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Keith Glantz 9/1
100 Angels
75 Wake Forest
100 Angels
75 Wake Forest
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WUNDERDOG
1 of 7
Game: Memphis at Mississippi State (Thursday 9/01 8:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Mississippi State -31 (-105)
There is excitement brewing for this season as the Bulldogs are projected to be a borderline top 25 team. They did well last year, considering the rugged nature of the SEC with only 10 returning starters, and a new system. The Bulldogs improved by over 80 total yards from the previous year, and should continue in that direction this year. That was despite the fact they had to play the last three National Champions - all on the road. This year they must face three potential top 10 teams on their schedule, but get them all at home. This year they return 16 starters, and are comfortable in the system. Memphis scored more than 20 points just twice a year ago. They have covered just four of their last sixteen as a double digit dog and they are 1-8 ATS in their last nine non-conference games. They will be hard-pressed to make much headway in C-USA this season as they have just nine starters returning. I look for Mississippi State to come away with a lopsided win hereComment
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BOB BALFE
Texas Rangers -145
Texas has been slacking a little bit here down the stretch, but should get back on track at home tonight with C.J. Wilson on the mound. The Rangers are only 3 1/2 games up on the Angels and need to win their home games with good pitchers on the mound in order to protect their lead. Look for the Rangers to get the home win. Take Texas.Comment
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Bryan Power
St. Louis Rams @ Jacksonville Jaguars
PICK: St. Louis Rams +3.5
The Rams are looking to finish the NFL preseason perfect wrapping things up in Jacksonville against a Jaguars team that has not looked good thus far in NFLX action. St. Louis is allowing just 12 PPG as they continue to cover games this time of year for coach Steve Spagnuolo. This is his 3rd preseason at the helm in St. Louis and he's been very kind to bettors with an 8-3 ATS mark, going 9-2 straight up. Jacksonville's defense has been very shaky, allowing 47 and 35 points in two of their games. Offensively, neither QB (David Garrard or rookie Blaine Gabbert) has looked good. Preseason favorites with a losing record are just 8-31 ATS since 1993 against teams with a winning record in the final week. Look for the Rams to win outright this evening.Comment
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Dave Price
1 Unit on Texas Rangers -145
The Rangers are in a tight race with the Angels in the AL West so they won't be lacking any motivation after last night's defeat. Plus, Texas is bringing the right guy to the mound tonight - C.J. Wilson. The Rangers are 24-9 in his last 33 home starts and 12-1 in his last 13 home starts when valued as a favorite of -110 to -150. We'll take Texas.Comment
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Christian Alexander
Kentucky vs Western Kentucky
Pick: Western Kentucky +19
Last year, Kentucky pummeled the Hilltoppers 63-28. However, this Wildcat offense should look decidedly different than last year. Kentucky has basically lost every skill position player from 2010, including QB Mike Hartline.
Morgan Newton will take over for Hartline and the good news is he has nine career starts under his belt. The bad news is those nine starts have been less than memorable. And Kentucky Coach Joker Phillips better hope Newton stays upright because the Wildcats have no other scholarship quarterback who has even dressed for a college game.The bottom line is this Kentucky offense will be much less potent than last years - especially in the season opener - and unable to post 60+ points and run away from opponents like they did in 2010.
On defense, Phillips hired former Cincy coach Rick Minter in the offseason to revamp the defense. Minter has a new scheme and its first job will be to contain Hilltopper running back Bobby Rainey. In 2010, Rainey carried 22 times for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Kentucky and unless the Wildcats are extremely buttoned up with their new scheme - doubtful in a season opener - Rainey will get his on Thursday night.
I'm always wary of in-state rivalries where one program is decidedly inferior to the other athletically. It generally means the team is full of players who have a chip on their shoulder and want to prove they should have been recruited to the better program.
That chip + a much less talented Kentucky offense + a Kentucky defense still trying to get comfortable in a new scheme + a neutral field in Nashville + a star running back at Western Kentucky looking for more....well, all that adds up to a game that won't be truly decided until the 4th quarter.Comment
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