Service Plays Saturday 10/24/20

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Mike Tierney
TOP DOG
YESTERDAY 5:56 PM

MIDDLE TENN. +3.5
MIDDLE TENN. @ RICE | 10/24 | 3:30 PM EDT
Middle Tennessee has played six games. Rice? Zero. That’s about all you need to know. It’s not as if the Owls are coming out of a strong 2019 season, either; they went 3-9. Though the Blue Raiders are 1-5, they stand .500 on covering. The offense has generated more than 30 points in three of the past four outings. MTSU is mediocre, at best, to be sure, but a team in the second half of its schedule wields a significant edge over one just leaving the starting gate.

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Brandon Wise

UFC 254

Khabib Nurmagomedov (-330) vs Justin Gaethje (+270): Nurmagomedov by TKO

This is really a principle play for me. I believe Nurmagomedov is the best pound-for-pound fighter I've ever seen and I will pick him to win every fight he is in, until he is beaten. Gaethje is an amazing wrestler and could stuff some takedowns, but Nurmagomedov has proven that it is just a matter of time before his overwhelming pressure gets you to the mat for vicious ground-and-pound. I don't discount the power and ability of Gaethje, and he could very well score a flash knockout if he keeps Khabib off his legs. But even with his raw ability, it's hard for me to see a realistic path to victory for Gaethje.

Jared Cannonier (-120) vs. Robert Whittaker (+100): Whittaker by decision

Cannonier has had an amazing resurgence since cutting down to middleweight. The man who originally debuted in the promotion as a heavyweight has figured some things out later in his career. That being said, the three wins he owns at 185 pounds are not as impressive as they appear. Whittaker, meanwhile, has faced off with some of the best the promotion has to offer and got a bit of a soft landing spot with his bout against Darren Till over the summer. This feels like a lot of value to get a former champion in this spot against a fighter who has not had to show his full arsenal at middleweight.

Alexander Volkov (-155) vs. Walt Harris (+135): Harris by TKO

Harris was fighting with emotion against Alistair Overeem this summer. In his first fight since the death of his daughter, which became a huge storyline for the promotion, Harris largely looked flat. Plus, he faced a legend of the sport who is making yet another run toward the top of the division. All of this is to say that Harris has the ability to dominate middling fighters in the heavyweight ranks with his raw power. Volkov likes to point fight from the outside, but I expect to see Harris blitz forward and go for the finish before too long.

Phil Hawes (-265) vs. Jacob Malkoun (+225): Hawes by TKO

This feels like a showcase fight for Hawes. He earned a contract on "Dana White's Contender Series" with some vicious ground-and-pound and has finishes in his last four fights. Malkoun is undefeated in regional Australia promotions, but this is a huge step up in competition. Look for Hawes to handle his business and look spectacular doing so.

Lauren Murphy (-240) vs. Liliya Shakirova (+200): Murphy by decision

Murphy is getting a late replacement opponent after Cynthia Calvillo tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from the card. Shakirova has a nice record as a pro but has not faced anywhere near UFC-level competition in her career. Murphy may not be a dynamic or flashy striker, but she wins these kinds of fights. Her pro losses have only come against higher ranked opponents since 2014. Look for Murphy to get her fourth straight win.

Magomed Ankalaev (-275) vs. Ion Cutelaba (+235): Ankalaev by TKO

This is a rematch after some perceived controversy in their first meeting, as well as three separate attempts to rebook. It's tough to expect much of a different result. Ankalaev lit up Cutelaba through the first 30 seconds and left him wobbly, forcing the ref to step in despite Cutelaba's protest. Look for the Russian to implement a similar game plan and get another stoppage on his resume.

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Kyle Marley

Here are Marley's picks for UFC 254 (odds from William Hill US).

Khabib Nurmagomedov (-330) vs. Justin Gaethje (+270): Nurmagomedov by submission

Gaethje has one of the best chances of beating Nurmagomedov because he has a wrestling background and he is the much better striker. If he stuffs takedowns, he wins on the feet and he is live for a knockout. He also has brutal leg kicks he can use to try and slow Nurmagomedov down. I think he can stuff takedowns in open space, but against the cage is going to be a different story. Gaethje won't have anything to really offer off his back, so he has to get back to his feet to win. I think the knockout is going to be his only shot because Nurmagomedov won't accept a striking match. I was tempted to take Gaethje because of these odds but, I can't do it. Khabib is just too good at what he does and he'll get his hand raised again Saturday.

Jared Cannonier (-115) vs. Robert Whittaker (-105): Whittaker by decision

Cannonier looks like a killer at middleweight, and now he is fighting the former champ to get his shot at a title bout of his own. This should be a striking match and either guy could get a knockout. Whittaker is probably the better all-around striker with more technique, but Cannonier is the one with huge power. He is getting a Whittaker who has taken a ton of damage in his last four fights. This is a tight matchup as the odds suggest and a tough fight to pick, but I will side with Whittaker to stay conscious and get his hand raised for my official prediction.

Alexander Volkov (-155) vs. Walt Harris (+135): Volkov by TKO

Harris has big power and is live to knock out anybody, especially in the first couple minutes. That is going to be his best shot but, if he doesn't an early knockout, Volkov should win. Volkov is the better fighter everywhere and he just needs to avoid that big shot. He can win by picking Harris apart on the feet, taking this to the mat, or even getting a stoppage of his own.

Phil Hawes (-265) vs. Jacob Malkoun (+225): Hawes via TKO

There isn't much footage of Malkoun but, from what I have seen, he is mostly a boxer. He probably has better and faster hands than Hawes, but that will be his only advantage. Hawes has more power, more experience and his wrestling is going to be a big edge. I think Hawes either knocks him out or takes a clear decision with a wrestling game plan.

Lauren Murphy (-240) vs. Liliya Shakirova (+200): Murphy by decision

Shakirova is making her UFC debut on short notice and she looks like she has been improving in each of her last fights. This is a much tougher matchup and the success she had in recent fights won't be as easy against a UFC-caliber opponent. I see Murphy being better everywhere and she can maybe even get a stoppage.

Magomed Ankalaev (-275) vs. Ion Cutelaba (+235): Ankalaev via TKO

This is a rematch from one of the earliest stoppages I have ever seen. We didn't get to see much, but Ankalaev looked like the much better striker. He also has better defense and could get a knockout any round. I also think Ankalaev could fight for the belt in the next couple years. Cutelaba has a lot of power and he can keep this fight close on the feet with volume. He also can land takedowns to steal close rounds or spend some time in top control to win a round. This line looks too wide, but I am changing my pick to Ankalaev after I picked Cutelaba outright the first time.

Stefan Struve (-115) vs. Tai Tuivasa (-105): Struve inside the distance

It's hard to trust either of these guys, but I am taking Struve. Tuivasa has more power but the knockout is his best path to victory. The only other way is this being a slow-paced fight where neither guy does much and he gets the decision. Struve is much more experienced. He is the better striker, grappler and he has a 9-inch height and reach advantage. I think if Struve stays conscious, he wins this fight.

Casey Kenney (-185) vs. Nathaniel Wood (+165): Wood by decision

This is my second favorite fight on the card with two future contenders going at it. I love this fight, and this is my pick for Fight of the Night. Wood looks like the better striker with more power, but Kenney is more durable and looks solid on the feet as well. Kenney looks like the better wrestler, but Wood might be the more dangerous grappler. They are close everywhere and I don't see any clear path to victory for either guy. I think this should be closer to 50-50 though so I will side with the underdog to win a close decision. Kenney won't be able to just walk Wood down and land at will like he did in his last fight because he will have to respect the striking from Wood. I think that fight might be inflating the price.

Alex Oliveira (-150) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov (+130): Rakhmonov by submission

Rakhmonov is making his UFC debut with an undefeated 12-0 record. All 12 of his wins are from finishes and he has only been to the third round once. But I think Oliveira is going to be the better striker and he might be able to finish Rakhmonov early or drag him into the later rounds and get a knockout. Rakhmonov looks to be the better grappler and he can get a submission if he is able to land takedowns. Right now, my favorite pick would be that this ends inside the distance instead of picking a side, but I will lean with Rakhmonov as my prediction.

Da Un Jung (-360) vs. Sam Alvey (+300): Jung by decision

Jung is the younger fighter, and he is 2-0 in the UFC with two stoppages. Alvey has lost his last four fights and is likely fighting for his job. This betting line looks a bit too wide because of those reasons. Jung looks like he has power, but Alvey is hard to put away and he has power himself. Either guy could land the big shot and this will probably be a striking fight. I am going to side with Jung because I think he will be the one throwing more volume.

Miranda Maverick (-350) vs. Liana Jojua (+290): Maverick by decision

Maverick is a decent prospect, and she should win this fight. All Jojua is really going to have to offer is the armbar and she won her last fight with it. I think Maverick is the better wrester-grappler, so I think she should win most grappling exchanges and she should win in the striking as well.

Joel Alvarez (-150) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (+130): Alvarez by submission

Yakovlev should have the wrestling advantage and he is going to need it to pull off the upset. He can keep top control long enough to win rounds, but Alvarez looks to be the more dangerous grappler, so it's hard to see Yakovlev getting a submission himself. Yakovlev might have more power as well, but Alvarez looks like the better striker who should throw more volume. Alvarez is going to be my pick in this one and I see him locking up a guillotine on one of Yakovlev's takedown attempts.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Football Jesus Text PITT PANTHERS + pts

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Elite Sports Picks

Louisiana Tech/Texas-San Antonio OVER 53.5 (NCAAF)

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Insider Sports Report

5* Cincinnati +2.5 over S.M.U. (NCAAF)
Range: +4 to PK

3* Mississippi +3.5 over Auburn (NCAAF)
Range: +5 to +1

3* Houston/Navy OVER 55 (NCAAF)
Range: 53.5 to 58

3* Rice -3.5 over Middle Tennessee (NCAAF)
Range: -2 to -6

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National Sports Service

4* North Carolina St./North Carolina OVER 60 (NCAAF)

3* Iowa St. +3 over Oklahoma St. (NCAAF)

3* Texas St./B.Y.U. UNDER 60.5 (NCAAF)

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MEMBER PICKS
Primetime Sports Picks For 10/24/20

4 Unit --> Fresno St. -3 over Hawaii (NCAAF)

3 Unit --> Oklahoma -6.5 over T.C.U. (NCAAF)

3 Unit --> Temple/Memphis OVER 70 (NCAAF)

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Top Rank sports Picks
Sports Handicapping At Its Best®
Marquee Picks® For 10/24/20

5★ Houston/Navy OVER 55 (NCAAF)

3★ North Carolina St. +14.5 over North Carolina (NCAAF)

3★ Marshall -16 over Florida Atlantic (NCAAF)

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Las Vegas Review Journal

---

Ian Cameron

Last week: 2-3

Season: 18-11-1

Virginia Tech-Wake Forest O68
Indiana +6
Rutgers +11
Nebraska-Ohio State O68
Temple-Memphis O70


Bernie Fratto

Last week: 1-4

Season: 13-15-2

Wake Forest +10½
Syracuse +46½
Baylor +10
Louisiana State -6
Texas State +28½


Dana Lane

Last week: 3-2

Season: 22-7-1

Georgia Tech +3½
Syracuse +46½
Virginia +13½
Nebraska +26½
Texas -10


Bruce Marshall

Last week: 3-2

Season: 13-17

Florida State +4½
Wake Forest +10½
Kansas State -20½
Georgia State +2½
Middle Tenn. St. +4


Eric Parkila

Last week: 2-3

Season: 16-12-2

Florida State +4½
Notre Dame -9½
Nebraska +26½
Oklahoma-TCU O59½
Michigan -3½


Wes Reynolds

Last week: 2-3

Season: 18-12

Georgia Southern +5½
Indiana +6
Purdue +3½
Texas State/BYU U60
Missouri +4


Lee Sterling

Last week: 5-0

Season: 18-11-1

Boston College -3½
Pittsburgh +9½
Central Florida -21
Iowa State +3
Auburn -3½


Kelly Stewart

Last week: 3-2

Season: 17-12-1

Georgia Tech +3½
Purdue +3½
Auburn -3½
Memphis -13½
Florida Atlantic +16½


Paul Stone

Last week: 3-2

Season: 20-9-1

Georgia Tech-Boston College O55½
Georgia Southern +5½
Navy +14½
Houston-Navy O55½
Maryland-Northwestern U53½


Rich Velez

Last week: 3-2

Season: 14-16

Pittsburgh +9½
North Carolina -15
Virginia Tech -10½
Rutgers +11
Temple/Memphis O70

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Brad Feinberg

Minnesota
pitt

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Grinder Sports GOY

Rice -3.5

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Lee sterling ufc

50 unit Murphy -220

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Raphael Esparza (VSI)

Korean BB: 7U Play (3PM)

Doosan Bears -1.5

[rocky57]

Toby Maxtone-Smith
VegasInsider Soccer Handicaper

Play #1
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
TV: NBCSN - Time: 10:00am
Best Bet - Crystal Palace +190

Play #2
Manchester United vs Chelsea
TV: NBC - Time: 12:30pm
Best Bets - Draw +260 & Over 3 (-115)

Play #3
Liverpool vs Sheffield United
TV: Peacock - Time 3:00pm
Best Bet - Liverpool -370