Tag: Football Picks

College Wire’s Pac-12 writers make their Week 13 selections

According to the writers at College Wire, the conference title game, the last championship game, will have as much riding on it as ever.

It’s Rivalry Week in the Pac-12 and in many of the other conferences and unfortunately, most of these games aren’t supposed to be toss-ups. There is one clear favorite in all of these games, but as we all know, you can throw the records out when a rivalry is concerned.

There’s still plenty to play for as the regular season ends. Washington has already clinched a spot in the Pac-12 title game with Oregon and Arizona still needing a win. If the Ducks beat the Beavers, they’re in and will get that much-awaited rematch with the Dawgs. Arizona needs the Ducks to lose and defeat the Sun Devils in order to go to Las Vegas.

According to the writers here at the College Wire sites that cover the Pac-12, the conference title game, the last championship game, will have as much riding on it as ever before.

Here are our selections.

2021 NFL Draft – Any Notre Dame First Rounders?

I’m curious to see a year from now though if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah ends up being a day one pick.  Koramoah had 8.5 sacks last season, twice recording three or more in the same game, doing so against Virginia Tech and having another 3.5 against Iowa State.

It’s way too early to be talking about the 2021 NFL Draft outside of a couple of things.

The year long debate is on as to who the better quarterback prospect is between Trevor Lawrence of Clemson and Justin Fields of Ohio State.  Lawrence enters as a slight favorite but not by nearly the amount he would have been viewed as a year ago.

What about Notre Dame?  Will the Fighting Irish see a player or two selected in the 2021 NFL Draft’s first round or will it be two straight seasons without a Notre Dame player getting their name called on day one?

Jason McIntyre of Fox Sports released his self-admitted too-early 2021 NFL Draft mock for the first round Monday.  In it he has Trevor Lawrence going first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Justin Fields fourth to the Chicago Bears.

And to the Notre Dame question?

Left tackle Liam Eichenberg is the 16th player off his board as he has the offensive lineman headed to the New York Jets.

Looking around a couple sites today I’ve seen a few people throwing junk at the wall and hoping something sticks in terms of 2021 mock drafts.  They seem to think at this point Eichenberg is the best bet to be a day-one selection.  I don’t question that although I think his ability in the run game has a lot of catching up to do compared to his pass blocking.

I’m very curious to see a year from now though if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah ends up being a day one pick.  Koramoah had 8.5 sacks last season, twice recording three or more in the same game, doing so against Virginia Tech and having another 3.5 against Iowa State.

Well-respected draft analyst Todd McShay thought the same a little over a month ago when he was trying to evaluate a few Notre Dame players for the 2020 NFL Draft.

I don’t know where most experts have Koramoah slotted right now but if there is such a thing I’d like to get in now on his draft stock because a year from now I have a strong feeling it’s going to be a lot higher.

Houston Roughnecks at Tampa Bay Vipers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Roughnecks at Vipers Week 3 matchup, with XFL betting odds, picks and best bets

The XFL West-leading Houston Roughnecks (2-0) are heading east to take on the Tampa Bay Vipers (0-2) Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium.

Roughnecks at Vipers: Week 3 preview, betting trends and notes

  • Houston leads the XFL with nine total touchdowns, while Tampa Bay ranks last, having scored just once in two games (a defensive TD).
  • The Vipers’ passing attack has been a disaster with three different QBs getting playing time, but their ground game has been effective. Tampa Bay averages 145.5 rushing yards per game.
  • The Roughnecks do a great job protecting the football, committing just one turnover this season. Tampa Bay has given it away six times thus far.
  • The Roughnecks are 1-1 against the spread this season, failing to cover last week in their 28-24 win over Seattle.
  • Tampa Bay was a road favorite in each of its first two games but lost outright both times.

Get some action on this XFL matchup or other games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets; visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Roughnecks at Vipers: Key injuries

Roughnecks

  • RB De’Angelo Henderson (shoulder): Out
  • OL Marquez Tucker (knee): Out
  • WR Cam Phillips (ankle): Probable

Vipers

  • QB Aaron Murray (foot): Out
  • CB Jalen Collins (ankle): Questionable
  • G Nick Truesdell (knee): Out

Roughnecks at Vipers: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Roughnecks 27, Vipers 13

Moneyline (?)

The Roughnecks are clearly the better team at this point in the season, getting excellent play out of QB P.J. Tucker. They lead the league with nine touchdowns and, while their defense has been average, the offense is rolling.

The Vipers can’t find the end zone on offense and there’s little reason to believe they’ll improve drastically this weekend. Take the ROUGHNECKS (-286) to win outright. This game won’t be close.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Houston to win would return a profit of $3.50.

Against the Spread (?)

The Roughnecks are favored by 6.5 points on the road, making this the first time Tampa Bay will be the underdog. The Roughnecks are 1-1 ATS but have the offensive to blow the Vipers out.

Take ROUGHNECKS (-110) to cover the 6.5-point margin with ease.

Over/Under (?)

The over/under is 45.5, which is a big number considering the Vipers have scored 12 total points in two games. The total has gone over in one of the Roughnecks’ two games after their 28-24 win last week.

Because of the Vipers’ ineptitude on offense, and their uncertainty at QB, take UNDER 45.5 (-121) in this one.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva 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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Arizona Cardinals at L.A. Rams odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Cardinals at Rams NFL matchup, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets

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The Arizona Cardinals (5-9-1) and Los Angeles Rams (8-7) close their seasons this weekend, both without anything to play for other than pride as both have been eliminated from postseason contention. The Cardinals travel to Southern California for a Sunday afternoon kickoff (4:25 p.m. ET) at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, the final game the Rams will play there.

Cardinals at Rams: Week 17 preview, betting trends and notes

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

  • The Rams have beaten the Cardinals in five straight contests, outscoring them 164-32 and scoring more than 30 points in each game.
  • The Cardinals have won two straight games and are coming off their best defensive performance of the season, beating the Seattle Seahawks 27-13 on the road and holding them to only 224 total yards.
  • The Rams are allowing an average of 169.4 rushing yards in their last five games. The Cardinals have averaged 151.8 yards on the ground offensively in the same period, including more than 225 yards in each of their last two games.
  • Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake has rushed for 303 yards and six touchdowns in his last two games.
  • Cardinals QB Kyler Murray was sacked six times by the Rams in their last matchup on Dec. 1.
  • Rams QB Jared Goff passed for 424 yards in the 34-7 win over the Cardinals and has had two touchdown passes in each of his last four games.

Cardinals at Rams: Key injuries

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (hamstring) is questionable for the game and will be a game-day decision.

Rams CB Jalen Ramsey (knee) has been ruled out of the season finale. T Andrew Whitworth (knee) did not practice until Friday but does not carry an injury designation.

Cardinals at Rams: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 2:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Rams 23, Cardinals 20

Moneyline (?)

The Rams are heavy favorites at –286. Considering their dominance over the Cardinals the Rams seem like a lock, even with no value. Arizona at +225, on the other hand, would provide a big payout.

However, you should AVOID this bet. The Cardinals are playing their best football and are still focused despite their record. The Rams could be flat after getting eliminated from postseason contention and may rest some veterans for some younger players.

New to sports betting? A $10 successful wager on the Rams to win outright would return a profit of $3.50.

Against the Spread (?)

The Rams are favored by nearly a touchdown at home at –6.5 (-110). The history between the two teams suggests the smart money is to take L.A. to cover that spread. But the Cardinals lean on a running attack led by a rejuvenated Kenyan Drake and are playing better defensively. Arizona has been an underdog in 14 of their 15 games this season but covered the spread nine times. The Rams have covered the spread in 10 of 15 games.

With the Cardinals still trying to prove themselves and the Rams having little to play for and expected to play younger players, take the CARDINALS +6.5 (-110) — even if Murray can’t go.

Over/Under (?)

The total is set at 44.5 points. Arizona’s games have gone under the total three of the last four times, while Rams games have gone under the total nine out of 15 times this season. Expect a lower-scoring game than normal from both teams. It will be close, but take the UNDER 44.5 (-106).

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow 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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