Venue/ Stadium: Jones AT&T Stadium, LUBBOCK, TX
The Sooners moved up to #2 in the BCS polls with Alabama losing last week and to stay there they will have to beat Texas Tech in their house.
Author: Jason Green
Jason Green is back with Cappers Picks again to give out his free sports plays. As always he's hoping the Braves and Redskins can win a championship since their last one in the 90’s was long ago. He’s starting to know the pain of Cubs fans.
Venue/ Stadium: Bobby Dodd Stadium, ATLANTA, GA
This game is a HUGE ACC match up, as the winner will be in the driver’s seat to win the Coastal Division and in an interesting fact the winner of the Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech game has represented that division in the ACC title game in the last 5 seasons.
2011-2012 CBB Predictions & Gambling Preview: Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East)
Marquette was a bubble team in the killer Big East last season, but made it to the Big Dance losing to North Carolina in the Sweet 16.
2011-2012 CBB Predictions & Gambling Preview: Baylor Bears (Big Twelve)
After almost advancing to the Final 4 a couple seasons ago the Bears fell part last season losing 5 of their last 6 games including losing to Oklahoma in the first round of the Big 12 conference tournament.
2011 CBB Predictions & Gambling Preview: Wisconsin Badgers (Big Ten)
Ohio State is the nation’s preseason 3rd ranked team and the main reason is that F Jared Sullinger, who led the Buckeyes in scoring and rebounding last season, decided to forgo the NBA draft and come back.
2011-2012 NCAA Basketball Season Preview: Missouri Tigers
Mizzou is a legit team and had a decent shot to win the Big 12 and go far in the Big Dance mainly because Laurence Bowers and Kim English decided to forgo the NBA and come back to Columbia.
Venue/ Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
It seems all people are talking about when it comes to the Colts (0-8) is if they should take Andrew Luck and trade Peyton Manning if they end up with the #1 pick.
Venue/ Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium, STILLWATER, OK
Kansas State (7-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with last week’s blowout loss to Oklahoma.
Venue/ Stadium: Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, AUSTIN, TX
The big question for this game is which Texas Tech (5-3) team will show up? The one that scored 41 points to snap Oklahoma’s 39-game home winning streak a couple weeks ago or the one that totally fell flat last week in only scoring 7 points in a blowout loss at home to a .500 Iowa State team?
Venue/ Stadium: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, NORMAN, OK
Oklahoma (7-1) got over their shocking home defeat to Texas Tech a couple weeks back to lay a serious beat down on an undefeated Kansas State team on the road last week.
New Orleans Saints vs St. Louis Rams NFL Lines
Venue/ Stadium: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, October 30, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Saints -800 / Rams +620
Spread (ATS): Saints -13.5
Over/Under: 48
New Orleans Saints vs. St. Louis Rams Preview
The Saints (5-2) are big betting favorites facing the Rams (0-6) in St. Louis and it is really not hard to see why, as not only are the Rams struggling, but the Saints scored more points in last week’s game (62) than St. Louis has scored all season (56). NFL lines have the Saints as 13.5-point away favorites in this NFC match up with a total of 48.
In their last games the Saints crushed the Indianapolis Colts 62-7 and the Rams were killed by the Dallas Cowboys 34-7.
Not only do the Rams have issues, big ones, on both sides of the ball, but also QB Sam Bradford is questionable for this Sunday’s game and did not practice on Thursday because of a high ankle sprain.
The Rams may need Bradford to play to have any chance to win, as while backup AJ Feely did pass for 217 yards in the loss to Dallas he was picked off and he also had a fumble. Whoever starts under center will have to deal with a Saints pass defense that ranks a respectable 16th in the league. The Rams have one of the weakest WR corps in the league and their passing offense only ranks 23rd in passing yards per game.
The Rams only rank 26th in the league in rushing yards per game and if Bradford cannot go they will have to rely on RB’s Steven Jackson and Cadillac Williams, who only has 5 carries in the last 2 games, to shoulder the offensive load. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Can the Rams’ defense keep Drew Brees and a Saints’ offense that is the highest scoring team in the league from lighting up the scoreboard? I would say no, as Brees not only has many targets and a legit running game, but the Rams rank 2nd to last in the league in scoring defense giving up an average of almost 29 ppg.
While the pass defense has been decent for the Rams, ranking 13th in the league, their rushing defense ranks dead last. That is not good facing a Saints’ team that has a trio of solid RB’s in Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, and Darren Sproles and rushed for 236 yards against the Colts in last week’s blowout win.
Betting Trends
This season the Rams are 0-6 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 2-3-1 and the Saints are 4-3 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 4-3.
The Saints are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and has an Over record of 5-1 in their last 6 games facing a team with a losing record.
The Rams are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games, 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog, and has an Under record of 3-1-1 in their last 5 games.
Jason’s Pick: Really, a pick? Yeah, take the Saints to easily win this game and cover and take the Over, as New Orleans may score 48 points themselves.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers NFL Lines
Venue/ Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Time/Date: 1 PM EST Sunday, October 30, 2011
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: Vikings +155 / Panthers -175
Spread (ATS): Panthers -3
Over/Under: 47
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Preview
Cam Newton had another great game last week and the Panthers (2-5) finally put it all together and won, which snapped their 3-game winning streak. Christian Ponder got his first start of his career last week against the packers and after a fast start the Vikings (1-6) still lost, but his play gives Minnesota fans hope. NFL lines have the Panthers as 3.5-point home favorites in this NFC match up with a total of 47.
Last week the Vikings lost to the Packers 33-27 while the Panthers beat my beloved Redskins 33-20.
Newton has sparked a Carolina offense and the Panthers have already scored 2 more TD than they did all of last season. In the win over Washington Newton was 18/23 for 256 yards with 1 TD and he also rushed for a season high 59 yards with a TD. The Vikings have the league’s 29th ranked pass defense and they must try to contain Newton and his main target of Steve Smith (39 rec 818 yards 3 TD), who leads the NFL in receiving yards.
One thing the Vikings have going for them is that they lead the league in sacks (21), but Newton is a running QB that can avoid pressure. Still, getting to Newton is key for the Vikings’ defense this Sunday. Newton has the 2nd most INT (9) in the league, but the Vikes only have 6 picks all season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jared Allen leads the league in sacks and if he can add to his total the Vikes have a much better chance to win.
The Panthers are also running the ball well ranking 8th in the league in rushing yards per game behind RB’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but they will be facing a Minnesota run defense that ranks 4th in the league.
Ponder was 13/32 for 219 yards with 2 TD and 2 INT last week and he and WR’s Michael Jenkins and Percy Harvin will be going up against a Carolina pass defense that ranks 12th in the league.
One player that is key in this game is Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson. He had his best game of the season last week rushing for 175 yards with 1 TD and will be facing a struggling Panthers’ run defense that ranks 29th in the league. He and the Minnesota defense will have to get off to a good start, as if they get down early their rookie QB will have to air it out more often for the Vikings to win.
Betting Trends
This season the Vikings are 3-3-1 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 4-3 and the Panthers are 5-2 ATS and have an Over/Under record of 5-2.
The Vikings are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games facing a team with a losing record, and has an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 road games.
The Panthers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games, 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite, and has an Under record of 8-1 in their last 9 games as a favorite.
Jason’s Pick: This one is a tough one to call, as I think Newton and Peterson will both have good games. However, the Panthers are at home and I think that gives them the edge, as Carolina will win and cover the 3.5-point spread. With the defensive issues both teams have I would take the Over in this game.
Venue/ Stadium: Jones AT&T Stadium, LUBBOCK, TX
Time/Date: 7 PM EST Saturday, October 29, 2011
NCAA Odds From: BetOnline
Moneyline: Iowa State +500 / Texas Tech -640
Spread (ATS): Texas Tech -15
Over/Under: 67
Iowa State Cyclones vs. No. 20 Texas Tech Red Raiders Preview
Texas Tech (5-2) is coming off a HUGE win beating Oklahoma on the road, which snapped the Sooners 39-game home winning streak. Iowa State (3-4) is on the other side of the spectrum, as after starting the season 3-0 they have lost their last 4 games and have yet to win a Big 12 game. NCAAF lines have Texas Tech as big 15-point home favorites with a total of 67.
In their last games Iowa State lost to Texas A&M 33-17 while Texas Tech beat Oklahoma 41-38.
The big question in this game is do Iowa State and their 74th ranked pass defense have any chance against a Texas Tech pass offense that ranks 3rd in the nation?
Tech and their dynamic passing offense is led by QB Seth Doege, who passed for 441 yards with 4 TD and 0 INT in the win over Oklahoma, and WR’s Alex Torres (39 rec 475 yards 4 TD) and Eric Ward (44 rec 430 yards 8 TD). The Cyclones gave up 263 passing yards last week and in their last 3 losses, which were all blowouts, they lost to teams that have a great passing offense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Even though the aerial attack is the main weapon for the Red Raiders they can run the ball ranking 59th in the nation in rushing yards per game. Not only do the Cyclones have a weak pass defense, but also their run defense is even worse ranking 114th in the nation.
For Iowa State to have any chance to win this game they will need QB Jared Barnett and RB James White to play stellar. This is especially the case since the ISU defense has really struggled in the last few games. Still, White has only rushed for over 100 yards in 1 game this season and freshman Barnett is only making the 1st start of his career. The one thing the Cyclones have going for them is that the Red Raiders only rank 105th in the nation in run defense and 53rd in pass defense.
White will not get any help in the backfield since RB Shontrelle Johnson, who rushed for 102 yards last season against Texas Tech, is out for this game with an injury.
Betting Trends
This season Iowa State is 3-4 ATS and has an Over/Under record of 4-3 and Texas Tech is 5-2 ATS and has an Over/Under record of 6-1.
Iowa State is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 10.5 points or more, and has an Under record of 7-2 in their last 9 road games.
Texas Tech is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games facing a team with a losing record and has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Jason’s Pick: Seriously? Texas Tech ranks 9th in the nation in scoring while Iowa State ranks 115th giving up almost 36 points per game? Yeah, take Tech to easily win and cover and the Over is the pick with all the points on the scoreboard that will be put up in this Big 12 match up.
Venue/ Stadium: Kyle Field, COLLEGE STATION, TX
Time/Date: 12 PM EST Saturday, October 29, 2011
NCAA Odds From: BetOnline
Moneyline: Missouri +365 / Texas A&M -440
Spread (ATS): Texas A&M -11
Over/Under: 62.5
Missouri Tigers vs. No 16 Texas A&M Aggies Preview
Texas A&M (5-2) has gotten over their 2 close losses this season with 3 straight wins and their offense, which ranks 13th in the nation in scoring, has kept on rolling. Missouri (3-4) is under .500 and the underdog in this game, but the Tigers are solid on both sides of the ball and all of their losses this season have come to teams that are currently ranked in the top 25. NCAAF lines has Texas A&M as 11-point favorites in this Big 12 game with a total of 62.5.
In their last games Texas A&M beat Iowa State 33-17 and Missouri lost to Oklahoma State 45-24.
Something has got to give in this game, as Texas A&M is giving up 79.9 rushing yards per game, which is the fewest in the Big 12, while Missouri is averaging 238.1 rushing yards per game.
Ryan Tannehill leads the Aggies and their 19th ranked passing offense and he has several solid targets and will be facing a Mizzou pass defense that ranks 86th in the nation and gave up 338 passing yards to Oklahoma State last week. The Tigers have a decent pass rush with 15 sacks on the season and getting to Tannehill is key since their secondary is sketchy. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Aggies have the nation’s 14th ranked rushing offense and the RB duo of Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray have combined to rush for over 1,350 yards this season. Mizzou has the nation’s 41st ranked run defense and it is pretty simple for them, as they have to play good all around D against a high scoring offense of A&M and if they do not their offense will have to bail them out.
The Texas A&M defense is Jekyll and Hyde, as they have the nations worst pass defense, but the 5th best run defense. Their D has one goal in this game and that is to contain duel threat Missouri QB James Franklin and RB Henry Josey. The Aggies have the advantage since the strength of the Mizzou offense is running the ball, but stopping Posey will not be easy, as he has averaged 8.6 yards per carry this season and has rushed for over 100 yards in 4 of his last 5 games.
Franklin may have to do it all if A&M stuffs the run and the duo of T.J. Moe and TE Michael Egnew will have to make some big plays down the field.
Mizzou’s offensive line must play well, as Texas A&M has the most sacks in the nation this season.
On the season Missouri is 4-3 ATS and has an Over/Under record of 4-3 and Texas A&M is 2-5 ARS and has an Over/Under record of 4-3.
Betting Trends
Mizzou is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog of 10.5 points or more and has an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 games facing a team with a winning record.
Texas A&M is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite, and has an Under record of 7-3 in their last 10 home games.
Jason’s Pick: I Like Mizzou, but have to go with Texas A&M in this game, as they are simply too good on offense and they have a great run defense. Take the Aggies to win and cover and since Mizzou will score some points I think the Over is the way to go.
Venue/ Stadium: Bill Snyder Stadium, MANHATTAN, KS
Time/Date: 3:30 PM EST Saturday, October 29, 2011
NCAA Odds From: BetOnline
Moneyline: Oklahoma -500 / KSU +405
Spread (ATS): Oklahoma -13.5
Over/Under: 59.5
No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats Preview
Last week Oklahoma (6-1) had their 39-home winning streak snapped with a shocking loss to Texas Tech and to stay in the hunt for the Big 12 title they will have to beat Kansas State (7-0). The Wildcats are undefeated and the next few games will show if they are a legit Big 12 title and BCS contender, as after Oklahoma they face the ranked teams of Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Texas. NCAAF lines have Oklahoma as big 13.5-point away favorites with a total of 59.5.
In their last games Oklahoma was a 4-TD betting favorite, but lost to Texas Tech 41-38 and Kansas State crushed rival Kansas 59-21.
The Sooners’ defense failed to show up last week in the loss to Texas Tech giving up 452 passing yards and 120 rushing yards. They will likely not give up a ton of passing yards, as the Wildcats are all about the run ranking 19th in the nation in rushing yards per game, but only 110th in passing yards per game. For the Sooners’ defense their goal is to contain rushing QB Collin Klein (637 rushing yards 14 TD) and RB John Hubert (637 yards 2 TD). If they can keep these guys from racking up a ton of rushing yards they will easily win this game.
Oklahoma ranks 28th in the nation in run defense. Klein did have 195 passing yards with 1 TD in the win over Kansas, but if he has to carry the offense with his arm KSU will be in trouble. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Oklahoma and their nation’s 4th ranked passing offense is led by Landry Jones, who threw for 412 yards with 5 TD and 1 INT in the loss to Texas Tech. He has a solid WR corps, especially NCAA’s all time reception leader WR Ryan Broyles, and the main reason OU is a big favorite is that KSU only ranks 87th in the nation defending the pass.
Sooners’ lead RB Dominique Whaley (627 yards 9 TD) did not play in the Tech game, but he will play this Saturday. While the Wildcats do not have a good pass defense their run defense ranks a solid 13th in the nation. Still, if they cannot keep Jones from lighting up the scoreboard KSU will suffer their first loss of the season.
Betting Trends
This season Kansas State is 6-1 ATS and has an Over/Under record of 4-3 and Oklahoma is 4-3 ATS and also has an Over/Under record of 4-3.
Oklahoma is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite of 10.5 points or more, and has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Kansas State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games and has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 games.
Jason’s Pick: I think KSU is overrated and because their pass defense is weak Jones is going to light them up, as the Sooners will win and cover the 11.5-point spread. Take the Over as well, as KSU will not get blanked and OU will score a ton of points.
Venue/ Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
After last week’s 4 INT game Washington (3-2) head coach Mike Shanahan made a switch and John Beck, who has not started a NFL game since 2007, will get the starting nod under center taking over for Rex Grossman.
