Illinois has been up and down this season owning wins against UCLA and Texas while losing by 15 points at home to Penn State and falling to Missouri, 93-71.

But I see the Illini showing up here against Northwestern, a team they have beaten eight straight times.

I don't trust Northwestern once Big Ten Conference play gets going. The Wildcats didn't look good in a 73-57 home loss to Ohio State this past Sunday.

I just see this as too many points for Missouri State to be laying given the spot and series history.

The underdog has covered 69 percent of the last 27 meetings. Missouri State is in a letdown spot after a 52-49 win against Drake on New Year's Day in perhaps its biggest win of the season.

The Purple Aces have yet to win in the Missouri Valley Conference this season. They should play hard here.

Iowa State's defensive pressure should keep the Cyclones in this one - if not pulling the outright upset.

The Cyclones are playing well with a three-game win streak. They rank ninth in scoring defense giving up just 57.3 points per game, while forcing 20.8 turnovers a game. That's the most among major-conference schools.

Oklahoma has a minus 1.9 turnover margin, which is the worst in the Big 12. Iowa State leads the Big 12 and is second in the country with a plus 7.8 turnover margin.

The teams just met this past Friday in Sacramento. The Kings won, 126-125, for a combined total of 251. So why now go Under in the rematch?

The shooting in that Friday game was unbelievable. The Jazz shot 55 percent from the floor and made 25 of 30 free throws. The Kings shot 56 percent from the field while making 12 of 30 3-pointers.

Both defenses are below average. Neither, though, is bottom-six. I expect adjustments to be made following that game five days ago. Kings coach Mike Brown has a respected defensive mind.

The Jazz rank eighth in 3-point defense. So I don't expect the Kings to make 40 percent of their 3-pointers like they did Friday.

The Under has cashed in five of the Kings' last six road games. This is Sacramento's fifth game in eight days and is being played in Utah's high altitude. So I don't believe the Kings will be that up-tempo.

This is a very low total as befitting two elite defenses. Both teams are 11-2. Mississippi State gives up the fourth-fewest points in the nation at 54.5 points. Tennessee surrenders only 53.2 points per game, third-best in the country.

Scoring is going to be at a premium here so I'll gladly accept this many points with the underdog Bulldogs in what shapes up to be a very low-scoring matchup.

Tennessee is 1-4 ATS in its last five games versus above .500 foes.

Other than perhaps Grambling State, the Southwestern Athletic Conference isn't very good at all. So my eyebrows are raised when I see one team favored by so much against another team.

Arkansas Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M are each 4-9. I have them close to even power rating-wise. So I see this as too many points for the Bulldogs to be laying.

Arkansas Pine Bluff is the better defensive team ranking 207th allowing 69.6 points a game. Alabama A&M gives up 76.8 points a game, which ranks the Bulldogs 338th. The Golden Lions are above average in 3-point defense. That's a key because the Bulldogs' strength is 3-point accuracy. 

The Golden Lions are 5-1 ATS the past six times meeting a sub .500 opponent. The Bulldogs are 6-13 ATS the past 19 times when facing a foe with a below 40 percent winning percentage. 

The teams just met this past Saturday night in Chicago. The Bulls were 5-1 in their last six games heading into that matchup while the Cavaliers had lost three in a row. The Cavaliers held off the Bulls, 103-102, despite not having Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. Donovan Mitchell had an off-game shooting 5-of-16 from the floor.

Yet Cleveland still won.

I like the Cavaliers to cover this margin even if they are missing Mobley and Garland again. It's a bonus if either of them plays. Mitchell should shoot a lot better, too.

The difference is defense. The Cavaliers are the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA holding foes to 106.2 points. The Bulls rank 18th giving up 114.8 points a game.

The Cavaliers have been big money-makers at home going 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 home contests.

Ever since joining the Pac-12 in 2011 it has been Utah's goal to win the Rose Bowl. The Utes came very close last season falling to Ohio State, 48-45, on a late field goal. Utah lost its star quarterback, Cam Rising, to a head injury early in the fourth quarter in that game.

Rising had another outstanding year this season passing for 2,939 yards with a 25-to-7 TD-to-interception ratio. I like Rising more than Penn State QB Sean Clifford, who will be without his top receiver, Parker Washington. He has a leg injury and also declared for the draft as did the Nittany Lions star cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

The Utes are 11-4 in bowl games under much respected coach Kyle Whittingham. Utah was impressive in its last game beating USC, 47-24, in the Pac-12 title game. I believe the Utes are the superior team and they have Rose Bowl experience. Their chance is here. And they will take advantage of it.

The total is high in this one - but not high enough.

Tulane was the 21st-highest scoring team in the country averaging 35.2 points a game. That average goes up to 38.8 during its last seven games. USC has trouble against mobile quarterbacks and Tulane's Michael Pratt is a dual threat.

Pratt accounted for 35 touchdowns through the air and on the ground rushing for 395 yards and passing for 2,775 yards.

Lincoln Riley turned USC around. The Trojans did this on offense averaging 41.1 points per game, third-best in the country. If you discount their Pac-12 title game against Utah - the one team the Trojans had trouble against - the Trojans averaged 44.8 points during their last six games.

Caleb Williams may be the best QB in the nation. He threw for 4,075 yards, 37 TD's with just four interceptions while completing 66.1 percent of his throws. I don't see Tulane's defense stopping USC's offense, which can offset several opt-outs with its depth.

The Over has cashed in each of USC's last seven games.

Green Bay is in must-win mode and playing its best ball, winners of three in a row.

I'm not fooled by the Vikings' 12-3 record. They have only outscored their opponents by five points and have a losing point spread mark.

The Vikings give up the second-most yards in the NFL and rank last in pass defense.

I trust Aaron Rodgers to get this home victory. He'll have both his starting offensive tackles, star left tackle David Bakhtiari and right tackle Yosh Nijman. So Rodgers should have time to throw.

The same can't be said for Kirk Cousins. He's been sacked 11 times during the last two games.

The Packers have been the fourth-best team in the NFL during the last five weeks behind only the 49ers, Bills and Eagles going by the metric Defense-adjusted Value Over Average, which measures efficiency.

The Bears are giving up 32.6 points per game in their last eight games. It's obvious their defense is broken. The Lions average 32.1 points at home. Jared Goff has a 20-to-3 TD-to-interception ratio at Ford Field compared to 6-to-4 in away games. His passer rating is nearly 20 points higher at home.

Safe to say, the Lions are going to get their share of points here. The big question is can the Bears keep up? They certainly did in the first meeting losing, 31-30. 

Justin Fields is motivated to break the NFL's quarterback rushing record. He's 195 yards short. Fields ran for 147 yards and two TD's in the 31-30 loss. The Lions just gave up 320 yards on the ground to the Panthers last week. 

Detroit gives up the most yards and points per game in the NFL. They also rank 30th in pass defense. 

This total is too low given that Trevor Lawrence is playing the best since he came into the NFL, Davis Mills is underrated when playing at home and how bad these defenses are.

Lawrence has accounted for 16 touchdowns with only one interception during his last seven games. The Texans rank 30th in defensive total yards and last in run defense. So Lawrence should get plenty of ground assistance from Travis Eitenne. 

Mills plays much better at home. He's accounted for 13 of his 16 passing and rushing TD's this season at NRG Stadium. 

The Jaguars rank 26th in total defense and 29th in pass defense. 

The Eagles should polish off the Saints by more than a TD. They don't need Jalen Hurts to do that. Gardner Minshew is one of the better backup QB's in the league and the Eagles own huge edges in the trenches.

Philadelphia leads the NFL in scoring at 29.7 points a game. The Eagles have outscored their opponents by 137 points. Only twice in their last seven games, have the Saints managed more than 17 points.

Philadelphia leads the NFL in sacks. The Eagles have four players with nine or more sacks. They should overwhelm immobile, over-the-hill Andy Dalton, who is minus a couple of offensive line starters.

The Eagles are 6-1 at home. New Orleans is averaging fewer than 11 points a game during its last four road matchups.

The Saints have the fewest takeaways in the NFL with 10 while ranking 29th in turning the ball over. The Eagles have 26 takeaways, second-most in the league.

The Cardinals are bad. But so are the Falcons, losers of six of their last seven games, including four in a row.

David Blough gets the QB start for Arizona. He actually has more experience than Desmond Ridder, who has yet to throw a TD pass in two starts. Blough isn't as bad as Trace McSorley. The Cardinals nearly beat the Buccaneers last week with McSorley under center falling, 19-16, in overtime.

The Cardinals underachieved this season and were hurt by a season-ending injury to Kyler Murray. But they have more talented players than Atlanta and should provide a strong effort for retiring J.J. Watt and Kliff Kingsbury, who is trying to hold on to his coaching job.

Georgia's defense has gotten a lot of credit and publicity during the past two seasons. But the Bulldogs' offense isn't too shabby either. They ranked seventh in total offense and 11th in scoring at 39.2 points a game. Stetson Bennett has improved as a passer. The Bulldogs were especially impressive in the red zone scoring 97 percent of the time during 71 trips inside the 20. It's alarming to see how many big plays Ohio State gave up to Michigan in its 45-23 loss during its last game.

That game went Over. No surprise as the Buckeyes have gone Over in nine of their last 10 games. Georgia didn't face too many really strong passing attacks. Ohio State is the best the Bulldogs have seen.

C.J. Stroud had the highest passer efficiency rating in the country. He may have the best wide receiver in the country, too, in Marvin Harrison Jr. The Buckeyes had the second-highest yards per play in the nation. The Bulldogs surrendered 30 points and 505 passing yards to LSU in their last game, the SEC title game.

The Cavaliers have lost three in a row - just surrendering a season-high 135 points to the Pacers this past Thursday - and aren't likely to have Darius Garland. The Bulls are playing their best ball winning five of their last six games. 

Yet the Bulls are home 'dogs to the Cavaliers? What gives?

It's the NBA where things on the surface don't always make sense. The oddsmaker knows what he's doing. So I'm on the Cavaliers, who are in obvious stop-the-pain mode. 

The Cavaliers' two other losses during their losing streak were against the Raptors and sizzling Nets. They remain the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA. Cleveland is giving up nearly nine fewer points per game than Chicago. 

The Cavaliers buried the Bulls, 128-96, in Chicago without Garland back on Oct. 22. The Bulls are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games. They also carry a higher fatigue rating than the Cavaliers being in action for the third time in four days and fourth in six days.

I'm expecting a loose game between strong offenses that should result in this total going Over. 

Kansas State is thrilled to be in the Sugar Bowl. The Wildcats got their offense in full gear averaging 38.6 points during their last six games to win the Big 12 championship. They feature one of the top all-purpose backs in the nation in Deuce Vaughn. 

Alabama is the fifth-highest scoring team in the country at 40.8 points led by Heisman Trophy-winning QB Bryce Young. The Tide, though, are disappointed they didn't make the College Football Playoffs. Unlike Kansas State, they had a number of opt-outs. But Alabama has a deep roster. 

This is the Tide's chance to get those offensive players big-time experience, so I'm expecting them to play aggressive. That's been their style as seven of their last nine bowl games have gone Over. 

It's not just the playoffs. There is plenty of zig and zag to the regular season, too. I see that playing out in this matchup where the Jazz are in stop-the-pain mode while the Kings are fat and happy after beating the Nuggets, the top team in the Western Conference, at home this past Wednesday. The Kings nipped the Nuggets, 127-126, scoring the winning point with less than a second left.

The Jazz are 0-2 on their current road trip, which concludes with this game. Utah entered this road trip going 4-2 with its only losses during this span coming on the road to the Bucks and Cavaliers.

However, Utah then was upset by the Spurs and Warriors two days ago. The Jazz blew a double-digit lead to the Warriors by scoring just 13 points in the fourth quarter. The Warriors were minus Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins.

The Jazz should be motivated and ready for this matchup not wanting to go 0-3 on this road trip. They have covered during their last four visits to Sacramento and also are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games versus the Kings.

Both defenses are not getting enough respect here especially with each minus its starting quarterback. 

Clemson surrenders just 20.1 points a game. The Tigers ranked 10th in run defense. Georgia might be the best defensive team in the country. But Clemson was close to the Bulldogs giving up 4.97 yards per play compared to Georgia's 4.88. 

The Tigers get to face a Tennessee squad that has lost much of its feared passing attack. The Volunteers lost their stud QB Hendon Hooker to a season-ending injury two games ago. The Vols also will be without their top wide receiver, Jalin Hyatt, and third-best wideout, Cedric Tillman. Both opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft. Joe Milton replaces Hooker - and it's a monster drop-off. 

Tennessee gave up 27 points or fewer in nine games. The Vols held opponents to 23.5 points on the season while ranking 18th in run defense. 
Clemson won't have its starting QB, DJ Uiagalelei, either. He's entered the transfer portal. 

Because of using largely untested backup quarterbacks, both teams will emphasize the run more, which will eat clock. Each team has strong run defenses, too. 

I see the wrong team being favored here. Both teams are off bad losses in their last game. But there's a difference.

Ohio lost 17-7 to Toledo in the Mid-American Conference championship game. The Bobcats displayed a lack of offense minus Kurtis Rourke, their star quarterback. They could manage only seven points and 262 yards in the MAC title game without Rourke, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Rourke was the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and easily Ohio's most important player.

Wyoming let up after clinching a bowl spot losing its last two games to Boise State by three points and getting blown out by Fresno State in its last game. 

I'm expecting a much better performance from the Cowboys, who have won their last three bowl games and are well-coached under Craig Bohl. The Cowboys beat Kent State, another MAC school, in their bowl game last season, 52-38. 

Ohio is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 non-conference games. 

Wyoming has the superior defense giving up 23.4 points a game. Ohio gives up 28.4 points. The Bobcats rank 113th in total defense and 130th in pass defense. 

So what do the Mavericks and Luka Doncic do for an encore after coming from nine points down with 33 seconds left in regulation to beat the Knicks in overtime with Doncic producing 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists?

The answer is they don't have an encore. Instead the Mavericks suffer a massive letdown hosting the Rockets, who have the worst record in the Western Conference.

It's going to be difficult for the Mavericks to come down from the high of that improbable victory against the Knicks on Tuesday and Doncic's historic night. Prior to that game, teams trailing by nine points with under 35 seconds left were 0-13,884 during the last 20 years, according to research compiled by ESPN Stats and Info.

The Mavericks have been terrible as mid-sized-to-big favorites. They are 3-15-1 ATS when laying 5 or more points. They also are 1-8-1 ATS the past 10 times against sub .500 foes.

The Rockets are capable of springing upsets. They have defeated the Bucks, Suns and Bulls during their last nine games. Houston shouldn't lack motivation after getting buried by the Celtics in their last games two days ago.

Houston has covered in four of its last five visits to Dallas.

No passing game without Ryan Tannehill. No ground game without Derrick Henry. No chance for the Titans.

I'm jumping on board the Titans fade train before this line reaches two touchdowns.

The Titans already have ruled out seven starters, including their three best offensive linemen. They could hold out a number of other banged-up players, too, since this game doesn't mean anything to them. The Titans meet the Jaguars next week with the winner of that matchup capturing the AFC South Division.

Tennessee has lost five in a row, averaging 15.2 points during this span. Dallas is 5-1 in its last six games still alive to win the NFC East Division. Bolstered by the return of Dak Prescott, the Cowboys are averaging an NFL-best 36 points a game during the last 10 weeks. The Titans rank 31st in pass defense.

The Titans have little back-door capability with backup rookie Malik Willis or Joshua Dobbs. The  Cowboys have 49 sacks and a plus-12 turnover ratio.

It's been a disappointing season for the Panthers, but this is one matchup they've had circled for a long time.

The Canadiens had the worst record in the NHL last season and they are bad again this season. But Montreal buried the Panthers, 10-2, at home in the regular-season finale last season.

The Panthers haven't forgotten that humiliation. They are well-rested having been idle the last five days for holiday break. The Panthers also expect to get fortified with the return of captain Aleksander Barkov and defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Radko Gudas.

Montreal has lost nine of its last 12 games, including falling to the Lightning, 4-1, on the road last night. That dropped the Canadiens' road record to 19-44 in their past 63 away matchups. Florida has defeated Montreal the past five times at home.

This total has been bet up - too far up in my view.

Mississippi is a running team with a respectable defense that gives up 24.2 points a game. The Rebels enter this matchup having lost three in a row. They are averaging just 24.8 points in their last five games. 

Mississippi played in the Sugar Bowl last year and lost 21-7 to Baylor. It was the fifth straight bowl game the Rebels went Under the total. 

Texas Tech's season offensive numbers are skewed because of three overtime games. The Red Raiders are capable of playing stout defense. They held Iowa State and West Virginia to 10 points each. 

The Under has cashed in eight of the Red Raiders' last 11 non-conference games. 

The Bucks are in stop-the-pain mode losers of three in a row. I see the Bucks ending that losing streak against the Bulls whether they have Khris Middleton back in the lineup or not.

The Bucks dominate the Bulls especially in Chicago where they have covered 14 of the last 17 times.

The Bulls have lost their last three home games falling to the Rockets by 15, Knicks by 23 and Knicks by eight in overtime.

I don't trust Florida to step up in class here. The Gators have lost neutral-court games to West Virginia, Xavier and Oklahoma by nine points in their last game eight days ago.

The Gators' up-tempo style isn't a good fit against Auburn's stubborn defense. The Tigers rank in the top-15 in defensive efficiency, 3-point defense and blocked shots.

The Tigers are 7-0 at home where they've been for the last week after an impressive, 84-61, road win against Washington. 

The Sharks have raised their offensive level averaging 4.3 goals during their last six games. Vancouver ranks 30th defensively and has the least effective penalty kill unit in the NHL.

The Canucks are a top-eight scoring team, though. They entered holiday break having scored six goals versus Seattle and five against Edmonton. The Sharks rank 26th defensively.

The Over is 5-0-1 the past six times the teams have met. 

The Coyotes are not a good team. But they are tough at home, playing at Mullett Arena inside the campus at Arizona State. It's a smaller than normal NHL rink, making it rough on opposing teams especially those playing there for the first time.

Such is the case for the Avalanche.

Colorado's offense is way down due in large part from injuries. Star scorer Nathan MacKinnon remains sidelined. The Avalanche rank 25th in scoring.

The Avalanche would be 1-10 in its last 11 games if laying 1 1/2 goals. Each of their last three victories have come by one goal - two in overtime and the other in a shootout.

Arizona is 4-2 in its last six home games with three of those wins occurring versus the Kings, Islanders and Bruins. The Coyotes would be 12-4 in their last 16 games if plus 1 1/2 goals.

Expect the Clippers' starters to play much better after their bench rallied them to an overtime victory against the Pistons in Detroit last night. It was an improbable victory for the Clippers. They trailed, 126-112, with 3:34 left when Clippers coach Tyronn Lue pulled his starters. But the Clippers' second-unit rallied them, bailing out the starters.

The Clippers didn't have Kawhi Leonard in that game. Leonard is expected to play here. That should make a big difference, too.

The Raptors could have some holiday rust on them. They completed a tough, three-game road trip by defeating the Cavaliers, 118-107, this past Friday. The Raptors had halted the Knicks' eight-game win streak in their previous game. Toronto has been idle the past three days.

Toronto has failed to cover in four of its last five home games.

Notre Dame has failed to cover its last five games. I see the Irish being overvalued again in this matchup.

The Irish rely on their 3-point shooting. They rank 23rd in the nation in 3-point percentage. But Jacksonville can frustrate Notre Dame with its defense. The Dolphins give up the 13th-fewest points in the nation at 58.9 and rank 27th in 3-point defense.

Notre Dame has a far bigger game on deck than this non-conference matchup against an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent taking on No. 14 and ACC leader Miami on Friday.

The Irish are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games. The Dolphins are 11-5 ATS when meeting an above .500 foe.

When last spotted, Coastal Carolina was losing 45-26 to Troy in the Sun Belt Conference title game. The Chanticleers were hammered by James Madison, 47-7, in their previous game before losing to Troy. That put Coastal Carolina's ATS record to 2-8 against opponents with a winning record. 

Coastal Carolina will have an interim coach, too, for this game. Its head coach, Jamey Chadwell, left Coastal Carolina on Dec. 4 to become head coach at Liberty. The Chanticleers also will be without its best offensive lineman, Willie Lampkin, and top pass rusher, Josiah Stewart.  

East Carolina played a tougher schedule than Coastal Carolina and has a more explosive offense behind five-year veteran Horton Ahlers. The Pirates rank 24th in total yards. They've committed only two turnovers! Coastal Carolina ranks 101st in scoring defense allowing 30.1 points, which is what East Carolina averages per game. The Chanticleers are 124th in pass defense. 

The Pirates are 13-5-1 ATS against above .500 teams. They have the more stable coaching staff, too, under Mike Houston. 

I don't see Kwahi Leonard and Paul George allowing the Clippers to lose to the Pistons. LA was on a 5-1 SU and ATS run until its last game - a 119-114 loss to the hot 76ers on the road. The Clippers blew a 20-point lead.

Now the Clippers are stepping way down in class. Detroit has the worst record in the NBA. The Pistons have lost five in a row. The Pistons have lost by six or more points in 13 of their last 14 losses. The Clippers should maintain their full intensity after blowing a 20-point lead in their last game.

The Clippers are 11-4 ATS the past 15 times versus opponents with a winning percentage below .400.

The Clippers rank No. 3 on defense. They give up 10 points fewer per game than the Pistons, who rank 29th defensively.

The collapse of the Rams from Super Bowl champions to one of the worst teams in football is complete. They are the Rams in name only. There's really nothing Sean McVay can do with such limited weaponry and a mediocre defense that is without Aaron Donald. 

Russell Wilson had his best performance of the season when he last played two weeks ago throwing for three TD's and 247 yards in a 34-28 loss to the Chiefs. Wilson rates a strong edge on Baker Mayfield and a Rams attack that ranks 30th in rushing, has backup wide receivers and has gone through 12 different offensive line combinations with scrubs manning all the spots. 

Denver has one of the best defenses in the league ranking No. 3 in total yards and scoring defense. 

The Rams managed only 156 yards last Monday against a Packers defense that isn't nearly as good as Denver's. The Rams have also become mediocre on defense giving up 24 or more points in five of their last six games. 

A division early start time Christmas Day matchup should result in less scoring than projected here.

It's tough for the players to play on Christmas Day having been with family and friends the night before. This is especially so when the game is very early in the day like this one is. The 76ers give up the second-fewest points per game and rank No. 1 in 3-point defense. New York ranks No. 3 in defensive field goal percentage.

The teams met in Philadelphia on Nov. 4 and the Knicks won, 106-104. That was the fifth time in the last six meetings the Under won.

The Knicks should be stressing defense at home following losses to the Raptors and Bulls. The Under has cashed in eight of the Knicks' last 11 games.

The 76ers have been an Under machine when going against above .500 opponents. The Under is 14-2 during those past 16 instances.

San Diego State gives up just 20.2 points per game, which ranks 20th in the nation. The Aztecs only average 21.3 points a game and even that low total is skewed by scoring 38 points against Idaho State and 43 versus San Jose State. That inflated their season total.

The Aztecs scored 23 points or less in eight of their other nine games against FBS competition. The Under is 12-5-1 the last 18 times the Aztecs have met an above .500 foe.

Middle Tennessee State came on defensively holding three of its last five opponents to 21 points or less.

This NFL matchup is going to be like Army-Air Force - nearly all running.

Both teams are heavily ground-oriented with backup quarterbacks, who will be dealing with horrendous weather elements, including cold and heavy wind making it difficult to pass.

Baltimore has managed only two touchdowns in its last three games while missing Lamar Jackson. Tyler Huntley is a game manager. He doesn't throw downfield and he's not accurate. The Ravens rank 29th in the red zone so they'll likely be settling for field goals in what should be a very conservative game.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith doesn't want rookie Desmond Ridder, in just his second NFL start, to throw much either. I see Smith stubbornly sticking with the run despite the Ravens ranking No. 3 against the run.

Both teams play at a slow tempo, too.

No Tyler Lockett, but the Seahawks still have enough firepower to compete against the high-powered Chiefs with Geno Smith, Kenneth Walker, DK. Metcalf, Noah Fant and Marquise Goodwin. The Seahawks were averaging 28.3 points in their last three games before having to face the 49ers' top-ranked defense.

The Seahawks are in must-win, desperation mode after going 1-4 in their last five games. None of Seattle's last six losses, though, have been by more than eight points.

The Chiefs win, but don't cover spreads. Since Week 2, they are 10-3, but just 2-10-1 ATS. Kansas City is 0-5-1 ATS the past six times laying more than seven points.

Pete Carroll has done one of his best coaching jobs. The Seahawks are on a mini-bye having last played Thursday. I expect Carroll to have a good game plan. The extra rest certainly can't hurt either.

The Bills are going to have to deal with Justin Fields in a real flat spot for them. Buffalo just accomplished what it set out to do during the previous three games - win division games against the Patriots, Jets and Dolphins. So motivation becomes an issue for Buffalo.

The Bills are a pass-happy team. The weather won't be in their favor. Sustained winds up to 35 mph are in the forecast. There could be snow, too, with temperatures around 10 degrees. 

Thanks to Fields, the Bears lead the NFL in rushing. They are expected to get back Khalil Herbert, one of the more underrated running backs in the league. Fields has accounted for 20 touchdowns in his last nine games. His moves outside of the pocket can't be defended. 

The Bears' defense has been playing hard and has gotten healthier in the secondary. 

Since Week 2, the Bears have lost by more than nine points only twice. 

Turnovers could be a key here. The Bears have turned the ball over nine fewer times than Buffalo. 

Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett and the Cleveland weather will be too much for the warm-weathered Saints.

It's going to be bitter cold with the wind chill factor going below zero. That's not suitable for the Saints, who play on carpet inside their temperature-controlled dome.

The Browns should control the trenches. The highly reliable Chubb should be featured. The Saints have permitted at least 148 yards rushing in four of their last six games. They just allowed the Falcons to produce 231 yards on the ground against them.

Deshaun Watson should have less rust making his fourth start of the season while having a better grasp of Cleveland's offense.

The Saints have a key offensive line injury with guard Cesar Ruiz out. They also will be minus their top wideout, Chris Olave.

I see the Browns controlling both lines of scrimmage and thus the game.

Don't be fooled by the Vikings' 11-3 record. They have outscored their opponents by just two points and have a losing point spread mark.

The Vikings are fat and happy having already won their NFC North Division after coming from 33 points down to beat the Colts in overtime last week.

Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell has already said his priority is having a healthy team ready for the playoffs.

The Giants have more urgency. They are off a key, confidence-regaining road win against the Commanders to put them in the playoff hunt.

Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley can produce enough numbers against a Vikings' defense that ranks last in total yards and 28th in scoring defense to keep the Giants firmly in this game if not pull the outright upset.

This is a great spot for the underdog Coyotes. They catch the Kings fat and happy after LA just completed a three-game homestand sweep by edging the Flames, 4-3, in overtime last night.

So the Kings are playing for the third time in four days and without rest. This also is the first time they will be playing in Mullett Arena, a college hockey rink much smaller than a normal NHL arena. This gives the Coyotes a huge home ice advantage especially for opponents who have yet to play there like the Kings. The Kings aren't likely to have the luxury of a morning skate there either to get used to the place because they played last night.

The Coyotes have won three of their last five home games, including upsetting the Bruins during this span.

The Knicks are 2-0 versus the Bulls during the last 10 days. I see New York beating Chicago again.

The Knicks had their eight-game win and covering streak snapped, 113-106, to the Raptors on Wednesday. New York has been playing extremely well and has a far superior defense to the Bulls.

Chicago has won two in a row upsetting the Heat and Hawks on the road this past Tuesday and Wednesday. The Bulls have not won three in a row all season. This marks their fourth road game in six days. They are 8-22-1 ATS when playing on one day's rest and also 1-5 ATS during their last six visits to Madison Square Garden.

Trevor Lawrence gives the Jaguars a quarterback edge. But that's not enough for Jacksonville. The Jets hold a strong defensive advantage, home-field on a short week and a situational advantage. The Jaguars also have two key defensive injuries in their trenches with offensive left tackle Cam Robinson and defensive lineman Travon Walker both out.

The Jets have a top-five defense that is made even better with the expected return of star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams from a calf injury. The Jaguars rank 27th in total defense. 

Lawrence is playing well, but he's going to be impacted by the weather. He's also stepping up in defensive class after taking on the Cowboys, Titans and Lions. The Jets have allowed the second-fewest TD passes and third-fewest yards per pass attempt. Lawrence won't have his blind side protector with Robinson out. 

The Jaguars are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 road games. Energy could be a problem as they just pulled out a huge comeback against the Cowboys winning in overtime last Sunday. Now they are traveling into wet weather on a short week. The forecast is for gusting winds and a quarter inch of rain. The last time Lawrence played in rain was against the Eagles in early October - and he committed five turnovers. 

I'm not a fan of Zach Wilson, but he did look better throwing for 317 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions at home this past Sunday. 

The Spurs are playing well going 4-2. The Pelicans are 0-4 SU and ATS in their last four games. New Orleans has been playing terrible defense, surrendering an average of 120.6 points during their last six games. 

The Pelicans will be without their two best players, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. 

So at this high of a spread, I'll take a shot on San Antonio. 

This bowl game is a real letdown for Baylor, which beat Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl last season and had high expectations this season. Those expectations were not met as the Bears finished just 6-6. 

Air Force is one of the most unique and difficult teams to defend and practice against because the Falcons run the triple-option. The Falcons are the No. 1 rushing team in the nation. They have the third-leading rusher in the country, fullback Brad Roberts, and quarterback Haaziq Daniels, who has accounted for 20 touchdowns while averaging more than 20 yards per completion. 

Air Force is 20-8 ATS in its last 28 non-conference games because the Falcons are so unique and hard to prepare against. Baylor is just OK stopping the run. That's not good enough especially when combined with a perceived lack of motivation.

Baylor averages 33.6 points a game. I just don't see the Bears having the ball that much. Air Force led the nation in time of possession at 36:22. No team limited the opposition to fewer plays than Air Force. Look for the Falcons to control the ball, eat clock keeping Baylor's offense from getting into any kind of rhythm. 

There are a lot of highs and lows to the long NBA season. Orlando has been playing well. Houston not. But the timing sets up here for the Rockets.

The Rockets are deep into a seven-game homestand. They have shot poorly in double-digit losses to the Trail Blazers and Spurs in their last two games. The Rockets should be primed for a much better effort, while the Magic are in letdown mode after their highly-surprising six-game win streak was halted in tough fashion by the Hawks two days ago, 126-125, on two free throws with 1.3 seconds left. 

The Magic had upset the Celtics twice on the road before losing to the Hawks, a team they had beaten three games ago. The Magic are dealing with rotation injuries. They also lost to the Rockets at home, 134-127, early last month. 

Orlando hasn't fared as well against sub .500 teams from a point spread perspective going 4-11 ATS the past 15 times they've played them. 

No need to overthink this one. I'm going to ride the Knicks at home in this price range. The Knicks are playing great going 8-0 SU and ATS in their last eight games with six of those victories occurring by double-digits. Toronto, by contrast, has lost six in a row and is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 away games.

The Knicks made short work of the Warriors last night, 132-94. Nobody logged more than 32 minutes for the Knicks in that game so the team should be fresh.

Kent State checks a lot of boxes for me. I was high on the Golden Flashes and the MAC entering the season and I still feel that way. Kent State ranks 88th in scoring at 77.5 points a game and rates 38th in scoring defense holding opponents to 62 points a game.

The Golden Flashes have an excellent all-around player in Sincere Carry, have major experience on New Mexico State and are the superior free throw shooting team.

I make Kent State nearly a double-digit favorite so I'll lay this small number of points.

Middle Tennessee State giving up a season-high in points while being upset at home, 82-73, by Tennessee-Chattanooga in its last game raises a red flag for me.

This is a short road trip for Murray State. I see the Racers keeping this close if not pulling the outright upset. Murray State is 7-3 ATS the last 10 times facing an above .500 foe.

The Racers average more points per game than Middle Tennessee State and are a far better free throw shooting team than the Blue Raiders, who rank 335th in free throw percentage making only 63.8 percent of their free throws.

St. John's has had only one true road game - and the Red Storm lost that one to Iowa State, 71-60, earlier this month. 

I don't trust the Red Storm away from home especially against Villanova, which is coming on. 

The Wildcats are 4-0 since big man Cam Whitmore, their third-leading scorer, returned four games ago. The Wildcats have knocked off Oklahoma, Boston College, Penn and Saint Joseph's during this span. 

Both Pittsburgh and Syracuse have stepped up their games after slow starts. I just see the Orange's defense and home-court being too much for Pittsburgh to overcome.

The Orange are 5-0 this month with two of the wins coming against Notre Dame and Georgetown.

Syracuse ranks No. 1 in the ACC in defensive field goal percentage and blocked shots. The Orange also are averaging nearly eight steals a game.

I don't see the Panthers being efficient enough with the basketball and hitting enough outside shots to loosen up the Orange inside.

Don't be fooled by Toledo playing in the high-scoring Mid-American Conference. Also don't be fooled by this game being played in South Florida.

Toledo easily is the best defensive team in the MAC. They rank 24th in defensive total yards in the country and just held Ohio to seven points in the MAC title game, which was 25 points below the Bobcats' season average.

Liberty hasn't been the same since it lost its coach, Huge Freeze, to Auburn. The Flames averaged just 22.4 points in their last four games.

Until that happened, Liberty was a strong defensive team. The Flames should regroup for this bowl game. They have a superstar defensive lineman in Durrell Johnson, who has eight sacks and 22 1/2 tackles for losses.

The weather is a plus, too, for the Under with an 80 percent chance of rain and wind in the 15-20 mph range.

It's time to find out about the Jazz. Utah is 17-16, but in danger of dropping to .500 for the first time this season after consecutive blowout losses to the the Bucks on Saturday and Cavaliers last night. 

I see the Jazz getting back on track here, though, dropping way, way down in class.

Detroit is 8-24. That's the second-worst record in the NBA. The Pistons not only can't finish games, but they can't put together four decent quarters. All of Detroit's last 18 defeats have been by more than two points. 

The Jazz have covered four of the last five times when playing a below .400 percentage opponent. Utah also has a strong covering history in Detroit going 13-4 ATS the past 17 times there. 

Charlotte often is underpriced on the road. It's a reason why the Hornets are 23-11-2 (68%) during their last 36 away contests. I find this to be another good spot to back the Hornets on the road.

The Hornets have lost eight in a row. Nobody wants them. The Kings are playing well. This has caused what I see to be overinflation on Sacramento in this matchup. 

The spot is this: The Kings open a six-game homestand. This is their first home contest in 15 days. They just concluded a six-game road trip with a pair of victories. They've been on East Coast time during their entire trip. 

The Kings can be forgiven if their full concentration isn't there against this opponent, who they beat, 115-108, in Charlotte earlier this season. 
The Hornets opened a six-game road swing with a tough, 119-115, loss to the Nuggets last night. The good news for the Hornets was they had LeMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier all in the lineup for the first time this season. Ball and Hayward looked good. Rozier, though, suffered a bruised hip. 

I don't see the Hornets losing this game by double-digits. 

This should be a loose game between two bottom-feeders.

The Canadiens go on the road having just allowed five goals each to the Lightning and Ducks in consecutive home games. They've allowed five power-play goals in 15 penalties during their last three games. Arizona also is having problems killing penalties. The Coyotes gave up two power-play goals during five short-handed situations in a 5-2 home loss to the Sabres this past Saturday.

The Coyotes are tough in their college stadium home ice. But they also don't play defense, permitting 3 or more goals in 11 consecutive games.

Making a trip to Lambeau Field in December is not fun for the warm-weathered Rams. This is doubly so because the Rams are out of contention at 4-9.

The Packers aren't much better at 5-8, but they still have playoff hope - if they win this game. The elements and injury situation sets up for Green Bay.

The Rams' offense is decimated and their best defender, superstar tackle Aaron Donald, is out for a third straight week because of a high ankle sprain.

There is a 70 percent chance of snow although wind shouldn't factor being in the 5-10 mph range. This is Packers weather and they have the ground game to take advantage with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Aaron Rodgers still is playing at a high level. The Packers also have found their first decent kick returner in many years, Keisean Nixon.

The Rams won the Super Bowl last season yet the Packers beat them at Lambeau Field, 36-28, last year with Rodgers accounting for three scores.

Now the Rams' offense is down to Baker Mayfield, who is on his third team this season, Cam Akers and a host of backup wideouts behind an offensive line full of scrubs.

Everything is in place for the Packers to beat the Rams by more than a touchdown.

The teams open Summit League play here and I see value backing UMKC at home in a pick'em range. The Kangaroos are the better defensive team.

South Dakota is a terrible shooting team and a terrible defensive field goal percentage team. The Coyotes are in bad form, too, giving up an average of 83 points per game during their last three games. They are 1-7 ATS in their last eight lined games and have failed to cover in five of their past six road games.

The Cavaliers are the best defensive team in the NBA. This should be an intense matchup given it's the first game between the two teams since the major off-season trade involving Donovan Mitchell, Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton.

The Jazz are off an embarrassing, 123-97, loss to the Bucks, who were minus Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, two days ago. The Under is 6-1 the past seven times the Jazz have played an above .500 team.

Cleveland has held nine of its last 12 foes to fewer than 103 points. Cleveland is holding opponents to an NBA-low 104.6 points a game. The Under has cashed in 13 of the Cavaliers' last 16 games.

The Under also is 9-2-1 the past dozen times these teams have met.

This should be an intense, tight-checking game with the Bruins in revenge mode from a 5-2 road loss suffered to the Panthers on Nov. 23. Florida should have its confidence up following a 4-2 road victory against the Devils this past Saturday.

The Panthers may be without their captain and fourth-leading points producer, Aleksander Barkov. He suffered a lower-body injury against the Devils.

Both teams have been getting outstanding goaltending. The Bruins rank No. 1 in fewest goals allowed and in penalty kill.

Just two weeks ago, the teams played each other to a 20-20 tie. The Giants had scored their 20 points by early in the third quarter. The Commanders came back to get the tie with 1:45 left in regulation on a Taylor Heinicke TD pass.

Since then, the Giants have gotten more beat up on defense while the Commanders finally enjoyed their bye week.

Now, in the rematch, I see more points being scored.

Daniel Jones has a strong history against Washington. He plays better against the Commanders than any other team. Saquon Barkley gives New York the best skill position player. This is the Giants' season so they'll be pulling out everything to put up points.

Heinicke, emerging Brian Robinson and ace pass catcher Terry McLaurin should have productive games against a fading and battered Giants defense that has allowed 411 or more yards in each of their last three games.

The Giants have been missing top cornerback Adoree Jackson, safety Xavier McKinney and run-stuffing defensive lineman Leonard Williams. New York is now down to 26th in total defense and 29th in run defense.

The Titans can't stop the pass, are missing their best pass rusher, Denico Autry, and have a cluster injury problem in their secondary. The Chargers can't stop the run and are missing key defensive backfield players. 

So this sets up as a higher scoring game than the oddsmaker anticipates. 

Derrick Henry entered this week ranked No. 2 in rushing. The Chargers are 28th in run defense and 28th in scoring defense. They are likely to be without star safety Derwin James and cornerback Bryce Callahan again this week. Henry should find success running, which in turn will aid Ryan Tannehill in the Titans' passing game. 

Mike Williams returned for the Chargers last week after missing two games with an ankle injury. That makes a huge difference in LA's passing attack. Williams is the Chargers' lone deep threat. He opens up the attack for Justin Herbert. 

Herbert is in line for a monster performance operating against a Titans secondary that ranks last in the NFL. 

The Chargers have been an elite kicking team this season unlike past years. LA kickers are 25-for-27 in field goals and 30-for-30 in extra points. 

This should be a wild game with lots of points. Belmont is the 11th-best 3-point shooting team in the nation. Tennessee-Chattanooga ranks 333rd in 3-point defense. The Mocs are terrible in defensive transition. 

The tempo should be fast here, which is the way Belmont likes it. So I'm going to take this many points with the Bruins, who should be live the entire game with their 3-point accuracy. 

The Texans don't have too many good players and they will be missing some of those players. Among those out for Houston are cornerback Derek Stingley, wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins and its best skill position player, running back Dameon Pierce. This leaves Davis Mills, a garbage quarterback, with nothing but garbage as weapons.

The Chiefs can name their score. I predict they will name it in blowout fashion. Kansas City jumped in front of Denver, 27-0, last week before holding on for a 34-28 win. The Texans nearly upset the Cowboys last Sunday before losing in the final minute, 27-23. That might have been the Texans' Super Bowl.

So I don't see the Chiefs taking the Texans lightly here. That's all that matters because the Chiefs are the best team in the AFC, if not all of football, while the Texans are the worst.

The Texans don't have too many good players and they will be missing some of those players. Among those out for Houston are cornerback Derek Stingley, wide receivers Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins and its best skill position player, running back Dameon Pierce. This leaves Davis Mills, a garbage quarterback, with nothing but garbage as weapons.

The Chiefs can name their score. I predict they will name it in blowout fashion. Kansas City jumped in front of Denver, 27-0, last week before holding on for a 34-28 win. The Texans nearly upset the Cowboys last Sunday before losing in the final minute, 27-23. That might have been the Texans' Super Bowl.

So I don't see the Chiefs taking the Texans lightly here. That's all that matters because the Chiefs are the best team in the AFC, if not all of football, while the Texans are the worst.

Jared Goff in cold weather. Zach Wilson in any weather. That combination, along with a much-improved Lions defense and a tough Jets defense, puts me on the Under. 

Goff and the Lions offense isn't going to be high-powered against a Jets defense that ranks third in total defense and sixth in scoring defense especially in outdoor winter conditions. The forecast is for temperatures in the 30's with 15-to-29 mph winds. 

That's bad for a touch passer such as Goff, who has a poor record in cold elements. The Jets just held the Bills to 232 total yards last week. 

Wilson is another finesse passer. He lacks accuracy. He's been a bottom tier quarterback since joining the NFL last year. The Lions' defense has come on holding their last two opponents - Vikings and Jaguars - to a combined 37 points. 

The Sharks have won two in a row. They are getting healthier and have dominated the Kings in LA winning 15 of the last 19 times there.

LA returns home following a huge upset road win against the Bruins two days ago. The Kings are 0-6 following a victory. They also are 1-4 in their last five home games.

The Sharks are well rested having last played on Tuesday while this marks the Kings' fifth game in eight days.

San Jose could have a goalie edge. James Reimer has been confirmed as its starter. The Kings could go with Pheonix Copley instead of Johnathan Quick.

The Islanders are in circle-the-wagons mode with six losses in their last eight games. They've played tough against elite foes - a 4-3 shootout loss to the Bruins on the road this past Tuesday for example - but have played down to the level of their competition. That happened to them last night in Arizona when they to the Coyotes, 5-4. 

The Golden Knights return to Las Vegas fat and happy winning both games of their road trip that concluded Thursday night in Chicago. Las Vegas is 14-2-1 on the road, but just 8-7 on home ice.

The Golden Knights are 1-4 in their last five home games with the lone victory during this span occurring in overtime against the Flyers. 
I think the Islanders produce a strong effort and game here. So given the spot and the Golden Knights' spotty home record, I'll take a good price on the 'dog. 

Doubt must be cast on Tua Tagovailoa following two consecutive poor road performances these last two weeks against the 49ers and Chargers. Miami averaged just 260 total yards and 17 points in those two games. The Chargers' defense is 28th in scoring defense and was without several important defensive players.

I don't see the Dolphins bouncing back on the road against the Bills' defense, which gives up the second-fewest points and ranks in the top 10 in total defense.

Neither offense is going to be helped by the weather conditions with the forecast calling for cold, possible heavy snow and wind in the 15-20 mph range.

These elements take away the Dolphins' most dangerous offensive feature, which is the speed of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Tagovailoa remains unproven in big road games and in cold weather. The Dolphins managed only 212 yards in the first meeting, played in sunny Florida. There were 40 points scored in that contest.

Now the weather has flipped and Miami's offense is at low tide for the first time since Tagovailoa returned from a concussion.

The Bills are in a perfect spot to exact their revenge for an oddball, 21-19, road loss to the Dolphins back in Week 3. Buffalo lost to Miami despite outgaining the Dolphins by 285 yards. That game was played in brutally humid South Florida conditions back in September.

This matchup is just the opposite with a winter storm watch issued. Cold, possibly heavy snow and gusting winds are in the forecast. The warm-weather Dolphins with their warm-weather QB, Tua Tagovailoa, are not equipped for this type of weather element. The Dolphins rely on precision passing timing with Tagovailoa getting the ball out fast to speedsters Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Tagovailoa has never even played in temperatures below 37 degrees.

The Dolphins have been exposed as big-game frauds the past two weeks by the 49ers and Chargers. They managed just a combined 521 total yards of offense in those games. The Chargers were minus several of their best defenders, including safety Derwin James and pass rusher Joey Bosa.

MIami is giving 31.4 points on the road this season while going 1-5 ATS in their last six away matchups.

Josh Allen is much more comfortable in cold weather games. I expect the Bills to score against a mediocre Miami defense and the Dolphins' offense unable to counterattack.

After blowing out the Warriors at home this past Tuesday, the Bucks went into Memphis and got embarrassed by the Grizzlies, 142-101, two days ago. Now the Bucks return home highly motivated. Milwaukee goes on the road for five games following this matchup. So I'm convinced the Bucks will have their concentration and focus.

The Bucks are 4-0 ATS after not covering the spread in their previous game.

Utah is off a pair of satisfying home wins against the Pelicans beating them on Tuesday and in overtime on Thursday.

The Devils have been held to one goal in each of their last two games, losses to the Flyers and Stars. New Jersey, though, went up against exceptional goaltending in those defeats. The quality shots on goal were there for the Devils. Prior to those two games, the Devils had scored 3 or more goals in 19 of 20 games. 

Florida has allowed at least 4 goals in three of its past four games. The Over is 7-2-1 in the Panthers' last 10 games. 

Florida is 10th in scoring and No. 1 in the league in shots on goal. The Devils' defense isn't in good form giving up 16 goals during the last four games. 

The Over has cashed during six of the last seven meetings in the series. The Over has cashed each of the past four times the teams have played in New Jersey.

OK, no Anthony Richardson for Florida. But still too much respect is being given to Oregon State in this Las Vegas Bowl matchup.

Florida is SEC. The Gators are 5-0 ATS as underdogs this season. Their only loss by more than 10 points came to Georgia.

Oregon State is Pac-12 and not even prime Pac-12 like USC, UCLA, Utah and Oregon. The Beavers don't have the athletes Florida has.

Jack Miller III is set to make his first college start replacing Richardson, who opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft. Miller was CJ Stroud's backup at Ohio State before transferring. The Beavers rank 75th in pass defense. Miller can rely on a 16th-ranked ground attack, although dual threat Richardson was responsible for some of the Gators' impressive rushing figures.

Oregon State is going with its own backup quarterback as a starter. Ben Gulbranson replaced injured Chance Nolan at the start of October. The Beavers rank 103rd in passing. They count on freshman running back Damien Martinez. Oregon State won its big game with a 38-34 come-from-behind win against Oregon on Nov. 26. That victory, more than this minor bowl game, is the Beavers' season highlight.

Both teams had the opportunity to play Pac-12 power Utah. The Gators upset the Utes, 29-26, at home while Utah buried Oregon State, 42-16, at home.

The Vikings rank 10th in scoring. Indy is 30th in takeaways with just 11. The Vikings are expected to get back injured starting offensive linemen left tackle Christian Darrisaw and center Garrett Bradbury. Minnesota averages 1.6 yards more rush when Darrisaw plays. The Colts just yielded 54 points and eight TD's in their last game. So I expect the Vikings to do their fair share of getting this total Over.

Same with the Colts.

Indy is off a bye and has a healthy Jonathan Taylor to give Matt Ryan ground support and thus make his play-action passing more effective.

The Vikings have yielded more than 400 yards in each of their last five games. During this span, the Vikings have permitted more than 30 points per game.

This may be the only time that I lay points with Manhattan all season. But it's justified because the Jaspers are hosting Central Connecticut State.

Manhattan is 3-6, but has a winning ATS mark. The Blue Demons have a losing ATS mark and are 1-10 overall.

Giving home-court edge, I would rate Manhattan as double-digits better than Central Connecticut State.

The Jaspers are much better statistically. The Blue Demons rank 342nd offensively and 336th in defensive field goal percentage.

Both teams are 11-2, are conference champions and each own 10-game win streaks. Troy won the Sun Belt. Texas San Antonio captured Conference USA.

The difference is Troy continues to be underrated by the linesmaker. The Trojans are 10-3 ATS. I believe they should be favored in this Cure Bowl matchup in Orlando, Fla.

Troy has the necessary defense to slow down the Roadrunners, who average 38.7 points. The Trojans rank eighth in scoring defense giving up 17.5 points per game and are 19th in total defense giving up 325.3 yards a game. The Trojans recorded 39 sacks, bad news for San Antonio's sixth-year QB Frank Harris. Linebacker Carlton Martial was the best defensive player in the Sun Belt.

The Roadrunners don't have nearly as good a defense as Troy, nor do they have the bowl pedigree having lost each of the past two seasons in bowl games. Troy has won its past four bowl games.

The Trojans got their offense in gear behind QB Gunnar Watson and running back KImani Vidal. The Trojans averaged 42.3 points in their last three games. The Roadrunners rank 90th in total defense and 101st in pass defense.

The Bucks are coming off a highly satisfying, 128-111, home blowout victory against the Warriors two days ago. The Under has cashed nine of the last 10 times the Bucks have covered.

Look for that trend to continue here.

The Bucks are giving up just 104 points per game in their last six games.

Memphis has been playing strong defense, too. The Grizzlies have held their last four opponents to an average of 100.2 points.

The Grizzlies catch the Bucks minus injured point guard Jrue Holiday. Memphis is expected to get back defensive-minded big man Steven Adams. He pairs with Jaren Jackson Jr. to clamp down on Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Too many points for Louisiana Lafayette to be laying in this neighborhood rivalry matchup. McNeese should draw plenty of fan support with tickets specially priced at $5. 

The Ragin Cajuns have a far superior 9-1 record. But the 3-7 Cowboys have played a tough schedule and have a winning point spread mark. During their last five games, McNeese State played Iowa State, Northern Iowa, who they upset as 15 1/2-point road 'dogs, Tennessee, Tennessee-Martin and Baylor. 

Look for the defending world champion Warriors to regain their poise after getting buried by 17 points to the Bucks in Milwaukee in a technical-filled evening last night. 

Prior to that beatdown, the Warriors had been idle for three days. So there should not be a fatigue factor. Golden State won't lack motivation. Indiana ended Golden State's 10-game home win streak, 112-104, four games ago. The Pacers were 12 1/2-point road 'dogs. Now look at the point spread. It's so low, I can back the Warriors on the money line.

The Warriors are the No. 4 scoring team in the NBA. The Pacers are well below average in all the defensive categories. They also commit the second-most fouls. 

If there's a fatigue factor involved it's against the Pacers. They are in action for the fourth time in six days. 

The Lakers are improving, but they are still levels below the Celtics, who are in the argument for best team in the NBA.

Boston concludes its six-game road trip here having lost two in a row getting blown out by the Warriors and Clippers last night. The Celtics should be motivated following those humiliations. They are 17-7 ATS following a loss. The Celtics are a strong road team, too, going 24-11-1 ATS in their past 36 away contests.

The Lakers just finished their own six-game road trip with a victory against the Pistons this past Sunday night. They find the Celtics waiting for them in LA. It's the Lakers' first home game this month. So they might not have their full concentration being away from home for two weeks. 

The Celtics have covered six of the last seven in the series.

Winnipeg is home with double revenge. The Golden Knights are dealing with injuries to their best players. The spot is right for the Jets. So is the price.

The Golden Knights are 2-0 against the Jets with both wins coming in Las Vegas, including a 2-1 overtime winner on Oct. 30, where the Jets were playing for the third time in four days.

Las Vegas is down their leading goal and points scorer with Jack Eichel going on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Also out is defenseman Zach Whitecloud with a knee injury. Two other important defensemen, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo, have been out, too, for Las Vegas. Pietrangelo hasn't played since Nov. 26 due to an illness in his family, while Theodore missed the Golden Knights' Sunday loss to the Bruins with a lower-body injury.

The loss of these players really hurts Las Vegas' special teams both on the power-play and penalty kill unit.

Winnipeg has won 10 of 14 home games. The Jets are 7-2 in their last nine games, but coming off a 5-2 home loss to the Capitals this past Sunday that halted a four-game win streak.

The Golden Knights haven't maintained their hot earlier pace. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games with three of those five victories coming in a shootout or overtime. Las Vegas also hasn't fared well in Winnipeg losing in its last four visits.

I like the Cavaliers to cover against the Spurs even if they remain without Donovan Mitchell and Kevin Love. So I'm going to take an early position on them anticipating the line would climb if Mitchell were to play.

Cleveland blew a 17-point lead to the Thunder, but still won by eight points this past Saturday despite not having Michell and Love.

The Spurs are on a min-winning streak having beat the Rockets and upset the Heat this past Saturday on the road. But the Spurs still are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games and own the worst home mark in the NBA at 4-10.

San Antonio is a below average rebounding team. The Spurs also give up the most points in the NBA. The Cavaliers should dominate the boards and inside scoring with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. The Spurs have been without their best rebounder and shot blocker, Jakob Poeltl, who has missed the past five games with a knee injury.

Cleveland has covered during each of its last four visits to San Antonio.

The Dolphins are 8-1 SU, 6-3 when Tua Tagovailoa starts and finishes a game. The one loss came this past Sunday at San Francisco when Miami ran into the top defense in the league.

The Chargers give up the third-most points in the NFL. They are likely to face the Dolphins' record-setting wide receiver tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle without safety Derwin James and cornerback Bryce Callahan. James is in the discussion for best safety in the league. Miami had produced 30 or more points in four straight games prior to the 49ers.

The Chargers aren't going to be able to slow down Miami. Justin Herbert has too many injuries around him to keep up with Miami's high-powered offense. LA is averaging 21.4 points in its last seven games.

LA has not defeated an above .500 team all season. The step up is too high for the Chargers.

Tom Brady versus Brock Purdy. Yeah, I'll take 3 1/2 with that

The 49ers have become the best defense in the NFL. But they may not have their most disruptive force with Nick Bosa questionable with a hamstring injury.

The Buccaneers aren't too shabby defensively either. They rank fifth in scoring defense giving up 18.3 points a game and have the fourth-most sacks.

Tampa Bay is 14-5-2 ATS during its last 21 December games.

The 49ers have won five in a row since losing to the Chiefs. Miami was their only win against a winning club, though, during this span.

The Panthers are trying their hardest to earn trust. They are 3-3 SU, 5-1 ATS in their last six games. Interim coach Steve Wilks has won the locker room in his bid to become permanent head coach. Sam Darnold is the right quarterback choice.

Seattle is in a division sandwich. The Seahawks got past the surprisingly stubborn Rams, 27-23, on a late TD pass from Geno Smith last Sunday and have their biggest game of the season on deck hosting the 49ers next week.

The Seahawks are facing an underrated Carolina defense being severely banged-up at running back. The Panthers have held their last foes to an average of 12.6 points. The Panthers should be rested and ready coming off their bye week.

Daniel Jones doesn't make enough downfield passing plays. Saquon Barkley is averaging just 2.8 yards rushing in his last three games on 44 carries. The Eagles rank No. 1 in pass defense and No. 2 in total defense. Their run defense has gotten much better with Joseph Linval and Ndamkong Suh joining a now healthy Jordan Davis.

The Giants have a bend-but-don't-break defense that gives up the 12th fewest points at 21 per game. New York's pass rush has picked up with both Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux healthy.

Both teams are run-oriented. The forecast is for light rain. This is the Giants' season. So I see a tight, ball-control conservative game plan.

The Bengals experienced a frightful Halloween losing, 32-13, on the road to the Browns.

Cincinnati is much the superior team. I see the Bengals getting their revenge. Take away that game and the Bengals would be 9-1 SU, 10-ATS. They are playing well. Cleveland isn't.

While Joe Burrow has a 16-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his last seven games, Deshaun Watson is off a horrendous season debut generating no touchdowns against the Texans. Watson's passer rating was 54.3, a career-worst.

The Wild are back scoring averaging 4.2 goals during their last eight games. Vancouver ranks 30th defensively. The Canucks remain without their No. 1 goalie, Thatcher Demko.

Vancouver, though, is hot offensively scoring 16 goals in its last three games. Minnesota has permitted 3 or more goals in each of its last seven games, including five during the last three.

I don't get Cal Poly being favored here even though the Mustangs are home.

Portland State has a winning record, has beaten Oregon State twice and is the 10th-highest scoring team in the country averaging 85.3 points.

The Vikings have covered 10 of their last 14 road games. They are battle tested having played some tough teams, including Gonzaga, and hold a backcourt edge with Jorell Saterfield and Cameron Parker. Those two are combining for nearly 32 points a game.

Cal Poly shoots much worse from the floor than Portland State and ranks 313th in scoring. The Mustangs average 19 fewer points per game than the Vikings.

In the Zig and Zag world of the NBA, this spot sets up for the Jazz. Utah knocked off the Warriors by one point at home on Wednesday, but then the Jazz were beaten by an aroused Timberwolves squad, 118-108, last night. It was emotional for Minnesota because of Rudy Gobert returning back to Utah to face his old teammates.

The Jazz are 10-3-2 ATS following a double-digit home loss.

Denver, on the other hand, stole a victory at Portland last night, 121-120, on Jamal Murray's 3-pointer in the final second. Denver is 8-19 ATS following a victory.

It's a plus if the Jazz get back Lauri Markkanen, who missed last night's game due to illness. But back for Utah is point guard Mike Conley.

Death, taxes and the Bruins beating the Coyotes. Those are about the only three certain things in life. 

Boston has defeated Arizona 19 straight times. 

I'd be shocked if the Bruins didn't make it 20 in a row against the Coyotes, who haven't defeated Boston in 12 years. The Bruins are tied for the most points in the NHL. They rank first defensively and second in goals scored per game. 

The key question is can Boston beat Arizona by more than one goal so as to reduce laying such high vigorish? 

Yes. This is the Coyotes' first home game after a record-tying 14 consecutive road games that began back on Nov. 5. Not surprisingly, Arizona ran out of gas losing its last six games with the most recent defeat occurring two days ago to Edmonton by six goals. This marks the Coyotes' fifth game in nine days. They also have the distraction of finally being home after being gone close to five weeks. 

The Bruins rolled past the Coyotes, 6-3, at home in the first meeting between the two teams this season. Boston has won by multiple goals in 11 of its last 12 victories. 

The Pacers are a below average defensive and rebounding team. This isn't an ideal spot for them either returning home following a seven-game, 13-day road trip that concluded Wednesday night. Indiana is 0-5 ATS the past five times when playing on one day's rest.

The Magic and Rockets are the only teams the Pacers have been favored against by this many points. It's going to be difficult for the Pacers to have their full concentration having been gone from home since Nov. 26.

The Wizards don't have injured Bradley Beal, but Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma are playing well. The Wizards are frustrated having lost four in a row since a 15-point home win against the Timberwolves. Look for Washington to keep this close if not pull the outright upset.

I don't see High Point getting enough respect with this point spread against Queens, which is in its first season of Division I.

High Point averages 86.3 points a game. The Panthers also rank in the top 35 in 3-point defense.

The Panthers held their own against UNLV. They've beaten North Florida, Elon, Tennessee State, Central Michigan and Furman in impressive fashion during their last game, 85-82, as an 11 1/2-point road 'dog.

Queens has played an easier schedule. The Royals' last game, for instance, was against Paine.

This is a big total, but consider who these two teams are and what the situation is.

The Rockets rank 27th defensively giving up 117.2 points per game. They also rank 27th in defensive field goal percentage and 3-point defense. Houston has surrendered at least 120 points in seven of its last eight games.

Pathetic defense, right? Way until you see San Antonio's defensive numbers. They're even worse.

The Spurs allow 121.3 points a game. That's last in the NBA. San Antonio also is last in defensive field goal percentage and 3-point defense. The Spurs have surrendered 117 or more points in 10 of their last 11 games.

Both teams should play loose and fast with nothing to lose being bottom feeders. The Spurs, who have lost 11 in a row, last played on Sunday so they definitely will have plenty of energy. Houston has been idle the past two days. The Rockets catch the Spurs without their injured center Jakob Poeltl, whose absence is a plus for the Over.

This is the first meeting between the two teams. The Over cashed in each of their four games last season.

Josh Jacobs, Davonte Adams and Maxx Crosby have lifted the Raiders back into playoff contention leading Las Vegas to three straight victories. The Raiders got hot last season to sneak into the playoffs and they're showing signs of repeating that this season.

The Rams, on the other hand, are as dead as Jimmy Hoffa.

Sean McVay thinks so little of backup quarterbacks Bryce Perkins and John Wolford, who has a neck injury, that the Rams claimed Baker Mayfield on waivers. The Browns gave up on Mayfield and now the Panthers had their fill of Mayfield.

Whoever is behind center for the Rams has to deal with backups - some fourth and fifth-stringers - at just about every offensive position. The Rams have had to use a different offensive line in every game because of multiple injuries. LA has no ground game and is minus its two best wideouts, Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson.

The Raiders are playing much better defense, limiting opposing running backs to 3.07 yards during the last three weeks, which is the third-lowest mark during this span. Las Vegas also has 11 sacks during its last three games.

Jacobs is the hottest runner in the NFL. He's averaging 179 yards rushing in his last four games. The Rams' defense is far less fierce up front minus Aaron Donald, who is out, along with run-stuffing nose guard A'Shawn Robinson. So Jacobs is in line for another huge performance.

Adams is averaging 137.6 receiving yards in his last three games. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is the Rams' best player in their secondary and he's been playing poorly.

The Rams put forth a great effort this past Sunday against the Seahawks, a team the Raiders beat. However, the Rams came up short, 27-23, against Seattle. I doubt the Rams produce another ''A'' game. The Raiders are likely to have better, crowd support than the home Rams.

I see a buy sign on the Blues here as they catch the Jets fat and happy. 

The Blue received a huge needed dose of confidence snapping their four-game losing streak with a 7-4 road win against the Islanders two days ago. St. Louis achieved this despite missing winger Pavel Buchnevich and defenseman Torey Krug. Both are questionable here. 

The Jets concluded a 3-1 homestand with a highly satisfying 5-2 victory against the Panthers and their former coach Paul Maurice this past Tuesday. 

This will be Winnipeg's first away game since Nov. 27. 

Normally I don't like to step in against the Celtics, especially when they are playing well like they are now having won seven of their last eight games.

But I feel confident doing it here. Chris Paul is expected to play after missing the last 14 games with an injured heel. That could provide an added spark for Phoenix. But I'm fine with the Suns even if Paul doesn't play.

Phoenix still is very good without Paul. The Suns should be up for this matchup having lost, 130-111, to the Mavericks in Dallas two days ago. Phoenix was 7-1 before that loss to Dallas.

The Suns are 10-3 ATS during the last 13 meetings against the Celtics. They have covered six of their past seven times at home versus Boston.

The Celtics are playing their third road game in four days, flying in from Toronto. This also is Boston's seventh game in 11 days. Phoenix is in action for the third time in five days. The Suns had two easy games, though, playing the Rockets and Spurs before losing to the Mavericks. Plus they are home. So their fatigue factor is much less than Boston's.

The Pacers may be excused if they are a no-show in this matchup against the Timberwolves. This marks the finale of a seven-game, 11-day road trip for Indiana. The Pacers surprised the Warriors with a 112-104 victory as a 12 1/2-point 'dog this past Monday playing without six players, including Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and Chris Durate. Haliburton and Turner are questionable while Durate remains out with an ankle injury. 

Indiana is 0-4 ATS following a cover and 0-4 ATS when playing on one day's rest. 

The Timberwolves won their first game without injured Karl-Anthony Towns beating the Grizzlies by eight points. But then in their second game without him, this past Saturday, they fell 135-128 to the Thunder as 5 1/2-point home favorites. The Timberwolves lost their poise in the game. Rudy Gobert was ejected early and Minnesota was whistled for five technical fouls. That was Minnesota's last game. 

I see the Timberwolves bouncing back having had three full days to rest, recuperate and redeem themselves at home. Minnesota is 5-1 ATS when playing after three or more days of rest.

Minnesota also has defeated Indiana the last three times. This includes a 115-101 road win on Nov. 23. 

I want to fade the Pistons following their 116-96 surprising road beatdown of the Heat last night. That was Detroit's biggest margin of victory all season.

The Pelicans are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Their last three games have all been victories by 15 or more points against the Raptors, Spurs and Nuggets.

New Orleans should be rested and ready, too, having last played on Sunday. The Pelicans won't be taking the Pistons lightly now after what Detroit did to Miami.

The Pistons rank 28th defensively. New Orleans is the fourth-highest scoring team in the league.

Kevin Willard has Maryland off to an 8-0 start in his first year as the Terrapins head coach. But now Maryland has to play at Wisconsin. This should be a defensive dogfight.

Both defenses are strong. Wisconsin held Southern Cal to 59 points, 11 under the Trojans' season average. The Badgers also held Kansas to 63 points in regulation, 14 under the Wildcats' season average. The Terrapins' offensive numbers are padded by having played several weak teams. 

Maryland ranks 14th in 3-point defense. The Badgers have been making 3's at a higher than normal rate for them.