SPORTS WAGERS
Texas A&M +1.20 over LSU
The first thing to note here is that the game is in Dallas, Texas and therefore there is going to be massive Aggie support at Cowboy Stadium. The Tigers lost just two games all year but they lost to Arkansas and Auburn and all of their other “credible wins” were by the slimmest of margins or very lucky. LSU beat a rather average Seminole team by just four, they beat Bama by just three and they West Virginia by just six. Offensively speaking, this LSU squad leaves plenty to be desired and with 5½ weeks off, one really has to wonder how sharp that offense will be. The Tigers also had perhaps the biggest miracle win of the college season when they beat Tennessee 16-14 in a game they were favored by 17 points in. A series of extremely bizarre (you can read about it here) plays at the end of the game allowed these Tigers to literally snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat and that game was in Baton Rouge. Those losses to Arkansas and Alabama were both on the road and this, too, really has to be considered a road game for the Tigers. The Aggies beat two top teams down the stretch in Oklahoma and Nebraska, crushing the former by two TD’s. They also beat Texas Tech down the stretch and they beat them by 18. A&M closed out the season with six straight wins and if they can stop the Tigers running game and force them to go to the air, they’ll be in great shape. The Aggies have a much more balanced attack and while the Tigers defense may be the best in the land, its their offense with 5½ weeks off that’s too much of a concern. Should be close with the Aggies having a chance or two or three to win it. Play: Texas A&M +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
SPORTS WAGERS
Evansville +15½ over MISSOURI ST.
The Missouri State Bears are rolling through everyone these days. Well, rolling might not be the best way to describe their wins but they are winning. The Bears come in with an unblemished 3-0 Conference mark and an impressive overall record of 11-3. They’re doing it at both ends of the floor but this is a team that does not have the firepower to blow people out. These college kids know exactly what the line is and you can be damn sure that the Purple Aces have seen the Bears a 15½-point favorite. That’s insulting indeed when you consider how well they know each other and that the last six times they’ve played each other the score has stayed well within this margin. These are conference foes that go at it and the Purple Aces are still 7-6 this season with a win over Butler and just a 13-point loss to Indiana. They also played the Tar Heels. The best thing, however, is that the Bears will play Missouri Valley Conference leader, Wichita St. on Monday and that’s a huge game for them. Even if they have an unlikely 20-point lead late, the Aces can easily get a backdoor cover considering that the Bears are definitely thinking about Monday’s game and could rest some folks down the stretch. Play: Evansville +15½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).