NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up
Week 14
Saturday’s games
South Carolina @ Clemson (-3)
South Carolina (8-3)
Gamecocks won their last five games, scoring 39.4 ppg.
Carolina is +6 in turnovers in its wins, minus-4 in losses.
Carolina has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Gamecocks have 118 returning starts on the offensive line.
Freshman QB Sellers threw four passes in three games LY.
Under Beamer, Gamecocks are 7-6 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Beamer, Gamecocks are 14-12 ATS coming off a win.
Gamecocks are 8-2 ATS in last ten games overall.
South Carolina is 1-3 when it allows more than 20 points.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight I-A games.
Clemson (9-2)
Clemson allowed 34-33 points in its two losses.
Clemson is 15-20 ATS in last 35 games coming off a win.
Tigers have 9 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Tigers have 106 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB Klubnik has 14 career starts.
Clemson is 6-4 ATS last 10 games as a home favorite.
In his career, Swinney is 55-45-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Tigers are 14-11 ATS in their last 25 ACC games.
Clemson is +13 in turnovers in wins, minus-1 in losses.
Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Clemson games.
Clemson is 8-1 SU/6-3 ATS in last nine meetings.
Gamecocks are 1-3 SU/2-2 ATS in last four visits to Clemson.
Under is 4-2 in last six series games.
Kansas (-1.5) @ Baylor
Kansas (5-6, 4-4)
Kansas won four of last five games, after a 1-5 start.
Jayhawks need a win to become bowl eligible.
Jayhawks have five losses by 6 or fewer points.
Jayhawks have 7 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Kansas has 130 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB Daniels has 20 career starts.
In his career, Leipold is 8-10 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Leipold, Kansas is 1-3 ATS as a road favorite.
Kansas is 1-4 SU/2-3 ATS in its five road games.
Under Leipold, Kansas is 12-7-1 ATS coming off a win.
Three of last four Kansas games stayed under the total.
Baylor (7-4, 5-4)
Baylor won its last five games, scoring 40.6 ppg
Last eight games, Bears gave up 33.4 ppg.
Baylor has 10 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Bears have 97 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Robertson started four games last year.
Baylor allowed 433+ yards in five of last six games.
Under Aranda, Baylor is 11-7 ATS as home favorites.
Under Aranda, Bears are 17-11 ATS coming off a win.
Under Aranda, Baylor is 24-22 ATS in conference games.
Baylor is +5 in turnovers their last five games.
Over is 7-1 in Baylor’s last eight games.
Baylor won last 13 series games (11-0 ATS in last 11)
Jayhawks are 0-7 SU/ATS in last seven visits to Waco.
Big X home underdogs are 7-9 ATS
West Virginia @ Texas Tech (-3.5)
West Virginia (6-5, 5-3)
WVU won three of last four games, after a 2-3 start.
West Virginia is 0-3 when it scores less than 31 points.
Mountaineers have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Mountaineers have 113 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Greene has 14 career starts.
Under Brown, WVU is 13-11 ATS as a road underdog (3-0 TY).
In his career, Brown is 22-13 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Brown, WVU is 25-27 ATS in Big X games.
Under Brown, Mountaineers are 13-19 ATS in games coming off a win.
Over is 7-3 in their last ten games.
Texas Tech (7-4, 5-3)
Texas Tech is 2-3 in last five games, after a 5-1 start
Tech gave up 37-59-35-41 points in their four losses.
Red Raiders have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Red Raiders have 125 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Morton started 12 games LY (25 TDs/7 INTs this year)
Texas Tech is 7-5-1 ATS last 13 games as a home favorite.
Under McGuire, Red Raiders are 14-11-1 ATS in Big X games.
Texas Tech is 5-3 in Big X games (average total, 70.8)
Tech is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games.
Tech gave up 432+ yards in five of last seven games.
Over is 4-1 in Tech’s last five games.
Tech won/covered four of last five meetings.
WVU is 3-3 SU/2-4 ATS in last six visits to Lubbock.
Under is 7-3 in last ten series games.
Big X home favorites are 20-19 ATS.
Pittsburgh @ Boston College (-4.5)
Pittsburgh (7-4, 3-4)
Pitt lost its last four games, after a 7-0 start.
Panthers scored 28+ points in six of their seven wins.
Panthers have 9 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Panthers have 58 returning starts on the offensive line.
Frosh QB Holstein has 2,228 passing yards, with 17 TD’s, 7 INTs, but he’s been banned up recently.
Pitt is 1-8 ATS last nine games as a road underdog.
Panthers were held under 300 TY in four of last six games.
Under Narduzzi, Pitt is 28-25 ATS as an underdog
Panthers are 4-7 ATS in last 11 games coming off a loss
Under is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Boston College (6-5, 3-4)
BC won last week; they’re bowl eligible now.
Eagles are 1-5 when they allow more than 21 points.
Eagles have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Eagles have 115 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB James has 648 PY in his three starts.
Boston College is 1-8 ATS in last nine games as a home favorite.
In his college career, O’Brien is 9-6 ATS as a home favorite.
Eagles are 15-16 ATS in last 31 ACC games (4-0 last four).
BC gave up 431+ total yards in four of last five games.
Over is 5-0 in their last five games.
Pitt won five of last seven series games.
Panthers are 2-4 SU/3-3 ATS in last six visits to Boston.
Under is 3-2 in last five series games.
ACC home favorites are 20-20 ATS
Notre Dame (-7.5) @ USC
Notre Dame (10-1)
Notre Dame won its last nine games, covered last seven.
Notre Dame’s only loss was 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois.
Irish have 6 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Notre Dame has 34 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Leonard started 21 games at Duke.
Notre Dame held 10 of 11 opponents to 16 or fewer points.
Since 2017, Notre Dame is 18-7-1 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is 6-2 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is 9-3 ATS in all road games.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is 17-8-1 ATS coming off a win
Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
USC (6-5)
Trojans won three of their last four games.
USC is 2-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
USC has 5 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Trojans have 72 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Maiava started 11 games at UNLV; this is hist 3rd USC start.
USC is 0-5 when it gives up more than 21 points.
Under Riley, USC is 4-2 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Riley is 7-2 ATS as an underdog.
Under Riley, USC is 11-12 ATS in games coming off a win.
Under is 3-0 in their last four games.
Big 18 non-conference underdogs are 4-3 ATS.
Notre Dame is 5-1 SU/3-3 ATS in last six meetings.
Notre Dame is 1-3 SU/0-4 ATS in last four games in the Coliseum.
Auburn @ Alabama (-11.5)
Auburn (5-6, 2-5)
Auburn won 3 of last 4 games, needs this win to go bowling.
Auburn is 0-6 when it scores less than 24 points.
Tigers have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Tigers have 87 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB Thorpe has 37 career starts.
Last 3+ years, Auburn is 7-6-1 ATS as a road underdog.
In his career, Freeze is 19-9 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Freeze, Auburn is 8-7 ATS in SEC games.
Under Freeze, Auburn is 3-7 ATS coming off a win
Auburn is minus-1q in turnovers this season.
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Alabama (8-3, 4-3)
Alabama is 6-0 if it allows less than 24 points, 2-3 if they allow 24+.
Crimson Tide was held under 100 yards rushing in all three losses.
Alabama has 7 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Crimson Tide has 60 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Milroe has started 14 games.
Alabama is 20-9-1 ATS last 30 games as a home favorite.
In his career, DeBoer is 14-12-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Alabama is 12-10-1 ATS in its last 23 SEC games.
Under is 4-0 in their last three I-A games.
Alabama is 6-3 ATS in last nine games coming off a loss.
Alabama is 4-0 SU/1-2-1 ATS in last four series games.
Auburn is 0-6 SU/0-5-1 in last six visits to Tuscaloosa.
Over is 4-2 in last six meetings.
Oklahoma @ LSU (-6)
Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5)
Oklahoma lost 4 of last 5 SEC games, but upset Alabama LW.
Sooners are 0-5 when they allow more than 21 points.
Oklahoma has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Sooners have 114 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Arnold has thrown for 1,311 yards (12 TDs, 3 INTs)
Under Venables, Oklahoma is 2-0 ATS as a road underdog.
Sooners are 3-3 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Venables, Sooners are 10-14-1 ATS in conference games.
Under Venables, Oklahoma is 8-12-1 ATS in games coming off a win.
Last five I-A games, Oklahoma is minus-7 in turnovers.
Sooners held 3 of last 4 I-A opponents under 300 TY.
LSU (7-4, 4-3)
LSU lost 3 of last 4 games, after a 6-1 start.
LSU scored 24+ points in wins, 20-23-13-16 in losses.
Tigers have 6 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Tigers have 111 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Nussmeier is completing 63.2% of passes (23 TD’s, 11 INTs)
Under Kelly, Tigers are 10-4-1 ATS as a home favorite.
In his career, Kelly is 52-45-3 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Kelly, LSU is 10-11-1 ATS in SEC games.
Since 2017, LSU is 38-27-2 ATS in SEC games.
Seven of LSU’s last eight games stayed under the total.
LSU is 3-7 ATS in its I-A games this season.
These teams haven’t met since a bowl game five years ago.
SEC home favorites are 6-22 ATS
Texas (-5.5) @ Texas A&M
Texas (10-1, 6-1)
Nine of ten Texas wins are by 10+ points.
Texas held 10 of 11 opponents under 300 TY.
Longhorns have 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Longhorns have 123 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Ewers has completed 68% of passes (23 TD’s, 6 INTs)
Under Sarkisian, Texas is 6-7 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Sarkisian, Texas is 16-19 ATS in conference games.
Texas is 12-9 ATS in last 21 games coming off a win.
Longhorns’ only loss was 30-15 at home to Georgia.
Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2)
A&M lost its last two SEC games, 44-20/43-41.
Aggies scored 34+ points in five of its last six games.
Aggies have 9 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
A&M has 112 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Weigman has 8 career starts.
A&M allowed 439+ total yards in three of last four games.
Aggies are 2ann underdog for first time this season.
A&M is 8-12-3 ATS in its last 22 SEC games.
In his career, new HC Elko is 7-4 ATS as an underdog.
Aggies are 4-9 ATS in last 13 games coming off a loss.
Five of A&M’s last six games went over the total.
These teams used to be bitter rivals; they haven’t met since 2011.
SEC home underdogs are 17-9 ATS.
Kansas State @ Iowa State (-2.5)
Kansas State (8-3, 6-3)
K-State lost two of last three games, after a 7-1 start.
K-State scored 29+ points in its wins, 9-19-14 in losses.
Wildcats are +7 in turnovers in wins, minus-6 in losses.
Wildcats have 4 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Wildcats have 73 returning starts on OL, only 36 at I-A level.
Frosh QB Johnson has thrown for 2,297 yards (19 TDs, 79INTs)
Under Klieman, K-State is 16-9 ATS as an underdog.
Under Klieman, Wildcats are 10-6 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Klieman, K-State is 34-21 ATS in Big X games.
Wildcats are 24-20 ATS last 44 games coming off a win.
Under is 3-1 in K-State’s last four games.
Iowa State (9-2, 6-2)
Iowa State scored 36-34-31 points in its last three games.
Cyclones’ losses: 23-22 Tex Tech/45-36 at Kansas
Cyclones have 10 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Cyclones have 90 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Becht started 13 games last season.
Iowa State’s last five games had average total of 57.8.
Under Campbell, ISU is 19-20 ATS as a home favorite.
Cyclones are 10-7 ATS in last 17 conference games.
Cyclones are +7 in turnovers this season.
Over is 6-4 in Iowa State’s I-A games.
Iowa State won four of last six series games.
K-State is 4-2 SU/1-4-1 ATS in last six visits to Ames
Big X home favorites are 20-19 ATS.
Virginia @ Virginia Tech (-7)
Virginia (5-6, 3-4)
Virginia lost 5 of last 6 games, after a 4-1 start.
Cavaliers allowed 33+ points in their last four losses.
Cavaliers have 8 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Cavaliers have 81 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB started six games last year.
Under Elliott, Virginia is 14-7 ATS as an underdog.
Under Elliott, Virginia is 8-4 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Elliott, Cavaliers are 14-7 ATS in ACC games.
Virginia is 10-8 ATS in last 18 games coming off a loss.
Under is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4)
Tech lost last three games, giving up 31 ppg.
Hokies are 5-0 when they allow less than 21 points.
Tech gave up 34-26-38-38-24-31 points in losses.
Hokies have 11 starters back on offense, 10 on defense.
Cavaliers have 122 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Drones started 11 games last year.
Under Pry, Hokies are 6-6 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Pry, Hokies are 13-9 ATS in ACC games.
Under Pry, Hokies are 10-11 ATS coming off a loss.
Tech is 0-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Over is 6-3 in last nine Tech games.
Tech won three in row, 18 of last 19 games vs Virginia.
Cavaliers are 0-11 SU/2-9 ATS in last 11 visits to Blacksburg.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Week 14
Saturday’s games
South Carolina @ Clemson (-3)
South Carolina (8-3)
Gamecocks won their last five games, scoring 39.4 ppg.
Carolina is +6 in turnovers in its wins, minus-4 in losses.
Carolina has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Gamecocks have 118 returning starts on the offensive line.
Freshman QB Sellers threw four passes in three games LY.
Under Beamer, Gamecocks are 7-6 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Beamer, Gamecocks are 14-12 ATS coming off a win.
Gamecocks are 8-2 ATS in last ten games overall.
South Carolina is 1-3 when it allows more than 20 points.
Over is 6-2 in their last eight I-A games.
Clemson (9-2)
Clemson allowed 34-33 points in its two losses.
Clemson is 15-20 ATS in last 35 games coming off a win.
Tigers have 9 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Tigers have 106 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB Klubnik has 14 career starts.
Clemson is 6-4 ATS last 10 games as a home favorite.
In his career, Swinney is 55-45-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Tigers are 14-11 ATS in their last 25 ACC games.
Clemson is +13 in turnovers in wins, minus-1 in losses.
Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Clemson games.
Clemson is 8-1 SU/6-3 ATS in last nine meetings.
Gamecocks are 1-3 SU/2-2 ATS in last four visits to Clemson.
Under is 4-2 in last six series games.
Kansas (-1.5) @ Baylor
Kansas (5-6, 4-4)
Kansas won four of last five games, after a 1-5 start.
Jayhawks need a win to become bowl eligible.
Jayhawks have five losses by 6 or fewer points.
Jayhawks have 7 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Kansas has 130 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB Daniels has 20 career starts.
In his career, Leipold is 8-10 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Leipold, Kansas is 1-3 ATS as a road favorite.
Kansas is 1-4 SU/2-3 ATS in its five road games.
Under Leipold, Kansas is 12-7-1 ATS coming off a win.
Three of last four Kansas games stayed under the total.
Baylor (7-4, 5-4)
Baylor won its last five games, scoring 40.6 ppg
Last eight games, Bears gave up 33.4 ppg.
Baylor has 10 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Bears have 97 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Robertson started four games last year.
Baylor allowed 433+ yards in five of last six games.
Under Aranda, Baylor is 11-7 ATS as home favorites.
Under Aranda, Bears are 17-11 ATS coming off a win.
Under Aranda, Baylor is 24-22 ATS in conference games.
Baylor is +5 in turnovers their last five games.
Over is 7-1 in Baylor’s last eight games.
Baylor won last 13 series games (11-0 ATS in last 11)
Jayhawks are 0-7 SU/ATS in last seven visits to Waco.
Big X home underdogs are 7-9 ATS
West Virginia @ Texas Tech (-3.5)
West Virginia (6-5, 5-3)
WVU won three of last four games, after a 2-3 start.
West Virginia is 0-3 when it scores less than 31 points.
Mountaineers have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Mountaineers have 113 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Greene has 14 career starts.
Under Brown, WVU is 13-11 ATS as a road underdog (3-0 TY).
In his career, Brown is 22-13 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Brown, WVU is 25-27 ATS in Big X games.
Under Brown, Mountaineers are 13-19 ATS in games coming off a win.
Over is 7-3 in their last ten games.
Texas Tech (7-4, 5-3)
Texas Tech is 2-3 in last five games, after a 5-1 start
Tech gave up 37-59-35-41 points in their four losses.
Red Raiders have 8 starters back on offense, 5 on defense.
Red Raiders have 125 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Morton started 12 games LY (25 TDs/7 INTs this year)
Texas Tech is 7-5-1 ATS last 13 games as a home favorite.
Under McGuire, Red Raiders are 14-11-1 ATS in Big X games.
Texas Tech is 5-3 in Big X games (average total, 70.8)
Tech is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games.
Tech gave up 432+ yards in five of last seven games.
Over is 4-1 in Tech’s last five games.
Tech won/covered four of last five meetings.
WVU is 3-3 SU/2-4 ATS in last six visits to Lubbock.
Under is 7-3 in last ten series games.
Big X home favorites are 20-19 ATS.
Pittsburgh @ Boston College (-4.5)
Pittsburgh (7-4, 3-4)
Pitt lost its last four games, after a 7-0 start.
Panthers scored 28+ points in six of their seven wins.
Panthers have 9 starters back on offense, 4 on defense.
Panthers have 58 returning starts on the offensive line.
Frosh QB Holstein has 2,228 passing yards, with 17 TD’s, 7 INTs, but he’s been banned up recently.
Pitt is 1-8 ATS last nine games as a road underdog.
Panthers were held under 300 TY in four of last six games.
Under Narduzzi, Pitt is 28-25 ATS as an underdog
Panthers are 4-7 ATS in last 11 games coming off a loss
Under is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Boston College (6-5, 3-4)
BC won last week; they’re bowl eligible now.
Eagles are 1-5 when they allow more than 21 points.
Eagles have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Eagles have 115 returning starts on offensive line.
Junior QB James has 648 PY in his three starts.
Boston College is 1-8 ATS in last nine games as a home favorite.
In his college career, O’Brien is 9-6 ATS as a home favorite.
Eagles are 15-16 ATS in last 31 ACC games (4-0 last four).
BC gave up 431+ total yards in four of last five games.
Over is 5-0 in their last five games.
Pitt won five of last seven series games.
Panthers are 2-4 SU/3-3 ATS in last six visits to Boston.
Under is 3-2 in last five series games.
ACC home favorites are 20-20 ATS
Notre Dame (-7.5) @ USC
Notre Dame (10-1)
Notre Dame won its last nine games, covered last seven.
Notre Dame’s only loss was 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois.
Irish have 6 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Notre Dame has 34 returning starts on offensive line.
Senior QB Leonard started 21 games at Duke.
Notre Dame held 10 of 11 opponents to 16 or fewer points.
Since 2017, Notre Dame is 18-7-1 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is 6-2 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is 9-3 ATS in all road games.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is 17-8-1 ATS coming off a win
Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.
USC (6-5)
Trojans won three of their last four games.
USC is 2-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
USC has 5 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Trojans have 72 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Maiava started 11 games at UNLV; this is hist 3rd USC start.
USC is 0-5 when it gives up more than 21 points.
Under Riley, USC is 4-2 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Riley is 7-2 ATS as an underdog.
Under Riley, USC is 11-12 ATS in games coming off a win.
Under is 3-0 in their last four games.
Big 18 non-conference underdogs are 4-3 ATS.
Notre Dame is 5-1 SU/3-3 ATS in last six meetings.
Notre Dame is 1-3 SU/0-4 ATS in last four games in the Coliseum.
Auburn @ Alabama (-11.5)
Auburn (5-6, 2-5)
Auburn won 3 of last 4 games, needs this win to go bowling.
Auburn is 0-6 when it scores less than 24 points.
Tigers have 9 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Tigers have 87 returning starts on the offensive line.
Senior QB Thorpe has 37 career starts.
Last 3+ years, Auburn is 7-6-1 ATS as a road underdog.
In his career, Freeze is 19-9 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Freeze, Auburn is 8-7 ATS in SEC games.
Under Freeze, Auburn is 3-7 ATS coming off a win
Auburn is minus-1q in turnovers this season.
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Alabama (8-3, 4-3)
Alabama is 6-0 if it allows less than 24 points, 2-3 if they allow 24+.
Crimson Tide was held under 100 yards rushing in all three losses.
Alabama has 7 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Crimson Tide has 60 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Milroe has started 14 games.
Alabama is 20-9-1 ATS last 30 games as a home favorite.
In his career, DeBoer is 14-12-1 ATS as a home favorite.
Alabama is 12-10-1 ATS in its last 23 SEC games.
Under is 4-0 in their last three I-A games.
Alabama is 6-3 ATS in last nine games coming off a loss.
Alabama is 4-0 SU/1-2-1 ATS in last four series games.
Auburn is 0-6 SU/0-5-1 in last six visits to Tuscaloosa.
Over is 4-2 in last six meetings.
Oklahoma @ LSU (-6)
Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5)
Oklahoma lost 4 of last 5 SEC games, but upset Alabama LW.
Sooners are 0-5 when they allow more than 21 points.
Oklahoma has 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Sooners have 114 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB Arnold has thrown for 1,311 yards (12 TDs, 3 INTs)
Under Venables, Oklahoma is 2-0 ATS as a road underdog.
Sooners are 3-3 ATS as an underdog this season.
Under Venables, Sooners are 10-14-1 ATS in conference games.
Under Venables, Oklahoma is 8-12-1 ATS in games coming off a win.
Last five I-A games, Oklahoma is minus-7 in turnovers.
Sooners held 3 of last 4 I-A opponents under 300 TY.
LSU (7-4, 4-3)
LSU lost 3 of last 4 games, after a 6-1 start.
LSU scored 24+ points in wins, 20-23-13-16 in losses.
Tigers have 6 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Tigers have 111 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Nussmeier is completing 63.2% of passes (23 TD’s, 11 INTs)
Under Kelly, Tigers are 10-4-1 ATS as a home favorite.
In his career, Kelly is 52-45-3 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Kelly, LSU is 10-11-1 ATS in SEC games.
Since 2017, LSU is 38-27-2 ATS in SEC games.
Seven of LSU’s last eight games stayed under the total.
LSU is 3-7 ATS in its I-A games this season.
These teams haven’t met since a bowl game five years ago.
SEC home favorites are 6-22 ATS
Texas (-5.5) @ Texas A&M
Texas (10-1, 6-1)
Nine of ten Texas wins are by 10+ points.
Texas held 10 of 11 opponents under 300 TY.
Longhorns have 7 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Longhorns have 123 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Ewers has completed 68% of passes (23 TD’s, 6 INTs)
Under Sarkisian, Texas is 6-7 ATS as a road favorite.
Under Sarkisian, Texas is 16-19 ATS in conference games.
Texas is 12-9 ATS in last 21 games coming off a win.
Longhorns’ only loss was 30-15 at home to Georgia.
Under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2)
A&M lost its last two SEC games, 44-20/43-41.
Aggies scored 34+ points in five of its last six games.
Aggies have 9 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
A&M has 112 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Weigman has 8 career starts.
A&M allowed 439+ total yards in three of last four games.
Aggies are 2ann underdog for first time this season.
A&M is 8-12-3 ATS in its last 22 SEC games.
In his career, new HC Elko is 7-4 ATS as an underdog.
Aggies are 4-9 ATS in last 13 games coming off a loss.
Five of A&M’s last six games went over the total.
These teams used to be bitter rivals; they haven’t met since 2011.
SEC home underdogs are 17-9 ATS.
Kansas State @ Iowa State (-2.5)
Kansas State (8-3, 6-3)
K-State lost two of last three games, after a 7-1 start.
K-State scored 29+ points in its wins, 9-19-14 in losses.
Wildcats are +7 in turnovers in wins, minus-6 in losses.
Wildcats have 4 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Wildcats have 73 returning starts on OL, only 36 at I-A level.
Frosh QB Johnson has thrown for 2,297 yards (19 TDs, 79INTs)
Under Klieman, K-State is 16-9 ATS as an underdog.
Under Klieman, Wildcats are 10-6 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Klieman, K-State is 34-21 ATS in Big X games.
Wildcats are 24-20 ATS last 44 games coming off a win.
Under is 3-1 in K-State’s last four games.
Iowa State (9-2, 6-2)
Iowa State scored 36-34-31 points in its last three games.
Cyclones’ losses: 23-22 Tex Tech/45-36 at Kansas
Cyclones have 10 starters back on offense, 9 on defense.
Cyclones have 90 returning starts on offensive line.
Soph QB Becht started 13 games last season.
Iowa State’s last five games had average total of 57.8.
Under Campbell, ISU is 19-20 ATS as a home favorite.
Cyclones are 10-7 ATS in last 17 conference games.
Cyclones are +7 in turnovers this season.
Over is 6-4 in Iowa State’s I-A games.
Iowa State won four of last six series games.
K-State is 4-2 SU/1-4-1 ATS in last six visits to Ames
Big X home favorites are 20-19 ATS.
Virginia @ Virginia Tech (-7)
Virginia (5-6, 3-4)
Virginia lost 5 of last 6 games, after a 4-1 start.
Cavaliers allowed 33+ points in their last four losses.
Cavaliers have 8 starters back on offense, 8 on defense.
Cavaliers have 81 returning starts on the offensive line.
Soph QB started six games last year.
Under Elliott, Virginia is 14-7 ATS as an underdog.
Under Elliott, Virginia is 8-4 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Elliott, Cavaliers are 14-7 ATS in ACC games.
Virginia is 10-8 ATS in last 18 games coming off a loss.
Under is 6-1 in their last seven games.
Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4)
Tech lost last three games, giving up 31 ppg.
Hokies are 5-0 when they allow less than 21 points.
Tech gave up 34-26-38-38-24-31 points in losses.
Hokies have 11 starters back on offense, 10 on defense.
Cavaliers have 122 returning starts on the offensive line.
Junior QB Drones started 11 games last year.
Under Pry, Hokies are 6-6 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Pry, Hokies are 13-9 ATS in ACC games.
Under Pry, Hokies are 10-11 ATS coming off a loss.
Tech is 0-5 in games decided by 7 or fewer points.
Over is 6-3 in last nine Tech games.
Tech won three in row, 18 of last 19 games vs Virginia.
Cavaliers are 0-11 SU/2-9 ATS in last 11 visits to Blacksburg.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
| Game | Time(ET) | Pick | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUKE at WAKE | 12:00 PM | DUKE -3.5 O 53.0 | +500 +500 |
| CONN at MASS | 12:00 PM | CONN -10.0 U 49.5 | +500 +500 |
| UTSA at ARMY | 12:00 PM | ARMY -6.5 U 52.5 | +500 +500 |
| MICH at OSU | 12:00 PM | MICH +20.5 O 41.5 | +500 +500 |
| WVU at TTU | 12:00 PM | TTU -3.0 U 64.5 | +500 +500 |
| ULL at ULM | 12:00 PM | ULL -9.5 O 49.5 | +500 +500 |
| TENN at VAN | 12:00 PM | VAN +10.0 O 47.0 | +500 +500 |
| KU at BAY | 12:00 PM | KU +1.0 O 62.0 | +500 +500 |
| UNT at TEM | 12:00 PM | UNT -11.5 O 64.0 | +500 +500 |
| LOU at UK | 12:00 PM | UK +3.5 O 49.0 | +500 +500 |
| SOCAR at CLEM | 12:00 PM | CLEM -2.5 U 49.0 | +500 +500 |
| ILL at NW | 12:00 PM | ILL -9.5 U 43.0 | +500 +500 |
| CCU at GSU | 02:00 PM | GSU -1.0 U 54.5 | +500 +500 |
| USF at RICE | 02:00 PM | USF -5.5 U 54.0 | +500 +500 |
| USM at TROY | 02:00 PM | TROY -17.5 U 48.5 | +500 +500 |
| MTU at FIU | 02:00 PM | FIU -9.0 U 51.0 | +500 +500 |
| PITT at BC | 03:00 PM | PITT +4.0 U 50.5 | +500 +500 |
| ODU at ARST | 03:00 PM | ODU -4.5 U 59.5 | +500 +500 |
| ND at USC | 03:30 PM | ND -7.0 U 52.5 | +500 +500 |
| CAL at SMU | 03:30 PM | CAL +13.0 U 57.0 | +500 +500 |
| FRES at UCLA | 03:30 PM | UCLA -7.5 O 46.5 | +500 +500 |
| MD at PSU | 03:30 PM | PSU -25.5 U 50.5 | +500 +500 |
| ASU at ARIZ | 03:30 PM | ARIZ +8.5 O 53.5 | +500 +500 |
| FAU at TLSA | 03:30 PM | FAU +1.0 O 57.5 | +500 +500 |
| UAB at CHAR | 03:30 PM | CHAR -1.5 U 60.5 | +500 +500 |
| ARK at MIZZ | 03:30 PM | MIZZ -3.0 O 53.0 | +500 +500 |
| RUTG at MSU | 03:30 PM | MSU -2.0 U 47.0 | +500 +500 |
| AUB at ALA | 03:30 PM | AUB +10.5 O 52.0 | +500 +500 |
| MIA at SYR | 03:30 PM | SYR +11.0 O 67.5 | +500 +500 |
| KENN at LT | 04:00 PM | KENN +12.5 O 42.0 | +500 +500 |
| UTEP at NMSU | 04:00 PM | NMSU -3.0 U 51.5 | +500 +500 |
| JVST at WKU | 04:00 PM | JVST -1.5 O 62.0 | +500 +500 |
| TCU at CIN | 06:00 PM | TCU -3.0 O 58.0 | +500 +500 |
| APP at GASO | 06:00 PM | APP +2.5 U 62.5 | +500 +500 |
| WYO at WSU | 06:30 PM | WYO +18.0 U 55.5 | +500 +500 |
| OKLA at LSU | 07:00 PM | OKLA +6.0 O 48.0 | +500 +500 |
| FLA at FSU | 07:00 PM | FLA -16.5 O 45.5 | +500 +500 |
| PUR at IU | 07:00 PM | IU -29.0 U 56.5 | +500 +500 |
| KSU at ISU | 07:30 PM | ISU -2.5 U 51.0 | +500 +500 |
| TEX at TAM | 07:30 PM | TAM +5.0 U 48.5 | +500 +500 |
| WASH at ORE | 07:30 PM | ORE -19.0 U 50.5 | +500 +500 |
| MRSH at JMU | 08:00 PM | MRSH +3.5 O 52.5 | +500 +500 |
| UVA at VT | 08:00 PM | VT -6.5 U 47.5 | +500 +500 |
| NEV at UNLV | 08:00 PM | NEV +17.5 O 55.0 | +500 +500 |
| HOU at BYU | 10:15 PM | BYU -12.0 U 40.0 | +500 +500 |
| AFA at SDSU | 10:30 PM | AFA -4.5 U 43.5 | +500 +500 |
| UNM at HAW | 11:00 PM | HAW +3.5 U 62.0 | +500 +500 |
NCAAFB BEST BETS NOVEMBER !
11/30/2024...............30 - 23 - 0...................56.60%................+ 23.50
11/29/2024.................10 - 9 - 2....................52.63%...............+ 0.50
11/28/2024..................2 - 0 - 0....................100.00%..............+ 10.00
11/27/2024..................2 - 0 - 0....................100.00%..............+ 10.00
11/262024....................1 - 3 - 0......................25.00%...............- 11.50
11/23/2024................24 - 25 - 0...................48.97%...............- 17.50
11/22/2024.....................3 - 3 - 0...................50.00%...............- 1.50
11/21/2024.....................1 - 1 - 0...................50.00%...............- 0.50
11/20/2024.....................3 - 1- 0....................75.00%...............+ 9.50
11/19/2024.....................2 -3 - 0....................40.00%................- 6.50
11/16/2024...................20 - 30 - 0...................40.00%...............- 65.00
11/15/2024......................2 - 6 - 0...................25.00%...............- 23.00
11/14/2024......................1 - 1 - 0...................50.00%...............- 0.50
11/13/2024......................4 - 2 - 0...................66.66%...............+ 9.00
11/12/2024......................2 - 2 - 0...................50.00%................- 1.00
11/09/2024....................20 - 15 - 0..................57.14%................+ 17.50
11/08/2024.......................2 - 3 - 0..................40.00%.................- 6.50
11/07/2024.......................1 - 3 - 0..................25.00%.................- 11.50
11/06/2024.......................3 - 1 - 0..................75.00%.................+ 9.50
11/05/2024.......................3 - 1 - 0..................75.00%.................+ 9.50
11/02/2024.....................9 - 10 - 0..................47.36%..................- 10.00
11/01/2024.......................1 - 5 - 0..................16.67%..................- 22.50
TOTALS........................146 - 147 - 0.................49.82%.................- 78.50
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS.....,,,,,146- 147 - 0........................49.82%............................- 78.50
11/30/2024...............30 - 23 - 0...................56.60%................+ 23.50
11/29/2024.................10 - 9 - 2....................52.63%...............+ 0.50
11/28/2024..................2 - 0 - 0....................100.00%..............+ 10.00
11/27/2024..................2 - 0 - 0....................100.00%..............+ 10.00
11/262024....................1 - 3 - 0......................25.00%...............- 11.50
11/23/2024................24 - 25 - 0...................48.97%...............- 17.50
11/22/2024.....................3 - 3 - 0...................50.00%...............- 1.50
11/21/2024.....................1 - 1 - 0...................50.00%...............- 0.50
11/20/2024.....................3 - 1- 0....................75.00%...............+ 9.50
11/19/2024.....................2 -3 - 0....................40.00%................- 6.50
11/16/2024...................20 - 30 - 0...................40.00%...............- 65.00
11/15/2024......................2 - 6 - 0...................25.00%...............- 23.00
11/14/2024......................1 - 1 - 0...................50.00%...............- 0.50
11/13/2024......................4 - 2 - 0...................66.66%...............+ 9.00
11/12/2024......................2 - 2 - 0...................50.00%................- 1.00
11/09/2024....................20 - 15 - 0..................57.14%................+ 17.50
11/08/2024.......................2 - 3 - 0..................40.00%.................- 6.50
11/07/2024.......................1 - 3 - 0..................25.00%.................- 11.50
11/06/2024.......................3 - 1 - 0..................75.00%.................+ 9.50
11/05/2024.......................3 - 1 - 0..................75.00%.................+ 9.50
11/02/2024.....................9 - 10 - 0..................47.36%..................- 10.00
11/01/2024.......................1 - 5 - 0..................16.67%..................- 22.50
TOTALS........................146 - 147 - 0.................49.82%.................- 78.50
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS.....,,,,,146- 147 - 0........................49.82%............................- 78.50
Sunday’s 6-pack:
Conference championship games next week:
— Sun Belt: Western Kentucky @ Jacksonville State
— Mountain West: UNLV @ Boise State
— American: Tulane @ Army
— MAC: Miami vs Ohio (@ Detroit)
— SEC: Georgia vs Texas (@ Atlanta)
— Big 18: Penn State vs Oregon (@ Indianapolis)
— ACC: Clemson vs SMU (@ Charlotte, NC)
Quote of the Day
“It’s hard for me to say we’re not one of the 12 best teams in the country. If the committee’s job is to pick the 12 best teams, you tell me.”
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer
Sunday’s quiz
Miami Hurricanes lost their last five bowl games; who did they beat the last time they won a bowl?
Saturday’s quiz
USC basketball coach Eric Musselman was also head coach for the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
Friday’s quiz
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley scored 3.8 ppg in his five-year NBA career; he played most of his career with the Sacramento Kings.
****************************
James Madison led this game 17-0 at halftime.
Marshall tied game on a TD with 5:04 left.
Marshall-Louisiana is the Sun Belt title game next week.
— Texas 17, Texas A&M 7
Texas outgained A&M 458-248; they led 17-0 at halftime.
A&M’s only score was a 93-yard pick-6 in third quarter.
Longhorns ran ball 50 times for 240 yards (4.8 yards/carry)
— Iowa State 29, Kansas State 21
Cyclones are 10-2, program’s first-ever 10-win season.
Teams combined to convert 7-29 third down plays.
K-State completed only 12-29 passes, was minus-2 in turnovers.
— Syracuse 42, Miami 38
10-2 Hurricanes led this game 21-0 early in second quarter.
This score means SMU-Clemson is the ACC title game next week.
— Michigan 13, Ohio State 10
Wolverines beat Ohio State for 4th year in a row.
Buckeyes were a 20-point favorite in this game.
Underdogs are 8-2 ATS in last ten series games.
— South Carolina 17, Clemson 14
QB Sellers ran 20 yards for game-winning TD with 1:08 left.
South Carolina ran ball for 267 yards (6.4 yards/carry)
Both teams finish regular season 9-3.
— Georgia 44, Georgia Tech 42 OT
Tech led 17-0 at halftime.
Dawgs scored two TD’s in last 3:39 of regulation to force OT.
Yellow Jackets outgained Georgia, 563-405.
The college overtime system is strange; liked the old format better.
— College football upsets of the week:
Michigan (+20.5) 13, Ohio State 10
Memphis (+12) 34, Tulane 24
Syracuse (+11) 42, Miami 38
Utah (+9.5) 28, Central Florida 14
Rice (+5.5) 35, South Florida 28
College basketball notes:
— Monmouth 63, Seton Hall 51
Big East teams aren’t supposed to lose to CAA teams.
Monmouth shot 10-21 on the arc, Seton Hall 5-21.
— Creighton 80, Notre Dame 76
Bluejays shot 11-24 on the arc.
Notre Dame lost its last four games; they’re 1-3 vs top 100 teams.
— San Diego State 73, Houston 70 OT
Aztecs scored 25 points in first half, 40 in second half.
Houston shot 11-24 on arc, only 12-38 inside arc.
7 of the 10 starters in this game played 36+ minutes.
— Oregon 83, Alabama 81
Ducks put in a rebound with 0:04.4 left for the win.
Oregon is 8-0; they win the Players’ Era tournament.
Barthelemy scored 22 points for Oregon; he didn’t start.
— Famous birthdays, December 1st:
Bette Midler, 79
Charlene Tilton, 66
Larry Walker, 58
Steve Walsh, 58
DeSean Jackson, 38
Dan Straily, 36
Gary Payton II, 32
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 25
— UConn 47, UMass 42
Huskies are quietly 8-4 under Jim Mora Jr, who was an NFL head coach for four years.
UMass led this game 28-27 at halftime.
UConn ran for 253 yards, outgained the Minutemen, 434-390.
— Utah 28, Central Florida 14
UCF finishes season 4-8, its worst record since 2015.
Coach Gus Malzahn is going to resign and become offensive coordinator at Florida State.
Utes’ win snaps their 7-game losing skid.
— Rice 35, South Florida 28
EJ Warner threw for 430 yards, three touchdowns.
Rice overcame 12 penalties for 93 yards; they averaged 10.2 yards/pass attempt.
Owls led 27-7 at halftime.
— NC State 35, North Carolina 30
Wolfpack scored game-winning TD with 0:25 left.
UNC had taken lead on a 47-yard TD pass with 1:51 left.
Teams converted only 5-23 third down plays.
NC State is 6-6; both teams are bowl eligible.
— Notre Dame 49, USC 35
Trojans are 6-6 this year, 8-10 in last 18 games overall.
Notre Dame had two pick-6’s in 4th quarter, 99 and 100 yards.
Notre Dame beats USC for sixth time in last seven meetings.
— Western Kentucky 19, Jacksonville State 17
WKU kicked a 50-yard field goal with 0:03 left for the win.
These teams meet again next week, in the C-USA championship game.
WKU was 7-20 on third down, Gamecocks were 2-13.
Conference championship games next week:
— Sun Belt: Western Kentucky @ Jacksonville State
— Mountain West: UNLV @ Boise State
— American: Tulane @ Army
— MAC: Miami vs Ohio (@ Detroit)
— SEC: Georgia vs Texas (@ Atlanta)
— Big 18: Penn State vs Oregon (@ Indianapolis)
— ACC: Clemson vs SMU (@ Charlotte, NC)
Quote of the Day
“It’s hard for me to say we’re not one of the 12 best teams in the country. If the committee’s job is to pick the 12 best teams, you tell me.”
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer
Sunday’s quiz
Miami Hurricanes lost their last five bowl games; who did they beat the last time they won a bowl?
Saturday’s quiz
USC basketball coach Eric Musselman was also head coach for the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
Friday’s quiz
Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley scored 3.8 ppg in his five-year NBA career; he played most of his career with the Sacramento Kings.
****************************
Sunday’s Den: Wrapping up a sports Saturday……..
— Marshall 35, James Madison 33 OTJames Madison led this game 17-0 at halftime.
Marshall tied game on a TD with 5:04 left.
Marshall-Louisiana is the Sun Belt title game next week.
— Texas 17, Texas A&M 7
Texas outgained A&M 458-248; they led 17-0 at halftime.
A&M’s only score was a 93-yard pick-6 in third quarter.
Longhorns ran ball 50 times for 240 yards (4.8 yards/carry)
— Iowa State 29, Kansas State 21
Cyclones are 10-2, program’s first-ever 10-win season.
Teams combined to convert 7-29 third down plays.
K-State completed only 12-29 passes, was minus-2 in turnovers.
— Syracuse 42, Miami 38
10-2 Hurricanes led this game 21-0 early in second quarter.
This score means SMU-Clemson is the ACC title game next week.
— Michigan 13, Ohio State 10
Wolverines beat Ohio State for 4th year in a row.
Buckeyes were a 20-point favorite in this game.
Underdogs are 8-2 ATS in last ten series games.
— South Carolina 17, Clemson 14
QB Sellers ran 20 yards for game-winning TD with 1:08 left.
South Carolina ran ball for 267 yards (6.4 yards/carry)
Both teams finish regular season 9-3.
— Georgia 44, Georgia Tech 42 OT
Tech led 17-0 at halftime.
Dawgs scored two TD’s in last 3:39 of regulation to force OT.
Yellow Jackets outgained Georgia, 563-405.
The college overtime system is strange; liked the old format better.
— College football upsets of the week:
Michigan (+20.5) 13, Ohio State 10
Memphis (+12) 34, Tulane 24
Syracuse (+11) 42, Miami 38
Utah (+9.5) 28, Central Florida 14
Rice (+5.5) 35, South Florida 28
College basketball notes:
— Monmouth 63, Seton Hall 51
Big East teams aren’t supposed to lose to CAA teams.
Monmouth shot 10-21 on the arc, Seton Hall 5-21.
— Creighton 80, Notre Dame 76
Bluejays shot 11-24 on the arc.
Notre Dame lost its last four games; they’re 1-3 vs top 100 teams.
— San Diego State 73, Houston 70 OT
Aztecs scored 25 points in first half, 40 in second half.
Houston shot 11-24 on arc, only 12-38 inside arc.
7 of the 10 starters in this game played 36+ minutes.
— Oregon 83, Alabama 81
Ducks put in a rebound with 0:04.4 left for the win.
Oregon is 8-0; they win the Players’ Era tournament.
Barthelemy scored 22 points for Oregon; he didn’t start.
— Famous birthdays, December 1st:
Bette Midler, 79
Charlene Tilton, 66
Larry Walker, 58
Steve Walsh, 58
DeSean Jackson, 38
Dan Straily, 36
Gary Payton II, 32
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 25
— UConn 47, UMass 42
Huskies are quietly 8-4 under Jim Mora Jr, who was an NFL head coach for four years.
UMass led this game 28-27 at halftime.
UConn ran for 253 yards, outgained the Minutemen, 434-390.
— Utah 28, Central Florida 14
UCF finishes season 4-8, its worst record since 2015.
Coach Gus Malzahn is going to resign and become offensive coordinator at Florida State.
Utes’ win snaps their 7-game losing skid.
— Rice 35, South Florida 28
EJ Warner threw for 430 yards, three touchdowns.
Rice overcame 12 penalties for 93 yards; they averaged 10.2 yards/pass attempt.
Owls led 27-7 at halftime.
— NC State 35, North Carolina 30
Wolfpack scored game-winning TD with 0:25 left.
UNC had taken lead on a 47-yard TD pass with 1:51 left.
Teams converted only 5-23 third down plays.
NC State is 6-6; both teams are bowl eligible.
— Notre Dame 49, USC 35
Trojans are 6-6 this year, 8-10 in last 18 games overall.
Notre Dame had two pick-6’s in 4th quarter, 99 and 100 yards.
Notre Dame beats USC for sixth time in last seven meetings.
— Western Kentucky 19, Jacksonville State 17
WKU kicked a 50-yard field goal with 0:03 left for the win.
These teams meet again next week, in the C-USA championship game.
WKU was 7-20 on third down, Gamecocks were 2-13.
Monday’s 6-pack:
— Cavaliers 115, Celtics 111- Cleveland is off to an 18-3 start.
— Lakers 105, Jazz 104- Laker starters were minus-23, subs +28.
— Clippers 126, Nuggets 122- Denver shot 58% from floor, still lost.
— Spurs 127, Kings 125- Wembanyama had 34 points, 13 boards, 11 assists.
— Mavericks 137, Trail Blazers 131- Doncic had 36 points, 13 assists.
— Magic 100, Nets 92- Orlando is off to a 15-7 start.
Quote of the Day
“As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!!!”
Mr Carlson, WKRP in Cincinnati
Friday’s quiz
Where did Bills’ QB Josh Allen play his college football?
Sunday’s quiz
Miami Hurricanes lost their last five bowl games; they beat West Virginia 31-14 the last time they won a bowl, in Orlando back in 2016.
Saturday’s quiz
USC basketball coach Eric Musselman was also head coach for the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
**************************************************
Eagles’ first four drives: 14 plays, 23 yards, four punts.
Eagles’ last seven drives: 43 plays, 237 yards, 24 points.
Philly is 8-0 SU/6-2 in their last eight games.
Philly is 9-1-1 ATS in last 11 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Saquon Barkley ran ball 23 times for 107 yards and a TD.
Baltimore led 9-0 after the first quarter.
K Tucker missed a PAT and FG’s of 47-53 yards (he made 34-50 yard FGs).
Baltimore is 8-0 if they score 28+ points, 0-5 if they score less than 28.
Vikings 23, Cardinals 22
Vikings drove 62 yards, scored game-winning TD with 1:13 left.
Kevin O’Connell is 24-9 as a HC in one-score games, really good.
Arizona ran for 154 yards, most RY Vikings have allowed this year.
Minnesota is 8-17 ATS in last 25 games as home favorite.
Cardinals outgained Minnesota 406-273, but scored only one TD.
Arizona had 10 drives; 5-6 on FG’s, one TD, two INT’s on last three drives.
Arizona is 17-9 ATS in last 26 games as a road underdog.
Vikings have won 5 in row, are 10-0 giving up less than 30 points.
Seahawks 26, Jets 21
Jets led 21-7 after a 99-yard kick return in second quarter.
DE Marshall had 92-yard pick-6 that made score 21-13.
Seahawks are 3-0 since their bye, giving up 17-6-21 points.
Seattle allowed 26+ points in losses, 21 or less in wins.
Jets first three drives: 18 plays, 110 yards, 14 points.
Jets rest of game: 44 plays, 155 yards, outscored 7-0 by Seattle defense.
Jets are 9-15 ATS last 24 games as a home underdog.
Jets are 1-8 SU/ATS in their last nine games.
Steelers 44, Bengals 38
Wilson threw a pick-6 on Pittsburgh’s third play of the day.
Steelers’ next five drives: 35 plays, 302 yards, 27 points.
Steelers won/covered six of their last seven games.
Steelers are 11-5 ATS in last 16 games as a road underdog.
Wilson was 29-38/414 passing, with three TD’s.
Last eight games, Steelers are +13 in turnovers.
Cincinnati is 0-7 SU in games decided by fewer than 7 points.
Bengals are 4-1 if they allow 24 or fewer points, 0-7 if they allow more than 24.
Buccaneers 26, Panthers 23 OT
Carolina led 16-10 after the third quarter.
Carolina scored on 25-yard TD pass with 0:30 left to go ahead 23-20
Tampa Bay kicked 51-yard FG at the gun to force overtime.
Seven of Tampa Bay’s last nine games went over the total.
Carolina QB Young threw for 298 yards; he has gotten a lot better.
WR Thielen caught 8 passes for 99 yards and a TD.
Last four games, Panthers are 2-2 SU/4-0 ATS.
Carolina is 6-2-1 ATS in last nine NFC South home games.
Chargers 17, Falcons 13
Chargers’ only TD was 61-yard pick-6 late in third quarter.
Chargers won/covered five of last six games.
Bolts in first half: 31 plays, 148 yards, 3 FG’s on four drives.
Chargers held on in 2nd half: 15 plays, 40 yards, no points.
Atlanta lost its last three games SU, scoring 3 TD’s on 29 drives.
Cousins threw 4 INT’s, 3 of them on Falcons’ last four drives.
Falcons were held to 17 or fewer points in all six losses.
Falcons/Tampa Bay are now tied for first atop NFC South.
— Famous birthdays, December 2nd:
Steven Bauer, 68
Mark Kotsay, 49
Britney Spears, 43
Aaron Rodgers, 41
Gary Sanchez, 32
Aaron Jones, 30
Colts 25, Patriots 24
Down 24-17, Colts drove 66 yards, scored TD with 0:12 left.
Then they went for 2 points; QB Richardson ran for the winning score.
6-7 Colts are 5-4 in games decided by 6 or fewer points.
Despite the win, Indianapolis is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
NE outgained Colts 422-253, but had only 2 TD’s in 6 trips to red zone.
Patriots lost their last three games, giving up 28-34-25 points.
Over is 5-1 in New England’s home games.
Patriots are 1-10 when they allow more than 10 points.
Rams 21, Saints 14
First regular season game in McVay era Rams didn’t score in 1st half.
Rams in first half: 23 plays, 93 yards, no points.
Rams in second half: 29 plays, 239 yards, 21 points.
Rams won five of their last seven games, after a 1-4 start.
Saints in first half: 43 plays, 159 yards, only six points (led 6-0 at half).
NO is 1-4 in one-score games this year.
Saints are 6-9 ATS last 15 games as a home underdog.
New Orleans is 9-16-2 ATS last 27 games coming off a win.
Texans 23, Jaguars 20
Texans first five drives: 33 plays, 125 yards, six points.
Texans last four drives: 23 plays, 171 yards, 17 points.
WR Collins caught 8 passes for 119 yards.
Houston has six wins by 6 or fewer points.
Jaguars’ QB Lawrence was KO’d (concussion( by a violent hit.
Jaguars lost last five games, by 3-5-5-46-3 points.
Jacksonville covered five of their last six games.
Jaguars are 7-3 ATS last ten games as a home underdog.
Commanders 42, Titans 19
Washington’s first four drives: 26 plays, 197 yards, 28 points.
Commanders led 21-0 after first quarter, outgained Titans 463-245.
Washington is 7-0 when it gives up less than 26 points.
McLaurin caught 8 passes for 73 yards, two TD’s.
Washington ran ball for 267 yards (5.9 yards/carry)
Titans are 2-6 SU/1-7 ATS in last eight games.
Titans scored 31-20-32 points in wins, 19 or fewer in their losses.
Tennessee is 4-10 ATS in last 14 games as a road underdog.
Bills 35, 49ers 10
49ers lost last three games, giving up 35-38 points in last two.
Buffalo ran ball for 220 yards, outgained SF 372-239 on a snowy night.
Star RB McCaffrey (knee) could be out for the season.
49ers are 0-6 when they gain less than 400 yards.
Buffalo’s first four drives: 26 plays, 238 yards, 21 points.
Bills won their last seven games (6-1 ATS); they clinched AFC East.
Last eight games, Bills are +12 in turnovers (17-5).
Last seven Buffalo games went over the total.
— Hall of Fame basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, who led St John’s to two Big East tournament titles and a 1985 Final Four appearance, died Saturday at age 99.
Carnesecca led St. John’s to eighteen 20-win seasons and 18 NCAA tournament appearances; he had a 526-300 record, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
RIP, coach.
— New York Mets signed P Frankie Montas to a 2-year, $34M deal; Montas was 7-11, 4.84 in 30 starts last year, for the Reds/Brewers. He is 44-46, 4.09 in 129 MLB starts.
— Bill Vinovich was the referee for the Cardinals-Vikings game in Minnesota Sunday; during the week, he was a basketball referee at the Acrisure tournament in Palm Springs, CA. I saw him do at least two games during the week (Thursday/Friday??) Busy week for a good official.
— Cavaliers 115, Celtics 111- Cleveland is off to an 18-3 start.
— Lakers 105, Jazz 104- Laker starters were minus-23, subs +28.
— Clippers 126, Nuggets 122- Denver shot 58% from floor, still lost.
— Spurs 127, Kings 125- Wembanyama had 34 points, 13 boards, 11 assists.
— Mavericks 137, Trail Blazers 131- Doncic had 36 points, 13 assists.
— Magic 100, Nets 92- Orlando is off to a 15-7 start.
Quote of the Day
“As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!!!”
Mr Carlson, WKRP in Cincinnati
Friday’s quiz
Where did Bills’ QB Josh Allen play his college football?
Sunday’s quiz
Miami Hurricanes lost their last five bowl games; they beat West Virginia 31-14 the last time they won a bowl, in Orlando back in 2016.
Saturday’s quiz
USC basketball coach Eric Musselman was also head coach for the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
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Monday’s Den: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday……..
Eagles 24, Ravens 19Eagles’ first four drives: 14 plays, 23 yards, four punts.
Eagles’ last seven drives: 43 plays, 237 yards, 24 points.
Philly is 8-0 SU/6-2 in their last eight games.
Philly is 9-1-1 ATS in last 11 games with spread of 3 or fewer points.
Saquon Barkley ran ball 23 times for 107 yards and a TD.
Baltimore led 9-0 after the first quarter.
K Tucker missed a PAT and FG’s of 47-53 yards (he made 34-50 yard FGs).
Baltimore is 8-0 if they score 28+ points, 0-5 if they score less than 28.
Vikings 23, Cardinals 22
Vikings drove 62 yards, scored game-winning TD with 1:13 left.
Kevin O’Connell is 24-9 as a HC in one-score games, really good.
Arizona ran for 154 yards, most RY Vikings have allowed this year.
Minnesota is 8-17 ATS in last 25 games as home favorite.
Cardinals outgained Minnesota 406-273, but scored only one TD.
Arizona had 10 drives; 5-6 on FG’s, one TD, two INT’s on last three drives.
Arizona is 17-9 ATS in last 26 games as a road underdog.
Vikings have won 5 in row, are 10-0 giving up less than 30 points.
Seahawks 26, Jets 21
Jets led 21-7 after a 99-yard kick return in second quarter.
DE Marshall had 92-yard pick-6 that made score 21-13.
Seahawks are 3-0 since their bye, giving up 17-6-21 points.
Seattle allowed 26+ points in losses, 21 or less in wins.
Jets first three drives: 18 plays, 110 yards, 14 points.
Jets rest of game: 44 plays, 155 yards, outscored 7-0 by Seattle defense.
Jets are 9-15 ATS last 24 games as a home underdog.
Jets are 1-8 SU/ATS in their last nine games.
Steelers 44, Bengals 38
Wilson threw a pick-6 on Pittsburgh’s third play of the day.
Steelers’ next five drives: 35 plays, 302 yards, 27 points.
Steelers won/covered six of their last seven games.
Steelers are 11-5 ATS in last 16 games as a road underdog.
Wilson was 29-38/414 passing, with three TD’s.
Last eight games, Steelers are +13 in turnovers.
Cincinnati is 0-7 SU in games decided by fewer than 7 points.
Bengals are 4-1 if they allow 24 or fewer points, 0-7 if they allow more than 24.
Buccaneers 26, Panthers 23 OT
Carolina led 16-10 after the third quarter.
Carolina scored on 25-yard TD pass with 0:30 left to go ahead 23-20
Tampa Bay kicked 51-yard FG at the gun to force overtime.
Seven of Tampa Bay’s last nine games went over the total.
Carolina QB Young threw for 298 yards; he has gotten a lot better.
WR Thielen caught 8 passes for 99 yards and a TD.
Last four games, Panthers are 2-2 SU/4-0 ATS.
Carolina is 6-2-1 ATS in last nine NFC South home games.
Chargers 17, Falcons 13
Chargers’ only TD was 61-yard pick-6 late in third quarter.
Chargers won/covered five of last six games.
Bolts in first half: 31 plays, 148 yards, 3 FG’s on four drives.
Chargers held on in 2nd half: 15 plays, 40 yards, no points.
Atlanta lost its last three games SU, scoring 3 TD’s on 29 drives.
Cousins threw 4 INT’s, 3 of them on Falcons’ last four drives.
Falcons were held to 17 or fewer points in all six losses.
Falcons/Tampa Bay are now tied for first atop NFC South.
— Famous birthdays, December 2nd:
Steven Bauer, 68
Mark Kotsay, 49
Britney Spears, 43
Aaron Rodgers, 41
Gary Sanchez, 32
Aaron Jones, 30
Colts 25, Patriots 24
Down 24-17, Colts drove 66 yards, scored TD with 0:12 left.
Then they went for 2 points; QB Richardson ran for the winning score.
6-7 Colts are 5-4 in games decided by 6 or fewer points.
Despite the win, Indianapolis is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
NE outgained Colts 422-253, but had only 2 TD’s in 6 trips to red zone.
Patriots lost their last three games, giving up 28-34-25 points.
Over is 5-1 in New England’s home games.
Patriots are 1-10 when they allow more than 10 points.
Rams 21, Saints 14
First regular season game in McVay era Rams didn’t score in 1st half.
Rams in first half: 23 plays, 93 yards, no points.
Rams in second half: 29 plays, 239 yards, 21 points.
Rams won five of their last seven games, after a 1-4 start.
Saints in first half: 43 plays, 159 yards, only six points (led 6-0 at half).
NO is 1-4 in one-score games this year.
Saints are 6-9 ATS last 15 games as a home underdog.
New Orleans is 9-16-2 ATS last 27 games coming off a win.
Texans 23, Jaguars 20
Texans first five drives: 33 plays, 125 yards, six points.
Texans last four drives: 23 plays, 171 yards, 17 points.
WR Collins caught 8 passes for 119 yards.
Houston has six wins by 6 or fewer points.
Jaguars’ QB Lawrence was KO’d (concussion( by a violent hit.
Jaguars lost last five games, by 3-5-5-46-3 points.
Jacksonville covered five of their last six games.
Jaguars are 7-3 ATS last ten games as a home underdog.
Commanders 42, Titans 19
Washington’s first four drives: 26 plays, 197 yards, 28 points.
Commanders led 21-0 after first quarter, outgained Titans 463-245.
Washington is 7-0 when it gives up less than 26 points.
McLaurin caught 8 passes for 73 yards, two TD’s.
Washington ran ball for 267 yards (5.9 yards/carry)
Titans are 2-6 SU/1-7 ATS in last eight games.
Titans scored 31-20-32 points in wins, 19 or fewer in their losses.
Tennessee is 4-10 ATS in last 14 games as a road underdog.
Bills 35, 49ers 10
49ers lost last three games, giving up 35-38 points in last two.
Buffalo ran ball for 220 yards, outgained SF 372-239 on a snowy night.
Star RB McCaffrey (knee) could be out for the season.
49ers are 0-6 when they gain less than 400 yards.
Buffalo’s first four drives: 26 plays, 238 yards, 21 points.
Bills won their last seven games (6-1 ATS); they clinched AFC East.
Last eight games, Bills are +12 in turnovers (17-5).
Last seven Buffalo games went over the total.
— Hall of Fame basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, who led St John’s to two Big East tournament titles and a 1985 Final Four appearance, died Saturday at age 99.
Carnesecca led St. John’s to eighteen 20-win seasons and 18 NCAA tournament appearances; he had a 526-300 record, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
RIP, coach.
— New York Mets signed P Frankie Montas to a 2-year, $34M deal; Montas was 7-11, 4.84 in 30 starts last year, for the Reds/Brewers. He is 44-46, 4.09 in 129 MLB starts.
— Bill Vinovich was the referee for the Cardinals-Vikings game in Minnesota Sunday; during the week, he was a basketball referee at the Acrisure tournament in Palm Springs, CA. I saw him do at least two games during the week (Thursday/Friday??) Busy week for a good official.
NCAAF
Week 15
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Trend Report
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Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Western Kentucky's last 8 games on the road
Western Kentucky is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
Jacksonville State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Jacksonville State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Nevada-Las Vegas vs Boise State
Nevada-Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nevada-Las Vegas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Tulane vs Army
Tulane is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulane is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Army is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Army is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games
Ohio vs Miami-OH
Ohio is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Ohio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Miami-OH is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami-OH's last 5 games when playing Ohio
Iowa State vs Arizona State
Iowa State is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Iowa State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Arizona State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Georgia vs Texas
Georgia is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Georgia's last 5 games
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games
Marshall vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Marshall is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Marshall is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Louisiana-Lafayette is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Clemson vs Southern Methodist
Clemson is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Clemson's last 5 games
Southern Methodist is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Southern Methodist is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Penn State vs Oregon
Penn State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Penn State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Oregon is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Oregon is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
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Week 15
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Trend Report
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Western Kentucky vs Jacksonville State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Western Kentucky's last 8 games on the road
Western Kentucky is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
Jacksonville State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Jacksonville State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Nevada-Las Vegas vs Boise State
Nevada-Las Vegas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nevada-Las Vegas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boise State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Tulane vs Army
Tulane is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Tulane is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Army is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Army is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games
Ohio vs Miami-OH
Ohio is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Ohio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Miami-OH is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami-OH's last 5 games when playing Ohio
Iowa State vs Arizona State
Iowa State is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Iowa State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Arizona State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Arizona State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Georgia vs Texas
Georgia is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Georgia's last 5 games
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games
Marshall vs Louisiana-Lafayette
Marshall is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Marshall is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Louisiana-Lafayette is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Clemson vs Southern Methodist
Clemson is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Clemson's last 5 games
Southern Methodist is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Southern Methodist is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Penn State vs Oregon
Penn State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Penn State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Oregon is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Oregon is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
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Tuesday’s 6-pack:
College basketball teams playing the fastest tempo:
— New Mexico
— Fresno State
— Cal Poly
— Kentucky
— Alabama
— Western Kentucky
Quote of the Day
“I’m not doing another 3-game MTE again. Moving forward, we will only play home-and-homes or single-game events… I don’t think I’ll ever do a 3-game MTE again. There’s zero chance I ever do that again”
Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley, after going 0-3 in the Maui Classic
Tuesday’s quiz
What team did John Calipari lead to the Final Four in 1996?
Monday’s quiz
Bills’ QB Josh Allen played his college football at Wyoming
Sunday’s quiz
Miami Hurricanes lost their last five bowl games; they beat West Virginia 31-14 the last time they won a bowl, in Orlando back in 2016.
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Winston threw for 497 yards, four TD’s.
He also threw 3 INT’s, 2 of which were returned for Denver TD’s.
Jeudy caught nine passes for 235 yards and a TD.
Last time a Cleveland QB threw for 400+ yards? Josh McCown (457) in 2015
Nix threw a 93-yard TD pass to put Denver ahead, 28-17.
Lutz kicked 27-yard FG to put Denver ahead 34-32 with 2:54 left.
Cleveland outgained the Broncos, 552-400.
Denver is 7-0 if they score more than 20 points, 1-5 if they score 20 or less.
— Rhode Island 84, Yale 78
Archie Miller’s Rams are 8-0, albeit against schedule #337.
Yale, Charleston are only teams in top 150 that URI has played so far.
Providence @ URI is an interesting game on Saturday’s schedule.
— Washington State 68, Nevada 57
Nevada was favored by 11.5 points.
Wazzu was 12-29 on the arc, Wolf Pack 4-20.
— Purdue fired football coach Ryan Walters after going 1-11 this season, 0-11 vs I-A teams, with only three of the 11 losses by less than 17 points.
Purdue was 5-19 in Walters’ two seasons as head coach; they lost 66-0 to rival Indiana Saturday- they’re 129th in the country in offense, 130th in defense.
— Good news for Sam Houston State- they went 9-3 this year, in their 2nd year as a I-A team.
Bad news for Sam Houston State- Temple hired Sam Houston’s coach KC Keeler as their new head coach. Keeler was 97-39 overall at Sam Houston, winning the I-AA national title in 2020;
— Duke 23, Wake Forest 17
Duke threw a 39-yard TD pass on the last play of the game for a walk-off win.
Wake Forest led 17-3 with 1:00 left in the third quarter,
Duke is 9-3, with six wins by 7 or fewer points.
— Former NFL QB/Stanford alum Andrew Luck was named as the Cardinal’s general manager; he will manage aspects of both the football and business sides of the program.
On the business side, he will handle duties typically held by NFL team presidents — fundraising, sponsorships, attendance, sales, in-stadium experience and alumni relations.
For football, Luck will oversee the coaching staff, player personnel, recruiting, roster management and student-athlete experience, whatever that is.
— Chicago Cubs signed P Matthew Boyd to a 2-year deal worth $29M; Boyd will be 34 on Ground Hog Day- he was 2-2, 2.72 in eight starts for Cleveland this past year, 0-0, 0.77 in three playoff starts for the Guardians. For his career, Boyd is 46-69, 4.85 in 168 career starts, mostly with Detroit.
— Famous birthdays, December 2nd:
Bobby Howfield, 88
Tom Woodeshick, 83
Jim Brewer, 73
Daryl Hannah, 64
Julianne Moore, 64
Brendan Fraser, 56
Lindsey Hunter, 54
James Laurinaitis, 38
— Washington Commanders were 4-13 last year; they’re 8-5 this year, despite playing a rookie QB, who has done really well.
Commanders were minus-14 in turnovers last year; they’re +3 this week,
— Started watching re-runs of the old TV series Criminal Minds, never watched that show much. One of the first shows I watch, the bad guy is played by Michael O’Keefe, who played Danny Noonan in the classic movie Caddyshack.
Michael O’Keefe will be 70 in April, which makes me feel old; he played Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke in the HBO series Winning Time couple years ago.
— I’m watching the Duke-Kansas game on TV last week; the game was played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was sitting courtside with his wife. Sitting to Krzyzewski’s left was the actor Ken Jeong, who was in the Hangover movies.
Made me wonder what those two guys would talk about, if anything, and if Coach K had ever seem The Hangover. Funny movie.
— Colorado-Iowa State was the 5th place game at the Maui Classic, which is unusual only because those teams are in the same league now. Usually teams from the same league aren’t in the same tournament, but with all the jumping between leagues, this happened.
Same thing at the Battle for Atlantis, where Arizona-West Virginia played in the 3rd place game.
— Last year, 1,962 college basketball players entered the transfer portal, with over 1,100 of them changing teams. With 364 Division I teams now, that works out to 5+ players per team looking to jump ship.
— Dartmouth 88, Boston College 83
ACC teams aren’t supposed to lose to Ivy League teams, especially lower-level Ivy teams.
Dartmouth made 17-31 3-pointers in the game, which was last Friday.
— Notre Dame’s basketball team has a freshman guard Brady Stevens, who scored over 1,000 points in high school at Wellesley High in Massachusetts. The reason I mention this is that his father is Brad Stevens, the President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics.
College basketball teams playing the fastest tempo:
— New Mexico
— Fresno State
— Cal Poly
— Kentucky
— Alabama
— Western Kentucky
Quote of the Day
“I’m not doing another 3-game MTE again. Moving forward, we will only play home-and-homes or single-game events… I don’t think I’ll ever do a 3-game MTE again. There’s zero chance I ever do that again”
Connecticut basketball coach Dan Hurley, after going 0-3 in the Maui Classic
Tuesday’s quiz
What team did John Calipari lead to the Final Four in 1996?
Monday’s quiz
Bills’ QB Josh Allen played his college football at Wyoming
Sunday’s quiz
Miami Hurricanes lost their last five bowl games; they beat West Virginia 31-14 the last time they won a bowl, in Orlando back in 2016.
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Tuesday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but……
Broncos 41, Browns 32Winston threw for 497 yards, four TD’s.
He also threw 3 INT’s, 2 of which were returned for Denver TD’s.
Jeudy caught nine passes for 235 yards and a TD.
Last time a Cleveland QB threw for 400+ yards? Josh McCown (457) in 2015
Nix threw a 93-yard TD pass to put Denver ahead, 28-17.
Lutz kicked 27-yard FG to put Denver ahead 34-32 with 2:54 left.
Cleveland outgained the Broncos, 552-400.
Denver is 7-0 if they score more than 20 points, 1-5 if they score 20 or less.
— Rhode Island 84, Yale 78
Archie Miller’s Rams are 8-0, albeit against schedule #337.
Yale, Charleston are only teams in top 150 that URI has played so far.
Providence @ URI is an interesting game on Saturday’s schedule.
— Washington State 68, Nevada 57
Nevada was favored by 11.5 points.
Wazzu was 12-29 on the arc, Wolf Pack 4-20.
— Purdue fired football coach Ryan Walters after going 1-11 this season, 0-11 vs I-A teams, with only three of the 11 losses by less than 17 points.
Purdue was 5-19 in Walters’ two seasons as head coach; they lost 66-0 to rival Indiana Saturday- they’re 129th in the country in offense, 130th in defense.
— Good news for Sam Houston State- they went 9-3 this year, in their 2nd year as a I-A team.
Bad news for Sam Houston State- Temple hired Sam Houston’s coach KC Keeler as their new head coach. Keeler was 97-39 overall at Sam Houston, winning the I-AA national title in 2020;
— Duke 23, Wake Forest 17
Duke threw a 39-yard TD pass on the last play of the game for a walk-off win.
Wake Forest led 17-3 with 1:00 left in the third quarter,
Duke is 9-3, with six wins by 7 or fewer points.
— Former NFL QB/Stanford alum Andrew Luck was named as the Cardinal’s general manager; he will manage aspects of both the football and business sides of the program.
On the business side, he will handle duties typically held by NFL team presidents — fundraising, sponsorships, attendance, sales, in-stadium experience and alumni relations.
For football, Luck will oversee the coaching staff, player personnel, recruiting, roster management and student-athlete experience, whatever that is.
— Chicago Cubs signed P Matthew Boyd to a 2-year deal worth $29M; Boyd will be 34 on Ground Hog Day- he was 2-2, 2.72 in eight starts for Cleveland this past year, 0-0, 0.77 in three playoff starts for the Guardians. For his career, Boyd is 46-69, 4.85 in 168 career starts, mostly with Detroit.
— Famous birthdays, December 2nd:
Bobby Howfield, 88
Tom Woodeshick, 83
Jim Brewer, 73
Daryl Hannah, 64
Julianne Moore, 64
Brendan Fraser, 56
Lindsey Hunter, 54
James Laurinaitis, 38
— Washington Commanders were 4-13 last year; they’re 8-5 this year, despite playing a rookie QB, who has done really well.
Commanders were minus-14 in turnovers last year; they’re +3 this week,
— Started watching re-runs of the old TV series Criminal Minds, never watched that show much. One of the first shows I watch, the bad guy is played by Michael O’Keefe, who played Danny Noonan in the classic movie Caddyshack.
Michael O’Keefe will be 70 in April, which makes me feel old; he played Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke in the HBO series Winning Time couple years ago.
— I’m watching the Duke-Kansas game on TV last week; the game was played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was sitting courtside with his wife. Sitting to Krzyzewski’s left was the actor Ken Jeong, who was in the Hangover movies.
Made me wonder what those two guys would talk about, if anything, and if Coach K had ever seem The Hangover. Funny movie.
— Colorado-Iowa State was the 5th place game at the Maui Classic, which is unusual only because those teams are in the same league now. Usually teams from the same league aren’t in the same tournament, but with all the jumping between leagues, this happened.
Same thing at the Battle for Atlantis, where Arizona-West Virginia played in the 3rd place game.
— Last year, 1,962 college basketball players entered the transfer portal, with over 1,100 of them changing teams. With 364 Division I teams now, that works out to 5+ players per team looking to jump ship.
— Dartmouth 88, Boston College 83
ACC teams aren’t supposed to lose to Ivy League teams, especially lower-level Ivy teams.
Dartmouth made 17-31 3-pointers in the game, which was last Friday.
— Notre Dame’s basketball team has a freshman guard Brady Stevens, who scored over 1,000 points in high school at Wellesley High in Massachusetts. The reason I mention this is that his father is Brad Stevens, the President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics.
Wednesday’s 6-pack:
College basketball teams playing the slowest tempo:
— Wagner
— Virginia
— Air Force
— Minnesota
— North Texas
— Seton Hall
Quote of the Day
“I mean, they’ve been kicking everybody’s ass. So I’m fortunate enough to, again, just to be on a team that’s rolling like that. And whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m here for.”
Jamal Adams, on why he signed recently with the Detroit Lions
Wednesday’s quiz
Who was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Mike Tomlin?
Tuesday’s quiz
John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four in 1996.
Monday’s quiz
Bills’ QB Josh Allen played his college football at Wyoming
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— Clemson 70, Kentucky 66
Clemson F Schieffelin was 4-20 from floor, also had 20 rebounds.
Clemson is 8-1, with three top 100 wins.
Kentucky is 7-1, splitting two top 100 games.
— Arkansas 76, Miami 73
Miami led this game by 7 with 6:51 left to play.
Arkansas was 11-23 on arc, Miami 9-29.
I’m still a little amazed that Kentucky didn’t want Calipari to coach anymore.
— Missouri 98, California 93
Cal Bears led 51-33 at halftime.
Mizzou was 32-44 inside arc, 3-9 outside arc, 25-38 on foul line.
Cal is an ACC team, by the way. No idea why, but they are.
Mizzou is off to a 7-1 start, after going 0-18 in SEC last year.
— Ole Miss 86, Louisville 63
7-1 Rebels shot 65% inside the arc.
Ole Miss was 8-20 on arc, Louisville 5-30
This was Louisville’s 4th top 60 game in the last seven days.
— Oklahoma 72, Georgia Tech 61
Tech led this game 34-30 at halftime.
Oklahoma was 26-30 on foul line, Tech 12-18.
Sooners are 8-0, with three top 100 wins, plus this win.
— South Carolina 73, Boston College 51
Gamecocks were 10-19 on the arc, BC was 2-15.
Opponents are shooting 44.6% inside arc vs Carolina (#39)
Eagles are shooting 46.3% inside arc (#298) vs schedule #284.
— Famous birthdays, December 4th:
Jeff Bridges, 75
Bernard King, 68
Lee Smith, 67
Frank Reich, 63
Marisa Tomei, 60
Jeff Blake, 54
Blake Snell, 32
Paul Blackburn, 31
Jackson Holliday, 21
— Clemson won the last eight times they played in the ACC football championship game; last time they lost was in 2009, 39-34 to Georgia Tech.
— Michigan 67, Wisconsin 64
Wolverines are off to a 7-1 start, after going 8-24 LY.
Michigan is forcing turnovers 23.3% of time (#14 in country).
— Iowa 80, Northwestern 79
Hawkeyes outscored Northwestern 12-5 over the final 1:43
Iowa led 38-21 late in the first half.
— Villanova 68, Cincinnati 60
Wildcats get their first top 100 win in four tries.
Villanova was 14-17 on foul line, Bearcats 6-11.
Cincinnati is 6-1, but they’ve played schedule #308.
— Army 103, LeMoyne 100 3OT
Army led by 14 with 5:07 left in regulation.
Teams combined to shoot 18-70 on the arc; no bueno.
LeMoyne’s subs outscored Army’s bench, 35-5.
— Murray State 63, Evansville 61
Purple Aces shot 55% inside arc, but never led this game.
Murray State starts five seniors; three of them played 38:00+.
Evansville is 3-5; this was their first loss by less than 11 points.
— Cavaliers 118, Wizards 87
Washington is 2-17; they’ve lost 15 games in a row.
Wizards are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games.
Washington’s last win was October 30th. Oy.
College basketball teams playing the slowest tempo:
— Wagner
— Virginia
— Air Force
— Minnesota
— North Texas
— Seton Hall
Quote of the Day
“I mean, they’ve been kicking everybody’s ass. So I’m fortunate enough to, again, just to be on a team that’s rolling like that. And whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m here for.”
Jamal Adams, on why he signed recently with the Detroit Lions
Wednesday’s quiz
Who was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Mike Tomlin?
Tuesday’s quiz
John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four in 1996.
Monday’s quiz
Bills’ QB Josh Allen played his college football at Wyoming
**********************************************
Wednesday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy night of basketball…….
— Rough night for the ACC; their teams went 1-8 against the SEC in their annual challenge, with Clemson’s win over Kentucky the only bright spot.— Clemson 70, Kentucky 66
Clemson F Schieffelin was 4-20 from floor, also had 20 rebounds.
Clemson is 8-1, with three top 100 wins.
Kentucky is 7-1, splitting two top 100 games.
— Arkansas 76, Miami 73
Miami led this game by 7 with 6:51 left to play.
Arkansas was 11-23 on arc, Miami 9-29.
I’m still a little amazed that Kentucky didn’t want Calipari to coach anymore.
— Missouri 98, California 93
Cal Bears led 51-33 at halftime.
Mizzou was 32-44 inside arc, 3-9 outside arc, 25-38 on foul line.
Cal is an ACC team, by the way. No idea why, but they are.
Mizzou is off to a 7-1 start, after going 0-18 in SEC last year.
— Ole Miss 86, Louisville 63
7-1 Rebels shot 65% inside the arc.
Ole Miss was 8-20 on arc, Louisville 5-30
This was Louisville’s 4th top 60 game in the last seven days.
— Oklahoma 72, Georgia Tech 61
Tech led this game 34-30 at halftime.
Oklahoma was 26-30 on foul line, Tech 12-18.
Sooners are 8-0, with three top 100 wins, plus this win.
— South Carolina 73, Boston College 51
Gamecocks were 10-19 on the arc, BC was 2-15.
Opponents are shooting 44.6% inside arc vs Carolina (#39)
Eagles are shooting 46.3% inside arc (#298) vs schedule #284.
— Famous birthdays, December 4th:
Jeff Bridges, 75
Bernard King, 68
Lee Smith, 67
Frank Reich, 63
Marisa Tomei, 60
Jeff Blake, 54
Blake Snell, 32
Paul Blackburn, 31
Jackson Holliday, 21
— Clemson won the last eight times they played in the ACC football championship game; last time they lost was in 2009, 39-34 to Georgia Tech.
— Michigan 67, Wisconsin 64
Wolverines are off to a 7-1 start, after going 8-24 LY.
Michigan is forcing turnovers 23.3% of time (#14 in country).
— Iowa 80, Northwestern 79
Hawkeyes outscored Northwestern 12-5 over the final 1:43
Iowa led 38-21 late in the first half.
— Villanova 68, Cincinnati 60
Wildcats get their first top 100 win in four tries.
Villanova was 14-17 on foul line, Bearcats 6-11.
Cincinnati is 6-1, but they’ve played schedule #308.
— Army 103, LeMoyne 100 3OT
Army led by 14 with 5:07 left in regulation.
Teams combined to shoot 18-70 on the arc; no bueno.
LeMoyne’s subs outscored Army’s bench, 35-5.
— Murray State 63, Evansville 61
Purple Aces shot 55% inside arc, but never led this game.
Murray State starts five seniors; three of them played 38:00+.
Evansville is 3-5; this was their first loss by less than 11 points.
— Cavaliers 118, Wizards 87
Washington is 2-17; they’ve lost 15 games in a row.
Wizards are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games.
Washington’s last win was October 30th. Oy.
Thursday’s 6-pack:
Most passes thrown in a game for the Cleveland Browns:
64— Bernie Kosar, 1987
61— Colt McCoy, 2011
58— Jameis Winston, 2024
57— Brian Sipe, 1981
56— Jason Campbell, 2013
54— Brian Hoyer 2013/Eric Zeier 1995
Quote of the Day
“When all is said and done, more is usually said than done.”
Unknown
Thursday’s quiz
What was the biggest upset in Super Bowl history? (pointspread-wise)
Wednesday’s quiz
Bill Cowher was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Mike Tomlin.
Tuesday’s quiz
John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four in 1996.
************************************
Chances are we’ll hear about this week on Selection Sunday, when most of the SEC gets in the Field of 68.
— Alabama 94, North Carolina 79
83-possession game, very fast pace. Alabama scored 1.13 points/possession.
North Carolina was 5-28 on the arc.
Alabama is #68 in bench minutes; they put six guys in double figures.
— Duke 84, Auburn 78
Auburn led 13-2 out of the gate, but Duke shot 55.6% inside the arc.
Duke had only four turnovers, in a 63-possession game.
Auburn started 5 seniors; Duke played one senior more than 5:00.
— Creighton 76, Kansas 63
Kansas never led; they shot 35.7% from the floor.
Creighton led 41-31 at halftime.
Bluejays are shooting 60.2% inside the arc (#11)
— UConn 76, Baylor 72
UConn was 26-33 on foul line, Baylor 12-19
Baylor led by 11 early on, led 37-36 at halftime.
Baylor is 5-3, 2-3 against top 50 teams (schedule #10).
— Oregon 68, USC 60
Oregon held the Trojans to 34.5% from the floor.
Ducks are 9-0, with four top 100 wins.
Trojans other than Claude (9-20) were 10-35 from the floor.
— Iowa State 81, Marquette 70
This game was 61-61 with 8:43 left.
Marquette star Jones was only 6-21 from the floor.
Cyclones are 3-1 vs top 100 teams, scoring 87.5 ppg
— Famous birthdays, December 5th:
Jeroen Krabbe, 80
Jim Plunkett, 77
Bill Simpson, 73
Cliff Floyd, 52
Charlie Batch, 50
Josh Smith, 39
AJ Pollock, 37
Christian Yelich, 33
— Maryland 83, Ohio State 59
Terps led this game 63-23 at one point; they shot 59.5% inside arc.
— Belmont 99, Illinois State 97 OT
Belmont led MVC opener 54-45 at the half.
Illinois State shot 18-33 on the arc and still lost.
Belmont is 7-2, playing schedule #285.
— New Mexico 83, San Jose State 77
San Jose led 17-4 early, 71-65 with 7:16 left in game.
Lobos had 16 offensive boards, out-rebounded San Jose 42-31.
— Upsets of the Night:
Coastal Carolina (+5.5) 58, Campbell 57
Creighton (+4.5) 76, Kansas 63
North Dakota State (+4.5) 77, Weber State 73
St Thomas (+4.5) 87, Northern Colorado 75
IU Indy (+4.5) 84, Green Bay 75
— Texas 63, NC State 59
59-possession game; very slow pace.
NC State lost last three games, scoring 61-61-59 points.
Wolfpack was 5-14 on arc, 6-14 on foul line.
— Summit League went 5-4 against the Big Sky in their challenge; underdogs were 5-4 ATS in the nine games.
— Jacksonville Jaguar QB Trevor Lawrence was put on IR, is most likely out for the year; he got a concussion Sunday after a late hit by a Houston defender.
— South Korean star 2B Hyeseong Kim was posted, will be available as a free agent starting Thursday at 5:00. KIm will be 26 next month; he hit .326 LY, with 11 homers, 75 RBIs while stealing 30 bases for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO.
— Red Sox signed reliever Aroldis Chapman for one year, $10.75M. In 61⅔ IP for Pittsburgh last year, Chapman struck out 98, walked 39, had a 3.79 ERA. He’ll be 37 years old soon; Boston will be his 7th major league team.
Most passes thrown in a game for the Cleveland Browns:
64— Bernie Kosar, 1987
61— Colt McCoy, 2011
58— Jameis Winston, 2024
57— Brian Sipe, 1981
56— Jason Campbell, 2013
54— Brian Hoyer 2013/Eric Zeier 1995
Quote of the Day
“When all is said and done, more is usually said than done.”
Unknown
Thursday’s quiz
What was the biggest upset in Super Bowl history? (pointspread-wise)
Wednesday’s quiz
Bill Cowher was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Mike Tomlin.
Tuesday’s quiz
John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four in 1996.
************************************
Thursday’s Den: Nobody asked me, but……..
— SEC pounded on the ACC this week, going 14-2 in their challenge.Chances are we’ll hear about this week on Selection Sunday, when most of the SEC gets in the Field of 68.
— Alabama 94, North Carolina 79
83-possession game, very fast pace. Alabama scored 1.13 points/possession.
North Carolina was 5-28 on the arc.
Alabama is #68 in bench minutes; they put six guys in double figures.
— Duke 84, Auburn 78
Auburn led 13-2 out of the gate, but Duke shot 55.6% inside the arc.
Duke had only four turnovers, in a 63-possession game.
Auburn started 5 seniors; Duke played one senior more than 5:00.
— Creighton 76, Kansas 63
Kansas never led; they shot 35.7% from the floor.
Creighton led 41-31 at halftime.
Bluejays are shooting 60.2% inside the arc (#11)
— UConn 76, Baylor 72
UConn was 26-33 on foul line, Baylor 12-19
Baylor led by 11 early on, led 37-36 at halftime.
Baylor is 5-3, 2-3 against top 50 teams (schedule #10).
— Oregon 68, USC 60
Oregon held the Trojans to 34.5% from the floor.
Ducks are 9-0, with four top 100 wins.
Trojans other than Claude (9-20) were 10-35 from the floor.
— Iowa State 81, Marquette 70
This game was 61-61 with 8:43 left.
Marquette star Jones was only 6-21 from the floor.
Cyclones are 3-1 vs top 100 teams, scoring 87.5 ppg
— Famous birthdays, December 5th:
Jeroen Krabbe, 80
Jim Plunkett, 77
Bill Simpson, 73
Cliff Floyd, 52
Charlie Batch, 50
Josh Smith, 39
AJ Pollock, 37
Christian Yelich, 33
— Maryland 83, Ohio State 59
Terps led this game 63-23 at one point; they shot 59.5% inside arc.
— Belmont 99, Illinois State 97 OT
Belmont led MVC opener 54-45 at the half.
Illinois State shot 18-33 on the arc and still lost.
Belmont is 7-2, playing schedule #285.
— New Mexico 83, San Jose State 77
San Jose led 17-4 early, 71-65 with 7:16 left in game.
Lobos had 16 offensive boards, out-rebounded San Jose 42-31.
— Upsets of the Night:
Coastal Carolina (+5.5) 58, Campbell 57
Creighton (+4.5) 76, Kansas 63
North Dakota State (+4.5) 77, Weber State 73
St Thomas (+4.5) 87, Northern Colorado 75
IU Indy (+4.5) 84, Green Bay 75
— Texas 63, NC State 59
59-possession game; very slow pace.
NC State lost last three games, scoring 61-61-59 points.
Wolfpack was 5-14 on arc, 6-14 on foul line.
— Summit League went 5-4 against the Big Sky in their challenge; underdogs were 5-4 ATS in the nine games.
— Jacksonville Jaguar QB Trevor Lawrence was put on IR, is most likely out for the year; he got a concussion Sunday after a late hit by a Houston defender.
— South Korean star 2B Hyeseong Kim was posted, will be available as a free agent starting Thursday at 5:00. KIm will be 26 next month; he hit .326 LY, with 11 homers, 75 RBIs while stealing 30 bases for the Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO.
— Red Sox signed reliever Aroldis Chapman for one year, $10.75M. In 61⅔ IP for Pittsburgh last year, Chapman struck out 98, walked 39, had a 3.79 ERA. He’ll be 37 years old soon; Boston will be his 7th major league team.
Friday’s 6-pack:
Some teams who have played tough schedules so far…….
4) Auburn 7-1
5) San Diego State 5-2
6) Alabama 7-2
7) North Carolina 4-4
9) Baylor 5-3
10) Memphis 7-1
Quote of the Day
“It’s a really significant day for Las Vegas, for Nevada. There will be more of that. We’ll have the groundbreaking, we’re going to have a (stadium) topping off party and were going to have Opening Day. We’re going to have many years of Major League Baseball.”
Las Vegas Stadium Authority Chairman Steve Hill
Friday’s quiz
What year did the A’s move from Kansas City to Oakland?
Thursday’s quiz
Super Bowl III was the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, when the 18-point underdog Jets upset the Baltimore Colts, 16-7.
Wednesday’s quiz
Bill Cowher was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Mike Tomlin.
***************************************
A’s relocation to Las Vegas cleared a major hurdle Thursday with the approval of three long-anticipated agreements that were needed before ballpark construction can begin.
A’s will play in Sacramento the next three years, hope to begin playing in a new stadium on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028.
Damn near choked on my lunch Thursday when I got a text saying the A’s signed P Luis Severino to a 3-year, $67M contract, the biggest contract the A’s have given out since 2004, when Eric Chavez got paid.
This past year, Severino was 11-7, 3.91 in 31 starts for the Mets, after previously pitching for eight years in the Bronx. His career record is 65-44, 3.81 in 156 starts.
— Lions 34, Packers 31
Lions drove 63 yards, kicked 35-yard FG at the gun.
Detroit won its last eleven games (8-3 ATS).
Goff threw for 283 yards, three TD’s.
Detroit was 7-15 on third down, 4-5 on 4th down.
Only 5 of Packers’ 44 plays were on 3rd down (1-5).
Green Bay’s first three drives: 10 plays, 46 yards, no points.
Green Bay rest of the game: 34 plays, 249 yards, 31 points.
Detroit led 17-7 at halftime.
Packers scored two TD’s in first 3:45 of third quarter.
GB is 17-7 ATS in last 24 games as a road underdog
— North Carolina has interviewed 72-year old Bill Belichick about their coaching job; while Belichick has won six Super Bowls, he’s never coached in college.
Tar Heels just fired 73-year old Mack Brown as coach, after going 23-16 the last three years.
Belichick’s son is defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies.
— If you like the NFL, Hard Knocks on HBO Max is great to watch; this year’s show is focusing on the entire AFC North. Get to see some behind-the-scenes stuff, which is educational.
— Quarterbacks/receivers should get stat credit for interference penalties.
— UCLA fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy after the Bruins ranked 126th in scoring this year, 118th in yardage. Bieniemy gets paid $1.2M to go away.
Bieniemy worked for the Washington Commanders LY, after working with the Chiefs for ten years before that. Rumor was he didn’t get along well with Patrick Mahomes, but Kansas City won two Super Bowls while he was there.
UCLA replaces Bieniemy with Indiana OC/QB coach Tino Sunseri.
— Oklahoma State fired both coordinators after their 3-9 season, where they were 0-9 in Big X games. Problem is, OSU had gone to bowl games the previous 18 years, going 12-6 in the bowl games and suddenly, this year the assistants aren’t good enough?
Offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn has worked for the Cowboys since 2011; that had to be a tense/awkward conversation when he was told to take a hike.
— Famous birthdays, December 6th:
Larry Bowa, 79
Steven Wright, 69
Bill Hanzlik, 67
Lance Blankenship, 61
Sarah Rafferty, 52
Judd Apotow, 57
Kevin Cash, 47
Johnny Manziel, 32
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 30
— Penn State 81, Purdue 70
Nittany Lions led by 27 midway thru second half.
Purdue turned ball over 24 times in their conference opener.
— TCU 76, Xavier 72
Xavier led by 6 with 7:28 left in the game.
Horned Frogs put five guys in double figures, including two subs.
Xavier shot 63% inside the arc, only 9-28 outside arc.
— Detroit 79, Fort Wayne 78
Mastodons led Detroit by 8 with 8:51 left in game.
Titans shot 11-25 on the arc.
Detroit is 5-5 under new coach Montgomery; they were 1-31 last year.
— Oakland 66, Wright State 64
Wright State shot 16-31 on arc, but 6-20 inside arc, only 4-5 on foul line.
Oakland starts four seniors; they played non-conference schedule #8.
— Drake 66, Valparaiso 60
Drake is 8-0, with four starters who used to play D-2 ball.
Bulldogs are forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#27)
Drake already has three top 100 wins.
— Long Beach State 73, Fullerton 56
Long Beach gets its first win in nine D-I games.
Favored Titans were 1-13 on arc, 9-18 on foul line.
— Cal-Irvine 82, Bakersfield 66
Irvine was 33-40 on foul line, Bakersfield 17-19.
Anteaters are 9-0, with only two top 150 wins.
Six of Irvine’s eight I-A wins are by 12+ points.
Some teams who have played tough schedules so far…….
4) Auburn 7-1
5) San Diego State 5-2
6) Alabama 7-2
7) North Carolina 4-4
9) Baylor 5-3
10) Memphis 7-1
Quote of the Day
“It’s a really significant day for Las Vegas, for Nevada. There will be more of that. We’ll have the groundbreaking, we’re going to have a (stadium) topping off party and were going to have Opening Day. We’re going to have many years of Major League Baseball.”
Las Vegas Stadium Authority Chairman Steve Hill
Friday’s quiz
What year did the A’s move from Kansas City to Oakland?
Thursday’s quiz
Super Bowl III was the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, when the 18-point underdog Jets upset the Baltimore Colts, 16-7.
Wednesday’s quiz
Bill Cowher was coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers before Mike Tomlin.
***************************************
Friday’s Den: Wrapping up a busy Thursday……..
— Good day to be an A’s fan…….A’s relocation to Las Vegas cleared a major hurdle Thursday with the approval of three long-anticipated agreements that were needed before ballpark construction can begin.
A’s will play in Sacramento the next three years, hope to begin playing in a new stadium on the Las Vegas Strip in 2028.
Damn near choked on my lunch Thursday when I got a text saying the A’s signed P Luis Severino to a 3-year, $67M contract, the biggest contract the A’s have given out since 2004, when Eric Chavez got paid.
This past year, Severino was 11-7, 3.91 in 31 starts for the Mets, after previously pitching for eight years in the Bronx. His career record is 65-44, 3.81 in 156 starts.
— Lions 34, Packers 31
Lions drove 63 yards, kicked 35-yard FG at the gun.
Detroit won its last eleven games (8-3 ATS).
Goff threw for 283 yards, three TD’s.
Detroit was 7-15 on third down, 4-5 on 4th down.
Only 5 of Packers’ 44 plays were on 3rd down (1-5).
Green Bay’s first three drives: 10 plays, 46 yards, no points.
Green Bay rest of the game: 34 plays, 249 yards, 31 points.
Detroit led 17-7 at halftime.
Packers scored two TD’s in first 3:45 of third quarter.
GB is 17-7 ATS in last 24 games as a road underdog
— North Carolina has interviewed 72-year old Bill Belichick about their coaching job; while Belichick has won six Super Bowls, he’s never coached in college.
Tar Heels just fired 73-year old Mack Brown as coach, after going 23-16 the last three years.
Belichick’s son is defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies.
— If you like the NFL, Hard Knocks on HBO Max is great to watch; this year’s show is focusing on the entire AFC North. Get to see some behind-the-scenes stuff, which is educational.
— Quarterbacks/receivers should get stat credit for interference penalties.
— UCLA fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy after the Bruins ranked 126th in scoring this year, 118th in yardage. Bieniemy gets paid $1.2M to go away.
Bieniemy worked for the Washington Commanders LY, after working with the Chiefs for ten years before that. Rumor was he didn’t get along well with Patrick Mahomes, but Kansas City won two Super Bowls while he was there.
UCLA replaces Bieniemy with Indiana OC/QB coach Tino Sunseri.
— Oklahoma State fired both coordinators after their 3-9 season, where they were 0-9 in Big X games. Problem is, OSU had gone to bowl games the previous 18 years, going 12-6 in the bowl games and suddenly, this year the assistants aren’t good enough?
Offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn has worked for the Cowboys since 2011; that had to be a tense/awkward conversation when he was told to take a hike.
— Famous birthdays, December 6th:
Larry Bowa, 79
Steven Wright, 69
Bill Hanzlik, 67
Lance Blankenship, 61
Sarah Rafferty, 52
Judd Apotow, 57
Kevin Cash, 47
Johnny Manziel, 32
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 30
— Penn State 81, Purdue 70
Nittany Lions led by 27 midway thru second half.
Purdue turned ball over 24 times in their conference opener.
— TCU 76, Xavier 72
Xavier led by 6 with 7:28 left in the game.
Horned Frogs put five guys in double figures, including two subs.
Xavier shot 63% inside the arc, only 9-28 outside arc.
— Detroit 79, Fort Wayne 78
Mastodons led Detroit by 8 with 8:51 left in game.
Titans shot 11-25 on the arc.
Detroit is 5-5 under new coach Montgomery; they were 1-31 last year.
— Oakland 66, Wright State 64
Wright State shot 16-31 on arc, but 6-20 inside arc, only 4-5 on foul line.
Oakland starts four seniors; they played non-conference schedule #8.
— Drake 66, Valparaiso 60
Drake is 8-0, with four starters who used to play D-2 ball.
Bulldogs are forcing turnovers 22.4% of time (#27)
Drake already has three top 100 wins.
— Long Beach State 73, Fullerton 56
Long Beach gets its first win in nine D-I games.
Favored Titans were 1-13 on arc, 9-18 on foul line.
— Cal-Irvine 82, Bakersfield 66
Irvine was 33-40 on foul line, Bakersfield 17-19.
Anteaters are 9-0, with only two top 150 wins.
Six of Irvine’s eight I-A wins are by 12+ points.
NCAAF
Armadillo's Write-Up
Week 15
Friday’s games
C-USA championship game
Western Kentucky @ Jacksonville State (-5)
Western Kentucky (8-4, 6-2)
WKU is 1-2 in last three games, scoring 7-21-19 points.
WKU is 7-0 scoring 26+ points, 1-4 scoring less than 26.
Hilltoppers have 9 starters back on offense, 5 on defense
WKU has 91 starts back on offensive line.
Soph QB Veltkamp has 2,665 passing yards (22 TD’s, 10 INTs).
Hilltoppers are 3-2 ATS as an underdog this year.
WKU is 17-8-1 ATS in last 26 games as a road underdog.
WKU is 19-13-1 ATS in last 33 conference games.
Hilltoppers lost C-USA title game in 2021, won it in 2015, 2016.
WKU is 18-11-1 ATS in last 30 games coming off a win,
Under is 6-3 in their last nine games.
Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0)
Gamecocks are in C-USA title game in their 2nd year as a I-A team.
Jax State won eight of last nine games, after an 0-3 start.
Jax State has 5 starters back on offense, 4 on defense
Gamecocks have 67 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Huff played last two years at I-AA Furman.
Under Rodriguez, Gamecocks are 7-2 ATS as a home favorites.
In his career, Rodriguez is 37-42-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Rodriguez, Gamecocks are 14-5 ATS in conference games.
Jax State was +9 in turnovers the last nine games.
Under Rodriguez, Gamecocks are 4-2-1 ATS coming off a loss.
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Western Kentucky beat Jax State 19-17 at home last week.
WKU kicked a 50-yard FG with 0:03 left.
Hilltoppers (-7.5) lost 20-17 here last year.
Mountain West championship game
UNLV @ Boise State (-4)
UNLV (10-2, 6-1)
Rebels are 10-2, have a +14 turnover ratio.
UNLV are 6-0 SU/4-2 ATS on the road this year.
UNLV has 5 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Rebels have 79 starts returning on offensive line.
Senior QB Williams started 40 games at I-AA Campbell.
UNLV won last four games, running for 200+ yards in all four.
Under Odom, UNLV is 6-2 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Odom is 8-7 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Odom, UNLV is 9-7 ATS in conference games.
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Rebels are in MW title game for second year in a row.
Boise State (11-1, 8-0)
Broncos won last nine I-A games, after a 37-34 loss at Oregon.
Boise has run for 200+ yards in 8 of 11 I-A games.
Boise has 6 starters back on offense, all 11 on defense.
Broncos have 66 starts returning on the offensive line.
Soph QB Madsen has thrown for 2,556 yards, with 21 TD’s, 3 INTs
Broncos are 11-6 ATS in last 17 games as a home favorite.
Last 7 years, Broncos are 4-2 SU in MW title games.
Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Broncos are 15-9-2 ATS in last 26 conference games.
Boise is 15-25-2 ATS in last 42 games coming off a win.
Boise (-2.5) beat UNLV 44-20 in this game last year.
Boise (-4) won 29-24 at UNLV October 26
Broncos won last seven series games (4-1 ATS in last five)
UNLV lost but covered its last two visits to Boise.
AAC championship game
Tulane (-5) @ Army
Tulane (9-3, 7-1)
Green Wave won 8 its last 9 games, losing to Memphis LW.
Tulane was held to 27-19-24 points in its three losses.
Tulane’s last three wins were by a combined 121-9.
Green Wave has 8 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Green Wave has 143 returning starts on offensive line.
Redshirt frosh QB Mensah has thrown for 2,514 yards, 20 TD’s.
Tulane is 5-0 ATS as a road favorite this year.
Tulane is 10-2 ATS in last 12 games as a road favorite.
Green Wave is 31-18-1 ATS in last 50 conference games.
New coach Sumrall is 11-0 ATS overall as a road favorite.
Tulane is 20-13 ATS in last 33 games coming off a win.
Over is 7-4 in their I-A games.
Tulane split the last two AAC title games, with a different coach.
Army (10-1, 8-0)
Army’s only loss was 49-14 to Notre Dame on a neutral field.
Army has run ball for 200+ yards in every game this year.
Army has 8 starters back on offense, 3 on defense
Black Knights have 85 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Daily started 10 games last year.
This is Army’s first season in the AAC.
Army is 4-6-1 ATS last 11 games as an underdog.
Army is 12-4-1 ATS in last 17 games coming off a win.
In his career, Monken is 5-8 ATS as a home underdog.
Under is 3-1 in their last four games.
Weird thing: Army plays Navy next week.
These teams haven’t met since 2020.
Underdogs are 3-2 ATS in last five AAC title games.
Armadillo's Write-Up
Week 15
Friday’s games
C-USA championship game
Western Kentucky @ Jacksonville State (-5)
Western Kentucky (8-4, 6-2)
WKU is 1-2 in last three games, scoring 7-21-19 points.
WKU is 7-0 scoring 26+ points, 1-4 scoring less than 26.
Hilltoppers have 9 starters back on offense, 5 on defense
WKU has 91 starts back on offensive line.
Soph QB Veltkamp has 2,665 passing yards (22 TD’s, 10 INTs).
Hilltoppers are 3-2 ATS as an underdog this year.
WKU is 17-8-1 ATS in last 26 games as a road underdog.
WKU is 19-13-1 ATS in last 33 conference games.
Hilltoppers lost C-USA title game in 2021, won it in 2015, 2016.
WKU is 18-11-1 ATS in last 30 games coming off a win,
Under is 6-3 in their last nine games.
Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0)
Gamecocks are in C-USA title game in their 2nd year as a I-A team.
Jax State won eight of last nine games, after an 0-3 start.
Jax State has 5 starters back on offense, 4 on defense
Gamecocks have 67 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Huff played last two years at I-AA Furman.
Under Rodriguez, Gamecocks are 7-2 ATS as a home favorites.
In his career, Rodriguez is 37-42-2 ATS as a home favorite.
Under Rodriguez, Gamecocks are 14-5 ATS in conference games.
Jax State was +9 in turnovers the last nine games.
Under Rodriguez, Gamecocks are 4-2-1 ATS coming off a loss.
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Western Kentucky beat Jax State 19-17 at home last week.
WKU kicked a 50-yard FG with 0:03 left.
Hilltoppers (-7.5) lost 20-17 here last year.
Mountain West championship game
UNLV @ Boise State (-4)
UNLV (10-2, 6-1)
Rebels are 10-2, have a +14 turnover ratio.
UNLV are 6-0 SU/4-2 ATS on the road this year.
UNLV has 5 starters back on offense, 6 on defense.
Rebels have 79 starts returning on offensive line.
Senior QB Williams started 40 games at I-AA Campbell.
UNLV won last four games, running for 200+ yards in all four.
Under Odom, UNLV is 6-2 ATS as an underdog.
In his career, Odom is 8-7 ATS as a road underdog.
Under Odom, UNLV is 9-7 ATS in conference games.
Under is 4-2 in their last six games.
Rebels are in MW title game for second year in a row.
Boise State (11-1, 8-0)
Broncos won last nine I-A games, after a 37-34 loss at Oregon.
Boise has run for 200+ yards in 8 of 11 I-A games.
Boise has 6 starters back on offense, all 11 on defense.
Broncos have 66 starts returning on the offensive line.
Soph QB Madsen has thrown for 2,556 yards, with 21 TD’s, 3 INTs
Broncos are 11-6 ATS in last 17 games as a home favorite.
Last 7 years, Broncos are 4-2 SU in MW title games.
Under is 5-2 in their last seven games.
Broncos are 15-9-2 ATS in last 26 conference games.
Boise is 15-25-2 ATS in last 42 games coming off a win.
Boise (-2.5) beat UNLV 44-20 in this game last year.
Boise (-4) won 29-24 at UNLV October 26
Broncos won last seven series games (4-1 ATS in last five)
UNLV lost but covered its last two visits to Boise.
AAC championship game
Tulane (-5) @ Army
Tulane (9-3, 7-1)
Green Wave won 8 its last 9 games, losing to Memphis LW.
Tulane was held to 27-19-24 points in its three losses.
Tulane’s last three wins were by a combined 121-9.
Green Wave has 8 starters back on offense, 7 on defense.
Green Wave has 143 returning starts on offensive line.
Redshirt frosh QB Mensah has thrown for 2,514 yards, 20 TD’s.
Tulane is 5-0 ATS as a road favorite this year.
Tulane is 10-2 ATS in last 12 games as a road favorite.
Green Wave is 31-18-1 ATS in last 50 conference games.
New coach Sumrall is 11-0 ATS overall as a road favorite.
Tulane is 20-13 ATS in last 33 games coming off a win.
Over is 7-4 in their I-A games.
Tulane split the last two AAC title games, with a different coach.
Army (10-1, 8-0)
Army’s only loss was 49-14 to Notre Dame on a neutral field.
Army has run ball for 200+ yards in every game this year.
Army has 8 starters back on offense, 3 on defense
Black Knights have 85 starts back on offensive line.
Senior QB Daily started 10 games last year.
This is Army’s first season in the AAC.
Army is 4-6-1 ATS last 11 games as an underdog.
Army is 12-4-1 ATS in last 17 games coming off a win.
In his career, Monken is 5-8 ATS as a home underdog.
Under is 3-1 in their last four games.
Weird thing: Army plays Navy next week.
These teams haven’t met since 2020.
Underdogs are 3-2 ATS in last five AAC title games.
NCAAFB BEST BETS THRU CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK AND BOWL GAMES !
12/06/2024.....................4 - 2 - 0.......................66.66%.....................+ 9.00
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS.....,,,,,146- 147 - 0........................49.82%............................- 78.50
12/06/2024.....................4 - 2 - 0.......................66.66%.....................+ 9.00
*************************************************************************************
AUG- SEPT TOTALS............119 - 95 - 3..........................55.60%............................+ 75.20
OCTOBER TOTALS................61 - 64 - 3..........................48.80%............................- 42.00
NOVEMBER TOTALS.....,,,,,146- 147 - 0........................49.82%............................- 78.50
Saturday’s 6-pack:
Teams getting the highest % of their points on 3-pointers:
51%— North Dakota State
46.2%— North Florida
45.2%— Tennessee Tech
44.6%— Furman
44.2%— DePaul
44.1%— Akron
Quote of the Day
“We wanted to make something of a statement coming into a new city and coming into a new ballpark. But more than that, to improve on what we have. Signing someone with Luis’ experience to be a leader was important to us.”
A’s general manager David Forst, after signing P Luis Severino
Saturday’s quiz
What city hosts the Holiday Bowl every year?
Friday’s quiz
A’s moved from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968.
Thursday’s quiz
Super Bowl III was the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, when the 18-point underdog Jets upset the Baltimore Colts, 16-7.
****************************************
— P Clay Holmes signed with the Mets for three years, $38M; he’s going to start for the Mets, after making 300 relief appearances over the last six seasons. He did start four games for the Pirates in 2018.
— Dodgers star 1B Freddie Freeman had surgery on his right ankle Thursday, is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. Freeman hit .282 last year with 89 RBI and an .854 OPS; he hit .250 in LA’s postseason games, when he was hampered by the ankle injury.
— The St. Petersburg City Council voted to approve bonds necessary to finance a new $1.3B stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, which could open in 2028.
The Rays have said it was impossible to play at the Trop next year and maybe not until 2026, because of the damage from a tropical storm in October.
— C Kyle Higashioka signed a 2-year deal with the Texas Rangers for $13.5M; the 34-year old catcher hit 17 homers in 263 plate appearances for San Diego last year.
— It turns out that referee Bill Vinovich worked four college basketball games in four nights in Palm Springs last week, then worked the Cardinals-Vikings game in Minnesota Sunday.
Thursday night, Vinovich worked the Cal-San Diego-Santa Barbara basketball game in the Thunderdome.
— Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka was fined $50,000 by the NBA for his actions during Tuesday’s loss to Sacramento.
He was fined for confronting and directing profane language toward a game official, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected, and public criticism of the officiating.
“Missed calls, blatant missed calls right in front of you. You’re calling ticky-tack moving screens, little s— like that, but you don’t want to call the obvious ones right in front of you. That was it. Thought [Sengun] got fouled a few times on that drive and on the layup and they don’t want to call it. So I told him to get some f—ing glasses and open your eyes.”
Alrighty then.
— Famous birthdays, December 7th:
Ellen Burstyn, 92
Johnny Bench, 77
Larry Bird, 68
C Thomas Howell, 58
Eric Chavez, 47
Ryan Theriot, 45
Jake McQuaide, 37
Kyle Hendricks, 35
Yasiel Puig, 34
Pete Alonso, 30
— There were three college football conference title games Friday:
Jacksonville State 52, Western Kentucky 12
Gamecocks win C-USA in their second year as a I-A team.
Jax State won nine of last ten games, after an 0-3 start.
Gamecocks ran for 386 yards, outgained the Hilltoppers, 562-229.
Back in 1985, Rams won NFC West with QB Dieter Brock, who played most of his career in the CFL. Dieter Brock played his college ball at Jacksonville State.
— Boise State 21, UNLV 7
Last eight years, Broncos are 6-2 SU in MW title games.
UNLV ran for 217 yards; they had an 87-yard run, but didn’t score on that drive.
— Army 35, Tulane 14
Army wins the AAC in their first season in the league.
Cadets ran ball for 335 yards; they were 4-9 on 3rd down, 4-5 on 4th down.
Army scored 35 points while throwing two passes the whole game.
— Northwestern 70, Illinois 66 OT
Illinois loses its Big 18 opener, slips to 7-2, 1-2 against top 100 teams.
Wildcats’ last four games were all decided by 5 or fewer points.
— West Virginia 73, Georgetown 60
Hoyas led 30-28 at halftime.
Senior G Small scored 26 for West Virginia, which is 6-2, 3-2 vs top 100 teams.
— Niagara 69, Siena 68
Niagara outscored Saints 6-2 over the final 2:12
Purple Eagles were 17-20 on foul line, Siena 9-14.
— Oklahoma State wants football coach Mike Gundy to re-do his contract so that he makes less $$$, then use the money he gives back to help fund their NIL program.
There will be lawyers.
— In the movie Moneyball, when they make such a big thing about trading 1B Carlos Pena, Pena was hitting .218 when he got traded to Detroit. He wound up having a 14-year career with eight different teams, he hit 286 home runs with a career OPS of .808.
John Mabry hit .275 with 11 homers for the A’s that year, stepping in at 1B For Pena.
Teams getting the highest % of their points on 3-pointers:
51%— North Dakota State
46.2%— North Florida
45.2%— Tennessee Tech
44.6%— Furman
44.2%— DePaul
44.1%— Akron
Quote of the Day
“We wanted to make something of a statement coming into a new city and coming into a new ballpark. But more than that, to improve on what we have. Signing someone with Luis’ experience to be a leader was important to us.”
A’s general manager David Forst, after signing P Luis Severino
Saturday’s quiz
What city hosts the Holiday Bowl every year?
Friday’s quiz
A’s moved from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968.
Thursday’s quiz
Super Bowl III was the biggest upset in Super Bowl history, when the 18-point underdog Jets upset the Baltimore Colts, 16-7.
****************************************
Saturday’s Den: Random stuff with the weekend here……..
— P Shane Bieber re-signed with the Cleveland Guardians, for one year, $10M, with a $4M buyout if they don’t keep him after 2025.— P Clay Holmes signed with the Mets for three years, $38M; he’s going to start for the Mets, after making 300 relief appearances over the last six seasons. He did start four games for the Pirates in 2018.
— Dodgers star 1B Freddie Freeman had surgery on his right ankle Thursday, is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. Freeman hit .282 last year with 89 RBI and an .854 OPS; he hit .250 in LA’s postseason games, when he was hampered by the ankle injury.
— The St. Petersburg City Council voted to approve bonds necessary to finance a new $1.3B stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, which could open in 2028.
The Rays have said it was impossible to play at the Trop next year and maybe not until 2026, because of the damage from a tropical storm in October.
— C Kyle Higashioka signed a 2-year deal with the Texas Rangers for $13.5M; the 34-year old catcher hit 17 homers in 263 plate appearances for San Diego last year.
— It turns out that referee Bill Vinovich worked four college basketball games in four nights in Palm Springs last week, then worked the Cardinals-Vikings game in Minnesota Sunday.
Thursday night, Vinovich worked the Cal-San Diego-Santa Barbara basketball game in the Thunderdome.
— Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka was fined $50,000 by the NBA for his actions during Tuesday’s loss to Sacramento.
He was fined for confronting and directing profane language toward a game official, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected, and public criticism of the officiating.
“Missed calls, blatant missed calls right in front of you. You’re calling ticky-tack moving screens, little s— like that, but you don’t want to call the obvious ones right in front of you. That was it. Thought [Sengun] got fouled a few times on that drive and on the layup and they don’t want to call it. So I told him to get some f—ing glasses and open your eyes.”
Alrighty then.
— Famous birthdays, December 7th:
Ellen Burstyn, 92
Johnny Bench, 77
Larry Bird, 68
C Thomas Howell, 58
Eric Chavez, 47
Ryan Theriot, 45
Jake McQuaide, 37
Kyle Hendricks, 35
Yasiel Puig, 34
Pete Alonso, 30
— There were three college football conference title games Friday:
Jacksonville State 52, Western Kentucky 12
Gamecocks win C-USA in their second year as a I-A team.
Jax State won nine of last ten games, after an 0-3 start.
Gamecocks ran for 386 yards, outgained the Hilltoppers, 562-229.
Back in 1985, Rams won NFC West with QB Dieter Brock, who played most of his career in the CFL. Dieter Brock played his college ball at Jacksonville State.
— Boise State 21, UNLV 7
Last eight years, Broncos are 6-2 SU in MW title games.
UNLV ran for 217 yards; they had an 87-yard run, but didn’t score on that drive.
— Army 35, Tulane 14
Army wins the AAC in their first season in the league.
Cadets ran ball for 335 yards; they were 4-9 on 3rd down, 4-5 on 4th down.
Army scored 35 points while throwing two passes the whole game.
— Northwestern 70, Illinois 66 OT
Illinois loses its Big 18 opener, slips to 7-2, 1-2 against top 100 teams.
Wildcats’ last four games were all decided by 5 or fewer points.
— West Virginia 73, Georgetown 60
Hoyas led 30-28 at halftime.
Senior G Small scored 26 for West Virginia, which is 6-2, 3-2 vs top 100 teams.
— Niagara 69, Siena 68
Niagara outscored Saints 6-2 over the final 2:12
Purple Eagles were 17-20 on foul line, Siena 9-14.
— Oklahoma State wants football coach Mike Gundy to re-do his contract so that he makes less $$$, then use the money he gives back to help fund their NIL program.
There will be lawyers.
— In the movie Moneyball, when they make such a big thing about trading 1B Carlos Pena, Pena was hitting .218 when he got traded to Detroit. He wound up having a 14-year career with eight different teams, he hit 286 home runs with a career OPS of .808.
John Mabry hit .275 with 11 homers for the A’s that year, stepping in at 1B For Pena.
