Jim Feist
Comp NCAAF Pick for Thursday, October 2, 2014: 7:00 PM EST
(303) FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS (304) FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Take: (303) FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, October 2, 2014 is in college football as Florida Atlanta and Florida International clash. Florida Atlantic is favored, on a 2-1 run beating Texas San Antonio with 41 points, blowing out Tulsa with 50 points and nearly winning at Wyoming, a 20-19 defeat. The Owls are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 road games, 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games overall. Florida International has home field but has dropped 2 of 3 with no offense, averaging 21.6 ppg. The Golden Panthers are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games in October. Play Florida Atlantic!
Comp NCAAF Pick for Thursday, October 2, 2014: 7:00 PM EST
(303) FLORIDA ATLANTIC VS (304) FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Take: (303) FLORIDA ATLANTIC
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, October 2, 2014 is in college football as Florida Atlanta and Florida International clash. Florida Atlantic is favored, on a 2-1 run beating Texas San Antonio with 41 points, blowing out Tulsa with 50 points and nearly winning at Wyoming, a 20-19 defeat. The Owls are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 road games, 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games overall. Florida International has home field but has dropped 2 of 3 with no offense, averaging 21.6 ppg. The Golden Panthers are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games in October. Play Florida Atlantic!
Jimmy Boyd
Arizona vs. Oregon
Free Pick on Oregon Ducks -
The Ducks come into this contest having covered the spread just once in their first four games and are coming off a less than impressive 38-31 win at Washington State. It's got the public thinking twice about taking Oregon as a 23-point favorite, but after a closer look I think the Ducks are poised to win here easily.
This is a big statement game for Oregon after suffering one of their worst losses in recent memory last year in a 16-42 defeat at Arizona. The Ducks weren't motivated at all for that game, as they had just had their national title hopes crushed a couple weeks earlier in a loss to Stanford. With this game being played on ESPN, I look for Oregon to come out on a mission to show everyone they are the real deal.
As for the Wildcats, I don't think this team is anywhere close to as good as their 4-0 record would indicate. Arizona has barely squeaked by with wins in each of their last 3 games against UTSA, Nevada and Cal. They scored 36-points in the 4th quarter to beat Cal 49-45 on a last second Hail Mary. The defense for Arizona is not good at all and I don't see them digging out of a big hole against the Ducks.
One of the key differences from last year's team that beat Oregon and the one that will take the field on Thursday is the Wildcats no longer have star running back Ka'Deem Carey, who rushed 48 times for 206 yards and 4 touchdowns. Arizona's ground attack allowed them to dominate the time of possession (35:29 to 24:31) and keep the Ducks' offense out of rhythm. I just don't see that being the case against a motivated Oregon defense at home.
Home favorites of 21.5 to 31 points who are averaging 6.4 or more yards/play after gaining 6.75 or more yards/play in each of their last two games are 30-4 ATS over the last 10 seasons. That's a 88% system in favor of the Ducks. Take Oregon!
Arizona vs. Oregon
Free Pick on Oregon Ducks -
The Ducks come into this contest having covered the spread just once in their first four games and are coming off a less than impressive 38-31 win at Washington State. It's got the public thinking twice about taking Oregon as a 23-point favorite, but after a closer look I think the Ducks are poised to win here easily.
This is a big statement game for Oregon after suffering one of their worst losses in recent memory last year in a 16-42 defeat at Arizona. The Ducks weren't motivated at all for that game, as they had just had their national title hopes crushed a couple weeks earlier in a loss to Stanford. With this game being played on ESPN, I look for Oregon to come out on a mission to show everyone they are the real deal.
As for the Wildcats, I don't think this team is anywhere close to as good as their 4-0 record would indicate. Arizona has barely squeaked by with wins in each of their last 3 games against UTSA, Nevada and Cal. They scored 36-points in the 4th quarter to beat Cal 49-45 on a last second Hail Mary. The defense for Arizona is not good at all and I don't see them digging out of a big hole against the Ducks.
One of the key differences from last year's team that beat Oregon and the one that will take the field on Thursday is the Wildcats no longer have star running back Ka'Deem Carey, who rushed 48 times for 206 yards and 4 touchdowns. Arizona's ground attack allowed them to dominate the time of possession (35:29 to 24:31) and keep the Ducks' offense out of rhythm. I just don't see that being the case against a motivated Oregon defense at home.
Home favorites of 21.5 to 31 points who are averaging 6.4 or more yards/play after gaining 6.75 or more yards/play in each of their last two games are 30-4 ATS over the last 10 seasons. That's a 88% system in favor of the Ducks. Take Oregon!
Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Thursday 9:05 PM MLB
(903) KANSAS CITY ROYALS at (904) LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Take: (904) LOS ANGELES ANGELS -170
This is a price you’ll basically never see me lay in a regular season game. But the playoffs are a different animal, and for me it’s a case of sacrificing value if necessary when the matchup dictates doing so. I see that being the situation tonight.
Props to the Royals for an amazing win in the Wild Card game as they rallied to knock off Oakland. But now the Royals have to find a way to avoid the letdown, even though they’re certainly able to play the no respect game here.
We’ll find out shortly, but I sure won’t be surprised if KC is just happy to still be playing. In a sense, while I’m sure they want to win it all, this team has accomplished its objective. They did so in close to unbelievable fashion on Monday night, and I’m of the belief they’re going to have a tough time getting that intensity level back, at least in Game One against the Angels.
I don’t like this matchup at all for the Royals. They’re up against a very good Halos offense, and while Kansas City was a real road warrior this season, the Angels are the best home team in baseball. The hosts are also able to neutralize what has been the big edge for the Royals all season. The Angels have a great bullpen of their own, so the late inning advantage that KC has enjoyed against most opponents doesn’t really exist here.
I’m not sure how well the Halos rotation is going to hold up as the playoffs progress. The starters could be vulnerable against the Tigers or Orioles, two squads with big bats that are very capable of putting together big innings. But that isn’t as much of an issue here, and the task for Jered Weaver and company here will be to just let it go for six innings and then hand it off to the late inning shutdown guys.
Jason Vargas will throw for KC tonight, and he’s heading into the post-season in lousy form. Vargas got hit hard down the stretch and that really doesn’t bode well for him against this very potent Angels lineup. Weaver was not razor sharp in his final regular season outing, but had a good September. Weaver is becoming prone to the long ball, no question about it, but the Royals don’t figure as a team likely to exploit that liability.
In a regular season setting, I would call this unplayable at the high price. But I’m far less likely to be bashful about firing on chalk in the playoffs, and that’s the story tonight. This is not a bad spot to try manufacturing a -1 line, playing half the wager on the Angels money line and the other half gambling on the -1.5. Either way, expect the Angels to go up 1-0 with the victory tonight.
Bonus Play Thursday 9:05 PM MLB
(903) KANSAS CITY ROYALS at (904) LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Take: (904) LOS ANGELES ANGELS -170
This is a price you’ll basically never see me lay in a regular season game. But the playoffs are a different animal, and for me it’s a case of sacrificing value if necessary when the matchup dictates doing so. I see that being the situation tonight.
Props to the Royals for an amazing win in the Wild Card game as they rallied to knock off Oakland. But now the Royals have to find a way to avoid the letdown, even though they’re certainly able to play the no respect game here.
We’ll find out shortly, but I sure won’t be surprised if KC is just happy to still be playing. In a sense, while I’m sure they want to win it all, this team has accomplished its objective. They did so in close to unbelievable fashion on Monday night, and I’m of the belief they’re going to have a tough time getting that intensity level back, at least in Game One against the Angels.
I don’t like this matchup at all for the Royals. They’re up against a very good Halos offense, and while Kansas City was a real road warrior this season, the Angels are the best home team in baseball. The hosts are also able to neutralize what has been the big edge for the Royals all season. The Angels have a great bullpen of their own, so the late inning advantage that KC has enjoyed against most opponents doesn’t really exist here.
I’m not sure how well the Halos rotation is going to hold up as the playoffs progress. The starters could be vulnerable against the Tigers or Orioles, two squads with big bats that are very capable of putting together big innings. But that isn’t as much of an issue here, and the task for Jered Weaver and company here will be to just let it go for six innings and then hand it off to the late inning shutdown guys.
Jason Vargas will throw for KC tonight, and he’s heading into the post-season in lousy form. Vargas got hit hard down the stretch and that really doesn’t bode well for him against this very potent Angels lineup. Weaver was not razor sharp in his final regular season outing, but had a good September. Weaver is becoming prone to the long ball, no question about it, but the Royals don’t figure as a team likely to exploit that liability.
In a regular season setting, I would call this unplayable at the high price. But I’m far less likely to be bashful about firing on chalk in the playoffs, and that’s the story tonight. This is not a bad spot to try manufacturing a -1 line, playing half the wager on the Angels money line and the other half gambling on the -1.5. Either way, expect the Angels to go up 1-0 with the victory tonight.
'NFL Thursday Nighter
So far this season home team have won and covered three of the four Thursday contest. Seahawks (-4.5) thumped Packers 36-16 in WK1, Ravens (-2.5) downed Steelers 26-6 in WK2, Falcons (-6.5) destroyed Bucs in Wk3 then Washington (-3) failed in it's attempt to make it 4-0 for the home squads falling 45-14 to visiting Giants. This Thursday the Packers try to make it 4-1 ATS for home favorites when they host division rival Vikings. Packers have been favored on Thursday five times since '04 posting a near perfect 4-1 mark against the betting line. The Vikings have only played in three Thursday clashes over the same span cashing twice as underdogs while dropping the loot in the only game as chalk. Packers have owned this NFC North series since 2010 winning 7, losing 1 with the last encounter ending in a 26-26 dead-heat. Spread wise Packers were 6-3 ATS over the nine games including 4-1 ATS at Lambeau Field.
So far this season home team have won and covered three of the four Thursday contest. Seahawks (-4.5) thumped Packers 36-16 in WK1, Ravens (-2.5) downed Steelers 26-6 in WK2, Falcons (-6.5) destroyed Bucs in Wk3 then Washington (-3) failed in it's attempt to make it 4-0 for the home squads falling 45-14 to visiting Giants. This Thursday the Packers try to make it 4-1 ATS for home favorites when they host division rival Vikings. Packers have been favored on Thursday five times since '04 posting a near perfect 4-1 mark against the betting line. The Vikings have only played in three Thursday clashes over the same span cashing twice as underdogs while dropping the loot in the only game as chalk. Packers have owned this NFC North series since 2010 winning 7, losing 1 with the last encounter ending in a 26-26 dead-heat. Spread wise Packers were 6-3 ATS over the nine games including 4-1 ATS at Lambeau Field.
Hollywood Sports
Arizona Wildcats at Oregon 10:30PM
Prediction: Oregon Ducks
Reason: Lay the points with the Oregon Ducks versus the Arizona Wildcats. Oregon (4-0) will have revenge on their mind against this Wildcats team that handed them a 42-13 loss last November which was their biggest setback for this program since 2008 -- and only loss to an unranked football team over that span. Quarterback Marcus Mariota was hobbled by a sprained ankle at that point of the season but he should be raring to go at full strength for this rematch. The Ducks had an extra week to prepare for this contest -- and they have covered the point spread in 12 of their last 16 games after their bye week. Additionally, Oregon has covered the point spread in 13 of their last 19 games against teams with a winning record.
Arizona (4-0) has failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games in Pac-12 play. And in their last 7 games on the road, the Wildcats have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of these contests. Take Oregon minus the points in this one. Best of luck -- Frank.
Arizona Wildcats at Oregon 10:30PM
Prediction: Oregon Ducks
Reason: Lay the points with the Oregon Ducks versus the Arizona Wildcats. Oregon (4-0) will have revenge on their mind against this Wildcats team that handed them a 42-13 loss last November which was their biggest setback for this program since 2008 -- and only loss to an unranked football team over that span. Quarterback Marcus Mariota was hobbled by a sprained ankle at that point of the season but he should be raring to go at full strength for this rematch. The Ducks had an extra week to prepare for this contest -- and they have covered the point spread in 12 of their last 16 games after their bye week. Additionally, Oregon has covered the point spread in 13 of their last 19 games against teams with a winning record.
Arizona (4-0) has failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games in Pac-12 play. And in their last 7 games on the road, the Wildcats have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of these contests. Take Oregon minus the points in this one. Best of luck -- Frank.
Europa League TODAY 20:05
| Tottenham | v | Besiktas |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| ITV4 | 7/10 | 29/10 | 5 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT TOTTENHAM | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HLADADHLHWAD Most recent
|
| ALAWHDHDAWHD Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Tottenham gained a 1-1 draw at Arsenal but they have won just one of their last six matches and Mauricio Pochettino tends to heavily rotate his squad for non-Premier League matches. That makes them vulnerable to a Besiktas side who have tasted defeat just once this season - 1-0 away to Arsenal in a tight Champions League playoff.
RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1
REFEREE: Manual Grafe STADIUM:
Europa League TODAY 16:00
| Din. Moscow | v | PSV Eindhoven |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| BT2 | Evs | 13/5 | 31/10 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT DIN. MOSCOW | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
AWAWALAWAWHD Most recent
|
| AWHWALHWHWAL Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Dinamo Moscow have made a decent start to the Russian season and have lost two of their last 14 ohme games, but PSV should not fear a trip to the Russian capital. They have scored in eight of their last ten domestic away games and are capable of gaining a share of the spoils.
RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1
Europa League TODAY 17:00
| FK Krasnodar | v | Everton |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| ITV4 | 6/4 | 12/5 | 2 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FK KRASNODAR | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HWHLHLADAWHW Most recent
|
| HLAWHWHLALAD Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: It will be interesting to see if Roberto Martinez plays a full-strength side given Everton face Manchester United on Sunday and this long trip is hardly ideal preparation. Either way, it’s a tough test for the Toffees and Krasnodar, who beat Sociedad 3-0 at home in the playoff, can build on their 1-1 draw at Lille on matchday one.
RECOMMENDATION: Krasnodar
1
REFEREE: Marcin Borski STADIUM:
Europa League TODAY 18:00
| Wolfsburg | v | Lille |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| BT2 | 4/6 | 3 | 19/4 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WOLFSBURG | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HDADALHWALHW Most recent
|
| ADHWHDHDALHW Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Wolfsburg are licking their wounds following their 4-1 thumping in the Europa League opener at Everton , but they can bounce back. Bayern Munich are the only team to have beaten Wolfsburg in their last 11 home matches and they should chalk up their first set of three points.
RECOMMENDATION: Wolfsburg
2
Europa League TODAY 18:00
| S. Bratislava | v | Napoli |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| BT1 | 5 | 31/10 | 8/13 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT S. BRATISLAVA | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
HWALALADHLAL Most recent
|
| AWHLHWALHDAW Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Slovan have hit a dismal patch of form, gaining just one point from their last four league games and will still be smarting from their 5-0 thumping against Young Boys on matchday one. Napoli will be gutted not to still be in the Champions League, but their class should tell in this one.
RECOMMENDATION: Napoli
2
Europa League TODAY 20:05
| Celtic | v | Dyn. Zagreb |
| HOME | DRAW | AWAY | ||||
| BT1 | 21/20 | 12/5 | 5/2 | More markets |
| RECENT FORM | LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT CELTIC | RECENT FORM |
|---|---|---|
ADHWADHDHWAW Most recent
|
| HWAWHWHWAWAD Most recent
|
EXPERT VERDICT: Celtic opened up their Europa League campaign with a fine 2-2 draw away to Salzburg but that was a rare bright spot in an otherwise rocky start to life under Ronny Deila. Dinamo Zagreb should arrive in confident mood - they have won 14 of 18 matches in all competitions this season - and look value for a point.
RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1
REFEREE: Sebastien Delferiere STADIUM: Celtic Park
