Month: January 2025

Memphis at FAU odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Memphis at FAU odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The FAU Owls (7-6) welcome the No. 25 Memphis Tigers (10-3) to Elenor R. Baldwin Arena in Boca Raton, Florida, on Thursday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Memphis vs. FAU odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Memphis, which is No. 25 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, enters after beating the No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels 87-70 at home Saturday. It covered as a 1.5-point favorite. The Tigers are just 4-3 in their last 7 games going 2-5 against the spread (ATS). They are 8-5 ATS on the season.

The Owls lost to the No. 15 Michigan State Spartans 86-69 on Dec. 21, closing as a 13-point road underdog. FAU’s 3-game winning streak was snapped with the loss, the only game it has failed to cover among its last 4. The Owls are 2-1 ATS at home and 6-6 ATS on the season.

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Memphis at FAU odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds  Lines last updated at 6:08 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Memphis -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | FAU +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Memphis -3.5 (-110) | FAU +3.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 160.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Memphis at FAU picks and predictions

Prediction

Memphis 84, FAU 80

Moneyline

PASS.

While Memphis might look enticing on the moneyline, considering the value of the spread, that is the better route. The Tigers are just slightly too expensive to play outright.

Against the spread

BET MEMPHIS -3.5 (-110).

FAU has not played well with close spreads. It is 2-4 ATS in games which the spread has closed at 5 points or fewer. The Owls are 0-1 ATS against ranked teams as well as 3-4 ATS in their last 7.

Memphis has played well when either on a neutral court or on the road, going 5-2 ATS in those scenarios. The Tigers have exceeded expectations with a close spread too. They are 5-2 ATS when the closing spread is under 5 points.

Back MEMPHIS -3.5 (-110).

Over/Under

BET OVER 160.5 (-105).

Memphis has gone Over in 5 of its last 7 games and is 8-5 O/U on the season, scoring at least 87 points in 2 of its last 4 contests.

FAU has a similar story, having gone 3-2 O/U in its last 5 games and 8-4 O/U on the season. The Owls have allowed at least 80 points in 3 of their last 5 games and have scored at least 85 points in 3 of their last 4 outings.

With those trends in mind, play OVER 160.5 (-105).

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Marcus Mariota’s role in Commanders’ Week 17 win over Falcons

Marcus Mariota tipped off Jayden Daniels about something with the Falcons’ defense and it paid off.

Dan Quinn told the press Wednesday he loves to talk about the impact Marcus Mariota brings to the team.

What a whirlwind last week was for Mariota. He was ill early, as some other players had been the previous week, and then he returned home as a son was born.

Quinn insisted Mariota did his homework, so he was on the sidelines Sunday night communicating with Jayden Daniels about the Falcons’ blitzes in the first half.

The Commanders then scored 17 second-half points on sustained drives and six more, going 70 yards on the opening possession of overtime, defeating the Falcons 30-24.

“When somebody can give you that kind of support and love, it’s really remarkable,” expressed Quinn. “And so great teammates do make great teams.”

“To see him go through that whole week and then in the game give that type of support, like that, was the clearest illustration of brotherhood I saw in the entire game.”

Quinn expressed he loved what he saw from Mariota, giving both wisdom and encouragement to Daniels in the overtime.

Quinn then asked, “What wouldn’t we all give to have that kind of support from people? Like it’s remarkable. And so, I know that Jayden feels that, we all do.”

Pointing to Mariota’s life experience, Quinn also feels that is important for Daniels. “There’s certain things that he can say from the lens of the helmet that I can’t or the coach can’t, but he can because he lived it and has seen it.”

“I’m really pumped that he’s on our team because he adds a lot to what we do. It may not show up on the stat sheet in that game, but let me tell you, he had a big hand in us winning that game.”

Mariota has also played in playoff games, so his experience could also help Daniels in those situations.

Previewing Chiefs’ Week 18 game vs. Broncos on Chiefs Wire Podcast

On the latest episode of @TheChiefsWire podcast: @EdEastonJr’s chats w/ Jamaal Charles and Brian Dawkins #KCvsDEN

We’re back with an all-new episode of the Chiefs Wire podcast! This week, we’re previewing the Kansas City Chiefs Week 18 matchup with the Denver Broncos.

Senior Writer Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Dawkins. The multiple-time All-Pro safety shared his thoughts on former Eagles coaches Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo’s success in Kansas City.

We check in with this past week’s press conferences, which featured comments from tight end Travis Kelce recapping his record-breaking performance in Week 17. Lastly, Easton Jr. spoke to Chiefs legend Jamaal Charles about moments from the 2024 season and his meeting with rookie and fellow Texas Longhorns alum Xavier Worthy.

The latest episode of the Chiefs Wire Podcast will inform listeners about all developments in the team’s mindset ahead of their matchup against the Broncos in Week 18. We also learn more from former Broncos Pro Bowler Dawkins about his famous nickname ‘Weapon X’ and the decision to leave Philadelphia for Denver to finish his career. At the same time, Charles shares his thoughts on early-season criticisms of Travis Kelce and his experience being the Chiefs’ drum honoree in Week 5.

Check out the link below to get your fill of Chiefs talk ahead of the regular season finale kickoff:

Eric Berry inducted into Peach Bowl Hall of Fame

Eric Berry is one of three inductees into the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame.

Former Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry has been inducted into the Peach Bowl Hall of Fame.

Berry was a two-time unanimous First-Team All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back in 2009.

He is one of three inductees, joining former Florida State and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher and Neill Cameron Jr., a former member of the game’s board of directors.

Berry played in the 2009 Peach Bowl versus Virginia Tech.

The Peach Bowl Hall of Fame was established in 2002 and Berry is the fourth inductee with ties to Tennessee: Defensive tackle Reggie White (2004), head coach Johnny Majors (2005) and head coach Phillip Fulmer (2012).

Tennessee transfer defensive back will visit Texas A&M this week

Former Tennessee defensive back Christian Harrison is headed to College Station this week

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season ended at 8-5 and a disappointing loss to USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, as the Aggies hoped to enter the offseason with some momentum before falling to the Trojans 35-31 in the final seconds of the game.

While A&M’s 1-4 finish on the year is undoubtedly problematic, Elko and his staff have assembled an impressive transfer portal haul over the last month, led by three wide receiver additions, including former NC State WR KC Concepcion.

While adding more talent to the offense was crucial, losing defensive linemen Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, and Shemar Turner placed a hold in the trenches. While Elko added three edge rushers, including former Florida defensive end T.J. Searcy, the Aggies need to add more to the interior and another cornerback and safety in the secondary.

Joining former Washington State defensive lineman David Gusta this week, former Tennessee defensive back Christian Harrison will reportedly visit the Aggies Thursday through Friday after finishing his redshirt sophomore with the Volunteers.

Harrison played the STAR position in Tennessee’s 4-3 defensive, a hybrid safety role. His speed and coverage ability made him a dependable third-down defender in the slot.

During the 2024 season, Harrison finished with 20 tackles, half a sack, and a pass deflection while earning a 66.2 defensive grade and 62 coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

Broncos vs. Chiefs broadcast map: Will the game be on TV?

Fans in the RED can watch the Broncos-Chiefs game on CBS this weekend.

The Denver Broncos (9-7) are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season at 2:25 p.m. MT on Sunday, Jan. 5.

The AFC West showdown will be regionally televised on CBS, and in-market fans can stream the game on FuboTV.

CBS is sending its No. 1 commentary crew of Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter) to Denver.

On the radio, the game will be nationally broadcast on ESPN Radio and broadcast locally on KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM.

Fans in the red areas on the map below will get the Broncos-Chiefs game on their local CBS channel, according to 506sports.com.

(506sports.com)

Fans in the blue will see the Las Vegas Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers.

When Kansas City hosted Denver in Week 10 earlier this season, the Chiefs won by blocking a last-second Broncos field goal attempt, securing a 16-14 victory.

The Chiefs lead the all-time series against Denver 73-56, but they are considered nine-point underdogs on the road this week. KC already has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, so they are expected to rest key starters in Week 18. The Broncos, meanwhile, can clinch a playoff berth with a win on Sunday.

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Bengals’ Mike Hilton expects ‘bloodbath’ vs. Steelers in Week 18

One veteran of the AFC North knows what’s at stake with playoff implications on the line in Week 18.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton knows a thing or two about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Entering his team’s Week 18 clash with Mike Tomlin’s Steelers, Hilton has made sure his guys are on high alert and has said as much in the media, too.

“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” Hilton said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “One team is in the playoffs. We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so it’s going to be fireworks. If I know (Tomlin) he’s talking to the guys right now and getting them fired up before Saturday. We expect to be challenged. All their guys are going to be going. They’re on a three-game skid right now. I’m sure they want to catch some momentum in the playoffs.”

That entire line of thinking is why Tomlin disappointed Bengals fans earlier in the week by suggesting the Steelers would not rest starters.

The Steelers haven’t just lost their previous three games, either — none of them were very close. Understandably, his team losing a fourth to a team that might miss the playoffs wouldn’t be ideal.

Hilton, a former Steelers player himself, has certainly relayed the message and outlined what it will take to control their part of the playoff outlook to the locker room.

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‘College GameDay’ predicts winner of Georgia vs. Notre Dame

“College GameDay” crew predicts the winner of the Sugar Bowl between UGA and Notre Dame

ESPN’s premier college football pregame show, “College GameDay” has predicted the results of the Sugar Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The Sugar Bowl, which was delayed due to a tragic attack on Bourbon Street, will be played on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The Georgia-Notre Dame game will still end up being televised on ESPN.

The crew unanimously predicted that the Texas Longhorns would beat the Arizona State Sun Devils. The Longhorns ended up beating the Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime.

Former Michigan standout Desmond Howard picked Notre Dame to beat Georgia. “Looking at Georgia’s offense when they had Carson Beck, I wasn’t impressed with this offense. And now you’re going to put in Gunner Stockton. I am going with Notre Dame,” said Howard.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban picked Georgia to win the Sugar Bowl. “I am going to take Georgia because I believe in Gunner Stockton. I think the guy is a winner and he’s got a challenge in front of him, but I just think Georgia knows how to play in these kind of games,” Saban said. “They’ve been in a lot of them… they’ve been successful.”

GameDay analyst Pat McAfee is rolling with Georgia. “I never pick Notre Dame and that’s going to continue today,” McAfee said. “It is because Kirby (Smart) has had a few weeks and I think he’s going to be ready for it.”

Lee Corso picked Notre Dame to win the Sugar Bowl over Georgia. Kirk Herbstreit also picked the Fighting Irish.

“I think Notre Dame is going to come up with a plan that is going to hang… keep them in this game, but I am with coach Saban and Pat. I think Georgia wins a close football game,” said Herbstreit.

Overall, three members of the GameDay crew picked Georgia and two picked Notre Dame.

 

Giants vs. Eagles: 3 causes for concern in Week 18

The New York Giants square off in a Sunday afternoon battle against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18. Here are three causes for concern.

The New York Giants will end their extremely disappointing season on Sunday when they travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles.

With little to play for, the Eagles are expected to rest their starters against Big Blue on Sunday, including former Giant and the NFL’s leading rusher Saquon Barkley.

The Giants are coming off their first win in months after beating the Indianapolis Colts at home this past Sunday. The result resulted in a mixed reaction from fans given the fall in draft stock that the win cost Big Blue.

Earlier this week, the Giants opened up as 3.5-point road underdogs for their trip to Philadelphia.

Here are three causes for concern ahead of the Giants’ Week 18 matchup against the Eagles.

Luke Hales/Getty Images

Battle of backups

Generally speaking, the Giants have been playing the bulk of the season with their backups. On Sunday, they will face off against a different version of the Eagles than they saw earlier in the season. They will be without many of their starters including Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.

However, Hurts didn’t play last week and Philadelphia still put up 40-plus points while holding the Dallas Cowboys to just seven.

The Giants may have two of the best players in the game, Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy Jr., who will suit up on Sunday. But, collectively as a unit, the Eagles’ backups are a much stronger team than what the Giants have marched out on the field since the bye week.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Hostile environment

The Giants have had little success against the Eagles in recent memory and even less when playing on the road in the hostile environment in Philadelphia. Given the Giants’ record, the game down the New Jersey turnpike will have even fewer Giants fans in the stands than usual.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Giants’ offensive ineptitude

Certainly, the Giants showed an explosive performance on offense this past Sunday. However, given the 10-game losing streak that came before that, it’s hard to imagine them putting back-to-back positive offensive performances together.

The Giants have been one of the worst teams in football on offense before Week 17 and it’s going to be hard for the Giants to replicate it again against the Eagles with Drew Lock under center.

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Broncos’ depth chart for Sunday’s game vs. Chiefs

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart going into Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season. If the Broncos win their regular season finale, they will clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Here’s a look the Broncos’ updated depth chart going into Sunday’s showdown with the Chiefs.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV broadcast map). The Broncos are considered favorites at home.

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