My 10* East/West Conference Game of the Month is on the Mil Bucks at 7:35 ET.

Luka Doncic collected 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a career-high four blocks in Dallas' 104-93 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, leading the Mavericks to their FOURTH straight victory. More good news came in the form of Kristaps making four 3-pointers to highlight his 16-point performance in his season debut. The 7-foot-3 Porzingis (20.4 & 9.5 LY) was playing for the first time since tearing his meniscus in his right knee during the Mavericks' playoff setback to the Los Angeles Clippers back in August. The now 6-4 Mavs travel to Milwaukee on Friday to take on the Bucks, who have had the league's best record in each of the last two regular seasons. Milwaukee opened 2-3 this season but enters this game having won SIX of seven to reach 8-4 on the season.

It's GREAT news that Porzingis is back to join Doncic (27.4-9.6-8.3) but here's what the injury list looks like for the Mavericks. Maxi Kleber: out (health and safety protocols), Jalen Brunson: out (health protocols), Dorian Finney-Smith: out (health protocols), Dwight Powell: out (health protocols), Josh Richardson: out (health protocols). Going down the line. Kleber is averaging 7.4 & 5.3, Brunson 11.1, Finney-Smith 9.3 & 5.0, Powell 5.0 & 3.6 and Richardson 13.8.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.2-10.1-5.5 and SF Middleton (21.6-6.3-5.7) is off to  a terrific start. Jrue Holiday has been a big addition (no one misses Bledsoe), averaging 15.2 PPG and 5.0 APG. The 6-10 Portis (11.8 & 7.8) has also been  a strong addition, while returning guard DiVincenzo (10.7 & 4.2) and center Brook Lopez (9.2 & 4.8) have both started all 12 games.

Milwaukee may be "just" 8-4 and only owns a 6-6 ATS mark but the Bucks own the NBA's best point-differential at plus-11.4 PPG. That is as good an indicator as any as to the strength of a team. Lay the points here, against a Dallas team nowhere near 100%!

Good luck...Larry 

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on St Mary's at 11:00 ET.

The BYU Cougars and Saint Mary's Gaels meet Thursday in WCC action in Moraga, Ca. ALL schools in the WCC play in the 'shadow' of Gonzaga but the Cougars and Gaels each have a long history of excellent basketball teams. Both enter with 9-3 records on the season.

Mark Pope had an excellent first season at BYU (came from Utah Valley St), going 24-8. However, gone are PF Childs (22.2 & 9.0) plus guards Toolson (15.2-4.8-3.9) and Haws (14.0 & 5.8 APG). Guard Barcello (9.3 PPG last season) is leading the way in averaging 16.3-4.7-4.8  and the 7-3 Haarms (Purdue graduate transfer) has chipped in 11,2 & 3.7. BYU has a ton of depth, as EIGHT more players are averaging between 11 and 26 MPG. Guard Averette leads in scoring (10.2 in that group, while 6-9 Lohner (6.5) and the 6-11 Harvard (4.6) are the best rebounders. Randy Bennett has been head coach at St Mary's since the 2001-02 season and entered this season with a 440-182 (.707) record. The Gaels posted their 13th season of 20-plus wins last year, as they were 26-8 when COVID shut things down. Would the Gaels have gotten an NCAA bid? Bennett and his various teams know all about NCAA snubs, as SIX times in the previous 12 seasons, his team had been denied an NCAA bid despite seasons of 28, 25, 23, 21, 29 and 30 wins.

Gone from last year are guard Ford (21.9), forward Fitts (16.5 & 7.1) and guard Krebs (9.1). However, after dropping their season opener, 73-56, to Memphis at Sioux Falls, SD back on Nov 25, St Mary's won EIGHT in a row before losing to SD State. Senior Guard Kushe, who averaged just 5.9 PPG last season, is averaging 14.8-4.0-5.7 so far this season. Junior guard Johnson (1.4 PPG last season) is averaging 11.0 & 3.6, while returning players like the 6-10 Tass (10.1 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Fotu (7.3 & 4.4) are holding up their ends. Aussie guard Ducas averaged just 3.6 PPG last season but adds 10.9 & 5.3.

BYU was 9-2 when it ran into some postponements due to COVID plus Gonzaga was facing the same issues. The schools both decided to play each other a month early back last Thursday but BYU's long layoff (previous games was Dec 23) was evident early, as the Cougars committed five turnovers in the first four minutes to fall behind 16-2. Gonzaga made seven of its first nine shots, while Cougars made only two of their first 12 shots to trail 30-7 with just over nine minutes gone in the first half (would lose 86-69). This trip to St Mary's is BYU's first game since the Gonzaga contest and will take on a St Mary's team in need of a win after losing TWO of their last three games. However, stealing a line from Broadway's Annie Get Your Gun, "Anything BYU can do, St Mary's can do better!" St Mary's Gaels has won SEVEN of the last 10 meetings against BYU and makes it EIGHT of 11 here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Den Nuggets at 10:05 ET.

The Golden St Warriors lost K.D. to free agency last season and Klay Thompson to injury and went 15-50, the worst record in the league. Thompson again re-injured himself before the start of the current season (Achilles this time) and will miss a second straight season, All things considered, the Warriors' 6-5 start isn't bad. The Denver Nuggets have had an uneven start to this year, after coming out of the gates last season with a 12-2 record. Injuries and COVID-19 protocols have been a major  factor, as the Nuggets return home with a 5-6 record to host Golden St.

Without Thompson and with Durant in Brooklyn, teams are focused on stopping Curry but Steph has averaged 27.8-5.1-6.4. Wiggins (17.9 & 4.8), a former No. 1 overall pick, has found a home in San Francisco  plus James Wiseman (2nd pick of the 2020 Draft) has avenged 10.6 & 6.4). FA acquisition Oubre (10.8 & 5.5) has disappointed and after missing some early games, Green has returned to average a modest 4.4-5.1-6.6. He looks nowhere-near the 'force' he once was.

Denver center Jokic (24.3-10.9-10.6) has been great but Michael Porter Jr. (19.5 & 6.8) has missed SEVEN games due to issues with the coronavirus, and his return last week was delayed after sitting out three games. Hours before he was to return against Dallas he was ruled out with what coach Michael Malone said Tuesday was due to COVID. The Nuggets were also without Gary Harris (10.6) on Tuesday for personal reasons, a defensive presence that would have helped in the loss to the Nets. Denver had opened its road trip 2-0 but couldn't hold an 18-point lead at Brooklyn.

Obviously, Porter and Harris (team's best perimeter defender) are missed but the Nuggets still own excellent depth. Murray (19.7) was terrific in last year's 'bubble' and swingman Barton is back healthy averaging 11.6-4.3-2.8. The 6-8 Green comes off the bench to average 11.4 & 6.4 in about 20 minutes and backup PG Morris (11.4 & 3.2) is a quality reserve. Curry's been held to just 31 points combined in the last two games so watch out but Denver is a VERY good team, even with some missing starters. The Nuggets play their next three games at home and can kick-start their season with some good play. The Warriors are on the road for the FIRST time since Dec 29, coming off a SEVEN-game homestand! I say it's a Blowout Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Indiana at 7:00 ET.

The Indiana Hoosiers football team and the Purdue Boilermakers football team play annually for The Old Oaken Bucket. There is no trophy in basketball but that doesn't mean an Indiana/Purdue basketball game is not a bitter rivalry. Both schools play solid defense with Purdue allowing 66.2 PPG and Indiana 66.6 PPG. Indiana ranks 14th nationally per KenPom in adjusted defensive efficiency, while Purdue ranks 36th. Purdue is 8-5 (3-3 in the Big Ten) and Indiana  has the exact same record overall and in Big Ten play.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.3 & 3.4 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (15.0 & 9.5) and SG Stefanovic (10.7). 7-4 freshman Edey (8.8 & 4.0) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.3) gives Purdue five players averaging between 8.8 and 15.0 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 20-12 before the season was "called off!" Gone from that team are Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) who graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2), who transferred to Arkansas. This year's Indiana team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (20.1 & 9.3) and the 6-8 Thompson (9.5 & 6.6) up front plus in the backcourt, it's sophomore Franklin (12.7 & 4.2), senior Durham (11.1-3.8-3.3) and junior Phinisee (8.0). The bad news for the Hoosiers is that Franklin is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. That will give some extra minutes to the 6-7 Hunter (5.2 & 3.2) and guard Galloway (5.0), who started for Franklin in the last game.

Purdue has won SEVEN straight in the rivalry between the two schools but the Boilermakers are coming off a dramatic, 55-54 win at Michigan State. In that game, Purdue rallied from down 15 points at halftime to win on a short jumper by Trevion Williams with 4.5 seconds remaining. As for Indiana, it enters with THREE wins in its last four, losing only in double-OT at the-No. 8 Wisconsin. Jackson-Davis has posted double-doubles in three straight games (against Maryland, Wisconsin and Nebraska) and I expect that the Hoosiers are primed to end their SEVEN-game slide against the hated-Boilermakers, who have averaged just 59.6 PPG in five road games this season. That's the play!

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Underdog of the Month is on the Sac Kings at 10:05 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago but last year needed a strong run 'in the bubble' to sneak into the postseason. Led by 'Bubble' MVP Lillard, the Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers in the first round but after a 100-93 upset in Game 1, Portland lost FOUR in a row. The Blazers have won THREE straight and are 6-4 as they welcome the Sacramento Kings to Moda Center (I miss the Rose Garden) on Wednesday. Luke Walton begins his second season with the Kings, having gone 31-41 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. Walton's in good company, as the Kings opened this season on a run of 14 consecutive losing seasons and non-playoff appearances. Just a thought. Think Sacramento fans feel that it may have been a mistake to fire Rick Adelman after EIGHT straight winning and playoff seasons because he was never able to deliver an NBA championship? Probably a rhetorical question, right?

5-6 Sacramento's starting-five are all averaging in double digits, led by the Kings' excellent guard duo. PG Fox (18.3 & 5.4 APG) and Hield (14.7 & 4.2) lead the way, while three Sacramento frontcourt players are producing as well. The Kings don't have a true center, as that frontcourt trio includes 6-8 SF Barnes (17.9 & 6.9) plus 6-8 PF Holmes (13.2 & 7.7) and 6-11 PF Bagley (12.7 & 8.0). Rookie PG Haliburton ((12,1 & 5.3 APG) from Iowa St has stepped right in and looks like he'll be a quality NBA player. More depth is provided by four players chipping in between 6.4 and 7.8 PPG.

Speaking of backcourts, Portland believes it owns the NBA's best in Lillard and McCollum. McCollum is off to a great start, leading Portland in scoring (28.1 PPG), while adding 4.1 RPG and 5.0 APG. Lillard's numbers are slightly down (26.1-4.9-6.4) but the fact that one can say that with a straight face, proves what type of player he is. Portland expected to be healthier this season plus acquired Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to shore up defense. Neither Covington (6.6 & 6.0) nor Jones (6.4 & 3.5) have been as good as hoped for, with both players starting all games. The problem has been no player is even HALF as much as either McCollum or Lillard. Carmelo Anthony (13.0) has added a scoring 'punch' off the bench, as have backup center Kanter (11.2 & 9.3) and guard Trent (10.8). Starting center Nurkic (9.5 & 7.2) has underperformed and is currently listed at day-to-day (quad) while PF Collins (ankle) has yet to play a game this season.

The Blazers routed the Kings 125-99 this past Saturday and that memory is still fresh in the Kings' memory. Sacramento enters the rematch with a bit of momentum, after producing a convincing 127-122 home win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Portland recovered from a 17-point deficit and still trailed by 14 with 9 1/2-minutes remaining in the game but 'escaped' with a 112-11 home win over Toronto (NBA-worst record of 2-8 ) on Monday. no comeback here, as the Kings get some quick 'revenge.'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Game of the Month is on Ohio St at 7:00 ET.

Chris Collins took over at Northwestern back in the 2013-14 season and won 20 games in the 2015-16 season. The very next season, he led the Wildcats to a 24-12 year, as Northwestern finished with its first winning Big Ten Conference record in 49 years (10-8) and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history (Wildcats even won their first game). It was NO small accomplishment, as Northwestern had been the only member of a power conference to have never made the "Big Dance." However, three straight losing seasons followed. However, with four starters back for this season, the Wildcats won SIX of their first seven, including a 3-0 start in the Big Ten. Northwestern won its first THREE conference games for the first time since the 1967-68 season (note: Northwestern was 3-17 in the Big Ten last season!) and entered the AP poll on Dec 28th (No. 19) for the first time this season but hardly told the whole story. Northwestern's No. 19 ranking was its highest this late in a season since 1969!  However, the Wildcats have lost THREE in a row since.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and was ranked 20th in the AP poll before a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Dec 16. A 77-70 win over UCLA (in Cleveland) plus an 80-68 home win over then-No. 11 Rutgers came next. However, the Buckeyes lost 71-70 at Northwestern, pounded visiting Nebraska 90-54 and lost 77-60 at Minnesota. The Buckeyes produced a 22-4 burst while building a 42-30 halftime lead at Rutgers on Saturday and won 79-68. Ohio St is back in the latest AP poll at No. 21.

I noted that Northwestern has lost three straight but last Thursday's defeat is worthy of note. The Wildcats held a 15-point halftime over visiting Illinois last Thursday but were outscored 53-13 in the second half while shooting 2 of 24 from the floor, leading to an 81-56 loss. A major conference school had not been outscored by 40 points in a half since Kentucky was 43 points better in the second half vs Vanderbilt on March 5, 2003. The 6-7 Kupp (13.8) leads Northwestern in scoring. Guard Audige (11.7), the 6-10 Nance (11.4 & 5.8) and PG Buie (10.3& 5.0 APG) join Kupp in double digits. The 6-10 Young (9.0 & 6.1) and the 6-9 Beran (7.6 & 3.5) contribute off the bench, as does freshman guard Berry (7.1).

SG Washington (15.1) leads the team in scoring and has been paired with PG Walker (8.7 & 4.2 APG). However, he is expected to be lost for multiple games due to torn ligaments in his right hand. The frontcourt has four solid contributors led by arguably the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (14.0 & 6,4). He's joined on the frontline by the 6-7 Sueing (10.7 & 5.0), the 6-8 Young (7.9 & 6.3), 6-8 freshman Key (6.9) and the 6-6 Aherns (5.3).

Coming off a total collapse against Illinois does not bode well for the Wildcats here in Columbus, where Ohio St is 6-0 (average margin of victory 20.7 PPG) and 'itching' for revenge from that 71-70 at Northwestern back on the day after Christmas. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* (ACC Game of the Year is on Florida St at 7:00 ET.

Florida State(5-2 / 1-1 in ACC) just dropped out of the AP top-25 on Monday and tonight, will end its longest in-season layoff since a holiday break during the 1956-57 season when it plays host to North Carolina State (6-3 / 2-2) in Tallahassee. COVID-19 positive tests and contact tracing within the program led to three postponed games. NC State lost four games due to COVID but opened 6-1 (2-0 ACC) before losing its last two games to Clemson and Miami in ACC play.

Head coach Kevin Keatts took over at NC State for Mark Gottfried beginning in the 2017-18 season, after leading UNC-Wilmington to 25-8 and 29-6 records in his final two seasons (both teams earned NCAA tourney bids). He's won 21, 24 and 20 games his first three seasons in Raleigh and while he lost leading scorer Bryce (13.3 & 6.3) plus PG Johnson (12.8-4.4-6.8) from last season's team, the Wolfpack have plenty of talent and depth this season. Guard Daniels (15.9 & 5.2) and 6-7 wing Hellems (11/2 & 5.1) are averaging in double digits, as is the 6-10 Funderburk (13.0 & 5.5z), who comes off the bench. Hayes (7.7) and Beverley (6.4) start in the backcourt along with Daniels, while the 6-11 Bates (9.4 & 5.4) starts up front with Hellems.

Leonard Hamilton is now in his 19th season with FSU and he's been greatly underappreciated (more later). Florida State was 26-5 and poised to make a Final Four run before the postseason was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but entered this season losing three key players from a team.PG Forrest (11.6-4.4-4.0), SG Vassell (12.7 & 5.1) and 6-7 swingman Williams (9.7 & 4.0) were all chosen in the NBA draft. Guard MJ Walker is back and leads with 15.3 PPG plus is surrounded by a talented group. Frontcourt veterans like the 7-1 Koprivica (9.9 & 5.90, the 6-8 Gray (7.0 & 6.0) start, while the 6-9 Osborne (3.6 & 5.1) comes off the bench. Freshman Barnes, a 6-9 guard averages 11.1-3.9-4.3) and returning guard Polite (10.9 & 5.1) are both double digit scorers.

Here's the bottom line. Hamilton has built a championship-caliber program at Florida St, one that has produced the THIRD most victories among ACC schools behind Duke and Virginia since 2016. How many knew that? "We missed those practices," Hamilton said about the team's layoff. "We are kind of still a team, like most teams right now. We are still growing and developing." My bet is that Hamilton's crew "won't miss a beat!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM of the Month is on Kentucky at 9:00 ET.

The lead in the Southeastern Conference will be at stake when Alabama visits Kentucky on Tuesday in Lexington. That the Tide and Wildcats are atop the standings even this early in the season is somewhat of a surprise since both teams struggled in non-conference play. Alabama went a modest 5-3, while Kentucky opened 1-6, its worst start to a season since the 1926-27 Wildcats lost eight of nine. However, Alabama is 4-0 to open SEC play and Kentucky 3-0 (note: the only other unbeaten team in the SEC is 1-0 South Carolina!).

Alabama head coach Nate Oats was 96-43 at Buffalo, leading the Bulls to three NCAA tourneys in his four years, including going 27-9 and 32-4 in his last two seasons. 'Bama was just 16-15 last season but guard Lewis (18.5-4.8-5.2) left after one year for the NBA. The starting backcourt is strong, with PG Quinnerly (13.0 & 3.4 APG), Shackleford (13.1 & 4.8), Petty (12.4 & 5.5) and Primo (7.7 & 3.3), while the 6-8 Jones (12.9 & 6.5) is joined up front by he 6-10 Brunner (7.8 & 5.6), who is a rare Yale graduate transfer. 

Kentucky was ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll but its 1-6 start took care of that. Not surprisingly, Calipari again relies on freshman and transfers. Three Wildcats are averaging double digits thus far, freshmen Brandon Boston (12.8 & 5.3), 7-0 Wake Forest transfer Sarr (11.2 & 5.6) and Creighton transfer Mintz (10.3 & 7.3). Freshman  guards Askew (7.7) and Allen (7.1) plus 6-10 freshman Jackson (5.7 & 7.2) are getting their 'sea legs.' Then there is 6-7 sophomore Keion Brooks Jr., playing his first game after missing the first nine with a left calf injury. He scored 12 points plus has six rebounds and four assists in Kentucky's impressive 76-58 win at Florida this past Saturday.

Did anyone really think Kentucky would just fold after that 1-6 start? Alabama PG PG Quinnerly has NOT played in the team's last two games and there is no indication he's expected to play here. Either way, I'm "all over" Kentucky here, as the Wildcats open 4-0 in the SEC. 

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on North Carolina at 9:00 ET.

Syracuse (7-2, 1-1 ACC) will visit Chapel Hill tonight to take on North Carolina (7-4, 2-2 ACC). Both teams are used to close games, as Syracuse has seen FOUR games decided by six points or less (another game went into overtime), while SEVEN of North Carolina 11 games have been decided by six points or less.

The Orange have little depth, as all five starters are averaging more than 30 minutes. The 6-7 Guerrier leads in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.3), SF Griffin checks in at 15.6 & 7.3 plus the 6-10 Dolezag adds 12.0 & 6.3. The backcourt is Buddy Boeheim (15.2) and PG Girard (11.6 & 4.6 APG). 6-5 forward Richmond (7.2 & 3.8) is the lone producer off the bench. North Carolina's strength is its depth. Up front it's the 6-10 Bacot (11.0 & 7.6), the 6-10 Brooks (10.2 & 7.7) and the 6-11 Sharpe (9.8 & 8.2), while the backcourt goes four-deep. The group includes Love (9.5 & 3.5 APG), Davis (8.3),  Black (7.7 & 6.4) and Platek (5.9).

North Carolina has dominated this series recently, as its regular-season road victory stretched its winning streak in the series to NINE games. However, Syracuse won in an ACC tournament blowout in what became the last game played, because the rest of the event was canceled at the start of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Tar Heels are beginning to "find themselves," as Roy Williams puts last season's 14-19 'nightmare' behind him. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on Wisconsin at 7:00 ET.

The new AP poll was released on Monday and the Big Ten has SEVEN teams in the top-25, including THREE in the top-10. TWO of those schools square off Tuesday as No. 7 Michigan (10-0 / 5-0 Big Ten) welcomes No. 9 Wisconsin (10-2 / 4-1 Big Ten) to Crisler Arena. Michigan's Juwan Howard's first season as head coach saw his team open 7-0, then go 6-9 over its next 15 games. A six-game win streak followed but Michigan lost three of four before the shutdown (19-11 finish). In his sophomore year, Michigan is off to even a better start. Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and head coach Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five.

The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.8-3.3-3.7) and Davison (10.0) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.5 & 7.0), the 6-11 Reuvers (10.3 & 4.3) and the 6-8 Ford (9.8 & 4.1). 6-5 freshman Davis (7.3 & 4.8) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (4.9 & 3.6) both contribute off the bench. Gone from Michigan's team last season are PG Simpson (12.9-4.5-7.9) and the 7-1 Teske (11.6 & 6.7). 6-7 senior Livers led Michigan in scoring last season and is averaging 13.9 & 5.4. The Wolverines, like the Badgers, have an experienced group but their leading scorer is 7-1 freshman Hunter Dickinson (18.0 & 9.1) and scored a career-high 28 points in Michigan's last game, an 82-57 romp of Minnesota on Wednesday. Experience comes in guards Wagner (12.2 & 6.), Brown (9.2), Brooks (9.1 & 3.8 APG) and Smith (8.1 & 5.3 APG).

Michigan got some extra time to prepare for the Badgers as its scheduled game at Penn State on Saturday was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Nittany Lions' program. The Wolverines have defeated their last four opponents by double digits through a combination of a suffocating defense and a very efficient offense (Michigan is shooting 52.5% on the season). However, Wisconsin knows all about playing defense, allowing just 61.5 PPG (24th) on 38.9% shooting (26th). The Badgers went into Breslin Center back on Dec 25 and beat Michigan St 85-76 by shooting 52.9%. It was Wisconsin's first win in East Lansing since 2004 (had lost 12 straight!). Why can't (won't) the Badgers win here in Ann Arbor? Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on St John's at 7:00 ET.

LaVall Jordan is in his fourth season at Butler and last year's team was 22-9 before the shutdown (would have made the NCAAs for a fifth time in six seasons). The team lost key players from that team, including leading scorer Baldwin (16.2) and three-point shooter McDermott. Butler is struggling so far, going 3-6 overall (2-4 in the Big East). St John's is coached by Mike Anderson, who is in his second season in Queens. He's had success wherever he's been, going 89-41 in four years at UAB, 111-57 in five years at Missouri and 169-102 in eight years at Arkansas. Anderson took over a recently struggling St John's program last season and went 17-15, giving him his 18th consecutive winning season as a head coach (zero losing seasons). Could that streak end this season? St John's is just 6-6, including 1-5 in the Big East.

Senior guards Thompson (14.3 & 4.5 APG) and Bolden (13.0 & 4.1) lead the but fellow guards N\Harris (11.1) and Tate (7.9) contribute. Up front, it's just the 6-7 Nze (9.9 & 6.6) and the 6-9 Golden (9.9 & 5.3). Anderson lost LJ Figueroa (14.5 & 4.5) to Oregon but THREE newcomers have already made HUGE contributions. Vince Cole is a 6-5 two-time junior-college All-American and is averaging 10.5 PPG, freshman PG Posh Alexander averages 9.3 & 4.4 APG and 6-10 JC transfer Isaih Moore (but with a 7-6 wingspan) comes off the bench to average  9.7 & 5.8. There's all sorts of depth in the backcourt with Williams (11.8), Dunn (7.3) and freshman Addae-Wusu (5.8). However, the team's star is 6-8 wing Julian Champagnie, who averages 21.0 & 7.9.

The bottom line is that this contest is a 'battle' of styles. Butler enters Tuesday averaging 63.7 PPG, which is not only is the worst scoring average in the 11-team Big East but also marks the Bulldogs as the only team below 70 per game. Conversely, the Bulldogs are allowing 69.0 PPG, which is the fourth-best figure in the league. In stark contrast, St John's is second in the Big East with 80.5 PPG (39th nationally) but is allowing 80.8 PPG (327th in the nation). The team that "plays its game" wins and I believe that's St John's here at home. Butler has averaged 60.3 PPG away from home, while St John's has averaged 83.2 PPG at home. Blowout Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Signature" LEGEND Play is on Alabama at 8:00 ET.

It's 7-0 Ohio State vs 12-0 Alabama in the CFP Championship Game Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The Buckeyes advanced with a DOMINATING 49-28 win over Clemson on Jan 1 in the semifinals. Ohio St QB Justin Fields threw for 385 yards and six TDs, while RB Trey Sermon ran 31 times for 193 yards, as the Buckeyes avenged last season's 29-23 semi final loss to the Tigers. The Clemson defense had NO answer for Fields and the Ohio St offense, as the Buckeyes reeled off 28 unanswered points to take a 35-14 halftime lead. 

Mac Jones threw four TD passes, three to WR DeVonta Smith, plus RB Harris 'hurdled' his way to 125 rushing yards, as top-ranked Alabama rolled to a 31-14 victory over fourth-ranked Notre Dame to reach the CFP title game for the FIFTH time in the system's seven seasons (won in 2015 and 2017). Alabama scored on its first THREE possessions and seemed to get 'bored' after taking a 28-7 lead in the third quarter (won 31-14). 

Justin Fields has some VERY sore ribs (broken) but there's VERY little doubt he will be under center for this game. He's completed 73.4% for 1,906 yards (remember, just seven games) with 21 TDs and six INTs. WRs Wilson (40 catches / 16.8 YPC/ 5 TDs) and Olave (42 catches / 15.7 YPC /  7 TDs) are terrific, while TE Ruckert has just 12 catches but FIVE have resulted in TDs. RB Sermon enters off running for 331 yards in the Big Ten championship game vs Northwestern and following with 193 yards against Clemson.

Mac Jones completes 77.0% of his passes for 4,036 yards with 36 TDs and just four INTs, giving him a nation's best QB rating of 203.0. DeVonta Smith (105 catches / 15.6 YPC / 20 TDs) is considered the best WR in the nation and Nick Saban just announced that WR Jaylen Waddle (25 catches / 22.3 YPC / 4 TDs in four games) has been cleared to return to practice and could play in this game. RB Harris can't match Sermon's heroics of the last two games but ran for 1,387 yards on 6.1 YPC with 24 TDs on the season.

Both offenses seem 'unstoppable,' as Ohio St averages 42.5 PPG (8th), while Alabama averages 49.7 PPG (2nd). Both defenses are strong with Ohio State allowing 21.0 PPG and Alabama 19.5 PPG. However, the Alabama defense has really 'found itself,' after a poor start. The Crimson Tide allowed 28.8 PPG through their first four games but just 14.1 PPG over their last eight.  Note, that includes them giving up 46 points to Florida in the SEC title game. Eliminating that game and the Tide allowed just 9.6 PPG over SEVEN of their last eight!

Yes, Ohio St can claim it's won EIGHT of its last nine games as an underdog SU but matching its effort against Clemson here vs Alabama is to me, 'a bridge too far!' According to Ohio St head coach Ryan Day, his team's loss to Clemson last season reverberated for nearly a year among the Buckeyes. "Fresh off of that game, it was right on our minds, and something that when we got back to work and winter workouts, January, February, it was right there for us," Day said Sunday. "Coming off that game, we just didn't get over it in one day. It took time. "There was even a sign with the score posted in the Buckeyes' weight room , an honor usually reserved for rival Michigan. Ohio St threw a 'near-perfect game' at Clemson and my bet says the Buckeyes can't "do it again" vs Alabama, a team which can 'gain separation' VERY quickly against an opponent. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Utah at 6:00 ET.

The Colorado Buffaloes (8-3, 2-2 Pac-12) and the Utah Utes (4-4, 1-3) meet Monday in Salt Lake City. It was originally scheduled for March 6 but was moved up after Colorado's game with the Beavers was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Oregon State program. The Utes are fitting this game in between Saturday's loss to the Oregon Ducks and Thursday's game against Stanford. Both teams are coming off home games against Oregon, with different results. The Buffs beat the Ducks 79-72 on Thursday (the 10th straight time they've defeated Oregon in Boulder), Utah fell 79-73 to the Ducks on Saturday.

Tad Boyle is in his 11th season at Colorado and despite losing the 6-7 Tyler Bey (13.8 & 9.0) to the NBA (he played center for the Buffs), Colorado is off to an 8-3 start. The good news was that PG Wright flirted with the NBA draft but returned to Boulder for his senior season. Wright (16.0-5.0-5.2) is the team leader and is surrounded by veterans, such as the 6-8 Evan Battey (9.9 & 5.2) and the 7-0 Dallas Walton (9.6 & 3.0) plus the 6-7 Jeriah Horn (a Tulsa graduate transfer) adds 11.3 & 5.8. Depth is provided by FIVE players combining to average 33 PPG. 

Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is averaging 15.4 & 5.6, just ahead of guard Alfonso Plummer (13.4). Joining Allen up front are the 6-8 Jantunen (10.3 & 4.9), the 7-0 Carlson (6.3) and the 6-9 Battin (6.3 & 3.0). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (6.8 & 4.8 APG), who joins Plummer in the starting backcourt, while freshman Larsson (8.3) comes off the bench.

Colorado has played strong defense (62.6 PPG ranks 31st) and is scoring 75.6 PPG. Utah's defense is decent (65.8 PPG) but its offense averages less than 70 PPG (not good). However, this is NOT a good "situation" for Colorado. This contest was supposed to be in the middle of a four-game homestand for the Buffs but instead of resting after a game against Oregon State, the Buffaloes will be on the road. Utah had been 4-0 at home before its loss to Oregon and has scored 70-plus points in all FIVE home games this season (75.6 per). This will be the 20th meeting between the teams since the Buffaloes joined the Pac-12 before the 2011-12 season and they have split the last six games, with the home teams winning EACH time. Make that SEVEN straight wins by the home team in this series and as a bonus, we get about a 'FG!'

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Wild Card Game of the Year is on the Pit Steelers at 8:15 ET.

The Cleveland Browns clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2002 with a 24-22 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. The 11-5 Browns snapped the NFL's longest current playoff drought, making the playoffs for the first time since 2002. RB Nick Chubb rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown, ending the season with 1,067 (5.6 YPC) with 12 TDs, despite playing in only 12 games. QB Baker Mayfield completed 17 of 27 passes for 196 yards and a TD and also rushed for a season-high 44 yards. Pittsburgh had clinched the AFC North and a playoff spot in Week 16, so they rested Ben Roethlisberger. Mason Rudolph got the start and completed 22 of 39 passes for 315 yards with two TDs and one INT. Now, one week later, the third-seeded Steelers and sixth-seeded Browns will "do it all over again" Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Mayfield had a promising rookie season but regressed in 2019, with 22 TDs and 21 INTs for a QB rating of just 78.8. However, he got better throughout the season and finished with 26 TDs and 8 INTs for a 95.9 QB rating in 2020. Chubb (see above) and Hunt (842 yards on 4.2 YPC with six TDs) have given Cleveland excellent balance, as Cleveland's running game comes in averaging 148.3 YPG on the ground (3rd-best). The Cleveland defense got slightly better as the season wore on but finished allowing 26.2 PPG (21st).

The 38-year-old Ben Roethlisberger bounced back from elbow surgery a year ago to complete 65.6% for 3,803 yards with 33 TDs and only 10 INTs in 15 games. The running game ranks last in the NFL (84.4 YPG) but "Big Ben" has an OUTSTANDING group of receivers. Schuster-Smith leads with 97 catches (9 TDs) but fellow WRs like Johnson (88 catches / 7 TDs), Claypool (62 catches / 9 TDs) and Washington (just 30 catches but five TDs) give Big Ben a plethora of options.  The offense has averaged just 334.6 YPG (25th) but has managed to average 26.0 PPG, 12th-best. However, defense remains Pittsburgh's 'calling card.' The Steelers' D enters having allowed 19.5 PPG (3rd) on 305.8 YPG (3rd). Pittsburgh's 56 sacks are No. 1 in the NFL.

The Browns are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002 but the franchise's last playoff win came way back in 1994! First-year Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, whose leadership helped end Cleveland's playoff drought, must now 'watch from afar,' after testing positive for COVID. I guess no AFC team would want to draw the Chiefs as its first playoff opponent but for the Browns, the LAST team they wanted was to face the Steelers, in a one-week turnaround, playing in Pittsburgh with "Big Ben back at QB. Contests between the Browns and Steelers have always been heated given the teams' proximity and history but the Steelers have dominated this series dating back to 2004 (Big Ben's rookie year) with a 28-5-1 SU record! Cleveland's postseason return lasts ONE game. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* AAC Game of the Year is on Wichita St at 4:30 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats and the Wichita State Shockers have each been regular NCAA tourney participants but their respective 2020-21 seasons have NOT begun well. John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season but opened the current season missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until Dec 2. The Bearcats are coming off a 76-69 win at Tulsa on Jan 7 but that snapped a FIVE-game losing streak. Cincy is just 3-6 entering this contest.

Wichita St's season was marred before it got started, as head coach Gregg Marshall resigned as coach of Wichita State after multiple allegations of verbal and physical abuse spanning years on November 17, 2020. Marshall's success started at Winthrop (seven NCAA berths in nine years) and continued at Wichita St, winning the NIT title in 2011 then winning 30-plus games in three straight seasons, including a Final 4 appearance in 2013. Lead assistant Isaac Brown was named interim head coach.

Guard Keith Williams leads the Bearcats in scoring with 15.1 PPG, while fellow guard Jeremiah Davenport has 10.6 & 4.1 to give Cincy a pair of double digit scorers. Guards Mike Adams-Woods (8.6) and David DeJulius (8.2-4.7- 5.1_ round out a strong backcourt. The frontcourt offers little, with 7-1 returning center Chris Vogt (5.4 & 3.6) being the biggest disappointment, coming off a season in which he averaged 11.1 & 5.7. The 6-7 Eason (7.6 & 5.7) and the 6-10 Ivanauskas (6.7 & 5.0) have been Cincy's top frontcourt performers.

Center Echenique (11.3 & 7.1) plus guards Stevenson (11.1 & 4.7( and Burton (10.3-3.5-3.4) are all gone from last year's 23-8 team (top-3 scorers). However, the Shockers are a deep team this season, led by a trio of guards in Etienne (17.9 & 3.8), UConn transfer Gilbert (10.8-3.4-3.3) and Dennis (8.3 & 3.3). The top frontcourt performers are the 6-8 Udeze (7.2 & 2.6(, 6-7 JUCO transfer Jackson (5.7 & 4.8) and the 6-6 Wade (5.6 & 5.7).

Wichita St is 6-3 but all three losses have come against quality opponents, losing to now-No. 13 Missouri, a solid 8-3 Oklahoma St team and this past Wednesday to No. 11 Houston. That loss snapped the team's FIVE-game winning streak. Wichita St opened 1-2 SU & 0-3 ATS but has gone 5-1 SU since, including 4-0 ATS with two games with no pointspread. In contrast, before Cincy won at SMU on Thursday, the Bearcats were 1-7 ATS on the season and had lost their previous five games. Home games are not what they used to be this season but the Charles Koch Arena has always been good to the Shockers and this season's Cincy team is just NOT very good. Off a surprising road win at SMU, expect the Bearcats to lose in Wichita to a Shockers team that has played excellent opponents well so far and should have no problem with this Bearcat team. Double digit win expected here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Bal Ravens at 1:05 ET.

Baltimore was just 2-2 through the first four games of the 2019 season but the Ravens would win their final 12 games, covering NINE of their last 10. QB Lamar Jackson was league MVP, posting a 113.3 QB rating (36-6 ratio) while rushing for 1,206 yards (6.9 YPC / 7 TDs), which set a single-record for QBs. Baltimore set a single season record for team rushing yards and became the first team since at least 1950 to average 200-plus pass YPG (201.6) and 200-plus rush YPG (206) in the same season. The D was not quite in the class of the Ray Lewis era units but the Ravens ranked 3rd in points allowed (17.6 PPG) and 4th in yards allowed (300.6 YPG). However, the Ravens were unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs last season, losing 28-12 at home to the Titans as 10-point favorites.

These teams met in Week 11 of the 2020 season (again in Baltimore) and even with that playoff revenge, the Ravens blew a 21-10 third-quarter lead in a 30-24 OT loss. The Ravens were just 6-5 after their Week 12 loss to Pittsburgh but would go on a 5-0 SU & ATS run to finish 11-5 and earn the AFC's No. 5 seed. The Titans battled the Indy Colts all season long for the AFC South title but clinched the division (via a tiebreaker) with a 41-38 win at Houston in Week 17. Derrick Henry rushed for a career-high 250 yards and became the eighth player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a season, in Tennessee's Week 17 win, capped by Sam Sloman 37-yard FG on the final play (banked it in). QB Ryan Tannehill totaled three TDs.

Lamar Jackson became the first QB in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in multiple seasons in Baltimore's 38-3 win at Cincinnati. Jackson rushed for 97 yards on 11 carries to give him 1,005 yards for the season. The Ravens finished with 404 rushing yards, which was the fourth most by a team since 1950. Baltimore didn't quite match last year's rushing record but the Ravens did lead the NFL with 191.9 YPG on 5.5 YPC. Mark Ingram topped 1,000-yards last season but this season was replaced by rookie Dobbins (805 yards on 6.0 YPC with nine TDs) and Edwards (723 yards on 5.0 YPC with five TDs). Baltimore's defense finished No. 2 in points allowed (18.9 PPG).

Ryan Tannehill has had a career season by completing 65.5% for 3,819 yards with 33 TDs and seven INTs (106.5 QB rating). Henry had 2,027 yards rushing (5.4 YPC  / 17 TDs), as the Titans finished second to Baltimore with 168.1 YPG on the ground. WRs Brown (70 catches / 15.4 YPC / 11 TDs) and Davis (65 catches / 15.1 YPC / 5 TDs) team with TEs Smith (41 catches / 8 TDs) and Firkser (39 catches). The Tennessee D is no match for Baltimore's, allowing 27.4 PPG (24th) on 398.3 YPG (28th). That's 8.5 PPG  and about 70 YPG more.

The Ravens closing 5-0 SU & ATS run saw them outscore opponents on average, 37.2-to-17.8 PPG. Lamar Jackson has 'flopped' badly in two playoff games and I have to believe the "THIRD" time will be the charm.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Signature 37-Club Play is on Arizona at 9:00 ET.

UCLA (8-2, 4-0 Pac-120 has won two games without injured Chris Smith and will go for three in a row when the Bruins play the Arizona Wildcats (9-2, 3-2) tonight in Tucson. Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St (Nov 25) and its only other loss came 77-70 to Ohio St in Cleveland back on Dec 19. Sean Miller is in his 12th season with the Wildcats and has had more than a few off the court issues the last few years. He saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route in PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6) but Arizona had opened a surprising 9-1, before losing 87-73 Thursday night at home to USC.

UCLA's 6-9 Smith averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in eight games but is now out for the season with a knee injury. However, the Bruins still have SIX players averaging between 8.4 and 12.8 PPG. PG Campbell (10.6 & 7.0 APG) is still surrounded by "big guards" like the 6-6 Jaquez (12.8 & 5.7), the 6-6 Juzang (10.7) and the 6-6 Bernard (10.1 & 5.6). Up front it's the 6-9 Riley (10.2 & 5.8) and the 6-10 Hill (8.4 & 6.1). Cody Riley scored a career-high 22 points in UCLA's 81-75 OT win Thursday at ASU plus guard David Singleton, who had averaged just 4.3 points through the first nine games, drained two 3-pointers in overtime and finished with 14 points.

Arizona saw its four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday by USC, as the Wildcats were the Trojans' overall length and ability to chase them off the three-point line. In fact, starting guards James Akinjo (12.9 & 5.2 APG) and Jemarl Baker (12.7) made 1 of 16 from the floor and finished with a total of three points!! The good news was that 6-11 freshman Azuolas Tubelis (10.5 & 5.9) finished with 31 points, 18 above his previous career high. 6-7 freshman Bennedict Mathurin (from Canada) is averaging 10.6 & 6.5, after averaging 16.0 PPG over Arizona's last three games. The 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.0 & 5.7) is a Nevada transfer and 7-1 sophomore Christian Koloko (4.6 & 5.2) both make solid contributions. More depth is provided by guard Terrell Brown (8.3-3.2-3.3) and the 6-8 Lee (4.7 & 4.8).

UCLA has won three straight Pac 12 games since losing in Cleveland to Ohio St but ALL have been 'squeakers.' The Bruins have edged Utah 72-70) and Colorado (65-62) at home, then won in OT at ASU a couple of nights ago. My bet says their 'luck' runs out tonight at McKale Center!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* East/West Game of the Month is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

No one was quite sure that the Suns' 8-0 SU & ATS run in the Orlando bubble would carry over to the 2020-21 season, as the Suns opened the regular season having not made the postseason since the 2009-10 season. Phoenix showed it was serious about ending its playoff drought by acquiring 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder. The Pacers had a solid season last year but got swept by the red-hot Miami heat in the playoffs. Both teams have looked good early on, with the Suns taking a 6-3 record into this game with the 6-2 Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

The Suns are coming off a 110-105 overtime loss to Detroit on Friday night but have looked like a solid playoff contender so far. PG Paul (13.0-4.9-8.3) is doing what's expected of him and while Booker's (21.7-3.3-4.4) are down slightly from the last two seasons (he's averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the last two), no one is worried. The 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) is currently the team's second-leading scorer (13.4) and leading rebounder (11.4), while two former first-round picks are coming into their own. The 6-6 Bridges is adding 13.1 & 5.7 plus the the 6-8 Johnson 12.8 & 7.00. SF Crowder was an off-season addition (like Paul) and is averaging 10.9 & 4.4.

Indiana SF Warren became a big time score "in the bubble" but is currently sidelined (was averaging 15.5 PPG). Malcolm Brogdon has turned in career-high scoring performances in each of his last two games at home. He boasts team-best averages in points (23.6) and assists (7.0), has padded those numbers by averaging totals of 29.7 and 8.3, respectively, over the last three games. He's had 33- and 35-point performances in his last two at home. Sabonis (20.8-11.4-6.4) is now a bonafide All Star and Oladipo (20.4-6.0-4.3) looks to be back at full-strength, giving Indiana THREE 20-point scorers. Center Turner is averaging 11.9-5.5-4.1 BPG) plus SF McDermott (10.9) and guard Holiday (10.5) add excellent depth.

I would have preferred the Suns coming off a win last night at Detroit but this remains a tough spot, playing at Indiana team off a game the previous night, where the Suns haven't won since Nov 18, 2016.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Sea Seahawks at 4:40 ET.

The 10-6 Rams (No. 6 seed) and the 12-4 Seahawks (No. 3 seed) meet for a third time this season in Seattle on Saturday The teams split their two meetings this season, with Los Angeles winning 23-16 on Nov 15 at home (Week 10), while the Seahawks 'returned the favor' with a 20-9 win in Seattle (Week 16). Los Angeles head coach Sean McVay was asked whether he had a timetable to determine his starting QB and replied, "Yeah," he said. "Saturday at 1:39."Jared Goff suffered a fractured right thumb in a 20-9 loss at Seattle on Dec.27 and had surgery the following day. John Wolford replaced Goff last weekend against Arizona, helping the Rams clinch a playoff berth with an 18-7 victory. Wolford completed 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and rushed for a team-high 56 yards, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for 200 and rush for 50 in their debut. Seattle has no QB concerns with Russell Wilson (4,212 yards / 40 TDs / 13 INTs).

"Jared is our starting quarterback -- the reality is that he had a thumb surgery," McVay said. "We're monitoring that every single day, and that's something we're taking a day at a time, but the anticipation is both those guys are getting themselves ready to go." Along with Goff, LA's top rusher Cam Akers (625 yards) is questionable with an ankle injury and fellow RBs Henderson and Brown had done little for weeks. Some good news is that WR Kupp (92 catches) is expected to play after missing Week 17 (COVID) and along with Woods (90 catches) give LA a strong WR duo. TEs Higbee  and Everett have combined for 85 catches with Higbee catching five TDs. Defense has been the key all season for the Rams, who ranks first in both scoring D (18.5 PPG) and total D (281.9 YPG). 

RB Chris Carson has been very solid the last six games with 358 yards on 4.8 YPC. He gives balance to a Seattle offense led by Wilson (see above) and the team's dynamic WR duo of Lockett (100 catches / 10 TDs) and Metcalf (83 catches / 10 TDs). Seattle opened 5-0 with Wilson and the offense overcoming the team's defensive woes. However, the Seahawks then lost THREE of four, before recovering with a 6-1 finish. Seattle's defense allowed 26.6 PPG over the first nine games of the season but in that 6-1 'finishing kick,' the 'Legion of Boom' moniker was applicable by allowing just 15.0 PPG!

Seattle won the NFC West title for the first time since 2016 and will host a playoff game for the first time since since January 2017. If Goff plays, he can't possibly be anywhere near 100% and a Wolford/Wilson showdown is a "no-contest!"

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Seton Hall at 2:00 ET.

Seton Hall believed it could have made a run to the Final Four behind All-American guard Myles Powell (21.0 & 4.3) last season before COVID-19 shut things down. The Pirates were 21-9 and ranked 15th in the country after finishing tied for first in the Big East with a 13-5 record. Powell is now in the NBA but OUTSTANDING head coach Kevin Willard has plenty to work with as this season. The Pirates (8-5, 5-2 Big East), saw their three-game winning streak end with a T-H-U-D in a 36-point loss at No. 7 Creighton on , shooting a season-low 33.3 percent. Seton Hall heads to DePaul on Saturday looking to bounce back.

DePaul head coach Dave Leitao is in his second stint at the school and it's been a LONG time since DePaul has had a relevant basketball program. The last time the Blue Demons made the NCAA tourney was 2004 and 2007 was the last time the program was relevant, playing in the NIT. DePaul finished 20-14 that season and hasn't won 20 games since. DePaul became the final major-conference team to make its debut with a 91-72 win over Western Illinois back on Dec 23 and has played just THREE games  (1-2 / 0-2 Big East).

"We've got to regroup," said Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard, whose team absorbed its most one-sided defeat in his 11 seasons at Creighton. "We've got to recover. Every once in a while, you get smacked down and you've got to pick yourself up. This group has done that." The 6-11 Mamukelashvili leads the team in scoring (18.3) and adds 6.8 RPG. Wing Jared Rhoden adds 15.4 and a team-high 7.2 RPG. Fellow wing Myles Cale (11.7) is the team's third double-digit scorer. PG Reynolds (7.8 & 4.6 APG) and Molson (7.1) are solid backcourt performers, while the 6-10 Samuel (6.1 & 3.2) and the 7-2 Obiagu (5.4 & 5.0) aid Mamukelashvili up front.

Guards Charlie Moore (16.3-3,7-5.3) and Javon Freeman-Liberty (13.7-5.7-4.0) are the only major players to participate in all three of DePaul's modest total of three games. The 6-7 Weems (13.5 & 4.0), the 6-7 Hall (10.0 & 8.0) and guard Lopez (10.0-4.0-3.5) have all played two games. Seton Hall is by FAR the better team with all things being equal. However, that's NOT the case here, with DePaul starting late (see above) and then playing just THREE games over the last 19 days. Meanwhile, Seton Hall is 7-2 after a 1-3 start and is coming off a 36-point embarrassment at Creighton. BLOWOUT Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My Las Vegas Insider is on Rutgers at 12:00 ET.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and was ranked 20th in the AP poll before a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Dec 16. A 77-70 win over UCLA (in Cleveland) plus an 80-68 home win over then-No. 11 Rutgers came next. However, the Buckeyes lost 71-70 at Northwestern, pounded visiting Nebraska 90-54 and lost 77-60 at Minnesota.

Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17. Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll). However, Rutgers followed with an 80-68 loss at Ohio St, edged Purdue but then lost back-to-back to Iowa (two-point game) and Michigan St (got rolled!).

The Buckeyes (8-3, 2-3 Big Ten) visit Rutgers (7-3, 3-3 Big Ten) for a 12 noon ET tip. SG Washington (14.9) leads the team in scoring and is paired with PG Walker (8.7 & 4.2 APG). The frontcourt has four solid contributors led by arguably the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (143.9 & 6,4) He's joined on the frontline bb the 6-7 Sueing (10.5 & 4.5), the 6-8 Young (7.5 & 6.4) and 6-8 freshman Key (6.8). Rutgers has a STRONG backcourt in Harper (21. & 6.4), Young (15.2 & 4.8), Mathis (14.1 & 3.8) and Baker (9.4-3.0-3.0). Bakers is questionable with an ankle injury but that means Mulcahy (6.4-4.1-3.6) could get more time, which is NOT a bad thing. 6-11 freshman Omoruyi (5.3 & 5.8) is out indefinitely with a knee injury but the 6-11 Johnson (7.4 & 8.5) has been solid all season inside.

Speaking of injuries, Chris Holtmann announced Thursday that starting point guard C.J. Walker will be out indefinitely with torn ligaments in his right hand. He was injured during the first preseason scrimmage and it got progressively worse. Ohio St is 0-3 on the Big Ten road, averaging only 63.3 PPG, almost two 'TDs' less than the Gophers average in all games (76.3 PPG). Ohio St is visiting "The  RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) at the WRONG time. The Scarlet Knights are not only playing with revenge from that earlier loss in Columbus but are also coming off a bad beating at East Lansing vs Michigan St (lost 68-45). The momentum and positive national image achieved by No. 15 Rutgers' best Big Ten start (won its first two conference games for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 2014) would take a HUGE hit if the Scarlet Knights can't find a way to win here (have gone 1-3 in the big Ten since that 2-0 start). Rutgers has gone a 'sweet' 24-3 SU at home since the start of last season. Lay the reasonable price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Mil Bucks at 8:05 ET.

Milwaukee has had the NBA's best record in each of the last two seasons but did not make it to The Finals either time. Milwaukee's 130-115 home victory over Detroit on Wednesday ups the Bucks' record to 4-0 home, even while playing in an empty arena because of COVID-19 restrictions. However, the Bucks are just 1-3 on the road, leaving them with a modest 5-3 overall record (THREE teams from the East have six wins and Philly has seven). The 4-4 Utah Jazz will visit Fiserv Forum on Friday, coming off a game in MSG in which they blew an 18-point lead early in the second half of a 112-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. The Jazz sputtered on offense and defense in the third quarter and eventually the Knicks took control in the final minutes, scoring 68 points in the second half.

The Jazz don't lack for talent with SIX players averaging in double digits. Guards Mitchell (21.3-3.6-5.0) and Conley (17.4-4.1-5.1) start, while Clarkson (15.5) comes off the bench. Center Gobert is averaging a double-double at 13.9 & 13.1. The Bucks are led by forwards Antetokounmpo (26.1-10.8-5.4) and Middleton (21.1-6.1-6.1) plus newcomers Jrue Holiday (14.8-4.1-5.4) and Bobby Portis (11.4 & 8.0) have made an immediate impact. Both teams have excellent depth.

Defensive lapses and strings of careless turnovers are becoming a recurring problem for Utah. The Jazz have been roasted on a regular basis by hot-shooting guards this season and teams are no longer fearing Rudy Gobert around the basket as they have in past seasons. It all adds up to a team that has NOT held an opponent under 100 points so far this season and has allowed 116 points per game in its four losses (lost by an average of 15.5 PPG). Yes, Milwaukee is a modest 5-3 but take note that the Bucks own the best point-differential of any NBA team at plus-13.7, 4.9 PPG above the next beat team. Milwaukee averages a league-best 125.3 PPG, while shooting 50.5% from the floor, including 43.7% on threes (both percentages also rank No. 1 in the NBA). W-I-P-E-O-U-T Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Michigan St at 7:00 ET.

Michigan State lost its first three Big Ten games for the first time since 2001-02 but broke through with its first conference win with an 84-77 victory at Nebraska on Saturday. That win hardly meant that Tom Izzo's Spartans "were back," as the Cornhuskers are 0-4 to open Big Ten play this season. However, Michigan St (8-3 / 2-3 Big Ten) followed that contest with an impressive 68-45 home win over the No. 15 Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Tuesday. Visiting East Lansing  Friday night will be Purdue (7-5, 2-3), which has lost THREE of its last four games. The Boilermakers haven't played since falling at Illinois 66-58 on Saturday. Their home game against Nebraska on Tuesday was postponed due to coronavirus issues within the Cornhuskers program.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.8 & 4.0 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (14.1 & 9.6) and SG Stefanovic (11.3). 7-4 freshman Edey (9.1 & 4.1) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.9) gives Purdue five players averaging between 9.1 and 14.1 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG.

Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. The team's top-two players so far this season have been 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, and 6-6 returning forward Aaron Henry. Henry's recent play, a career-high 27 points vs Nebraska followed by 20 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals in the rout of Rutgers, has pushed him slightly ahead of Hauser as the team's top scorer. Henry checks in with a line of 14.0-5.5-3.8 with Hauser posting 12.0 PPG and a team-high 8.5 RPG. Sophomore PG Watts (9.9 & 3.6 APG) has stepped in for Winston plus veteran guards Langford (8.8) and Loyer (5.6) join him on the perimeter. Two returning 6-7 forwards, Brown (8.2) and Hall (6.2 & 5.5) give MSU a deep bench.

Purdue has lost all FOUR road games, while averaging a meager 60.8 PPG. Izzo's teams have always played excellent D and the Spartans are coming off a game in which they held Rutgers to 30.5 percent shooting. "I thought that was one of our better defensive performances in a couple of years," Izzo said. Michigan St was ranked 13th in the AP preseason poll and I believe are headed on a path to be ranked among the nation's top-10 teams shortly. The price is 'cheap!'

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Western Game of the Month is on the Den Nuggets at 10:05 ET.

Luka Doncic (33-16-11) recorded his first triple-double of the season in Dallas' road win at Houston on Monday night, a day after sitting out a loss to the Bulls in Chicago. Nothing Doncic does these days is a surprise. After all, in four of his other five games, he has averaged 28 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The problem for Dallas so far has been the absence of Porzingis, who averaged last season. The 3-4 Mavs head to Denver to take on the 3-4 Nuggets tonight, as both teams look to get their respective seasons back on track. The Mavericks are coming off a playoff appearance in last season's Orlando bubble, which has raised expectations for this season. Denver knows all about high expectations after its run to the Western Conference finals in the bubble.

Doncic is joined by two other double digit scorers in Hardaway (17.0 & 4.0) and Richardson (13.7). Denver's Nikola Jokic is playing at an MVP level, averaging a triple-double this season, joining Washington's Russell Westbrook as the only players to do that early in the season. The 7-footer actually leads the NBA in assists (11.9 per game), is fifth in rebounding (11.7) and 16th in scoring (24.1). Only Westbrook and Oscar Robertson have averaged a triple-double for an entire season, but Jokic has that capability. Unlike the Mavs, the Nuggets have great depth with PG Murray (22.2) coming off a breakout performance in last season' playoffs. Porter (19.5 & 6.8) moved into the starting lineup this season but hasn't played since Dec 29 but is listed as probable for tonight's game. Excellent swingman Barton (11.3-4.7-3.0) is back healthy and has played in all seven games (three starts).

The Pepsi Center has always been a tough venue and even without fans, I expect the Nuggets to be an OUTSTANDING home team this season. How about starting right here, Denver? That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Arizona at 9:00 ET.

Andy Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to a 26-11 season in his second at the school, making a Sweet 16 appearance. That gave him the chance to "move on up" to USC but his first two seasons were HUGE disappointments (11-21 and 12-20). However, the Trojans have won 21-plus games in FOUR of the last five seasons, including a 22-9 mark last season. USC saw its top-five scorers leave after the 2020 season. Onyeka Okongwu left for the NBA, Elijah Weaver transferred to University of Dayton plus seniors Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic, and Daniel Utomi all graduated. However, Enfield recruited a "super frosh" in 7-0 freshman Evan Mobley plus brought in SIX transfers. USC has opened 6-2 (1-1 in Pac 12). Arizona's Sean Miller is in his 12th season with the Wildcats and has had more than a few off the court issues the last few years. He saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route in PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and  big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6). However, Arizona has opened a surprising 9-1, including 3-1 in Pac-12 play.

Evan Mobley has wasted little time in showing his value for USC, averaging 15.0 & 8.0. He joins his brother Isaiah (a 6-10 sophomore), who has added 8.9 & 7.9. Peterson (10.5-4.9-3.1) is a 6-8 swingman from Rice and joins guards Eaddy (Santa Clara) and White, a grad transfer from Utah Valley St. Eaddy is averaging 12.8 PPG and White 7.0 Guard Goodwin (7.4 & 4.9) and Baumann (5.9) come off the bench.

Arizona also features a first-year player making a big 'splash' recently. 6-7 freshman Bennedict Mathurin (from Canada) led the team in scoring in both games of a road sweep at the Washington schools last week. He was chosen the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in those two games. He's now averaging 10.6 & 4.9 on the season. Georgetown transfer James Akinjo (14.2 & 5.1 APG) and fellow guard Jemarl Baker (13.7) are the top scorers. The 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.2 & 6.0) is a Nevada transfer plus 6-11 freshman Azoulas Tubelis (8.4 & 5.7) and 7-1 sophomore Christian Koloko (4.9 & 5.5) both make solid contributions. 

Enfield has a good team at USC and a strong frontline but the Trojans have NOTHING of this surprising Arizona team that is on the verge of cracking the top-25. McKale Center has always been one of the nation's toughest home floors and even without fans, beating Arizona on its home floor will always be quite a challenge. Tough time in Tucson for USC tonight.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is Colorado at 5:00 ET.

Dana Altman spent 16 seasons at Creighton and took the school to seven NCAA tourneys in his last 12 years at the school. He came to Oregon for the 2010-11 season and won the CBI championship in his first season. He's now in his 11th season in Eugene having won 20-plus games in each of his first 10, averaging 25.9 wins per year. PG Payton Pritchard (20.5-4.3-5.5) was a HUGE loss plus Altman also lost SG Mathis (8.5) and 6-7 SF Juiston (7.9 & 6.3). Oregon lost its season opener back on Dec 2 (in Omaha) 83-75 to Missouri but has won EIGHT in a row since (now No. 17 in the latest AP poll). Tad Boyle is in his 11th season at Colorado and despite losing the 6-7 Tyler Bey (13.8 & 9.0) to the NBA (he played center for the Buffs). The good news was that PG Wright flirted with the NBA draft but returned to Boulder for his senior season. Colorado will welcome Oregon to Boulder with a 7-3 record (1-2 Pac 12).

The Ducks are coming off a 73-56 win over Stanford and will look to make it NINE straight wins vs the Buffs. Coming to the rescue for Oregon this season have come three transfers. The 6-6 Eugene Omoruyi, who sat out last year as a transfer from Rutgers, the 6-6 Eric Williams who transferred from Duquesne and 6-6 Figueroa from St John's. Omoruyi leads the team with 18.7 PPG (adds 4.7 RPG), Williams is adding 12.7 & 6.9 and Figueroa 9.5 & 7.5 (he averaged 14.4 and 14.5 the last two seasons for the Red Storm). Some not so good news for Oregon is that starting center N'Faly Dante (8.2 & 5.8) has suffered a torn ACL and hasn't played in any of the last three games. Figueroa has been promoted to the starting lineup and let's NOT forget returning 6-6 senior Duarte (16.7 & 4.8), who is also off to a strong start.

PG Wright (15.5-4.5-5.2) is the team leader and is surrounded by veterans, such as the 7-0 Dallas Walton (9.6), the 6-8 Evan Battey (897 & 4.7) and the 6-7 Jeriah Horn (a Tulsa graduate transfer), who adds 10.7 & 5.8. Depth is provided by FIVE players combining to average 33 PPG. Colorado opened 6-1, losing only at now-No. 7 Tennessee 56-47. Colorado returns home after losing TWO of three on the road, falling 88-74 at Arizona and 65-62 at UCLA, while winning 72-62 at USC.

Colorado has spent most of the season on the road or at neutral sites, having played only two games at the CU Events Center so far. The Buffs were scheduled for four straight home games but Saturday's game against Oregon State has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Beavers' program. Yes, the CU Events will be empty and pretty quiet but the Buffs are 143-27 at home in their 11 seasons under Boyle. The Price is sure Right on Colorado in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Pho Suns at 9:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors were the 2019 NBA champions and last season, entered the postseason as the East's No. 2 seed with a 53-19 record, despite losing Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers as a free agent. Note that the Raptors' record last season put them just 2 1/2-games back of the Bucks and was a half-game BETTER than the West's No. 1 seed, and eventual NBA champion Lakers! How QUICKLY things can change. The Raptors lost Monday night at their temporary home in Tampa 126-114, falling to 1-5. They now open a four-game Western Conference swing Wednesday night at the 5-2 Phoenix Suns, who are enjoying their best start since the 2009-10 season. I'm pretty sure most (all?) remember that the Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season.

The Raptors started well Monday against Boston and led by as many as 13 during the first quarter but the Celtics dominated in the second quarter (38-14) and by the fourth quarter, Boston led by as many as 26. Fred VanVleet (21.8-5.5-5.5) has been one of the bright spots for the Raptors and scored 35 points Monday (has reached at least 25 in three consecutive games). Kyle Lowry (18.7-4.5-7.7) gives Toronto an All-Star backcourt but breakout star Siakam has struggled this season. "We've got to get these guys playing to their capabilities," Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said. "I think they're better players than that, so we as coaches, and our leaders of our team, need to. ... get these guys together and get them playing."

The Suns haven't made the postseason since the 2009-10 but acquired 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder in hopes of ENDING that drought. He is teamed with All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who has averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the past two seasons. Phoenix also added veteran forward Jae Crowder (VERY underrated) in addition to Paul and are hoping that 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) will stay healthy all season. SIX players are averaging in double digits. Booker's scoring (21.1-4.1-4.4) is down but Paul has stepped into his role of team-leader averaging 8.3 APG plus has added 13.4 PPG. Ayton has opened by averaging a double-double (13.7 & 10.7) plus as noted above, Crowder (10,0 & 4.7) is underrated. The 6-8 Cameron Johnson averaged just 8.8 PPG as a rookie (No. 1 pick from North Carolina in 2019) but is up 12.7 PPG to start this season. The team's No. 1 pick from 2018, Villanova's 6-6 Bridges, is adding 14.1 & 5.6 after averaging 8.7 PPG his first two seasons.

I'm not so sure Toronto is going to get things turned around soon with no true home court for at least HALF the season. The Raptors' 1-5 record is their worst start since they lost their first NINE games of the 2005-06 season. The Suns lost 112-107 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday but after trailing by 31 points, got back in the game late. "I love the way we scrapped and battled," Suns head coach Monty Williams said. "We know we can beat that team because we've done it before. We've just got to get off to a better start than we did tonight." The 5-2 Suns are enjoying their best seven-game opening to a season since they were 6-1 in 2009-10, the last time the franchise made the postseason. Phoenix is the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* ACC Game of the Month is on Louisville at 6:30 ET.

Va Tech head coach Mike Young is in his second season with the school, after a record-setting 17-year tenure as the head coach at Wofford. The Terriers posted a 30-5 overall record in 2018-19, including a perfect 18-0 mark in Southern Conference play, and registered a convincing 84-68 win over Seton Hall in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Young built the Terriers into one of the Southern Conference's preeminent programs and a perennial NCAA Tournament participant. He guided Wofford to five NCAA Tournament berths over his last 10 seasons and five Southern Conference championships. However, the Hokies were just 16-16 overall in Young's first season at Blacksburg, losing almost two-thirds of their ACC games (7-13). Chris Mack took over at Xavier for the 2009-10 season when Sean Miller took the Arizona job. He led the Musketeers to eight NCAA tourneys in nine seasons before moving to Louisville. The Cards went 20-14 in his first (NCAA bid) but were 24-7 in his second year, when the season was shut down in March (AP ranked them 14th in its final poll).

Va Tech's Landers Nolley was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team in leading the Hokies in scoring (15.5 PPG) last season but after the season he announced he was transferring to Memphis. More bad news came when the 6-6 Horne (7.6 & 4.2) also transferred. Sophomore guard Tyrece Radford (10.2 & 6.2) was both the team's leading returning scorer AND rebounder! However, Young liked his team's chance to improve in the 2020-21 season because of some key experienced graduate transfers. Radford is averaging 10.8 & 5.9 RPG and the 6-9 Alleyne (11.1) has made excellent progress in his sophomore season plus two 6-7 transfers start up front The 6-7 Keve Aluma (16.0 & 6.7) followed Young from Wofford and is Va Tech's best players this season, while  6-7 Delaware transfer Justyn Mutts (6.6 & 5.9) has been solid. Returning guards Cone (10.3) and Bede (5.7) have both added valuable contributions.

Swingman Jordan Nwora (18.0 & 7.7) is gone from last season's Louisville team but FOUR starters returned. However, Carlik Jones leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.4-6.6-5.1. He's a graduate transfer from Radford and was last season's Big South Conference player of the year. He joins returning guard Johnson (14.4-6.3-4.0) in the backcourt. The 6-7 Williamson did little last season but averages 10.0 & 6.2 this season. True freshman guard Davis (9.1) and the 6-8 Traynor (5.4 & 3.3) plus 6-9 redshirt freshman Withers adds 9.0 & 6.9.

8-1 Va Tech comes in as the ranked team (No. 24) but has benefited from playing seven games at home in Blacksburg, with two on a neutral court. The game at Louisville will be the Hokies' first game away from Blacksburg since Nov 29 and their first true road game of the current season. 7-1 Louisville's ONLY loss this season has come at now-No. 8 Wisconsin. What's more, a check of the history book reveals that  Louisville has won 16 straight games against Virginia Tech, most recently 68-52 at home on March 1, 2020. The last Virginia Tech win over Louisville was back in February 1991 in Blacksburg, 72-56. Is tonight the night Va Tech ends its losing streak? NOT in my opinion!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Kansas at 9:00 ET.

When last season was shut down because of COVID, the Kansas Jayhawks were the AP's No. 1-ranked team. Signs do not point to No. 6 Kansas as the favorite to capture the Big 12 championship. Key losses for Kansas entering this season were PG Devon Dotson (18.1-4.9-4.0) and the seven-foot Udoka Azubuike (13.7 & 10.5). The Jayhawks opened the current season losing 102-90 to No. 1 Gonzaga but then won EIGHT in a row before Saturday's shocking home loss to Texas. The Longhorns owned just one previous win in 17 tries at Lawrence but routed the Jayhawks 84-59, ending a 17-game conference win streak by Kansas. It marked the most lopsided defeat for head coach Bill Self in his 18 seasons coaching the Jayhawks and it matched the largest margin of defeat for ANY Kansas team in the 65-year history of the Phog Allen Fieldhouse. Other than that, it was "just another loss."

Jamie Dixon had a great run at Pittsburgh, leading the Panthers to 13 postseasons in his 13 years at the school. 11 were NCAA berths plus the other two were a CBI championship and a trip to the NIT. He returned to his alma mater (TCU) for the 2014-15 season and led the Horned Frogs to the NIT championship. He followed with two NCAA berths and an NIT 'Final 4' the next three seasons but last season's team was just 16-16 when the shut down came.

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Coming off that humbling defeat to Texas, Kansas (8-2 / 2-1 Big 12)  fell three spots in the polls (from No. 3 to No. 6) and travels to Fort Worth to take on TCU (9-2, 2-1). Kansas was an abysmal 3-for-23 from three-point range, just 11 days after scorching West Virginia with 16 triples. Kansas managed to shoot just 30.8 percent overall vs the Longhorns, while falling into a third-place tie with TCU behind Big 12 co-leaders Baylor and Texas. The 6-8 Jalen Wilson, who has bounced back after suffering a broken ankle as a freshman last season, has been excellent (15.1 & 7.8). Two 6-5 guards are back, junior Ochai Agbaji (14.4 & 4.7) and senior Marcus Garrett (9.1-4.6-3.6), who is one of the nation's top defenders. Sophomore guard Braun (11.1 & 5.9) and 6-10 junior David McCormack (9.6 & 5.9) round out Self's main contributors.

RJ. Nembhard returned from a one-game absence stemming from a sore hip to score 21 points Saturday as TCU beat Kansas State 67-60. Nembhard (18.9-4.3-4.4) leads the team in scoring, followed by fellow guard Miles (14.8-3.4-3.6). The 6-11 Samuel (10.2 & 10.2) averages a double-double plus Dixon has SIX more players chipping in between 4.8 and 6.8 PPG.

Not much was expected of TCU this season and here's what Nembhard had to say after the win over Kansas St. "We were picked ninth, but we haven't done anything yet," he said. "One win, two wins, two conference wins, so what? Onto the next game. All these games are personal. We want to put the conference and the nation on notice that we're legit." TCU's start has been better than expected but the Horned Frogs are in the  WRONG place at the WRONG time with the Jayhawks coming off their humiliating home loss to the Longhorns. Lay the points with Kansas.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner Game of the Month is on Michigan St at 9:00 ET.

Michigan State lost its first three Big Ten games for the first time since 2001-02 but broke through with its first conference win with an 84-77 victory at Nebraska on Saturday. That win hardly means that Tom Izzo's Spartans "are back," as the Cornhuskers are 0-4 to open Big Ten play this season. Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-1 but Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. This year's team won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll) but was unable to duplicate that performance when it lost 80-68 at then-No. 23 Ohio State. Rutgers opened last week with a home win over Purdue but then lost an agonizing 77-75 decision at home to now-No. Iowa on Saturday. The Hawkeyes made three free throws in the final 17 seconds, sandwiching a Scarlet Knights turnover by Myles Johnson with five seconds remaining.

Rutgers is ranked 15th in the AP's latest poll (Jan 4) as the Scarlet Knights visiting East Lansing on Tuesday. This is a very good team, led by senior guards Harper (22.1 & 7.0) and Young (15.7 & 5.2 APG). Junior guard Mathis adds 15.3 & 4.1 plus two 6-11 centers, Johnson (8.0 & 8.7) and Omoruyi (5.3 & 5.8), give Rutgers a strong inside presence. A problem for Rutgers is that standout freshman Omoruyi has missed THREE straight games with a knee injury (listed as out indefinitely).

Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. The team's top-two players so far this season have been 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, and 6-6 returning forward Aaron Henry. Henry's (13.4-5.2-4.1) recent play (career-high 27 points vs Nebraska) has pushed him slightly ahead of Hauser (12.3 & 7.9as the team's top scorer, while Hauser remains the team's top rebounder. Sophomore PG Watts (9.8 & 3.9 APG) has stepped in for Winston plus veteran guards Langford (8.6) and Loyer (6.2) join him on the perimeter. Two returning 6-7 forwards, Brown (8.6) and Hall (6.3 & 5.7) give MSU a deep bench.

Michigan St has 'cost me' a couple of times this season but I sure like them in this spot. C'mon Tom, get your team playing up to its potential!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Big East game of the Month is on Marquette at 9:00 ET.

UConn moved to the AAC for the 2013-14 season and made an improbable run to the Final Four and won a national championship. However, it has spent the last six seasons going just 110-90, with just two seasons of 20-plus wins and one NCAA tourney appearance. The Huskies have fallen out of the national 'picture' but a return to the Big East this season, along with the hiring of Dan Hurley as its head coach, had expectations running high in Storrs. Hurley spent six seasons at Rhode Island, winning 25 and 26 games in his final two years, ending with NCAA bids. However, he went 14 -19 and 16-17 in his first two seasons with UConn, before going 19-12 in last season's pandemic-shortened one. Marquette opened the current season without Markus Howard, who led the nation in scoring last season at 27.8 PPG. Also gone was fellow senior Scar Anim, who added 13.1 PPG. However, head coach Steve Wojciechowski welcomed an impressive freshman to his roster, the 6-11 Dawson Garcia (31.9 & 9.7 last year in high school) plus has been able to surround him with a deep supporting cast.

Connecticut has played just five games so far (4-1 / 1-1 Big East), earning its first conference win last Wednesday night with an 82-61 romp over visiting DePaul. Rhode Island transfer Tyrese Martin collected 22 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double with the Huskies. Martin is averaging 10.3 & 9.3 and is joined on the perimeter by leading scorer Bouknight (23.2 & 5.4) and PG Cole (10.6 & 3.8 APG). Up front, the 6-9 Whaley (8.2 & 5.8), 6-11 Carlton (6.0 & 6.5) and the 6-9 Polley (4.8 & 3.) are the main contributors.

Marquette opened 4-1, including an impressive home victory over then-No. 4 Wisconsin (67-65) but comes into this game just 6-5 (2-3 in the Big East). Marquette fell behind Georgetown by 18 points early in the second half Saturday night at Washington, DC and it sure looked like the Golden Eagles were headed for a FOURTH straight Big East Conference loss. However, senior Jamal Cain led a huge comeback that eventually erased a 38-20 deficit, leading to his three-pointer with less than 20 seconds remaining that sealed a 64-60 victory. The 6-7 Cain (11.5 & 6.5) scored a game-high 25 points. 6-11 freshman Garcia added nine points and 13 rebounds, winning him Big East Freshman of the Week honors. He is second on the team in scoring at 12.4 PPG and leads the team in rebounding (7.3 per). Senior guard McEwen (13.5-3.5-2.5), sophomore guard Carton (11.4-3.4-3.9), 6-7 freshman Lewis (8.5 & 6.3) and 6-9 senior John (7.9 & 5.8) give Marquette a solid 'Core 6.'

This is UConn's first true road game and if Marquette can beat Wisconsin here on its home floor (Fiserv Forum), the Golden Eagles should be 'golden' here against the Huskies. I'm convinced Marquette is SIGNIFICANTLY better than its record and will prove just that in this contest. "The Price is sure Right!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (MWC) is on SD State at 9:00 ET.

Niko Medved spent four years at Furman and one at Drake, and had an overall record of 79-087 when Colorado St tabbed him as its next head coach. He went 12-20 in his first season but turned things around by 20-12 last season, before the shut down. His Rams have opened 6-1 this season, including a 70-67 upset of San Diego St Saturday at the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl (Rams were a nine-point underdog).

Brian Dutcher has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher, first at Michigan and then at San Diego St. Dutcher joined then-interim coach Fisher in 1989 when Michigan won the national championship. He is credited for having a central role in recruiting the Fab Five to Michigan and for bringing Kawhi Leonard to San Diego St. Following Fisher's decision to retire, Dutcher was formally named as his replacement on April 11, 2017. The Aztecs won 22 and 21 games in his first two seasons but last season, the team opened 26-0 with impressive road/neutral site wins over BYU, Creighton, Iowa, and Utah State. SD State finished 30-2 and ranked No. 6 when the season shut down. The Aztecs opened 5-0 this season (including good wins over UCLA and Arizona St) and was ranked 18th when it lost 72-62 at home to BYU.

Colorado St fell behind by 26 points in the first half Saturday night against the Aztecs but came all the way back to win 70-67, representing the largest come-from-behind win in MWC history. They miss the 6-11 Carvacho (1.29 & 10.8) but four starters are back from last season.PG Stevens led all scorers last season but the 6-5 Roddy leads this season with 16.0 PPFG and 9.9 RPG (also a team-high). Stevens (13.9-4.1-6.1) checks in right behind him with guard Moore (10.1) and the 6-6 Thistlewood (9.6 & 3.7) just missing double digits. Depth is provided by FIVE other players appearing in all seven games and combining to average about 23 PPG.

Matt Mitchell flirted with the NBA draft but returned and leads the Aztecs with 15.3 PPG (adds 4.3 RPG). Guard Schakel (12.9) and the 6-10 Mensah (9.4 & 7.5) are also returning players. In this 'Year of COVID' we are seeing teams playing back-to-back game against each other in the same venue and that's the case here. After a historic comeback (see above), the Rams are in the WRONG place in the WRONG time against SD St, which entered this season 41-6 SU at home the previous three seasons. Yes, the Aztecs have a margin to overcome but I'm laying the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error of the Month is on the NO Pelicans at ET.

The 4-2 Indiana  Pacers and the 4-2 New Orleans Pelicans meet tonight in New Orleans in a East vs West. The Pacers opened 3-0 but have lost TWO of three since, while the Pelicans come in off back-to-back wins. The Pacers come in off a loss to Boston, a win over Cleveland and a loss to the Y Knicks, all at home. This marks just the team's second road game of the season and first since December 26. The Pelicans routed the Thunder 113-80 in OKC (Dec 31) and then on Saturday night, blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter before battling back to edge Toronto 120-116.

Indiana's Brogdon (22.2-4.0-6.3) is off to a great plus PF Sabonis (20.8-11.3-6.7) and Oladipo (20.0-5.6-4.4) are both healthy and looking like the All Stars they've become. SF Warren (15.2) is out with a foot injury but center Turner (12.7-6.2-3.7 BPG) and 6th-man McDermott (11.7 & 4.2) have both played well. For New Orleans, Ingram (24.0-6.8-5.3) gets better by the game and of course Zion (19.7 & 8.2) gets as much coverage (hype) as any player in the league. The Pelicans have added guard Bledsoe (12.4 & 4.2 APG) and center Adams (10.0 & 9.0) this season plus Lonzo Ball (12.3-4.5-4.5) and Hart (9.0 & 8.2) joined the team last season along with Ingram in the A.D. trade.

What I like most about New Orleans in the early going is the team's defense. New Orleans has held opponents to 102.0 PPG (3rd) on 43.1%) shooting (4th). "The Price is Right" in this one. Take the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Houston at 7:00 ET.

Kelvin Sampson had a great run at Oklahoma (nine NCAA tourneys in 10 seasons, including a Final 4 appearance in 2002) by then ran into off the court issues in a two-year stay at Indiana. He was away from CBB for a few years but resurfaced at Houston for the 2014-15 season. It took him a while to build the program but his teams won 27 and 33 games in back-to-back seasons before going 23-8 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. The Cougars opened 7-0 this season, rising to No. 5 in the latest AP poll but lost their first game of the season 65-64 at Tulsa this past Tuesday. The Cougars get another tough game on Sunday, playing at 6-0 but unranked SMU.

Houston made just 35.7 percent of its shots, including 4 of 21 from three-point range but still lost by just ONE point at Tulsa. The team's defense always comes to play, as it enters this contest allowing 55.9 PPG (4th) on 37.4% shooting (19th). Guards Grimes (18.5 & 7.3) and Sasser (15.0) are the 'big dogs,' joined on the perimeter by freshman Mark (10.1) and Jarreau (8.5 & 5.5). The best frontcourt contributors are the 6-7 Gorham (6.0 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Chaney (4.6).

Tim Jankovich took over after Larry Brown once again left a program in tatters and in his first full season (2016-17) went 30-5. However, the Mustangs were just a combined 51-44 the previous three seasons, before opening 6-0 this season. The Mustangs are led by excellent PG Davis (19.7-4.3-7.2). He's joined by fellow guard Bandoumel (12.8), the 6-8 Hunt (12.0 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Chargois (11.5 & 7.7) in the starting lineup, while guard McNeill averages 10.4 PPG off the bench. SMU is allowing a solid 64.3 PPG but its offense is leading the way by averaging 84.2 PPG (29th).

SMU could sneak into the top-25 come Monday but I wouldn't 'celebrate' just yet Mustang supporters. Houston's solid 64-53 over then-No, 14 Texas Tech on a neutral floor leads me to bet that the Cougars bounce-back off that loss to Tulsa.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Month is on Minnesota at 5:30 ET.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and was ranked 20th in the AP poll before a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Dec 16. A 77-70 win over UCLA (in Cleveland) plus an 80-68 home win over then-No. 11 Rutgers came next. However, the Buckeyes lost 671-70 at Northwestern, before closing 2020 by pounding visiting Nebraska 90-54 on Wednesday. The now-No. 25 Buckeyes (8-2, 2-2 Big Ten) take on the No. 21 Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-2, 2-2) Sunday at Williams Arena.

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. Season No. 8 has begun well but while Minnesota had hoped to build off wins against Iowa (102-95 in overtime) and Michigan State (81-56), it instead trailed by 26 points at Wisconsin on Thursday, before a surge in the final minutes made the 71-59 final look respectable (it wasn't!).

The Buckeyes saw five players score in double figures in their blowout of Nebraska and the 90 points was their highest point total in a conference game since defeating Penn State 106-74 back on Dec 7, 2019. The 6-7 Liddell (14.4 & 6,4) is Ohio State's best player. Guard Washington (14.3), the 6-7 Sueing (11.0 & 4.5), PG Walker (9.4 & 4.4 APG), the 6-8 Young (7.7 & 6.7) and 6-8 freshman Key (7.1 & 4.0) round out the main contributors

Minnesota PG Carr (22.7-3.9-6.2) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.0 & 7.0) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (11.1 & 5/7) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.9 & 6.0) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.8 PPG. Not much went right for anyone for Minnesota at Madison and Carr was NO exception. He entered the game fourth nationally with 24.0 points per game but needed five points in the final minutes to finish with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.

This set up as a great bounce-back spot for Minnesota which is 9-0 at home, outscoring opponents on average, 86.4-to-71.9 PPG! LOVE this price!

Good luck...Larry

 My *8 NFC West Showdown is on the Sea Seahawks at 4:25 ET.

The 11-4 Seattle Seahawks have already clinched their first NFC West title since 2016, capturing the division title with a 20-9 victory against the Los Angeles Rams last weekend. However, the Seahawks can still earn the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye with a victory but only with a loss by Green Bay at Chicago and a loss or tie by 11-4 New Orleans at 5-10 Carolina (not likely). That said, they will finish the 2020 regular season against the defending NFC champions 49ers, who are wrapping up a dismal regular season. San Francisco is 6-9 and will end its season in its 'home-away-from-home,' Glendale, Az.

The Seahawks are relatively healthy, as Russell Wilson caps a strong year. He's completing 69.7% for 4,031 yards with 38 TDs and 13 INTS (QR rating of 106.30. He has two outstanding WRs in Lockett (88 catches / 8 TDs) and Metcalf (80 catches / 16.0 YPC / 10 TDs) and with RB Carson back healthy (273 yards on 4.9 YPC in four Dec games), the Seattle offense has excellent balance. However, it's Seattle HUGE improvement on defense that makes them an NFC title-contender. Seattle's Week 8 victory over the 49ers was the start of its defensive turnaround and an uptick in its pass rush. The Seahawks have 34 sacks in their last nine outings (most in the league over that span) and over Seattle's last five games, the defense has allowed just 12.2 PPG.

It's true that the injury-plagued 49ers have shown a willingness to play the role of spoiler, as behind third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard, the 49ers dealt Arizona's playoff chances a blow with a 20-12 victory last weekend. Beathard completed 13 of 22 passes for 182 yards and three TDs and Jeff Wilson rushed for a career-high 183 yards and made a 21-yard touchdown catch. However, I believe last Sunday's game was Beathard's "15 minutes of fame' and up against this rejuvenated Seattle defense, will play MORE like the journeyman he is. Seattle has won 11 of the last 13 meetings against San Francisco and I'm willing to lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Granddaddy of the Them All' Rivalry G.O.Y. on the GB Packers at 4:25 ET.

The Bears/Packers rivalry is the NFL's oldest, as two of the NFL's "Originals' meet for the 202nd time. Green Bay leads the series 100-95-6 but I'll have more to say about that a little later. The 12-3 Packers can clinch a first-round bye and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win or a tie against the Bears. The Packers can also get a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if the 11-4 Seattle Seahawks lose or tie against the San Francisco 49ers. As for Chicago, 'Da Bears can clinch an NFC playoff berth with a win but there also are two other pathways for the Bears to secure a postseason spot. They need 8-7 Arizona to lose at the 9-6 Los Angeles Rams OR, if the Bears and Cardinals each finish Sunday's games with tie scores. Wouldn't that be some 'Daily Double?' Green Bay is on a five-game winning streak and Chicago on a three-game run. More on those streaks in a little bit, as well.

The 37year-old Aaron Rodgers has put up MVP-caliber numbers, completing 70.3% for 4,059 passing yards with 44 TDs and only five INTs. He has a 119.4 QB rating, which leads the league and is the second-best of his HOF career (122.5 QB rating in 2011). RB Jones has 1,062 rushing yards (5.6 YPC / 8 TDs) plus 43 catches for two more TDs. WR Adams has missed two games but has 109 catches for 1.328 yards with 17 TDs plus TE Tonyan's 50 catches and 10 TDs is a big improvement from LY's starter, Jimmy Graham. This balanced offense leads the NFL in scoring 31.6 PPG.

Mitchell Trubisky has played a key role in the late-season turnaround, after he was benched for veteran Nick Foles during a Week 3 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He reclaimed his starting job in Week 12 and has posted a 99.3 passer rating since then with 1,243 passing yards, 10 TDs and four INTs. Montgomery has run for 1,001 yards (4.4 YPC and 7 TDs) plus has 45 catches with another two TDs. WR Robinson has exactly 100 catches for 1,213 yards with six TDs and TE Jimmy Graham (remember that name?), has bounced back with a strong season, catching 48 passes for eight TDs.

Neither defense is anything special, with Green Bay allowing 23.5 PPG and Chicago giving up 22.3. Let me deal with the two teams' streaks. Green Bay is 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS, although both ATS losses have come in games the Packers won by SEVEN and EIGHT points (would have covered both at this point spread. Much has been made of Trubisky's and Chicago's late run but the team's 3-0 SU & ATS streak has come over the Jags, losers of 14 straight, the Vikings, losers of three straight and SIX straight ATS and the 4-11 Texans, losers of FOUR in a row going 1-3 ATS with the lone ATS win coming by a half-point!

As for recent head-to-head matchups, the Packers routed the Bears 41-25 at Lambeau in Week 12, as Rodgers threw four TDs (Bears led 41-10 entering the fourth quarter. The oldest rivalry in the NFL has been a rather one-sided affair in recent years, with Green Bay winning 18 of 21 against Chicago counting the postseason. As for games in which Rodgers  has started, the Packers are 20-5 (again, including the playoffs). It's been rumored that Trubisky's future with the Bears is tied to Chicago beating Green Bay in this one. If that's true, it's time to "Hit the Road, Mitch!"

Good luck...Larry 

My 8* AFC West Showdown is on the LV Raiders at 4:25 ET.

Let me first address "the elephant in the room." The Raiders' once promising season was derailed by FIVE losses in the last six games following a 6-3 start. Their playoff hopes were extinguished by Jon Gruden's dubious decision in the closing minutes last week that resulted in a 26-25 last-second loss to Miami. That leaves the 7-8 Raiders (7-8) outside the playoffs for the 17th time in the past 18 seasons, as they play at Denver in their regular season finale. Here it comes! The Raiders have lost NINE consecutive regular season finales, FOUR in Denver!

However, one could argue that Denver's season was arguably 'over' before it even began. Von Miller suffered a freak season-ending ankle injury six days before the opener, and the cavalcade of injured teammates followed. The injury epidemic and the coronavirus pandemic have been the primary drivers in Denver's FOURTH consecutive losing season and FIFTH straight year without a playoff berth. The Broncos had hoped to see QB Drew Lock make a big leap after he had an impressive ending to 2019 but the second-year QB out of Missouri has struggled. Lock has thrown more interceptions (15) than TD passes (14), while completing only 57.0% (he has at least one turnover in 11 straight games). That gives him a pathetic QB rating of 72.5. The offense averages just 19.5 PPG (29th), while allowing 27.6 PPG (25th). Turnovers, or the lack of forcing them, have contributed greatly to Denver's offensive AND defensive woes. Denver has 32 giveaways and just 12 takeaways, one shy of the franchise low set in 2008. Its turnover differential of minus-20, is double that of the next worst team (the 49ers are at minus-10)!

Back to the Raiders. OK, they have nothing to play for in the standings but I like the fact this team is in that spot (we've seen how the Raiders have folded when games 'meant something'). Individually, TE Darren Waller is putting the finishing touches on one of the most productive seasons in Raiders history. He has 98 catches for 1,079 yards on the season (8 TDs) and needs seven catches to break Hall of Famer Tim Brown's single-season franchise record of 104 set in 1997. Second-year RB Jacobs needs just 24 yards to crack the 1,000-yard mark in his first two seasons plus QB Carr can put the final touch on what's been a career season (67.6% for 3,732 yards with 25 TDs and just seven INTs / QB rating of 102.2). 

The Raiders are 5-2 SU on the road this season, including a 40-32 win at KC in Week 5 (Chiefs ONLY loss of the season). The Raiders routed the Broncos 37-12 in Las Vegas (Week 10), while intercepting Lock FOUR times. Remember, this is NOT your father's Broncos, as they've lost FOUR of their last five season finales. 'Second verse, same as the first (Week 10)!"

Good luck...Larry

My 8* NFL Las Vegas Insider is on the Dal Cowboys at 1:00 ET.

There are two things we are sure about in the NFC East and that is the division winner will finish with a losing record, making them the FIFTH team since the NFL-AFL merger to enter the playoffs with a losing record, and only the THIRD to do so during a 16-game season. However, we know that the defending champion Eagles are the ONLY team in the division with NOTHING to play for on Sunday! The 6-9 Cowboys and 5-10 Giants meet at MetLife Stadium and the victor will keep its division title hopes alive for at least a few more hours. Both teams need a victory by the Philadelphia Eagles over the visiting Washington Football Team on Sunday night to clinch the crown. As the Cowboys and Giants take the field Sunday afternoon, it's two teams headed in the opposite direction The Giants won FOUR in a row from Week 9-13, including that HUGE 17-12 upset at Seattle. However, the Giants are 0-3 SU and ATS since that win, as the offense has scored a total of just 26 points! Meanwhile, 'left for dead' at 3-9, the Cowboys enter with THREE straight wins (3-0 ATS).

It's been a "Year of Redemption" for veteran QB Andy Dalton, who has the Cowboys averaging 36.0 PPG in their winning streak, while completing 66.3% for an average of 257.0 YPG through the air with seven TDs and just one INT. Elliott missed a game for the first time in career in Week 15 but ran for 105 yards (just his second 100-yard game in 2020) last week. Dalton's has a terrific WR trio in Cooper (86 catches), Lamb (69) and Gallup (55), with all three having five TD grabs. TE Schultz has 56 catches and four TDs.

I'm not sure how the Giants' sad-sack offense can keep up with the Cowboys in this one and while Daniel Jones was a full participant in practice during the week, the second-year QB had just nine TD passes in 423 attempts this season. The Giants do not have a RB in the class of "Zeke" and their receiving corps has nowhere near the talent of Dallas' group.

The Cowboys’ 37-34 home victory over the Giants back in Week 5 was their SEVENTH consecutive win in the series, going 6-1 ATS with an average margin of victory of 12 points. What changes here? I say NOTHING. The Cowboys win and then get to root for the Eagles to beat Washington on SNF.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on UCLA at 8:00 ET.

My CFB 10* Game of the Year is on Iowa St at 4:00 ET.

When the pandemic-delayed Pac-12 season started, Oregon (AP preseason No. 9) was a co-favorite with USC to reach the title game. Both schools were only able to play five games but while USC went 5-0 (with THREE "close calls''), Oregon finished 3-2, second in the Pac-12's North Division behind Washington (3-1). The Ducks were scheduled to play Washington at home on Dec 12 but a COVID-19 spike in the Huskies' program caused Washington to cancel that game. That left Oregon 'out in the cold,' with the Huskies set to play the Trojans. However, the COVID situation in Seattle did NOT improve, so lo and behold, the Ducks replaced the Huskies in the championship game. In less than a week, Oregon went from understudy to center stage. Oregon made the most of the opportunity by defeating host USC 31-24 for the championship. The victory gave Oregon (25th in both the AP and CFP) the Pac-12's automatic berth to a New Year's Six game. 

Waiting for them will be 8-3 Iowa State (No. 10 CFP / No. 12 AP) in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan 2 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cyclones lost their season opener at home to ULL but then won SEVEN of their next eight games, including a 37-30 home win over then-No. 18 Oklahoma and a 23-20 road win at then-No. 17 Texas (it was Iowa St's first win in Austin since 2010). The Cyclones have never won a championship in the Big 12 or their previous league, the Big Eight. Iowa State's last conference title came back in 1912 (MVC). Iowa State made its first-ever appearance in the Big 12 championship game on Dec 19 but couldn't beat Oklahoma second time, falling 27-21.

This is Mario Cristobal's third season at Oregon, having led the Ducks to back-to-back bowls while going 9-4 and 12-2. Despite losing QB Herbert to the NFL, the Ducks' current QB Tyler Shough has been a solid replacement, passing for 1,480 yards with 13 TDs and five INTs plus running for 263 yards on 4.2 YPC and two TDs. RB Dye has a team-high 391 yards on 7.0 YPC plus his eight receptions have averaged 27.6 YPC with four TDs. Fellow RB Verdell was coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons but has just 285 yards on 4.4 YPC with three TDs. A trio of WRs have combined for 50 catches and just five TDs. Oregon is averaging 33.7 PPG (30th) but allowing 27.3 PPG (55th) on 409.5 YPG (67th).

Iowa St QB Purdy entered 2020 off a 2019 season in which he accounted for 35 TDs (27 passing / 8 rushing) and has completed 66.4% for 2,594 yards with 18 TDs and nine INTs (added four rushing TDs). Speaking of running the football, Breece Hall leads the nation with 1,436 rushing yards (5.9 YPC) and with 19 rushing TDs. WR Hutchinson leads with 60 catches (4 TDs) and TE Kolar has 39 catches with a team-high six TD receptions. Iowa St averaged 32.8 PPG (36th) on 449.1 YPG (26th), which works just fine with a defense allowing 21.8 PPG on 344.3 YPG (ranks 29th in both categories. Defensively, the Ducks are allowing 28.0 PPG.

Iowa St's early upset by ULL was fueled by a 95 KO return TD and a 78-yard TD pass. The Iowa St defense held ULL to just 277 yards for the game, 78 of which came on that TD pass. The Cyclones' other two losses were 24-21 at then-No. 6 Oklahoma St and then 27-21 vs Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, when Purdy threw THREE interceptions!

I'm not sure a top Pac 12 team is anywhere near in the class of a top Big 12 team and believe Iowa St will demonstrate just that in this contest. Head coach Matt Campbell was 34-15 at Toledo with four bowl appearances and after a 3-9 first season (2016) in Ames, has now led the Cyclones to a FOURTH straight bowl. The Cyclones were not able to win that elusive conference championship but how about capping off the season with a win in the school's first-ever appearance in a New Year's Six Bowl! That's my bet. You in? I guess if you're reading this, you are!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on USC at 4:00 ET.

The Utah Utes are 4-2 (1-1 Pac-12) and the USC Trojans 5-2 (0-1 Pac12), as both enter this contest off conference losses. The Utes saw their comeback fall short in a 72-70 loss at UCLA on Thursday, while the Trojans lost their Pac-12 home opener 72-62 to Colorado on the same night. Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Andy Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to a 26-11 season in his second at the school, making a Sweet 16 appearance. That gave him the chance to "move on up" to USC but his first two seasons were HUGE disappointments (11-21 and 12-20). However, the Trojans have won 21-plus games in FOUR of the last five seasons, including a 22-9 mark last season.

Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is averaging 15.8-5.3-3.0 this season, just behind guard Alfonso Plummer (16.0 & 3.7), who scored a season high 22 points at UCLA. Joining Allen up front are the 6-8 Jantunen (8.8 & 5.2), the 7-0 Carlson (7.7 & 2.8) and the 6-9 Battin (6.2 & 4.0). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (7.8 & 4.5 APG), who joins Plummer in the starting backcourt, while freshman Larsson (7.7) comes off the bench.

USC saw its top-five scorers leave after the 2020 season. Onyeka Okongwu left for the NBA, Elijah Weaver transferred to University of Dayton plus seniors Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic, and Daniel Utomi all graduated. However, Enfield recruited a "super frosh" in 7-0 freshman Evan Mobley plus brought in SIX transfers. Evan Mobley has wasted little time in showing his value, averaging 16.7 & 8.4. He joins his brother Isaiah (a 6-10 sophomore), who has added 9.9 & 8.3. Peterson (10.1-4.0-3.3) is a 6-8 swingman from Rice and joins guards Eaddy (Santa Clara) and White, a grad transfer from Utah Valley St. Eaddy is averaging 12.0 PPG and White 6.3 & 3.6. Guard Goodwin (6.9 & 4.9) and Baumann (6.4) come off the bench.

USC is the more complete team at this stage of the season plus while Utah gave a 'close but no cigar' effort at UCLA, the fact remains that the Utes have now lost 11 consecutive games on the Pac 12 road. Utah has not won on the road in league play since beating Washington State 92-79 back on Feb 23, 2019. The Utes ATS record in that span is 2-9 or an 82% "go-against" Fight On USC!!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Cincinnati at 2:00 ET.

Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa for the 2014-15 season. His teams have averaged 19.3 wins per year in his first six seasons, including going 21-10 before COVID shut down the 2019-20 season. However, Haith's biggest win at Tulsa came this past Tuesday when it stunned No. 5 Houston 65-64. The victory was clinched when Brandon Rachal hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining. It was the program's first win over a top-5 opponent in 24 years (Golden Hurricane beat a ranked UCLA team back in 1995!). John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season but opened the current season missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until Dec 2, and limp into this contest against 5-3 Tulsa just 2-5. 

The Golden Hurricane are led by a quartet of guards in Rachal (14.5 & 7.0(, Embery-Simpson (9.3), Joiner (9.0-5.3-4.1) and Jackson (7.1 & 4.0). The 6-9 Idowu (8.4 & 4.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Tulsa is scoring a modest 71.5 PPG, which is NOT helped by the team making just 60.6% of its free throws (314th). However, Tulsa does play defense, allowing 60.6 PPG (26th) while holding opponents to 36.7% from the floor (15th).

Not much has gone right for Cincy so far, as the Bearcats enter on a four-game skid. The Bearcats lost 75-70 at UCF on Dec 22 in their most recent outing, despite getting the first career double-double from Keith Williams (19 points, 10 rebounds) and a career-high 15 points from Zach Harvey. Williams (15.1 & 4.3) is the team's LONE double digit scorer. Big things were expected from the 7-1 Chris Vogt (11.0 & 5.9 LY) but he's off to a poor start (6.4 & 4.1).

However, here's the rub. As noted, Tulsa's off its first win over a top-5 team since 1996 and now faces a desperate for a win Cincinnati team which enters having won its last seven meetings with Tulsa, with a MOV of 16 PPG. "W-I-P-E-O-U-T Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on NC State at 12:00 ET.

Both teams in Saturday's Gator bowl won their final games of the 2020 regular season on Dec 5, as Kentucky won 41-18 at home over a 2-8 South Carolina team, while NC State beat Ga Tech in Raleigh 23-13. However, that's where all similarity to their respective 2020 seasons ends. Mark Stoops got the head job at Kentucky back in 2013 but went just 12-25 in his first three seasons. However, Kentucky entered this season off FOUR straight bowl seasons. Yes, Stoops and the Wildcats are in a FIFTH straight bowl this season but don't forget, Kentucky is just 4-6. Dave Doeren is in his 8th season at NC State and after a 3-9 'rookie' year,' led the Wolfpack to FIVE straight winning seasons and bowl berths (3-2), before the Wolfpack slipped to 4-8 in 2019. NC St was picked to finish 11th in the ACC's preseason poll but enter this game 8-3 

Kentucky opened 2-2, beating Miss St 24-2 and winning at Tennessee but its only two wins in its last six games came against 0-9 Vandy and 2-8 South Carolina, which played without its head coach and several key starters. QB Trey Wilson threw for just 1,095 yards in 10 games, as Kentucky ranks 121st with 124.1 YPG passing. WR Ali has 49 catches but averages a puny 9.4 YPC with just one TD. No other player has caught more than 14 passes. RBs Rodriguez (701 yards on 6.9 YPC and 9 TDs) and Rose (518 yards on 5.5 YPC and 2 TDs) join QB Wilson (410 yards and five TDs) to give the Wildcats a good ground game (almost 180 YPG). However, Kentucky is averaging just 21.7 PPG (107th). 

In comparison, the NC State offense is averaging 31.1 PPG (45th), just shy of 10 PPG more than Kentucky. Last year's starting QB Leary began the season with some COVID issues and when he got back on the field, suffered a broken leg in mid-October. Bailey Hockman has taken over and has accounted for 14 touchdowns and thrown just five interceptions in seven games since replacing Leary against Duke. After a 44-41 home OT loss to Miami, NC St finished 4-0 with Hockman throwing seven TDs and three INTs. He has two good RBs to provide balance in Knight (736 yards on 5.6 YPC with nine TDs) and Person (635 yards on 4.5 YPC with four TDs). WRs Emezie, Thomas and Carter have a combined 102 catches with 13 TDs plus TE Angeline has 27 catches and six TDs.

I guess the fact that Kentucky plays in the SEC and NC State in the ACC is the reason the Wildcats are favored but I "just don't get it!" The Wildcats have the second-worst offense in the Power Five, lost to SEC finalists Alabama and Florida by a combined score of 97-13 and have two wins in the past 11 weeks against teams that went a combined 2-17). North Carolina' strong finish moved them into the top-25 at No. 23 in the CFP rankings and No. 24 in the AP. Back to Kentucky, it's 0-3 vs ranked teams this season (Ala, Fla & Ga), scoring a total of just 16 points. Now I'm NOT putting NC St in a class with those SEC powerhouses but just how do the Wolfpack rate as an underdog to this Kentucky team. The Wolfpack's four consecutive victories is the team's best such stretch to end a regular season since 2008. How about FIVE in a row? I think so!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the GS Warriors at 10:35 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago but last year needed a strong run 'in the bubble' to sneak into the postseason. Led by 'Bubble' MVP Lillard, the Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers in the first round but after a 100-93 upset in Game 1, Portland lost FOUR in a row. As for the Golden St Warriors, after FIVE consecutive trips to the NBA Finals (3-2), the Warriors finished with an NBA-worst 15-50 record (you know the reasons why).

These Western Conference rivals have gone head-to-head in the playoffs in THREE of the past five seasons and are scheduled to play two games in three days, both in San Francisco. Portland has opened 2-2 against a tough schedule that has featured all Western Conference playoff teams from last season. The Trail Blazers got veteran forward Carmelo Anthony back from COVID-19 issues when made his season debut in Wednesday's 128-105 road loss to the Clippers (had 125 points in 25 minutes). That followed a 115-107 win at Staples Center against the Lakers two nights before. Portland is led by its dynamic guard duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The Blazers also brought back Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony to give the Blazers some scoring punch off the bench when Lillard and McCollum aren't on the floor. Notably, Jusuf Nurkic and Rodney Hood are back after serious injuries kept one or the other off the floor for lengthy stretches last season. Hood re-signed with the Blazers as a free agent during the offseason. Portland acquired Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to shore up defense. However, Lillard (23.0 PPG) is off to a slower than expected start, shooting just 40%, including 28.9% on threes. McCollum has been great, averaging 28.0-3.5-6.3, while shooting 44.3% and 47.8% on threes! Nurkic (9.8 & 7.5) has started slow but Kanter has added 11.5 & 10.2 as a backup center. Neither Covington (5.5 & 5.3) nor Jones (6.5 & 3.8) have started well.

The Warriors started the season with blowout losses at Brooklyn and Milwaukee but with road wins at Chicago and Detroit. Tonight, Golden St becomes the LAST team in the NBA to host a home opener. Golden State was at its season-best both offensively and defensively in Tuesday's 116-106 win at Detroit, shooting 50 percent from the floor and limiting the Pistons to 38 percent. It's NO surprise that Steph Curry has been the driving force in the Warriors' offensive improvement. He averaged 19.5 points and shot 4-for-20 on three-pointers against the Nets and Bucks, games in which Golden State was held to 99 points apiece. However, Curry made 10 of his 24 threes, while averaging 33.5 PPG, as the Warriors scored 129 points against the Bulls and 116 against the Pistons. Somewhat surprising is that the Warriors' No. 1 pick, James Wiseman, scored 37 points and added 14 rebounds in the team's two losses but just 13 points and nine rebounds in the two wins (how does that make sense?).

All things considered, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr is happy where his team sits. "I think coming into this trip, when the season schedule came out, we all looked at it and we all thought if we could go 2-2, that'd be a really successful trip," he said after the win in Detroit. "Especially given the length of our offseason and everything going on with our team: Draymond being out, Draymond missing camp, all that." The good news is that Draymond Green expects to play for the first time after he missed the first four games following a positive coronavirus test and a subsequent strained right foot. He's a defensive ace and makes a HUGE difference.

As noted, it's Golden State's FIRST home game and it comes on the FIRST day of a much-needed "New Year." Expect the home dog to 'bark' LOUDLY in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Sugar Bowl play (The Rematch) is on Ohio St at 8:00 ET.

Ohio St led 16-0 through the first 25 minutes of last season's semi final against Clemson, but Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne led a comeback that put the Tigers up 29-23. The Buckeyes drove to the Tigers' 23 with a chance to potentially win the game but Justin Fields was intercepted in the end zone with 37 seconds left in the game. Lawrence had 259 passing yards and a touchdown plus 107 yards and a rushing TD, while Etienne had 134 all-purpose yards and three TDs.

According to Ohio St head coach Ryan Day, that loss has reverberated for nearly a year among the Buckeyes. "Fresh off of that game, it was right on our minds, and something that when we got back to work and winter workouts, January, February, it was right there for us," Day said Sunday. "Coming off that game, we just didn't get over it in one day. It took time. "There was even a sign with the score posted in the Buckeyes' weight room , an honor usually reserved for rival Michigan.

The Big Ten decided to postpone its season on August 11, while the ACC said 'full steam ahead.' The Big Ten eventually reversed course and returned in late October but was left with a 'short' season and no margin for error. The Buckeyes were unable to play the six games they needed to be eligible but NATURALLY, the Big Ten changed that rule and Ohio St won a unimpressive 22-10 victory over Northwestern in the Big Ten title game. However, if you had paid attention to the CFP committee throughout the weekly ranking process, there was NO way the Buckeyes were NOT making the 'Final 4.'

Leave it to Dabo to defend the 'honor' of the ACC and SEC. Swinney said he felt the six-game resume of Ohio State put the Buckeyes on a different playing field than many of the other contenders. Swinney backed up his feelings by ranking the Buckeyes No. 11 in the final coaches' poll of the season. In his own words. "I think any time you step in between the lines, the game of football, there's a lot that can happen. A lot," Swinney said. "I mean, heck, in 2017, we lost to a three-win or four-win Syracuse team and still went to the playoffs. So anything can happen. Guys can get hurt. There's a lot. So I think the fact that we're going to have 11 games as well as the SEC teams -- I mean, you look at Florida and Texas A&M and Alabama. I mean, these teams are going to have 11 games this year. It's incredible and I think the Big Ten had the same opportunity and they chose not to play, and I think the only reason they ended up playing is because of the leadership of the SEC and the ACC and the Big 12, and have demonstrated that we can do it and do it in a safe way. So it's been an unbelievably challenging season, that's for sure. Enough said. 

ALL of what Swinney said is true but I can't see how ranking Ohio St No. 11 helps his team. Lawrence's record speaks for itself (34-1 as a starter) but after throwing 66 TDs and just 16 INTs in his first two seasons, his ratio was 22-7 in 2020 (missed two games). Also, what's up with Etienne? He ran for more than 1,600 yards in each of the previous two seasons but had just 882 yards in 2020. Ohio State's Justin Fields has completed 72.6% for 1,521 with 15 TDs and five INTs in six games plus RBs Sermon (675 yards on 8.0 YPC) and Teague (449 yards on 5.0 YPC) give Ohio St plenty of offensive balance.

Looking strictly at the numbers, Ohio St and Clemson are clones. Ohio St averages 44.9 PPG (Clemson 42.5) and allows 17.5 PPG (Clemson 21.0). That said, Clemson has played the tougher AND more challenging schedule (11 games to six) and one HAS to admit that Fields' worst two games came against Ohio St's toughest opponents, Indiana and Northwestern. I've never been one to pay too much attention to "bulletin board" motivation like Dabo ranking Ohio St 11th but Ohio St has waited an entire year for a rematch with Clemson and couldn't possibly have more to prove in this game. I will GLADLY take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Eye Opener is on Georgia at 12:00 ET.

Cincinnati won the American Athletic Conference championship game in a squeaker (27-24 over Tulsa), to finish the regular season 9-0. After Notre Dame was soundly defeated by Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, there was talk that maybe the Bearcats were deserving of finishing among the top -our teams in the CFP. The 9-0 Bearcats finished No. 8. 10-1 Notre Dame (No. 4) and 8-1 Texas A&M (No. 5) finishing ahead of Cincy was not really a surprise but when the Bearcats also fell behind 8-2 Oklahoma (No. 6) and 8-3 Florida (No. 7) it became clear that the committee NEVER considered them a 'Final 4' option. 

As the top-ranked Group of 5 school, Cincy got a New Year's Six Bowl bid to the Peach Bowl, where it will meet a 7-2 Georgia team that finished No. 9 in the final rankings. Georgia was the AP's preseason No. 4 team but the Bulldogs lost BADLY in both of their "biggest" tests in 2020, losing 41-24 at Alabama and 44-28 in Jacksonville to Florida. Yes, the Bearcats enter the game with a 'chip on their shoulders,' but DON'T make the mistake of thinking Georgia DOESN'T have anything to play for (prove) in this game. 

The Bearcats are led by QB Desmond Ridder, the AAC offensive player of the year. He's completing 66.4% for 2,090 passing yards, with 17 TDs and six INTs. He has also rushed for 609 yards (7.2 YPC) and a team-high 12 scores. Gerrid Doaks has rushed for a team-high 673 yards (4.7 YPC / 7 TDs), as the Bearcats rank 14th with 225.0 YPG on the ground. The offense has averaged 39.3 PPG (15th) but it's Cincy's defense which is the standout unit. The Bearcats allow 16.0 PPG (8th) on 314.4 YPG (13th).

Speaking of defense, most pundits claimed Georgia owned the nation's finest defense as the 2020 season got underway. However, as noted above, that defense was NOT able to contain either Alabama (41 points) or Florida (44 points) but this just in, those are two SPECTACULAR offensive teams. Including those two poor efforts, Georgia finished the regular season allowing 19.9 PPG (21st) on 322.8 YPFG (15th). Georgia expected Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman would lead the offense in 2020 but he opted out prior to the start of the year. JT Daniels (a USC transfer) was coming off an injury and his rehab plus COVID issues kept him on the sidelines until late in the  season. However, he's led Georgia to THREE straight wins, throwing for 839 yards with nine TDs and just one INT (Bulldogs averaged 41.6 PPG in that span). 

I'm a big fan of Cincy head coach Luke Fickell who said this about playing in a New Year's six Bowl game, "It's huge for our program. If you want to claim you deserve an opportunity or a shot, this is an opportunity, this is a shot." However, this is the FIFTH consecutive year under head coach Kirby Smart that the Bulldogs will play in a New Year's Six Bowl or the CFP. "I'll be honest, when your intention is to win the game, that's not going to change between his guys and your guys," Smart said. "Every coach is going to try to find an angle that gives their guys an edge or competitive advantage, whether that's them being ranked ahead of us or whatever. I don't know Group of Five, Power 5, all those languages, that's for (media). My language is football, and they've got a good team. They haven't been beaten."

Here's the bottom line. I don't believe Cincy is a top-10 team. One can say the Bearcats beat three ranked teams this season but that trio is comprised of Army, SMU and Tulsa. That's not exactly a 'Murderer's Row" of football powers. Getting back to the Georgia defense, taking away the Alabama and Florida games, it allowed 13 PPG on 253 YPG. Including all foes, Georgia led the nation in allowing just 69.3 YPPG on 2.3 YPC. If Ridder and the Cincy offense can't establish the run, the Bearcats will be in for L-O-N-G day. That's my bet. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought. The Suns acquired 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder and will pair him with All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who has averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the past two seasons. Phoenix also added veteran forward Jae Crowder (VERY underrated) in addition to Paul and are hoping that 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) will stay healthy all season. The Utah Jazz are well aware that only a FEW plays separated the Jazz from a potential run to the 2020 Western Conference Finals in what turned into first-round loss to the Nuggets (Jazz led the series 3-1, then lost THREE in a row!). Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert both agreed to contract extensions before the new season and Jordan Clarkson re-signed with Utah on a four-year deal after emerging as the team's sixth man last season. Bringing back Derrick Favors represented the biggest free agent addition for the Jazz. Favors spent 8 1/2 seasons in Utah before being traded to New Orleans a year ago.

The Suns opened with a home win over Dallas but then lost by three points at Sacramento. However, they rebounded to beat the Kings (again in Sacramento) and then routed the Pelicans at home. Phoenix looks to win three in a row for the first time since ending the 2019-20 season with that eight-game winning streak in the NBA bubble this summer. SIX players are averaging in double digits, although Booker's scoring (19.0-4.8-3.5) is down about a 'TD' per game. Paul has stepped into his role of team-leader averaging 9.5 APG plus has added 11.8 PPG. Ayton has opened by averaging a double-double (11.5 & 11.8) plus as noted above, Crowder (11.5 & 5.5) is underrated. The 6-8 Cameron Johnson averaged just 8.8 PPG as a rookie (No. 1 pick from North Carolina)but is up 15.5 PPG to start this season. The team's No. 1 pick from 2018, Villanova's 6-6 Bridges, is adding 15.5 & 6.0, after averaging 8.7 PPF his first two seasons.

However, the Suns have nothing on the Jazz when it comes to frontline players or in the depth department. Mitchell (20.3 & 5.0 APG) is not off to a strong start but NO ONE is worried. The good news is that PG Conley (19.3-6.3-5.0) IS off to a strong start, as is 6th-man Clarkson (18.0 &n 4.7) and center Gobert (16.7 & 14.3). Bogdanovich (17.7 & 5.23) gives Utah FIVE players averaging 15-plus points. Starting guard O'Neale (4.7 & 8.7) is one gritty player plus PF Favors (7.0 & 5.3) is thrilled to be back in SLC. No team wants to travel on New Year's Eve and surely not in "The Year of COVID." The Jazz are 2-1 but lost their lone home game to the T-wolves. Enough of that. I expect a VERY comfortable Jazz win!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Pac 12 Game of the Month is on UCLA at 7:00 ET.

My 9* Conference Crusher (Pac 12) is on UCLA at 7:00 ET.

Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. The Bruins were 19-12, including a 12-6 Pac-12 record, good enough to get the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.

Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is doing so again so far, at 15.4 & 5.2). Joining him up front are returning starters like the 7-0 Carlson (8.8 & 3.4) and the 6-9 Battin (6.4 & 4.0). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (8.2 & 4.6 APG), who is joined in the starting backcourt by Plummer (14.8 PPG). Cronin's Bruins feature SEVEN players averaging at least nine points per game. 5-11 PG Campbell (11.1 & 6.9 APG) is surrounded by a bevy of "big guards," including the 6-6 Jaquez (13.7 & 6.0), the 6-9 Smith (12.1 & 6.7), the 6-6 Juzang (10.7) and the 6-6 Bernard (9.6 & 5.1). Up front it's the 6-9 Riley (9.7 & 5.0) and the 6-10 Hill (9.0 & 7.0).

UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St but then won FIVE in a row, before losing 77-70 to Ohio St in Cleveland on Dec 19. UCLA led for most of the second half against the Buckeyes but gave up a big run in the final five minutes ending the team's five-game winning streak. The Bruins were to make a 'pit stop' in Eugene to play reigning league champion Oregon on Dec 23 but the contest was postponed due to a referee testing positive for COVID-19. The Bruins return to action here for the first time in almost two weeks. Utah knows something about "off time" as well, as the Utes haven't played since Dec 18. Utah is 4-1 but note that the wins have come in Salt Lake City, while the loss came 82-64 at BYU. Struggling on the road is NOT new, especially in the Pac 12. Utah enters this game without a conference road victory since February of 2019. The Utes went 0-9 in Pac-12 games away from Salt Lake City last season and enter on a 10-game road losing streak in Pac 12 play, going 1-9 ATS. Why should that change here?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Wisconsin at 4:30 ET.

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. However, Season No. 8 has begun well, as the Golden Gophers are now 9-1 after beating then-No. 4 Iowa 102-95 in OT on Christmas plus routing then-No. 17 Michigan St 81-56 this past Monday. Wisconsin opened the Week 8-1 (ranked No. 6 in Monday's latest AP poll) and took a 10-game Big Ten winning streak into its Monday home game with Maryland. However, the Terps beat the Badgers 70-64. The two conference rivals wrap up the 2020 portion of the current season late this afternoon in Madison.

PG Carr (24.0-3.8-6.1) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.1 & 6.8) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (11.7 & 6.3) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.6 & 5.7) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.3 PPG. Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.2-3.2-3.2) and Davison (10.6) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.2 & 6.9), the 6-11 Reuvers (10.3 & 3.9) and the 6-8 Ford (9.6 & 4.2). 6-5 freshman Davis (7.4 & 4.6) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (4.4 & 4.1) are both averaging about 21 MPG off the bench. 

Minnesota entered the top-25 for the first time this season on Monday (T-21) and while its win over Michigan St was proof it belonged, the Golden Gophers face a tough matchup here at Kohl Center. There is NO rest for the weary in the Big Ten, which placed a record NINE teams in the latest AP poll. In fact, Minnesota's visit to Wisconsin marks the third game in a rugged stretch of SEVEN straight games against teams currently ranked. Wisconsin plays stifling defense and entered its game with Maryland holding opponents to 57.5 PPG on 36.2 percent shooting overall. Maryland didn't exactly 'light up the scoreboard (70 points) but the Terps did shoot 50% from the floor. Meanwhile, Wisconsin's 64 points were a season-low. It's bounce back time here for the Badgers and note that Minnesota has played just one true road game so far, getting crushed in a 92-65 loss at Illinois. Note: The Illini are coming off a three-point loss at Missouri in the schools' Braggin' Rights game. Sound familiar? Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Shocker (SEC) is on Missouri at 9:00 ET.

The Tennessee Volunteers were No. 12 in the AP's preseason poll so the Vols' 6-0 start and No. 7 ranking under Rick Barnes is no surprise. However, Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin has his team off to a 6-0 start, after back-to-back losing seasons of 15-17 and 15-16. The Tigers are enjoying their best season start since they opened 10-0 in 2013, as they welcome the Vols to Mizzou Arena on Wednesday night, in the SEC opener for both schools.

Guards Bailey (13.2), James (10.0 & 6.5), Pons (7.5 & 6.5) and Vescovi (8.0 & 4.7 APG) start with the 6-9 Faulkner (11.8 & 6.3) Freshman guard Springer (11.5) is the top-scorer off the bench. Tennessee averages 86.8 PPG but its defense has been the star, holding opponents to just 52.7 PPG (2nd) on 36.2% shooting (10th). Missouri has relied heavily on its seniors this year. Guards Xavier Pinson (14.3-4.2-3.7), Mark Smith (13.8) and Dru Smith (13.2) plus the 6-10 Jeremiah Tilmon (8.2 & 7.8). The 6-7 Brown (7.0 & 6.2) joins them in the starting lineup, while guard Pickett (8.0) and the 6-10 Mitchell Smith (5.3 & 5.7) come off the bench.

This is Tennessee's FIRST road game and I expect the Vols to find this visit to Columbia, "NOT to their liking." Just ask No. 15 Illinois, which lost here 91-88 back on Dec 12. I'm calling for the OUTRIGHT win but will take those points "as insurance!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Brk Nets at 7:35 ET.

The Atlanta Hawks missed the playoffs for the THIRD straight season when it finished 20-47 but Trae Young increased his scoring average from 19.1 PPG in his rookie season to 29.6 PPG in his 'sophomore' season. When free agency began, the Hawks were among the more aggressive teams, adding Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rajon Rondo, and Danilo Gallinari to join Young and Clint Capela, who was acquired from Houston at last season's trade deadline. The Hawks have not been at full health in the early going but they are averaging 124.7 PPG (2nd-best) in opening 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS. They'll attempt to improve to 4-0 Wednesday night when they visit the Brooklyn Nets for the first of two consecutive games (something new this season due to COVID protocols).

The Nets signed Kevin Durant as a free agent prior to the 2019-20 season knowing he wouldn't be ready until the 2020-21 season. The Nets opened the season impressively by getting big games from stars Durant and Kyrie Irving in nationally televised blowout wins over Golden State and Boston. However, Brooklyn has followed up those wins with a two-point loss at Charlotte on Sunday, followed by a 116-111 overtime loss at home to Memphis on Monday. The Nets played Monday after learning Spencer Dinwiddie would be lost for the season due to a knee injury. The Nets also rested Durant and Irving for the first time this season against Memphis, after the duo played 95 minutes apiece in the first three games.

Young (34.0-4.0-7.3) has been great and this season will be surrounded by a talented cast of characters. The 6-9 Collins (averaged 21.6 & 10.1 plus 19.5 & 9.8 the last two seasons) and has opened averaging 14.0 & 6.3 his first three games. Huerter (13.7) is in his third season plus second-year pros Hunter (12.3 & 6.7) and Reddish (10.3 & 5.3) both look good. Bogdanovic (13.0 & 7.0) has been a quality scorer for years, as has been Gallinari. However, Gallinari has played just ONE game and is out here with a foot injury. PG Rondo finally saw action Monday (12 & 8 assists), as did center Capela (7 & 9).

No doubt that Dinwiddie (20.6-3.5-6.8) will be missed but the Kryrie (29.3-4.3-6.0) and Durant (26.7-4.0-3.) make the Nets a legitimate contender in the East. LeVert is chipping in 17.0-4.8-5.8 and fellow guard Harris (11.5 & 4.5) is a solid NBA player. Also, don't forget about center Allen (8.3 & 11.8), who quietly comes to work each game and is HIGHLY underrated!

Sure, Atlanta is 3-0 but the wins have come over a trio of opponents with a combined 3-9 record, including East teams Chicago (1-3) and Detroit (0-4). The Nets took three of four meetings last season from Atlanta and are 12-2 in the last 14 meetings. Both Kyrie (shooting 61.1%) and Kevin (53.2%) got their 'rest' and both are back here and the result will be a Brooklyn W-I-P-E-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error Game of the Month is on Georgia at 7:00 ET.

Mississippi State's Ben Howland lost his four best players from last season's 20-11 team in the 6-10 Reggie Perry (17.4 & 10.1), plus guards Tyson Carter (13.9), Robert Woodard (11.4 & 6.5) and Nick Weatherspoon (11.6-3.5-4.1). Tom Crean spent nine seasons at Marquette and nine more at Indiana, before landing in Georgia. The Bulldogs went 11-21 and 16-16 in his first two seasons, plus lost guard Edwards (19.1 & 5.2) and forward Hammonds (12.8 & 7.4) to the NBA off last year's team. Edwards was the NBA's overall No. 1 pick. It's Bulldogs vs Bulldogs tonight in Athens, when 7-0 Georgia hosts 5-3 Mississippi State in the SEC opener for both teams.

Guard DJ Stewart returned for Howland, as did  the 6-11 Abdul Ado. Stewart leads the team at 18.3 PPG, while Ado is averaging modest totals of 5.4 & 6.1. Howland was counting on 6-6 forward Jalen Johnson, a transfer from Louisiana who averaged 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Ragin’ Cajuns last season, to be a big part of this year's team but he's been a disappointment (7.0 & 2.5). A BIG surprise has been 6-10 sophomore Smith, who is averaging 13.9 & 8.9 after averaging 3.3 & 2.6 last season.

Sophomore PG Wheeler (13.7-3.9-7.4) is off to an excellent start and is joined in the backcourt by George Mason transfer Kier (12.0-4.8-4.0) and junior guard Fagan (11.0 & 5.3) 6-8 sophomore Camara (14.8 & 8.3) is joined up front by 6-6 Stony Brook transfer Garcia (10.6 & 3.7) and 6-6 Va Tech transfer Horne (9.0 & 4.3)

Miss St is 5-0 SU (4-1 ATS) at home against a 'so-so' schedule of opponents but has lost all THREE neutral site games to Clemson, Liberty and Dayton. This marks its first true road game and it comes against a Georgia team which looks "really good." What Crean has done at Georgia is recruit well and create interest in the program, as Georgia set a school record with 11 crowds of more than 190,000 fans last year. Of course, home crowd-size is moot this season but what SHOULD catch one's attention is that Georgia is 7-0 SU at home, outscoring opponents on average, 81.1-to-64.7 PPG. Not sure why Georgia is such a small favorite here but I'm "all in" on the Bulldogs from Georgia!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Iowa at 9:00 ET.

Chris Collins took over at Northwestern back in the 2013-14 season and won 20 games in the 2015-16 season. The very next season, he led the Wildcats to a 24-12 year, as Northwestern finished with its first winning Big Ten Conference record in 49 years (10-8) and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history (Wildcats even won their first game). It was NO small accomplishment, as Northwestern had been the only member of a power conference to have never made the "Big Dance." However, three straight losing seasons followed. However, with four starters back, Northwestern is 'making news' again! More in a bit. Iowa head coach Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa City from Siena, where he led the Saints to THREE straight NCAA appearances and a 77-26 record. He's been at Iowa since the 2010-11 season. He's led Iowa to SIX 20-win seasons the last eight seasons, getting four NCAA bids (would have been five last year but the NCAA tourney was canceled). Iowa returned all FIVE starters from last year, including the Preseason P-O-Y. (Luka Garza).

The 6-7 Kupp (15.1) leads Northwestern in scoring and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Buie (14.4 & 5.3 APG), Audige (12.9 & 4.3) and Gaines (3.9 & 4.7) plus the 6-10 Nance (10.6 & 6.9). Freshman guard Berry (8.3) plus frontcourt players like the 6-10 Young (8.9 & 6.4) and the 6-9 Beran (6.7 & 3.4) contribute off the bench. Garza (28.8 & 10.0) is shooting 62.7% to lead the Hawkeyes. Two senior guards join him in the starting lineup in Wieskamp (15.8 & 6.9) and Bohannon (6.9 & 4.3 APG). The 6-11 Nunge (8.4 & 5.9) comes off the bench plus FIVE more players contribute regularly, led by sophomore guard Fredrick (10.4).

So what's going on in Evanston, Illinois? The Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) have won their first THREE conference games for the first time since the 1967-68 season (note: Northwestern was 3-17 in the Big Ten last season!). The Wildcats entered the AP poll yesterday (No. 19), for the first time this season but hardly tells the whole story. Northwestern's No. 19 ranking is its highest this late in a season since 1969! Iowa fell from No. 4 to No. 10 on Monday, after it lost 102-95 (OT) at Minnesota last Friday. Iowa was up 80-73 on the Golden Gophers with 44 seconds remaining but Minnesota came back to tie the game at 83-83. Iowa's only other loss has come 99-88 to No. 1 Gonzaga in a neutral-site setting.

This is an EXCELLENT Iowa team and the jury is still out on Northwestern (in my opinion). A check of the record book reveals that Northwestern now owns THREE straight wins over ranked opponents. The streak started at the end of last season with a win over then-20 Penn St and has continued this season in wins over then-No. 4 Michigan St and then-No. 23. However, Northwestern has NEVER won four in a row over ranked AP opponents (AP rankings began in Jan 1949). Yes, the Wildcats can lose but still cover with this pointspread but my bet says it's an Iowa W-I-P-E-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Mil Bucks at 7:35 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off an embarrassing loss Sunday night, falling 130-110 to the NY Knicks. The Bucks have now opened 1-2 and try to get on the winning track tonight in Miami against the Heat. One would think ALL the motivation lies with Milwaukee, as the Heat knocked the Bucks out of last year's postseason four games-to-one! What's more, Miami may be without Jimmy Butler, who is doubtful with a sprained right ankle.

SF Middleton is off to a great start, averaging 26.7-7.3-6.0. Of course, Milwaukee's best player (the NBA's as well?) is Giannis, who checks in averaging 25.7-13.0-3.7. Center Brook Lopez (16.8 & 6.4 in his career) is off to a slow start (7.0 & 3.0) but Jrue Holiday has been an excellent addition, averaging 15.0-4.7-4.7. Adebayo had a breakout year last season and leads Miami in scoring (21.0) and rebounding (7.5) after two games. Vet PG Dragic has welcomed his role of coming off the bench and is averaging 19.0 PPG and a team-high 8.0 APG. Last year's 1st-round pick from Kentucky, Herro, is settling in as a starter (12.0-4.0-3.5) plus this year's 1st-rounder, the 6-8 Achiuwa from Memphis, is averaging 9.5 PPG in just 16 1/2-minutes per game. Butler has ankle issues and is averaging 11.5-6.0-4.0.

Butler missed the second half of Miami's home-opening win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra announced Monday afternoon that his star swingman is doubtful for this game with the Bucks. A key for the Bucks will be getting more secondary scoring beyond their two stars, while also doing a much better job on defense. Milwaukee's been the NBA's best team in each of the last two seasons and losing streaks have been RARE! How rare? Beginning at the start of the 2018-19 season, the Bucks had gone a remarkable 29-1 SU and 23-7 ATS after a loss, BEFORE losing three straight right before the shutdown. Then, the Bucks seemed disinterested in the eight-game conclusion to the regular season in the 'bubble,' then fell flat against the red-hot Heat in the second round. The Bucks lost a one-point game at Boston to open the season but "right on cue," routed the Warriors 138-99 in their next game. Losing to the sad-sack Knicks was a HUGE embarrassment plus the Heat offer great motivation after beating Milwaukee in the last season's playoffs. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 7:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics blew a 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter in their season-opener against the Bucks at home (won 122-121) and then, after holding a three-point halftime lead at the "New & IMPROVED" Brooklyn Nets, got  blitzed 72-41 in the second half on Christmas Day. Boston visited Indiana on Sunday to take on a Pacers team that had opened with a 121-107 Wednesday home win over the New York Knicks and followed with a convincing 125-106 road victory over the Chicago Bulls. Sunday's game saw the Pacers eke out a 108-107 victory that improved their record to 3-0 (Celtics fell to 1-2). Domantas Sabonis converted the game-winning layup with just 8.4 seconds remaining, giving the Celtics the ball back down one after he missed a free throw that would have made it a three-point play. Jayson Tatum's three-point attempt with 1.8 seconds to go clanked off the back of the rim, sealing the result.

Gordon Hayward opted-out of his contract to sign with the Hornets (you will LOVE losing in Charlotte, Gordon) and Boston is still waiting for PG Kemba Walker to get healthy. However, Boston has a strong starting-five with Brown (26.0-5.0-3.7) joined in the backcourt with Smart (9.0 & 6.3 APG). Smart took the place of an injured Hayward in LY's postseason, starting 16 of 17 games and averaging 14.5-5.2-4.6. He is also the team's best defender. PF Tatum (25.0 & 8.7) blossomed into a star last season and is joined up front with Theis (5.3 & 4.0) and the newly-acquired Tristan Thompson (9.0 & 8.0). Thompson averaged a double-double in each of his last two seasons at Cleveland (10.9 & 10.2 and 12.0 & 10.1). Boston also signed PG Teague (9.3) and he's very capable of easing the pain until Walker returns (he's averaged double digits in each of his last NINE seasons!).

The Pacers have a good team led by the 6-11 Sabonis (24.3-11.0.5-7.0) and the now-healthy SG Oladipo (22.0 & 5.0). SF Warren led the team in scoring last season (19.8) and has averaged 15.0 PPG after three games. Brogdon (21.3-4.7-6.3) teams with Oladipo for an outstanding backcourt plus the 6-11 Turner (9.7 & 6.7) is a solid center, who is also averaging 5.7 blocks per game! McDermott comes off the bench and has averaged 13.7 & 5.0 in the first three games.

Teams playing two games in three nights against each other with both contests being held in the same city is an adjustment that's been made due to COVID-19. Maybe I'm gullible but I just DON'T see the Pacers winning back-to-back games against the Celtics but rather, it sets up as a 'PERFECT STORM.' Go Celts!

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Rutgers at 7:00 ET.

Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll) but was unable to duplicate that performance last Wednesday, losing 80-68 at the-No. 23 Ohio State. Rutgers (6-1 / 2-1 in Big Ten) dropped to No. 14 in the latest AP poll (out yesterday) and will welcome unranked Purdue (7-3 / 2-1) to Piscataway, NJ on Tuesday. The Boilermakers rebounded from a 70-55 loss at Iowa on Tuesday by posting a 73-70 home win over Maryland on Friday.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (12.8 & 4.0 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (13.4 & 9.5) and SG Stefanovic (11.3). 7-4 freshman Edey (9.9 & 4.2) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (10.1) gives Purdue four double digit scorers  Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 22 PPG.

Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17. Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. This year's team looks REALLY good, led by senior guards Harper (23.4 & 7.1) and Young (15.9 & 5.6 APG). Junior guard Mathis adds 14.3 & 3.9 plus two 6-11 centers, Omoruyi (5.3 & 5.8) and Johnson (7.7 & 8.6) give Rutgers a strong inside presence.

Pikiell could be without standout freshman Omoruyi, who missed the last game with a knee injury plus Myles Johnson played 15 minutes before fouling out. However, I expect Rutgers to be PRIMED to bounce back (especially here at home), after holding a 38-28 lead at halftime at Ohio St and leading by 16 points in the second half, before going EIGHT minutes without a FG while enduring a 20-1 run by the Buckeyes. Purdue enters this game with the second-lowest scoring offense in the league at 72.5 PG and has yet to score more than 75 points in any Big Ten game. Purdue lost at then-No. Iowa on Dec 22 and this contest will mark the SECOND of three games over a four-game stretch against a ranked opponent (No. 15 Illinois is up next). 

'That's a tough 'ask!'. Catching Rutgers off its 'collapse' vs Ohio St puts Purdue in the WRONG place at the WRONG time, even if the Scarlets Knights are a little short-handed. Rutgers has made "the RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) ONE tough venue, having gone a 'sweet' 23-2 SU since the start of last season. Lay the reasonable price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "signature" 37-Club Play is on Miami-Fl at 5:30 ET.

The 7-3 Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the 8-2 Miami Hurricanes in the Cheez-It Bowl on Dec 29 in Orlando, Fl. OSU is ranked 21st in the CFP rankings but is unranked in the AP, after opening the season 15th in the preseason poll. Miami was NOT ranked in the AP's preseason poll (coming off a 6-7 season, including an 'ugly' 14-0 bowl loss to La Tech) but enters the game ranked 18th in both the AP and CFP.

I've believed all season that Oklahoma St has been overrated. Mike Gundy always gets the Cowboys into a bowl game (this marks the 15th straight bowl appearance for OSU under Gundy) but there's been a slippage in his offense the last two seasons. OSU averaged 39.5 PPG in 2015, 38.6 PPG in 2016, 45.0 PPG in 2017 and 38.4 PPG in 2018. The 2019 season saw OSU average 32.5 PPG, despite RB Chuba Hubbard rushing for 2,094 yards (6.4 YPC) and 21 TDs. He was a unanimous All-America selection last season but he's looked disinterested all season (just 625 yards on 4.7 PPC with 5 TDs!) and decided to opt out earlier this month to prepare for the NFL draft (which 'lucky' team will land this gem?). OSU's offense fell under 30 PPG in 2020 (29.5), led by the overrated Spencer Sanders. He's thrown for a modest 1,702 yards with a TD/INT ratio of just 10-8. He's rushed for 244 yards with only two TDs. He's a two-year starter who has 19 INTs in 19 games! Just what am I missing?

Lining up opposite Sanders is a true dual-threat QB in Miami's D'Eriq King, who has passed for 2,573 yards with 22 TDs and just five interceptions, while rushing for 520 yards (4.3 YPC) and four TDs. Miami recently received some great news in that King announced that he will return for his 6th season of college football with the 'Canes. WR Mike Harley (49 catches / 14.9 YPC / 6 TDs) is King's biggest playmaker plus TEs Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory (both considered NFL prospects) have combined for 48 catches and nine TDs.

Oklahoma State's defense is allowing 22.4 PPG (32nd) but in its three losses, gave up 41 points to both Texas and Oklahoma and 29 points to TCU and in a win over Texas Tech (a 4-6 team), allowed 44 points. Miami got some bad news when both star DEs, Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche, said they were skipping the bowl game to prepare for the draft.

Miami gave up 104 points in its losses to Clemson and North Carolina, two of the nation's most prolific offenses. However, in Miami's eight wins, the 'Canes allowed just 19.5 PPG.

I'm pretty confident that Sanders has NOTHING in common with Clemson's Lawrence (22-4 ratio and 7 rush TDs) or North Carolina's Howell (27-6 ratio and 5 TDs). In last season's Independence Bowl, Miami lost 14-0 to La Tech, becoming the first Power 5 school to be shut out by a Group of 5 school in a bowl game since the BCS/CFP era began in 1998. If Miami needs more motivation, how about bouncing back from its season-ending 66-26 loss to North Carolina (at home, no less). UNC gained 778 yards of total offense, the most yards Miami has ever allowed. RBs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams combined for 544 rushing yards, the most combined rushing yards by two teammates in FBS history, and five TDs. Miami wins this HANDILY!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* CBB Oddsmaker's Game of the Month is on Arizona at 9:30 ET.

Tad Boyle is in his 1th season at Colorado and despite losing the 6-7 Tyler Bey (13.8 *& 9.0) to the NBA (he played center), Boyle has his Buffs off to a 6-1 start as Colorado opens its Pac 12 schedule with this game in Arizona against the Wildcats. While Colorado is a veteran team, the 6-1 Wildcats, who lost their Pac 12 opener 78-75 at Stanford on Dec 19, have FIVE new starters.

PG Wright flirted with the NBA draft but returned to Boulder and is averaging 16.3-4.7-5.9. Wright is surrounded by veterans, such as the 7-0 Dallas Walton (10.3), the 6-8 Evan Battey (8.7 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Jeriah Horn (a Tulsa graduate transfer), who adds 11.4 & 6.0. A quartet of guards combine to add about 26 PPG. Sean Miller has had some off the court issues the last few seasons and saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route. PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and  big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6). Arizona is led by guard Jemarl Baker (15.4 PPG /  45.5 percent from three-point range) and Georgetown transfer James Akinjo (13.4 & 4.7 APG). The 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.7 & 6.9) is a Nevada transfer. Miller made a lineup change against Montana (most recent game, taking out 7-footer Christian Koloko (4.1 & 5.3) and inserting the more offensive-minded Azoulas Tubelis (7.6 & 5.0). The 6-11 freshman was a force on both ends with eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Newcomer Mathurin (from Canada) has added 9.9 & 4.6 off the bench.

Here's the bottom line. The Buffs won't have to face the usual sold-out crowd at McKale Center, as Arizona is playing without fans as part of its COVID-19 protocols. However, since joining the Pac 12 in for the 2011-12 season, the Buffs have NEVER won at McKale Center. Why should it be any different here and at this price, an Arizona win almost GUARANTEES a cover. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Michigan St at 8:00 ET.

Michigan State opened as the AP's No. 8 team in its preseason poll and began the season 6-0, a start which included an impressive 75-69 win at then-No. 6 Duke. However, after that undefeated start in non-conference play, the Spartans have dropped their first two conference games. They got blindsided by Northwestern 79-65 on Dec 20 and then got outplayed in the second half of an 85-76 home loss to No 9 Wisconsin this past Friday. The now 12th-ranked Spartans (new poll comes out later today and MSU will SURELY drop) play at Minnesota (8-1 / 1-1 in Big Ten) in Minneapolis on Monday. The Golden Gophers have cracked the 90-point mark in THREE of their last four outings, including a 102-95 upset of No. 4 Iowa in overtime on Friday. 

Michigan State trailed by double digits throughout the second half against Northwestern and was outscored 43-34 in the second half by Wisconsin. "We did do some really good things," Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said. "We played harder, and were, I thought, much more in-tune to the game. We just made some mistakes when it was a two to three point game in those last four minutes and just couldn't get it done. So I'm disappointed, but I feel like we took a step forward." Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies  6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, leads the team averaging 14.0 & 8.6. and was terrific in the loss to Wisconsin, with 27 points and seven rebounds. Joining him in the frontcourt are two returning players, the 6-7 Brown and the 6-6 Henry. Brown has averaged 9.5 PPG, while Henry has chipped in 12,0-5.5-4.6. Sophomore PG Watts (10.9 & 4.6 APG) steps in for Winston plus veteran guard Langford (8.1) joins him on the perimeter. Langford is FINALLY healthy and is back on the court this season, having last played in December of 2018. 6-7 sophomore Hall averages 6.5 & 5.5 and guard Loyer adds 6.4. MSU is NOT lacking for talent!

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. However, Season No. 8 has begun well, as the Golden Gophers are now 8-1 after their win over No. 4 Iowa. Marcus Carr scored 30 points and Brandon Johnson had 26 off the bench, including an 8-for-9 performance on three-pointers. "He was just confident and came in ready to go," Pitino said of Johnson. "He got a lot of rhythm shots and he knocked them down with confidence. That confidence and that momentum built. He is a very skilled player and he's just been a little bit hobbled with injuries, but he is getting healthy. He provided in a huge way for us." PG Carr (24.6-3.8-6.2) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (12.6 & 6.6) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (12.3 & 6.0( from Utah and Johnson (8.5 & 5.5) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.4 PPG.

Minnesota is a 'tough 'out' at Williams Arena and while it's still only December, I view this as a "must win" for Izzo and his team.  We all know that "must win" doesn't always translate to "will win" but in this case, it DOES!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* SNF Magic play is on the GB Packers at 8:20 ET.

The 10-4 Tennessee Titans visit the 11-3 Green Bay Packers for a SNF matchup of first-place teams that pit the NFL's first- and third-ranked scoring offenses. Tennessee leads the league at 31.1 PPG and Green Bay is 'FAR' behind at 31.0. The Titans are tied with Indianapolis atop the AFC South (but hold the tiebreaker) plus will know well before they take the field if the Colts won or lost at Pittsburgh. As for the Packers, they already know the Saints moved to 11-4 with their rout of the Vikings on Christmas (Packers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with New Orleans) plus will also know just before kickoff the result of the Rams/Seahawks contest. If the Rams win, Green Bay will clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed by beating the Titans.

The Titans made a run to the AFC championship game last season on the 'legs' of Derrick Henry and the "game management" skills of QB Ryan Tannehill. Henry's 'legs' remain as good as ever, as he leads the NFL with 1,679 rushing yards on 5.2 YPC with 15 TDs. What's been different on offense for Tennessee in 2020 has been the play of Tannehill. He's having a "career season," completing 66.5% for 3,482 yards with 31 TDs and just five INTs (QB rating is 110.4). The team's improved offense has made up for the Tennessee D allowing 25.8 PPG (up from 20.7 and 18.9 the previous two seasons) on 390.5 YPPG, which ranks 26th (about 45 YPG more than in 2019),

Green Bay's defense is allowing 24.2 PPG (14th) but just 337.7 YPG (8th). However, the Packers are counting on Aaron Rodgers and the offense to 'win the day!' Rodgers has completed 69.6% for 3,828 yards with 40 TDs and just four INTs, giving him an NFL-best QB rating of 118.0. It's just another 'ho-hum' season for the future Hall of Famer. WR Adams believes he ranks with the best in the business and may be right, with 98 catches for 15 TDs despite missing two games. TE Tonyan has 49 catches and 10 TDs. Aaron Jones is one of the league's better all-purpose backs, rushing for 968 yards on 5.4 YPC with 8 TDs plus catching 41 passes for another four TDs.

Since losing 34-17 at home to the Colts in Week 10, the Titans have won FOUR of five, averaging 37.4 PPG. The Titans and Packers have each committed a league-low NINE turnovers but the Packers haven't committed a turnover in their last FOUR games (Green Bay is 10-0 when it doesn't have a turnover!). The Packers are 13-2 SU at Lambeau field since the start of the 2019 season (7-1 LY / 6-1 TY) and REALLY want that No. 1 seed. "The Pack" can't control what Seattle does vs the Rams but they can "take care of business" here, in their final regular season game of 2020. That's the bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Eastern Conference Crusher is on the Bos Celtics at 8:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics opened its season with a 122-121 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks (blew 17-point 4th-quarter lead but avoided OT when Giannis short-armed his second FT) but then got 'rolled' by the "new and improved" Nets on Christmas Day. The Celtics held a three-point halftime lead but were blitzed 72-41 in the second half!" We know we have a lot of work to do, that's very clear," Boston head coach Brad Stevens said after the loss to the Nets. "And we know who we have to shoot for, that's good to know. I thought our guys gave a good effort at the start, and then it just got away from us in the fourth."

The Indiana Pacers welcome the Celtics to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday, with the teams meeting again on Tuesday. Indiana has won its first two games, opening with a 121-107 Wednesday home win over the New York Knicks and following with a convincing 125-106 road victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Boston has won NINE of the last 13 meetings, although the teams split two games last season.

Gordon Hayward opted-out of his contract to sign with the Hornets (you will LOVE losing in Charlotte, Gordon) and Boston is still waiting for PG Kemba Walker to get healthy. However, Boston has a strong starting-five with Brown (30.0-6.5-3.5) joined in the backcourt with Smart (9.8 & 6.5). Smart took the place of an injured Hayward in LY's postseason, starting 16 of 17 games and averaging 14.5-5.2-4.6. He is also the team's best defender. PF Tatum (25.0 & 7.5) blossomed into a star last season and is joined up front with Theis (6.0 & 6.5) and the newly-acquired Tristan Thompson (10.0 & 8.0). Thompson averaged a double-double in each of his last two seasons at Cleveland (10.9 & 10.2 and 12.0 & 10.1). Boston also signed PG Teague (9.5 & 3.0 APG) who will help ease the pain until Walker returns (he's averaged double digits in each of his last NINE seasons!).

The Pacers have a good team led by the 6-11 Sabonis (27.0-11.5-8.)0) and now-healthy SG Oladipo (22.0 & 5.5). SF Warren led the team in scoring last season (19.8) and has averaged 14.0 PPG after two games. Brogdon (19.5-4.5-7.0) teams with Oladipo for an outstanding backcourt plus the 6-11 Turner (9.5 & 6.5) is a solid center, who already has 12 blocked shots. McDermott comes off the bench and has averaged 12.5 & 7.0 in the first two games.

The Pacers have opened 2-0 but please, the wins have come over the Knicks and Bulls, who went 21-45 and 22-43 last season, respectively. Meanwhile, the Celtics have beaten Milwaukee (best record in the NBA the last two seasons) and lost to VERY improved Nets. "The benefit of playing these two games against two great teams is we can be better, we can assess the bar, and now you know what you have to strive for," Smart told reporters. "It's a good way to test us as a team to see where we're at and where we have to get to. Like I said, there's definitely things we can clean up. It's only the second game, but we can't lose any sleep over it." I agree. Boston wins by double digits!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error Game of the Month is on the Sea Seahawks at 4:25 ET.

How does one explain the Rams losing 23-20 at home last Sunday to the 0-13 NY Jets (as a 17 1/2-point favorite) when they had a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win??? Were the Rams "looking ahead" to this game in Seattle with the Seahawks? "The only thing that makes you feel better is when you say, ‘All right, let's learn from it, let's own it, and let's move forward accordingly,'" Rams head coach Sean McVay said. "Because dwelling on it or getting still (ticked) off about it really doesn't do you any good for how you move forward." Here's the bottom line. The Rams won the first meeting against Seattle 23-16 back on Nov 15 in LA, as Jared Goff threw for 302 yards and Malcolm Brown rushed for a pair of TDs. That means the Rams would own the first tiebreaker against the Seahawks should they win Sunday to sweep the season series and go into the final week with matching 10-5 records. Speaking of clinching a playoff spot, the Seahawks did just that, holding on for a 20-15 win at Washington, in a game that was NOT as close as the final. Seattle has now clinched its NINTH playoff berth in head coach Pete Carroll's 11 seasons. "(That) was a really big weekend for us," Carroll said. "Real happy with the game that we put together, the way that the whole approach of it worked out well. We got the win that we were looking for and we got a little bit of help too, the Jets, getting their game. All of that adds together and sets up a really big opportunity this weekend coming up."

Jared Goff has had a solid if unspectacular season, completing 68.0% for 3,718 yards with 20 TDs and 12 INTs. He has an excellent WR duo in Kupp (84 catches) and Woods (82) plus TEs Higbee and Everett have a combined 75 receptions (Higbee has 5 TD catches). The running game has NOT missed Gurley but the Rams will be without leading rusher Cam Akers (591 yards on 4.8 YPC), who suffered a high ankle sprain in the loss to New York. LA's in playoff position and has a chance to capture the NFC West because of its defense. The Rams allow just 19.2 PPG (3rd) on 286.1 YPG (1st). LA ranks first in allowing 192.0 YPG through the air and 2nd in allowing just 94.1 YPG on the ground. To win in Seattle, LA will need a great game from its defense.

Seattle jumped out to the best record in the NFC early on, then had a midseason swoon but back-to-back wnsn have them back on the cusp of winning the NFC West. QB Russell was near-perfect early on but then 'cooled off' but what is one's definition of cooling off? With two weeks to go, he's completed 70.2% for 3,806 yards with 37 TDs and 13 TDs plus has run for 475 yards on 6.3 YPC. He's got a terrific trio of WRs in Lockett (85 catches with 8 TDs), Metcalf (74 catches and 10 TDs) and Moore (33 catches / 6 TDs). As Carson (568 yards on 5.0 YCPC with 5 TDs / 32 catches with 5 TDs) has regained his health, the Seattle running game is again very good. Speaking of defense, Seattle allowed 30.4 PPG through its first eight games but has allowed just 16.0 PPG (that two TDs less per game!) over its last six.

CenturyLink Field has been easily one of the toughest home venues in the NFL and even with COVID restrictions taking away Seattle's "12th man" in 2020, the Seahawks are 6-1 SU at home this season. This contest is their final home game of the regular season and the Seahawks aren't just satisfied with a playoff berth (which they clinched last Sunday), as they haven't won an NFC West title since 2016 and haven't hosted a playoff game since January 2017. A win here (no pointspread to worry about) will give them the NFC West title and at least ONE home game in the postseason! "The Price is Sure Right" on the Seahawks.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* is on the Dal Cowboys at 4:25 ET.

The Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC East at 9-7 in 2019, while the HUGELY disappointing Dallas Cowboys finished 8-8. When the season opened, the Eagles and Cowboys (with new head coach Mike McCarthy) were expected to battle for the East title. However, both teams have struggled all season with Philly at 4-9-1 and Dallas at 5-9 but ironically, BOTH remain in the hunt for the NFC East title, as 6-8 Washington is the division-leader (the Giants, like the Cowboys, are 5-9). These teams met back in Week 8 at Philly, when the starting QBs for the game were rookie Ben DiNucci for the Cowboys and veteran Carson Wentz for the Eagles. That situation has been reversed here, as 33-year-old veteran Andy Dalton is under center for Dallas, while 22-year-old rookie Jalen Hurts makes his THIRD straight start for Philly.

Hurts is 1-1 as the starter since replacing Wentz. The Eagles pulled an upset of New Orleans in his first start (167 yards passing one TD / 106 rushing yards) but then lost in Arizona (338 passing yards and three TDs / 63 yards rushing and one TD). RB Miles Sanders has missed some time but it's been a good sophomore season for the RB with 810 yards on 5.4 YPC with five TDs. TE Ertz has been hurt and while he's returned the last three games, he's had just two catches in each one (he caught 88 and 116 passes the L2 years with 14 TDs!). Goedert (43 catches / 3 TDs) has filled in well but Philly's WR corps has seen Jackson miss almost all season (he may play here) with Ward leading with 50 catches (6 TDs) and Fulgham catching 45 with 4 TDs. The Eagles are averaging 21.6 PPG (25th) and allowing 25.8 PPG (22nd).

Dak Prescott was again putting up big numbers before his injury but Dallas wasn't winning. Little changed after he went down but all of a sudden, the Cowboys won 30-7 at Cincy and 41-33 at home to the 49ers. Veteran Andy Dalton has been efficient in the wins, completing 62.5% with four TDs and zero INTs (has averaged a modest 197.0 YPG through the air). He has a VERY talented trio of WRs in Cooper (82 catches / 5 TDs), rookie Lamb (66  / 4 TDs) and Gallup (49 / 3 TDs)  plus TE Schultz (53 / 4 TDs) is solid. RB Elliott has underachieved (832 yards on just 3.9 YPC with 5 TDs). He missed his first-ever regular season game due to a calf injury last week but did resistance training at practice Wednesday and could be back in the lineup Sunday. Tony Pollard scored twice and gained 132 yards from scrimmage (69 yards on  5.8 YPC with two TDs), against the Niners in Elliott's absence. The Dallas defense has been a MAJOR issue all season, allowing 30.9 PPG.

The winner here could have a chance to win the division title if Washington loses at home to the Panthers today. Philadelphia won the first meeting 23-9 and supporters will point to this stat. Since 2017 when they won the Super Bowl, the Eagles are 11-2 in games they must win or they'd be eliminated from the playoffs or mathematically knocked out of contention. However, the Eagles enter this contest having lost FIVE in a row on the road, going 0-5 ATS while allowing 30.0 PPG. Dalton has been very solid in the Cowboys' back-to-back wins (see above) plus he's led the Cowboys to wins in three of their last five, completing 66.1 percent of his passes for 1,097 yards with 10 TDs and three INTs during that five-game stretch. He has not been intercepted since Dec 8. Dallas is also plus-seven in turnover margin the last two games, after being among the NFL's worst at minus-13 through the first 12 games. Those seven takeaways in two games came after Dallas forced just 11 in the first 12 games. Again, neither team can control the Carolina/Washington outcome but the winner just could be playing a meaningful game in Week 17, IF Washington loses. My pick says Dallas wins.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on the Was FB team at 4:05 ET.

NFL 2020 has been a trying season for all the with the raging pandemic and Washington head coach Ron Rivera has had the added issue of his skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. Rivera coached the Carolina Panthers the previous NINE seasons and led them to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2015 season. When Carolina and Washington last met (Week 17 of 2019), Washington beat Carolina and Rivera was fired two days later. Now, more than a year after being fired from his first head NFL coaching job, he can clinch the NFC East title by beating the team that fired him. Yes, the 6-8 Washington FB Team can become division champs with a win!

The Panthers "got rid of Rivera," but it's clear Carolina's woes run 'deep.' It sure didn't help that superstar RB McCaffrey has played just THREE games. QB Teddy Bridgewater's numbers are not awful (69.8% for 3,360 yards with 14 TDs and eight INTs) but Carolina 'limps in' with SEVEN losses in its last eight games (Panthers are 4-10 on the season). The Carolina offense averages 23.1 PPG (22nd) and its defense allows 25.4 PPG (20th). Most troubling is the fact that the Panthers haven't been able to 'close out' games. The Panthers have lost EIGHT games in which Bridgewater had the ball in his hands on a late fourth-quarter drive with a chance to take the lead or tie. "When you have the opportunity to have that last shot, you want to be able to deliver," Bridgewater said. "And we haven't been able to deliver. We want to get over that hump." Bridgewater is 3-10 as the team's starting QB this season and owner David Tepper seemed to put him on notice with his comments this week. Bridgewater still has two years left on his contract, but the Panthers could have a top-five pick in next year's draft. Blame Bridgewater if you like but about maybe the idea that head coach Matt Rhule would be a difference-maker was 'a bridge too far!' Check his resume. Why give him that 'monster' contract?

Washington opened 2-7 but then won FOUR straight (4-0 ATS), before losing 20-15 at home to Seattle last Sunday (a FIFTH straight ATS win for Washington!). The QB situation has been a revolving door and rookie RB Gibson (659 yards on 4.7 YPC and 11 TDs) plus WR McLaurin (80 catches) BOTH missed the Seattle game. McLaurin is out here but Gibson may play. It seems like Alex Smith will be back starting at QB and his recovery from that brutal leg injury has been one of the season's "feel-good" storylines. Smith is 4-1 as the starter two years removed from breaking his right leg in gruesome fashion. If Smith makes enough progress that his strained right calf feels good enough to play, he will start. If not, it'll be 2019 first-round pick-turned third-stringer-turned starter again Dwayne Haskins, despite being disciplined for breaking COVID-19 protocol by partying without a mask last weekend.

That said, the key to a Washington win is a defense that has allowed just 14.4 PPG over its last five, against a Carolina offense that has 'failed to finish, as noted above. How 'sweet would it be' for Rivera to clinch a division title against the team that fired him last season to bring in the 'legendary' Matt Rhule, The team "without a nickname" clinches a division title today. How fitting for Daniel Snyder, an owner without a 'FB brain!'

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Game of the Year is on the Pit Steelers at 1:00 ET.

"Once upon a time" Pittsburgh was 11-0 and had some wondering that just maybe, the Steelers had a chance at a 16-0 regular season. However, the 'dream' ended in "unlucky" Week 13 at home vs Washington, 23-17. Now, after back-to-back losses at Buffalo and Cincinnati, Pittsburgh's 'dream season' is on the verge of turning into a 'nightmare!' The Steelers have fallen two games back of the Chiefs for the AFC's No. 1 and currently loses a tiebreaker with the 11-3 Bills for the No. 2 seed. A loss here to the Colts and Pittsburgh could wind up with the No. 4 seed. The Colts are tied with the Tennessee Titans at 10-4 but Tennessee holds the tiebreaker, meaning the Colts have slipped to the No. 6 seed, as they also lose a tiebreaker to the 10-4 Browns. Indy can't afford a slip up either, as both the Dolphins (current No. 7 seed) and Ravens are both 9-5. Yes, there is plenty on the line in this game.

While the Steelers have clinched a spot in the playoffs despite three straight losses, the Colts are surging, having won three in a row, as well as FIVE of six. Philip Rivers has delivered for Indy, as the team's major offseason FA signee has thrown for 3,753 (he'll top 4,000 yards for the EIGHTH straight season and 12th in his last 13) with 22 TDs and nine INTs. Rookie RB Taylor looked like a bust with just 428 rushing yards through his first nine games but he's averaged 103.5 YPG on 5.8 YPC over his last four (team is 4-0). Indy's defense checks in allowing 22.9 PPG (11th) on 334.1 YPG (7th) but I'll look a little closer into those numbers in my 'close!'

The 'wolves' are out after "Big Ben," as he's taken most of the blame for Pittsburgh's slump. It's fair to say he cannot throw the deep ball anymore but he does enter this game with 3,462 passing yards with 30 TDs and 10 INTs on the season. He's got excellent depth in his WR corps, with Smith-Schuster catching 82 balls with 7 TDs, Johnson catching 77 with 6 TDs, rookie Claypool catching 53 with 8 TDs and Washington catching 28 with 5 TDs. TE Ebron has 51 catches but did miss practice (back) mid-week. However, RB Connor (663 yards on 4.3 YPC) did practice and should play. Snell (384 yards) filled in last week and had 84 yards, so while Connor's return would be nice, it's NOT a game-changer.

I believe the key is Pittsburgh defense. First let me go back for a 'peek inside' Indy's numbers. The Colts allowed just 14.0 PPG through their first four but their defense has been VERY mediocre since, allowing 26.4 PPG over its last 10 games. Pittsburgh's offensive woes are real, as the Steelers have averaged just 16.3 PPG in their three-game slide (also scored just 19 points vs a COVID-ravaged Baltimore team the week before the slide began) and "Big Ben" has averaged 178.5 YPG passing the last two games with three TDs and three TDs. However, the Pittsburgh defense has been at the top or right near it week after week. Pittsburgh currently ranks second in points allowed (18.9 per) and second in total D (297.9 YPG), while Its pass D also ranks second (193.3 YPG) and its rush D ranks 8th (104.6 YPG)

The game may be played without snow but it's going be VERY cold in Pittsburgh Friday and Saturday and Sunday's forecast doesn't expect temps to be much above freezing (good old-fashioned Steeler weather). Does it mean "all that much" that Pittsburgh has won SIX straight over Indy (5-1 ATS with a MOV of 14 points)? Maybe not, but it sure doesn't 'scare me away' from my Pittsburgh play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Bowl Rivalry Game of the Year is on Liberty at 7:30 ET.

The Liberty Flames have posted their best regular season in school history (9-1) and look to finish with a second consecutive bowl win against Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers have made history this year as well, completing the first unbeaten regular season in school and SBC history (8-0). These two both played in the Big South Conference (FCS) and have split their 14 meetings. The teams were scheduled to play on Dec 5 but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols and precautions in the Flames' program. The Flames beat Georgia Southern in last year's Cure Bowl and were the third FBS team to win a bowl in their first season at the top level. As for Coastal Carolina, the Chanticleers will make their first bowl appearance in school history.

Hugh Freeze's Flames are led by QB Malik Willis, who has thrown for 2,040 yards with 20 TDs and just four INTs. He has added 807 yards rushing (tops on the team), averaging 6.7 YPC with 10 more TDs. A trio of RBs have combined for 1,628 rushing yards and 13 TDs, as the team ranks 8th with 252.2 YPG on the ground (5.7 YPC). A trio of WRs have caught 82 passes, averaged 14.4 YPC and have 10 TD receptions. The offense is averaging 38.3 PG (17th) and the defense allows 19.2 PPG (17th) on 301.2 YPG (7th).

What a job Jamey Chadwell has done in just his third season (Chanticleers were 3-9 and 5-7 in his first two). Coastal has dual-threat QB as well in redshirt freshman Grayson McCall, who ranks 36th nationally in total offense with 2,643 yards. He's thrown for 2,170 yards (23 TDs / 2 INTs) and run for 473 yards (4.9 YPC / 6 TDs). RB Marable hasn't quite matched last season's numbers but has run for 84 yards on 5.2 YPC with 12 TDs (has 30 catches from another 7 TDs). Coastal runs for 22.32 YPG (15th). WR Heilegh (52 catches / 15.8 YPC 10 TDs) and TE Likely (25 catches / 20.7 YPC / 4 TDs) are McCall's main guys. The offense averages 37.5 PPG (18th) and the defense gives up 18.7 PPG (15th) on 340.7 YPG (26th).

Go back and check at the two teams' offense and defensive numbers and you'll see mirror images. Liberty's only loss came 15-14 at NC St, when it had a 39-yard field goal attempt blocked with 1:18 remaining in the game. Liberty is 8-2 ATS on the season and enters on a SEVEN-game ATS winning streak. Coastal Carolina is 8-2-1 ATS so again, it's hard to find too much difference in the teams. It was Liberty with the COVID-related problems that caused the Dec 5 to be canceled and the Flames haven't played since a 45-0 shutout of UMass on Nov 27. However, it was Coastal with the COVID issue which canceled its SBC championship game vs ULL on Dec 19, less than 48 hours before the scheduled kickoff. Chadwell said players in quarantine could be cleared by midweek prior to the bowl. We will see.

These old Big South rivals should go toe-to-toe here and I want the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Was Wizards at 7:05 ET.

The Magic had an excellent season-opener on Wednesday in beating the defending East Champs (Miami Heat) 113-107 in Orlando. Starters Fournier (25), Gordon (20 & 7), Vucevic (15 & 11) and Fultz (15) all played well plus as he did last year, Ross scored 19 points off the bench. The Magic travel to Washington D.C. for a Saturday game with the Wizards, a team they swept 4-0 during last season, scoring at least 120 points in each game.

The Wizards opened the season the same night, losing 113-107 at Philadelphia, despite Bradley Beal's 31 points and Russell Westbrook's triple-double (21-11-15) in his Washington debut. The Wizards will go only as far as their dynamic backcourt duo will take them this season but a pair of 6-10 big men are on the verge of becoming more than just "complementary" players. Bertans spent three seasons in San Antonio, averaging just 6.2 PPG, playing about 15 minutes per game. However, in his first season with Washington (2019-20), he averaged almost 30 minutes per game while averaging 15.4 PPG plus shot 42.4% on threes. Fellow big man Bryant had a breakout season last year, averaging 13.2 & 7.2 in his third NBA season. Bertans had 14 points on Wednesday and Bryant 10 & 5.

"Not good enough. Honestly, I'm kind of disappointed in myself," Westbrook said after the loss at Philly. "I had some mishaps and plays where I could have been better and had a better game to try to win. I don't like moral victories at any point in my career. I always like to go out and try to win the game. I've gotta be better and I'll be better next game." Beal averaged 34.3 points in three games last season vs Orlando, including a 42-point performance in a 127-120 loss on Dec 3. Forget last season's results, the Wizards get a comfortable win in their home opener.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Arz Cardinals at 4:30 ET.

Much has changed since Arizona upset San Francisco 24-20 back in Week 1 of the 2020 season. The 49ers entered that game as the defending NFC champs (off a 13-3 regular season), while Arizona was coming off a 5-10-1 season but was looking forward to "what could be" with Kyler Murray coming off an impressive rookie season. However, as the teams get together for a rematch in Week 16, the 5-9 Niners are coming off a 41-33 loss to the Cowboys, a defeat that officially ended the team's postseason hopes. Meanwhile, the Cards beat the Eagles 33-26 last Sunday to get 8-6 and into the No. 7 seed in the NFC (final playoff spot). A final twist to this game is that BOTH teams will be playing on the State Farm Stadium field for the THIRD time in the last four weeks, as the 49ers have been forced to relocate from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Ca, because of COVID-19 restrictions in the region. The 49ers have lost their first two 'home' games in Arizona, falling 34-24 in Week 13 to Buffalo 34-24 and then a week later 23-15 to Washington 23-15

The 49ers lost more than just a game that eliminated them from playoff contention against Dallas. The team's best (only?) RB Raheem Mostert has been ruled out for the season after aggravating a high ankle sprain in the loss, while QB Nick Mullens suffered an elbow injury that the 49ers fear could require Tommy John surgery. Mullens was not playing all that well in place of Jimmy G (12 TDs / 12 INTs) but with Garoppolo unlikely to get medical clearance to return to game action either this week or in the finale against Seattle (per head coach Kyle Shanahan), the last man standing appears to be C.J. Beathard. What's more, the San Francisco defense, which was so much a part of last season's run to the Super Bowl, has been riddled with injuries throughout the season and enters this contest having allowed 32.7 PPG during its recent three-game slide.

The Cardinals will take the field in third-place in the NFC West, two games behind Seattle (10-4) and one back of the Los Angeles Rams (9-5). The Rams are at Seattle this Sunday and if the Cards win, they would be just ONE game back of both teams if the Rams win or be tied with the Rams if they lose, going into their matchup in LA in Week 17. Best case scenario for the Cards would be a win and a Chicago loss at Jacksonville, which would clinch a playoff spot. However, the Jags are on a 13-game losing streak. Then again, so were the Jets until last week. Murray threw for a season-best 406 yards and three TDs in last week's home win over Philadelphia. He's thrown for 3,637 yards with 26 TDs and 11 TDs in 2020, while adding 741 rushing yards (6.0 YPC) with 11 TDs. RB Drake leads the team with 874 yards on 4.1 YPC (9 TDs), as the Cards rank 4th in the league averaging 147.8 YPG on the ground. WR Hopkins ranks with the best in the NFL, hauling in 103 passes with six TDs. The Cards D has struggled at times but overall, comes in allowing 23.5 PPG on the season (13th).

I'm assuming the 49ers won't take a chance on Jimmy G but if they do, he couldn't possibly be "ready for primetime." It's likely Beathard will start or maybe even Josh Rosen, who the Niners claimed off the Tampa Bay practice squad to serve as Beathard's backup (Can I vote for Rosen?). Murray should have little trouble against a San Francisco defense that gave up 41 points without forcing a TO against an Andy Dalton-led Dallas team. Meanwhile, the 49ers coughed it up FOUR times, giving them 29 giveaways and a minus-11 TO margin on the season (both rank 2nd-worst in the NFL next to the Broncos). The Cards win with ease and depending how a few other games turn out Sunday, should be in excellent shape for an important Week 17 game, as well as a wild card game the following weekend.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on Virginia at 4:00 ET.

No. 1 Gonzaga (6-0) will take on No. 16 Virginia (4-1) late Saturday afternoon in Fort Worth, Tx. Issues with COVID-19 have wiped out Virginia's opportunities to test itself against perennial powers Michigan State, Villanova and Florida but this game with the Bulldogs will provide an even bigger test. Gonzaga knows all about virus issues as well, as the Bulldogs had a 17-day layoff due to COVID-19 concerns, before their 99-88 win over then-No. 3 Iowa last Saturday. The nation's top team then played back-to-back home games Monday and Tuesday against Northwestern State, winning by a combined 55-points (note: Gonzaga was 0-2 ATS!). This non-conference neutral-site game was added to the schedule on Dec 17.

Mark Few has done everything but win a national championship since taking over the Gonzaga program for the 1999-2000 season. He has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in every season during his tenure as head coach and holds the record for the most consecutive tournament appearances since starting as head coach at 21! His career record at Gonzaga was 599-124 (.828) entering this season, which is an average of 28.5 wins per season. Is this Gonzaga's year to "win it all?"  UVa's Tony Bennett HAS "won it all!" He came to Charlottesville to begin the 2009-10 season and in his first two years at the school went 15-16 and 16-15. Enough of that! It's been NINE straight seasons of 20-plus wins since, including four seasons of 30-plus wins. Bennett and UVa lost to UMBC in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA tournament, becoming the first time since expansion in 1985 that a No. 1 seed lost to a No. 16 one, However, the Cavs came back to win the title in 2019, as ESPN called Virginia's championship run "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball," and NBC Sports took it a step further by calling it "the greatest redemption story in the history of sports." UVa was 23-7 when the season was shut down last March.

The Bulldogs hated to see Filip Petrusev (17.5 & 7.9), last season's West Coast Conference Player of the Year, decide to forgo his final two years of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas but SF small Corey Kispert (13.9 & 4.0), a preseason All-American, and guard Joel Ayayi (10.6-6.3-3.2) both return. Few has recruited a talented freshman class, one which includes guard Jalen Suggs, a top-10 prospect who is the program's highest-ranked recruit ever. Kispet is averaging 20.8 & 5.0. Ayayi 9.7 & 7.5 and freshman Suggs has been "as good as advertised," with a line of 16.3-5.7-5.8. 6-10 sophomore Timme (9.8 & 5.4 LY) has blossomed (20.3 & 7.5 TY) plus Florida transfer Newbhard (9.7-3.7-3.8) has been a great addition in the backcourt.

UVa lost the 6-9 Diakite (13.7 & 6.8) and 6-8 big guard Key (9.9 & 7.4) but this year's team has NINE players who have participated in all five games, chipping in between 4.6 and 13.4 PPG. Three are averaging in double digits, 6-8 Marquette transfer Sam Hauser (13.4 & 6.0), the returning 7-1 Hall (11.6 & 6.2) and 6-9 Trey Murphy (11.6). 6-11 freshman Kadin Shedrick had 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench in UVa's 76-40 home victory against William & Mary this past Tuesday, as the Cavaliers returned from an 18-day layoff. 

The Cavaliers have won three straight since that shocking loss to San Francisco and are once again playing their signature brand of defense, holding opponents to just 54.0 PPG on 36.3 percent shooting so far this season. However, how will it match up against a Gonzaga team that ranks third in the nation with 94.7 PPG and is shooting 55.1 percent from the floor? Let's ask Bennett. "When you play a team as talented and explosive as Gonzaga, I don't know what prepares you for that," Bennett said. "I know how good they are, and I know what we'll have to do at a very high level to be in a game like that and make it competitive and hopefully be successful." FYI...When Bennett coached at Washington State from 2006-09, his Cougars were 2-1 against Gonzaga. Upset Alert? Maybe that's a stretch but I am sure taking the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on Illinois at 4:00 ET.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 20-12 before the season was "called off!" Gone from that team are Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) who graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2), who transferred to Arkansas. Brad Underwood had a great three-year run at SF Austin (three straight NCAA bids) before making a one-year 'pit stop' in Stillwater, where he led Oklahoma St to an NCAA bid. Illinois "came calling" in March of 2017 when it fired John Groce and Underwood's first two seasons were duds (14-18 and 12-21). However, behind outstanding guard Dosunmu and 7-0 freshman Cockburn, the Illini were 21-10 when last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but so far, it has NOT been 'smooth sailing.' More in a bit.

This year's Indiana team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (21.1 & 8.6) and the 6-8 Thompson (10.5 & 6.8). The backcourt is led by sophomore Franklin (12.3), senior Durham (8.7-4.3) and junior Phinisee (7.0). With just 11 weeks to complete their 20-game league schedules, there's precious little time for Big Ten teams to celebrate victories and, more important, solve problems that spring up during defeats. Case in point is Indiana. Barely 10 hours after suffering a 74-67 home loss to Northwestern in their Big Ten opener on Wednesday, the Hoosiers (5-3, 0-1) were back on the practice floor at 9 a.m. Christmas Eve, before taking a bus ride on Christmas Day for today's 4 p.m. ET game at No. 18 Illinois (6-3, 2-1). In Dosunmu (23.4-7.8-5.2), Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation plus center Cockburn's sophomore season is going great, as he's averaging 17.4 & 9.3.Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Curbelo (10.4 & 4.3 APG), Frazier (9.6) and Williams (6.4 & 5.3) plus freshman Miller (9.8). The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (7.1 & 3.7) rounds out the main contributors.

Here's what I said about Illinois in taking them on Wednesday as my Game of the Week. "Illinois completes a rollercoaster 22-day span (Dec 2-23) in which the Fighting Illini lost to No. 2 Baylor, won at then-No. 10 Duke, lost their Braggin' Rights game at now-No. 14 Missouri (5-0) and now plays a dangerous Penn St team in Happy Valley. It's time for Illinois to 'step up' and prove it's a top-10 team!" The Illini did just that pulling away from Penn St in the second half for a 98-81 win. The Fighting Illini, like the Hoosiers, are back on the court after Wednesday games but Illinois was able to come back home and have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 'at home' in Champaign-Urbana, while the Hoosiers practiced Christmas Eve morning and then took that Christmas Day bus ride, "B-L-O-W-O-U-T" Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the LA Lakers at 8:05 ET.

LBJ, A.D. and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers opened their title defense Tuesday night and lost at Staples Center to co-tenants, the LA Clippers. The Lakers celebrated their NBA title with a ring ceremony (often a jinx as I pointed in taking AND winning with the Clippers!), then trailed by as many as 22 points early on against the Clippers before rallying but eventually losing 116-109. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the playoffs last season to end the franchise's three-season absence but Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. The Mavs opened their season Wednesday night but lost 106-102 to the Suns, who picked right up where they left off from last year's Orlando 'bubble' (Suns were 8-0 SU & ATS).

Luka Doncic (who enters his third season) is being touted as an MVP candidate, after averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 61 games last season and already has 25 triple-doubles in just 133 career regular-season games. Doncic had a "typical" game Wednesday night, scoring 32 points with eight rebounds and five assists. However, NO other teammate was able to score more than 12 points. Doncic is just 21 and according to him, is still working his way into shape. "It's true I'm not in my best shape," Doncic said. "I will get there for sure. But, you know, I've never been a muscular guy, so what can I say?" After the game, head coach Rick Carlisle added, "He's still getting his game legs under him. That will get there. But he understands the game as well as any 21-year-old I've ever been around. He'll make the adjustments that are necessary." With Doncic's sidekick (the 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis) still recovering from right knee surgery, stemming from tearing his meniscus in mid-August during the series with the Clippers, I'll be VERY wary of playing on the Mavs in the early going. Porzingis isn't expected back until January.

Many believe (and count me among them) that the defending champs have improved during the offseason with the additions of reigning Sixth Man of the Year and former Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell, the Sixth Man runner-up in guard Dennis Schroder, veteran center Marc Gasol and guard Wesley Matthews. Schroder started against the Clippers and had a line of 14-12-8, while Harrell came off the bench to add 17 & 10. Kuzma, who just signed an extension with LA, came off the bench to score 15 points. Anyone seriously worried that LBJ and A.D. won't hold up their end this season? This is a great opportunity for the Lakers to quickly wipe out the sour taste left by Tuesday's season-opening loss and expect the Mavs to play the perfect foil! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Purdue at 2:30 ET.

he NBA has 'owned' Christmas Day in recent years but the Big Ten has decided in this 'Year of COVID' to 'crash the party.' In fact, COVID sparked the move. Typically, the NCAA upholds a rule requiring three days off around Christmas but the organization waived the regulation as various teams remain on campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So, Big Ten hoops will play FOUR Christmas games that feature four ranked teams. The lone game without a ranked opponent in this Christmas 'grand slam' is 5-2 Maryland visiting West Lafayette to take on 6-3 Purdue. Maryland is 0-1 to open Big Ten play and Purdue is 1-1.

Mark Turgeon coached Wichita St for seven years, before leading Texas A&M to four straight NCAA tournaments in four years going 97-40. He joined Maryland when it was still in the ACC but its move to the Big Ten has been good for the basketball program, as over the last six seasons the Terps have won 20-plus games in five seasons (exception was a 19-win season), making four NCAA tourneys (would have been five, as Maryland was 24-7 when the season was shut down last year). PG Cowan (16.3 & 4.7 APG) and big man Jalen Smith (15.5 & 10.5) are gone but the Terps have a deep backcourt, Ayala (14.6) and Hart (10.6) lead the way, supported by Wiggins (10.0-4.6-3.1) and Morsell (7.8 & 5.1). Up front, it's the 6-7 Scott (12.7 & 7.1) and 6-8 BC transfer Hamilton (8.3 & 3.4).

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (12.2 & 4.0 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (13.8 & 9.7) and SG Stefanovic (12.2 & 4.0 APG). 7-4 freshman Edey (10.3 & 3.9) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.3) just barely misses double digits in scoring. Depth is provided by four players chipping a combined 21 PPG.

Maryland is coming off a win over La Salle on Tuesday but that hardly 'wipes away' the team's back-to-back losses to Clemson and Rutgers. The Terps were routed  67-51 at Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and then lost 74-60 at home to now-No. 11 Rutgers 74-60 in its Big Ten opener. Purdue saw a three-game winning streak end at No. 4 Iowa on Tuesday, losing 70-55 to the Hawkeyes. I had Iowa in that one and noted that Purdue was in the WRONG place at the WRONG time, as Iowa was coming off a loss to No.1 Gonzaga.

This is a HUGE game for Purdue, as it plays THREE of its next four games (all in the Big Ten) on the road. The Boilermakers will be on the road at No. 11 Rutgers and then at No. 18 Illinois, before getting a home game with Nebraska and then going back on the road at No. 12 Michigan St. The LAST thing Purdue needs here is a home loss to Maryland to kick off that stretch. Maryland has been AWFUL in its two biggest tests this season so far, averaging just 55.5 PPG on 36.9% shooting in losses to Clemson and Rutgers. What changes here in a Christmas Day visit to Mackey Arena? I say NOTHING!

Goods luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Year is on Michigan St at 12:30 ET.

Big Ten basketball has 'taken over' Christmas Day with a 'grand slam' of games, featuring FOUR ranked teams. The '4-pack' tips off at 12:30 ET with No. 9 Wisconsin (7-1, 1-0 Big Ten) heading to East Lansing to take on No. 12 Michigan State (6-1 / 0-1 Big Ten). Wisconsin lone loss has come 67-65 at Marquette and owns a home blowout win 85-48 over then-No. 23 Louisville on Dec 19 (Cards only loss this season). Michigan St earned a 75-69 'marquee' win at then-No. 6 Duke back on Dec 1 but came into this contest off an embarrassing 79-65 at Northwestern this past Sunday.

Wisconsin has a had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win season in his first five. The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Davison (11.3), and Trice (11.0) plus the 6-10 Potter (13.4 & 7.3), the 6-11 Reuvers (10.9 & 3.9) and the 6-8 Ford (9.1 & 4.0). 6-5 freshman Davis (7.9 & 5.1) and 6-9 sophomore (4.8 & 4.5) are both averaging about 21 MPG off the bench. Wisconsin plays stifling defense, holding opponents to 57.5 PPG on 36.2 percent shooting overall.

You may just have heard of MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who was disgusted with his team's performance at Northwestern. The Spartans were dominated by the unheralded Wildcats, 79-65, trailing by double digits throughout the second half. "Obviously still disappointed, not by the loss but just by how we played," Izzo said. "And yet, I'm going to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘You know what, there's going to be some ups and downs and there's going to be some mind-boggling days when you just say, ‘What's going on?' " Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, leads the team averaging 12.1 & 8.9. Joining him in the frontcourt are two returning players, the 6-7 Brown and the 6-6 Henry. Brown has averaged 10.6 PPG, while Henry has chipped in 12,0-5.4-4.9. Sophomore PG Watts (11.7 & 4.3 APG) steps in for Winston plus veteran guard Langford (8.2) joins him on the perimeter. Langford is FINALLY healthy and is back on the court this season, having last played in December of 2018. 6-7 sophomore Hall averages 6.7 & 6.0, so Michigan St matches up well with the Badgers.

Best of all, what team would want a Christmas Day visit to Breslin Center to face an Izzo-coached team off an embarrassing loss. I know Wisconsin will put on a 'brave face' but this just in, the Badgers have dropped 12 straight in East Lansing, with their last victory there coming back to 2004. No margin to cover here and it's Michigan St by double digits!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on the Mia Heat at 12:05 ET.

New Orleans head coach Stan Van Gundy will be back on familiar turf Friday when his Pelicans face the Miami Heat, the team that gave him his start coaching in the league in 1995. The Pelicans won their season opener on Wednesday, 113-109 at Toronto (Raptors are playing their 'home' games in Tampa). Ingram just missed a triple-double (24-9-11) with 'King' Zion adding 15 & 10. The game also marked the Pelicans debuts of Eric Bledsoe (18 points) and Steven Adams (eight points, a game-high four steals and two blocks).

While the Pelicans were beating the Raptors, the defending East champs were losing 113-107 in Orlando. "We have to be more precise," Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about his team's 22 turnovers against Orlando. "Our spacing has to be a lot better, and we have to be willing to work the offense." The turnovers came primarily from Bam Adebayo (seven), Jimmy Butler (six) and Tyler Herro (four). Then again, Adebayo had 25 & 11, Butler 17-7-7 and Herro, who blossomed into a start in last year's 'bubble,' started and had a line of 13-6-4. Goran Dragic had 20 points and seven assists, continuing his role as super sub. "I told 'Spo' that however he wants to use me, I'm here for the team," said Dragic, a 2018 All-Star back in his days as a starter. "I'm already feeling comfortable with this (backup) role."

New Orleans shot 52.5% vs Toronto but DON'T expect a repeat performance here against an excellent defensive team like the Heat. The Heat actually made 50.6% from the floor in the loss at Orlando and I'm looking for them to bounce back in a big way here. The Heat opened last season's playoff run 7-0 SU & ATS and finished 14-7 SU and with a playoff-best 16-7 ATS record. Heat 'came together' last postseason and will be a tough team to beat all of this season, especially at home and off a loss no less! 'Cheap' price. A win over ex-head coach Van Gundy would be 'icing on the cake.'

Good luck...Larry

My CFB 10* Bowl Game of the Week is on Houston at 3:30 ET.

The 2020 New Mexico Bowl will be played Christmas Eve in Frisco, Tx (near Dallas). The game is normally played in Albuquerque, NM but was relocated from New Mexico due to that state's health guidelines regarding intercollegiate athletics and travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaii got its fourth win of the season with a 38-21 triumph over UNLV on Dec 12, evening its overall and Mountain West Conference marks at 4-4, then accepted the bowl invitation. The Houston Cougars who despite an overall 3-4 record (3-3 American Athletic Conference), are headed to their SEVENTH bowl in the last eight seasons but the first under second-year head coach Dana Holgorsen.

The Rainbow Warriors know all about appearing in bowl games the last two decades, with 11 appearances in that stretch. However, only ONE bowl appearance came in the 48 contiguous states, when a 12-0 Hawaii team played in and lost the 2008 Sugar Bowl (2007 season) 41-10 to Georgia (remember Colt Brennan?). Todd Graham is in his first season at Hawaii but has the Rainbow Warriors in their FOURTH bowl in the last five seasons. QB Chevan Cordeiro has thrown for 1,947 yards with 11 TDs and six INTs plus leads the team in rushing with 450 yards and with seven TDs. Fellow RB Turner has 271 yards (5.6 YPC / 5 TDs) plus has 29 catches with a team-high average of 15.8 YPC, as well as a team-high five TD receptions. A trio of WRs have combined for 93 catches but a total of only two TDs catches, while NONE of them average as much a 9.0 YPC! Hawaii's defense is allowing 29.3 PPG.

It's been a bumpy ride for teams all across college football but the Houston program is right up among the schools the virus has affected most. The Cougars had EIGHT games postponed, canceled or rescheduled due to COVID-19 issues. Between Nov 14 and this bowl game, Houston has played just one game, a 30-27 loss to Memphis on Dec 12. With QB King leaving for Mia-Fl as a graduate transfer, Clayton Tune has stepped in nicely at QB, with 1,832 passing yards (13 TDs / 7 INTs), along with adding 269 rushing yards and five TDs on the ground. RB Porter adds 394 yards on 4.1 YPC and four TDs. Five receivers have caught between 16 and 27 passes, averaging between 10.8 and 15.4 YPC. Stevenson leads with that 15.4 average and has four TDs among his 20 catches. Houston's offense has nice balance (268.1 YPG passing / 155.3 YPG rushing) in averaging 32.6 PPG but its defense allows 32.3 PPG.

Hawaii is traveling over 3,700 miles for this game, while Houston has to travel just a couple hundred miles. I believe Houston is the MUCH better team and oddsmakers agreed, as the Cougars opened around a 12-point favorite. The "early" money has been on Hawaii but that just helps as you should be able to lay less than double digits with Houston. I noted above that Houston has been 'tested' as much as any team in this pandemic-riddled season and I like head coach Holgorsen's pep talk. "I challenge (our players) to win this game so we can buy some rings that say 'COVID CHAMPS' on them, something to remember 2020 by," Holgorsen told Houston radio station SportsTalk 790 last week. "Let's do something to feel good about what happened in 2020. Let's get a ring, put it on the shelf and look at it and say, 'I remember 2020,' and tell your kids about it one day." Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Pho Suns at 10:35 ET.

The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought. The Suns acquired 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder and will pair him with All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who has averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the past two seasons. Phoenix added veteran forward Jae Crowder (VERY underrated) in addition to Paul and are hoping that 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) will stay healthy all season.

Luka Doncic (who enters his third season) is being touted as an MVP candidate. He averaged 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 61 games last season and already has 25 triple-doubles in just 133 career regular-season games. He led the Mavericks to the playoffs last season to end the franchise's three-season absence but Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Doncic is just 21 and according to him, is still working his way into shape. "It's true I'm not in my best shape," Doncic said. "I will get there for sure. But, you know, I've never been a muscular guy, so what can I say?" It's also NOT good news for Dallas sidekick, the 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis, isn't ready for the start of the season. He is still recovering from right knee surgery, stemming from tearing his meniscus in mid-August during the series with the Clippers.

The Suns went 3-1 against the Mavericks last season, including two victories in the bubble, 117-115 on Aug 2 and 128-102 on Aug 13. By year's end, it's likely that the Mavs will be a better team than the Suns but that's NOT the case here in Game 1 for both teams.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Month (Northwest) is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.

Utah Jazz are well aware that only a FEW plays separated the Jazz from a potential run to the 2020 Western Conference Finals and what turned into first-round loss to the Nuggets (Jazz led the series 3-1, then lost THREE in a row!). The Portland Trail Blazers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago but last year needed a strong run 'in the bubble' to sneak into the postseason. Led by 'Bubble' MVP Lillard, the Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers in the first round but after a 100-93 upset in Game 1, Portland lost FOUR in a row.

Both teams should be solid contenders this season. Donovan Mitchell (24.0-4.4-4.3) and Rudy Gobert (15.1 & 13.5) both agreed to contract extensions before the new season and Jordan Clarkson (15.6) re-signed with Utah on a four-year deal after emerging as the team's sixth man last season. Bringing back Derrick Favors represented the biggest free agent addition for the Jazz. Favors spent 8 1/2 seasons in Utah before being traded to New Orleans a year ago. "We need to hold ourselves to a high standard," Mitchell told the Deseret News. "You know, we blew a 3-1 lead. We lost in the first round, and there's no time for that. There's no time for slow starts." Added Gobert after signing his new deal, "I'm here to stay, and I'm here to WIN a championship. I'm here to win with my brothers, I'm here to win with coach (Quin Snyder) and I'm here to win with you, Utah."

Portland is led by its dynamic quard duo of Damian Lillard and CJ MCcollum, who averaged 30.0-4.3-87.0 and 22.2-4.2-4.4 last season, respectively. They also brought back Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony to give the Blazers some scoring punch off the bench when Lillard and McCollum aren't on the floor. Notably, Jusuf Nurkic and Rodney Hood are back after serious injuries kept one or the other off the floor for lengthy stretches last season. Hood re-signed with the Blazers as a free agent during the offseason. Portland acquired Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to shore up defense.

Frankly, I like BOTH teams this season but in this pre-Christmas opener, I MUCH prefer the home team which avoids traveling, ESPECIALLY at this price!

Good luck...Larry

My CFB 9* Late-Breaker (Montgomery Bowl) is on FAU at 7:00 ET.

The Montgomery Bowl (7-3 Memphis vs 5-3 FAU) was created after the cancellation of the Fenway Bowl. Memphis was 12-1 when it made a New Year's Six bowl appearance in last year's Cotton Bowl. The Tigers 'hung around' but eventually lost 53-39 to Penn St. Memphis will set a school record by playing in a bowl game for the seventh straight year. This Montgomery Bowl appearance vs FAU may feel like a 'step down' for Memphis but as I will allude to a bit later, the Tigers are desperate for a bowl win. This is the third bowl game in four years for the Owls and fifth since 2007. It's their first bowl outside Florida since 2008.

The Tigers are led by QB Brady White, who is capping a terrific career. He's thrown for 3,096 yards with 28 TDs and nine INTs in 2020, following seasons of 4,014 yards with 33 TDs and 11 INTs in 2019 and 3,296 yards with 26 TDs and nine INTs in 2018. His "go-to" guy is WR Austin (60 catches / 17.1 YPC / 10 TDs), although the running game is fairly mediocre, averaging 142.0 YPG (85th). The defense has been a liability all season, allowing 29.7 PPG (contributing to the team's 3-7 ATS record).

FAU has a non-existent passing game (143.6 YPG ranks 117th) but a solid running game which averages 185.3 YPG (47th). However, the Owls own a solid defense, allowing 16.5 PPG (9th) on 326.4 YPG. Containing White will be a key for FAU and its pass D comes in allowing 175.6 YPG (12th in the nation).

As noted above, Memphis NEEDS a bowl win, as the Tigers haven't gotten one since a double-overtime victory over BYU in the 2014 Miami Beach Bowl. That's not all, as a check of the record book reveals that Memphis is on a 1-7 SU and 0-8 ATS run in its last eight conference championship or bowl games. Meanwhile, FAU is 6-0 SU & ATS in similar contests. I'm taking the BIG points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Illinois at 6:30 ET.

Brad Underwood had a great three-year run at SF Austin (three straight NCAA bids) before making a one-year 'pit stop' in Stillwater, where he led Oklahoma St to an NCAA bid. Illinois "came calling in March of 2017 when it fired John Groce and Underwood's first two seasons were duds (14-18 and 12-21). However, behind outstanding guard Dosunmu and 7-0 freshman Cockburn, the Illini were 21-10 when last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but so far, it has NOT been 'smooth sailing.' Penn St was also 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry led the Nittany Lions to an impressive 75-55 road win over then-No. 15 Virginia Tech on Dec 8 but this past Sunday lost 62-58 at Michigan (Wolverines are 6-0 and ranked 25th).

Dosunmu (22.6-8.0-5.30 is one of the top guards in the nation and Cockburn's sophomore season is going great, as he's averaging 16.8 & 9.8.Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by freshman Miller (10.4) plus fellow guards Frazier (9.9), Curbelo (9.9-3.4-3.9), and Williams (6.9 & 5.8). The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (7.0 & 3.8) completes the main contributors. Penn  St surely misses All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Seth Lundy (14.4) and 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (14.0 & 5.6) plus two guards that can play the point, Sam Sessoms (11.8 & 3.5 APG) and Myreon Jones (11.8 & 3.3 APG), when PG Wheeler (5.8-4.0-4.6) needs a break. The 6-9 Harrar (7.6 & 7.0) is the team's leading rebounder.

Illinois completes a rollercoaster 22-day span (Dec 2-23) in which the Fighting Illini lost to No. 2 Baylor, won at then-No. 10 Duke, lost their Braggin' Rights game at now-No. 14 Missouri (5-0) and now plays a dangerous Penn St team in Happy Valley. It's time for Illinois to "step up" and prove it's a top-10 team (despite a 5-3 record, Illinois is still ranked 18th) or it will be a sad Christmas in Champaign-Urbana. I'm in.

Good luck...Larry

My CFB 10* New Orleans Bowl play is on La Tech at 3:00 ET.

7-5 Georgia Southern of the SBC will take on 5-4 Louisiana Tech of C-USA in Wednesday's New Orleans Bowl at the Superdome. This will be Georgia Southern's FOURTH bowl since moving up from the Football Championship Subdivision in 2014. The Eagles won postseason games in 2015 and 2018 before falling last year 23-16 to Liberty in the Cure Bowl. As for La Tech, securing a winning record for 2020 plus keeping its bowl streak alive, are on the line for the Bulldogs. How many are aware that Louisiana Tech's SIX-game bowl winning streak is the longest active mark for ANY team in the country.

Both teams come in with questions surrounding their QB situation. Shai Werts was the regular Georgia Southern QB for 10 games, but he missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. Justin Tomlin has started the last two but he departed the Dec 12 regular-season finale against Appalachian State with a second-quarter injury after rushing for 76 yards in the game. Miller Mosley, who's considered the team's third-string QB, threw for a touchdown and two interceptions after replacing Tomlin. Werts has accounted for 1,575 yards and 15 TDs from scrimmage and leads the Eagles in rushing with 649 yards, as Georgia Southern ranks 7th in the nation averaging 262.4 YPG. That shoulder injury has sidelined him for the team's last two games, but he has returned to practice and could play in the bowl game. Georgia Southern's defense is solid, allowing 22.3 PPG (31st) on 333.5 YPG (19th).

La Tech reached 10 wins in 2019 for the first time since 1983  but KNEW it would miss QB J'Mar Smith, who threw for 2,977 yards (18/5 ratio) and ran for 4 TDs as a senior. He ended his career winning his final 10 starts. His replacement  was expected to be either sophomore Aaron Allen or Abilene Christian transfer, Luke Anthony. Anthony started for most of the season but severely injured his lower right leg when he was tackled late in the fourth quarter last Saturday in a blowout loss to TCU. Allen will get the start here and "on paper," this figures to be a tough matchup for the Bulldogs. La Tech has a non-existent rushing attack (97.7 YPG on the ground ranks 119th) and Anthony is a superior QB than Allen. However, La Tech finds a way into the end zone, averaging 29.3 PPG on the season, despite its 10-point effort vs TCU. The defense is another story, allowing 34.3 PPG (95th).

Here's the bottom line! Skip Holtz is finishing up his eighth season at La Tech. He went just 4-8 in his first season but 2020 marks the SEVENTH consecutive season in which he's led the Bulldogs to a bowl game. As noted above, the Bulldogs have won EACH of the previous six. In last season's Independence Bowl, La Tech beat Miami-Florida 14-0, becoming the first Group of 5 school to shut out a Power-5 school in a bowl game since the BCS/CFP era began in 1998. What's more, Louisiana Tech has not lost to a current Sun Belt Conference opponent since 1996, winning 18 in a row! You really want to give this team about a TD?

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* 'Battle 4 LA' is on the LA Clippers at 10:05 ET.

After the shortest offseason in league history, the Lakers will open defense of their NBA title by hosting the Clippers. Of course, both teams call Staples Center home. Conventional wisdom seems to be that the defending champs have improved during the offseason with the additions of reigning Sixth Man of the Year and former Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell, the Sixth Man runner-up in guard Dennis Schroder, veteran center Marc Gasol and guard Wesley Matthews. Hard to argue with the team's additions but the Lakers' success in the end will depend on the play of LBJ and A.D. James won his fourth NBA title Oct 11 when the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in six games, averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and a league-high 10.2 assists per game during the 2019-20 regular season. Davis won his first title and averaged a team-high 26.1 points with 9.3 rebounds and finished third in the league in blocks at 2.3 per game. Davis just recently agreed to a five-year, $190 million maximum contract to stay with the defending champs.

After the Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals which prevented a much-anticipated showdown with the Lakers, they parted ways with Doc Rivers, replacing him with former assistant Tyronn Lue. BTW...What makes so many think Doc Rivers is a "great" coach? The Clippers' fortunes again will depend on Kawhi Leonard (27.1 & 7.1) and Paul George (21.5 & 5.7). Like Davis, George recently signed a HUGE contract to remain with the Clippers. However, unlike A.D, George was a flop in last season's playoffs. Lou Williams averaged 18.2 points and 5.6 assists during the regular season and will again be a big part of the team. Forward Marcus Morris, guard Patrick Beverley and center Ivica Zubac are again expected to be key contributors. So is forward Serge Ibaka, who the Clippers signed as a free agent to fill the void left by Harrell. Ibaka averaged 15.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season with the Toronto Raptors and was part of the Toronto team of two years ago that won the NBA title (as was Kwahi). Nicolas Batum has long been a solid NBA player and joins the Clippers along with Luke Kennard, who averaged 15.8 PPG on 40% shooting on threes in a 25-game injury-filled season last year with Detroit.

Here's the bottom line. It's 'Ring Night' for the Lakers and that's often been distracting for home teams plus the Lakers cruised through an abbreviated preseason 4-0, which included TWO wins over the Clippers, who lost all three preseason contests. ALL the motivation is with the Clipps tonight and I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Iowa at 9:00 ET.

The Iowa Hawkeyes won their first six games by an average of 32 points but were outclassed by top-ranked Gonzaga (99-88) this past Saturday at Sioux Falls, SD. Iowa's (6-1) first loss of the current season only dropped them one spot in the AP poll, from No. 3 to No. 4. Iowa welcomes Purdue (6-2) to Hawkeye-Carver Arena tonight well-aware that the Boilermakers may be unranked but they are dangerous.

Purdue (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) enters tonight's game with the momentum of three straight victories, including Wednesday's 67-60 home triumph over then-No. 20 Ohio State in its Big Ten opener and Saturday's 78-68 victory over Notre Dame on a neutral floor in Indianapolis. Head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning player in senior PG Hunter (14.3 & 3.8 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (13.8 & 9.8) and SG Stefanovic (12.5).7-4 freshman Edey (11.3 & 4.3) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.1) just barely misses double digits in scoring. Depth is provided by four players chipping in between 5.0 and 6.7 PPG.

Iowa's 6-11 Luka Garza was named Preseason P-O-Y by many and hasn't disappointed. He's averaging 29.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 2.3 blocked shots while shooting 69.6 percent from the floor. He had 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting, 10 rebounds and three rejections against the Bulldogs. Garza has four 30-points efforts this season with a high of 41. Two senior guards join him in the starting lineup in Wieskamp (15.9 & 6.3) and Bohannon (6.6 & 4.9 APG). The 6-11 Nunge (10.6 & 6.8) comes off the bench plus FIVE more players contribute regularly, led by sophomore guard Fredrick (9.3).

Purdue is a solid defensive team in allowing just 65.0 PPG but will attempt to slow down an Iowa attack scoring 98.7 PPG (1st in the nation) on 50.3% shooting. The Hawkeyes have topped 100 points three times already and their 88 against Gonzaga represents a season low. Purdue is a perfect 5-0 when its defense holds opponents to a field goal percentage of 41.3 percent or less and my thought here is, "good luck with that at Iowa." The Hawkeyes have turned the ball over on just 12.7 percent of their possessions, the fourth-lowest mark in all of Division I. Great bounce-back spot for Iowa here and don't think that the Hawkeyes are NOT aware that the Boilermakers are seeking their FIFTH consecutive victory over the Hawkeyes. Lay the points and expect an Iowa R-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Non-Conference Game of the Year "Best of the Best" is on San Diego St at 9:00 ET.

The St Mary's Gaels dropped their season opener, 73-56, to Memphis at Sioux Falls, SD back on Nov 25 but will take on San Diego Tuesday night on an EIGHT-game winning streak. The San Diego St Aztecs opened their season 5-0 and reached No. 18 in the AP poll but a 72-62 Friday night home loss to BYU saw SDSU fall from the new AP rankings, which were released yesterday. 

Randy Bennett has been head coach at St Mary's since the 2001-02 season and entered this season with a 440-1982 (.707) record. The Gaels posted their 13th season of 20-plus wins last year, as they were 26-8 when COVID shut things down. Would the Gaels have gotten an NCAA bid? Bennett and his various teams know all about NCAA snubs, as SIX times in the previous 12 seasons, his team had been denied an NCAA bid despite seasons of 28, 25, 23, 21, 29 and 30 wins. No Kidding!

Gone from last year are guard Ford (21.9), forward Fitts (16.5 & 7.1) and guard Krebs (9.1). However, is "winning as usual" for 8-1 St Mary's, as senior Guard Kushe, who averaged just 5.9 PPG last season, is averaging 15.4-3.8-6.3 so far this season. Junior guard Johnson (1.4 PPG last season) is averaging 8.2 & 3.8, while returning players like the 6-10 Tass (10.2 & 4.3) and the 6-7 Fotu (7.9 & 4.9) are holding up their ends. Aussie guard Ducas averaged just 3.6 PPG last season but adds 10.9 & 5.3 so far this season.

Brian Dutcher has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher, first at Michigan and then at San Diego St. Dutcher joined then-interim coach Fisher in 1989 when Michigan won the national championship. Dutcher was named San Diego State's "head coach in waiting" in 2011. Following Fisher's decision to retire, Dutcher was formally named as his replacement on April 11, 2017. The Aztecs won 22 and 21 games in his first two seasons but last season, the team opened 26-0 with impressive road/neutral site wins over BYU, Creighton, Iowa, and Utah State. SD State finished 30-2 and ranked No. 6 when the season shut down. Dutcher brought in transfers Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, K.J. Feagin, and Trey Pulliam, to mesh with returnees Matt Mitchell, Jordan Shackel, Nathan Mensah, and Adam Sieko, as the Aztecs put together one of their best seasons in program history last year. However, the Aztecs lost MWC player-of-the-year Malachi Flynn (17.6-4.5-3.1) to the NBA while Yanni Wetzell (11.6 & 6.5) transferred to Vandy and Feagin (9.1) has finished up his time with the program. 

The good news for Dutcher is that Matt Mitchell (12.2 & 4.8) flirted with the NBA draft but returned and is averaging 16.3 & 3.8. Jordan Schakel is second with 13.2 PPG, as NINE players are averaging between 5.0 and Mitchell's team-leading 16.3 PPG. The 6-10 Mensah (8.8 & & 7.2) and the 6-6 Arop (5.6 & 4.4) have been the top frontcourt contributors. Mitchell did all he could for San Diego State in the defeat against BYU. The Aztecs trailed by as many as 17 points and were down by 14 with 5:20 remaining, but Mitchell scored a career-best 35, including a dunk with 1:57 to play to make the score 61-61. However, San Diego State scored just ONE more point the rest of the way.

St Mary's is obviously no pushover but other than Memphis (lone loss) and Northern Iowa, the Gaels' early schedule has hardly been challenging. St Mary's is in the WRONG place at the WRONG time tonight, catching SDSU off its first loss. That game is being played on the Cal State San Luis Obispo campus (neutral site) but that won't help. Aztecs bounce-back in a "big way."

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* "Bowl Kickoff' is on BYU at 7:00 ET.

Josh Heupel was named head coach of the UCF Knights on December 5, 2017, replacing the departing Scott Frost, who had led UCF to a perfect 13-0 season in 2017. Heupel continued the 'magic' in 2018, as UCF took a 12-0 record (AND a 25-game winning streak) into its Sugar Bowl game with LSU, where the Tigers snapped that win streak with a 40-32 victory (coming out party for Joe Burrow). UCF followed with a 10-3 season in 2019 but enters Tuesday's bowl game with amore modest record of 6-3. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake took over at Provo back in 2016. The Cougars went 9-4 in his first season, capping the year with a win in the Poinsettia Bowl. However, BYU followed with a 4-9 bowl-less 2017 campaign and in 2018, only the team's win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl allowed them to finish above .500 at 7-6. Sitake was feeling some 'heat' from the BYU "faithful" in 2019 after a 2-4 start but a five-game winning streak made BYU 7-4 bowl eligible and Sitake was rewarded with a contract extension through 2023. However, the Cougars lost their regular season final 13-3 at SD State and then lost the Hawaii Bowl to Hawaii 34-30, finishing at 7-6 again. Entering 2020, some of those BYU "faithful" who were questioning that extension.

CF opened 2-0 but then lost back-to-back games to Tulsa and Memphis. UCF rebounded to win THREE in a row but lost 36-33 at home to Cincy before finishing with a 58-46 win at USF. QB Gabriel is completing 61.7% for 2,353 yards with 30 TDs and just four INTs, while RBs McCrae (681 yards on 5.2 YPC with 9 TDs) and Anderson (614 yards on 5.6 YPC and four TDs) lead a running game averaging 212.6 YPG (). WR Williams (71 catches / 8 TDs) and Robinson (61 catches / 5 TDs) are both dangerous receivers. The offense averages 44.3 PPG (5th) on 585.6 YPG (5th) but the defense allows 31.4 PPG (78th) on 473.7 YPG (117th).

It didn't take long for Sitake to quiet the naysayers, as BYU rolled through a patchwork schedule but at 9-0 and ranked 8th in the AP poll, BYU found themselves just 14th in the first CFP rankings on Nov 24. The CFP selection committee made it clear in each of its first two rankings that BYU's weak schedule was keeping it outside the top-10, so BYU worked hard to schedule a "quality" opponent and got that chance on Dec 5 when it was able to replace Liberty as Coastal Carolina's opponent on Saturday, after COVID-19 issues prevented the Flames from playing in the game. However, the Cougars were held to season lows in points and yards (405) in a 22-17 loss. BYU ended its regular season on Dec 12 with a 28-14 home win over SD State to finish 10-1, ranked 13th (AP) and 16th (CFP).

QB Zach Wilson has been TERRIFIC, completing 73.2% for 3,267 yards with 30 TDs and just three INTs (his QB rating of 194.8 ranks second to only Alabama's Mac Jones). RB Allgeier has 957 yards on 7.3 YPC with 12 TDs plus BYU has four players with 32 or more catches. WR Milne leads with 63 (8 TDs) and WR Romney has 38 and leads the team averaging 19.9 YPC. WR Pau'u has 40 catches and while TE Rex has a modest 32, he has a team-high 10 TD receptions. BYU's offense is basically as prolific as UCF's, averaging 43.0 PPG (6th) on 512.2 YPG (8th). However, its defense is leaps and bounds better, allowing 14.6 PPG (3rd) 309.0 YPG (9th). Doing the math BYU is allowing about 17 PPG and 170 YPG less than UCF.

One can talk all it wants about BYU's 'soft' schedule but UCF has lost to the three-best teams it has played this season (Cincy, Tulsa and Memphis), with its "best win" coming over 6-5 Tulane. The other five wins have come over teams with a combined record of 11-31 (,262). Talk about a 'phoney' team! Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Minnesota at 8:30 ET.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will host the St Louis Billikens on Sunday in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers are looking to bounce back from losing their Big Ten opened 92-65 at No. 13 Illinois on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Billikens are coming off of an 80-69 victory over North Carolina State on Thursday, giving them a 6-0 start to the season. Travis Ford spent eight seasons at Oklahoma St and had five seasons of 20-plus wins (also five NCAA tourney appearances) but after the Cowboys went 12-20 (3-15 in the Big 12) in 2015-16, he and school mutually decided to part ways. He replaced Jim Crews at St Louis, which was coming off an 11-21 season. Not much changed in Year 1 (12-21) but after a 17-16 sophomore season, Ford's Billikens have gone 23-13 and 23-8 the last two seasons. All FIVE starters are back this season. Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. However, Season No. 8 opened 6-0, before catching Illinois at the WRONG time Place (had just lost 81-78 to Missouri in its Braggin' Rights series).

St Louis is led by a quartet of excellent guards. Perkins is averaging 19.5 PPG, Goodwin 15.7 PPG and despite being just 6-3, leads the team in rebounding with 11.0 per game (both are seniors). Sophomore guard Jimerson adds 13.2 PPG plus PG Collins runs the show, adding 7.5 PPG but 7.3 APG. 6-7 senior French did not play the first two games but is rounding back into form (averaged 12.4 & 10.4 last season), averaging 8.3 & 8.3. St Louis is shooting 'lights' out' at 52.7% (8th), while averaging 87.8 PPG (21st).

Minnesota PG Carr (22.7-4.0-5.9) ranks with the best in the nation but while the Gophers won their first six games in getting big contributions from freshman Jamal Mashburn Jr. and transfers Both Gach, Liam Robbins and Brandon Johnson, that group shot a combined 6 of 32 shots (18.8%) from the floor vs Illinois. However, Illinois is a VERY good team, so let's give them a 'pass.' After all, the 6-6 Gach is averaging 13.3-5.7-3.6, the 7-0 Robbins 12.1 & 6.9 and the 6-8 Johnson 7.0 & 5.7. Don't dismiss junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.3 PPG.

St Louis is "hitting on all cylinders" but is on the road for the FIRST time this season and note that Minnesota is a perfect 6-0 at Williams Arena this season. The Billikens beat Indiana State at home 78-59 on Tuesday night, then hastily prepared to host North Carolina State on Thursday. That game was a last-minute addition to the schedule, replacing a COVID-19 cancellation. This trip to Minneapolis comes at the end of a BUSY week and with the Gophers looking to "make amends" for their shellacking at Illinois, it's the "perfect situation" to take Minnesota (a few points are just a bonus).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Big East) is on St John's at 6:30 ET.

Georgetown-St. John's has been a GREAT rivalry but the last time the two schools played on their respective campuses was in the 1980-81 season (when the teams moved on to big arenas). That was THEN and this is NOW! 40 years later in the era of COVID-19 and a limit on crowd size, the two longtime rivals have gone home. These two played a wild game a week ago at Georgetown's McDonough Arena and will conclude the season series Sunday night at Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John's in Jamaica, NY. St. John's held a seven-point lead with less than three minutes left in regulation on Dec 13, but needed to force overtime on a layup by Greg Williams. The Red Storm took a four-point lead in overtime before allowing a game-ending 8-1 run to lose 97-94.

Patrick Ewing is in his fourth season as Georgetown's head coach (49-46 entering this season) and the Hoyas are off to an uneven start (3-3, 1-1 Big East). The 7-0 Yutseven (15.5 & 9.8) has moved on plus McClung (15.7) transferred to Texas Tech, where he's averaging 5.0 PPG. Ewing's 'Core 4' are playing between 27 and 37 MPG and doing almost all the work. Returning seniors Blair (18.7-4.3-3.20 and the 6-8 Pickett (13.3 & 9.0) lead in scoring and rebounding, respectively. 6-1 sophomore Wahab (12.2 & 7.8) has really improved from last season plus 6-5 graduate transfer (from Siena) Cary is averaging 9.8 & 5.2. Georgetown is averaging a modest 75.3 PPG but allows almost the same amount (73.0 PPG).

St John's is coached by Mike Anderson, who is in his second season in Queens. He's had success wherever he's been, going 89-41 in four years at UAB, 111-57 in five years at Missouri and 169-102 in eight years at Arkansas. Anderson took over a recently struggling St John's program last season and went 17-15, giving him his 18th consecutive winning season as a head coach (zero losing seasons). Anderson lost LJ Figueroa (14.5 & 4.5) to Oregon but THREE newcomers have already made HUGE contributions. Vince Cole is a 6-5 two-time junior-college All-American and is averaging 11.1 PPG, freshman guard Posh Alexander averages 10.1 & 4.3 APG and 6-10 JC transfer Isaih Moore (but with a 7-6 wingspan) has chipped in with 10.2 PPG and 5.8 RPG. There's all sorts of depth in the backcourt with Williams (11.4) and freshman Addae-Wusu (5.7). However, the team's star is 6-8 wing Julian Champagnie (9.9 & 6.5 last season). He missed the first games but is averaging 20.3 & 7.3 over the last seven. St John's is averaging a healthy 81.3 PPPG but when a team is allowing 80.0 PPG (304th), its 5-4 start is NOT surprising.

Anderson's teams are typically known for defense and allowed 71.6 PPG in the 2019-20 season. "We are still waiting to get the blue collar out of our basketball team," said Anderson. "Our guys last year, they took pride in their defense. Truth be told, we have got some of the same guys and we just need them to get all connected." It's time to 'connect' right here, after losing at Georgetown in a game St John's 'had in hand!' That loss and the team's 0-3 start in Big Eats should be a HUGE motivating factor. Expect St John's to roll!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on the Arz Cardinals at 4:05 ET.

The Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC East last season (9-7) and despite a 4-8-1 record in 2020, are just ONE game back in the loss column behind NFC East leader Washington (6-7) with three weeks remaining. What a year 2020 has been! The Eagles are in Arizona to face the 7-6 Cardinals (no easy challenge) but do know that Washington is hosting an excellent Seattle team and the 5-8 Giants should have their hands full with the New & Improved Browns in SNF. An upset win here by the Eagles, "could be a game-changer. However, the Eagles are facing a team also  BADLY in need of a win in the Cardinals. Arizona had lost three straight (and four of five) before winning 26-7 last Sunday at the Giants. That victory gave the Cards a 7-6 record, moving them into the SEVENTH and final NFC playoff spot. The 6-7 Bears and Vikings loom at 6-7 and since Chicago is at Minnesota, the winner moves to 7-7, meaning a loss would drop the Cards to 7-7 and into tiebreaking protocol!

The Eagles made a change at QB last week, benching Wentz in favor of rookie Jaen Hurts. The former Alabama and Oklahoma QB went 17 of 30 for 167 yards (one TD / zero INTs) plus ran for 106 yards, as the Eagles delivered a pivotal 24-21 win at home against the New Orleans Saints (Saints had won NINE in a row!). Philly also got news with RB Sanders back on the field, as he ran just 14 times but for 115 yards with two TDs (he has 746 yards on 5.7 YPC on the season, despite being in and out of the lineup). The Philly offense has struggled all season (21.3 PPG on 326, 3 YPG rank 23rd and 25th, respectively), while the D has been only middle-of-the back, allowing 25.2 PPG (19th) on 347.9 YPG (14th).

Arizona QB Kyler Murray had been slowed some in the Cards' 1-4 skid but what's to complain about him throwing for 3,231 yards (23 TDs / 10 INTs) plus rushing for 712 yards (6.2 YPC) and 10 TDs? RB Drake (848 yards on 4.2 YPC with 9 TDs) give Arizona a strong running game (151.2 YPG ranks 4th), while WRs Hopkins 994 catches / 5 TDs) plus Fitzgerald (45 catches ) and Kirk (38 catches / 6b TDs) give Murray quality targets. on the defensive side of the ball, the Cards were allowing just 18.7 PPG over their first six games entering their Week 7 game with Seattle and although the Cards won (37-34), the defense had allowed 30.7 PPG over its previous six, before holding the Giants to seven points and 159 yards on 10 FDs.

Murray is a proven commodity, while Hurst is at best, a "work in progress. The Eagles visit "the desert" having gone 0-4 SU and ATS their last four on the road and I say make it 0-5 SU & ATS after this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Month is on the Mia Dolphins at 1:00 ET.

The 6-7 New England Pats are staring at what likely is their first non-playoff season since 2008, the last time they didn't win the AFC East. The AFC East winner that season was the 11-5 Miami Dolphins. Miami entered this season having not made the playoffs in 16 of the last 18 seasons but at 8-5, have a chance to claim a wild card spot in 2020. The Bills own a two-game lead over Miami in the division but the Dolphins are currently the No. 7 seed, although only by virtue of owning the tiebreaker over the 8-5 Ravens. However, the Dolphins are just ONE game back of the 5th-seeded Browns and 6th-seeded Titans, who are both 9-4.

Patriots QB Cam Newton, a former league MVP in 2015, is just 6-6 as a starter this season, throwing just five TD passes while getting intercepted 10 times (QB rating is a pathetic 78.9). He has run for 451 with 11 TDs and along with RB Harris (691 yards on 5.0 YPC) gives New England a very good running attack (147.5 YPG ranks 5th). However, Harris injured his back in the fourth quarter of Week 14's loss to the Los Angeles Rams and has been ruled out for Sunday. The receiving corps is one of the league's least impressive, with Edelman having not played since Oct 25. WRs Byrd and Mathis each have 42 catches but between the two, have just one TD catch!. New England's defense ranked first in scoring D (14.1 PPG) and total D (275.9 YPG) in 2019 but this year's unit is allowing 21,5 PPG (that's a full TD higher) on 342.9 YPG (about 70 YPG more per game).

Miami began the season with a 21-11 loss in Week 1 at New England, as veteran Ryan Fitzgerald was the starting QB. However, in the return matchup, Tua Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft is under center. Despite a lack of healthy, front-line starters at RB, WR, TE or on the offensive line, Tagovailoa is 4-2 as a starter, throwing nine TDs against just one INT (95.2 QB rating). Miami's running game is mostly non-existent (95.2 YPG ranks 27th), so the fact Myles Gaskins 477 yards on 3.9 YPC) is out hardly matters much. TE Gesicki (44 catches / 8 TDs) is not expected to play (big loss) and WR Parker (56 catches / 8 TDs) is questionable. However, as noted above, Tua is making things happen despite missing key offensive players. Just ask KC, which saw him pass for 316 yards and two TDs in last Sunday's hard-fought 33-27 loss. 

While New England's defense is way off from last year, Miami's D ranks second in the league in allowing 18.8 PPG. Miami's 25 takeaways ties them for tops in the league with Pittsburgh, with the team's turnover margin of plus-10, being just ONE behind Pittsburgh's leading total of plus-11. Looking back at the Week 1 game, Fitzgerald threw THREE interceptions and still Miami trailed just 14-11 before a fourth quarter TD gave New England the 10-point win. The Pats are just 2-5 on the road, winning only at the 0-13 Jets (on a FG as time expired) and at the 5-9 Chargers. Meanwhile, the Dolphins own the NFL's best ATS record at 10-3, TWO games better than ANY team in the league. Even when the Pats were the division's dominant team the last three seasons, the Dolphins were able to beat them once each in 2019 (27-24 in New England), in 2018 34-33 in Miami) and 2017 (27-20 in Miami). This time around, the Dolphins are the better team and a win is NEEDED to hold the team's playoff position. Tua over Cam and Miami's defense over New England's.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Min Vikings at 1:00 ET.

The 6-7 Minnesota Vikings welcome the 6-7 Chicago Bears to U.S. Bank Stadium with both teams sitting just outside the final playoff spot in the NFC, one game back of the 7-6 Arizona Cardinals. Minnesota owns the tiebreaker against Chicago thanks to a 19-13 road victory in Week 10. Nick Foles suffered hip and glute injuries at the end of that game, prompting head coach Mike Nagy to reinsert Mitch Trubisky as the starter. Foles started eight games following the early-season benching of Trubisky. Trubisky has passed for at least 242 yards in each of his three starts since, and last week finished 24-of-33 for 267 yards and three TDs as the Bears snapped a SIX-game losing streak with a 36-7 home rout of Houston. Minnesota is coming off a 26-14 loss at Tampa Bay and head coach Mike Zimmer has been non-committal regarding the struggles of PK Dan Bailey. He missed three FGs and an extra point against the Buccaneers, one week after missing a FG and two extra points in an overtime win against Jacksonville. Asked first whether Bailey will kick against the Bears and later if the team will pursue another kicker, Zimmer responded with "We'll see," both times.

Neither Foles nor Trubisky seems like the 'answer' at QB for Chicago and it surely doesn't help that Cjhicago's running game averages just 93.2 YPG (28th) on YPC. Montgomery is the lone RB of note, rushing for 760 yards on 4.5 YPC and four TDs. WR Robinson (86 catches / 6 TDs) is again having a good season, while TE Graham has 42 catches (had just 38 LY with Green Bay) and six TDs (had a total of just FIVE the previous two seasons). The defense remains solid, allowing 22.4 PPG (9th) on 347.5 YPG (13th) but the offense averages just 21.7 PPG (25th) on 319.8 YPG (28th).

Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins rarely gets respect but he's completing 67.5% for 3,298 yards with 27 TDs and 12 INTs for a 102.7 QB rating in 2020. That comes on the heels of him completing 70.1 and 69.1% in his first two seasons with the Vikings, passing for 4,298 and 3,603 yards with 56 YTDs and 16 INTs with QB ratings of 90.7 and 107.4. He misses WR Diggs (at Buffalo) but rookie Jefferson has 65 catches on 16.6 YPC with seven TDs, while veteran Thielen has 60 catches with 12 TDs. RB Dalvin Cook topped 100 yards for the third time in four games last week and is the No. 2 rusher in the league (1,352 yards on 5.0 YPC) and is the leader in rushing TDs with 14. Of course, the defense has struggled for most of the season (27.3 PPG allowed ranks 24th).

However, Minnesota's defense DOMINATED the Bears in that Week 10 contest, holding Chicago to 149 yards and a mere 10 FDs. The Bears gained just 41 rushing yards on 17 carries and the team's lone TD of that contest came on a 104-yard KO return. The Bears had beaten the Vikings in all four meetings in 2018 and 12019, so Minnesota's Week 10 win at Chicago was a nice breakthrough. Not sure the Vikings can catch the Cards but this is a VERY winnable game, as is their Week 17 game with the Lions. Next week's game with the Saints? Not so much. Minnesota "keeps hope alive' with a solid home victory here, as the Bears say bye-bye to the 2020 postseason.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on the Sea Seahawks at 1:00 ET.

The Seattle Seahawks are making a habit of facing the first-place team from the NFC East. After beating the Eagles 23-17 at Philadelphia (Week 12) and losing 17-12 at home to the Giants (Week 13), the 9-4 Seahawks will play at 6-7 Washington on Sunday in Week 15, which currently tops the NFC East. Washington has won and covered four straight to take the lead in the NFL's worst division, while Seattle's 9-4 record has them tied atop the NFC West with the Rams but LA owns the tiebreaker. That means Seattle finds itself with the top wild card seed in the NFC (5th).

Russell Wilson quickly established himself as the early favorite for league MVP but after a 5-0 start, Seattle has gone just 4-4. Wilson entered last week's game with just four TDs and three INTs in his previous four games but the in beating their hapless Jets, he had four TD passes. By any measure, Wilson's having a terrific season, completing 70.4% for 3,685 yards with 36 TDs and just 12 INTs (109.0 QB rating. He's got two top-notch WRs in Metcalf (69 catches on 17.1 YPC with 10 TDs ) and Lockett (81 catches with eight TDs). The running game is better than average, gaining 121.1 YPG (12th). The Seahawks' defense has been another story, ranking last in the 32-team league for most of the season but moved up to No. 27 (390.3 YPG) after allowing just 185 total yards in last Sunday's 40-3 pounding of the winless New York Jets.

Washington QB Alex Smith suffered a strained right calf shortly before halftime in last weekend's 23-15 victory at San Francisco and has missed practice time this week, as has leading rusher Antonio Gibson (toe). Coach Ron Rivera said Smith could be a game-time decision. Dwayne Haskins, the No. 15 overall pick in 2019 who was benched after starting the first four games of the season, would replace Smith if he's unavailable. Haskins was 7-of-12 passing for 51 yards against the 49ers. Gibson's absence (he's listed as doubtful) would be HUGE, as he's really come on (659 yards on 4.7 YPC with 11 TDs). Neither Smith nor Haskins 'scare' any defense, even Seattle's. Speaking of defense, Washington's scored twice last week, on an interception 76 yards for a TD and a fumble recovery that went 47 yards for a score. It marked the first time since 1992 Washington won on the road without scoring an offensive TD. In the team's 4-0 run, the defense has allowed 14.3 PPG.

Maybe I'm being stubborn but I'm having a lot of trouble 'buying' Washington and will take Seattle here, which can be pretty sure it will need a win to stay even with the 9-4 Rams, who are hosting the 0-13 Jets. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on the Atl Falcons at 1:00 ET.

Tampa Bay (8-5) currently sits in sixth place in the NFC, after a 26-14 victory last week at home against Minnesota. Tom Brady was nothing special (15 of 23 for 196 yards and two TDs) but he has 30 TD passes on the season, the EIGHTH time he's done that. The Bus visited Atlanta for a game with the 4-9 Falcons, who are hoping to play the spoiler's role in another lost season. The Falcons' 20-17 loss last week at the Los Angeles Chargers clinched a third straight sub.-500 campaign. Barring a season-ending three-game winning streak, Atlanta will fail to match its 7-9 record of the last two years.

Atlanta fired head coach Dan Quinn after starting 0-5 but is 4-4 under interim coach Raheem Morris, with mostly competitive efforts. QB Matt Ryan has thrown for 3,660 yards (will top 4,000 for the 10th straight season!) with 19 TDs and 11 INTs. Todd Gurley (645 yards on just 3.6 YPF but 9 TDs) has NOT helped the running game, as Atlanta averages a woeful 08.3 YPG on 3.76 YPC. The defense allows 390.6 YPG (28th) but a more modest 24.8 PPG (16th).

Brady's completing of 64.8% for 3,496 yards with 30 TDs and 11 INTS and RB Ronald Jones (900 yards on 5.0 YPC with 6 TDs) has given Tampa Bay a nice offensive balance. However, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. He was already considered questionable after undergoing surgery Tuesday to have pins placed in a fractured pinkie finger. Leonard Fournette (271 yards) will take over but note that 103 of his 271 rushing yards this season came back in a Week 2 win. Tampa Bay's season-long defensive rankings look solid, allowing 22.6 PPG (11th) on 330.3.9 YPG (7th) but in the team's 1-3 slide (before its win over Minnesota in Week 14), the "stop unit" had done little 'stopping,' allowing 28.8 PPG. The Vikings scored just 14 points but missed three FGs and an extra-point.

This marks the first of two matchups between the Bucs and Falcons in the season's final three weeks (Falcons play at Tampa in Week 17). I realize that the Bucs are focused on breaking a 13-year playoff drought, the second-longest drought in the NFL, but the Falcons are 6-2 ATS their last eight as a division home dog. Also, current Atlanta head coach Morris was Tampa Bay's head coach from 2009-11 before being fired. How much would he 'love' to play spoiler here? Home dog 'barks' loudly.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* is on Oregon St at 10:30 ET.

Arizona State opened its season at USC back on Nov 7 and suffered a BRUTAL loss, as the Trojans scored two TDs in the final three minute to eke out a 28-27 win. The Sun Devils' next two games were canceled, before losing 25-18 at home to UCLA on Dec 5. However, ASU took out its frustration against its in-state rival on Dec 11, winning the Territorial Cup 70-7! QB Daniels passed for 203 yards (2 TDs / 0 INTs) and led by White's 133 yards (3 TDs), the Sun Devils ran for 259 yards and seven TDs. ASU 'forcing' SEVEN turnovers (or maybe Arizona 'coughing up' SEVEN giveaways), just may have had something to do with the lopsided rout.

Oregon St opened 0-2 but then won back-to-back games, including a 41-38 upset of then-No. 15 Oregon. The Beavers enter this game off two close losses, 30-24 at Utah and 27-24 at home to Stanford. QB Gebbia was no better than serviceable, completing 62.0% for 824 yards with three TDs and three INTs, while backup Chance Nolan has started the last two, throwing for 221 yards and three TDs in the loss to Stanford. The team's best offensive 'weapon' is RB Jermar Jefferson (756 yards on 6.9 YPC / 7 TDs) but his availability is in question after an ankle injury kept him sidelined in the second half against the Cardinal.,"I've been rehabbing every single day," Jefferson said. "I'm just waiting ... to see how I feel."

Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith takes solace in his team potentially being one of only two in the Pac-12 (UCLA) to avoid COVID-19 cancellations and play all seven games scheduled this fall. Arizona State and Oregon State also met in Corvallis last year with the Beavers winning 35-34 in dramatic fashion. Sun Devils head coach Herm Edwards elected to go for two at the end of regulation but the attempt failed. That gives ASU a nice 'revenge' motive but I want NO part of laying points on the road with a mediocre team (I'm being kind) coming off a 70-7 win over its biggest rival. As noted, ASU had the benefit of SEVEN turnovers by Arizona, only outgaining the Wildcats by 126 yards. When was the last time you saw that in a 63-point win? Also note that THREE of Oregon State's four losses have come by SIX or less points. Take the home dog!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* is on Tulsa at 8:00 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0, 6-0 AAC) initially were slated to visit Tulsa on Oct 17; however, positive COVID-19 cases within the Cincinnati program forced the postponement of that game to De. 5. Television demands briefly shuffled the contest to Dec 4 and then to Dec. 12 in lieu of other commitments. However, additional COVID-19 issues within the Bearcats' program forced the cancellation of that clash. The Golden Hurricane are 6-1, but also 6-0 league play but the AAC allowed the Bearcats to host the title game since their College Football Playoff ranking was superior to the Golden Hurricane's. "We talked to Tulsa about it as well as Cincinnati, and everybody was comfortable that that was the best decision," league commissioner Mike Aresco said. So "away we go."

Tulsa began with a season-opening 16-7 loss to Oklahoma State on Sep 19 but easily covered as a 24 1/2-point underdog. Its next game wasn't until Oct 3, when it won 34-26 at UCF as a 20 1/2-point dog. That victory began a SIX-game winning streak in which Tulsa went 5-1 ATS (including some mind-numbing covers) to finish 6-1 ATS on the season. QB Zach Smith is fine, completing 57.8% for 1,434 yards with 11 TDs and six INTs. Three RBs add between 317 and 356 rushing yards for a team averaging 159.4 on the ground. The Golden Hurricane offense averages 27.7 PPG (70yh) but the team's defense is strong, allowing 19.9 PPG (21st) on 328.4 YPG (20th).

QB Ridder has had a terrific season, completing 66.5% for 1,821 yards with 16 TDs and six INTs. He adds 526 yards rushing 0n 7.9 YPC with 11 TDs. The Bearcats have GREAT balance, averaging 238.9 YPG through the air and 234.3 YPG on the ground, while averaging 40.9 PPG (13th). Defensively, Cincy allows 15.0 PPG (5th) on 308.1 YPG (9th). Is it good news that the Bearcats have been idle since posting a 36-33 victory at UCF back on Nov 21?

Tulsa enters on a SIX-game winning streak, with its 19-6 win at Navy on Dec 5 allowing the Golden Hurricane to contest for a championship for the first time since 2012. Luke Fickell has led the Bearcats to 30-5 record since the beginning of the 2018 season and Cincy will take a 19-game home winning streak into this contest. A Cincy win here and the Bearcats earn a New Year's Six bowl bid as the highest-ranked Group of 5 team. No doubt that the Bearcats are the better team but Tulsa has covered both games as an underdog in 2020 and is 5-1 ATS as 5-1 ATS the last two seasons as an AAC underdog, including an outright upset of UCF on the road this season (see above). Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* is on Florida at 8:00 ET.

Did Florida's hopes at qualifying for the College Football Playoff 'die' with its shocking 37-34 upset at the hands of LSU in "The Swamp" last Saturday. Florida ran up 609 yards of total offense but offset that with three crucial turnovers, including a pick-six. As for Florida's defense, it gave up 418 yards to a team whose QB was making his first career start. Naturally, Marco Wilson's 'fateful toss' of opposing TE Kole Taylor's footwear 20 yards downfield to celebrate a third-down stop late last week drew ALL of the attention and while it was a "stupid play," there was plenty of blame to go around. While Florida was 'gagging' as a 24-point favorite, Alabama rolled to a 52-3 win at Arkansas, completing its season at 10-0. No. 1 Alabama (AP and CFP) is trying to secure a return to the College Football Playoff after missing out last season for the first time since the four-team postseason format began in 2014. The Crimson Tide may qualify even with a loss, since no other team in the SEC has fewer than two defeats. Florida likely squandered its chance to get into the playoff with a stunning setback to LSU last weekend, but the Gators are still in position to claim their first SEC title since 2008. This will be the 10th time the teams have met in the SEC championship game, with Alabama holding a 5-4 edge. However, the Crimson Tide have won the last SIX meetings against the Gators and Florida coach Dan Mullen is 0-9 in his career against Alabama's Nick Saban.

Alabama is an offensive juggernaut, averaging 49.5 PPG (3rd) on 537 YPG (5th). QB Mac Jones may (should?) be the Heisman favorite, as he's completed 76.4% of his passes for 3,321 yards with 27 TDs and just three INTs (QB rating of 203.9 ranks No. 1). RB Harris has 1,084 yards and 22 TDs), while WR Smith (83 catches with 15 TDs) is arguably the best WR in the nation. The Alabama defense looked 'shaky' in the early part of the season but over its last six games, has allowed just 8.8 PPG ('Bama has covered its last SEVEN games!).

Florida does not have RB to match Harris and while TE Pitts (11 TDs, despite missing significant time) and WR Toney (62 catches / 9 TDs) are both "big time' receivers, Florida's receiving corps can't quite match Alabama's group. However, QB Kyle Trask has had a season comparable to Jones, completing 70.2% for 3,717 yards with 40 TDs and just five INTs. He had THREE first-half TOs in the loss to LSU (including throwing that pick-six), so he's got MUCH to prove in this game. Florida's defense allows 26.3 PPG, which is fine when one's offense is averaging 41.2 PPG (8th), but can the Gators match the Tide score-for-score?

Maybe I'm 'spitting into the wind' with this pick but I just believe the Gators will bring their "A-game" to this contest off of last week's embarrassment. Will it be good enough to beat Alabama? I doubt it but it should be good enough for Florida bettors to 'CA$H!'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Georgia at 8:00 ET.

John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. Cincy is missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until Dec 2. They head to Athens, Ga for a non-league game with 6-0 Georgia off the SEC. Tom Crean spent nine seasons at Marquette and nine more at Indiana, before landing in Georgia. The Bulldogs have gone 11-21 and 16-16 in his first two seasons, plus lost Edwards (19.1 & 5.2) and forward Hammonds (12.8 & 7.4) to the NBA off last year's team. Edwards was the NBA's overall No. 1 pick.

The Bearcats have excellent balance but senior guard Williams (14.6) is the lone player in double digits. Fellow guards DeJulius (9.4-5.04.8), a Michigan transfer DeJulius, and Adams-Woods (8.2) join him in the backcourt. Returning 7-1 center Vogt (9.0 & 4.4) is joined up front by the 6-10 Ivanauskas (a Colgate transfer), who is averaging 7.6 & 5.2, plus 6-8 freshman Eason (6.4 & 5.8). Cincy is just NOT putting enough points on the board (68.2 PPG ranks 243rd) and that's why they've lost at home to Xavier plus on the road at Tennessee.

What Crean has done at Georgia is recruit well and create interest in the program, as Georgia set a school record with 11 crowds of more than 190,000 fans last year (of course, that will be moot this season). Sophomore PG Wheeler (14.8-4.4-8.6) is off to an excellent start and is joined by FIVE more double digit scorers. 6-8 sophomore Camara has added 14.3 & 8.0 plus George Mason transfer Kier (11.8-5.0-5.8) joins Wheeler and junior guard Fagan (10.4 & 5.8) for a nice backcourt trio. Joining Camara up front are 6-6 Stony Brook transfer Garcia (11.4) and 6-6 Va Tech transfer Horne (10.0 & 3.8).

It could be said that this is Georgia's first real test but is it? Cincinnati is coming off a 74-71 loss to South Florida in its AAC opener on Wednesday. "Our inability to be tough -- we're plugging one hole and another hole is opening," Cincinnati coach John Brannen told reporters after his team lost to the Bulls. "That's a sign of a mediocre team. If we're going to become a really good team, we have to foundationally get some things fixed first." Don't believe for a second that a 'fix' comes here in Athens. Just why aren't the Bulldogs a favorite in this one?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Championship Game of the Month is on Boise St at 4:15 ET.

Boise St is 5-1 (5-0 in MWC) and is once again in the MWC championship game. The Broncos' FB dominance began back in 1999 (Big West), then moved to the  WAC from 2002-2010 and has continued in the MWC since 2011. Boise entered the 2020 season with an all-time winning percentage of .731, the highest in all of collegiate football. Waiting for the Broncos in Las Vegas is San Jose St, which is just two years removed from a 1-11 campaign. However, it's the 6-0 Spartans who enter this game as the ranked team at No. 25 in the AP poll (last time in the AP's top-25 was 2012) and at No. 24 in the CFP standings, are ranked for the very first time. The Spartans are 6-0 for the first time since 1939, when that team went unbeaten in 13 contests.

QB Hank Bachmeier had a solid freshman season in 2019 and despite missing TWO of the team's six games in 2020, enters completing 66.1% for 929 yards with six TDs and two INTs. Shakir is his top target (46 catches / 8 TDs) but Thomas is averaging 18.9 YPC on his 17 catches with two TDs. RB Van Buren leads with 356 yards rushing (8 TDs) and while the Broncos' ground game is averaging only 123.0 YPG (108th), Boise St has averaged 36.2 PPG (21st). That goes pretty good with a defense that's allowed 26.0 PPG (46th) on 352.7 YPG (33rd).

San Jose St QB Nick Starkel (previously played at Texas A&M and Arkansas) is completing 66.3% for 1,453 yards with 13 TDs and four INTs. His main targets are WRs Gaither (36 catches / 17.4 YPC / 4 TDs) and Walker (31 catches / 3 TDs) plus TE Deese has just 17 catches but 4 TDs. Tyler Nevers (454 yards on 8.9 YPC (5 TDs) leads a running game averaging 159.8 YPG on 5.0 YPC. San Jose St averages 30.3 PPG (49th) and its defense has been excellent, allowing 17.5 PPG (13th) on 355.7 YPG (34th).

Will San Jose St's 'Cinderella' season continue with a win here, as the Spartans play in their first-ever MWC title game? The program last had a winning record in 2012 and head coach Brian Brennan had an 8-29 mark with the Spartans before this season. In contrast, Boise State is trying to win its FOURTH Mountain West title game as the Broncos make their fourth-consecutive appearance in the game and fifth overall. You may have noticed that the ranked team (San Jose St) is about a TD underdog and could that be because Boise St takes a 14-game conference winning streak into Saturday's game? Then again, maybe it's because the Broncos have won each of the 14 all-time meetings between the two schools (SIX of the wins have come by at least 35 points!)? Series history and Boise St's FB dominance the two decades counts for something. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Ohio St at 4:15 ET.

The CBS Sports Classic men's basketball doubleheader is being held in Cleveland. 5-1 UCLA and No. 20 Ohio State (also 5-1) hook up in the nightcap, following a game between North Carolina and Kentucky in the earlier game. Just as a reminder as to where we are in college hoops this season, UCLA was supposed to be facing Kentucky on Saturday with Ohio State meeting North Carolina, but the schedule was adjusted this week since UCLA and Ohio State have COVID-19 protocols that better align. "You can't make this stuff up!"

Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. The Bruins were 19-12, including a 12-6 Pac-12 record, good enough to get the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St but have won FIVE straight since. Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and moved the 20th in the AP poll but is coming off a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Wednesday.

UCLA brought back almost its entire team from last year, only losing Prince Ali (6.8 PPG) as a graduating senior. 6-9 guard Chris Smith (13.2 & 7.0) has seen fellow guard Jaquez (14.8 & 6.0) take over the scoring lead, with both followed closely by PG Campbell (12.5 & 7.2 APG). The 6-10 Hill and 6-9 Riley are the team's two-best frontcourt players, with Riley averaging 9.8 & 5.0 and Hill joining the fray after missing the season's first two games to average 8.8 & 7.8. 6-6 Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang missed the first four games with a right foot injury but has averaged 9.5 PPG the last two games in just 23.0 MPG.

Ohio State's best player is the 6-7 Liddell (15.5 & 7.5) but didn't play  in the loss to Purdue (COVID-19 precautions). 6-8 Harvard graduate transfer Seth Towns (15.8 & 5.7 last season at Harvard) has been out so far with a knee injury but neither has been ruled out from returning for the UCLA game. The Buckeyes can match UCLA's depth, with guard Washington (14.5), the 6-7 Sueing (14.0 & 4.5), PG Walker (12.0 & 4.5 APG), 6-8 freshman Key (6.5 & 4/8), the 6-6 Aherns (6.0) and the 6-8 Young (5.5 & 6.5).

As noted, UCLA has won FIVE in a row and has clamped down defensively by allowing 56.0 PPG over its last four wins. However, the Bruins are leaving the state of California for the first time and catch a VERY good Ohio St team off its first loss of the season, The game is NOT in Columbus but Cleveland is an easy trip for the Buckeyes, although these days, home court edges mean MUCH less with limited or even no crowds allowed. Ohio St gets the bounce-back win and we even get a couple of points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Game of the Week is on Army at 3:00 ET.

The Air Force Falcons and Army Black Knights meet Saturday at Michie Stadium. Air Force trounced Navy 40-7 way back on Oct 3, while Army beat Navy 15-0 just this past Saturday. That means the winner will receive the coveted Commander-in-Chief's Trophy (established in 1972). Air Force has won the trophy 20 times, Navy 16 and Army just eight (four shared years, with Navy retaining the trophy three times and Air Force once). Air Force's Troy Calhoun is completing his 14th season in 2020 at Colorado Springs, after replacing Fisher DeBerry who retired after 23 years as the Falcons' head coach. He has led the Falcons to 10 bowl appearances in 13 years, including an 11-2 season in 2019, after back-to-back 5-7 seasons in 2017 and 2019. Jeff Monken took over the Army football program in 2014 and after 4-8 and 2-10 seasons, led the Blacks Knights to seasons of 8-5, 10-3 and 11-2 from 2016 through 2018. Each of the seasons were capped by a bowl win The 2017 team tied the school record for most wins in a season when it beat SD State in the Armed Forces Bowl and then the 2018 team broke the school record for wins when it CRUSHED Houston 70-14 in the same bowl the following year. Maybe more importantly, Army beat Navy THREE straight in that span, while capturing the school's first Commander-in-Chief's Trophy since 1996 in 2016, then following up by winning that trophy again in both 2017 and 2018.

COVID has allowed Air Force to play just FIVE games in 2020 with the Falcons playing just TWICE since Oct 31. They won 28-0 at home over New Mexico on Nov 20 and 35-7 at Utah St on Dec 3 (New Mexico is a 2-5 team and Utah St a 1-5 one). Air Force is second in the nation with 336.0 YPG on the ground, averaging 5.9 YPC. Its defense has held opponents to 16.0 PPG (8th) on 307.4 YPG (8th). Army has rebounded off a poor 2019 (5-8) to go 8-2 and now plays its 11th game in this "Year of COVID," losing just ONE game of its 12-game schedule to the virus. Army rushes for 280.1 YPG (4th) on 4.8 YPC plus its defense has played even better than Air Force's, allowing 14.7 PPG (4th) on 272.1 YPG (3rd).

Air Force has won SEVEN of the last 10 meetings against Army, but this season has had issues playing a consistent schedule and its three wins have come against teams with a combined 6-17 record. Army is 6-1 straight up since October and has held THREE of its last six opponents to single digit points, while pitching two 'shutouts' this season. What's more, since the beginning of 2017, Army is 23-2 SU in its 25 game at Michie Stadium. Note that BOTH losses came during 2019's 5-8 campaign. Army is 7-0 SU at home in 2020. I'll take ANY point available. Go Army! Beat Air Force!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Pac-12 Championship Game play is on USC at 8:00 ET.

When the pandemic-delayed Pac-12 Conference football season started, Oregon (AP preseason No. 9) and USC (AP preseason No. 17) were the favorites to reach the title game. Both schools were only able to play five games but while USC went 5-0 (with THREE "close calls''), Oregon finished 3-2, second in the Pac-12's North Division behind Washington (3-1). The Ducks were scheduled to play Washing at home on Dec 12 but a COVID-19 spike in the Huskies' program caused Washington to cancel that game. That left Oregon 'out in the cold,' with the Huskies set to play the Trojans on Friday night. However, the COVID situation in Seattle did NOT improve, so lo and behold, the Ducks will replace the Huskies in the championship game. What a year it's been.

This is Mario Cristobal's third season at Oregon, having led the Ducks to back-to-back bowls while going 9-4 and 12-2. Despite losing QB Herbert to the NFL, the Ducks' current QB Tyler Shough has been more than an adequate replacement, passing for 1,389 yards (277.8 YPG) with 11 TDs and four INTs plus running for 256 yards on 4.9 YPC with five TDs. RB Dye has a team-high 336 yards on 7.5 YPC plus his five receptions have averaged 40.8 YPC with three TDs. A trio of WRs have combined for 47 TDs. Oregon has a nice balance on offense, passing for 277.8 YPG and running for 189.2 YPG, while averaging 34.2 PPG. Defensively, the Ducks are allowing 28.0 PPG.

USC was once known by the nickname of "Tailback U" but no longer. This year's team is averaging a pathetic 109.2 YPG on the ground (3.5 YPC, which ranks 115th in the nation. QB Kedon Slovis has been the team-MVP, completing 70.3% while averaging 320.2. YPG through the air (1,601 yards in five games) with 15 TDs and just four INTs. He leads an offense averaging 35.2 PPG (23rd) and the defense has been sound, allowing 25.0 PPG (41st) on 395.0 YPG (56th). 

The Trojans had to rally and were lucky to beat the two Arizona schools to open the season, then beat Utah 33-17 and Washington St, 38-13. However, the "comeback kids" needed to work their 'magic' again last Saturday vs UCLA, rallying from an 18-point deficit to win 43-38. The Ducks opened the season 3-0 (ranked No. 15) but then dropped their last two games on the road; 41-38 to Oregon State and 21-17 to previously winless California. Oregon was No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings before its latest loss.

Here's the bottom line. One could argue that Oregon's been given a "second chance" and will make the most of it but I'm siding with the position that USC's Slovis has time and again, "come through in the clutch." How about five TD passes (four in the second half after USC fell behind 28-10) in the UCLA comeback? USC is 7-1 at home since the start of the 2019 season, losing only to Oregon last season (56-24!). Methinks the Trojans will remember that result and the price on this game on their home field gives them a GREAT chance to win and cover the modest impost. "Fight On!"

Good luck...Larry