Josh Rosen is the key to this game. Rosen is a Heisman Trophy candidate and possibly a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
UCLA head coach Jim Mora is a good coach and will have his boys prepared here at home.
 He was brought in to turn around the program and that is just what he did. Winning 29 games in his first three years was the best mark by any coach in UCLA's history. Throw out last year with the injury to Rosen and an inexperienced offensive coordinator. Jedd Fisch is the new OC and a big upgrade. UCLA also has revenge from last year after losing 31-24 in the Rose Bowl. In that game Josh Rosen threw 3 INT’s. He was learning a new offense that was hurt after 6 games. Rosen is primed for a great season and the Bruins have 9 starters back on offense.
A new A&M QB will be starting here on the road and A&M Myles Garret was #1 overall pick in draft his counterpart at DE, Daeshon Hall, was a 3rd round pick.
Take UCLA here at home on Sunday night.

5*

Kansas City starter Ian Kennedy is struggling mightily, allowing 24 earned runs over his last five starts and 13.5 in his last 3 starts. He'll be going on five days' rest, and the Royals are 1-6 in his last seven starts in that scenario.

Ervin Santana had a strong August, posting a 2.95 ERA over six starts. He gave up three runs over 6 2/3 innings in a win against the White Sox on Tuesday and I like him and the Twins bats at home to get the win here on Sunday.  Back Minnesota.

5*

Marshall really struggled last season with a mark of 3-9 SU, 3-8 ATS. Lone victories included Morgan State and Florida Atlantic. They allowed 200 or more YPG both running and passing and just not a good team. Their QB Litton returns as the starting signal caller, but much of the blame for last year’s internal discord was from him. Until things turn around, we will follow the momentum of each team including that of Miami, Ohio who began last year going 0-6 SU then made the QB change to Ragland (17TD's/1 INT) and the Red Hawks finished the year 6-1 SU, ATS including a narrow miss in their Bowl game, a 17-16 loss (as a +14 underdog to an SEC team) Miss St. Not only did they make it to a bowl game but they gained experience and 3 extra weeks of practice last December. They also have 17 returning starters including QB Ragland and over 80 returning lettermen, and this is one of the most experienced teams in the Nation. I'm backing Miami-Ohio, who is well coached, with solid QB play and their momentum from last season as I believe these 2 teams are headed in opposite directions.

10* GAME OF THE WEEK

There’s a lot of excitement in Austin with the arrival of head coach Tom Herman. The offense will get a big boost under him but its going to take time. I still have questions about the defense as well. Will the Longhorns be able to stop the run? That's what they’ll see a lot of against the Maryland Terps, who boast a deep stable of backs and a strong Offensive-line that can dictate up front and create holes. There are many distractions with flooding and the practices aren't as focused for Texas for obvious reasons. I'm taking Maryland with the points in this battle on Saturday night primetime TV action.

5*

Colorado State's red zone ability has looked like a very consistent threat and an end result concern on every possession for opponents. Whether by running, passing or by good special teams play - the guys gets it done for the Rams. Nick Stevens is a huge threat, in a solid passing game for the Rams as well. Stevens always finds way to keep Colorado State involved throughout their games. Colorado State has too much firepower for Colorado to try and keep in check. Colorado has not scored well, at all, in the last 2 games they have played. The Colorado St Rams are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall

We cashed our 5* BEST BET with Colorado State over Oregon State last Saturday, as CSU blew out the Beavers, 58-27. They'll have a big advantage vs. their cross-state rival, Colorado, as the Buffaloes haven't played any games yet this season to work out any of the kinks. These teams have met every season for the past 22 years, and the team that lost the previous year has gone 15-5-1 ATS, including 8-0-1 ATS when priced from -3 to +6.5 points! With the Rams playing with revenge from a 44-7 loss last season. Co St got crushed last year by Colorado, so they have had this game circled all year and I look for them to get their revenge here on Friday night.

5*

Cole Hamels has excelled against the Angels this season, going 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in three starts. He has held Angels slugger Mike Trout to a .135 average with 0 HR's the past few years as well. Tyler Skaggs, on the other hand, has struggled against the Rangers, going 0-1 with a 5.87 ERA in three starts. The Los Angeles Angels are coming off a three-game sweep of the A's, but they've had a day to cool down (LAA 1-7 in its last eight games following an off day) and I think they're in for a tough matchup against another AL West rival at Texas Friday night. The Rangers are 24-6 in Hamels' last 30 home starts. Texas is only 4 back in the Wild Card and need to continue to win and at this reasonable price at home here on Friday night I like their chances.

10* AL GAME OF THE WEEK

This game might be competitive for a while, but the Cowboys will pull away and win by 21+ I believe. The Tulsa defense won't be able to contain Heisman candidate Mason Rudolph and they should be able to score many and often in this game. This is a veteran team and well coached. Okl St is also my pick to win the BIG 12 conference and I say they come out on fire here at home Thursday night. Lay it with the Cowboys.

5*

The Carolina Panthers have some questions on the back end of their roster meaning that we will see significantly more starters and vets see some action than a usual in the 4th week of the pre-season. The Panthers have also won and covered 4 straight week #4 games with an average score of 19-5 while the Steelers are 0-4 SU/ATS week #4 with an average score of 19-5 which is because these two teams have played each other in this same week of the pre-season each of the last 4 years.
Take the Panthers here on Thursday night NFL Pre-Season action.

5*

Texas has taken the first two games of this series and I don't see a sweep here. Houston has a huge advantage on the mound this afternoon and also with their bats in the lineup. The Astros will hand the ball to Collin McHugh, who has a 1.53 ERA over his last 3 starts. McHugh has been dominant of late, going 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA over his last three starts, but has yet to face the Rangers this season. He struck out eight and allowed one run over six innings to pick up a win over the Angels on Friday. Houston is also 15-2 behind McHugh in division games, while Texas has lost Nick Martinez' last three starts. I'm backing the Astros here on Thursday afternoon.

5*

SD has not much spent much time at home as this is their 10th game in the last 21 days. They played 6 games at STL and Arizona before returning home on Monday and losing to the Giants. SD won last night and have been solid at home lately posting a 14-8 record as a home favorite. Travis Wood is 3-3 on the season but his team is 3-0 when he is at home with a 2.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Ty Blach, meanwhile, is 3-5 on the road (team is 3-6) with a 5.50 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Both are lefties and SD is 9-8 at home versus Southpaws while SF is 8-14 away. I'm on the SD Padres again here Wednesday night.

5*

I like RA Dickey and the Atlanta Braves to snap their losing streak and get the win here on Wednesday in game 1 of the Doubleheader. Despite a 4.59 road ERA, Dickey has found success away from SunTrust Park. In his last two road starts, he allowed two runs over 14 innings and he has been very solid lately. He fired seven scoreless innings against the Phillies on July 30.

The Colorado Rockies dropped the opener of this three-game series with the Detroit Tigers 4-3 on Monday. The Tigers are still just 2-9 in their last 11 road games while the Rockies have one of the best home records in baseball, and this looks like a fair price on the home team to bounce back with a win.
Detroit had entered the series having lost 16 of their previous 21 and owned the AL's second-worst record.

 Colorado hands the ball to German Marquez (10-5, 4.18 ERA). The Rockies are 8-0 in the right-handers' last eight home starts and he's 6-0 with a 3.12 ERA in those games.

 The Tigers have allowed an average of 5.45 RPG away from home, while the Rockies are averaging 6.09 RPG at home.

 The Tigers are 3-9 in the last 12 meetings at Colorado, and think the Rockies will give Fulmer a really hard time here in his first career start at Coors Field while Marquez knows what it's all about already. I'll play the home team.

5*

Marcus Stroman continues to chew through innings for the Blue Jays.

Stroman has been on of the few bright spots in what has been a season wasted in Toronto. He is truly emerging as one of the best young pitchers in the American League, and it looks like Toronto will be building around him to form another contender in the years to come. As a young pitcher I expect him to be fired up to face the division leading RedSox at home. I think its a very safe bet for Marcus and the BJays to bounce back while the Redsox have only averaged 2.5 runs/game in their last 4 games.

5*

I love this Titans team, from the starters to the backups and a coach who is building something special behind Marcus Mariota. This is the most talented Titans' roster in quite some time and with the starters playing into the 3rd Q I expect the Titans to get a double digit win. Take the Tenn Titans!

10*

I'll lay the points with the Cowboys on Saturday night. Dallas has the advantage of staying home for a second straight week while the Raiders will be playing in their third city in as many weeks. Of course, Dallas also has the advantage of playing its fourth game of the preseason since they played in the HOF game. The Cowboys starters should see extended time in this one including Elliott at RB. I simply feel the Cowboys have a considerable edge in terms of depth, and they've looked every bit like a team that's interested in setting a winning tone here in August.

5*

UMass went to Hawaii in the regular-season finale last year and they put on a show with 940 yards of total offense. Hawaii won 46-40, but UMass got the +7 cover. UMass went 2-10 last season, but 7-5 ATS. I expect Hawaii to make some adjustments and this UMass defense allowed 35.5 ppg and 453 ypg last year. Hawaii's offense is solid with QB Dru Brown returning big and better. I like Hawaii here who made it to a bowl last season and got 3 extra weeks of practice time. Hawaii gets a rare win here on the road.

5*

A rapid unexpected decline has occurred for Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi. Over his last six starts, he has produced just one quality outing.
He has lost all three of his starts since returning from the 10-day DL, his longest losing streak since May 15-25, 2015. He is 3-5 with a 6.03 ERA in his last 12 starts.

For the Cardinals, Friday starter Michael Wacha has lost consecutive starts for the first time since late May. I look for him to bounce back here at home as he has some very solid numbers vs. the Rays.

5*

Christian McCaffrey is going to make a serious impact in the Carolina backfield, he will make that slow Jags defense front work hard, wearing them down, and tiring them. McCaffrey has gotten them 19.5 YDs/catch and 72 total YDs in their last game. He will be able to work very well, vs a Jacksonville defense that gave up 51 total YDs to Doug Martin. Jacksonville isn't going to be the team to stop that trend.

Blake Bortles just looked awful for the Jags with a sad 5.0 YPA/avg in their sloppy loss to the Bucs. Carolina limited the Jags to just 9 pts on a terrible passing attack from Bortles - in the game vs them in 2015.This Jags will struggle as well - and likely will have problems moving the ball, yet again vs simply a better Carolina team which will have their starting defense out there for 3 quarters. The Panthers put up 100+ rushing YDs in the game vs Jacksonville then, with a less talented backfield, I don't trust Jacksonville to contain the backs of Carolina.

Carolina Panthers get my call on Thursday night in the NFL Pre-Season.

5*

The Mets Montero has been getting lucky with double plays in recent starts.  I think the DBacks get to him here on Thursday afternoon.

Robbie Ray returns to action for the first time since being struck in the head by a 108-mph line drive on July 28. Ray suffered a concussion and is ready to roll again. Arizona is 6-1 in road starts by lefty Robbie Ray against losing teams. The Mets have dropped seven straight home games against left-handed starters. Play on ARIZONA.

5*

The Rockies own the top spot in the National League wild-card race by a half-game over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Royals, who sit 1 1/2 games back of the second American League wild-card spot, are among eight teams within five games of the league's final playoff position. The KC Royals hand the ball to Danny Duffy (7-8, 3.82 ERA). The 28 year old has been solid at home all season, posting a 3.14 ERA through eight starts. The Rockies turn to Jon Gray (5-2, 4.74 ERA). The 25 year old right-hander has a 4-11 mark with a 4.93 ERA in 26 career starts on the road, and he's 1-2 with a 6.34 ERA in seven road starts on the season and Colorado is just 4-9 their last 13 games.

The Rockies are on the road again as they visit the Kansas City Royals for the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium Tuesday night. They're coming off a disappointing 3-4 homestand, and we can note that the Rockies are just 6-21 in their last 27 road games overall and 3-14 in their last 17 interleague road games vs. a left-handed starter. KC has been playing great defense and the Rockies bats have cooled off. I'll back the KC ROYALS

10*