The Duke's Sports
U Conn (+6) for 2.5 Units
Pittsburgh appears to have taken command of the Big East but should run into trouble in this spot. The Panthers can't be trusted in November under Wannstedt with a 7-14 ATS mark. And this is not a good spot for Pittsburgh at 0-4 ATS on the road off back-to-back home homes vs an opponent off a SU dog win. Furthermore, the Panthers are just 3-8 ATS off a bye-week and 1-4-1 ATS on Thursdays. On the other hand, U Conn sports an impressive 6-1 ATS mark off a bye-week, 7-1 ATS as a home dog, including 6-0 ATS in this spread range. In addition, beleaguered QB Zach Frazier, who is coming off a solid job against WV, should keep his confidence level high with the return of explosive KR/WR Nick Williams (sat out vs WV) and, of course, the hard nosed running of RB Todman behind the veteran Huskies' offensive line. With revenge in mind from last year's 24-21 loss at Pittsburgh, we like the Huskies at +6 on this strong home field.
U Conn (+6) for 2.5 Units
Pittsburgh appears to have taken command of the Big East but should run into trouble in this spot. The Panthers can't be trusted in November under Wannstedt with a 7-14 ATS mark. And this is not a good spot for Pittsburgh at 0-4 ATS on the road off back-to-back home homes vs an opponent off a SU dog win. Furthermore, the Panthers are just 3-8 ATS off a bye-week and 1-4-1 ATS on Thursdays. On the other hand, U Conn sports an impressive 6-1 ATS mark off a bye-week, 7-1 ATS as a home dog, including 6-0 ATS in this spread range. In addition, beleaguered QB Zach Frazier, who is coming off a solid job against WV, should keep his confidence level high with the return of explosive KR/WR Nick Williams (sat out vs WV) and, of course, the hard nosed running of RB Todman behind the veteran Huskies' offensive line. With revenge in mind from last year's 24-21 loss at Pittsburgh, we like the Huskies at +6 on this strong home field.
Bob Balfe
UAB -2
East Carolina has a very young team and it showed last week against Navy. If I am the UAB head coach, I get my offense ready to run the ball 50+ times tonight. East Carolina cannot stop the run for the life of them and now have two starters on their already young defensive line out for the season. UAB would be foolish to not pound the ball all game. If you can run the rock and keep the ECU offense on the sidelines, you are killing two birds with one stone. It's never good when a young team gets crushed and has to come back on the road on a short week. Look for the Blazers to get a big home win. Take UAB.
Boston Celtics +7
We had Boston on the first night of the season against Miami and we will take them again. There is no way you can take the Heat as big favorites until Miami can stop a guy like Rondo and/or close out games when they have the lead. Boston is coming off a tough loss the other night and will look to get a rebound road win. This should be a great, close game. Take Boston.
UAB -2
East Carolina has a very young team and it showed last week against Navy. If I am the UAB head coach, I get my offense ready to run the ball 50+ times tonight. East Carolina cannot stop the run for the life of them and now have two starters on their already young defensive line out for the season. UAB would be foolish to not pound the ball all game. If you can run the rock and keep the ECU offense on the sidelines, you are killing two birds with one stone. It's never good when a young team gets crushed and has to come back on the road on a short week. Look for the Blazers to get a big home win. Take UAB.
Boston Celtics +7
We had Boston on the first night of the season against Miami and we will take them again. There is no way you can take the Heat as big favorites until Miami can stop a guy like Rondo and/or close out games when they have the lead. Boston is coming off a tough loss the other night and will look to get a rebound road win. This should be a great, close game. Take Boston.
