Newsletters

[Giant419]

Here’s what is in...


Confidential Kick-Off
11* (4-5)
10* (18-23)
o/u (7-10)

Gridiron Gold Sheet
NCAA Best Bets (27-23-2)
NFL Best Bets (9-7-0) (partial record)

Marc Lawrence Playbook NCAA
5* (4-5-1) Oklahoma
4* (3-7) Tcu
3* (6-4) Minnesota
Upset pick (6-4) UAB
Betcha Didn't Know (5-9) Cincinnati (NFL)
Awesome Angle (4-5-1) Minnesota (NCAA)
Incredible Stat (4-5) UAB

Marc Lawrence Playbook NFL
5* (4-4-1) Pittsburgh
4* (2-7) Buffalo
3* (3-6) LAC

Pointwise NCAA
1* (7-12) Air Force, Kansas St
2* (3-7) Ohio St
3* (3-7) Wazzu
4* (11-9) BC, Texas Tech
5* (14-6) Illinois, Clemson

Pointwise NFL
3* (5-4) Baltimore
4* (12-6) NO, KC
5* (8-9-1) Arizona, Miami

Power Sweep NCAA
4* (6-3) South Carolina
3* (9-11) FAU, Baylor
2* (12-8) USC, San Jose St
Underdog Play of the Week (4-6) UAB
Tech Play of the Week (3-6) Ohio St
Revenge Play of the Week (4-6)
Situational Play of the Week (3-2) Texas
Series Play of the Week (5-1) Tennessee

Power Sweep NFL
4* (5-4) Chicago
3* (5-4) Buffalo
2* (6-3) Miami
NFL System play (6-4) Atl/NO OVER
4* Pro Angle (5-4) NO
3* o/u play (6-3) Balt/Cincy UNDER

Powers' Picks NCAA
3* (7-7-1) BYU, South Carolina
2* (16-16-1) Duke, Stanford, Boise St

Powers' Picks NFL
3* (4-5) Minnesota
2* (12-6) Buffalo, Atlanta

Sports Reporter
NCAA Super Best Bets (0-1)
NCAA Best Bets (20-14) UCF, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Fresno St
NFL Super Best Bets (0-0)
NFL Best Bets (12-7) Carolina, Indy

Red Sheet
90* (1-0)
89* (7-12) Clemson, Air Force
88* (22-17-1) Minnesota (NCAA), Stanford, Washington (NCAA), Pittsburgh (NFL)

Winning Points
NCAA 4* (3-7) Tennessee
NCAA 3* (7-3) Stanford
NFL 4* (4-5) Carolina
NFL 3* (5-4) Buffalo

Killer Sports, not including teasers
MTI 5* (2-1)
MTI 4.5* (4-2) Buffalo, Falcons/Saints UNDER 51.5
MTI 4* (5-4)
MTI 3* (0-0)
SBB 4.5* (0-3-1)
SBB 4* (7-7) Atlanta, Rams/Steelers UNDER
Cajun NCAA (8-3) Iowa
Pick 60 Play of the Week (4-4) Carolina

Victor Kings's Totals Tipsheet
3* (6-5) Bucs/Cardinals UNDER
2* (10-7) Falcons/Saints UNDER, Lions/Bears UNDER
Team Total of the Week (7-2) Bengals UNDER 17.5

Power Plays
NCAA 4.5* (9-7)
NCAA 4* (15-18-1)
NFL 4* (7-2)

Gold Sheet
NCAA Key Releases (17-20-3) Minnesota, Stanford, Kansas St, Georgia St
NFL Key Releases (16-11) KC, Pitt, Seattle
Tech Play (6-4) San Jose St

 

[WebeBad]

Is Victor King's 2* pick of Under Cincinnati a college or an NFL selection? Thanks for taking the time to letting us all know.

 

[BuzzKill]

Is Victor King's 2* pick of Under Cincinnati a college or an NFL selection? Thanks for taking the time to letting us all know.

Victor King is on the UNDER Cincinnati Bengals. Selections in CAPITALS are all NFL plays We Be Bad.

I see Victor is number 2 in the contest with 21 points. The leader, JH-Sportsline, has 22 points in the Playbook Wise Guys Contest.

 

[BuzzKill]

Newsletters:
Gaming Today November 6-12
Killer Sports
Marc Lawrence's Playbook
Playbook Midweek Alert
Victor King's NFL Totals Tipsheet
Playbook Wise Guys Contest
Phil Steele's Inside the Pressbox - College
Phil Steele's Inside the Pressbox - Thursday NFL
Powers' Picks
Pointwise
Red Sheet
Sports Reporter
Winning Points
Power Sweep
Gold Sheet
VSiN 2019-20 College Basketball Betting Guide

Records:
2019 Newsletter college records by week
2019 YTD Newsletter records
2018 Newsletter records
2017 Newsletter records
2016 Newsletter records
2018 Wise Guys Contest Final Results
2017 Wise Guys Contest Final Report

Football Podcasts:
Marc Lawrence's November 6 Podcast with Victor King - Against the Spread
Phil Steele
VSiN
Stanford Steve & The Bear
PigSkin Junkies

 

[Mrqball38]

<dl class="userinfo_extra" style="margin: 5px 0px; float: left; width: 180px; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 1em; height: auto !important;"><dd style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">
</dd><dd style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">
</dd></dl>

Originally Posted by Mrqball38
Buzz what about the GoldSheet tech plays newsletter.



I haven't seen that in awhile.



Thanks for the reply Buzz!​

 

[pswildcat]

VSIN Point Spread Weekly

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q-bpd

 

[BuzzKill]

Thanks!

VSiN Point Spread Weekly

 

[BuzzKill]

VSIN Point Spread Weekly

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Q-bpd

Congratulations pswildcat! Your first post at the Rx, welcome aboard:

 

[pswildcat]

Thanks Buzz, thanks for all that you do.

 

[XENO]

Buzz any Gaming Today thx

 

[BuzzKill]

Newsletters:
Gaming Today November 6-12
VSiN Point Spread Weekly
Killer Sports
Marc Lawrence's Playbook
Playbook Midweek Alert
Victor King's NFL Totals Tipsheet
Playbook Wise Guys Contest
Phil Steele's Inside the Pressbox - College
Phil Steele's Inside the Pressbox - Thursday NFL
Powers' Picks
Pointwise
Red Sheet
Sports Reporter
Winning Points
Power Sweep
Gold Sheet
VSiN 2019-20 College Basketball Betting Guide

Records:
2019 Newsletter college records by week
2019 YTD Newsletter records
2018 Newsletter records
2017 Newsletter records
2016 Newsletter records
2018 Wise Guys Contest Final Results
2017 Wise Guys Contest Final Report

Football Podcasts:
Marc Lawrence's November 6 Podcast with Victor King - Against the Spread
Phil Steele
VSiN
Stanford Steve & The Bear
PigSkin Junkies

 

[sportsm60]

Thanks for the newsletters Buzz. VSiN 2019-20 College Basketball Betting Guide . Really helpful in the early going.

 

[dtmad]

For those of you following the Wise Guy Contest, note that the guy with the 10-6 record is 10-8.

 

[BuzzKill]

Confidential Kick-Off

 

[DGMagee]

thanks so much!

 

[Bruno2]

Northcoast Power Plays? Thanks in advance

 

[BuzzKill]

Killer Sports November 8 The Hardwood Digest

 

[bpoint]

One million thanks for all you do, Buzz!

 

[Giant419]

<header class="article-header" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 640px; margin: 0px auto 20px; position: relative; z-index: 1000035;">[h=1]Updated with more Bear picks. Sorry on my phone so poor formatting.

Stanford Steve and The Bear: Week 11 college football picks, bets, nuggets[/h]</header><figure data-video="native,640,360,28022925,url-https://once.unicornmedia.com/now/od/auto/4d993388-8b49-4f34-9e48-87906e690281/85957be9-026a-415e-a8ce-7bfdc19d5e23/253805c2-cef3-45cc-879d-56d4ac99a7b0/content.once?UMADPARAMreferer=http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=28022925,poster-https://media.video-cdn.espn.com/motion/2019/1106/dm_191106_ncf_marty_smith_lsu_bama/dm_191106_ncf_marty_smith_lsu_bama.jpg" data-cerebro-id="5dc3368abe6ab36ed6091cbb" class="iframe-video article-figure video" data-video-mobile-bloom="true" data-source="espn" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0; margin: 0px -20px 18px; position: relative; clear: both; overflow: hidden; width: inherit; max-width: none;">
<source srcset="https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fmedia%2Fmotion%2F2019%2F1106%2Fdm_191106_ncf_marty_smith_lsu_bama%2Fdm_191106_ncf_marty_smith_lsu_bama.jpg&w=943&h=530&cquality=80&format=jpg" media="(min-width: 376px)" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><source srcset="https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fmedia%2Fmotion%2F2019%2F1106%2Fdm_191106_ncf_marty_smith_lsu_bama%2Fdm_191106_ncf_marty_smith_lsu_bama.jpg&w=375&cquality=80, https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?i...ith_lsu_bama.jpg&w=750&cquality=40&format=jpg 2x" media="(max-width: 375px)" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img class="null imageLoaded lazyloaded" data-image-container=".article-figure" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; width: 375px; height: auto; left: 0px; top: 0px; display: block; position: absolute;"></picture>play
<figcaption style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; background-image: linear-gradient(transparent, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098)); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 54px 0px 18px; position: absolute; right: 0px; z-index: 1000030; pointer-events: none;">Burrow, LSU motivated for SEC showdown of incredible magnitude (1:55)

Nov 7, 2019

• Chris Fallica
  
• Steve Coughlin
  What's in store for this week in college football?
  <aside class="inline float-r inline-track" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 247px; border-width: 1px 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 15px 0px; width: 335px;">[h=1]Stanford Steve & The Bear podcast[/h]
  
  The first CFP rankings are out and the guys take a look at that before getting into this week's games, including Bama-LSU and Minnesota-Penn State. Listen!
  </aside>"Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris "The Bear" Fallica break down Week 11 of the season as only they can, offering their top bets, nuggets, games to stay away from and a special money-line underdog parlay to jump on.
  With the season in full swing, the guys are ready to continue their prognostications. Here we go with Week 11 picks.<iframe class="teads-resize" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 335px; height: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; border-style: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; display: block !important;"></iframe>
  
  ADVERTISEMENT​
  <iframe allow="autoplay" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 335px !important; height: 189px !important; border-width: 0px !important; overflow: hidden !important; float: none !important; max-height: 189px !important;"></iframe>
  
  
  

  ---

  [h=2]The plays[/h][h=3]Stanford Steve (3-2 last week, 27-22-2 overall)[/h][h=3]The Bear (1-3 last week, 22-20-1 overall)[/h]

  ---

  
  
  
  Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Virginia Cavaliers (-16, 46)
  The Bear: The Yellow Jackets have improved throughout the year, especially over the past couple of weeks -- on the defensive side of the football -- against Pitt and Miami, but the offense isn't up to speed yet. Virginia got a brilliant game from Bryce Perkins in the win at North Carolina, but I can see a bit of a slow start in an early kickoff for the Cavaliers, who are two wins away from a berth in the ACC title game. Virginia has five games with multiple turnovers, and half of the turnovers that the Cavaliers have forced this season came in one game, against Duke. Virginia has struggled against the run recently too, so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Jackets hang around here after the Cavs posted a season high in yards and a turnover-free game last week.
  Pick: Georgia Tech +16
  <offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>
  
  
  
  
  UAB Blazers at Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (-4.5, 50.5)
  <aside class="inline editorial float-r" data-behavior="article_related" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 316px; border-width: 1px 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 15px 0px; width: 335px;">[h=1]EDITOR'S PICKS[/h]
  
  • [h=2]Best bets for Week 11 college football games[/h]
  • [h=2]Why FPI thinks there is futures value in Ohio State[/h]
  • [h=2]Projecting Bama-LSU, Minnesota-Penn St. and more[/h]
  The Bear: I don't get the line move here at all. Our FPI numbers have Southern Miss by about nine here. Also factor in an off week last week for the Golden Eagles -- allowing some injuries to running backs to heal -- and it likely would help some red zone issues they've had. UAB was blown out by Tennessee and likely lost QB Tyler Johnston III in the process, adding to the list of Blazer injuries. UAB has played the worst schedule in the FBS, and on the road here versus a team that has lost to Alabama, at Mississippi State and at Louisiana Tech, the Blazers might be up against it.
  Pick: Southern Miss -4.5
  
  
  
  
  Temple Owls (-2, 49) at South Florida Bulls
  The Bear: Our numbers have South Florida as about a 4-point favorite here. Give the Bulls credit; sitting at 1-3 and looking like the season was headed downhill, they rolled off three wins in four games to keep hope alive for a bowl game. But a win here is a must, as they will have to pull upsets of Cincinnati, Memphis or UCF, as well, to get there. Temple could use a win after consecutive blowout losses to SMU and UCF, but the Owls didn't stop the run at all in those games, and USF has run the ball very well as of late.
  Pick: South Florida +2
  
  
  
  
  [h=3]LSU Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide (-6, 63.5)[/h]The Bear I figured I would talk myself onto Alabama by Saturday and indeed I have. Despite the trends and recent struggles when Alabama lays less than 7 points, I can't resist taking the most talent-rich roster in the country, which has been hearing about how LSU and Joe Burrow will come into Tuscaloosa and put a number on the Tide. Alabama has controlled the trenches in the series lately and I sense will use that offensive line to help its defense here. And it's still an LSU team that's scored just 26 points in the last 4 meetings with Bama. Some bets you just have to be willing to lose and this is one of them.
  Pick: Alabama -6
  
  
  
  
  [h=3]Illinois Fighting Illiniat Michigan State Spartans (-14.5, 45.5)[/h]The Bear Yes I know Michigan State has been terrible as a double-digit favorite. And yes I know the Spartan offense has struggled mightily vs Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin - and will be shorthanded this week too. But aren't we overvaluing Illinois here just a bit? The Illini have underdog with fleas written all over them off wins over Rutgers, a shorthanded Purdue team and the semi-miracle win over Wisconsin. Could the Illini win or at the very least cover, sure? But I've gone from staying away from this one to being on the home favorite
  Pick: Michigan State -14.5
  
  
  
  
  [h=3]Penn State Nittany Lions (-6.5, 47.5) at Minnesota Golden Gophers[/h]The Bear There haven't been very many Minnesota backers this week, but I'm gonna bite. Everyone just wants to focus on the negatives with Minnesota - all the backup QBs they have faced, all the comebacks vs inferior teams, all the poor Big Ten opponents. How about we focus on the fact the Gophers have two very good WR, a big offensive line, a deep group of RB and are feeling totally disrespected. I like Penn State, but this is still a team which has been outgained by 4 of 7 FBS opponents, struggled to put up 300 yards each of the last three weeks and get can very conservative on offense. I would expect at the very least a very competitive effort from Minnesota.
  Pick: Minnesota +6.5
  
  
  
  
  [h=3]Florida State Seminoles at Boston College Eagles (-2.5, 64)[/h]The Bear: After losing to its rival, seeing its head coach fired, being called out and losing its best DL, what better time to hop on the FSU bus? BC's defense is not very good and Cam Akers should run wild against a team that's allowed 48 on this field to Kansas.
  Pick: FSU +2.5
  
  
  
  
  Baylor Bears (-2, 47.5) at TCU Horned Frogs
  The Bear: I'm going back in on a TCU game after losing with the Horned Frogs last week. History says 8-0 or better teams on the road favored by a field goal or less against an unranked team fare pretty well (see Bear Bytes below). And I would expect Baylor to play a much sharper game than it did last week against West Virginia, despite the looming showdown with Oklahoma next week. The expectation is that TCU quarterback Max Duggan will play after being injured last week, but I would expect him to be shy of 100 percent. And if he can't go or reinjures himself, the TCU QB situation gets even muddier. After two earlier wins this year by a field goal or less, Baylor bounced back immediately to post a pair of 17-plus-point wins. It might not be a 17-point win, but Matt Rhule should have his team ready to go on Saturday.
  Pick: Baylor -2
  <aside class="inline float-r inline-track" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 319px; border-width: 1px 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 221, 223); clear: both; margin: 6px 0px 18px; padding: 15px 0px; width: 335px;">[h=1]Daily Wager[/h]
  
  A daily sports betting news and information show (6-7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) that aims to better serve the millions of sports fans who participate in sports wagering and help educate general sports fans with in-depth analysis. Watch »
  </aside>Stanford Steve: Watching the end of TCU's loss last week, I noticed Duggan went down with an awful-looking injury to his throwing hand, so his status is unknown. His backup, Mike Collins, also was injured in the last couple of minutes. The Frogs also had another QB transfer this week. So, if Duggan does play, I don't expect him to be 100 percent. I was on Baylor last week, and the Bears put forth their worst effort of the year and were fortunate to beat West Virginia, not even coming close to covering the 17.5 points they were favored by. I think the Bears, with the extra days of prep after playing on a Thursday night, will be ready for this road test. I'll lay the points with the road favorite.
  Pick: Baylor -2. Baylor 27, TCU 17.
  
  
  
  
  Louisville Cardinalsat Miami Hurricanes(-6.5, 48)
  Stanford Steve: Just really like the situation here. Louisville is off a bye with a head coach who I trust a lot. "The U" is coming off an impressive win over rival Florida State in Tallahassee. Letdown spot for Miami? I think so.
  Pick: Louisville +6.5. Miami 24, Louisville 23.
  
  
  
  
  Tennessee Volunteers at Kentucky Wildcats(PK, 42)
  Stanford Steve: The Vols come in off two wins in which they scored a combined 71 points. The Wildcats are off a bye and will bring a ferocious defense, along with a seriously hostile atmosphere. Plus, if Mark Stoops really wants the Florida State job, a win here would help that cause immensely.
  Pick: Kentucky PK. Kentucky 21, Tennessee 17.
  
  
  
  
  Wyoming Cowboys at Boise State Broncos(-12, 48)
  Stanford Steve: The Cowboys head to the "Smurf Turf" a week after losing starting QB Sean Chambers. I don't like the matchup for the Pokes here. I will provide you some useless information though. Broncos head coach Bryan Harsin allowed freshman QB Hank Bachmeierto meet with the media for the first time this week. Not one question asked of him was about this game.
  Pick: Boise State -12. Boise State 31, Wyoming 14.
  
  
  [h=2]The Bear's money-line parlay of the week[/h]Six-team favorite ML parlay. Based on current Caesars odds, $100 returns $80.03.
  BYU -900
  SMU -2000
  Wisconsin -400
  San Diego State -1100
  UCF -850
  Clemson -8000
  

  ---

  [h=2]The Bear's underdogs to play on money lines, parlays, round robins[/h]South Florida +105
  Florida State +110
  Louisville +205
  Duke +265
  Wyoming +400
  

  ---

  [h=3]Stanford Steve's four-team, 14-point teaser[/h]I'm not sure I want to take the favorites and the over separately, so we have this:
  Clemson Tigers (-31.5, 53.5) at NC State Wolfpack
  You think Dabo Swinney will have his team's attention after the College Football Playoff rankings released earlier this week had the Tigers at No. 5? It's the first time since 2014 that they haven't been in top four. The team that always finds a way to punch in a score late might just try to make sure they punch in a couple of more.
  Prediction: Clemson 51, NC State 10.
  UMass Minutemen at Army Black Knights (-34, 62.5)
  Just because.
  Prediction: Army 51, UMass 14.
  Pick: Clemson -17.5 and over 39.5, Army -20 and over 48.5.
  

  ---

  [h=2]Stay-away games[/h][h=3]The Bear[/h]
  
  
  
  Purdue Boilermakersat Northwestern Wildcats (-2.5, 39.5)
  I strongly suggest watching what could be an offensive masterpiece of a game. But I highly advise not wagering on it.
  
  
  
  
  Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Arkansas Razorbacks(-1.5, 52.5)
  You deserve whatever you get for getting involved here.
  [h=3]Stanford Steve[/h]
  
  
  
  Texas Tech Red Raiders (-2.5, 60) at West Virginia Mountaineers
  Lubbock at Morgantown? No thanks.
  </aside>

</figcaption></figure>

 

[Giant419]

Stanford Steve and The Bear: Week 11 college football picks, bets, nuggets
play
Burrow, LSU motivated for SEC showdown of incredible magnitude (1:55)
Facebook
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Nov 7, 2019
Chris FallicaSteve Coughlin
What's in store for this week in college football?

Stanford Steve & The Bear podcast

The first CFP rankings are out and the guys take a look at that before getting into this week's games, including Bama-LSU and Minnesota-Penn State. Listen!
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris "The Bear" Fallica break down Week 11 of the season as only they can, offering their top bets, nuggets, games to stay away from and a special money-line underdog parlay to jump on.

With the season in full swing, the guys are ready to continue their prognostications. Here we go with Week 11 picks.

ADVERTISEMENT

The plays

Stanford Steve (3-2 last week, 27-22-2 overall)

The Bear (1-3 last week, 22-20-1 overall)


Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Virginia Cavaliers (-16, 46)

The Bear: The Yellow Jackets have improved throughout the year, especially over the past couple of weeks -- on the defensive side of the football -- against Pitt and Miami, but the offense isn't up to speed yet. Virginia got a brilliant game from Bryce Perkins in the win at North Carolina, but I can see a bit of a slow start in an early kickoff for the Cavaliers, who are two wins away from a berth in the ACC title game. Virginia has five games with multiple turnovers, and half of the turnovers that the Cavaliers have forced this season came in one game, against Duke. Virginia has struggled against the run recently too, so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Jackets hang around here after the Cavs posted a season high in yards and a turnover-free game last week.

Pick: Georgia Tech +16


UAB Blazers at Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (-4.5, 50.5)

EDITOR'S PICKS

Best bets for Week 11 college football games

Why FPI thinks there is futures value in Ohio State

Projecting Bama-LSU, Minnesota-Penn St. and more
The Bear: I don't get the line move here at all. Our FPI numbers have Southern Miss by about nine here. Also factor in an off week last week for the Golden Eagles -- allowing some injuries to running backs to heal -- and it likely would help some red zone issues they've had. UAB was blown out by Tennessee and likely lost QB Tyler Johnston III in the process, adding to the list of Blazer injuries. UAB has played the worst schedule in the FBS, and on the road here versus a team that has lost to Alabama, at Mississippi State and at Louisiana Tech, the Blazers might be up against it.

Pick: Southern Miss -4.5


Temple Owls (-2, 49) at South Florida Bulls

The Bear: Our numbers have South Florida as about a 4-point favorite here. Give the Bulls credit; sitting at 1-3 and looking like the season was headed downhill, they rolled off three wins in four games to keep hope alive for a bowl game. But a win here is a must, as they will have to pull upsets of Cincinnati, Memphis or UCF, as well, to get there. Temple could use a win after consecutive blowout losses to SMU and UCF, but the Owls didn't stop the run at all in those games, and USF has run the ball very well as of late.

Pick: South Florida +2


LSU Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide (-6, 63.5)

The Bear I figured I would talk myself onto Alabama by Saturday and indeed I have. Despite the trends and recent struggles when Alabama lays less than 7 points, I can't resist taking the most talent-rich roster in the country, which has been hearing about how LSU and Joe Burrow will come into Tuscaloosa and put a number on the Tide. Alabama has controlled the trenches in the series lately and I sense will use that offensive line to help its defense here. And it's still an LSU team that's scored just 26 points in the last 4 meetings with Bama. Some bets you just have to be willing to lose and this is one of them.

Pick: Alabama -6


Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan State Spartans (-14.5, 45.5)

The Bear Yes I know Michigan State has been terrible as a double-digit favorite. And yes I know the Spartan offense has struggled mightily vs Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin - and will be shorthanded this week too. But aren't we overvaluing Illinois here just a bit? The Illini have underdog with fleas written all over them off wins over Rutgers, a shorthanded Purdue team and the semi-miracle win over Wisconsin. Could the Illini win or at the very least cover, sure? But I've gone from staying away from this one to being on the home favorite

Pick: Michigan State -14.5


Penn State Nittany Lions (-6.5, 47.5) at Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Bear There haven't been very many Minnesota backers this week, but I'm gonna bite. Everyone just wants to focus on the negatives with Minnesota - all the backup QBs they have faced, all the comebacks vs inferior teams, all the poor Big Ten opponents. How about we focus on the fact the Gophers have two very good WR, a big offensive line, a deep group of RB and are feeling totally disrespected. I like Penn State, but this is still a team which has been outgained by 4 of 7 FBS opponents, struggled to put up 300 yards each of the last three weeks and get can very conservative on offense. I would expect at the very least a very competitive effort from Minnesota.

Pick: Minnesota +6.5


Florida State Seminoles at Boston College Eagles (-2.5, 64)

The Bear: After losing to its rival, seeing its head coach fired, being called out and losing its best DL, what better time to hop on the FSU bus? BC's defense is not very good and Cam Akers should run wild against a team that's allowed 48 on this field to Kansas.

Pick: FSU +2.5


Baylor Bears (-2, 47.5) at TCU Horned Frogs

The Bear: I'm going back in on a TCU game after losing with the Horned Frogs last week. History says 8-0 or better teams on the road favored by a field goal or less against an unranked team fare pretty well (see Bear Bytes below). And I would expect Baylor to play a much sharper game than it did last week against West Virginia, despite the looming showdown with Oklahoma next week. The expectation is that TCU quarterback Max Duggan will play after being injured last week, but I would expect him to be shy of 100 percent. And if he can't go or reinjures himself, the TCU QB situation gets even muddier. After two earlier wins this year by a field goal or less, Baylor bounced back immediately to post a pair of 17-plus-point wins. It might not be a 17-point win, but Matt Rhule should have his team ready to go on Saturday.

Pick: Baylor -2

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Stanford Steve: Watching the end of TCU's loss last week, I noticed Duggan went down with an awful-looking injury to his throwing hand, so his status is unknown. His backup, Mike Collins, also was injured in the last couple of minutes. The Frogs also had another QB transfer this week. So, if Duggan does play, I don't expect him to be 100 percent. I was on Baylor last week, and the Bears put forth their worst effort of the year and were fortunate to beat West Virginia, not even coming close to covering the 17.5 points they were favored by. I think the Bears, with the extra days of prep after playing on a Thursday night, will be ready for this road test. I'll lay the points with the road favorite.

Pick: Baylor -2. Baylor 27, TCU 17.


Louisville Cardinals at Miami Hurricanes (-6.5, 48)

Stanford Steve: Just really like the situation here. Louisville is off a bye with a head coach who I trust a lot. "The U" is coming off an impressive win over rival Florida State in Tallahassee. Letdown spot for Miami? I think so.

Pick: Louisville +6.5. Miami 24, Louisville 23.


Tennessee Volunteers at Kentucky Wildcats (PK, 42)

Stanford Steve: The Vols come in off two wins in which they scored a combined 71 points. The Wildcats are off a bye and will bring a ferocious defense, along with a seriously hostile atmosphere. Plus, if Mark Stoops really wants the Florida State job, a win here would help that cause immensely.

Pick: Kentucky PK. Kentucky 21, Tennessee 17.


Wyoming Cowboys at Boise State Broncos (-12, 48)

Stanford Steve: The Cowboys head to the "Smurf Turf" a week after losing starting QB Sean Chambers. I don't like the matchup for the Pokes here. I will provide you some useless information though. Broncos head coach Bryan Harsin allowed freshman QB Hank Bachmeier to meet with the media for the first time this week. Not one question asked of him was about this game.

Pick: Boise State -12. Boise State 31, Wyoming 14.


The Bear's money-line parlay of the week

Six-team favorite ML parlay. Based on current Caesars odds, $100 returns $80.03.

BYU -900
SMU -2000
Wisconsin -400
San Diego State -1100
UCF -850
Clemson -8000

The Bear's underdogs to play on money lines, parlays, round robins

South Florida +105
Florida State +110
Louisville +205
Duke +265
Wyoming +400

Stanford Steve's four-team, 14-point teaser

I'm not sure I want to take the favorites and the over separately, so we have this:

Clemson Tigers (-31.5, 53.5) at NC State Wolfpack

You think Dabo Swinney will have his team's attention after the College Football Playoff rankings released earlier this week had the Tigers at No. 5? It's the first time since 2014 that they haven't been in top four. The team that always finds a way to punch in a score late might just try to make sure they punch in a couple of more.

Prediction: Clemson 51, NC State 10.

UMass Minutemen at Army Black Knights (-34, 62.5)

Just because.

Prediction: Army 51, UMass 14.

Pick: Clemson -17.5 and over 39.5, Army -20 and over 48.5.

Stay-away games

The Bear


Purdue Boilermakers at Northwestern Wildcats (-2.5, 39.5)

I strongly suggest watching what could be an offensive masterpiece of a game. But I highly advise not wagering on it.


Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Arkansas Razorbacks (-1.5, 52.5)

You deserve whatever you get for getting involved here.

Stanford Steve


Texas Tech Red Raiders (-2.5, 60) at West Virginia Mountaineers

Lubbock at Morgantown? No thanks.