Jets + 3 and over 34MREAST NCAAB SATURDAY DESTRUCTION
I think many have a short memory when it comes to this Irish team at home. They have enjoyed perhaps the top homecurt advantage in the country over the past several years. This is a team that is 61-4 in their last 65 in this building. The Big East is arguably the toughest conference of all because of its depth, but the Irish have blown through the Big east winning 27 of their last 29 at home. The last time they were instituted as a home dog, the Irish beat Louisville by 33! Mountaineers on the fast track, but that train has derailed as a small favorite, where they are 1-7 in their last 8 as a road favorite of up to 6.5. Irish will stand tall and proud in this one.
#629 WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS @ #630 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH 8PM EST
PLAY ON #630 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH +3.5 -110 FOR 3 UNITS
I think many have a short memory when it comes to this Irish team at home. They have enjoyed perhaps the top homecurt advantage in the country over the past several years. This is a team that is 61-4 in their last 65 in this building. The Big East is arguably the toughest conference of all because of its depth, but the Irish have blown through the Big east winning 27 of their last 29 at home. The last time they were instituted as a home dog, the Irish beat Louisville by 33! Mountaineers on the fast track, but that train has derailed as a small favorite, where they are 1-7 in their last 8 as a road favorite of up to 6.5. Irish will stand tall and proud in this one.
#629 WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS @ #630 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH 8PM EST
PLAY ON #630 NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH +3.5 -110 FOR 3 UNITS
STAN SHARP 3*
662 California -9.5 (-110) BetUS vs 661 Southern California
Analysis: Stan is Betting CALIFORNIA. Stan notes that the California was flat in their last game even though they were playing UCLA it was the game after blowing out their biggest rival Stanford. Today Cal will be all business and Stan's numbers have them winning by 15 or more. TAKE CALIFORNIA as STAN'S COLLEGE WISE GUY GAME OF THE MONTH and make them a TRIPLEˆ DIME PLAY.
662 California -9.5 (-110) BetUS vs 661 Southern California
Analysis: Stan is Betting CALIFORNIA. Stan notes that the California was flat in their last game even though they were playing UCLA it was the game after blowing out their biggest rival Stanford. Today Cal will be all business and Stan's numbers have them winning by 15 or more. TAKE CALIFORNIA as STAN'S COLLEGE WISE GUY GAME OF THE MONTH and make them a TRIPLEˆ DIME PLAY.
NFL odds for every playoff game this weekend are up and perhaps the most anticipated game of the week is the Eagles/Cowboys rematch. Dallas won in Philly earlier this year and trounced the Eagles 24-0 at Cowboys Stadium last Sunday. If <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1
lace>Philadelphia</st1lace></st1:City> wants to reach the Super Bowl, as many football handicappers predicted at the start of the season, it has to improve in a hurry.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o> </o>
Eagles vs Cowboys<o></o>
Saturday, January 9, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sports betting favorite: Cowboys -4
<o> </o>
The Eagles sputtered early but spent much of the season as a powerhouse, winning six straight games before flopping in Dallas last week. We thus can’t totally judge them on one poor performance. The Eagles are still a formidable team that gets the quarterback and forces lots of turnovers. Offensively, their pass-heavy attack helps them put points on the board in a hurry. DeSean Jackson predictably broke out this season; he made the Pro Bowl as a receiver and return specialist. He’s as fast as any football player in the game (save for Chris Johnson?) and will give a mediocre Dallas secondary major headaches. In Brent Celek, Donovan McNabb has another athletic young target.
<o> </o>
Is Philly’s rushing attack its Achilles heel? Andy Reid doesn’t like to run and LeSean McCoy didn’t really grow throughout the season because of that. The Cowboys have the NFL’s No. 4 run defense; if the Eagles get the lead, they’ll have trouble controlling the clock.
<o> </o>
Philadelphia is also susceptible to the big play; that’s where Tony Romo and Miles Austin (who quietly led the NFC in passing and receiving yards, respectively, this season) come in. Romo excelled against the Giants, Saints, Redskins and Eagles in December, finally conquering his December hex. He also had a higher quarterback rating the lower the outside temperature got. He was good in all weather, posting a career-best passer rating of 97.6, but the important takeaway here is that Romo no longer seems to be struggling in crunch time. He gets a comfy matchup at home in Dallas this week and could continue to play well even in cold weather later in the playoffs.
<o> </o>
The Cowboys will win this game via balance. They have a top-10 rushing attack thanks to the three-headed monster of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Combined with the passing game, that gives Dallas the NFL’s second-ranked offense. They will score points, stop the run and pressure Donovan McNabb via DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff. Pick Dallas.
<o> </o>
Free pick: Cowboys -4
<o> </o>
Sports betting fans are rejoicing – the NFL playoffs have arrived and this year’s outstanding parity among the contenders should make for a very interesting final 12. First up, the Jets and Bengals replay their matchup from last week. <st1:State><st1lace>New York</st1lace></st1:State> massacred <st1:City><st1lace>Cincinnati</st1lace></st1:City> last week but the stakes change for the Wildcard playoff. The action shifts to Cincy and the Bengals won’t rest any starters. Can the Jets still compete?
<o> </o>
Jets vs Bengals<o></o>
Saturday, January 9, <st1:time Hour="16" Minute="30">4:30 p.m. ET</st1:time>
NFL odds favorite: Bengals -2.5
<o> </o>
Are they real or not? The Jets are an enigma. On one hand, Rex Ryan has worked wonders for the defense. The Jets lead the NFL in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. They also boast the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack. They have the NFL’s top shutdown corner in Darrelle Revis and the AFC’s second-ranked rusher in Thomas Jones. In short, there’s plenty to like about Gang Green.
<o> </o>
But there are plenty of red flags, too. The first is Mark Sanchez. “The Sanchize” flashed brilliance early in the season – when he played in balmy temperatures that mimicked his <st1lace>Southern California</st1lace> college days. When the temperature dropped, however, Sanchez struggled. He threw 13 of his 20 interceptions and just four of his 12 touchdown passes in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Can we trust the rookie playing a road game in cold weather? It’s also worth nothing that the Jets’ two “courageous” wins to sneak into the playoffs came against teams that had already clinched division titles and chose to rest their starters in the second half. That means it’s tough to know if the Jets are actually any good.
<o> </o>
We know what we get with the Bengals – a decent team that does everything “pretty well.” They’ve got two great corners, an every-down back in Cedric Benson, an outstanding run defense and a solid pass rush. Carson Palmer has to be better than he was in brief duty last week, when he went 1/11 for zero yards. At home, he should be; he threw 12 touchdown passes versus six picks at Paul Brown Stadium this season.
<o> </o>
The Jets have a great “D” and rushing attack but so do the Bengals. Go with the home team and the more experienced quarterback. Pick Cincy.
<o> </o>
Free pick: Bengals -2.5<o></o>
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace>Philadelphia</st1lace></st1:City> wants to reach the Super Bowl, as many football handicappers predicted at the start of the season, it has to improve in a hurry.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o> </o>Eagles vs Cowboys<o
></o>Saturday, January 9, 8:00 p.m. ET
Sports betting favorite: Cowboys -4
<o
> </o>The Eagles sputtered early but spent much of the season as a powerhouse, winning six straight games before flopping in Dallas last week. We thus can’t totally judge them on one poor performance. The Eagles are still a formidable team that gets the quarterback and forces lots of turnovers. Offensively, their pass-heavy attack helps them put points on the board in a hurry. DeSean Jackson predictably broke out this season; he made the Pro Bowl as a receiver and return specialist. He’s as fast as any football player in the game (save for Chris Johnson?) and will give a mediocre Dallas secondary major headaches. In Brent Celek, Donovan McNabb has another athletic young target.
<o
> </o>Is Philly’s rushing attack its Achilles heel? Andy Reid doesn’t like to run and LeSean McCoy didn’t really grow throughout the season because of that. The Cowboys have the NFL’s No. 4 run defense; if the Eagles get the lead, they’ll have trouble controlling the clock.
<o
> </o>Philadelphia is also susceptible to the big play; that’s where Tony Romo and Miles Austin (who quietly led the NFC in passing and receiving yards, respectively, this season) come in. Romo excelled against the Giants, Saints, Redskins and Eagles in December, finally conquering his December hex. He also had a higher quarterback rating the lower the outside temperature got. He was good in all weather, posting a career-best passer rating of 97.6, but the important takeaway here is that Romo no longer seems to be struggling in crunch time. He gets a comfy matchup at home in Dallas this week and could continue to play well even in cold weather later in the playoffs.
<o
> </o>The Cowboys will win this game via balance. They have a top-10 rushing attack thanks to the three-headed monster of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Combined with the passing game, that gives Dallas the NFL’s second-ranked offense. They will score points, stop the run and pressure Donovan McNabb via DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff. Pick Dallas.
<o
> </o>Free pick: Cowboys -4
<o
> </o>Sports betting fans are rejoicing – the NFL playoffs have arrived and this year’s outstanding parity among the contenders should make for a very interesting final 12. First up, the Jets and Bengals replay their matchup from last week. <st1:State><st1
lace>New York</st1lace></st1:State> massacred <st1:City><st1lace>Cincinnati</st1lace></st1:City> last week but the stakes change for the Wildcard playoff. The action shifts to Cincy and the Bengals won’t rest any starters. Can the Jets still compete?<o
> </o>Jets vs Bengals<o
></o>Saturday, January 9, <st1:time Hour="16" Minute="30">4:30 p.m. ET</st1:time>
NFL odds favorite: Bengals -2.5
<o
> </o>Are they real or not? The Jets are an enigma. On one hand, Rex Ryan has worked wonders for the defense. The Jets lead the NFL in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense. They also boast the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack. They have the NFL’s top shutdown corner in Darrelle Revis and the AFC’s second-ranked rusher in Thomas Jones. In short, there’s plenty to like about Gang Green.
<o
> </o>But there are plenty of red flags, too. The first is Mark Sanchez. “The Sanchize” flashed brilliance early in the season – when he played in balmy temperatures that mimicked his <st1
lace>Southern California</st1lace> college days. When the temperature dropped, however, Sanchez struggled. He threw 13 of his 20 interceptions and just four of his 12 touchdown passes in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Can we trust the rookie playing a road game in cold weather? It’s also worth nothing that the Jets’ two “courageous” wins to sneak into the playoffs came against teams that had already clinched division titles and chose to rest their starters in the second half. That means it’s tough to know if the Jets are actually any good.<o
> </o>We know what we get with the Bengals – a decent team that does everything “pretty well.” They’ve got two great corners, an every-down back in Cedric Benson, an outstanding run defense and a solid pass rush. Carson Palmer has to be better than he was in brief duty last week, when he went 1/11 for zero yards. At home, he should be; he threw 12 touchdown passes versus six picks at Paul Brown Stadium this season.
<o
> </o>The Jets have a great “D” and rushing attack but so do the Bengals. Go with the home team and the more experienced quarterback. Pick Cincy.
<o
> </o>Free pick: Bengals -2.5<o
></o>
ADDED PLAYS
ROBERT FERRINGO
Ferringo NCAAB 1/9
3-Unit Play. Take #591 Richmond (-4) over St. Louis (5 p.m.)
Note: This is my Game of the Week.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #629 West Virginia (-3.5) over Notre Dame (8 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #531 Purdue (Pk) over Wisconsin (1:30 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #639 Troy (-4.5) over Florida International (8 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #685 Eastern Kentucky (-3) over Tennessee Tech (8:30 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #575 Northern Iowa (+1.5) over Illinois State (4 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #545 Towson (+9) over James Madison (2 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #626 Long Beach State (-8) over UC-Irvine (10 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #600 Stanford (-3.5) over UCLA (6 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #608 Baylor (-6.5) over Oklahoma (6 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #566 New Mexico (-5) over UNLV (4 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #647 New Mexico State (+7.5) over Boise State (9 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #659 San Jose State (+11.5) over Nevada (10 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #559 Bradley (+9) over Missouri State (3 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #585 Boston College (+9) over Clemson (4 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #618 Youngstown State (-3) over Loyola (7 p.m.)
ROBERT FERRINGO
Ferringo NCAAB 1/9
3-Unit Play. Take #591 Richmond (-4) over St. Louis (5 p.m.)
Note: This is my Game of the Week.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #629 West Virginia (-3.5) over Notre Dame (8 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #531 Purdue (Pk) over Wisconsin (1:30 p.m.)
2-Unit Play. Take #639 Troy (-4.5) over Florida International (8 p.m.)
1.5-Unit Play. Take #685 Eastern Kentucky (-3) over Tennessee Tech (8:30 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #575 Northern Iowa (+1.5) over Illinois State (4 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #545 Towson (+9) over James Madison (2 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #626 Long Beach State (-8) over UC-Irvine (10 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #600 Stanford (-3.5) over UCLA (6 p.m.)
1-Unit Play. Take #608 Baylor (-6.5) over Oklahoma (6 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #566 New Mexico (-5) over UNLV (4 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #647 New Mexico State (+7.5) over Boise State (9 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #659 San Jose State (+11.5) over Nevada (10 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #559 Bradley (+9) over Missouri State (3 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #585 Boston College (+9) over Clemson (4 p.m.)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #618 Youngstown State (-3) over Loyola (7 p.m.)
