREEN over UMass RATING: 4

TEXAS STATE over La-Lafayette RATING: 4

OREGON over Colorado RATING: 5

OKLAHOMA STATE over Kansas St RATING: 5

RATED "1" PLAYS THIS SEASON: 9-1
TOP 5 COLLEGE THIS YEAR: 18-6

**The lower the number, the higher the play.

 

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INSIDE THE Pressbox / PHIL STEELE

BEST BETS

Boston College

Tulane - "Upset POW"

New Mexico St. vs New Mexico - "High Scoring POW"

South Carolina

East Carolina

Baylor

 

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STATFOX PLATINUM SHEET

STATFOX SUPER SITUATIONS

• Play On - Home favorites of 21.5 to 31 points (BAYLOR) - off a bye week.
• The situation’s record is 45-9 over the last 10 seasons (83.3%, +35.1 units).
Rating = 5*

• Play On - A road team (NEVADA) - after going over total by 28+ points in their previous game, with a winning record on the season playing a losing team.
• The situation’s record is 23-3 over the last 5 seasons (88.5%, +19.7 units).
Rating = 3*
* * *
• Play On - A road team (OREGON) - after 3 straight wins by 17+ points against opponent after a playing a game where 60 total points or more were scored.
• The situation’s record is 25-3 over the last 5 seasons (89.3%, +21.7 units).
Rating = 4*

STATFOX SITUATIONAL POWER TEAM TRENDS

• ARKANSAS is 0-10 ATS (-11 Units) after playing a game at home since the start of
last season.
The average score was ARKANSAS 21.2, OPPONENT 31.4.
PLAY ON FLORIDA
Rating= 5*

• UTAH STATE is 9-0 ATS (+9 Units) after a win by 17 or more points since the start
of last season.
The average score was UTAH STATE 36.7, OPPONENT 15.1
PLAY ON UTAH STATE
Rating = 4*

• AUBURN is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) after a win against the spread since the start of
the 2011 season.
The average score was AUBURN 11.9, OPPONENT 40.
PLAY ON OLE MISS
Rating = 4*

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Joe Gavazzi

SMART MONEY GAME OF THE DAY!

LSU (-10) at Mississippi St. 7:00 ET ESPN
10* Mississippi State +10
Here is another .500 or better, rested, home dog coming off a win and playing with revenge. Rounding out our situation is the fact that LSU comes off an emotionally draining loss to Georgia while knowing they must host Florida next week.

LSU QB Mettenberger was dynamic in his return home to Athens. Combining with top-notch receivers, Landry and Beckham, Mettenberger tossed it for 372 yards. The fact that LSU knows they have won 13 straight games in this series and has a long term-record of 20-1 SU and 17-4 ATS vs. Mississippi St. aides in a letdown. Mississippi St. is sneaky good with a defense allowing 15 and 310 PPG and an offense that is a member of the 200 Club. Ideal spot for the upset.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Essential Betting Tidbits for Week 6 of College Football

We dug up these vital betting tidbits for some of Saturday's college football action that will help you make the right call before kickoff.

- The Air Force Falcons face the Navy Midshipmen in early action with the latter as 11.5-point home faves. The Falcons are 1-9 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

- The Florida State Seminoles ride an eight-game winnings streak against ACC opposition into Saturday's matchup with the Maryland Terrapins. The 'Noles are 15.5-point home faves.

- The Penn State Nittany Lions are one of 12 schools that have scored on 100 percent of their possessions inside the red zone.

- The aforementioned Nittany Lions travel to Indiana to face the high-octane Hoosiers. The over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings in Indiana and the total for Saturday's game is 65.5.

- Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater tossed five TDs en route to a 45-17 victory over Temple last season. Teddy and the Cards are 32-point road faves Saturday.

- The Virginia Cavaliers’ defense leads the nation with 8.5 three-and-outs per game, and Virginia has registered 3.25 sacks per contest (tied for 10th nationally). The Cavaliers are 5.5-point home faves against Ball State Saturday.

- The Buffalo Bulls are 4-0 O/U on the season. They host Eastern Michigan with a total of 54.

- The Kansas Jayhawks host the Texas Tech Red Raiders Saturday. The Raiders are 16.5-point road faves Saturday and are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings at Kansas.

- When Rutgers rushes for 150 yards or more, it is 34-8 since 2006.

- SMU is ranked 46th in the country, allowing 140 rushing yards per game. The Scarlet Knights are 4.5-point road faves at SMU Saturday.

- No. 1 Alabama faces Georgia State Saturday. The last time these two programs met was in 2010 with 'Bama prevailing 63-7 as 44-point faves. The Tide are 54.5-point home faves this time around.

- The UNC Tar Heels are at Virginia Tech where the under is 4-0 in the previous four meetings. Total for this one is 46.

- The Central Michigan Chippewas (0-4 ATS) are one of eight teams that have yet to cover a spread this season. They'll look to break that streak at Miami (Ohio) as 3-point road faves.

- Army is at Boston College Saturday with a total of 50.5. The two programs are 4-0 O/U in their last four meetings with available totals.

- The Troy Trojans are one of two programs sporting 5-0 O/U records. There is a total of 62.5 with South Alabama in town Saturday.

- Marshall is 11th in the nation converting 54 percent of its third down conversions.

- Ohio is at Akron Saturday. The Bobcats have won five straight meetings and have covered the spread in four of those five matchups. The Zips are 5-point home dogs.

- UAB's defense allows 7.7 yards per play, ranking the school third from the bottom in that category. The Blazers are 3.5-point home faves versus Florida Atlantic Saturday.

- The underdog is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings between Western Michigan and Toledo. The Rockets are 21.5-point home faves Saturday.

- The Georgia Bulldogs are in Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday. Tennessee hasn't beaten a ranked opponent knocking off No. 21 South Carolina in 2009, and they haven't topped a top-10 team since they beat No. 10 Georgia in 2006.

- Michigan has won 17 in a row at home — the longest active streak among BCS conference schools. The Wolverines are 19-point home faves against Minnesota.

- The Over is 5-1 in the previous six matchups when Rice is at Tulsa. Saturday's total is 54.5.

- The North Texas Mean Green quarterbacks - Derek Thompson, Dajon Williams and Andrew McNulty - have combined to complete 68.9 percent of their passes. As a team, that ranks the Mean Green 12th nationally. The Mean Green are 3-point road faves at Tulane.

- The NC State Wolfpack are 0-8 ATS in their last eight games at Wake Forest. State will give it another go as 7.5-point road faves Saturday.

- The Syracuse Orange beat standout quarterbacks Geno Smith of West Virginia in 2011 and Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater last year at the Carrier Dome. Saturday sees Tajh Boyd and Clemson in town favored by a pair of touchdowns.

- Bowling Green tossed a 24-0 shutout at UMass last season and covered as 19.5-point faves. This year, the Falcons are 26.5-point home faves with UMass visiting.

- The Northern Illinois Huskies have defeated Kent State in the previous six meetings are are 5-0-1 ATS in that stretch. The Huskies are 9-point road faves Saturday.

- The Miami Hurricanes are Saturday's top consensus pick at 78.23 percent as 5.5-point home faves against Georgia Tech.

- The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are 2-10-1 ATS in their last 13 home games. They are 7.5-point home dogs versus East Carolina.

- The Oklahoma State Cowboys are riding a seven game ATS winning streak at home. They are favored by 13.5 with Kansas State visiting.

- Cal is tops in the country running an average of 98 plays per game.

- The Washington State Cougars are 5-1 ATS in their last six meetings at Cal. The Cougars are 1.5-point road faves.

- The lowest scoring team in the country? That would be Florida International, who is averaging a microscopic 3.3 points per game.

- Central Florida has scored 32 points or more in each of the last four games against Memphis. Total of 48 Saturday.

- Fresno State leads the series with Idaho 10-4 and won the most-recent meeting – a 48-24 victory in 2011 when Derek Carr passed for 371 yards and five touchdowns. State is a 27-point road fave Saturday.

- Twenty-six of Oregon's 31 offensive touchdowns have come on drives of fewer than two minutes.

- The Oklahoma Sooners defense is allowing just 12 points per game, which ranks them sixth nationally. The Sooners are 9.5-point home faves against TCU.

- The Under is 9-1 in the Texas State Bobcats last 10 road games. The total at Louisiana Lafayette is 55.

- The LSU Tigers are 8-1 ATS in the last nine games at Mississippi State. The Tigers are 9.5-point road faves Saturday.

- Florida Gators QB Tyler Murphy finished 15-of-18 for 156 yards, one TD and one pick in his start against Kentucky last week. It was his first start under center since the Gators lost starting QB Jeff Driskel for the season. It was also the Gators first ATS win of the season. The Gators are 13-point home faves against Arkansas Saturday.

- Cincinnati is 4-0 ATS in their last four games at South Florida. The Bearcats are 12-point road faves Saturday.

- Auburn just can't string together back-to-back ATS wins. The Tigers are 0-9 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win. They covered as 17-point dogs against LSU in their last game and are 3-point home dogs against Ole Miss Saturday.

- The road team is 5-0 ATS in the last five games in the Rio Grande Rivalry between New Mexico and New Mexico State. The Lobos are 11-point home faves this time around.

- Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of the Sun Devils’ first four games. The Notre Dame defense allows 230 yards passing per game and are 6-point home dogs against the Sun Devils.

- Louisiana Tech is one of five programs with an O/U record of 0-5. They have a total of 60 when they travel to UTEP Saturday.

- The over is 6-0 in the last six meetings between Kentucky and South Carolina. The total for Saturday's matchup is 54.

- Missouri and No. 1 Alabama are the only two undefeated SEC teams. The Tigers put that perfect record on the line at Vanderbilt - who is a 1-point home dog Saturday.

- The Baylor Bears lead the nation in scoring, averaging a whopping 70 points per game. The Bears host West Virginia with a total of 69.5.

- The Mountaineers have not played over the total yet this season (0-5 O/U).

- The home team is 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings between Ohio State and Northwestern. The Wildcats are 7-point home dogs Saturday.

- Stanford is 32-3 at Stanford Stadium since the final home game of 2007. The Cardinal are 7.5-point home faves against the Washington Huskies.

- The San Jose State Spartans are 14-3 ATS in their previous 17 road games. The Spartans are 5-point road faves at Hawaii Saturday night.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

College Football Weather Report Possible thunderstorms expected

Find out how weather will impact your college football bets for Saturday's matchups:

Maryland Terrapins at Florida State Seminoles (-17, 58)

There is a 17 percent chance of thunderstorms that could hit late in this game.

Penn State Nittany Lions at Indiana Hoosiers (+3, 65.5)

There is a 68 percent chance of thunderstorms for this game.

Louisville Cardinals at Temple Owls (+32, 58)

Forecasts are calling for a 25 percent chance of rain.

Eastern Michigan Eagles at Buffalo Bulls (-12.5, 52)

Forecasts are calling for a 25 percent chance of rain.

Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers (-8.5, 60.5)

Wind will blow across the field upwards of 20 mph.

Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes (-1, 37.5)

Forecasts are calling for a 67 percent chance of rain at Kinnick Stadium.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SMU Mustangs (+4.5, 55)

There is a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast.

Central Michigan Chippewas at Miami (OH) RedHawks (+3, 47)

Forecasts are calling for a 57 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Ohio Bobcats at Akron Zips (+5, 57)

There is a 39 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for Akron.

Western Michigan Broncos at Toledo Rockets (-21.5, 57.5)

There is a 29 percent chance of thunderstorms and wind will blow toward the north endzone at 7 mph.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines (-19, 48.5)

There is a 24 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast.

Massachusetts Minutemen at Bowling Green Falcons (-26.5, 55)

There is a 34 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast.

Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Golden Flashes (+9, 64.5)

Forecasts are calling for a 27 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Kansas State Wildcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys (-13.5, 59.5)

Wind will blow toward the east endzone at 13 mph.

FIU Golden Panthers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles (-17, 46)

Forecasts call for a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms.

UCF Knights at Memphis Tigers (+9.5, 48)

Forecasts are calling for a 53 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Texas State Bobcats at UL Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (-11.5, 55)

Forecasts in Lafayette are calling for a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms.

Missouri Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores (+1, 55.5)

There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast.

West Virginia Mountaineers at Baylor Bears (-28.5, 69.5)

There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the forecast with wind blowing across the field at 14 mph.

Ohio State Buckeyes at Northwestern Wildcats (+7, 61)

The forecast in Evanston is calling for a 74 percent chance of thunderstorms. Wind will blow toward the north endzone at 12 mph.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Todays Best Bets

5* - [402] Notre Dame +6 -102 vs Arizona State

5* - [408] Northwestern +7 -110 vs Ohio State

5* - [381] Washington +7.5 -120 vs Stanford

4* - [362] Oklahoma State -13.5 -108 vs Kansas State

3* - [347] Georgia OVER 64 -105 vs Tennessee U

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Inside sports report

5* Vtech - 7

3* Over 60 - ill/neb

3* Iowa (pk) vs mich st.

3* Ohio St. - 7 vs Northwestern

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

RIVER CITY SHARPS

Ohio State Buckeyes at Northwestern Wildcats
8:00 PM EST – Ryan Field
Current Line – Ohio State (-7)
A matchup of the two favorites at this point in the Big 10, both of which come into the game undefeated. Ohio State pulled out a 31-24 win last week against Wisconsin, a game that featured the return of QB Braxton Miller. He had 198 pass yds and 4 TD’s against the Badgers and looks back in mid-season form. The Wildcats have lost the last four meetings to the Buckeyes, but will get a big lift with the return of senior RB Venric Mack. The Wildcat offense is really stout, averaging 41 ppg and features a 2 QB system with Green and Colter. We think this will be an electric environment Saturday night in Evanston and really think the Wildcats have a chance to shock the world. We wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see the outright upset, but glad to grab the points at home! The Sharps say….

Sharps Play – 2 UNIT PLAY ON NORTHWESTERN

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Rays at Red Sox What Bettors Need to Know

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox (+108, 7.5)

Red Sox lead series 1-0.

The biggest worry for the Boston Red Sox prior to Game 1 of the American League Division Series was rust after taking four days off between games. That turned out to not be much of a concern in a 12-2 victory, and the Red Sox will look to take a commanding lead in the best-of-five series when they host Game 2 on Saturday. Tampa Bay finished second in the majors in fielding percentage but looked uncomfortable on defense in Game 1.

Rays left fielder Sean Rodriguez had trouble judging balls off the “Green Monster” and rookie Wil Myers let a fly ball drop on the warning track in deep right-center in Game 1, leading to big innings for the Red Sox. With right-hander John Lackey scheduled to start for Boston on Saturday, Tampa Bay will likely give Rodriguez the start off in Game 2. Every Red Sox starter recorded at least one hit in Game 1, and seven different players had at least one RBI.

TV: 5:37 p.m. ET, TBS

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the mid-60s with partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow in from CF at 6 mph.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH David Price (10-8, 3.33 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH John Lackey (10-13, 3.52)

Price pitched Tampa Bay into the playoffs by holding the Texas Rangers to two runs on seven hits in a complete game on Monday. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner allowed two runs in each of his last five starts, including over eight innings against the Red Sox on Sept. 10. Price is 1-3 with a 3.96 ERA in his postseason career but came out of the bullpen against Boston in the 2008 ALCS, including closing out a Game 7 win.

Lackey last pitched at Colorado on Sept. 24 and struggled to a 4.98 ERA in five starts over the final month of the regular season. The veteran faced Tampa Bay twice in 2013 and was knocked around for nine runs on 19 hits in 10 total innings. Lackey is making his first postseason appearance since 2009, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels, and is 3-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 14 career playoff games - 12 starts.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-0 in Price's last five road starts vs. Red Sox.
* Under is 21-6 in the last 27 meetings in Boston.
* Red Sox are 4-1 in their last five games with umpire Eric Cooper behind home plate.
* Under is 6-2 in Lackeys last eight starts vs. American League East.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Red Sox backup C David Ross is 2-for-5 with two home runs in his career against Price and is expected to catch Lackey on Saturday.

2. Myers is 1-for-11 with five strikeouts in the last three games.

3. Boston has recorded 41 straight stolen bases without being caught.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Lightning at Blackhawks What Bettors Need to Know

Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks (-209, 5.5)

The Chicago Blackhawks hung a second Stanley Cup banner in four years Tuesday and took up where they left off by rallying to win their opener. The Blackhawks look to build off that when the young Tampa Bay Lightning make their only visit on Saturday night. Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa scored goals in the 6-4 victory over Washington to start the season and the Lightning gave up a pair of shorthanded tallies to drop a 3-1 decision at Boston on Thursday.

Tampa Bay, who struggled with the man advantage at key times a season ago, was 0-for-5 on the power play in its opener without injured point man Sami Salo. Chicago killed only three of six penalties against Washington, but snuffed out a 5-on-3 late in the contest to hold the lead. The Lightning hosts Blackhawks on Oct. 24 in addition to difficult games with Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Boston this month.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, SunSports (Tampa Bay), CSN Chicago

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (0-1-0): Tampa Bay hopes for the return of Salo, who missed Friday’s practice with an upper-body injury and is day-to-day. Mark Barberio took Salo’s place on defense, giving the Lightning eight players at 23 or younger in the lineup opening night – four on the blue line. The Lightning’s top forward unit of Martin St. Louis, Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone were kept off the scoresheet against Boston and combined for seven shots while sustaining minimal pressure.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (1-0-0): It will be virtually impossible for Chicago to match its 24-game unbeaten streak that opened last season, but they aren’t showing signs of a Stanley Cup hangover. “The guys have always been in a good place since day one of the season,” coach Joel Quenneville said after the first game. “You’ve got to commend them on how they prepared themselves.” The Blackhawks received at least a point from five of its six defensemen in the opener while blue liners Johhny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson recorded plus-4 ratings.

TRENDS:

* Home team is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Lightning are 2-7 in the last nine meetings in Chicago.
* Lightning are 19-50 in their last 69 road games.
* Over is 4-0 in Lightning last four Saturday games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Lightning C Valtteri Filppula, a former Detroit Red Wing, will play his 40th career game against Chicago – tied for second most behind St. Louis (41).

2. Chicago RW Ben Smith, a healthy scratch in the first game, is expected to replace rookie RW Jimmy Hayes in the lineup.

3. Tampa Bay won the last three games against Chicago, but one was in overtime and another in a shootout.