1-7-12

[Mr. IWS]

Harry Bondi (Free Play from website)

Compass Bowl
PITTSBURGH (-3.5) over SMU
1 p.m. EST -- ESPN




Harry Bondi did it again last night as he nailed his College Bowl "Lock of the Year" selection on Arkansas, running his record on College "Lock" Games to an incredible 12-1 the last three years.
Expect a fired-up Panthers squad today as they will be looking to send a message to their former head coach, Todd Graham, who they feel abandoned them by bolting for Arizona State. The Panther players have been very vocal about how much they'd like to prove to their former head coach that he shouldn't have left and that they really want to give interim head coach Phil Bennett, the team's well-liked defensive coordinator, a big win. On the SMU sideline the vibe will be much different. Ironically, head coach June Jones interviewed and very much wanted the Arizona State job. When he didn't get it, Jones had to "settle" for his old job as the Mustangs head coach and the players feel betrayed. Not only that, but SMU will be without workhorse RB Zach Line, who was responsible for more than 50% of the team's total offense this season. His replacement will be a pair of untested freshmen and with Pitt's ability to dominate the line of scrimmage, we don't expect much offensive output from the Mustangs. Lay the short number with the more motivated team.

[Mr. IWS]

SPORTS WAGERS

Toronto +10 over PHILADELPHIA

What a perfect spot for the Raptors to stay well within this range or even pull off the upset. The 76ers are coming off a 23-point win over the Pistons last night while the Raps are coming off a 12-point home-loss to the previously, one-win Nets. Combine those two results and what it's created is a complete overreactiopn by the market. Philly is 4-2 but all of its wins have come against dregs, Phoenix, Golden State, New Orleans and Detroit. The 76ers also opended the year with five straight on the road and returned last night to play its home opener. That is a game you get up for. Now with a 4-2 record and playing its third game in four nights after that five-game trip, the Sixers could absolutely be flat tonight and even if they're not they would be hard-pressed to cover this number. The Raps are 3-4. Last night was their first flat performance of the year. Toronto has played Dallas, Orlando, Indiana and New York among others and realistically they could've opened the year 6-0 before losing last night. The Raps had a 17-point lead in Orlando, an eight point lead in Dallas and they lost by just five to Indiana. Those were three winnable games to go along with their other three wins. This is not the same Raptor team as last season. They have a lot of the same players but they're playing great defense, Andrea Bargnani is playing all-star caliber basketball and the whole team is responding to coach Dwayne Casey's philosophies. Raptors are grossly undervalued here and thus, this is a wager that should not be missed Play: Toronto +10 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).


SPORTS WAGERS

BOSTON -½ +102 over Vancouver

1:00 PM EST. Stanley Cup hangover? That lasted approximately three games to open the year but since then, the Bruins have been like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. Boston's recent record and offensive numbers are staggering. The Bruins have lost just four games over their past 27. In Boston’s past seven games, they have wins of 9-0, 6-1, 8-0 and 6-0 among others. The NHL hasn't seen a team dominating like this since the Montreal Canadiens of the 70's and the Islanders of the early 80's. Among the other 29 teams in the NHL, there's probably no other team that the B's would rather beat up on than the Canucks. These two met in last year's Finals and the Canucks played nasty like they always do. Vancouver tried to intimidate Boston and they tried to impose their physical will on them. It worked somewhat at the beginning of the series in Vancouver but in the end, the Bruins prevailed with a dominating game seven victory in Vancouver. In the three games played in Boston, The B's outscored the Canucks 17-3 and made Roberto Luongo look like a mouse. Luongo has been off since Wednesday's shutout. Interesting that he's opted out of this game. Instead of insisting to play to redeem himself, he's taken the cowards way out once again and the B's will make the Canucks pay once again. Play: Boston -½ +102 (Risking 2 units).

SAN JOSE -½ +110 over Washington

The best thing about this game is that the Capitals have won four straight and the perception is that they've shaken off a rough stretch and they're back to being the Caps of old. Think again. Washington's four wins came against the Rangers at home (give them credit) but then they beat reeling teams, Columbus, Buffalo and Calgary. The Caps only road win over that span came in Columbus in a game they trailed going to the third period. Prior to that road win they had lost three straight on the road. The Caps are an average hockey team that is going to be frequently exposed as such the rest of the way against good teams. Now they'll play on the road against an elite team that is heating up. The Sharks have won three in a row and seven of nine. They recently took three out of a possible four points against Vancouver. They are not only winning lately but they're also dominating play, spending most of the game in the other teams end. Even when the Caps were a force in this league and favorites to win the Cup, they never had success at the Shark Tank. They don't play here much but their last five trips here have resulted in losses by scores of 3-2, 5-2, 7-2, 4-1 and 2-0 and we expect nothing less here. Play: San Jose -½ +110 (Risking 2 units).

Colorado +168 over ST. LOUIS

The Avalanche played last night in Chicago but fatigue should not be an issue, as Colorado had been off for three days prior. They come into this game as the second hottest team in the NHL, behind the Bruins, with a four-game winning streak and victories in nine of its last 10 games. Aside from this sweet tag, what makes the Av's even more appealing is that they own the Blues. Since the beginning of the 2010 season, Colorado has beaten this host two straight and in eight of nine games. When Ken Hitchcock took over in St. Louis, they went on a huge run and sustained it for some time. However, there are signs that they're cooling off. The Blue Notes rallied from a 3-1 deficit in its last game to just beat the Oilers. They had lost three of four before that and they're just 5-5 over its last 10 games. The Blues last five wins have come against Columbus, Phoenix twice, Dallas and Edmonton and what those teams have in common is that all will miss the playoffs. Blues on the decline, Avs peaking equals an overlay and great chance for ching ching in our pockets. Play: Colorado +168 (Risking 2 units).

Minnesota +104 over CALGARY

How can we not take the Wild here? Calgary has lost five games in a row and they return home from a grueling seven-game trip that started before Christmas. They come home with more casualties than a Quentin Tarantino movie, not to mention the suspension of Rene Bourque until January 14. This was a weak team to begin with and now they're being asked to win without the services of Bourque, Alex Tanguay, Derek Smith and Matt Stajan who join Mark Giordano and David Moss on the rack. The Wild are going through a rough stretch of their own. However, we saw this team play exceptionally well in late November and early Decemeber and they finally have most of their injured players back. The Wild at least play their hearts out on most nights and they really couldn't handpicked a team as beatable as the Flames are right now. Play: Mnnesota +104 (Risking 2 units).

[Mr. IWS]

insidersedgeclub

Houston Texans -4 1 unit

[Mr. IWS]

Harry Bondi football

4* New Orleans -10.5
3* Houston -4

[Mr. IWS]

WUNDERDOG
Game: Baylor at Texas Tech (1:45 PM Eastern)
Pick: Baylor -14 (-110)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders were put on the map when Bobby Knight took over the program, but before and after this has been an ordinary team. They are 7-6 on the season, and their 6-0 home mark is very misleading as they have played six very soft teams. The Baylor Bears' sports programs are on a big uptick, with their football team becoming relevant and their hoops team stands at a perfect 14-0 on the season. It isn't a soft 14-0 either as their last four wins and seven on the season has all come at the expense of quality teams. The Red Raiders are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine have all come vs. poor teams - an indicator that this team will struggle. Play on Baylor in this one.

[Mr. IWS]

VALLEY SPORTS
SMU(+3 or better)Over Pittsburgh --3 Stars
SMU/Pittsburgh(Under 47 or better) --3 Stars
Arkansas St(-1.5 or better)Over N Illinois --3 Stars
Arkansas St/N Illinois(Over 64 or better) --3 Stars

[Mr. IWS]

VALLEY SPORTS
SMU(+3 or better)Over Pittsburgh --3 Stars
SMU/Pittsburgh(Under 47 or better) --3 Stars
Arkansas St(-1.5 or better)Over N Illinois --3 Stars
Arkansas St/N Illinois(Over 64 or better) --3 Stars

[Mr. IWS]

Vegas runner
3* nfl 3* wild-card total of the week* pittsburgh steelers-denver broncos under 34

[Mr. IWS]

Seabass

100 under hou
200 saints

[Mr. IWS]

Scott Ferrall Comp

NHL: (18-21) (+175 since Jan 3rd)
Phx -155
Det -150
Buf -130

Coll Hoops: (16-19)
Seton Hall -2.5
Marq +11.5
Georgia +6.5

[Mr. IWS]

Tradeline
10* cfb* arkansas state red wolves
8* cfb* lsu tigers

[Mr. IWS]

The Winning Prescription (Marcus Langdon) CBB

Nebraska/Illinois Over 116

Kansas -5.5

Charleston -3

Western Ill -1

South Dakota St +6.5

North. Colorado -1.5

Northern Iowa -2

Marshall -3

George Mason -4

Ohio -3.5

[Mr. IWS]

Mark Mayer @ Gaming Today

Bengals +3 at Texans (38½): Two talented teams not really known for winning important games. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Houston win and not cover. BENGALS.

Lions +10½ at Saints (59): This one figures to be a shootout. Detroit has a chance, but can they get a couple of stops defensively on Brees? It would take 70 to get me off this choice. OVER.

[Mr. IWS]

Richard Saber @ Gaming Today

COMPASS, Saturday

SMU +3 vs. Pittsburgh: Southern Methodist has been a good dog in bowl games going 6-0 SU and ATS. Pittsburgh first year HC Todd Graham’s teams in the past have gone 10-1 ATS with rest and 8-0 ATS against non-conference foes. This game opened with the Panthers as a -5½ point favorite, but we will go against the move. We’ll take the bargain. PITT.

Saints -10: A big week for the fans in New Orleans as the Saints get past Detroit and continue their march to the Super Bowl, plus LSU winning the BCS championship.

Houston -3: The Texans wake up in their home matchup against the Bengals.

[Mr. IWS]

Dennis Ball @ Gaming Today

Bengals +3 at Texans: I was more than a little surprised to see this line Monday morning. I’m sure I was not alone in thinking the Bengals might be a slight one point favorite. I was figuring a pick’em line at most, even though the Texans are at home.

Houston has lost three consecutive games. At a time when all they had to was win one game the last three weeks to establish some kind of momentum, Houston couldn’t get the job done. Granted, they’re on their fourth QB right now.

You have to assume the Texans will get T.J. Yates back in time for this game, along with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. But when you’re struggling and can’t seem to find anything to go your way, can you flip the switch that quick? I’m not going to bet on it.

I believe the Texans have lost their mojo and it’s tough to regain after three weeks of floundering. Cincinnati is a much more physical team right now. The Bengals competed in the extraordinarily tough AFC North. Cincy didn’t beat the Steelers or the Ravens this season but they played them both twice and for the most part were very competitive.

I will take Andy Dalton over Yates or whoever the Texans start at QB. The Texans’ once stout defense has disappeared over the last few weeks. The Bengals have a few young receivers that have shown more than flashes of brilliance over the course of the season and should be able to find some open spaces. Cincy will be a live dawg! BENGALS.

Lions +10½ at Saints: Where I didn’t understand the first betting line at all, I’m completely on board with this double digit. But simply because I understand it, doesn’t mean I’m going to lay it! The Lions don’t play good enough defense to stop Drew Brees. But when you think about it, what team does?

You’re not going to stop the Saints offense, you can only hope to contain them! But, the Lions are no slouches. Detroit lost to the Saints by 14 in Week 13. However, Matthew Stafford throws darts, very accurate ones. All his targets, including Calvin Johnson, Burleson, Pettigrew and Sheffler are extremely dangerous.

The Lions should make this game interesting. Don’t get me wrong, I still think the Saints are the best team in the playoffs and Super Bowl bound. But I see just a little hiccup in this first round. And I always like those little hooks on the end of double digits. LIONS.