11-10-11

[Mr. IWS]

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[Mr. IWS]

DCI NFL

Season
Straight Up: 86-37 (.699)
ATS: 67-56 (.545)
ATS Vary Units: 358-267 (.573)
Over/Under: 65-60 (.520)
Over/Under Vary Units: 184-157 (.540)

Thursday, November 10, 2011
SAN DIEGO 33, Oakland 23

[Mr. IWS]

DCI NCAAF

Thursday, November 10, 2011
Atlantic Coast Conference
Virginia Tech 25, GEORGIA TECH 21
Mid-American Conference
Ohio 31, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 26
Conference USA
Houston 64, TULANE 30

[Mr. IWS]

David Chan aka The Dragon

7* Bruins -170
10* Central Michigan +4.5
10* Maple Leafs/Blues under 5.5
10* Va Tech/Ga Tech over
8* Tulane +33
10* Raiders/Chargers under 47.5
8* SJ Sharks -145
*Free play* LA Kings -114

[Mr. IWS]

LuckyDaySports

Thursday’s Comp Play

NCAAF
Houston at Tulane OVER 71

[Mr. IWS]

bookiemonsters

31-16 run

houston game over 73

[Mr. IWS]

SharpSides Investing
free play

nhl: winn -110

[Mr. IWS]

Bryan Leonard

Ohio Bobcats

[Mr. IWS]

NFL NEWS AND NOTES
Thursday Night Football: Raiders at Chargers

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (-7, 47.5)

THE STORY: The San Diego Chargers have made a habit of starting slowly and digging themselves into early-season holes in the past few years. San Diego bucked that trend this season, opening with four wins in its first five games. Now, the Chargers are mired in a three-game losing streak as they prepare to host the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night with first place in the AFC West on the line. It will mark the third game in 11 days for San Diego, which is tied with the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs for the division lead. Oakland has lost its last two games to division rivals Kansas City and Denver.

TV: NFL Network, 8:20 p.m. ET.

LINE MOVES: San Diego opened as a low as -6.5 and has been bet up to a touchdown favorite. The total has dropped from 49 to 47.5 points.

WEATHER: Game-time temperatures will be in the high 70s under partial cloudy skies. There is a zero percent chance of rain and a slight 1-mph breeze at Qualcomm Stadium.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (4-4, 5-3 ATS): After dropping back-to-back home games, Oakland plays four of its next five on the road. The Raiders are 0-2 since losing QB Jason Campbell to injury and blew a pair of 10-point leads in Sunday’s 38-24 loss to the Broncos. QB Carson Palmer threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns, but he was also intercepted three times, giving him six picks in 1 ½ games. Michael Bush rushed for 96 yards in place of Darren McFadden, who is expected to sit out again with a sprained foot suffered in a loss to Kansas City on Oct. 23.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (4-4, 2-6 ATS): Philip Rivers has become a turnover machine for San Diego, tossing a career-high three interceptions in Sunday’s 45-38 home loss to Green Bay. He now has a league-leading 14 picks – one more than he had all of last season. Rivers, who had two interceptions returned for scores, did rebound to throw for 385 yards and four TDs – three to stud WR Vincent Jackson. RB Ryan Mathews could return Thursday after sitting out Sunday. Backup Mike Tolbert rushed for 83 yards and a TD and had four catches for 59 yards. TE Antonio Gates tied a season high with eight catches.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Oakland swept both meetings with the Chargers last season, winning in San Diego 28-13 while amassing 251 yards on the ground.

2. Rivers’ passing rating stands at 81.4. He finished the past three seasons with a rating above 100.

3. Palmer had his best game of the season against San Diego a year ago, throwing for four TDs and just missing a perfect passer rating (157.2).

TRENDS:

* Raiders are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Under is 12-3-1 in the last 16 meetings in San Diego.
* Underdog is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.

PREDICTION: Chargers 34, Raiders 20. Rivers finally solves his turnover issues and carves up a defense that has yielded 66 points in consecutive losses to offensively challenged Kansas City and Denver.

[Mr. IWS]

BANG THE BOOK

Thursday's Best NFL Bet

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (-7, 47.5)

The NFL Network’s coverage of Thursday Night Football kicks-off this week with a classic AFC West Division showdown between the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers. The game is slated to get underway at 8:20 p.m. (ET).

Oakland’s strong start has faded with two straight losses that evened its record at 4-4 straight-up (5-3 against the spread). Last Sunday, it was hammered by Denver 38-24 as a seven-point home favorite. This followed a 28-0 shutout at the hands of Kansas City on Oct. 23 as a 3.5-point home favorite. The total has also gone 4-4 this year.

One of the main problems facing the Raiders is a lingering foot injury to Darren McFadden. He has been a huge part of the reason that the offense is ranked third in the NFL in rushing with 614 yards on 113 carries. They will also need a better effort from newly acquired quarterback Carson Palmer, who was brought in to replace the injured Jason Campbell.

San Diego’s season is headed in the wrong direction as well. It has lost its last three games after a 4-1 start and is now in a three-way tie with Oakland and Kansas City for the lead in the division at 4-4 SU (2-6 ATS). The Chargers latest setback was a 45-38 loss to Green Bay this past Sunday as 5.5-point home underdogs. The total went well over the 50.5-point line and is now 4-4 on the year.

The glaring problem with San Diego has been the inconsistent play of Philip Rivers. He threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers, but was also picked-off three times with two getting returned for scores. He currently leads the NFL in interceptions with 14, while throwing just 11 TD’s.

Oakland is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as an underdog. The total has gone ‘over’ in seven of its last 10 games against the AFC West.

San Diego is 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight games as a favorite. The total has stayed ‘under’ in five of its last seven games in the division.

Head-to-head in this series, the Raiders are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings and the total has stayed ‘under’ in 12 of the last 16 games played in San Diego. Look for Rivers to break out of his current slump with a big game that leads the Chargers to a solid win at home.

PICK: SD Chargers -7

[Mr. IWS]

What Bettors Need To Know: Thursday's College Football Action

Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+1, 48.5)

THE STORY: The ACC’s Coastal Division likely will be decided at Bobby Dodd Stadium, when No. 9 Virginia Tech visits No. 19 Georgia Tech Thursday night. The winner of this matchup has won the division every year since divisional play began in 2005. The Hokies own four of those victories, including 28-21 last year in Blacksburg, Va., and lead the all-time series 5-3. The Yellow Jackets rank second in the ACC in scoring (37.6), while the Hokies allow an ACC-low 15.4 points per game. Both teams were off last Saturday.

TV: ESPN

LINE MOVES: This ACC battle opened at some books as a pick 'em. Georgia Tech then moved to a slight 1.5-point favorite before action on the Hokies flipped the home side to +1. The total opened at 49 and has since moved to 49.5.

WEATHER: Game-time temperatures will dip into the low 40s, with winds blowing NW at speeds of up to 8 mph.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (8-1, 4-1 ACC, 2-7 ATS): Nine players have intercepted passes for the Hokies, who also average three sacks per game. Running back David Wilson has rushed for more than 100 yards in six straight games - the longest such streak in Frank Beamer’s 25 seasons as head coach. Quarterback Logan Thomas (6-6, 254) has thrown for 1,934 yards and run for 285 more while accounting for 17 TDs. Jack Tyler will start at MLB over Barquell Rivers because Tyler’s speed gives the Hokies a better chance of stopping Georgia Tech’s option attack.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (7-2, 4-2 ACC, 5-3-1 ATS): The Yellow Jackets rank second nationally in rushing (328.0). Quarterback Tevin Washington bounced back from a string of poor outings with a terrific overall game in the upset of Clemson. He made good option reads, threw the ball fairly well and ran for 176 yards, most ever by a Tech QB. Receiver Stephen Hill is averaging 30.4 yards a catch, which leads the nation. He has a knack for making spectacular catches, but drops some easy ones. The defense has gotten a spark from CB Jemea Thomas, who had two INTs, a forced fumble and two pass breakups against the Tigers.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Jackets are 7-4 vs. ranked teams under coach Paul Johnson.

2. The Hokies rank seventh nationally in rushing defense (86.3).

3. The Hokies are 17-5 on Thursday Night Football, the Jackets 11-13.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Hokies are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
* Underdog is 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 27, Virginia Tech 24 – The Jackets got their confidence back by upsetting Clemson and will feed off a raucous home crowd.


Houston Cougars at Tulane Green Wave (+34, 71)

THE STORY: Undefeated Houston is off to its best start in school history, and sixth-year senior Case Keenum is a big reason why. After breaking former Hawaii star Timmy Chang’s NCAA record for career passing yardage, Keenum is now the NCAA’s career leader in every major passing category. The 11th-ranked Cougars’ road matchup with Tulane is their last tuneup before closing the regular season with tough games against SMU and Tulsa, which will decide the Conference USA West Division crown. Houston has won eight straight in this series and the last three matchups at the Superdome.

TV: CBS Sports Network

LINE MOVES: The Cougars opened as 34-point favorites and have remained steady, with a few 34.5 on the market. The total opened at 71 points and has also stayed put at most books.

ABOUT HOUSTON (9-0, 5-0 Conference USA, 7-2 ATS): In their 56-13 blowout victory at UAB last weekend, the Cougars topped 50 points for the fourth straight game and fifth time this season. Keenum threw for 407 yards in the win and leads the nation with 3,626 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. Lost in the shuffle of Houston’s pass-happy offense, running back Michael Hayes has racked up 553 yards on the ground and is tied with Charles Sims with a team-best seven rushing scores. The Cougars lead the country in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense.

ABOUT TULANE (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA, 3-7 ATS): Since a season-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana, the Green Wave have lost their last four home games by an average of 21 points. Last week, Tulane dropped its seventh straight game overall and gave up three passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns in a 45-24 loss at SMU. Coach Bob Toledo stepped down three weeks ago, but the Green Wave haven’t improved much under interim coach Mark Hutson, losing in blowout fashion to Memphis, East Carolina and SMU.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Houston’s eight consecutive wins in this series have come by an average score of 39-16.

2. "I'm not going to fully enjoy it and celebrate it until after the season,” Keenum said this week about all his records. “Hopefully, I will have a lot more to celebrate after the season than just the records."

3. Tulane ranks 102nd nationally in total defense (423 yards per game).

TRENDS:

* Cougars are 8-0 ATS in their last eight meetings.
* Cougars are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings in Tulane.
* Favorite is 8-0 ATS in their last eight meetings.
* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.

PREDICTION: Houston 59, Tulane 17. The Cougars’ fast-paced offense will look even more deadly on turf against one of the weaker defenses in the country.

[Mr. IWS]

BANG THE BOOK

Thursday's Best NCAA CFB Bets

Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+1, 48.5)

First place in the ACC Coastal Division and likely a bid in the ACC Championship Game will be handed out on Thursday night in NCAA football betting action, as the Virginia Tech Hokies travel to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Every single year, Head Coach Frank Beamer and company end up in the Top 15 or so in the country, and this year appears to be no exception. The team’s only loss against the Clemson Tigers can be avenged if the two meet in the ACC Championship Game, a very likely scenario, and if that’s the case, V-Tech will likely be favored to go to the BCS for a second straight season. Beamer Ball has ruled this year once again, though the special teams for the Hokies aren’t as special as they usually are. That being said, the team still runs the ball incredibly well and plays rock solid defense. On the ‘D’, the team is averaging allowing just 298.3 yards per game and 15.4 points per game, ranking No. 12 and No. 6 in the nation respectively. RB David Wilson has 1,189 rushing yards and seven scores, and he is one of the three players on the team that has at least six touchdown totes on the campaign. The passing game is actually used nearly as much as the running game this year, but that’s because QB Logan Thomas has two great receivers to work with in WR Danny Coale and WR Jarrett Boykin, which have 80 reception, 1,108 yards, and five TDs between them.

We knew that the season wasn’t quite over for the Ramblin’ Wreck when they went on their horrible stretch of games a few weeks ago that included losses to the Virginia Cavaliers and the Miami Hurricanes. Technically, G-Tech doesn’t control its own destiny in the ACC, but we are all assuming that UVA will get beaten by the Hokies when those two meet, which would then, in turn, give the Jackets the edge in the conference title race once and for all. Though the team is throwing the ball a tad more this year, it’s still all about the ground game and the triple option. A whopping seven players have at least 170 rushing yards on the year, three of which have at least 550 yards on the ground. QB Tevin Washington is leading the way with 636 yards and 10 TDs, but RB Orwin Smith has 553 yards and 10 scores as well. RB David Sims has 102 carries, tops for rushers on the team, and he has 564 yards and four TDs. In the passing game, do watch out for WR Stephen Hill, though. He has just 20 receptions on the year, but he is averaging an insane 30.4 yards per catch and has four trips to the end zone.

Virginia Tech Hokies @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Pick: Though Georgia Tech is a solid team, the way that you beat the triple option is with speed. It doesn’t get much faster than the Hokies defense, a unit which should prevail when push comes to shove on Thursday night.

PICK: Virginia Tech -1

[Mr. IWS]

NHL NEWS AND NOTES
Blues Continue Homestand Against Leafs
By Pete Jensen


Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues (-160, 5.5)
MAPLE LEAFS (9-5-1) at BLUES (7-7-0)

TV: TSN, FS-MW (HD)

LAST 10: Toronto 5-5-0; St. Louis 5-5-0.

SEASON SERIES: Thursday is the lone meeting of the season between the Leafs and Blues. The two teams met once last season, with Toronto claiming a 6-5 shootout victory on Jan. 6.

BIG STORY: The Blues opened up a five-game homestand on Tuesday by welcoming new coach Ken Hitchcock to town with a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Now, St. Louis looks for only its second win streak of the season on Thursday against the Maple Leafs, who have been outscored 12-1 in their current two-game losing skid.

TEAM SCOPE:

MAPLE LEAFS: Toronto opened eyes around the League by tallying 19 points in its first 13 games, but the Northeast division leaders are suddenly searching for answers after back-to-back home defeats at the hands of the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers,

With starting goaltender James Reimer still nursing a head injury, the goaltending combo of Jonas Gustavsson and rookie Ben Scrivens has been off the mark during the team's recent skid. Toronto's offense has mustered only one goal in two games, but the Gustavsson-Scrivens duo has not helped the matter, stopping only 36 of 48 shots combined in that span.

"I know those guys probably aren't happy with the way they played, but a lot of us aren't," Joffrey Lupul said. "You win as a team and lose as a team. So it kind of goes hand in hand. We all count on each other and we're not scoring enough goals for them right now."

BLUES: St. Louis dropped three of four games following a three-game win streak, and former coach Davis Payne was fired on Sunday evening. Hitchcock took over the position immediately, and was greeted with a playoff-type atmosphere in his first game with the Blues on Tuesday.

His new team responded in a big way.

The Blues, who sport the third-worst power-play conversion percentage in the League (9.5), got a power-play goal from Chris Stewart in the second period and a 29-save shutout from Jaroslav Halak in their 3-0 victory over the Blackhawks at Scottrade Center.

"Guys were buying in all over the ice making plays," David Backes said. "Jaro was outstanding and bailed us out with a few chances. We really needed him at critical times in the game."

WHO'S HOT: T.J. Oshie, who scored in Tuesday's win over Chicago, has compiled three goals and two assists in his last three games. … Lupul has registered three goals and three assists in his last four games.

INJURY REPORT: Reimer (head) and Colby Armstrong (ankle) are listed on Injured Reserve for Toronto and will miss Thursday's game. Tim Connolly (upper body) is also expected to miss the game. … David Perron (post-concussion syndrome) has resumed skating but remains out indefinitely for the Blues. Kent Huskins (ankle), Andy McDonald (concussion) and B.J. Crombeen (shoulder) are listed on IR and will miss Thursday's game as well. Scott Nichol (upper body) was injured in Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks, and remains questionable for Thursday.

STAT PACK: When the Blues knocked off the Blackhawks on Tuesday, Hitchcock won his opening game as the head coach of an NHL team for the first time of his career. Hitchcock had either lost or tied his first game at the helm of each of his previous three teams, Dallas (loss in January 1996), Philadelphia (tie in October 2002) and Columbus (loss in November 2006).

PUCK DROP: After a 6-7-0 start to the season, the Blues' organization opted for a coaching change. Halak, who had his best outing of the season in Hitchcock’s first game, sensed the urgency in the matter.

"When the coaching change happened, we just needed to look in the mirror and ask yourself if that was the best you had," Halak said after Tuesday's win against the Blackhawks. "If you look at the guys, everybody did their best. Hopefully, we can start again where we left off."

[Mr. IWS]

ICE PICKS

Thursday's Best NHL Bets

Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Louis Blues (-160, 5.5)

Under new coach Ken Hitchcock, the Blues blanked Chicago 3-0 on Tuesday as they killed all nine Blackhawks’ power plays.

Goalie Jaroslav Halak earned his first shutout since last season’s finale against Nashville, stopping 29 shots.

"When a coaching change happened so fast, we just needed to probably look in the mirror and ask yourself if that was the best you have," Halak said. "Everybody did their best."

Now they welcome a Toronto club that has scored one goal in its past two games, including a 5-1 loss to Florida on Tuesday.

“I threw a couple of pucks away on the power play, and I think we’re all pressing and there’s no need for it,” Leafs winger Clarke MacArthur said.

The under is 8-2 in St. Louis’ last 10 home games, and 5-1 in the Blues’ last six overall. The under is also 5-2 in the last seven Maple Leafs-Blues games in St. Louis.

PICK: Under


Vancouver Canucks at Los Angeles Kings (-114, 5)

Having won once in their last six tries, the Kings entertain a rested Canucks squad that scored on five of six power-play chances in a 6-2 win at Chicago.

That victory wrapped up a 2-2 road trip for Vancouver, which has been inconsistent following last season’s trip to the Stanley Cup finals.

But the Canucks enjoy facing Los Angeles. They’ve won five of the past seven meetings.

Vancouver has been off since Sunday. In their last 26 games on three or more days of rest, the Canucks are 21-5.

PICK: Vancouver

[Mr. IWS]

Thursday's Betting Tips: Houston Owns Tulane

WHO'S HOT

NCAAF: Houston is 8-0 ATS in its last eight games against Tulane.

NHL: The under is 8-2 in the Blues’ last 10 home games.

NHL: The over is 7-1 in San Jose’s last eight home games.

WHO'S NOT

NCAAF: Virginia Tech is 1-7 ATS in its last eight games.

NHL: Florida is 5-12 in its last 17 road games.

NHL: The Kings are 1-5 in their last six games.

INJURY THAT SHOULDN'T BE OVERLOOKED

The Bruins won't have forward Daniel Paille when they host Edmonton on Thursday. Paille underwent facial surgery on Wednesday after taking a slap shot in the face in Monday’s win over the Islanders. Team officials said Paille will be listed as day-to-day following the surgery to repair his broken nose and facial lacerations.

KEY STAT

86.3 – That’s how many rushing yards Virginia Tech gives up per game, good for seventh nationally. Still, defensive coordinator Bud Foster made personnel changes this week to get more speed in the lineup, hoping to slow down a Georgia Tech option attack that averages 328 rushing yards.

GAME OF THE DAY

No. 9 Virginia Tech Hokies at No. 19 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1, 49.5)

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

"I'm really looking forward to having a chance to go out and put better play on film and just go out and be successful. It was overwhelming at first and it's slowly died down and now I kind of feel like I'm in the middle of the season like I should be." -- Raiders QB Carson Palmer, who’s thrown three TDs and six INTs in six quarters of play. Oakland is a 7-point dog at San Diego on the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football.

TIPS AND NOTES

No. 15 South Carolina is expected to have QB Connor Shaw back for its Saturday home game against Florida. He suffered a concussion in last week’s 44-28 loss to Arkansas when he was sacked by Jake Bequette. Shaw lay motionless on the field for a few minutes after the vicious hit but eventually was able to walk off the field. The Gamecocks are favored by 3.5 points over the Gators, who snapped a four-game skid with a 26-21 win over Vanderbilt last week.

The reeling Blackhawks look to get back on track at woeful Columbus on Thursday. Chicago has dropped three straight by a combined score of 14-6. They were shut 3-0 Tuesday in St. Louis in a listless effort. "We were sloppy (and) we didn't move our feet," captain Jonathan Toews said. "We just didn't have the effort. Our legs weren't moving out there. We just have to get rid of that laziness, play harder and help each other out there. You don't key on past games but you have to learn from them and learn from them fast."

Explosive Chargers RB Ryan Mathews has not suffered any setbacks in coming back from his groin injury, and is expected to start Thursday’s home game against the Raiders. He’ll share duties with bruising RB Mike Tolbert. San Diego WR Malcom Floyd (hip) will miss his second straight game. For the Raiders, RB Darren McFadden (foot) is not expected to play, leaving Michael Bush as the workhorse.