Two Spartans featured on preliminary World Juniors rosters

As the World Junior’s approaches, two Spartans are featured on preliminary rosters

Michigan State hockey has seen a resurgence under Adam Nightingale, which has culminated in the Spartans being ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation.

With the added improvement in East Lansing, the Spartans have gotten more recognition. Part of that recognition is players being selected for World Juniors rosters, an annual tournament run by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for national under-20 teams.

Two Spartans have made preliminary rosters.

After winning gold a year ago, Trey Augustine is expected to be on the USA team once again as the starting goaltender. It would be his third appearance with USA in the WJC.

Maxim Strbak is featured on Slovakia’s roster, and it would be his fourth appearance for the nation in the WJC.

The 2025 World Junior Championship will begin on Dec. 26 and take place in Ottawa.

Georgia faces Big Ten team in playoff projection after rivalry week

ESPN projects that Georgia will host a Big Ten team in a first-round game of the College Football Playoff

ESPN projects that the Georgia Bulldogs will be ranked No. 5 in the updated College Football Playoff rankings. Georgia is coming off a miraculous eight overtime win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Week 14.

In ESPN’s projections (subscription required), Georgia is expected to be ranked behind No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Penn State, and No. 4 Notre Dame.

“The Bulldogs should jump up two spots thanks to losses by both Ohio State and Miami,” said ESPN’s Heather Dinich on her playoff projections for Georgia. Ohio State, who was previously ranked No. 2, and Miami, the previous No. 6 team, both lost during rivalry week. As a result, Dinich projects Georgia to move up from the No. 7 slot.

Georgia is projected to be the nation’s top ranked two-loss team, which bodes well for the Bulldogs. Georgia’s season isn’t over yet. The Bulldogs play against No. 2 Texas in the 2024 SEC championship game.

If the season ended today, then Georgia would be the No. 7 seed in the playoff bracket, according to ESPN. Georgia would host the No. 10 seed Indiana Hoosiers in the first-round of the playoff.

However, Georgia will either win or lose in the SEC championship, so the Bulldogs would likely end up as either the No. 2 seed (with a first-round bye) with win. With a loss, Georgia could miss the playoff, but that would be very unlikely. The Bulldogs have a 99.4% chance to make the 12-team playoff.

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If Georgia falls to Texas, then it would be interesting to see if the Dawgs drop far in the playoff rankings. Of course, a lot of that would depend on the magnitude of UGA’s loss. The last thing Georgia wants is to be grouped with three-loss SEC teams in Alabama and Ole Miss, who both beat Georgia earlier this season.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes posted lowest QB+ grade in a win since 2019 vs. Raiders

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes posted his lowest QB+ grade in a win since 2019 in Kansas City’s Week 13 win over the Las Vegas #Raiders.

The Kansas City Chiefs are 11-1, but after another sweaty win in Week 13, fans in Western Missouri should be a little worried about the defending Super Bowl champions heading into the home stretch of the regular season.

Patrick Mahomes’s inconsistent play has been part of Kansas City’s struggles this season, and the Chiefs’ narrow margin of victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday was partially caused by his inability to produce more points.

According to the experts at Pro Football Network, Mahomes posted a QB+ grade of 72.2 in Kansas City’s latest win, his lowest mark in a victory since 2019.

Despite the poor grade, Mahomes threw for 306 yards and a touchdown without being intercepted.

Ultimately, despite his disappointing performance, the Chiefs maintained their role as the top team in the AFC, and Kansas City controls its own destiny to win the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed.

Stay tuned to see if Mahomes can earn a better QB+ grade when the Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8.

First look: LA Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs odds and lines

Looking at Sunday’s Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs Week 14 NFL odds, lines and trends. Here’s what you need to know.

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The Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) host the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) on Sunday Night Football in Week 14. Kickoff from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). Below, we look at Chargers vs. Chiefs odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds before making our expert NFL picks and predictions later in the week.

Patrick Mahomes‘ Chiefs have won back-to-back games since their 30-21 loss at the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 that ended Kansas City’s dreams of an undefeated season.

While being the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season, K.C. conjured up more “Chiefs magic” during Week 13, escaping with a 19-17 home win over Las Vegas. The Raiders were in field-goal range late but fumbled a snap at the Kansas City 32-yard line with 15 seconds to go. The Chiefs didn’t cover as 13.5-point favorites and the Under (42.5) cashed.

Los Angeles has won 5 of its past 6 games, a stretch punctuated by a gritty 17-13 win at the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. The Rams were 1-point underdogs and the Under (47) hit. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s first year with the Chargers looks like it will end with a trip to the postseason, but the AFC Wild Card race remains tight.

This matchup marks the second meeting between these AFC West rivals this season. In Week 4, the Chiefs prevailed 17-10 as 6.5-point road favorites as the Under (42) came through. LA led 10 after the opening quarter, but the Chiefs responded by outscoring their hosts 17-0 the rest of the way — with a second-quarter TD (Mahomes 54-yard pass to WR Xavier Worthy), a third-quarter FG and a fourth-quarter TD (RB Samaje Perine 2-yard run) with 6:04 to go.

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Chargers at Chiefs odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Monday at 12:05 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Chargers +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Chiefs -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Chargers +4 (-110) | Chiefs -4 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 43 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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2024 betting stats

  • ML: Chargers 8-4 | Chiefs 11-1
  • ATS: Chargers 8-4 | Chiefs 5-7
  • O/U: Chargers 4-8 | Chiefs 6-6

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Chargers vs. Chiefs head-to-head

The Chiefs won 8 of the last 10 showdowns with the Bolts, but the Chargers own a slight edge in covering the spread in those contests at 5-4-1. However, Kansas City has covered in the last 3 meetings.

The O/U is 4-5-1 in the last 10 contests, including back-to-back Under winners, falling below 42 in Week 4 and Under 35.5 in Week 18 last season. This looks like the initial wisest bet in this market if you can snag Under 43 soon.

According to pro-football-reference.com, the Kansas City leads the all-time series 70-58-1 but lost the one playoff meeting, a 17-0 Chargers shutout in a 1992-93 Wild Card Game in San Diego.

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New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The New Jersey Devils (16-9-2) will travel across the Hudson River to face the New York Rangers (13-9-1) Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Devils vs. Rangers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

This first meeting of the 2024-25 season between these Metropolitan Division rivals comes at a tumultuous time for the Rangers, who halted a 5-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday.

On the flip side, the visitors are surging in second place in the Metro, despite falling short 6-5 to the first-place Washington Capitals Saturday. The Devils’ elite power play (1st in NHL, 33.7%) gives them a major advantage coming into this crosstown clash.

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Devils at Rangers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 12:01 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Devils -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Rangers +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils -1.5 (+200) | Rangers +1.5 (-250)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Devils at Rangers projected goalies

Jacob Markstrom (11-6-1, 2.62 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Igor Shesterkin (8-8-1, 2.93 GAA, .913 SV%, 1 SO)

Both starting goalies have been confirmed as of publication.

Shesterkin’s potentially historically important contract year has not done much for his case to receive the most lucrative goaltending contract in history. The Russian has seen at least 31 shot attempts across his past 4 starts, all losses (13 goals allowed, .917 SV%).

Markstrom has struggled in his past 5 games (.881 SV%) but has won 3 of them, in part by being helped by a defense that has allowed no more than 28 shots in a game over that window.

Oddly enough, they’ve both at times been outplayed by their backups, with the Devils’ Jake Allen (5-3-1, 2.70 GAA, .907 SV%) and the Rangers’ Jonathan Quick (5-1-0, 2.03, .936) stealing the spotlight often from the No. 1 names.

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Devils at Rangers picks and predictions

Prediction

Devils 4, Rangers 2

Moneyline

Given that this is a road trip, the Devils’ ML price is lucrative enough to wager. New Jersey’s brand of hockey has looked crisper than the home club’s, especially while holding the NHL’s best power-play attack.

Even though the Rangers hold the league’s 2nd-best penalty-kill unit (87.7%), I side with a red-hot power play from the visitors to be the difference.

BET DEVILS (-130).

Puck line/Against the spread

While both teams sit below .500 ATS (Devils 13-14, Rangers 9-14), the sharp bet would lean heavily on the aggressive Devils’ side due to their superior defense.

The Devils rank 3rd with a 9.64 Expected Goal Differential (EGD), according to Moneypuck, and hold upside with a -6.04 Goals Above Expected, the 8th-unluckiest rate. Expect that fortune to swing in their favor; the Rangers rank 20th in EGD (-2.26).

BET DEVILS -1.5 (+200).

Over/Under

The Rangers have scored 4+ goals just twice in their past 10 games. Given that the Devils’ pressure should work well against this struggling New York offense, it’s difficult to trust the Devils to carry the load to top 6.5 goals on their own.

The listed prediction says the total will fall just short. Stick with that guidance.

BET UNDER 6.5 GOALS (-110).

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Dallas Stars at Utah Hockey Club odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Monday’s Dallas Stars at Utah Hockey Club odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Dallas Stars (15-8-0) visit the Utah Hockey Club (10-10-4) Monday. Puck drop from the Delta Center is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Stars vs. Utah Hockey Club odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: First meeting

Dallas has won back-to-back games after taking down the visiting Winnipeg Jets 3-1 Sunday as a -148 favorite. D Thomas Harley had 2 assists in the win.

Utah dismantled the Vegas Golden Knights 6-0 Saturday as a +134 road underdog. C Nick Schmaltz scored twice for Utah, which has won 2 of its last 3 games.

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Stars at Utah Hockey Club odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Stars -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Utah Hockey Club +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Stars -1.5 (+170) | Utah Hockey Club +1.5 (-210)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Stars at Utah Hockey Club projected goalies

Jake Oettinger (13-4-0, 2.38 GAA, .915 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Connor Ingram (6-4-3, 3.61 GAA, .871 SV%)

Oettinger has been a large part of Dallas’ success this season. His 13 wins rank 2nd, his GAA is 7th, and his SV% is tied for 9th-best. He has won 7 of his last 8 games while allowing 2 of fewer goals in 6 of his last 8.

Ingram has faced struggles this season but has kept Utah afloat. His 6 wins are tied for 23rd-best while his GAA and SV% are below 50th in the NHL. He has dropped 6 of his last 8 games, allowing 3 or more goals in each loss.

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Stars at Utah Hockey Club picks and predictions

Prediction

Stars 3, Utah Hockey Club 2

Moneyline

BET STARS (-145).

Dallas has the advantage in net and has been on a hot streak recently. It has won 7 of its last 10 games, including 3 of its last 5 on the road. Its offense has scored 4 or more goals in 6 of its last 10 games, while Utah has scored 3 or fewer in 7 of its last 10.

Puck line/Against the spread

PASS.

The moneyline has the best value on the Stars.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 6.5 (-115).

Dallas has allowed 3 or fewer goals in back-to-back games and 7 of its last 10.

Utah has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 5 of its last 6 games, including a shutout Sunday night. It has failed to hit the Over in 7 of its last 10 games, including 3 of its last 4.

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Kirby Smart reacts to Julian Humphrey’s decision to transfer

UGA head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media after Julian Humphrey announced his decision to transfer ahead of the SEC championship

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media for the first time ahead of Georgia’s SEC championship game against the Texas Longhorns.

Smart answered questions about the status of Georgia redshirt sophomore defensive back Julian Humphrey, who announced his plans to enter the transfer portal on Sunday. Humphrey is Georgia’s No. 3 cornerback at the moment, but has started several games for the Bulldogs this year including UGA’s last game against Texas.

“No status that I’m aware of,” said Smart when asked on Humphreys. “I mean, I saw the same thing you saw. So, we’re worried about the guys that we’re going to go play Texas with.”

The timing of the transfer portal is an absolute nightmare for head coaches. Smart and other college football coaches have the early signing day, conference championship and opening of the transfer portal all within one week. The portal officially opens on Dec. 9.

“I’m not sure of that,” said Smart when asked if Humphrey will be with the team for the Texas game.

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Georgia is expected to start Daniel Harris and Daylen Everette at outside cornerback.

Referee explains lack of penalty on controversial pick-six

Did the refs miss a call early in Sunday’s game?

Sunday’s game got off to a bad start for the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the team’s first offensive drive, quarterback Russell Wilson threw a pick-six and spotted the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, on the play, Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt appeared to pull Steelers wide receiver George Pickens down by the helmet before the ball got there, allowing for the interception. It definitely seemed there should have been a flag thrown but there wasn’t.

After the game, referee Shawn Hochuli addressed the play and offered a pretty flimsy excuse for the no call.

“We ruled the receiver stumbled right off the line and then there was incidental contact that brought him down,” Hoculi said. “If there was a potential grab or hold, that was at an angle that we wouldn’t have seen. But our ruling, again, was that he stumbled off the line and then incidental contact occurred.”

Not sure if anyone buys this but ultimately it didn’t impact the outcome of the game.

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Week 13 loss didn’t help Saints’ draft pick, but MNF’s outcome could

Losing to the Rams didn’t help the Saints’ draft pick, but Monday night’s result could. Be sure to cheer against Sean Payton and the Broncos:

Well this stings. The New Orleans Saints’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13 didn’t even help their position in the 2025 NFL draft order. But they aren’t out of the woods yet. The Denver Broncos’ game with the Cleveland Browns on “Monday Night Football” could do a lot to help them out. All Saints fans need to do is root against Sean Payton (or for Jameis Winston).

The Saints went into their matchup with the Rams projected to pick at No. 9 overall, per Tankathon. They’re still at No. 9 after losing to LA, which put their record at 4-8. The Browns are slotted ahead of them at 3-8, and a loss to the Broncos on Monday night could keep them there.

But a win would tie Cleveland with New Orleans, both at 4-8. Their head-to-head result wouldn’t put the Saints ahead, but their lower strength of schedule (.495, at the moment) would help them against the Browns (whose SOS is .512 before this Broncos game). So if the Browns win, they would drop down behind the Saints, who would move up to the eighth overall pick.

For now. There are five more weeks left in the regular season to determine who picks where at the top of the NFL draft. The Saints aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and they showed plenty of fight in that loss to the Rams; don’t expect them to go in the tank and hope for a better draft pick. We’ll keep tracking where they rank through the weeks ahead, but know this is a fluid process.

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First look: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions odds and lines

Looking at Thursday’s Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions Week 14 NFL odds, lines and trends. Here’s what you need to know.

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The Detroit Lions (11-1) host the Green Bay Packers (9-3) on Thursday Night Football in Week 14. Kickoff from Ford Field is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Below, we look at Packers vs. Lions odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds before making our expert NFL picks and predictions later in the week.

This marks the second meeting of the 2024 season between rivals in the tough NFC North. In Week 9, the visiting Lions won 24-14 on the back of touchdowns from wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Detroit held off another upstart Norris division rival, the Chicago Bears, with a 23-20 escape on Thanksgiving Day, chiefly aided by now-fired Chicago coach Matt Eberflus. The Lions hold a 10-game win streak and rank as one of this year’s Super Bowl favorites.

The Packers don’t sit far behind in optimism, though, as one of 3 NFC North teams with 9-plus wins.

Green Bay holds a 3-game win streak since its Week 10 bye, most recently icing out the Miami Dolphins 30-17 on Thanksgiving night. Quarterback Jordan Love found Jayden Reed for 2 TDs to lead the scoring.

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Packers at Lions odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Monday at 10:13 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Packers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Lions -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Packers +3.5 (-115) | Lions -3.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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2024 betting stats

  • ML: Packers 9-3 | Lions 11-1
  • ATS: Packers 6-6 | Lions 9-3
  • O/U: Packers 5-6-1 | Lions 5-6-1

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Packers vs. Lions head-to-head

Just for kicks: The Pack leads the all-time series 106-77-7.

Now, stats that matter (sort of): Including the aforementioned Week 9 battle, the Lions hold a 5-2 advantage in this series in the Dan Campbell head coaching era, which started in 2021.

And the split I always use: Detroit is 4-1 against the Pack with Ben Johnson’s wizardry at offensive coordinator since the start of the 2022 season.

Green Bay’s last win in this head-to-head history came Thanksgiving Day 2023, when they traveled to accomplish a 29-22 win on the back of a 3-TD aerial day from Love.

In the Johnson-era editions of this rivalry, the Under is 3-2, and Detroit is 4-1 ATS.

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