Cam Akers, Solomon Kindley amongst notables who’ve met with Jags at 2020 NFL Combine so far

The Jags have met with several at the combine so far, including Jax native Solomon Kindley and FSU’s Cam Akers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff has been hard at work this week on their business trip to Indy, home of the NFL Combine. While waiting for the performance drill portion of the annual event, the team has reportedly gotten to interview several familiar players to fans, including DeeJay Dallas, Cam Akers, Solomon Kindley, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to name a few.

Dallas, 21, played collegiately with the Miami Hurricanes where he accumulated 1,527 career rushing yards, 317 career receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. He is a player who the Jags are well aware of as he is a native of Brunswick, Ga., a city just 70 miles from Jacksonville and attended Glenn Academy there. He’s also a player who offers physicality as a runner, and according to draft pundits, he could be selected between the fifth and seventh rounds.

Akers, 20, attended college down the road from Jacksonville at Florida State University. While there he accumulated 2,875 career rushing yards, 486 career receiving yards, and 34 total touchdowns. At 5-foot-11, 212 pounds, he brings a mix of size and shiftiness to the table and is projected to be a second or third round pick.

At 6-foot-3, 336 pounds, Kindley was a force for the Georgia Bulldogs in the trenches and would give the Jags a physical run blocker at guard. While at UGA, he started in 32 games and paved lanes for rushers like Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and DeAndre Swift. He also is a Jacksonville native who attended Raines High School and is expected to be a late first round to early second round selection.

Lastly, Edwards-Helaire is a player who attended Louisiana State and is one of many national champions to enter the draft. At 5-foot-8, 209 pounds, he’s a player who will remind fans of Maurice Jones-Drew as he welcomes contact but also showcases breakaway speed on tape. Most draft pundits believe he’ll be selected in the third round.

The Jags will meet with a lot of prospects over the next few months but it’s still worth keeping tabs on their meetings to reflect back on when the selections are made. We’ll continue to monitor who the Jags speak with this week as more reports are sure to come out.

Louisville at Florida State college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Louisville Cardinals at Florida State Seminoles betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks.

The Louisville Cardinals (23-5, 14-3 ACC) will head south to battle the Florida State Seminoles (23-4, 13-3 ACC) at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Fla., at 7 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Louisville-Florida State odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.

The Cardinals were ranked 11th in last week’s USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Seminoles were ranked 8th. (Note: The new poll will be released later Monday.)

Louisville at Florida State: Three things you need to know

1. The Cardinals have dropped their past two conference road games, at Clemson and at Georgia Tech, losing by an average of 10.5 points per game.

2. Florida State won the first meeting Jan. 4 by a 78-65 score at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, easily covering as 6.5-point underdogs while the Over (133.5) cashed.

3. The Cardinals rank 10th in the nation in 3-pointer percentage (38.3%), and 13th in defensive field-goal percentage (38.5%).


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Louisville at Florida State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Florida State 76, Louisville 69

Moneyline (ML)

FLORIDA STATE (-139) isn’t a bad play on the moneyline based on their straight-up victory at Louisville (+115) back in early January, and the struggles of the Cardinals in their two previous road contests.

New to sports betting? Every $1.39 wagered on the Seminoles ML will profit $1 if they win.

Against the Spread (ATS)

FLORIDA STATE (-2.5, -106) is a good value at plus-money on their home floor. The Seminoles blasted the Cardinals by 13 in the first meeting, and Louisville has dropped its past two road outings by a total of 21 points. That makes the ‘Noles a nice value in Tally.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 140 (-110) has cashed in eight of the past 12 games overall for the Cardinals, including 4-2 in the past six on the road. The Over has hit in three in a row at home for FSU, and the Over also cashed in the first meeting between these ACC goliaths earlier this season.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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

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Florida State at Duke college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Florida State Seminoles at Duke Blue Devils betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks.

The Florida State Seminoles (20-3, 10-2 ACC) travel to Durham, N.C., to battle the Duke Blue Devils (20-3, 10-2) Monday at 7 p.m. ET at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Both teams are coming off emotional wins over rivals. We analyze the Florida State-Duke odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Florida State at Duke: Three things you need to know

1. FSU defeated Miami 99-81 Saturday. The eighth-ranked Seminoles (USA TODAY sports men’s basketball coaches poll) have lost just once since Dec. 3. FSU has been on fire from long distance, racking up nine 3’s per game and shooting a robust 41.1% from beyond the arc since the beginning of January. The triples and a fast pace of play have the Seminoles averaging 86.0 points per game over their last half-dozen contests.

2. The No. 7 Blue Devils are coming off an overtime, buzzer-beater win on the road at North Carolina Saturday. Duke hasn’t played at home since Jan. 28. The Blue Devils have logged an effective field-goal percentage (accounts for 33.3% on 3-pointers and 50% on 2-pointers having the same value) over 55% in 8 of 12 home games this season and in 4 of the team’s last 5.

3. The trey-launching Seminoles have their work cut out for them against a Duke defense which is elite in defending the 3-pointer. Over the Devils’ current five-game win streak, they’ve held foes to a 22.1% accuracy mark from 3-point land.


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Florida State at Duke: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:05 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Duke 82, Florida State 71

Moneyline (ML)

PASS. Duke is too costly at -400 – every $4 wagered on the Duke ML will profit $1 if it wins. Florida State is +310, offering a little bit more than a 3-to-1 profit if it prevails.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The ‘Noles are 0-3 ATS against teams averaging more than 77.0 PPG. The Blue Devils are 10-6 ATS when playing teams over .500.

DUKE -8.5 (-106) is a solid play. Look for a Blue Devils’ advantage on 3-pointers and free throws with the home team piling up enough to cover.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over is: 4-1 over FSU’s last five road games … 10-3 in Duke home games … a combined 19-6 when FSU or Duke are in games totaled between 140-149.5.

Threes and free throws add up. Look for a total near 150 with 90 seconds remaining. Back the OVER 148.5 (-106).

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

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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

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Florida State at Virginia college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Tuesday’s Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Cavaliers sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks.

The Florida State Seminoles (17-2) visit John Paul Jones Arena to play the Virginia Cavaliers (13-6) Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Florida State-Virginia odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Florida State at Virginia: Three things you need to know

  1. Florida State beat Virginia in their first meeting, 54-50, keyed by the Seminoles sinking eight 3-pointers. The Cavaliers were able to hit only three shots from behind the arc.
  2.  Both teams are coming off thrilling wins against conference opponents—Florida State beat Notre Dame 85-84 Jan. 25, and Virginia beat Wake Forest in 65-63 overtime Jan. 26.
  3.  Florida State’s current No. 5 AP ranking is the school’s highest in Leonard Hamilton’s 18 years as head coach.

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Florida State at Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Florida State 60, Virginia 52

Moneyline (ML)

The Seminoles have a more talented core at the moment compared to a Virginia program which lost three players to the NBA from last year’s National Championship team. Florida State has played four RSCI Top-100 recruits while Virginia has had only three of their five RSCI top-100 recruits see action.

Florida State is a much more balanced team than Virginia. The Seminoles are ranked 66th in points per game and 71st in opponent PPG. The Cavaliers allow the fewest PPG but 350 schools are scoring more points per game. In three games against ranked opponents, Florida State is 3-0 with a plus-9.3 margin of victory and Virginia is just 1-1.

BET FLORIDA STATE (-110). New to sports betting? Bet $110 on Florida State to earn a profit of $100 if they win outright.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Being that the line is just +/-1.5 points, we are going to PASS on betting against the spread and put our total Florida State-Virginia gambling allowance on the moneyline. If you wanted to take Florida State (+1.5, -121) it would make sense because the total is so low and the road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five head-to-head meetings.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total of 115.5 total is comically low in this game and I’m going to PASS. Their combined Over/Under record is 19-19, Virginia’s O/U record is 26-42 since 2015 and in Virginia home games this season the O/U is 4-7. There’s no way I’m throwing money at this total.

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

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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

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Virginia at Florida State college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Virginia Cavaliers at Florida State Seminoles sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks.

The Virginia Cavaliers (11-4) travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to battle the Florida State Seminoles (14-2) in a 7 p.m. ET tilt Wednesday at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. We analyze the Virginia-Florida State odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Virginia at Florida State: Three things you need to know

1. The defending national champion Cavaliers lost to Boston College Jan. 7 and then to Syracuse Saturday. Both games were upsets, and UVA hadn’t lost consecutive games since the 2017-18 season.

2. Virginia faces the tough task of trying to rebound from those losses against a strong Seminoles team which has been wearing down foes with their balance and depth. Florida State has won seven straight games. Although not always covering the spread, the ‘Noles have been winning big at home – their average margin of victory in their last five home-court wins is 16.4 points.

3. The last time Virginia logged an effective field-goal mark – a measure of overall shooting accuracy, accounting for the extra point from 3-point range – under 40% in back to back games was in February of 2017. Against then No. 10 Duke ad No. 2 North Carolina. UVA’s last two games were that much of an anomaly.


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Virginia at Florida State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Florida State 61, Virginia 57

Moneyline (ML)

There was no moneyline listed at the time of publishing.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Virginia has disappointed and faltered its way into a nice price. UVA will likely take enough care of the basketball and defend its way into a two-score game. The VIRGINIA (+6.5, -110) line is a profitable one. Florida State is 1-3 ATS over its last four at home. The Seminoles’ normal free-throw advantage gets mitigated here by a UVA squad which doesn’t permit many looks from the charity stripe. A reasonable approximation of what Virginia was doing three, four and five games back benefits those taking the underdog here … because we’re getting a point spread inflated by the Cavaliers’ recent two – and it might be a number to jump on before it heads to five.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both defenses are top-notch, and that makes for a low number here. Play for a bounceback in the Virginia offense and a spiraling back-and-forth affair creating a total closer to 120. Take the OVER 113 (-110).

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

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

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

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Georgia football picks up yet another grad-transfer

Georgia football program picks up yet another grad-transfer in former Florida State tight end Tre’ McKitty

The Georgia football program picked up another much-needed graduate transfer on Monday in tight end Tre’ McKitty out of Florida State.

A 6’4″, 235-pound graduate-transfer, McKitty entered his name in the infamous transfer portal last week, before ultimately deciding to head to Athens and join the Bulldogs.

This is the second transfer portal pick up for Georgia this offseason, with former Wake Forest quarterback Jamie Newman announcing he too was joining the Dawgs last Saturday.

Now, Georgia has yet another offensive weapon for 2020, to help replace the departing Eli Wolf and Charlie Woerner at tight end. Look for McKitty to step in and make an immediate impact, alongside five-star freshman Darnell Washington.

Whether it’s Newman, Carson Beck, Stetson Bennett or Dwan Mathis under center next season, the Dawgs will certainly have a lot more firepower to work with downfield.

WATCH: Arizona State’s Herman Edwards gets Frosted Flakes bath after Sun Bowl win

Arizona State audibled from Gatorade to Frosted Flakes for coach Herman Edwards after its Sun Bowl triumph.

The Sun Bowl called an audible on the Gatorade bath. That’s what happens when your game is sponsored by Tony the Tiger and Frosted Flakes

Arizona State coach Herman Edwards was showered with the cereal after his Sun Devils defeated Florida State, 20-14, Tuesday in the Sun Bowl in El Paso.

Quite sure some coaches would rather be bathed in cereal than the energy drink during the postgame celebrations in the winter.

 

Florida State DL Marvin Wilson returning to school for 2020 season

One of the top defensive line prospects in the country, Florida State’s Marvin Wilson is spurning the 2020 NFL draft to return to school

One of the top defensive line prospects in the nation is spurning the pro ranks for one more season at the college level.

Florida State’s Marvin Wilson is returning to school for the 2020 season, instead of entering the 2020 NFL draft. He made his announcement via FSU Football’s official Twitter account Monday.

Listed at 6-5, 311 pounds, Wilson is a massive presence in the middle of FSU’s defensive line, giving the unit a dominant, disruptive anchor that NFL scouts will surely enjoy watching for another year. His return to school will give him a chance to further refine his promising skill set, and could end up making him a first-round pick in 2021.

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Florida State RB Cam Akers declares for 2020 NFL draft

Florida State running back Cam Akers is leaving school early to enter the 2020 NFL draft

Florida State running back Cam Akers has declared for the 2020 NFL draft.

The prolific rusher announced his decision through Twitter.

Akers had a career year this season as he rushed for over 1,100 yards and totaled 18 touchdowns on the ground and through the air.

“I can not begin to express how valuable my three years here have been, especially the relationships I’ve made with teammates, coaches, support staff and other students,” Akers said in his declaration statement. “I will carry FSU with me wherever I go.”

His decision comes as no surprise. Having had a career year in 2018, Akers is looking to strike while the iron is hot.

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