Dominic Fazzini
Saturday's plays
25 Dime -- Kentucky (minus points vs. VANDERBILT)
KENTUCKY
While the Wildcats and the Commodores are similiar defensively, Kentucky's offense is clearly better than Vanderbilt's. The Wildcats put up 27.1 yards per game, while the Commodores are averaging just 16.7, including a paltry six points per game in SEC play.
And now Vanderbilt is trotting out its second-string QB for the second straight week. Senior Mackenzi Adams made his first start of the season last week against Florida after Larry Smith was injured, and he completed just 13 of 29 passes for 100 yards with no TDs and one interception.
And while Kentucky's defense is nowhere near as strong as the Gators', the Wildcats do possess the conference's fourth-ranked pass defense, giving up just 169.9 yards per game.
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks isn't expected to name his starting QB until game time, with starter Mike Hartline on the mend after missing four games with a knee injury, but I think the Wildcats can get the job done with either Hartline or freshman Morgan Newton in the lineup.
Plus, leading rusher Derrick Locke (knee) and leading receiver Randall Cobb (thumb) are both supposed to return to the Wildcats' lineup after sitting out last week's 37-12 victory over Eastern Kentucky with injuries.
Kentucky needs just one more win this season to become bowl eligible for the fourth straight year, which would be the first time in school history that happened, so the Wildcats are going to be up for this one.
Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is going nowhere at 2-8 and is hasn't had a bye all season, so I'm not expecting the Commodores' best effort, especially coming off its 27-3 loss at Florida and with a season-ending game at Tennessee next week.
Vanderbilt is 1-4 ATS in its last five games as a home underdog, and 0-4 ATS in its last four home games. Even more damning, the Commodores are 1-13 straight up and 2-12 ATS as home 'dogs of less than 4 points.
Kentucky is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as a road favorite, and 4-1 ATS in its last five road games. Take the Wildcats to cover the points today.
10 Dime -- NORTH CAROLINA STATE (plus points vs. Clemson)
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
The Wolfpack is a little shaky on defense, but it can definitely light up the scoreboard, averaging 33.7 points per game, which ranks second in the ACC and 20th in the nation.
QB Russell Wilson heads a strong passing attack for N.C. State, completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,351 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Wolfpack ranks third in the ACC and 19th in the country with 294.2 passing yards per game.
Running back C.J. Spiller is the leader of Clemson's offense, and he has rushed for 329 yards and has five touchdowns in three career games against the Wolfpack. But N.C. State is third in the ACC in rushing defense this year, giving up just 117.3 yards per game, so things could be a lot tougher for Spiller today than they have in the past.
Clemson is just 1-2 on the road this season, compared to 5-1 at home, and it is just 1-4 ATS in its five games as a road favorite. North Carolina State is 11-4-2 ATS in its last 17 games overall, 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 home games and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games as a home 'dog. The Tigers probably still gain the win today, but the Wolfpack should stay within spitting distance. Take N.C. State to cover the points.
Saturday's plays
25 Dime -- Kentucky (minus points vs. VANDERBILT)
KENTUCKY
While the Wildcats and the Commodores are similiar defensively, Kentucky's offense is clearly better than Vanderbilt's. The Wildcats put up 27.1 yards per game, while the Commodores are averaging just 16.7, including a paltry six points per game in SEC play.
And now Vanderbilt is trotting out its second-string QB for the second straight week. Senior Mackenzi Adams made his first start of the season last week against Florida after Larry Smith was injured, and he completed just 13 of 29 passes for 100 yards with no TDs and one interception.
And while Kentucky's defense is nowhere near as strong as the Gators', the Wildcats do possess the conference's fourth-ranked pass defense, giving up just 169.9 yards per game.
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks isn't expected to name his starting QB until game time, with starter Mike Hartline on the mend after missing four games with a knee injury, but I think the Wildcats can get the job done with either Hartline or freshman Morgan Newton in the lineup.
Plus, leading rusher Derrick Locke (knee) and leading receiver Randall Cobb (thumb) are both supposed to return to the Wildcats' lineup after sitting out last week's 37-12 victory over Eastern Kentucky with injuries.
Kentucky needs just one more win this season to become bowl eligible for the fourth straight year, which would be the first time in school history that happened, so the Wildcats are going to be up for this one.
Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is going nowhere at 2-8 and is hasn't had a bye all season, so I'm not expecting the Commodores' best effort, especially coming off its 27-3 loss at Florida and with a season-ending game at Tennessee next week.
Vanderbilt is 1-4 ATS in its last five games as a home underdog, and 0-4 ATS in its last four home games. Even more damning, the Commodores are 1-13 straight up and 2-12 ATS as home 'dogs of less than 4 points.
Kentucky is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as a road favorite, and 4-1 ATS in its last five road games. Take the Wildcats to cover the points today.
10 Dime -- NORTH CAROLINA STATE (plus points vs. Clemson)
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
The Wolfpack is a little shaky on defense, but it can definitely light up the scoreboard, averaging 33.7 points per game, which ranks second in the ACC and 20th in the nation.
QB Russell Wilson heads a strong passing attack for N.C. State, completing 60.4 percent of his passes for 2,351 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Wolfpack ranks third in the ACC and 19th in the country with 294.2 passing yards per game.
Running back C.J. Spiller is the leader of Clemson's offense, and he has rushed for 329 yards and has five touchdowns in three career games against the Wolfpack. But N.C. State is third in the ACC in rushing defense this year, giving up just 117.3 yards per game, so things could be a lot tougher for Spiller today than they have in the past.
Clemson is just 1-2 on the road this season, compared to 5-1 at home, and it is just 1-4 ATS in its five games as a road favorite. North Carolina State is 11-4-2 ATS in its last 17 games overall, 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 home games and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games as a home 'dog. The Tigers probably still gain the win today, but the Wolfpack should stay within spitting distance. Take N.C. State to cover the points.
st bernadine sports advisors
just lefty up so far as Johnny, Randy and Angelo haven't posted anything
Lillefty
huge card today from him but he made 1 play from each sport a Bonus Play.
NCAAF:
1* indiana/penn st u-55...
This pick is predicated on Penn st controlling the pace of the game. Penn st has been excellent this year especially at home of keeping the other team down. Penn st is only avg 11 PPG on defense. Their offense is mediocre at best. What Joe Paterno has done this year is call off the dogs once they are up by 3 TD. The underclassmen are getting some good playing time. I have cashed a few unders this year with Penn st when I thought the game was going way over at the half.
NBA:
1* bulls -6 over 76ers
Philly is just horrible on B2B games. they are just 2-11 ATS ob recent B2B's. They let a Utah Jazz team w/out their star PG run all over them and now you have Rose and company coming to town? Chicago is 15-3 ATS at the united center with Miller and Salmons in the line up w/Rose. Also the Bulls tend to bounceback nicely after an ATS loss as they are 13-6-1 ATS in the L20 in such situations. The princton style offense is taking much longer to take effect than 76er coaching staff had hoped. Complete overhauls usually do take more than 10 games. Look for the Bulls to get off the skid tonight at home vs Philly.
NCAABB:
1* dayton -7.5 over creighton
Dayton returning 10 of its top 11 scorers looks to be loaded by a-10 standards. They have a 20 game home winning streak on the line right now. This team is top 20 material , maybe the 2nd or 3rd best mid major this year. They catch a Creighton team that is going to be missing their best player PG Carter. He is the Jays leading scorer and points will be hard to come by for the Jays today. Too much home cooking for Dayton not to win by double digits.
Let's cash!!
Zags
just lefty up so far as Johnny, Randy and Angelo haven't posted anything
Lillefty
huge card today from him but he made 1 play from each sport a Bonus Play.
NCAAF:
1* indiana/penn st u-55...
This pick is predicated on Penn st controlling the pace of the game. Penn st has been excellent this year especially at home of keeping the other team down. Penn st is only avg 11 PPG on defense. Their offense is mediocre at best. What Joe Paterno has done this year is call off the dogs once they are up by 3 TD. The underclassmen are getting some good playing time. I have cashed a few unders this year with Penn st when I thought the game was going way over at the half.
NBA:
1* bulls -6 over 76ers
Philly is just horrible on B2B games. they are just 2-11 ATS ob recent B2B's. They let a Utah Jazz team w/out their star PG run all over them and now you have Rose and company coming to town? Chicago is 15-3 ATS at the united center with Miller and Salmons in the line up w/Rose. Also the Bulls tend to bounceback nicely after an ATS loss as they are 13-6-1 ATS in the L20 in such situations. The princton style offense is taking much longer to take effect than 76er coaching staff had hoped. Complete overhauls usually do take more than 10 games. Look for the Bulls to get off the skid tonight at home vs Philly.
NCAABB:
1* dayton -7.5 over creighton
Dayton returning 10 of its top 11 scorers looks to be loaded by a-10 standards. They have a 20 game home winning streak on the line right now. This team is top 20 material , maybe the 2nd or 3rd best mid major this year. They catch a Creighton team that is going to be missing their best player PG Carter. He is the Jays leading scorer and points will be hard to come by for the Jays today. Too much home cooking for Dayton not to win by double digits.
Let's cash!!
Zags
