Today's NHL Picks
Columbus at Colorado
The Blue Jackets travel to Denver tonight to face an Avalanche team that is coming off a 2-1 OT loss to Winnipeg and is 1-5 in their last 6 games after allowing 2 goals or less in the previous game. Columbus is the pick (+140) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jackets favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140). Here are all of today's picks.
Columbus at Colorado
The Blue Jackets travel to Denver tonight to face an Avalanche team that is coming off a 2-1 OT loss to Winnipeg and is 1-5 in their last 6 games after allowing 2 goals or less in the previous game. Columbus is the pick (+140) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jackets favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140). Here are all of today's picks.
| TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST |
| Game 1-2: Pittsburgh at New Jersey (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.847; New Jersey 11.398 Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-130); 5 Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-130); Under |
| Game 3-4: NY Rangers at Florida (5:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.107; Florida 9.985 Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-110); 5 Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-110); Over |
| Game 5-6: St. Louis at Minnesota (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 12.576; Minnesota 10.042 Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 2 1/2; 3 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-130); 5 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-130); Under |
| Game 7-8: NY Islanders at Boston (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 10.535; Boston 12.626 Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A |
| Game 9-10: Montreal at Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 10.396; Carolina 11.322 Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-120); 5 Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+100); Over |
| Game 11-12: Buffalo at Winnipeg (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 10.760; Winnipeg 12.182 Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 1 1/2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg (-170); 5 Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (-170); Under |
| Game 13-14: Los Angeles at Dallas (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 12.639; Dallas 11.425 Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-110); 5 Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-110); Over |
| Game 15-16: San Jose at Anaheim (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 11.273; Anaheim 12.566 Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-120); Under |
| Game 17-18: Columbus at Colorado (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.752; Colorado 10.583 Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1; 6 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-160); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140); Over |
| Game 19-20: Edmonton at Phoenix (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 9.936; Phoenix 11.484 Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-180); 6 Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-180); Under |
| Game 21-22: Philadelphia at Calgary (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.884; Calgary 10.458 Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-115); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-115); Under |
NCAAF
Bowl Season
Advocare Bowl, Shreveport, 12/31
Two teams with great RBs; this is Boston College’s first bowl in three years, in Addazio’s first season. At one point, BC won eight bowl games in row, but they’ve now lost last three, scoring 14-13-13 points- Addazio won his only bowl 37-15 over Wyoming in New Mexico two years ago. Arizona is in its 5th bowl in last six years; they won 49-48 in LY’s New Mexico Bowl, their first under Rodriguez, who is 3-4 in bowl games. BC's Williams ran for 2,102 yards, became darkhouse Heisman candidate; Arizona’s Carey ran for 1,716 yards, so this will be old fashioned football, teams trying to run/stop run. Eagles won four of last five games to get here; they’re 3-1 as underdogs, allowed 34+ points in five of 12 games. Arizona lost three of last four games, got crushed in its rivalry game, and failed to cover last three tries as a favorite, after covering first four. Wildcats scored 33+ points in all seven wins; they’re 0-5 when scoring less than 33. Favorites covered six of last seven in this bowl game.
Sun Bowl, El Paso 12/31
UCLA lost four of last five bowls, getting waxed 49-26 by Baylor LY in Mora’s first bowl game- would expect much better effort here. Bruins have decisive edge in terms of experience on OL. UCLA is young talented team with no senior starters on OL/QB; they won four of last five games, routing USC in rivalry game for second year in row, are 5-1 vs spread when favored this year, 5-2 vs spread in any game with single digit spread. Hokies have senior QB playing behind inexperienced OL; Tech went 2-3 in last five games, covered two of three as an underdog- they scored less than 20 points in four of last eight games. Both teams won four of their six road games this year. Underdogs won last three Sun Bowls, covered six of last seven; Pac-12 teams won six of last eight bowls here, with disinterested USC getting spanked by Ga Tech LY. Virginia Tech is 3-2 in its last five bowls, splitting pair of OT decisions last two years; Beamer is 9-11 overall in bowls.
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, 12/31
Interesting contrast between (first-time) C-USA champ and lower-level SEC team. Rice is 3-2 as an underdog this year, but Manziel didn’t play in first half of A&M game-they won last four games, are 5-1 in games decided by 6 or less points. Mississippi State will have crowd edge in Memphis (SEC country), even though Rice plays Memphis in this stadium every other year; Bulldogs had to beat Arkansas (in OT) and upset Ole Miss just to be bowl eligible at 6-6. Owls are in back/back bowls for first time in over 50 years- they’re 2-1 in bowls since 1962, but played Sun Belt/MAC/service academy in those games, so lower level SEC squad is big step up in class. Bulldogs won four of last five bowls, are 2-1 in bowls under Mullen, beating Wake Forest 23-17 (-6.5) in Nashville two years ago. Both teams have very experienced OLs, Rice has experience edge at QB, though both QBs are better runners than passers. Underdogs covered five of previous seven bowls here. Eight of last nine Liberty Bowls were decided by 8 or less points.
Chick-fil-A Atlanta, 12/31
Favorites covered Texas A&M’s last five bowl games; Aggies won 33-22/41-13 in bowls last two years, routing Oklahoma LY, now in what could be Manziel’s last college game, Aggies will try to outscore Duke team that hasn’t won bowl game since 1960. Blue Devils were 34-all and had ball on Cincinnati 5-yard line with 1:20 left LY, fumbled, gave up 83-yard TD and pick-6, didn’t even cover as 9-point underdog, one of worst beats EVER, and it was Duke’s first bowl since ‘94. Blue Devils bounced back to go 10-3 this year, making bowls in consecutive seasons for first time ever- they’ve covered five of last six times they were underdog, winning seven of last eight games SU, after losing 58-55 at home to Pitt in September. Aggies hung 42 on Alabama and lost; their defense slipped this year- they lost two games this year when they scored 40+ points. Game is in a dome, so weather is no factor. Dogs covered six of last eight Chick-fil-A bowls, with ACC team winning three of last four against the SEC.
Bowl Season
Advocare Bowl, Shreveport, 12/31
Two teams with great RBs; this is Boston College’s first bowl in three years, in Addazio’s first season. At one point, BC won eight bowl games in row, but they’ve now lost last three, scoring 14-13-13 points- Addazio won his only bowl 37-15 over Wyoming in New Mexico two years ago. Arizona is in its 5th bowl in last six years; they won 49-48 in LY’s New Mexico Bowl, their first under Rodriguez, who is 3-4 in bowl games. BC's Williams ran for 2,102 yards, became darkhouse Heisman candidate; Arizona’s Carey ran for 1,716 yards, so this will be old fashioned football, teams trying to run/stop run. Eagles won four of last five games to get here; they’re 3-1 as underdogs, allowed 34+ points in five of 12 games. Arizona lost three of last four games, got crushed in its rivalry game, and failed to cover last three tries as a favorite, after covering first four. Wildcats scored 33+ points in all seven wins; they’re 0-5 when scoring less than 33. Favorites covered six of last seven in this bowl game.
Sun Bowl, El Paso 12/31
UCLA lost four of last five bowls, getting waxed 49-26 by Baylor LY in Mora’s first bowl game- would expect much better effort here. Bruins have decisive edge in terms of experience on OL. UCLA is young talented team with no senior starters on OL/QB; they won four of last five games, routing USC in rivalry game for second year in row, are 5-1 vs spread when favored this year, 5-2 vs spread in any game with single digit spread. Hokies have senior QB playing behind inexperienced OL; Tech went 2-3 in last five games, covered two of three as an underdog- they scored less than 20 points in four of last eight games. Both teams won four of their six road games this year. Underdogs won last three Sun Bowls, covered six of last seven; Pac-12 teams won six of last eight bowls here, with disinterested USC getting spanked by Ga Tech LY. Virginia Tech is 3-2 in its last five bowls, splitting pair of OT decisions last two years; Beamer is 9-11 overall in bowls.
Liberty Bowl, Memphis, 12/31
Interesting contrast between (first-time) C-USA champ and lower-level SEC team. Rice is 3-2 as an underdog this year, but Manziel didn’t play in first half of A&M game-they won last four games, are 5-1 in games decided by 6 or less points. Mississippi State will have crowd edge in Memphis (SEC country), even though Rice plays Memphis in this stadium every other year; Bulldogs had to beat Arkansas (in OT) and upset Ole Miss just to be bowl eligible at 6-6. Owls are in back/back bowls for first time in over 50 years- they’re 2-1 in bowls since 1962, but played Sun Belt/MAC/service academy in those games, so lower level SEC squad is big step up in class. Bulldogs won four of last five bowls, are 2-1 in bowls under Mullen, beating Wake Forest 23-17 (-6.5) in Nashville two years ago. Both teams have very experienced OLs, Rice has experience edge at QB, though both QBs are better runners than passers. Underdogs covered five of previous seven bowls here. Eight of last nine Liberty Bowls were decided by 8 or less points.
Chick-fil-A Atlanta, 12/31
Favorites covered Texas A&M’s last five bowl games; Aggies won 33-22/41-13 in bowls last two years, routing Oklahoma LY, now in what could be Manziel’s last college game, Aggies will try to outscore Duke team that hasn’t won bowl game since 1960. Blue Devils were 34-all and had ball on Cincinnati 5-yard line with 1:20 left LY, fumbled, gave up 83-yard TD and pick-6, didn’t even cover as 9-point underdog, one of worst beats EVER, and it was Duke’s first bowl since ‘94. Blue Devils bounced back to go 10-3 this year, making bowls in consecutive seasons for first time ever- they’ve covered five of last six times they were underdog, winning seven of last eight games SU, after losing 58-55 at home to Pitt in September. Aggies hung 42 on Alabama and lost; their defense slipped this year- they lost two games this year when they scored 40+ points. Game is in a dome, so weather is no factor. Dogs covered six of last eight Chick-fil-A bowls, with ACC team winning three of last four against the SEC.
Bowl Trends for Faves and Totals:
Since 1/1/2013 Favorites = 23-6 ATS (I threw out the Buff-SdSt game where a late move sent SdSt from -2 to +1)
Since the fourth Bowl Game this Postseason in New Orleans UNDERS are on a 15-1 run including 12 straight.
If you've been betting Dogs or OVERS your theme this Bowl Season is "Fight Hunger!"
Since 1/1/2013 Favorites = 23-6 ATS (I threw out the Buff-SdSt game where a late move sent SdSt from -2 to +1)
Since the fourth Bowl Game this Postseason in New Orleans UNDERS are on a 15-1 run including 12 straight.
If you've been betting Dogs or OVERS your theme this Bowl Season is "Fight Hunger!"
POWERSWEEP
advocare bowl
BOSTON COLL (7-5) ATS: 7-5 O/U: 6-5-1 VS ARIZONA (7-5) ATS: 6-6 O/U: 5-7
FORECAST: Boston College over Arizona
POWER SWEEP RATING: 3*
sun bowl
VIRGINIA TECH (8-4) ATS: 4-7-1 O/U: 4-8 VS UCLA (9-3) ATS: 8-4 O/U: 5-7
FORECAST: Virginia Tech over UCLA
POWER SWEEP RATING: 2*
liberty bowl
MISS ST (6-6)ATS: 7-5 O/U: 4-8 VS RICE (10-3) ATS: 8-5 O/U: 6-7
FORECAST: Mississippi St over Rice
POWER SWEEP RATING: 2*
chick-fil-a bowl
DUKE (10-3) ATS: 9-3-1 O/U: 4-8-1 VS TEXAS A&M (8-4) ATS: 4-8 O/U: 8-4
FORECAST: Duke (+) over Texas A&M
POWER SWEEP RATING: 1*
advocare bowl
BOSTON COLL (7-5) ATS: 7-5 O/U: 6-5-1 VS ARIZONA (7-5) ATS: 6-6 O/U: 5-7
FORECAST: Boston College over Arizona
POWER SWEEP RATING: 3*
sun bowl
VIRGINIA TECH (8-4) ATS: 4-7-1 O/U: 4-8 VS UCLA (9-3) ATS: 8-4 O/U: 5-7
FORECAST: Virginia Tech over UCLA
POWER SWEEP RATING: 2*
liberty bowl
MISS ST (6-6)ATS: 7-5 O/U: 4-8 VS RICE (10-3) ATS: 8-5 O/U: 6-7
FORECAST: Mississippi St over Rice
POWER SWEEP RATING: 2*
chick-fil-a bowl
DUKE (10-3) ATS: 9-3-1 O/U: 4-8-1 VS TEXAS A&M (8-4) ATS: 4-8 O/U: 8-4
FORECAST: Duke (+) over Texas A&M
POWER SWEEP RATING: 1*
