Jim Feist
Comp NCAAF Pick for Saturday, August 30, 2014: 9:00 PM EST
(203) LSU VS (204) WISCONSIN
Take: UNDER THE TOTAL.
Reason: Your free pick for Saturday, August 30th, 2014, comes in college football as LSU and Wisconsin battle it out. A lot of new faces are on offense for these teams and the defenses are often ahead of the offenses in Week 1 of the season. The under is 6-1 in the Badgers last 7 games in August. Both teams have outstanding talent on defense, and in the case of LSU they are loaded with NFL-caliber defense. LSU is inexperienced at several key positions, most notably quarterback and receiver, but they can run the football, which chews up yards and the clock. The under is 11-5 in the Wisconsin Badgers last 16 non-conference games and this shapes up as a defensive duel. Play LSU/Wisconsin Under the total.
Comp NCAAF Pick for Saturday, August 30, 2014: 9:00 PM EST
(203) LSU VS (204) WISCONSIN
Take: UNDER THE TOTAL.
Reason: Your free pick for Saturday, August 30th, 2014, comes in college football as LSU and Wisconsin battle it out. A lot of new faces are on offense for these teams and the defenses are often ahead of the offenses in Week 1 of the season. The under is 6-1 in the Badgers last 7 games in August. Both teams have outstanding talent on defense, and in the case of LSU they are loaded with NFL-caliber defense. LSU is inexperienced at several key positions, most notably quarterback and receiver, but they can run the football, which chews up yards and the clock. The under is 11-5 in the Wisconsin Badgers last 16 non-conference games and this shapes up as a defensive duel. Play LSU/Wisconsin Under the total.
Art Aronson
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
1* Bonus Play on the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The visiting Reds will send out Alfredo Simon (13-8, 3.26 ERA) to toe the rubber; Simon is coming off his best start of the second half where he allowed one run over seven innings in a win over the Braves. Note though that we shouldn’t get too excited about him as he came into that game with a 5.40 ERA over seven starts prior. Note that Simon is 3-3 lifetime versus the Pirates but this is his first full year as a starter. The home side will counter with Vance Worley (5-4, 3.14 ERA) who is looking to get back on track after a tough strart, allowing four runs in six innings in a loss to the Brewers his last time out. The Pirates are a very strong team at home and with the pitcher’s matchup pretty much a wash in my opinion, I like the home side to come out on top. The Bucs come in with a 43-27 record at PNC Park after yesterday’s 2-1 win over the Reds. To be more succinct, the Pirates are a major league-best 23-9 at home since June 19th, just behind San Francisco and St. Louis for the top two spots in the wild-card standings. The Reds meanwhile are just 30-38 on the road. Keep an eye out for Pirates slugger Josh Harrison, the All-Star has been coming up with clutch hits all season and did again in yesterday’s win. Consider Pittsburgh.
AAA Sports
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
1* Bonus Play on the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The visiting Reds will send out Alfredo Simon (13-8, 3.26 ERA) to toe the rubber; Simon is coming off his best start of the second half where he allowed one run over seven innings in a win over the Braves. Note though that we shouldn’t get too excited about him as he came into that game with a 5.40 ERA over seven starts prior. Note that Simon is 3-3 lifetime versus the Pirates but this is his first full year as a starter. The home side will counter with Vance Worley (5-4, 3.14 ERA) who is looking to get back on track after a tough strart, allowing four runs in six innings in a loss to the Brewers his last time out. The Pirates are a very strong team at home and with the pitcher’s matchup pretty much a wash in my opinion, I like the home side to come out on top. The Bucs come in with a 43-27 record at PNC Park after yesterday’s 2-1 win over the Reds. To be more succinct, the Pirates are a major league-best 23-9 at home since June 19th, just behind San Francisco and St. Louis for the top two spots in the wild-card standings. The Reds meanwhile are just 30-38 on the road. Keep an eye out for Pirates slugger Josh Harrison, the All-Star has been coming up with clutch hits all season and did again in yesterday’s win. Consider Pittsburgh.
AAA Sports
Ben Burns
Arkansas vs. Auburn
Bonus Play ARKANSAS
Auburn is coming off a fairytale season. After going 0-8 in the SEC in 2012, the Tigers were one play away from their second BCS Title in four years. This remarkable turnaround under Gus Malzahn has raised the bar in 2014 and you can see that by taking a look at the number for their first game of the season. All of last year the Tigers were favored by more than 20 points just once - aganst Florida Atlantic.
Not that Auburn doesn't deserve to be favored in this situation. They did beat Arkansas by 18 last year and that was in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are basically where Auburn was at this time last season. The Hogs failed to win a single SEC game in Bret Bielema's first year here. But if the faithful need to draw inspiration from somewhere all they need to do is look across the field Saturday afternoon.
This SEC West rivalry has a history of upsets. The dog has taken the game outright eight of the last 13 years. The home team is just 4-8 straight up.
Arkansas will be better this year as they've had a year to adjust to Bielema's system. I don't think Auburn will be able to match last year's magic per se. They'll win here, but it will be closer than the oddsmakers projection. 1* Bonus Play.
Arkansas vs. Auburn
Bonus Play ARKANSAS
Auburn is coming off a fairytale season. After going 0-8 in the SEC in 2012, the Tigers were one play away from their second BCS Title in four years. This remarkable turnaround under Gus Malzahn has raised the bar in 2014 and you can see that by taking a look at the number for their first game of the season. All of last year the Tigers were favored by more than 20 points just once - aganst Florida Atlantic.
Not that Auburn doesn't deserve to be favored in this situation. They did beat Arkansas by 18 last year and that was in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are basically where Auburn was at this time last season. The Hogs failed to win a single SEC game in Bret Bielema's first year here. But if the faithful need to draw inspiration from somewhere all they need to do is look across the field Saturday afternoon.
This SEC West rivalry has a history of upsets. The dog has taken the game outright eight of the last 13 years. The home team is just 4-8 straight up.
Arkansas will be better this year as they've had a year to adjust to Bielema's system. I don't think Auburn will be able to match last year's magic per se. They'll win here, but it will be closer than the oddsmakers projection. 1* Bonus Play.
Brad Diamond
Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
Bonus Play Florida State
Not afraid to lay the wood against ? OKS, considering who are facing an experienced unit that just happens to be the BCS Champion, Florida State. The Sems 12-3-1 ATS on neutral fields and 6-of-7 ATS coming into action. Where Florida State will do damage is on offense against the inexperience of the Cowboys defense. OSU was hurt greatly by graduation. Good Luck!
Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
Bonus Play Florida State
Not afraid to lay the wood against ? OKS, considering who are facing an experienced unit that just happens to be the BCS Champion, Florida State. The Sems 12-3-1 ATS on neutral fields and 6-of-7 ATS coming into action. Where Florida State will do damage is on offense against the inexperience of the Cowboys defense. OSU was hurt greatly by graduation. Good Luck!
Carolina Sports
Alabama vs. West Virginia
Bonus Play Alabama -26
Alabama comes into this game off a rare two game losing streak. Saban has had to get his club re-focused and re-energized after being upset in back-to-back games to end the season last year. Bama has loads of talent this year. The main question mark coming the season is at QB. However, that is a big question mark. The Tide lost All-American QB AJ McCaron and two qb’s will get playing time this year, transfer Jake Coker and returning back-up Blake Sims. The other question mark in our eyes is the hiring of new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. USC offense sputtered under Kiffin last year with tons of talent around him. How will he adapt this year to all this talent around him and will he be able to get the QB’s to play at a high-level?
The Tide have an incredible defense after only allowing 13.9-ppg and 4.8-ypp last year, they return 5 starters but are loaded with top talent returning. The defense will always be the main focus point with Saban and he will demand a better performance this year. We look for the Tide’s numbers to better this season as they are talented at every position. The offense needs to step up. It did average 38.2-ppg last year and 7.1-ypp but they did play Tennessee-Chattanooga and some of the bottom teams in the SEC.
West Virginia is in the 4th year under Dana Holgorsen and after a 4-8 record last season the alumni in Morgantown are not happy. Holgorsen is supposed to be an offensive genius as a coach and in his first year without Genp Smith the offense sputtered big time. The offense dropped from avg over 38-ppg with Geno Smith to 26.3-ppg last season. The Mountaineers did have injury issues at QB last year so health is a big question mark this year. Look for senior qb Clint Trickett to put some big numbers this season if he is healthy. WVU needs to improve defensively as they allowed 33.3-ppg. With 7-starters back they should be better but they don’t have the talent to compete with Alabama.
The linesmakers have this game at Alabama -26. Vegas always adjusts the line for when the Tide play because they are a high-profile public team. Look for some points to be put up in this one. Bama usually struggles against up-tempo offensive teams but now you give Nick Saban a full off-season to prepare for West Virginia’s up-tempo offense and they will be fine. Alabama performs well in a big-favorite role as they is 11-3 ATS as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points under Saban. Our ratings have Bama -30 in this one. Alabama gets the call in this one.
Alabama 45-13
Alabama vs. West Virginia
Bonus Play Alabama -26
Alabama comes into this game off a rare two game losing streak. Saban has had to get his club re-focused and re-energized after being upset in back-to-back games to end the season last year. Bama has loads of talent this year. The main question mark coming the season is at QB. However, that is a big question mark. The Tide lost All-American QB AJ McCaron and two qb’s will get playing time this year, transfer Jake Coker and returning back-up Blake Sims. The other question mark in our eyes is the hiring of new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. USC offense sputtered under Kiffin last year with tons of talent around him. How will he adapt this year to all this talent around him and will he be able to get the QB’s to play at a high-level?
The Tide have an incredible defense after only allowing 13.9-ppg and 4.8-ypp last year, they return 5 starters but are loaded with top talent returning. The defense will always be the main focus point with Saban and he will demand a better performance this year. We look for the Tide’s numbers to better this season as they are talented at every position. The offense needs to step up. It did average 38.2-ppg last year and 7.1-ypp but they did play Tennessee-Chattanooga and some of the bottom teams in the SEC.
West Virginia is in the 4th year under Dana Holgorsen and after a 4-8 record last season the alumni in Morgantown are not happy. Holgorsen is supposed to be an offensive genius as a coach and in his first year without Genp Smith the offense sputtered big time. The offense dropped from avg over 38-ppg with Geno Smith to 26.3-ppg last season. The Mountaineers did have injury issues at QB last year so health is a big question mark this year. Look for senior qb Clint Trickett to put some big numbers this season if he is healthy. WVU needs to improve defensively as they allowed 33.3-ppg. With 7-starters back they should be better but they don’t have the talent to compete with Alabama.
The linesmakers have this game at Alabama -26. Vegas always adjusts the line for when the Tide play because they are a high-profile public team. Look for some points to be put up in this one. Bama usually struggles against up-tempo offensive teams but now you give Nick Saban a full off-season to prepare for West Virginia’s up-tempo offense and they will be fine. Alabama performs well in a big-favorite role as they is 11-3 ATS as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points under Saban. Our ratings have Bama -30 in this one. Alabama gets the call in this one.
Alabama 45-13
Matt Fargo
NCAA-F Ohio State vs. Navy
Bonus Play Navy
Obviously, the loss of quarterback Braxton Miller is a huge blow to Ohio St. but it is still a talented team all around and will still be playing for the Big Ten Championship. While the line has been adjusted to make up for the Miller absence, it has not gone down as much as I thought it would so we are still getting value on Navy. The Midshipmen are never an easy matchup for any team and especially one that does not see them very often. Navy is one of the few full-time practitioners of the triple-option left at the college level and it is very difficult to prepare for, no matter this being the first game of the season. Ohio St. knows that. Navy came into Ohio Stadium to open the 2009 season against an Ohio State team that would end up going 11-2, winning the Big Ten and then beating No. 7 Oregon in the Rose Bowl and lost by just four points as a 22-point underdog. Junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds leads an offense that was No. 2 in the FBS last year in rushing at 325.4 ypg. Reynolds ran for 1,346 yards and 31 touchdowns. It will be up to the Buckeyes defense to slow down the Navy attack in order to give its offense a chance. Redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett will be starting at quarterback for Miller and he will be the first freshman to start a season opener for the Buckeyes since Art Schlichter did so in 1978. Navy is one of the most experienced teams in the nation with 15 returning starters and that is an added asset when the team is one of the most disciplined in football. Navy has been one of the best underdog teams over recent years as it is 29-12-1 ATS in its last 42 games when getting points. Look for that run to continue Saturday. Play (158) Navy Midshipmen
NCAA-F Ohio State vs. Navy
Bonus Play Navy
Obviously, the loss of quarterback Braxton Miller is a huge blow to Ohio St. but it is still a talented team all around and will still be playing for the Big Ten Championship. While the line has been adjusted to make up for the Miller absence, it has not gone down as much as I thought it would so we are still getting value on Navy. The Midshipmen are never an easy matchup for any team and especially one that does not see them very often. Navy is one of the few full-time practitioners of the triple-option left at the college level and it is very difficult to prepare for, no matter this being the first game of the season. Ohio St. knows that. Navy came into Ohio Stadium to open the 2009 season against an Ohio State team that would end up going 11-2, winning the Big Ten and then beating No. 7 Oregon in the Rose Bowl and lost by just four points as a 22-point underdog. Junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds leads an offense that was No. 2 in the FBS last year in rushing at 325.4 ypg. Reynolds ran for 1,346 yards and 31 touchdowns. It will be up to the Buckeyes defense to slow down the Navy attack in order to give its offense a chance. Redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett will be starting at quarterback for Miller and he will be the first freshman to start a season opener for the Buckeyes since Art Schlichter did so in 1978. Navy is one of the most experienced teams in the nation with 15 returning starters and that is an added asset when the team is one of the most disciplined in football. Navy has been one of the best underdog teams over recent years as it is 29-12-1 ATS in its last 42 games when getting points. Look for that run to continue Saturday. Play (158) Navy Midshipmen
Jimmy Adams
UCLA vs. Virginia
Bonus Play UCLA
The money has come in on Virginia in this one and it’s flat out the wrong side. The sole reason for backing Virginia has to be the fact that UCLA is traveling across country for an early game. The Bruins are by far the better team. They have 17 starters back from a 10-3 campaign last season. Highlighting those returning is Heisman hopeful QB Brett Hundley. Hundley is extremely talented and will have more than enough weapon available to tear apart this Virginia team.
As for the Cavaliers, Mike London has just done an awful job. Many thought that London would be just what the team needed to turn things around. He’s now 18-31 in his time at Virginia and it’s looking like this will be his final season. London runs a tight ship and doesn’t let his players get away with much nonsense. The downside to that is he’s not getting the quality of recruits necessary to compete in the ACC. They’ve also had some injury concerns and don’t have anything special at quarterback. This team only won 2 games last season and were just getting their doors blown off at the tail end of the year.
Now that the number is below 21 I feel very comfortable in recommending UCLA for today’s Bonus Play.
UCLA vs. Virginia
Bonus Play UCLA
The money has come in on Virginia in this one and it’s flat out the wrong side. The sole reason for backing Virginia has to be the fact that UCLA is traveling across country for an early game. The Bruins are by far the better team. They have 17 starters back from a 10-3 campaign last season. Highlighting those returning is Heisman hopeful QB Brett Hundley. Hundley is extremely talented and will have more than enough weapon available to tear apart this Virginia team.
As for the Cavaliers, Mike London has just done an awful job. Many thought that London would be just what the team needed to turn things around. He’s now 18-31 in his time at Virginia and it’s looking like this will be his final season. London runs a tight ship and doesn’t let his players get away with much nonsense. The downside to that is he’s not getting the quality of recruits necessary to compete in the ACC. They’ve also had some injury concerns and don’t have anything special at quarterback. This team only won 2 games last season and were just getting their doors blown off at the tail end of the year.
Now that the number is below 21 I feel very comfortable in recommending UCLA for today’s Bonus Play.
Steve Janus
Louisiana Tech vs. Oklahoma
Saturday's Free Pick Louisiana Tech +35.5
I believe Oklahoma is getting way too much love from both the media and the books in their opener against Louisiana Tech. A lot of people want to praise the Sooners for their upset win of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last year, but that win didn't impress me at all.
Alabama was crushed from that crazy loss to Auburn in the regular season finale, which prevented them from getting a chance to win their 3rd straight BCS title. There's just no way the Crimson Tide were going to be motivated for that game. Had that been for the national championship, I strongly believe Alabama would have won that game by 3+ touchdowns.
Oklahoma should win this game and do so rather easily, but I don't see them winning by more than 5 touchdowns. I know Louisiana Tech went just 4-8 last year, but they were in the first season under head coach Skip Holtz and had a mere 7 starters back from 2012.
I look for big improvements from the Bulldogs in Holtz's second season all across the board, but most importantly at the quarterback position. Louisiana Tech added in Iowa transfer Cody Sokol to take over as the starter and an improved passing attack should lead to a big year from junior running back Kenneth Dixon, who averaged 6.1 yards/carry last year.
Even if Oklahoma proves me wrong and jumps out to a big lead early, there figures to be all kinds of opportunities in the 2nd half for the Bulldogs to pull off a backdoor cover. I don't see us needing that, but it's a big plus with a spread like this. BET LOUISIANA TECH +35.5!
Louisiana Tech vs. Oklahoma
Saturday's Free Pick Louisiana Tech +35.5
I believe Oklahoma is getting way too much love from both the media and the books in their opener against Louisiana Tech. A lot of people want to praise the Sooners for their upset win of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last year, but that win didn't impress me at all.
Alabama was crushed from that crazy loss to Auburn in the regular season finale, which prevented them from getting a chance to win their 3rd straight BCS title. There's just no way the Crimson Tide were going to be motivated for that game. Had that been for the national championship, I strongly believe Alabama would have won that game by 3+ touchdowns.
Oklahoma should win this game and do so rather easily, but I don't see them winning by more than 5 touchdowns. I know Louisiana Tech went just 4-8 last year, but they were in the first season under head coach Skip Holtz and had a mere 7 starters back from 2012.
I look for big improvements from the Bulldogs in Holtz's second season all across the board, but most importantly at the quarterback position. Louisiana Tech added in Iowa transfer Cody Sokol to take over as the starter and an improved passing attack should lead to a big year from junior running back Kenneth Dixon, who averaged 6.1 yards/carry last year.
Even if Oklahoma proves me wrong and jumps out to a big lead early, there figures to be all kinds of opportunities in the 2nd half for the Bulldogs to pull off a backdoor cover. I don't see us needing that, but it's a big plus with a spread like this. BET LOUISIANA TECH +35.5!
Jack Jones
Clemson vs. Georgia
Jack's Free Pick Saturday: Georgia -7.5
The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing 8-5 campaign in 2013. They had made it all the way to the SEC Championship in 2012 and were just a few plays away from playing in the national title game. However, injuries all over the place and poor play defensively really derailed their season last year.
Clemson is coming off a second straight 11-2 season. It beat LSU in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl, and then came back last year and topped Ohio State in the BCS Orange Bowl by a final of 40-35 last year. Those two high-profile victories have certainly done wonders for head coach Dabo Swinney as he enters his seventh year at Clemson.
As stated before, Georgia was simply decimated by injuries last year. It lost QB Aaron Murray, RB’s Toddy Gurley and Keith Marshall, and it also had key injuries at wide receiver. The defense was extremely young with only three starters back as well, which is why the Bulldogs allowed the second-most points per game (29.0) in school history.
Now, 14 starters return, including eight on what will be one of the most improved defenses in the country. The Murray injury actually allowed Hutson Mason to get some playing time last year, and he played pretty well for the most part, completing 60.9 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three picks. Mason will have the luxury of handing the ball off to the best RB duo on the country in Gurley and Marshall, so he won't have to do as much for this team as Murray did.
Clemson’s losses this season are huge. It parts ways with all of its top skill players from last year, and it brings back only 12 starters in all. Gone is the school’s all-time leading passer in Tajh Boyd, 1,000-yard rusher Roderick McDowell, and the top two receivers in Sammy Wakins (101 receptions, 1,464 yards, 12 TD) and Martavis Bryant (42, 828, 7 TD).
The Clemson offense is going to struggle against an improved Georgia defense, especially in a hostile atmosphere in Athens. After all, the Tigers have not won in Athens since 1986. Georgia is also 22-9 ATS in its last 31 games against ACC opponents. Bet Georgia Saturday.
Clemson vs. Georgia
Jack's Free Pick Saturday: Georgia -7.5
The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing 8-5 campaign in 2013. They had made it all the way to the SEC Championship in 2012 and were just a few plays away from playing in the national title game. However, injuries all over the place and poor play defensively really derailed their season last year.
Clemson is coming off a second straight 11-2 season. It beat LSU in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl, and then came back last year and topped Ohio State in the BCS Orange Bowl by a final of 40-35 last year. Those two high-profile victories have certainly done wonders for head coach Dabo Swinney as he enters his seventh year at Clemson.
As stated before, Georgia was simply decimated by injuries last year. It lost QB Aaron Murray, RB’s Toddy Gurley and Keith Marshall, and it also had key injuries at wide receiver. The defense was extremely young with only three starters back as well, which is why the Bulldogs allowed the second-most points per game (29.0) in school history.
Now, 14 starters return, including eight on what will be one of the most improved defenses in the country. The Murray injury actually allowed Hutson Mason to get some playing time last year, and he played pretty well for the most part, completing 60.9 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three picks. Mason will have the luxury of handing the ball off to the best RB duo on the country in Gurley and Marshall, so he won't have to do as much for this team as Murray did.
Clemson’s losses this season are huge. It parts ways with all of its top skill players from last year, and it brings back only 12 starters in all. Gone is the school’s all-time leading passer in Tajh Boyd, 1,000-yard rusher Roderick McDowell, and the top two receivers in Sammy Wakins (101 receptions, 1,464 yards, 12 TD) and Martavis Bryant (42, 828, 7 TD).
The Clemson offense is going to struggle against an improved Georgia defense, especially in a hostile atmosphere in Athens. After all, the Tigers have not won in Athens since 1986. Georgia is also 22-9 ATS in its last 31 games against ACC opponents. Bet Georgia Saturday.
Stephen Nover
New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Bonus Play New York Yankees
Even if Jacoby Ellsbury can't play because of an ankle injury, the Yankees have enough going in the starting pitching matchup to lay this road price.
The Yankees are playing well winning seven of their past nine to get back into the wild-card race. They have the best record in days games at 28-17. Toronto is having a brutal August losing 17 of 24. The Blue Jays have a losing record in day games and are averaging only 3.3 runs per game this month. Now Toronto faces a rejuvenated Michael Pineda.
Pineda is making his fourth start since being out nearly four months. Pineda has allowed just four runs in three starts since returning. He has a 1.95 ERA on the year and his arm strength is increasing.
The Yankees should do plenty of damage against Drew Hutchinson, who is 2-6 with a 6.33 ERA in nine day starts and has a 6.75 ERA during his past three overall starts. Hutchinson is 1-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts against the Yankees this season.
New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Bonus Play New York Yankees
Even if Jacoby Ellsbury can't play because of an ankle injury, the Yankees have enough going in the starting pitching matchup to lay this road price.
The Yankees are playing well winning seven of their past nine to get back into the wild-card race. They have the best record in days games at 28-17. Toronto is having a brutal August losing 17 of 24. The Blue Jays have a losing record in day games and are averaging only 3.3 runs per game this month. Now Toronto faces a rejuvenated Michael Pineda.
Pineda is making his fourth start since being out nearly four months. Pineda has allowed just four runs in three starts since returning. He has a 1.95 ERA on the year and his arm strength is increasing.
The Yankees should do plenty of damage against Drew Hutchinson, who is 2-6 with a 6.33 ERA in nine day starts and has a 6.75 ERA during his past three overall starts. Hutchinson is 1-3 with a 7.08 ERA in four starts against the Yankees this season.
