Wednesday 12-27-17 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Wednesday, December 27

Walk On's Independence Bowl betting preview and odds: Southern Miss vs. FSU

Florida State true freshman quarterback James Blackman showed some signs of improvement in the Seminoles' winning streak to end the season. Will he be the difference for FSU in the Independence Bowl?

Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles at Florida State Seminoles (-17, 49)

Game to be played at the Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana

Odell Haggins will continue to serve as interim head coach, keeping the seat warm for the newly hired Willie Taggart, when Florida State meets Southern Mississippi in the Independence Bowl at Shreveport, La., on Dec. 27. Haggins and Taggart are the first two African-American coaches in Seminoles football history, and Taggart - a Bradenton, Fla., native and lifelong Florida State fan - aspires to be the first African-American coach to win a national championship.

“When we looked at a number of candidates, we knew Willie would rise to the top because of his passion about Florida State, and (having) the same vision that I have about the athletics department that he runs within his football program,” Seminoles athletic director Stan Wilcox, also an African-American, told the Orlando Sentinel. "The fact he happens to be an African-American is just icing on the cake. … It really is heartwarming to know over my career in fighting to open the doors for more minority head coaches in football and basketball, I finally got an opportunity to do that.”

Florida State needed to win its last three games, including a 38-22 victory at Florida on Nov. 25, to become bowl-eligible for the 36th straight season. The Seminoles erupted for 157 points during that span with wins over Delaware State 77-6 on Nov. 18 and Louisiana Monroe 42-10 on Dec. 2 after scoring 163 in their first nine games. Haggins ran the team against ULM after Jimbo Fisher resigned Dec. 1 to take the job at Texas A&M and the $75 million for 10 years that came with it, while Taggart will continue to evaluate the coaching staff since leaving his post as Oregon coach.

Southern Miss, which defeated ULM 28-17 on Sept. 16, is riding a three-game winning streak after a 28-27 victory over Marshall on Nov. 25. The Golden Eagles are led by senior running back Ito Smith, who has rushed for 453 of his 1,321 yards and six of his 13 touchdowns this season during the winning streak. Southern Miss will play in a bowl game for the third straight season, defeating Louisiana 28-21 in the 2016 New Orleans Bowl and losing to Washington 44-31 in the 2015 Heart of Dallas Bowl.

TV: 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: FSU opened as low as a 14-point fave and the spread has grown a full field goal since. Some shops opened the total at 50 but just about all locations are dealing 49 as we inch closer to kickoff.

INJURY REPORT:

Southern Miss - LB Sherrod Ruff (Undisclosed, Questionable)

Florida State - LB Matthew Thomas (Undisclosed, Questionable), DB Ermon Lane (Undisclosed, Questionable), DE Josh Sweat (Left team, Out), DB Tarvarus McFadden (Left team, Out), DB Derwin James (Left team, Out), TE Alex Marshall (Hand, Questionable), OL Brady Scott (Foot, Questionable), DB Calvin Brewton (Knee, Questionable), DT Darvin Taylor II (Shoulder, Questionable), OL David Robbins (Undisclosed, Questionable), WR Malique Jackson (Hamstring, Questionable), LB DeCalon Brooks (Knee, Questionable), LB Delvin Purifoy (Ankle, Questionable).

WEATHER REPORT: Game-time temperature is expected to be around 41 degrees with overcast skies. The wind will be blowing 10 mph from the Northeast.

ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS (8-4 SU, 8-4 ATS, 6-6 O/U): Junior quarterback Kwadra Griggs (15 touchdowns, two interceptions) matched a career high with three TD passes versus Marshall. Griggs' favorite target is junior wide receiver Korey Robertson, whose 1,070 yards and 11 touchdowns lead C-USA. Smith accounted for 58.2 percent of the Golden Eagles rushing yards and 72.2 percent of their ground TDs.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (6-6 SU, 3-7-1 ATS, 3-8 O/U): The Seminoles' winning streak coincides with the improved play of freshman quarterback James Blackman (57.2 percent completion rate, 15 touchdowns, 11 interceptions), who has thrown six TDs and three INTs while completing 60.3 percent of his passes during that span. Running back Cam Akers (930 yards, seven TDs) needs 79 yards to break the school record for rushing yards by a true freshman set by Dalvin Cook in 2014. Junior running back Jacques Patrick (687 yards, six TDs), who rushed for a season-high 155 yards and two touchdowns versus ULM, is another strong threat out of the backfield.

TRENDS:

*FSU is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 bowl games.
*Southern Miss is 1-3-1 ATS in its last five postseason appearances.
*The under is 5-0-1 in the Golden Eagles' last six non-conference games.
*FSU is 0-4-2 ATS in its last six games against teams with winning records.

CONSENSUS: Players are split on this matchup with a slight 51 percent backing the Golden Eagles. Bettors seemed to like the Seminoles when the spread was at 14 and now like Southern Miss with the spread up to 17. There isn't the same type of division on the total. Close to 65 percent of players like the game to go over the 49-point total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Wednesday, December 27

New Era Pinstripe Bowl betting preview and odds: Iowa vs. Boston College

Freshman running back AJ Dillon is the engine behind Boston College's offense. He piled up 1432 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground during the regular season for the Eagles.

Iowa Hawkeyes at Boston College Eagles (+2.5, 45.5)

Game to be played at the Yankee Stadium in New York, New York.

Boston College enters its second straight bowl game and fourth in five years under coach Steve Addazio with loads of momentum as it takes on Iowa in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27. The Eagles finished the regular season with five wins in their last six games, scoring at least 35 points in each victory, and freshman running back AJ Dillon was the catalyst with 1,432 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Addazio, whose 1-2 bowl record includes a loss in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2014, is aiming for his first eight-win campaign after finishing with seven victories in three of his first four seasons at the helm.

Addazio has a long way to go to match Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, whose 142 victories leaves him one shy of matching Hayden Fry on the all-time list at the school. Ferentz's current unit scored a mammoth victory over then-No. 3 Ohio State with a 55-24 triumph at home Nov. 4, but the Hawkeyes followed that up with back-to-back losses to sink to the middle of the pack in the Big Ten West. Ferentz is 6-8 in bowl games and has dropped five in a row.

Iowa has a 1,000-yard rusher of its own in senior Akrum Wadley, a New Jersey native who has reached that plateau in consecutive seasons and owns 34 career touchdowns - 27 on the ground.

"Akrum is our marquee player from this area, and he is really excited, and he's had about 120 ticket requests," Ferentz told the media.

Sophomore quarterback Nathan Stanley has 25 touchdowns against just six interceptions for the Hawkeyes, while the Eagles will be relying on senior Darius Wade, who took over under center after starter Anthony Brown suffered a season-ending injury Nov. 11 against North Carolina State and had his best game (16-of-20, 248 yards) in a 42-14 victory at Syracuse to end the regular season.

TV: 5:15 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Iowa opened as a 3-point favorite but the line has come down to 2.5 as the game date approaches. There hasn't been much movement on the total. It's gone as high as 46 and as low as 45. Most shops are dealing 45.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Iowa - DB Miles Taylor (Leg, Probable), OL Alaric Jackson (Undisclosed, Out), OL Cole Banwart (Undisclosed, Questionable), DB Michael Ojemudia (Undisclosed, Questionable), WR Nick Easley (Undisclosed, Questionable), DB Nick Easley (Knee, Probable).

Boston College - DE Harold Landry (Out, Ankle), RB Doroland Dorceus (Undisclosed, Questionable), DB Jonathan Cook (Undisclosed, Questionable), DB Josh Perry (Undisclosed, Questionable), DL Ernest Suttles (Suspension, Out).

WEATHER REPORT: 25 degrees and partly cloudy at kickoff - 10 mph winds throughout the game

ABOUT IOWA (7-5 SU, 5-6-1 ATS, 5-7 O/U): The Hawkeyes feature a dynamic duo on defense in senior linebacker Josey Jewell and junior cornerback Josh Jackson, who are piling up the postseason accolades. Jewell, a three-time captain, led the Big Ten in tackles with 123 while Jackson is tied with Boston College's Lukas Denis and one other for the national lead with seven interceptions. Iowa has been outscored 75-19 in its last two bowl games.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (7-5 SU, 8-3-1 ATS, 4-7-1 O/U): Although most of the roster has turned over since the Eagles lost 31-30 in overtime to Penn State in the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl, Addazio thinks that result can provide some motivation this time around. "They'll get a chance to enjoy the atmosphere of the city during the holiday season and we come back to the Pinstripe Bowl with a little added motivation," he told reporters. "We were part of one of the most exciting bowl games that season, but it didn't end the way we wanted. We have some unfinished business." Boston College piled up 581 yards of total offense in the win over the Orange and enters bowl season ranked 24th in the nation in rushing with 224.2 yards per game.

TRENDS:

*Boston College is 8-0-1 ATS in their last nine games overall.
*The under is 24-10-1 in BC's last 35 games.
*The under is 5-1 in Iowa's last six non-conference games.
*Iowa is 1-4 ATS in its last five bowl games.

CONSENSUS: About 63 percent of players are betting the Hawkeyes to cover as 2.5-point chalk while 54 percent are on the under.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Wednesday, December 27

Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl Betting Preview and Odds: Texas vs Missouri

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock has thrown an SEC-record 43 touchdown passes this season – the most in the country – and has helped the Tigers put up at least 45 points in six straight games.

Texas Longhorns vs. Missouri Tigers (-2.5, 60.5)

Game to be played at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Former Big 12 rivals reconnect when Missouri faces Texas in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27 in Houston. The Longhorns own a 17-6 record against the Tigers and have captured 15 of the last 17 meetings, but Missouri won the most recent clash 17-5 at home in 2011 – its last season in the Big 12. Both teams are back in bowl games for the first time in three years.

Missouri possessed one of the nation’s most prolific offenses this season, particularly during its current six-game winning streak. Quarterback Drew Lock has thrown an SEC-record 43 touchdown passes this season – the most in the country – and has helped the Tigers put up at least 45 points in six straight games. The big question is whether or not Missouri can sustain that success with someone else calling the plays after offensive coordinator Josh Heupel was named the new head coach at Central Florida.

Texas already knows it will be without one key player on each side of the ball, as safety DeShon Elliott and offensive tackle Connor Williams have announced they will skip the game to prepare for the NFL draft, and linebacker Malik Jefferson has yet to make a decision. Elliott ranked second on the team in tackles (63) and tackles for loss (8.5) and led the Longhorns with six interceptions and three forced fumbles while Williams is the team’s top offensive lineman. It would be an even bigger loss if Jefferson, the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, elects to declare for the draft and skip the game.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE HISTORY: Missouri opened as one-point favorites and heading into game day that number is up to 2.5. The total hit betting boards at 60 and is up slightly to 60.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Texas - OL E. Rodriguez (Probable, Ankle), DB P. Locke III (Probable, Ankle), OL P. Vahe (Probable, Knee), DB B. Jones (Questionable, Head), LB J. McCulloch (Questionable, Undisclosed), LB M. Jefferson (Questionable, Toe), TE G. Gray (Out, Suspension), RB T. Carter (Out, Suspension), WR L. Humphrey (Out, Suspension), DL C. Nelson (Out, Elbow), OL C. Williams (Out, Draft Prep), DB D. Elliott (Out, Draft Prep), TE C. Brewer (Out For Season, Knee), WR D. Leonard (Out Indefinitely, Foot), DB H. Hill (Out For Season, Suspension), RB K. Johnson (Out Indefinitely, Hamstring), OL P. Hudson (Out For Season, Knee), TE A. Beck (Out For Season, Foot).

Missouri - RB D. Crockett (Probable, Shoulder), TE J. Reese (Questionable, Back), DB C. Holmes (Out Indefinitely, Shoulder), DL N. Howard (Out Indefinitely, Suspension), WR O. Clark (Out Indefinitely, Suspension).

WEATHER REPORT: Dome.

ABOUT TEXAS (6-6 SU, 7-4-1 ATS, 3-9 O/U): The Longhorns lean on an excellent defense that ranks 31st in the nation in scoring (21.7 points) and 42nd in total defense (363.6 yards) despite playing in the offense-dominated Big 12. The team's weakness is its secondary, particularly with Elliott leaving and cornerback Holton Hill suspended, so the Longhorns might have trouble with Lock and the Tigers’ potent passing game. The offense has been inconsistent, resulting in Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger splitting time at quarterback, and coach Tom Herman hasn’t committed to a starter for the bowl game.

ABOUT MISSOURI (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS, 7-5 O/U): The Tigers are trying to join the 2008 Rutgers squad as the only teams in college football history to win eight games after starting 1-5. They emerged from their early-season struggles thanks to an offense that can hurt opponents in myriad ways – Missouri ranks 14th nationally in passing (311.9 yards) and 35th in rushing (199.6). The Tigers had their share of trouble on defense, especially against the pass, but they rank 13th in the country with 92 tackles for loss.

TRENDS:

* Longhorns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
* Tigers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Under is 4-0 in Longhorns' last 4 games in December.
* Over is 4-0 in Tigers' last 4 bowl games.
* Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The public is siding with the underdog Texas Longhorns at a rate of 54 percent and the Over is getting 66 percent of the totals action.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF
Long Sheet

Wednesday, December 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOUTHERN MISS (8 - 4) vs. FLORIDA ST (6 - 6) - 12/27/2017, 1:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON COLLEGE (7 - 5) vs. IOWA (7 - 5) - 12/27/2017, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 79-55 ATS (+18.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MISSOURI (7 - 5) vs. TEXAS (6 - 6) - 12/27/2017, 9:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PURDUE (6 - 6) vs. ARIZONA (7 - 5) - 12/27/2017, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 19-37 ATS (-21.7 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.
ARIZONA is 57-89 ATS (-40.9 Units) as a favorite since 1992.
ARIZONA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF

Bowl Season

Trend Report

Wednesday, December 27

SOUTHERN MISS @ FLORIDA STATE
Southern Miss is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Southern Miss is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Florida State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Florida State is 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games

BOSTON COLLEGE @ IOWA
Boston College is 8-0-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Boston College is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

ARIZONA @ PURDUE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
Arizona is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Purdue's last 7 games
Purdue is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games

TEXAS @ MISSOURI
Texas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Missouri
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas's last 7 games
Missouri is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Missouri is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAF
Dunkel


Wednesday, December 27

Southern Miss @ Florida State

Game 235-236
December 27, 2017 @ 1:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Southern Miss
83.445
Florida State
95.509
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Florida State
by 12
56
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Florida State
by 15 1/2
49
Dunkel Pick:
Southern Miss
(+15 1/2); Over

Boston College @ Iowa

Game 237-238
December 27, 2017 @ 5:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston College
97.203
Iowa
96.445
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston College
by 1
42
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Iowa
by 3
46 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston College
(+3); Under

Missouri @ Texas

Game 239-240
December 27, 2017 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Missouri
100.703
Texas
93.664
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Missouri
by 7
66
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Missouri
by 3
60 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Missouri
(-3); Over

Purdue @ Arizona

Game 275-276
December 27, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Purdue
92.135
Arizona
98.226
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 6
61
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
by 3 1/2
66 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-3 1/2); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

December 26 CFB Bowl Games

Utah (-6.5) vs West Virginia, Heart of Dallas Bowl, Cotton Bowl
Utah coach Whittingham is 10-1 in bowl games, winning last four in row; Utes are 16-4 all-time in bowls, but they’ve lost six of last eight games overall after a 4-0 start. Utah is 5-2 vs spread as a favorite this year, 4-1-1 in games with single digit spread. Utes are 6-1 this year when they allow 24 or less points, 0-5 when they allow more. West Virginia lost its last two games after a 7-3 start; they allowed 87 points in last two games. Mountaineers are 1-3 as an underdog this year, 3-4 in games with single digit spread. WVU is 1-3 in its last four bowls; they’ve allowed 37.8 ppg in last five bowls (2-3) with average total of 73.4. Favorites covered this bowl four of last five years, with an average total of 61.8. Pac-12 favorites are 9-12 vs spread this year out of conference; Big X underdogs are 3-3. Last seven years, Pac-12 teams are 14-8-1 vs spread when playing a Big X team.

Duke (-4.5) vs Northern Illinois, Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit
Duke started out 4-0, then lost six in a row, then won last two games to become bowl eligible; Blue Devils are 1-3 vs spread as a favorite this year, 3-4-1 in games with single digit spread. Northern Illinois split its last four games after a 6-2 start; Huskies are 3-1 as an underdog this year, 2-5 in games with single digit spread. NIU lost 23-20 to Boston College of the ACC back in their season opener. Duke lost four of last five bowls, but beat Indiana 44-41 in OT in their last bowl, two years ago; this is first time since at least 1960 that Duke is favored in a bowl. NIU lost its last four bowls, losing last two 52-23/55-7. MAC teams are 5-18 in their last 23 bowls. ACC favorites are 9-6 vs spread this season out of conference; MAC underdogs are 13-14. Since 2011, ACC teams are 15-10 vs spread when facing a MAC opponent.

Kansas State (-2) vs UCLA, Cactus Bowl, Chase Field, Phoenix
This is likely 78-year old Bill Snyder’s last game as K-State’s coach; the job he’s done making the Wildcats a winning program cannot be overstated. Wildcats won four of last five games; their last three games were all decided by 5 or less points. K-State is 1-4 vs spread as a favorite this year, 1-5 in games with single digit spread. UCLA already fired Jim Mora, hired Chip Kelly; Bruins are 6-6 and scored 30+ points in 3 of the 6 wins. UCLA is 1-3 as an underdog this year, 2-7 in games with single digit spread. Last seven years, Pac-12 teams are 14-8-1 vs spread when playing a Big X team. Big X favorites are 10-5 vs spread out of conference this year; Pac-12 underdogs are 3-3. Underdogs covered four of last five Cactus Bowls; Big 12 teams won the last four Cactus Bowls, with average total of 56.3.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Wednesday, December 27, 2017

CF (275) PURDUE VS (276) ARIZONA

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your free play for Wednesday, December 27, 2017 is in the Foster Farms Bowl between Purdue and Arizona. The Foster Farms bowl has Purdue (6-6 S/U, 8-4 ATS) taking on Arizona (7-5 S/U, 6-6 ATS). Purdue has been a very good covering team of late, going 13-6 ATS in their last 19 games on grass. This game pits the Purdue defense (19.3 ppg allowed) against the Arizona offense (41.8 ppg). Purdue's defense ranks 28th nationally, while it's rush defense is 6th in the country. Arizona is led by QB Khalil Tate who can throw and run. Take finished the season with 1289 passing and 1353 yards rushing despite missing almost the entire first month of the season. I'm going with the UNDER in this game. I believe that Purdue's defense will be able to contain Tate and Arizona and thus this game will go UNDER the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Arthur Ralph Sports

WED Under total 66 Ariz/Purdue

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CAPPERS ACCESS
(CFB)
Florida St
Iowa
Purdue
Texas

[Can'tPickAWinner]

ALEX SMART
NCAA-F | Dec 27, 2017
Southern Miss vs. Florida State
Southern Miss+16½

WALK ON'S INDEPENDENCE BOWl - Independence Stadium - Shreveport, LA

Florida State's HC Jimbo Fisher after a crap season, dodged town for a better paying gig at Texas A&M. Now the Seminoles have a group of kids that he recruited feeling abandoned and a coaching staff trying to deal with the havoc of transition. It was a frustrating season in Tallahassee overall and it cannot all be blamed on starting QB Deondre Francois getting injured. the team as a whole, despite of being jam packed full of 4 and 5 star recruits just didn't have any oomph. On the Season the Noles were jus 0-7 ATS vs above .500 opposition and I'm betting they finish a ugly campaign on a down note vs a Southern Miss side that will play a motivated game vs a disinterested discombobulated group.

Bowl favorites of 16 or more points are 2-8 ATS L/21 seasons.

CFB Favorites of 10.5 to 21 points (FLORIDA ST) - after going over the total by 21 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going over the total by 42 or more points total in their last five games are 9-33 ATS L/10 seasons for a 79% go against conversion rate for bettors.

Play on Southern Miss to cover

[Can'tPickAWinner]

RED DOG SPORTS
Soccer | Dec 27, 2017
Manchester City vs. Newcastle United
under 3.5

I like the under 3.5 in this soccer match being played in the Premier League on Wednesday. I hope to see just 3 goals being scored.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MARC LAWRENCE

Play - Southern Mississippi (Game 235).

Edges - Golden Eagles: Bowl dogs of 16 or more points are 8-3 ATS since 1996… Seminoles: 0-7-1 ATS versus fellow bowl teams this season… With bowl teams with interim coaches just 6-18 ATS after scoring 32 or more points in their final game f the season, we recommend a 1* play on Southern Mississippi. Thank you and good luck as always.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CHIP CHIRIMBES

Independence Bowl 1:30 ET Shreveport, LA

Seminoles (-) over Golden Eagles

So here we have a 6-6 school a three-score favorite over an 8-4 club both SU and ATS as Florida State is a heavy favorite. The Seminoles have won their last three to become bowl eligible but they were a horrid 3-8-1 ATS. The key here is that FSU is 7-1 ATS in their last eight non-conference games. Lay it! Take the SEMINOLES!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

SCOTT SPREITZER
NBA | Dec 27, 2017
Raptors vs. Thunder
Raptors+4

I'm taking the points with the Raptors on Wednesday. Tough loss for Toronto last night in Dallas and it certainly looked like a few of their key players were thinking more about OKC than they were the Mavericks. Toronto, the league's 4th best team in offensive efficiency, made just 33.7% of their FGA, including 9 of 31 3-pointers. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry were horrible, making a combined 9 of 33 shots...and remember, DeRozan has made nearly half his shots on the season. Toss in a poor shooting night from Serge Ibaka and you get what you got, a Toronto loss. OKC has been warming up, but reading their quotes off the win over Houston and you'd think they believe they're in the Finals, as though they've figured it all out. We still don't trust Carmelo's shot and OKC is still in the bottom half of the league in defensive efficiency. The Thunder are 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 against teams with a winning record. Meanwhile, Toronto is on a 5-1 ATS run when playing in the second of back-to-back nights. Toronto won six in a row outright after each of their last two losses, covering five of six the last time and four of six the first time. And finally, the Raptors have covered four in a row in OKC. I'm taking the points with Toronto on Wednesday night. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.