Doug Pederson on Jalen Reagor’s lack of production stemming from ‘learning on the fly’

Doug Pederson on Jalen Reagor’s lack of production stemming from ‘learning on the fly’

Much has been made of the perceived lack of production from the No. 21 overall pick, Jalen Reagor who’ll forever be compared with Vikings star rookie, and No. 22 overall pick Justin Jefferson.

Reagor was one of six wide receivers taken in the first round and through 10 games, the former TCU star has 30 receptions for 381 yards and just one touchdown this season.

Reagor hasn’t topped more than 55 yards in a game, while also missing five games with a thumb injury.

During a recent zoom meeting, Pederson answered a question from Zach Berman of The Athletic, that harped on Reagor’s perceived “lack of production”, blaming it on the pandemic shortened offseason that had everyone “learning on the fly.”

“When you think about a [WR] Jalen Reagor for instance on offense, who didn’t have an off-season and really, we’re throwing him in there and he’s trying to learn on the fly, and it makes it a little more difficult for a guy like that.”

“You’re trying to point the finger in different directions. Obviously, Jalen is a talented guy and a lot of it will fall on us as coaches to prepare our players and get them ready. Then the other half of it falls on the player to get himself prepared and how well he comes in and understands and picks up the offense in this case.

“What was it week 2 against the Rams, is when he got hurt and now, he misses six weeks and now he’s done for six weeks. That growth process, you’re starting to see glimpses of it now, towards the end of the season with him that we were hoping for in weeks 3 and 4 in the regular season but he had the injury and it set him back.”

on Thursday, Reagor said his production “wasn’t enough for the team” while labeling his first season as “a test,” adding that he’s been through a lot that will help build his character.

[listicle id=645266]

[lawrence-related id=645273,645263,645223]

Peach Bowl: Cincinnati vs. Georgia odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Georgia Bulldogs Peach Bowl odds and lines, with college football betting picks, tips and predictions.

The No. 6 Cincinnati Bearcats (9-0) meet the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs (7-2) New Year’s Day in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET. Below, we analyze Cincinnati-Georgia college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Rankings courtesy of the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Cincinnati vs. Georgia: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Cincinnati +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Georgia -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Cincinnati +8 (-110) | Georgia -8 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 52.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Cincinnati vs. Georgia: Three things to know

  1. Georgia’s two losses have come against top-10 teams: A 41-24 loss as a 6-point underdog at then-No. 2 Alabama Oct. 17 and 44-28 to then-No. 8 Florida as a 2.5-point favorite Nov. 7 in Jacksonville, Fla. Aside from those losses, the Bulldogs have won each game by at least 11 points, but only covered in four of their seven victories.
  2. After demolishing its seven first opponents by at least two touchdowns, Cincinnati has won its past two games by only three points apiece. The Bearcats beat the UCF 36-33 Nov. 21 and Tulsa 27-24 in the AAC Championship Game Dec. 19.
  3. The Bulldogs have the second-toughest schedule. The Bearcats have the 66th-toughest schedule, which is essentially why, even though they’re undefeated, why they never had much of a chance to make the College Football Playoff.

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Cincinnati vs. Georgia: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Georgia 38, Cincinnati 17

Money line (ML)

PASS. Georgia is the right side, but -350 is a little too pricey for me. I’d prefer to bet lay the points with the Bulldogs at a much cheaper price.

Against the spread (ATS)

This Georgia offense has hit a new stride since junior QB JT Daniels, a transfer from USC, made his Bulldog debut against Mississippi State Nov. 21. The Bulldogs have scored 31, 45 and 49 points in Daniels’ three starts with the latter two totals being the two highest-scoring games by Georgia this season.

However, Daniels has also benefitted from Georgia getting the most out of its ground game, which has rushed for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in each of the Bulldogs’ last two victories.

On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati’s offensive line is a middling unit: 85th in line yards per carry, 109th in power success rate and 98th in opportunity rate. It will have to block a Georgia rush defense that is one of the best units in the nation. Georgia has only allowed two opponents to gain more than 100 yards on the ground and none of the Bulldogs’ opponents have averaged more than 3.5 yards per rush in a game against them.

If Georgia can take away Cincinnati’s rushing attack, and establish its own ground game against a Bearcats defense which hasn’t played anyone nearly as good as the Bulldogs, then I am fine with betting GEORGIA -8 (-110). 

Over/Under (O/U)

Let’s follow the money and take OVER 52.5 (-105). According to Pregame.com, over 85% of the action is on the Over, which has pushed the number up from a 50.5-point opener.

I think Georgia putting up points is a given and six of the Bulldogs’ previous seven games coming into the Peach Bowl have gone Over the total. Also, Cincinnati’s offense is playing its best football at the end of the season and the Over has cashed in four of the last five Bearcats’ games.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

2020 rewind: 10 top Oklahoma City Thunder headlines of the year

The Oklahoma City Thunder were part of NBA headlines over the past year. Take a look at the most-read articles of 2020 on this site.

A playoff appearance that shocked the doubters. A season halted at Chesapeake Energy Arena. An offseason that resulted in trading the foundation of the team away.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had plenty of headlines throughout the season.

This review isn’t focused solely on those, though. This is a look at the articles that the readers liked the most. The most-clicked stories of 2020.

See the outcomes of trades, a Lu Dort highlight that snatched the attention of social media, a recall to the Seattle SuperSonics days when the NBA world was fascinated with the Last Dance, and other top Thunder news of the year.

Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Chicago Bulls (2-3) visit the Milwaukee Bucks (2-3) Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Bulls-Bucks NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

After an 0-3 start, the Bulls took two on the road from the winless Washington Wizards (0-5), including Thursday’s 133-130 victory as 7.5-point underdogs. SF Otto Porter scored 28 points and SG Zach LaVine added 22 for a short-handed Chicago squad. PF Lauri Markkanen, SF Chandler Hutchison, PG Ryan Arcidiacono and SG Tomas Satoransky sat out due to the NBA’s health and safety protocol.

The Bucks are coming off a 119-108 road loss as 6.5-point favorites at the Miami Heat Wednesday, one night after routing the Heat 144-97 behind an NBA-record 29 3-pointers. In the loss, Milwaukee blew a third-quarter, 12-point lead, PF Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double (26 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) and SF Khris Middleton struggled on 3-for-15 shooting to finish with 8 points. Middleton scored 25 in Tuesday’s blowout, going 10-for-13 from the floor, including 4-for-5 on 3-pointers.

Milwaukee swept last season’s series vs. Chicago 4-0, winning by margins of 9, 14, 21 and 13. As a matter of fact, the Bucks have won the last 10 in a row vs. the Bulls, sweeping 4 games in 2018-19, too, and taking the final two of their four head-to-head games in 2017-18.

Bulls at Bucks: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:20 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Bulls +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) | Bucks -2000 (bet $2,000 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Bulls +14.5 (-110) | Bucks -14.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 231.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Bulls at Bucks: Key Injuries

Bulls

  • PG Ryan Arcidiacono (COVID-19 protocol) out
  • SF Chandler Hutchison (COVID-19 protocol) out
  • PF Lauri Markkanen (COVID-19 protocol) out
  • SG Tomas Satoransky (COVID-19 protocol) out

Bucks

  • SG Torrey Craig (nasal surgery) out

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer! MI residents, BetMGM is coming to your state soon – register early for special promotion.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Bulls at Bucks: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bucks 131, Bulls 111

Money line (ML)

PASS. The Bucks (-2000) shouldn’t have a problem taking this one, but there’s no way anyone should risk 20 times the potential return.

Against the spread (ATS)

MILWAUKEE -14.5 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. The Bucks are rested and should be a little bitter after Wednesday’s loss in Miami.

As for the Bulls? Playing on back-to-back nights minus four players and having to travel from D.C. to Milwaukee after Thursday night’s win is a tough task for any team. While they played well at Washington, notching two wins, expect them to run out of gas in the second half at Milwaukee.

ATS records: Bulls 3-2 | Bucks 2-3

Over/Under (O/U)

This could turn into a laugher, but the scoring shouldn’t be an issue. Back the OVER 231.5 (-115). The Bucks’ 124.2 points per game rank second in the league, while the Bulls defense is allowing 123.0 PPG to rank 28th.

O/U records: Bulls 3-2 | Bucks 4-1

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Johnny’s 2019-20 NBA record / Strongest plays 31-26-2 / 15-12
2020 overall record (all sports) 178-147-4
Strongest plays (all sports) 87-61-1

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Also see:

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Citrus Bowl: Auburn vs. Northwestern odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Auburn Tigers vs. Northwestern Wildcats Citrus Bowl sports betting odds and lines, with college football betting picks, tips and predictions.

The Auburn Tigers (6-4) will lock horns with the Northwestern Wildcats (6-2) Friday in the VRBO Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we analyze the Auburn-Northwestern college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Northwestern is ranked No. 17 in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Auburn vs. Northwestern: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:37 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Auburn +160 (bet $100 to win $160) | Northwestern -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Auburn +4 (-110) | Northwestern -4 (-110)
  • Over/Under: 43.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Auburn vs. Northwestern: Three things to know

  1. Northwestern ranks fifth in scoring defense, allowing just 15.5 points per game. The Wildcats are coming off a grinder of a Big Ten Championship Game, a 22-10 loss to Ohio State Dec. 19. The 22 points allowed marked NU’s second-most in a game this season – it allowed 29 in a nine-point loss at Michigan State Nov. 28).
  2. Auburn last played Dec. 12, a 24-10 win at Mississippi State. The day after, the Tigers fired head coach Gus Malzahn and hired Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will serve as interim head coach vs. Northwestern.
  3. Auburn freshman RB Tank Bigsby could prove to be a big key against an NU defense, which was torched for 399 rushing yards (9.1 yards per carry) by Ohio State. Bigsby is coming off a 26-carry, 192-yard performance against Mississippi State. On the season, he’s rushed for 834 yards on 138 carries (6.0 yards per attempt). But Bigsby is also a feature name on a crowded midweek injury report (undisclosed-questionable). His status is one worth tracking down to the wire.

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Auburn vs. Northwestern: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Northwestern 20, Auburn 14

Money line (ML)

A lot of jobs will be auditioned for the changing-of-the-guard Tigers. But a lot of bodies could also be on the shelf for this one – and on both sides. PASS.

Against the spread (ATS)

The Tigers are 0-4 ATS against winning teams. The Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in such situations.

The Northwestern defense does a tremendous job of keeping offenses off schedule and then forcing turnovers. On what figures as breezy day in Central Florida, look for more of the same against an Auburn offense which hasn’t had answers and is ready to move forward with new answers and new personnel.

Take NORTHWESTERN -4 (-110) but perhaps as a partial-unit play on a light-to-moderate lean.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 7-1 in NU’s eight games … and 5-0 in follow-up games after AU straight-up wins.

That’s the lean in a game with quite a few understudies manning the controls. Take the UNDER 43.5 (-105).

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

LSU picks up offensive lineman for 2021 class

The LSU Tigers signed 20 players in December’s early signing period for the class of 2021. It was good enough to give the Tigers

The LSU Tigers signed 20 players in December’s early signing period for the class of 2021. It was good enough to give the Tigers the No. 4 class in the country, according to 247Sports.

Just one hour into 2021, LSU picked up another addition for its incoming class.

Three-star offensive lineman, Kimo Makaneole, announced on Twitter he would be committing to Ed Orgeron and LSU.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Makaneole plays his high school football at Niceville High School in Niceville, Florida. Previously committed to Florida State, Makaneole backed out of his pledge to the Seminoles earlier this week after an unofficial visit to Baton Rouge.

Makaneole is the second offensive lineman to commit to the Tigers for the 2021 class, and Orgeron could look to add one or two more either before national signing day in February or via the transfer portal.

Makaneole will play guard for the Tigers.

LSU remains firmly in the mix for five-star offensive tackle Tristan Leigh, who is expected to make his college decision this weekend.

Iowa State vs Oregon: PlayStation Fiesta Prediction, Game Preview

Iowa State vs Oregon: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl prediction and game preview.

Iowa State vs Oregon: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl prediction and game preview.


Iowa State vs Oregon: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 2
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Network: ESPN

[jwplayer Ck5IWuvL]

All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Iowa State (8-3) vs Oregon (4-2) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM 


Three Reasons Why You Should Watch The PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

It’s the Bowl of Misfit Teams, starting with Oregon winning the Pac-12 Championship over USC after Washington wasn’t able to go due to COVID issues. Iowa State had a great second half of the season, but started with a 17-point loss to Louisiana and ended with a Big 12 Championship defeat against Oklahoma.

However, this is a good Cyclone team that’s going to be fired up to close strong, and Oregon has a very young, very talented team that fought through key preseason opt-outs and now wants to make a statement going into the 2021 season.

Duck head coach Mario Cristobal is locked into a long contract extension, the recruiting has been fantastic, and he has two straight Pac-12 titles under his belt. Oregon never quite found a groove in the shortened season, but the offense is efficient, the defense stepped up when it needed to against USC, and again, talent isn’t a question. Iowa State is a good, sound, experienced team, but the Ducks have the next-level guys across the board.

Most of the blue blood programs that get into the big bowls just throw the appearance on to the pile. This is a big deal for Iowa State, and the hope is for it to be a moment that takes the program to another level when it comes to national perception.

After losing to Oklahoma, Iowa State still has never won an outright conference title despite playing football since the late 1800s, and this is just the 16th bowl appearance. It hasn’t been pretty going 4-11 so far and 1-5 in the last six including two straight losses under Campbell, and now this is a chance to correct that, and to make amends for last year’s brutal 33-9 loss to Notre Dame in the Camping World.

Why Iowa State Will Win
Why Oregon Will Win
What’s Going to Happen, Prediction, History

NEXT: Why Iowa State Will Win, Why Oregon Will Win, Iowa State vs Oregon Prediction

Ole Miss vs Indiana: Outback Prediction, Game Preview

Ole Miss vs Indiana: Outback Bowl prediction and game preview.

Ole Miss vs Indiana: Outback Bowl prediction and game preview.


Ole Miss vs Indiana: Outback Bowl Broadcast

Date: Saturday, January 2
Game Time: 12:30 pm ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Network: ABC

[jwplayer Ck5IWuvL]

All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Ole Miss (4-5) vs Indiana (6-1) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM 


Three Reasons Why You Should Watch The Outback Bowl

Be mad if this isn’t fun. These are two teams that play a fun style of football, they’re going to be fired up to be in a prime Saturday bowl game, and they’re both very, very well coached.

It’s been a better first year at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin than the record might indicate. The offense led the SEC and was third in the country with QB Matt Corral bombing away for close to 3,000 yards, but the defense – and this is a good thing for your bowl enjoyment – is awful. Indiana should help make this a shootout.

The Hoosiers probably deserve a New Year’s Six bowl – its only loss came on the road in a close fight to Ohio State – and now this is a chance to show the College Football Playoff committee made a mistake with the No. 11 final ranking. QB Jack Tuttle and WR Ty Fryfogle should go off on the soft Rebel secondary.

The Outback has been a Big Ten vs. SEC matchup ever since the change from the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1996. The SEC holds a 15-10 advantage, but the two conferences are 3-3 in the last six. Indiana hasn’t won a bowl game since 1991 with five straight losses – the last three in painfully close battles – and Ole Miss has won seven of its last eight with the last trip in 2015.

Why Ole Miss Will Win
Why Indiana Will Win
What’s Going to Happen, Prediction, History

NEXT: Why Ole Miss Will Win, Why Indiana Will Win, Ole Miss vs Indiana Prediction

3 takeaways from Thunder’s 33-point loss to Pelicans

The Oklahoma City Thunder finally looked like a team in rebuild mode. On New Year’s Eve, the Thunder lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-80. After keeping the game close through the better part of three quarters, OKC fell behind by double digits in …

The Oklahoma City Thunder finally looked like a team in rebuild mode.

On New Year’s Eve, the Thunder lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-80. After keeping the game close through the better part of three quarters, OKC fell behind by double digits in the final minute of the third quarter and then utterly collapsed in the fourth, putting up only seven points in the frame.

With that, Oklahoma City falls to 1-3 on the year while the Pelicans made up for their own bad loss to the Phoenix Suns the game before.

Here are three takeaways from the Thunder’s Thursday night performance:

Warriors New Year’s Eve Rewind: Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III push Spurs into OT in 2019

Before th4 Warriors tipoff against the Trail Blazers, Warriors Wire is rewinding through the team’s memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between from New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Before the Golden State Warriors tipoff against the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2020-21 season opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on the first day of 2021, Warriors Wire is rewinding through the team’s memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between from New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Dec. 31, 2019

Ahead of the ball dropping on 2019, the Warriors battled the San Antonio Spurs into overtime at AT&T Center in Texas. With D’Angelo Russell sidelined, Steve Kerr leaned on veteran wings Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks.

After the Warriors jumped out to a seven-point advantage in the first quarter, DeMar DeRozan pushed the Spurs into the lead before the st art of the fourth quarter. Outside of DeRozan, five different members of the Spurs notched double-figures in scoring.

Despite San Antonio’s comeback, Robinson III, Burks and Draymond Green wouldn’t let the Warriors’ year-end without a fight. With a bevy of lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were able to extend the game into overtime.

Yet, Dejounte Murray notched seven of San Antonio’s 17 points in the overtime period to seal the Spurs’ New Year’s Eve win, 117-113.

Burks scored a game-high 28 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field with a pair of triples, four assists, a steal and a rebound in 38 minutes. Robinson III added 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Lee tallied another 20 points for Golden State while Draymond Green nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Yet it wasn’t enough to close out Derozan and the Spurs on New Year’s Eve.

In Golden State’s 2021 New Year’s against Portland, Green could make his 2020-21 season debut after missing the first f our games due to an injury in his right foot.

Watch Highlights from Golden State’s overtime battle with the Spurs via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeGnEKjU0ag