Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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11-15-21 | Bowling Green +16.5 v. Ohio State | Top | 58-89 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 47 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #803 Monday 10* Top Play Bowling Green Falcons +16.5 @ Ohio State Buckeyes @ 6:30 ET - You might remember I faded the Buckeyes with another MAC team, Akron, last week in their season opener and the Zips very nearly upset Ohio State. This Falcons team is just as good as Akron. Also, Bowling Green already had their "wake up call" early this season as they lost their opener to Western Carolina. The Falcons responded by winning their most recent game by 41 points. Granted it was an over-matched team they faced but BG did return 4 starters from last season's team plus they added a bevy of Division 1 transfers and I expect this Falcons team to give OSU plenty of trouble here. Keep in mind, Ohio State was fortunate to even beat Akron and they were a huge favorite in that game and won by a point on a late bucket. The Buckeyes then "responded" by beating MAAC school Niagara by only 10 even though they were a 20-point favorite. That said, a lot of value with the big MAC dog again in this one. 10* BOWLING GREEN +16.5 |
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11-14-21 | Chiefs -2.5 v. Raiders | Top | 41-14 | Win | 100 | 11 h 52 m | Show |
AFC West Game of the Year - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #263 Sunday 10* Top Play Kansas City Chiefs -2.5 @ Las Vegas Raiders @ 8:20 ET - There are 4 teams the Raiders have faced this season that the Chiefs have not faced and those teams entered this week's action with a combined record of 14-20. There are 5 teams Kansas City has faced that Las Vegas has not faced and those teams have a combined record of 26-17. The other 4 teams each has faced are common opponents on the schedule thus far. The point is that the Chiefs have faced the tougher schedule thus far. I know KC continues to underachieve at the betting window as they are on a long-term ugly ATS run. However, this line is a 2.5 and all 5 of the Kansas City wins this season have been by 3 or more points. I highly doubt the spread is going to come into play in this game. The SU winner will very likely be the ATS winner. The Raiders have dealt with a lot (Gruden, Ruggs) this season and it is starting to catch up with them. Las Vegas has lost 3 of 5 games SU and is on a 2-4 ATS run. The Raiders only two wins during this stretch were over a bad Eagles team that has lost 6 of 9 this season and over a Broncos team that was slumping at the time and ended up with a 4-game losing streak. The Chiefs have underachieved so far this season but this is after huge success in recent years and I really expect them to raise things to another level down the stretch run of the season. Certainly this KC team has the pedigree to do just that. This is the time of year that separates the contenders from the pretenders and with the Chiefs a 1/2 game back in the standings (one more loss than the Raiders) they need this game and I feel strongly they will rise to the occasion here behind a huge game from Mahomes as he puts this team on his back and gets it done in primetime. 10* KANSAS CITY -2.5 |
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11-14-21 | Minnesota v. Princeton +2.5 | Top | 87-80 | Loss | -114 | 9 h 5 m | Show |
ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #696 Sunday 10* Top Play Princeton Tigers +2.5 vs Minnesota Golden Gophers @ 7:30 ET - The Golden Gophers are in rebuild mode. Yes Minnesota is a Big Ten school and is commanding more respect from the betting markets than an Ivy League school does but this is merely serving to give us some extra line value here with a solid Princeton team. The Tigers have outside shooters, have a solid system in place, and are the more cohesive team in comparison with Minny early this season. Yes the Gophers just upset Western Kentucky but the Tigers got an upset win of their own over South Carolina. Give me the points here as I look for the more veteran team to make the key decisions down the stretch that turn this game for them and so with them pulling away for the win we should not need the points. But I will grab them for extra value should they lose on a late bucket. 10* PRINCETON +2.5 |
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11-14-21 | Browns +2.5 v. Patriots | 7-45 | Loss | -102 | 5 h 20 m | Show | |
Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #243 Sunday 8* Cleveland Browns +2.5 @ New England Patriots @ 1 ET - The Browns are off a key win over the Bengals in divisional action but the Patriots are off a deceiving turnover-fueled 24-6 win at Carolina. Last week, New England was held to less than 300 yards of offense. The Browns had nearly 100 yards more offense at Cincinnati than the Pats had against the Panthers last week. I am just not sold on this New England team and they had allowed 24 points per game last 3 games before shutting down a horrible Darnold-led offense last week. The Browns, on the other hand, have allowed just 15 points per game last 3 games and their defense gets it done again here. 8* CLEVELAND +2.5 |
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11-13-21 | Texas +7.5 v. Gonzaga | Top | 74-86 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 6 m | Show |
ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #663 Saturday 10* Top Play Texas Longhorns +7.5 @ Gonzaga Bulldogs @ 10:30 ET - Gonzaga lost their top assistant coach as he went to Arizona. The Bulldogs also lost a couple key players from last year's amazing team. Make no mistake, and it goes without saying as the #1 ranked team in the nation, of course this is fantastic team in Spokane, WA. However, this UT team is for real. Texas hired away head coach Beard from rival Texas Tech and he has a bevy of fantastic assistant coaches with him and this team has added tremendous talent. Now when you add in all these factor plus the Longhorns hitting 13 of 23 three pointers in their opener while the Bulldogs shot 6 of 21 three pointers, you can see where I am going with this one. The Horns come in with the underdog mentality and an playing the disrespect card as if most give them no chance to win this game. I am here to tell you this Longhorns team is very good and extremely well-coached and they could get the upset win here! At the very least, this road dog should surely get the cover as I see this game absolutely going down to the wire. 10* TEXAS +7.5 |
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11-13-21 | Edmonton Elks +11 v. Saskatchewan | Top | 24-29 | Win | 100 | 6 h 18 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #239 Saturday 10* Top Play Edmonton Elks +11 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders @ 4 ET - Taylor Cornelius continues to improve at QB for the Elks despite being without key weapons on offense. Last week he nearly rallied them to the outright win over the Roughriders. Yes, Saskatchewan is the better team in this match-up but this is too many points in my opinion. This is particularly true when you consider Edmonton is 2-2 SU in road games this season and the Riders are only 4-4 SU in divisional games this season. Also, the Roughriders only have a point differential of +22 on the season so their average margin on the season is 2 points per game this season. Give me the big points here! 10* EDMONTON +11 |
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11-13-21 | Iowa State v. Texas Tech +10.5 | Top | 38-41 | Win | 100 | 8 h 37 m | Show |
Big 12 Game of the Year - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #179 Saturday 10* Top Play Texas Tech Red Raiders +10.5 vs Iowa State Cyclones @ 3:30 ET - This is a horrible scheduling spot for Iowa State. The Cyclones are off a huge home win last week versus Texas and have a massive game at undefeated Oklahoma on deck. That said, laying double digits at Lubbock, where the Red Raiders are known for being tough to play, is almost never a good idea. This will be the first home game for Texas Tech since they fired their head coach. This is also expected to be the first game for starting QB Tyler Shough (collarbone) since late September. Even if he did not play, which honestly would shock me if he did not, Donovan Smith was solid in the loss two weeks ago at Oklahoma when he replaced Henry Colombi who is now out for the Red Raiders due to illness. So you have the Cyclones in a bad scheduling situation and Texas Tech coming off a bye week and ready to win their first home game played since they have gone to an interim head coach. I know the Red Raiders are only 2-2 this season at home but one of those losses was by a single and, given the situation here, I absolutely expect this game to go down to the wire and feel we have fantastic line value with the big points. 10* TEXAS TECH |
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11-13-21 | Oklahoma -5 v. Baylor | 14-27 | Loss | -105 | 4 h 30 m | Show | |
Earliest Punisher - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #149 Saturday 8* Oklahoma Sooners -5 @ Baylor Bears @ Noon ET - The Sooners have won 23 of the last 26 meetings with the Bears. That said, I also look for Oklahoma to cover this rather small number as they continue the long-term domination in this series. Baylor has lost 2 of its last 5 games both SU and ATS and prior to last week's loss at TCU was fortunate in rallying from a big deficit to knock off Texas. That said, I feel the Bears are still a little over-valued here and the Sooners pull away as this one goes on to not only remain undefeated on the season but to win this game by an impressive double digit margin. Baylor offense won't be able to keep up as they have been held to 31 or less in 4 of last 6 games while Sooners have scored 52 or more in 3 of last 4 games. 8* OKLAHOMA |
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11-12-21 | Tarleton St +27 v. Kansas | Top | 62-88 | Win | 100 | 8 h 17 m | Show |
CBB Contrarian Crusher - 10* Top Play Tarleton State Texans +27 - I know the Texans are only in their 2nd year since the jump to Division I basketball but this program is led by Billy Gillispie who has big school experience as a head coach. Tarleton State returned all 5 starters from last season's team and has other solid key reserves back as well. The Texans will do better to hang around in this game then most people are expecting. Kansas is off that big opening game win versus Michigan State so this is the perfect spot to fade them. I look for the Jayhawks to win by 15 to 20 and so we have some wiggle room with this huge line. I don't think Kansas is going to run up the score too much in this one and Gillispie is a good enough coach to get the most out of his players in a spot like this and their compete level will not stop. Just too many points! We'll take it. 10* TARLETON STATE +27 |
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11-12-21 | Cincinnati -23 v. South Florida | Top | 45-28 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 38 m | Show |
CFB Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Cincinnati Bearcats -23 - Everyone is down on the Bearcats now because they have failed to cover 3 straight games as big favorites. You know what that means. This is the perfect time to back them. This South Florida team is not a good football team. They did get QB McClain back from injury last week but he threw 2 picks. Remember he also threw 2 picks in season opening loss to NC State by a count of 45-0. Last week the Bulls gave up 54 points to Houston. If they give up anywhere close to that point range here they are not covering this game because I look for an angry Bearcats defense to have their ears pinned back for this one as they look to make amends for last week's dismal effort against the Tulsa ground game. This is going to be a statement game for Cincy and they need style points for the CFP Playoff rankings and I look for them to finally get them this week. 10* CINCINNATI -23 |
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11-11-21 | Ravens -7.5 v. Dolphins | Top | 10-22 | Loss | -100 | 12 h 20 m | Show |
Thursday Thrasher - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #113 Thursday 10* Top Play Baltimore Ravens -7.5 @ Miami Dolphins @ 8:20 ET - There is some question about who the Dolphins QB will be here but think about whether that is really a big deal or not. Would you rather have Lamar Jackson or Jacoby Brissett or Tua Tagovailoa leading your team? Exactly! Only one of those guys suits up for the Ravens and he is ready to go tonight. Jackson coming off a huge game versus the Vikings and, speaking of huge games, check out the following. The Ravens most recent road game was a 23-7 win. Baltimore's 3 most recent games against the Dolphins all were wins by margins of 32 points or more. Expect more of the same here as Miami enters this game off a rare win - against the downtrodden Texans - but had lost 7 in a row SU and 5 in a row ATS prior to that victory. Look for Ravens to pull away for easy win in this one! 10* BALTIMORE -7.5 |
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11-11-21 | North Carolina +7 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 23-30 | Push | 0 | 11 h 52 m | Show |
ESPN Punisher - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #115 Thursday 10* Top Play North Carolina Tar Heels +7 @ Pittsburgh Panthers @ 7:30 ET - The Tar Heels are off a huge come back win but they sure as hell will not be flat here. Pittsburgh is at the top of the ACC Coastal Division which is where UNC also resides. The Panthers have just one ACC loss while the Heels sit at a disappointing 3-3. That said, I don't foresee the Tar Heels being denied here and love the value with the move on this one up to a +7. North Carolina has played the tougher schedule. That said, the Panthers have some statistical edges but some of this is also based on the teams they have faced. By the way, Pittsburgh is only 3-2 SU at home this season. Yes one of those wins was an impressive win over Clemson but the Tigers are really down this season. The Panthers other two home wins were against Massachusetts and New Hampshire! So the fact Pittsburgh lost outright at home to Miami and Western Michigan shows they can be beat here for sure. Panthers have moved into the top 25 rankings too which you can bet North Carolina is aware of as well. So in the lone game going Thursday in CFB this game takes center stage and the Tar Heels will have their ears pinned back going hard for the upset win on the road. They may fall just short of that but I am not doubting this potent UNC offense in terms of backdoor cover potential as well, especially getting a +7 now. The fact is an outright upset would not surprise me in the least as the tougher schedule they have faced is the hidden edge here that the markets may not be properly adjusting for. 10* NORTH CAROLINA +7 |
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11-11-21 | Raptors v. 76ers -2.5 | Top | 115-109 | Loss | -104 | 9 h 58 m | Show |
NBA TV Blowout - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #550 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 vs Toronto Raptors @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers are off B2B home losses and have a huge 6-game road trip on deck that sees them not play again at home until after Thanksgiving Day! Suffice to say, this game carries extra importance as a result. Even though Philly is expected to still be without Joel Embiid, they could get Tobias Harris back from covid-19 protocols. Also, the Raptors are in a tough back to back spot after losing at Boston last night. Toronto has lost 3 straight games and, with this being a back to back, Pascal Siakam is expected to be rested. Look for the 76ers to get back on track with a much needed home win here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2.5 |
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11-10-21 | Ball State -2.5 v. Northern Illinois | Top | 29-30 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 41 m | Show |
Early Punisher - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #111 Wednesday 10* Top Play Ball State Cardinals -2.5 @ Northern Illinois Huskies @ 7 ET - The Cardinals are favored even though they are on the road and the Huskies have the better overall record and the better record in MAC games. What does that tell you? Exactly! In my opinion Ball State is indeed the better team and they have the edge at head coach. Keep in mind the Huskies have overachieved a bit this season and I believe last week's loss to Kent State is a sign of things to come. Was tough to see their star QB Lombardi get knocked out last week. I know he is expected back this week but NIU has other injury concerns too. The Cards are the healthier team heading into this one and they did make the mistake of looking past Akron last week and very nearly lost the game as a result. Ball State got caught looking ahead to this big showdown with the Huskies. But those kinds of things happen and what I like now in this match-up is having the better defense and the Cardinals and head coach Neu have beaten the Huskies and head coach Hammock in each of the latter's first two seasons in DeKalb. That trend continues here. 10* BALL STATE |
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11-10-21 | Buffalo +13.5 v. Michigan | Top | 76-88 | Win | 100 | 9 h 46 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #747 Wednesday 10* Top Play Buffalo Bulls +13.5 @ Michigan Wolverines @ 6:30 ET - Michigan projected to be one of the best teams in the nation again this season but the Wolverines lost a ton of production from last season's team. That said, is going to take some time for this team to be firing on all cylinders. Buffalo, on the other hand, should hit the floor running - literally - as they enter this season with nearly their entire roster of starters and key returners back from last season's team. Yes the Bulls are "only" a MAC team but they are projected to be the #1 team in their conference and we are not asking them to win this game rather just to keep it respectable. That said, I love the value of the double digit points being offered in this one as I feel strongly that the Bulls are going to hang around in this one and lose by just a single digit margin. The Wolverines have the more talented players but the Bulls are the more cohesive group and that latter factor is particularly a key early in the season! 10* BUFFALO +13.5 |
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11-09-21 | Buffalo v. Miami-OH -7.5 | Top | 18-45 | Win | 100 | 9 h 58 m | Show |
Early Punisher - Rickenbach CFB Tuesday 10* Top Play Miami-Ohio Redhawks -7.5 vs Buffalo Bulls @ 7 ET - The Redhawks disappointed me last week but I will come right back with them this week. Last week Miami-Ohio fell short versus Ohio University but they will now take advantage of a Buffalo team with a banged up quarterback and a questionable defense. The Bulls allowed 56 points last week and that was at home. Though they had a solid defensive effort in most recent road game that was against a very bad Akron team. Prior to that, Buffalo allowed 37 points per game in 3 prior road games. Yes the Redhawks D struggled last week but this was after allowing just 18 points per game 5 prior weeks. Also, they recently welcomed back their QB Brett Gabbert from injury and he threw for nearly 500 yards and for 5 touchdowns last week. 10* MIAMI-OHIO -7.5 |
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11-09-21 | Akron +16.5 v. Ohio State | Top | 66-67 | Win | 100 | 9 h 9 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #605 Tuesday 10* Top Play Akron Zips +16.5 or +17 @ Ohio State Buckeyes @ 6 ET - Buckeyes are a ranked team and, as such, certainly are a high quality team. But Akron is relishing this shot against the big boys and I don't see them getting completely obliterated here. Maybe they lose by 10 or 12 but I really expect that the Zips could keep this one close in a game likely decided by a single digit margin. Ohio State actually ranked last in Big Ten defensive efficiency last season. Also, the Buckeyes lost their starting backcourt. The Zips lost their star guard but this is still a solid MAC program that brought back a lot of solid scoring talent on the wings too and has a solid interior defender. The Buckeyes are going to find out that the Zips came to play very hard in this one and I expect it to be quite the battle with Ohio State pulling away late but not by a big enough margin to cover this huge spread. 10* AKRON +16.5 or +17 |
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11-08-21 | Knicks v. 76ers -4.5 | Top | 103-96 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 29 m | Show |
Atlantic Div Game of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 vs New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - The Knicks have now lost 3 of 4 and are in the 2nd game of a back to back. They rested Kemba Walker last night because it was a back to back but also it does appear he is dealing with an undisclosed injury too. Either way, I look for the Sixers to roll at home here. Philly has won 6 straight games. What preceded the 6-game win streak? A loss to the division rival Knicks. In other words, this is a payback game and the 76ers have an edge in that they were off yesterday too. That is important for big man Joel Embiid and he is coming off a strong game on Saturday as it was one of his best of the season. Putting the Ben Simmons situation out of their minds and even playing without Tobias Harris (covid), the 76ers have continued to find a way to get it done. I expect more of the same in this revenge game. Each of the Knicks losses have been by 6 or points the last 3 in the 1-3 run have all been by 9 or more points. Look for Philly to roll again and get the cover at home. Sixers on a 5-0 ATS run and Knicks on a 1-4 ATS run. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4.5 |
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11-07-21 | Titans v. Rams -7 | Top | 28-16 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 47 m | Show |
Non-Conf Game of the Month - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Rams -7 vs Tennessee Titans @ 8:20 ET - Waiting has paid off here as the line was mostly in the 7.5 range until Sunday morning and now it has dropped to a -7. Love the value here with the Rams favored by just a TD at home against a Titans team off a huge divisional road win over the rival Colts in OT last week on the road. Yes, Tennessee is 3-1 on the road this season but one of the wins was against a horrible Jacksonville team. The other two victories were both in overtime. Give the Titans credit for notching those road OT wins but they could easily be 1-3 in road games this season with the only win against a 1-6 Jaguars team. Also love the last week the Titans had to put in a ton of effort and rallied from a 14-0 deficit. Conversely the Rams were able to cruise to the win after building a 38-0 lead. Note that the loss of RB Derrick Henry to injury is also a big blow for Tennessee. This Rams team is the better team in the trenches on both sides of the ball particularly when it comes to pass protection when they have the ball and pass rushing when on defense. That said, and with the Titans having to throw more with Henry being out, the Rams defense will be able to key on the pass and I feel Tannehill and Company could have a big challenge here. Look for the Titans to score some but they won't be able to keep up with red hot Stafford and this Rams offense which has been surging of late. 10* LOS ANGELES RAMS -7 |
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11-07-21 | Patriots v. Panthers +3.5 | 24-6 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 45 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 8* Carolina Panthers +3.5 vs New England Patriots @ 1 ET - The Panthers have seen QB Darnold and RB McCaffrey each get upgraded to questionable for this game. Even if neither played - though I do expect both to play - I like my chances with the home dog Panthers here. Carolina got a much needed win at Atlanta last week and this is a solid team defensively and fundamentally. I know the Patriots, just like Carolina, are 4-4 on the season and off B2B wins and I am hearing some chatter about watching out for New England because they are surging a bit. But I am not convinced about this team just yet. The Patriots have two wins over the 2-6 Jets and a 1-7 Texans team. The only win over a stronger team is over the 4-3 Chargers. But the odds makers are a very sharp bunch as you know and they have the Chargers as nearly a pick'em against the Eagles this week! So what does that tell you about how good the Chargers really are? So the point is just that the Pats are very over-valued here in my opinion. Maybe they do eke out a win but to be favored on the road by 3.5 points against a defensive-minded home dog? I just do not see it! In 8 games this season New England has only 2 victories that were by more than 3 points! Panthers, in 4 home games this season, only have 1 loss by more than 3 points. 8* CAROLINA +3.5 |
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11-06-21 | 76ers v. Bulls -3.5 | Top | 114-105 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 9 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Chicago Bulls -3.5 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 8:10 ET - Revenge game for Bulls. Yes they lost at Philly on Wednesday but it was because of sub-par shooting. It was absolutely a winnable game and I do not see them being denied in this game after they outrebounded the Sixers by a big margin but were outscored by 18 points from 3-point land. That was the difference in the game and the Bulls get some payback as the 76ers continue to deal with injury and quarantine issues and Embiid's knee is certainly nowhere near 100 percent right now either. 10* CHICAGO -3.5 |
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11-06-21 | Tennessee v. Kentucky +1.5 | Top | 45-42 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 13 m | Show |
SEC Game of the Month - Rickenbach CFB Saturday 10* Top Play Kentucky Wildcats +1.5 vs Tennessee Volunteers @ 7 ET - I know this is a revenge game for Tennessee but the line has gone from Kentucky -3 to now the underdog in this match-up is the Wildcats! In typical contrarian fashion I am fading the line move. The Wildcats have the better defense in this match-up plus the Volunteers continue to be over-valued by the betting markets. Kentucky did lose last week at Mississippi State but were 6-1 ATS this season prior to that non-covering loss. Tennessee is off a bye last week but the Vols are off B2B ATS losses and also have lost 2 of 3 road games SU and ATS. Long-term Tennessee has dominated this series so, just like last season, the Wildcats are certainly looking for more payback like they got with the 34-7 win in 2020. Note that one of the Volunteers road losses was at Florida by 24 points and that is the same Gators team that UK beat by a TD as a TD underdog this season! If you look at the line on that game in fact that means the Cats would be about a 10 point dog against Florida on a neutral field while the Vols would be about a 16 point dog to the Gators on a neutral field based on the 19 that was posted at Florida. As you can see comparing the 16 to a 10 there is a 6 point variance between the Wildcats and Volunteers and plus the Cats are at home so one could argue the line should be a 9 here and yet the markets are so in love with Tennessee here that the Wildcats, after line movement, have become a dog. I'll take it! 10* KENTUCKY +1.5 |
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11-06-21 | Toronto v. Ottawa +10.5 | Top | 23-20 | Win | 100 | 4 h 12 m | Show |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CFL Saturday 10* Top Play Ottawa Redblacks +10.5 vs Toronto Argonauts @ 4 ET - The Redblacks lost and failed to cover last week but played better than the final score indicates. Also, this is their home finale and it is against the rival Argonauts. Adding to the value is the fact that Toronto has a big game with Hamilton on deck. In what has been a disappointing season for Ottawa this is essentially their Super Bowl. The Redblacks can finish the home part of their schedule with an upset win here and play the role of spoiler and of course that is their goal with this one. I look for them to achieve that goal in a big way in this one. Maybe they do fall just short of the upset but, if so, they should still keep this loss to a one-possession game and that would get us the cash as well. Coming off an OT win last week, the Argos are in the perfect spot to fade here and you know the Redblacks are going to give a huge effort as a double digit home dog in this one. 10* OTTAWA +10.5 |
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11-06-21 | Baylor v. TCU +7 | 28-30 | Win | 100 | 7 h 45 m | Show | |
National TV Blowout - Rickenbach CFB Saturday 8* TCU Horned Frogs +7 vs Baylor Bears @ 3:30 ET - The Bears are off huge rivalry win over Texas last week in Waco. Now they go on the road to face a TCU team that has underachieved so far this season and now looks at this game as a fresh beginning without head coach Patterson. The Horned Frogs have a respectable offense and I would not be surprised to see the Bears be a little flat in this one after the big comeback win over the Longhorns last week. TCU has won 5 of the last 6 meetings and I fully expect them to get at least the cover here based on the situational edges and the fact this offense was putting up plenty of points prior to its last two games. Baylor has allowed 24 points or more in 4 of last 5 while the Horned Frogs, other than the Oklahoma and SMU games, have allowed an average of 26.3 points per in their other 6 games. Look for the home dog to surprise in this one. 8* TCU +7 |
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11-05-21 | Virginia Tech -3 v. Boston College | Top | 3-17 | Loss | -103 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
Friday Thrasher - Rickenbach CFB Friday 10* Top Play Virginia Tech Hokies -3 @ Boston College Eagles @ 7:30 ET - The Hokies and Eagles are both 4-4 on the season and Boston College is at home so some may be surprised to see Virginia Tech as the favorite in this one. Don't be though as the -3 should prove to be a solid bet in this one. The Hokies and Eagles have both been struggling of late but the BC offense has been a major concern and will likely be their downfall again here. The Boston College offense has been so bad that they turned to frosh Moorhead in place of Grosel last week but the offense still sputtered when he came in. The Eagles, in fact, have been held to 14 or less point in 4 straight games and now they face a Virginia Tech team that has only been shut down on offense once in last four games as they averaged 30 points per game in the other 3. On the season the Hokies also have played the tougher schedule. 10* VIRGINIA TECH -3 |
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11-05-21 | BC +7 v. Hamilton | Top | 18-26 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 52 m | Show |
ESPN+ Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFL Friday 10* Top Play BC Lions +7 @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ 7 ET - The BC Lions are off a tight OT loss at Toronto last week but had won all 3 of their non-divisional games prior to that. Hamilton is off a big win at Edmonton and has a game at first place Toronto on deck. The Ti-Cats are just behind the Argonauts in the standings so it could be tough for them to avoid looking ahead to that match-up. Hamilton is just 2-2 against West Division opponents this season and a rather unimpressive 3-2 in home games this season. In other words, that means a lot of line value here with getting a full TD with the visitors because all those stats are SU stats and this one is too: road teams in BC games are 7-4 this season. From a situational standpoint and with having the big points on your side, this is a great spot. 10* BC +7 |
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11-04-21 | Jets v. Colts -10 | Top | 30-45 | Win | 100 | 11 h 55 m | Show |
Thursday Thrasher - Rickenbach NFL Thursday 10* Top Play Indianapolis Colts -10 vs New York Jets @ 8:20 ET - The Colts are off an OT loss by 3 points and Carson Wentz, after being so strong in terms of avoiding INTs this season, threw 2 picks last week. Look for Indianapolis to bounce back as they are at home again and catch the Jets off an upset win over the Bengals. There is a reason the Colts are a double digit favorite even though they are only 3-5 while the Jets are 2-6 this season. Don't let the line keep you away. Big blowout here. In true road games, not including the neutral site game in London, the Jets have lost their last two away from home by a combined score of 80 to 13. Ugly defeats on the road and now New York faces a hungry Colts team that had won 3 of 4 SU and covered 4 straight ATS prior to the loss to the Titans. Indy won last season's meeting 36 to 7 and another blowout win on tap here. 10* INDIANAPOLIS |
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11-04-21 | Georgia State v. UL-Lafayette -12 | Top | 17-21 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 33 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFB Thursday 10* Top Play UL Lafayette Ragin Cajuns -12 vs Georgia State Panthers @ 7:30 ET - Georgia State is off a big win over rival Georgia Southern and that was a road game on Saturday. That means the Panthers are on short rest after knocking off the rival Eagles and also means they are on the road for a second straight week. How good has UL Lafayette been at home? 4-0 with the last 3 of those victories being ultra impressive by a combined score of 135 to 27. That means average victory margin of 36 points per game. I know the Panthers have been a covering machine of late but this is a horrible spot for them and the Ragin Cajuns have the better defense and better offense and more balanced offense. I know the points are steep here but consider that Georgia State's four losses have been by 28.5 point average margin. Also, one of those four losses was to Appalachian State by a count of 45 to 16 and Louisiana beat that same Mountaineers team 41 to 13. Big difference! One won by 28 and the other lost by 29 points! I don't often lay big points but this is one of those spots too good to pass up. This match-up and including the situation has blowout written all over it. 10* LOUISIANA -12 |
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11-03-21 | Northern Illinois v. Kent State -3.5 | Top | 47-52 | Win | 101 | 7 h 36 m | Show |
ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFB Wednesday 10* Top Play Kent State Golden Flashes (-) vs Northern Illinois Huskies @ 7 ET - Northern Illinois has won 10 straight games against Kent State but much of that history is dated for sure. The Huskies have regressed from where they use to be and the Golden Flashes have improved a lot from where they were. I know Northern Illinois has won 5 straight but their schedule has been more favorable than that of Kent State. The Golden Flashes have won 3 of 4 and do have the better passing offense in this game. I love the fact that the line has dropped a couple points from its opener. Extra value on the home favorite. I will take it. 10* KENT STATE -3.5 |
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11-02-21 | Miami-OH -7.5 v. Ohio | Top | 33-35 | Loss | -101 | 10 h 28 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - 10* Top Play Miami-Ohio Redhawks -7.5 @ Ohio University Bobcats @ 7:30 ET - I am aware that the Bobcats have a knack for playing close games in MAC action. Seems like they just don't lose games by more than 7 points or at least that has been a pattern now for a number of years. However, this Bobcats team is struggling badly this season and has played a weaker schedule so far this season than the Redhawks and the odds makers know what they are doing by having Miami-Ohio favored by slightly more than a TD here. The Redhawks have just 1 loss last 4 games while the Bobcats only have 1 win this entire season! Unlike typical encounters, this one will not be close and the odds makers are correct on this one while the betting markets likely to end up pounding the underdog. Contrarian spot and I love situations like these. 10* MIAMI-OHIO -7.5 |
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11-01-21 | Giants v. Chiefs -10 | Top | 17-20 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 50 m | Show |
MNF Dominator - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #278 Monday 10* Top Play Kansas City Chiefs -10 vs New York Giants @ 8:15 ET - When a good team hits rock bottom they generally respond very well in their next game. I feel that is precisely the situation we have here with the Chiefs. After losing 2 of 3 games, including an ugly 27-3 loss last week on the road, Kansas City is going to respond big at home. KC was averaging 31 points per game prior to last week's loss. The Giants, prior to a rare blowout win 25 to 3 last week, were averaging just 19 points per game on the season. I just don't expect New York to be able to keep up here on the road. Historically, the Chiefs defense is known for being much tougher at Arrowhead Stadium and they will be up for this game! Kansas City has had a rough season thus far but Patrick Mahomes and Company have reached their rock bottom and, though I am usually not fond of laying big points, I absolutely see a massive blowout brewing here! The Giants were on a 2-game losing streak by an average margin of 25.5 points prior to the win last week. The Chiefs last two wins were by an average margin of 15 points and were part of a 2-1 run prior to last week's loss. The Giants also have a long list on the injury report this week. The healthier and hungrier team gets it done in a big way in this one! 10* KANSAS CITY -10 |
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11-01-21 | Blazers +2.5 v. 76ers | Top | 103-113 | Loss | -108 | 7 h 43 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #535 Monday 10* Top Play Portland Trail Blazers +2.5 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - I liked this situation a ton even before Joel Embiid was set to rest but now with the 76ers big man expected to miss this game I especially like the underdog in this one. The Trail Blazers have been much better with Norman Powell in the lineup and they had won 2 of his 3 games by big margins before losing at Charlotte on Saturday. However, in that defeat the Hornets simply shot a ridiculous 48% from three point land and that was the difference in the game. Now Portland bounces back off that loss and note the Blazers are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last 3 games against Philly. Also, the Trail Blazers had won 3 of 4 (all by 19 or more points) before the loss at Charlotte. They also are catching Philly off huge revenge win over the Hawks as Atlanta had knocked the 76ers out of the playoffs last season. Set ups just do not get much better than this and now, with Embiid set to rest, this easily gets my highest rating. 10* PORTLAND +2.5 |
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10-31-21 | Bucs v. Saints +4.5 | Top | 27-36 | Win | 100 | 8 h 9 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 10* Top Play New Orleans Saints +4.5 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ 4:25 ET - I am going to challenge the Bucs to actually cover a road game! Tampa Bay continues to be a bit over-rated by the betting markets in my opinion. I know they got the huge win at home versus the Bears last week but Chicago was a turnover machine in that game! Give TB credit but now they go on the road to face a tough division rival and the Buccaneers are 0-3 ATS this season in road games. The Saints first home game this season had to be at a neutral site in Jacksonville because of hurricane damage in New Orleans. That game was a huge win for the Saints over the Packers but, since then, NO has had just one home game and they lost it to the Giants. So not only is this just their 2nd true home game of the season, New Orleans is also searching for their first win in the Superdome this season! That plus Jameis Winston going against his former team and the Saints having failed to cover only 1 time the last 9 times they have been a home dog has me grabbing the points here without hesitation. This number is a 4.5 so we get past the NFL key betting numbers of 3 and 4 as well. The Saints have covered 9 of last 13 in divisional games and Tampa Bay has failed to cover 9 of last 12 games when they have a bye week on deck. Look for Bucs to find an angry Saints team (knocked out of playoffs LY by TB in turnover-fueled loss) waiting for them in the Superdome Sunday! I expect an outright upset but will grab the points as added insurance here! 10* NEW ORLEANS +4.5 |
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10-31-21 | Steelers +4.5 v. Browns | 15-10 | Win | 100 | 5 h 11 m | Show | |
Early Punisher - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 8* Pittsburgh Steelers +4.5 @ Cleveland Browns @ 1 ET - Revenge spot for the Steelers and they are undervalued here in my opinion. Pittsburgh not only lost at Cleveland in their final regular season game last year, the Steelers then lost at home to the Browns in the Wild Card round of the playoffs the very next week. Now of course you can not just blindly play revenge situations but I like this one a lot as Pittsburgh is off their bye week and this is a crucial game for them in the AFC North standings. The Steelers are undervalued right now because of their 1-4 ATS run and I know the Browns just beat Denver last week but the Broncos are in a major slump. Cleveland allowed 42 points per game in the two games prior to the win at Denver. Also, the Steelers are off B2B wins and starting to build momentum. Pittsburgh has covered 12 of its last 16 as a road dog. The Browns are on an 0-8 ATS run in regular season games against divisional foes. 8* PITTSBURGH +4.5 |
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10-30-21 | Penn State +19.5 v. Ohio State | Top | 24-33 | Win | 100 | 10 h 14 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #189 Saturday 10* Top Play Penn State Nittany Lions +19.5 @ Ohio State Buckeyes @ 7:30 ET - The Nittany Lions are off back to back losses (both very tight defeats) while the Buckeyes have won 5 straight and are 6-1 on the season. That sets this one up perfectly and the points are just too much. Of course Ohio State has the much better offense in this match-up but this Penn State defense is very strong. Also, the Buckeyes recent blowout wins and strong defensive performances have been helped by facing 3rd and 4th string quarterbacks. This will be the toughest test that Ohio State has had in quite some time and I look for the Nittany Lions defense to be a difference maker in this game - at least in terms of the ATS cover. Keep in mind that Penn State was on a 3-0 ATS run as a road dog before coming up just short of the cover at Iowa earlier this season. But the Nittany Lions did lead that game 17-3 before QB Clifford went out with an injury in the eventual 3-point loss. They likely would not have lost if he did not get hurt. Also, prior to Ohio State getting the cover at Beaver Stadium last season, the Nittany Lions had covered 4 straight against the Buckeyes. These games tend to be tight hard-fought battles and I feel we are getting extra line value here because of recent results and those results certainly have been impacted by QB injury issues as noted above. So the value is now the massive underdog in this one and it is my top side play for Saturday. 10* PENN STATE +19.5 |
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10-30-21 | Hawks v. 76ers -3 | Top | 94-122 | Win | 100 | 9 h 56 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #510 Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - Though Joel Embiid is listed as questionable again with knee soreness, the big man has yet to miss a game for the Sixers this season. I certainly do not see him missing this one either as it is a huge revenge game for Philly. While one definitely does not want to just blindly play revenge, the fact is that the favored 76ers will want this game badly after losing in the playoffs to the Hawks last season in June. Note that the home team is 5-0 ATS in Atlanta's games this season and I look for that trend to continue here as Philly is known for being tough on their home floor. 76ers off a non-covering win versus Detroit in most recent game and that is keeping this line lower than it should be. Lay the small number and look for a big home win in this one as the road teams drops to 0-6 ATS in Hawks games on the season! 10* PHILADELPHIA |
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10-30-21 | BC +3.5 v. Toronto | Top | 29-31 | Win | 100 | 6 h 45 m | Show |
Afternoon Annihilation - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #673 Saturday 10* Top Play BC Lions +3.5 @ Toronto Argonauts @ 4 ET - Both teams off bad losses and will be looking to respond here. That said, I like having the value of the points on my side for this one particularly with the rainy weather projected in Toronto for this one as well. I know the Argonauts have played well at home this season but the Lions are a perfect 3-0 SU against East Division teams. Also, just playing the road team in BC games this season would have netted you a 7-3 record. I look for the Lions to be rejuvenated by the return of Whitehead as that will give a boost to the offense. Look for the road team, still alive for a playoff spot but needing to get back on track, to get it done here as they get a boost with the return of Whitehead and improve to 4-0 SU in non-divisional games on the season. Will grab the points just in case they do fall short of the outright upset win though. We should get at least the cover in this one. 10* BC Lions +3.5 |
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10-30-21 | Texas +2.5 v. Baylor | 24-31 | Loss | -109 | 3 h 26 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #193 Saturday 8* Texas Longhorns +2.5 @ Baylor Bears @ Noon ET - Baylor is ranked and at home and has two less losses than Texas this season. However, the Bears are a very small favorite here. Looks easy, right? You know what means! Back the underdog in this one! UT has played the tougher schedule and that is part of the key here. I feel strongly that Baylor is now over-rated as a result and we'll take advantage by grabbing the Longhorns here as they get payback for losing here in Waco in their last visit in 2019. With UT off B2B losses, this is a great spot to back them! 8* TEXAS +2.5 |
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10-29-21 | Navy v. Tulsa -11 | Top | 20-17 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 51 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #114 Friday 10* Top Play Tulsa Golden Hurricane -11 vs Navy Midshipmen @ 7:30 ET - I know Navy has been covering recent games and Tulsa has not but this line is set at double digits for a reason. The Midshipmen have been very fortunate to get the covers they have been getting as their offense has been really bad this season. Also, they enter this game off a hard-fought loss to Cincinnati last week. They are on short rest here as a result. Tulsa, on the other hand, is coming off a bye week. The Golden Hurricane are rested and ready here. Tulsa does enter off SU wins in 3 of their last 4 and they have also been reminded of the fact that the last time the Midshipmen paid a visit here the Golden Hurricane got blasted 45 to 17. I look for the hosts to get some payback for that one as they also are a little healthier than they were 2 weeks ago. Rested, ready, motivated are the Golden Hurricane and they are hosting a Navy team that truly left it all on the field in that hard-fought loss to the Bearcats Saturday. 10* TULSA -11 |
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10-27-21 | Hornets -5.5 v. Magic | Top | 120-111 | Win | 100 | 7 h 22 m | Show |
Early Punisher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #529 Wednesday 10* Top Play Charlotte Hornets -5.5 @ Orlando Magic @ 7:10 ET - The Magic are still without a number of key players to begin this season. Not only is Orlando off to a tough 1-3 start to the season, the Magic have lost all 3 games by at least 17 points apiece and an average margin of defeat of 23 points! That said, it comes as no surprise that I like the Hornets to cover this rather short number that is in the range of a half-dozen points. Charlotte is off a home loss in OT versus Boston so they will be hungry to bounce back here as they had started the season 3-0 SU. I just don't see the short-handed Magic as being able to score enough to avoid a loss by a double-digit margin here. Keep in mind, Orlando is averaging only 98 points per game this season! The Hornets, not including OT, are averaging 120 points per game this season! Each of Charlotte's two road games this season resulted in wins by double digits. I fully expect this one will as well as the Hornets roll big on the road. 10* CHARLOTTE -5.5 |
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10-26-21 | Lakers -4 v. Spurs | Top | 125-121 | Push | 0 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #525 Tuesday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - The Lakers should be fully focused here as they lost at home to the Spurs in most recent meeting. Los Angeles is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in last 4 meetings at San Antonio and the lone non-covering win was a win by 6 points which, as you can see from today's line, would get us the cash here. That said, I am laying the points here with the Lakers as LeBron James is on the injury report but I do expect him to play. Either way, I like LA here as the Spurs are not going to be a very good team this season. They lost too many key players and are rebuilding right now with young players. Also, the Spurs only SU win was over a Magic team missing a ton of their regulars. I know Lakers started slow this season and also are 0-3 ATS but I look for them to build off their first SU win of the season with another one here and I expect them to cover the small number here in the process. 10* LOS ANGELES LAKERS -4.5 |
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10-25-21 | Saints v. Seahawks +4 | Top | 13-10 | Win | 100 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #474 Monday 10* Top Play Seattle Seahawks +4 vs New Orleans Saints @ 8:15 ET - Saints are 3-2 on the season and Seahawks are only 2-4 on the season. However, even though Seattle is without QB Russell Wilson, the Saints offense is certainly no longer a juggernaut since Drew Brees retired. New Orleans actually ranks near the bottom of the league this season on offense based on yardage stats. Yes the Saints do rank as the better team on defense in this match-up but Seattle is capable of stepping up big when at home and in a primetime game. We have seen it time and time again in this situation with the Seahawks. By the way, Seattle has allowed only 23 points per game last 3 games while Saints have allowed 22 points or more in 3 of last 4 games. There is just not a big disparity between these teams right now and I look for the Seahawks to give New Orleans all they can handle in this one! 2 of the Seahawks 4 losses this season have been by just a 3 point margin and we are getting more than that here. Also, the Saints are just 2-2 SU the last 4 games and the two wins were against teams that were a combined 4-8 entering this week's action. I know Seattle has some issues but the Saints offense is just not that strong and they will struggle to pull away in this game and the Seahawks bounce back from a loss to Rams in most recent home game. 0-2 SU at home this season, look for the hosts to bring forth a very strong effort on their home field in this one. 10* SEATTLE +4 |
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10-25-21 | Lightning v. Sabres +1.5 | Top | 1-5 | Win | 100 | 8 h 3 m | Show |
Puck Line Punisher - Rickenbach NHL Rotation #54 Monday 10* Top Play Buffalo Sabres +1.5 goals -135 vs Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7:08 ET - Tampa Bay has struggled so far this season and their only two victories have come in OT. Also, the Lightning have a big revenge game on deck as they will be at Pittsburgh tomorrow and they lost their season opener at home by a 6-2 count versus the Penguins. As for the Sabres, they have been very scrappy early this season with a 3-1-1 record. That means if you had Buffalo +1.5 in all games this season you would have won 4 of 5 bets and if you went against TB with +1.5 goals in all of their games this season you would have won all 5 bets against the Lightning. Hence the value here with only having to lay a -135 price to have the Sabres at +1.5 goals. Buffalo is off a tight 1-goal loss at New Jersey Saturday and won't be home again, after this game, until Saturday November 6th. After tonight's game Buffalo heads on a west coast road trip. As a result, and hosting the 2-time defending Stanley Cup champs tonight, I look for the Sabres to come out very strong tonight and make the most of this opportunity on home ice before heading west. 10* BUFFALO Puck Line +1.5 goals -135 |
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10-24-21 | Colts +4 v. 49ers | Top | 30-18 | Win | 100 | 12 h 45 m | Show |
Non-Conf Game of the Year - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #471 Sunday 10* Top Play Indianapolis Colts +4 @ San Francisco 49ers @ 8:20 ET - Jimmy Garoppolo back from injury for the 49ers here but how effective will he be considering the time off and the recovery from injury. At the same time, Carson Wentz is quietly putting together some impressive numbers for the Colts. The Indianapolis QB has a TD-INT ratio of 9-1. Keep in mind, prior to a rough season with a fading Eagles team last year, Wentz had compiled a TD-INT ratio of 81-21 over 3 preceding seasons. I had a strong feeling he would enjoy some success in coming to Indianapolis and working with head coach Frank Reich who was an offensive coordinator with the Eagles when they won the Super Bowl a few years and Wentz had been rock solid under Reich before he got hurt. So I am aware the Colts have a disappointing record so far this season but so too do the 49ers and I like the fact Indianapolis has now won 2 of 3 games SU and covered 4 of last 5 games ATS while the Niners are in a 0-3 SU/ATS slump. I know the 49ers are off their bye week but their final game before the break was a disappointing loss to the Cardinals in a divisional game. The 49ers only wins this season were on the road against the Eagles and Lions! I think this Colts team is better than people realize despite their record and they are starting to turn the corner. Keep in mind, Indy went 11-5 last season while San Francisco went 6-10 last year. Give me the points here as the Colts continue to turn this season around and we can fade a Niners team that is favored by more than a FG here and yet lacking in confidence. There is simply something amiss in San Francisco right now and we'll take advantage here. 10* INDIANAPOLIS +4 |
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10-24-21 | Bengals v. Ravens -6 | 41-17 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 37 m | Show | |
Earliest Dominator - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 8* Baltimore Ravens -6 vs Cincinnati Bengals @ 1 ET - I know the Bengals have a surprisingly impressive record but a lot of their wins against weak foes. Give Cincinnati credit of course as they have still gotten the job done but the result is just that they are a little bit over-rated right now. The Ravens have beaten some stronger teams during their current run of 5 straight wins. Also, Baltimore's last 3 meetings with the Bengals have all ended up Ravens wins by a margin of 24 points or more. We only need to win this by 7 or more to cash our ticket and I like the odds being in our favor for that to happen here. The Ravens have the much better offense and are at home and Cincinnati will simply be unable to keep up in this one. 8* BALTIMORE -6 |
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10-23-21 | Bucks -6 v. Spurs | Top | 121-111 | Win | 100 | 9 h 28 m | Show |
Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -6 @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - The Bucks just got absolutely destroyed at Miami. That means this is a bounce back spot for Milwaukee and they should have Jrue Holiday back for this one. Yes they are not 100% percent healthy yet for sure but that it is a big plus for them here to get Holiday back. While the Bucks also were off yesterday, the Spurs were at Denver. San Antonio coming off a game in high altitude where they expended a lot of energy. The Spurs in 2nd game of tough back to back and yes they did win their only home game so far but that was much better situation and they faced a bad Magic team missing a ton of starters. This situation is much different and features a very strong, and angry, Bucks team that is rested and in bounce back mode! 10* MILWAUKEE -6 |
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10-23-21 | Utah -3 v. Oregon State | Top | 34-42 | Loss | -106 | 11 h 45 m | Show |
Pac-12 Game of the Year - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #373 Saturday 10* Top Play Utah Utes (-) @ Oregon State Beavers @ 7:30 ET - The Utes offer line value here because they are on the road so we can lay a small number to have the better team essentially just to win this game with the line at -3. Utah has won 3 straight games and has played a slightly tougher schedule too. Oregon State is off a loss and has lost 2 of their more challenging game this season. The Beavers lost at Washington State and at Purdue and each of those defeats were by 7 or more points. Utah has won 8 of the last 11 meetings and that includes a 45 point blowout win in their last visit to Corvallis. Lay the short number here as the Beavers certainly have improved and are absolutely not the doormat of the Pac-12 that they once were but, Oregon State is still not at the level Utah is. Also, the Utes are undefeated in conference games and, as the only team in the Pac-12 able to stake that claim, they are highly motivated to stay that way. The edge the Beavers have over some Pac-12 teams in terms of being strong in the trenches and a physical team against some of the softer more finesse Pac-12 teams, they just don't have those same edges against a tough Utes team that likes to play a physical brand of football. The road team gets it done here. 10* UTAH -3 |
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10-23-21 | Clemson +3.5 v. Pittsburgh | 17-27 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 45 m | Show | |
Afternoon Annihilation - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #343 Saturday 8* Clemson Tigers +3.5 @ Pittsburgh Panthers @ 3:30 ET - The Tigers offense, as the whole world knows, has struggled badly this season. Also, Clemson is still winless ATS on the season. However, getting them now in a range of +3 to +3.5 points now Saturday at Pittsburgh is an incredible value. The Tigers offense has made headlines for struggles but their defense has been incredibly good. Clemson allowed 27 points at NC State but, other than that, the Tigers have given up only 9.6 points per game in their other 5 games. The Tigers did not allow more than 14 points in any of those 5 games. Now let's talk about Pittsburgh. The Panthers just caught the Hokies off a tough 3-point loss to Notre Dame. So give the Panthers credit as they held Virginia Tech to just 7 points in that game but, again, it was a horrible spot for the Hokies. Prior to that game Pitt had great defensive gems against Massachusetts and New Hampshire but who wouldn't? Exactly! So, that being said, note that the Panthers allowed an average of 33 points in their other 3 games this season when they actually faced decent respectable teams. Now, consider all of the above PLUS the fact that Clemson has played a TOUGHER schedule than Pittsburgh this season! So the point is I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt who the better defense is in this match-up. Also, the Panthers are ranked and at home and this is the first time the Tigers have been an ACC dog in over a decade. Clemson is aware of all this of course. They are underdogs and they are the unranked team and the Panthers are ranked. Watch how the Tigers respond this week given all of the above. 8* CLEMSON +3.5 |
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10-22-21 | Nets -3 v. 76ers | Top | 114-109 | Win | 100 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Friday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -3 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:40 ET - The Ben Simmons saga rolls on in Philly. A lot of pressure on Tobias Harris here as the Sixers are in the process of parting ways with Simmons plus Joel Embiid is now questionable for tonight's game with knee issues. That makes this a fantastic situation because Philadelphia is off a blowout win in their first game but it was against a bad Pelicans team while Brooklyn is off a blowout loss in their first game but they faced the defending champion Bucks. Not only off a loss at Milwaukee but also with an extra day of rest between games compared to Philly. The Nets also have double revenge here from losing their last two meetings with the Sixers last season. The road team is favored with good reason here! Lay it! 10* BROOKLYN -3 |
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10-22-21 | Toronto +1 v. Montreal | Top | 16-37 | Loss | -113 | 10 h 48 m | Show |
Game of the Week - Rickenbach CFL Friday 10* Top Play Toronto Argonauts +1 @ Montreal Alouettes @ 7:30 ET - The Alouettes are at home and trailing the Argonauts by just one game in the division. However, Toronto is off a bye week and getting healthier while Montreal is down to their 2nd string quarterback. Also, the Argos are 4-1 in divisional games this season and the Als are just 1-2 in home games. The Argonauts defense has been much better since they hired defensive consultant Chris Jones. Hotter and healthier team on the road and that means line value so I am stepping out big with this one. 10* TORONTO |
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10-22-21 | Bruins -1.5 v. Sabres | Top | 4-1 | Win | 125 | 8 h 33 m | Show |
Puck Line Punisher - Rickenbach NHL Friday 10* Top Play Boston Bruins -1.5 goals +125 @ Buffalo Sabres @ 7:08 ET - The Bruins in a great spot here. Fired up off a loss and now former Sabre Linus Ullmark will be between the pipes for Boston in Buffalo. I expect a big game from him and I know Buffalo is undefeated on the season and off to a great start but now they are facing one of the best teams in the league and they catch them at the wrong time too. This situation has blowout written all over it. Yes Buffalo off to a 3-0 start but the 3 teams they have faced have now lost a combined 12 of 14 games. All those clubs struggling. Now the Sabres take a big step up in level of opponent. 10* Boston Bruins -1.5 goals +125 |
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10-21-21 | Mavs +2.5 v. Hawks | Top | 87-113 | Loss | -103 | 10 h 26 m | Show |
TNT Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks +2.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - The Hawks are at home and had a decent record last season. That is leading to solid line value with the road dog in this one. Keep in mind, Atlanta was barely above .500 against Western Conference teams last season. Conversely, Dallas was 21-9 against Eastern Conference teams last season and that included 2-0 versus the Hawks. I still feel strongly that there exists an East-West dichotomy in the NBA and, until we see this dynamic change, there is always a bit of shading toward the West in my mind when it comes to East-West match-ups. That said, when I can get the team from the West on the road and getting points then I pay particularly close attention. Looking at this match-up, the Hawks also are a bit banged up while the Mavs appear healthy entering this one. I do expect an outright upset but will gladly grab the points as added insurance in this one. 10* DALLAS +2.5 |
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10-20-21 | 76ers -3 v. Pelicans | Top | 117-97 | Win | 100 | 12 h 37 m | Show |
PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ New Orleans Pelicans @ 8:10 ET - The Sixers are eager to prove that life will go on without Ben Simmons. They want to put that entire nonsense behind them and press ahead. Joel Embiid and company will dominate here as the Pelicans are without Zion Williamson to open up the season. I know Brandon Ingram is going to play for New Orleans here but he was bothered by his knee as the preseason went on. Of course Williamson and Ingram are two key players for New Orleans. As for the 76ers being without Simmons, he honestly had become more of a distraction than anything else and hurt them in the post-season with his reluctance to take shots. Look for Embiid and Tobias Harris to help lead the way to a dominating road win here as the 76ers get payback for a loss here the last time these teams met at New Orleans. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3 |
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10-20-21 | Coastal Carolina -5 v. Appalachian State | Top | 27-30 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 17 m | Show |
ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFB Wednesday 10* Top Play Coastal Carolina Chanticleers -5 @ Appalachian State Mountaineers @ 7:30 ET - We can lay a short number here to have a team that has won nearly 20 regular season games in a row. I'll take it! Yes I know Coastal Carolina has played a weak schedule but this is essentially the same Chanticleers team we saw last season and they knocked off a pair of ranked teams last season as part of their undefeated regular season. Coastal Carolina's toughest game this season was at Buffalo and they won by just 3. However late in the game the Chanticleers had a 1st and goal and were getting ready to make the score 35 to 17 to put the game away. Then it was the one and only interception that CC has had this season and the Bulls then drove 92 yards for a 14 point swing on the scoreboard. Honestly that one turn of events is simply serving to give us great line value here. Again, it is the only INT that Coastal has this season and this is a very strong running team with a QB with a 14-1 ratio as well! They are up against an Appalachian State team that is banged up at the RB position and off a blowout loss at UL Lafayette. The Mountaineers have turnover issues and that was the case in last season's loss to Coastal Carolina as well. In summary, the Chanticleers should have beaten Buffalo by a double digit margin and every other win they have this season has been by 27 points or more. Appalachian State simply will not be able to keep up in this one. 10* COASTAL CAROLINA |
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10-18-21 | Bills v. Titans +6 | Top | 31-34 | Win | 100 | 12 h 19 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach NFL Monday 10* Top Play Tennessee Titans +6 vs Buffalo Bills @ 8:15 ET - The Bills are a great team. They also have revenge on their minds here and a bye week on deck. However, lets not forget that Buffalo is off a huge playoff revenge win over Kansas City last week. Also, lets not forget that the Titans are a quality team and at home and catching as many 6.5 points here after opening as a 3.5 point dog. Buffalo is simply over-priced here especially when you consider that Tennessee is getting healthier. The Titans should have WR Julio Jones back for this game and could have WR AJ Brown back as well. Tennessee has a strong ground game and has won 3 of 4 games since an embarrassing opening week loss to a Cardinals team that remains undefeated on the season. The Titans lone loss since then was by 3 points in overtime. I see them hanging tough in this game throughout. I have a ton of respect for the Bills but the value is with the underdog here especially a home dog like this in a primetime game. As a home dog in a non-divisional match-up, the Titans have covered 6 of 8. Buffalo has been on an ATS tear dating back to last season too so they are becoming over-valued by the betting markets. Wish we could get the full +7 here but we are not quite there yet and, even so, great value with this current number at +6 as the revenge factor is being overplayed on this one. 10* TENNESSEE +6 |
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10-17-21 | Seahawks +5.5 v. Steelers | Top | 20-23 | Win | 100 | 10 h 23 m | Show |
Sunday Night Game of the Month - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #273 Sunday 10* Top Play Seattle Seahawks +5.5 @ Pittsburgh Steelers @ 8:20 ET - Russell Wilson is out for awhile after the injury suffered to the middle finger of his throwing hand. That said, the Seahawks have decided they have no chance to win this game and have decided to forfeit the contest and may not even show up at Heinz Field tonight. I am being facetious of course about Seattle not showing up but I do find humor in the fact that no one is giving the Seahawks a chance in this game. The line has gone all the way up to as high as a 5.5 as of early morning Sunday and, keep in mind, teammates step up particularly strong in the first game after a star goes down. Wilson, of course, is a franchise player for the Seahawks and everyone - on offense as well as defense - is going to step up their game in his absence on Sunday night. Pittsburgh is off a win against an over-rated Denver team whose only 3 wins this season are against teams that are now a combined 2-13 on the season. Prior to that win the Steelers had lost 3 straight games and the only other win for Pittsburgh this season was in the season opener when they upset the Bills but were outstatted at Buffalo. Seattle has been underachieving on defense and will be fired up after the loss to the Rams. Prior to the defeat the Seahawks were only 2-2 SU but one of the losses was in OT by just 3 points. Look for a big bounce back here. In non-conference games the Seahawks have covered 6 of 9 and I am expecting a very big effort from them here as they battle hard to make up for the absence of Wilson. 10* SEATTLE +5.5 |
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10-17-21 | Dodgers -1.5 v. Braves | Top | 4-5 | Loss | -100 | 9 h 49 m | Show |
Run Line Rout - Rickenbach MLB Sunday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Dodgers Run Line -1.5 runs -100 @ Atlanta Braves @ 7:35 ET - I am grabbing Dodgers off a 9th inning loss in a game in which they outhit the Braves and deserved better. I am taking the experienced Max Scherzer over a young Ian Anderson lacking in post-season experience. Los Angeles has the better lineup in my opinion and also has been getting fantastic bullpen work too. I see them bouncing back but of course am not laying a big price here with this money line in the -175 range. Instead we can get even money by laying the 1.5 runs on the run line and that is the value way to play this game. 10* LOS ANGELES DODGERS -1.5 +100 |
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10-16-21 | Calgary +3.5 v. BC | Top | 39-10 | Win | 100 | 10 h 25 m | Show |
ESPN+ Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFL Saturday 10* Top Play Calgary Stampeders +3.5 @ BC Lions @ 7 ET - I am very tempted to take the Stamps on the money line here but the trade off of losing 3.5 points to have a +150 money line is just not worth it in my opinion. But I really do expect an outright win for the road dogs in this one. This line has gone from nearly a pick'em to now catching 3.5 points. Keep in mind, BC lost star WR Lucky Whitehead to injury. Yes the Lions are coming off a bye week and the Stampeders are off back to back wins over rival Saskatchewan, but I still feel we have excellent line value here. Calgary is a very strong team that is now finally starting to play back up to their potential again. As for the Lions, they are only 1-4 in divisional games this season! I am still not sold on this BC team and also the road team has dominated their games this season. The Lions are 3-1 on the road and just 1-3 at home. So, playing the road team in BC games all season long would have netted you a 6-2 record. Again, I do expect an outright road upset here but getting 3.5 is a strong value to have and I will not pass that up. 10* CALGARY +3.5 |
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10-16-21 | Rice +17.5 v. UTSA | 0-45 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 13 m | Show | |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CFB 8* Rice Owls +17.5 @ UTSA Roadrunners @ 6 ET - UTSA is starting to wear down some. I know they are still undefeated on the season but this will be their 7th game in 7 weeks and they have been on the road twice in past three weeks and had to battle hard for victories. This is a banged up Roadrunners team that is starting to tire out. The Runners should still get a win here but, keep in mind, each of their last 3 wins have been by 7 or less points. Now UTSA faces a rested Rice team that has played the tougher schedule. Granted the Owls are not a strong team but they are off back to back wins plus a week of rest so this sets up well for them to stay inside the big number posted on this one. 8* RICE +17.5 |
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10-15-21 | California v. Oregon -13.5 | Top | 17-24 | Loss | -106 | 15 h 7 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #122 Friday 10* Top Play Oregon Ducks -13.5 vs California Golden Bears @ 10:30 ET - The Ducks off an OT loss preceding their bye week. Oregon will bounce back strong at home here. They are vastly superior to this Golden Bears team. Also, the Ducks lost at California last season so this is a revenge game for Oregon. The Golden Bears are off a 21-6 loss two weeks ago (also off a bye like the Ducks are) and Cal just does not have the offense to keep up in this one. The Golden Bears only scored well in 1 of their 4 games against FBS opponents this season. In the other 3 games California averaged only 16 points per game. Oregon is averaging 40 points a game in their home games this season and will pull away to win this one by a big margin as they are angry off a loss and have had extra time to think about the defeat too. This will be an angry Ducks team in front of their home fans on a Friday night and this is surely to be domination as a result against a Cal team that has only 1 win this season and it was against an FCS school. 10* OREGON -13.5 |
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10-15-21 | Winnipeg v. Edmonton Elks +12 | Top | 26-16 | Win | 100 | 14 h 22 m | Show |
West Div Game of the Month - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #672 Friday 10* Top Play Edmonton Elks +12 vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ 9 ET - If you look at this game on paper, the Elks have no chance. But, as the long-time saying goes, the games are not played on paper! The fact is that Edmonton is a huge home dog here and offering substantial value as I expect them to step up big after last week's embarrassing loss at Winnipeg. The Elks did not just lose to the Blue Bombers last week, they got destroyed. Now, coming back home and with an immediate shot at revenge, Edmonton can get some redemption here. Of course this does not mean they win the game outright, but I do expect them to be ultra competitive here and lose this game by no more than a single score margin. Note that Winnipeg has been rolling teams but this looks like a tough spot as they won big at Edmonton a few weeks ago as well and have BC on deck. This is the final meeting between these teams this season and the Elks have a bye on deck and will go all out here with a week of rest on deck. They have had enough of being embarrassed by the Blue Bombers and will put up a strong fight in this one. I know the Elks have an ugly record this season but they are better than their record shows and will prove to be a tough home dog to put away in this spot. 10* EDMONTON |
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10-14-21 | Bucs v. Eagles +7 | Top | 28-22 | Win | 100 | 14 h 41 m | Show |
Thursday Thrasher - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #110 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia Eagles +7 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ 8:20 ET - The Eagles will be flying sky high in terms of emotions as they get a home game against the defending champion Buccaneers. Also, their defense rates higher than the Bucs in terms of overall stats as well as pressuring the QB. Philadelphia will generate some pressure against Tom Brady in this one and Tampa Bay's offense has not been as good on the road this season as they have been at home. Look for the Eagles to build off the momentum of last week's come from behind win at Carolina. That may not lead to an outright upset win but Philly should at least get the cover. TB is 0-2 ATS on the road this season and the Eagles will take advantage of what is their only home game in a 4-week span. An outright upset would not be a total surprise but definitely there is value with the points in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA +7 |
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10-14-21 | Georgia Southern v. South Alabama -3 | Top | 14-41 | Win | 100 | 12 h 49 m | Show |
ESPNU Annihilation - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #112 Thursday 10* Top Play South Alabama Jaguars -3 vs Georgia Southern Eagles @ 7:30 ET - I know the Eagles have played the tougher schedule. But I also feel strongly that the Jaguars are in an ideal bounce back spot and will respond. Why is South Alabama favored over a Georgia Southern team that has won 7 straight meetings with them? Exactly! Don't let the line fool you. The Jags are going to get it done finally and put an end to that losing streak versus the Eagles. Georgia Southern is allowing 487 yards per game while South Alabama is allowing only 311 yards per game. After blowing their game against Texas State last week and losing in 4 overtimes, I expect the Jaguars to come up big this week and respond huge. South Alabama is off back to back losses by 2 points each and will get back to winning ways here. The Eagles have lost 4 of last 5 games and their pass defense is a weakness and the strength of the Jaguars offense is the passing attack. This will help key this home win so lay the short number. 10* SOUTH ALABAMA -3 |
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10-12-21 | Seattle Kraken +1.5 v. Golden Knights | Top | 3-4 | Win | 100 | 12 h 4 m | Show |
ESPN Smash Pass - Rickenbach NHL 10* Top Play Seattle Kraken +1.5 goals -110 @ Vegas Golden Knights @ 10:15 ET - Both teams dealing with a combination of injury/covid protocol issues coming into this regular season opener. If anything that favors Seattle as Vegas just does not have all their usual top end talent for this one. That said, I like the fact the the Kraken are very strong on the blue line and in net. With having Grubauer and Driedger as their goalies and strong defense in front of them (even with Oleksiak out for this one), I expect Seattle to be very stingy in terms of goals allowed. At the other end of the ice it will be interesting to see how the outspoken netminder, Robin Lehner, performs now that Marc Andre Fleury is gone and is a Blackhawk now. Could this actually backfire as Lehner no longer is worrying about Fleury? Was Fleury helping to push him to be even better? Look for this to be a tight low-scoring game and that means the ability to get the +1.5 goals at a pick'em price is absolutely a bargain here. The Kraken are highly motivated and I certainly do not see them laying an egg in their first shot on the ice with entirety of the NHL world watching them in the 2nd game of tonight's ESPN double header. 10* SEATTLE +1.5 goals -110 |
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10-12-21 | Appalachian State v. UL-Lafayette +5 | Top | 13-41 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
Sun Belt Game of the Year - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #108 Tuesday 10* Top Play UL-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns +5 vs Appalachian State Mountaineers @ 7:30 ET - Coastal Carolina is undefeated on the season and ranked #15 in the nation. What does that have to do with this play? Well, Appalachian State plays in the same division of the Sun Belt Conference along with the Chanticleers and they are hosting them next week. It is hard to imagine the Mountaineers overlooking a 4-1 UL Lafayette team but, if there was a spot for that to be the case, this is it! I like the fact that the Ragin' Cajuns lone loss came against a Texas team that showed again on Saturday (versus Oklahoma) that they have an incredible offense. Also, ULL played UT much tougher than the final score reflected. Appalachian State is a very good football team in the Sun Belt but so are the Ragin's Cajuns and this line has gone from a 3 to a 5 and is offering exceptional home dog value! ULL won last year's meeting and the year before they lost but outgained App State by nearly 100 yards! The last time the Cajuns hosted the Mountaineers they fell short and now they get some payback for that home loss Tuesday. In fact, prior to winning the match-up in December, ULL had lost 8 straight meetings with Appalachian State. Suffice to say some home payback is still on order! As a dog, the Ragin Cajuns have only lost the money 4 times the last 14 games when getting points! 10* UL-LAFAYETTE +5 |
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10-11-21 | Colts +7.5 v. Ravens | Top | 25-31 | Win | 100 | 12 h 19 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach NFL Rotation #479 Monday 10* Top Play Indianapolis Colts (+) @ Baltimore Ravens @ 8:15 ET - The Ravens are a high-quality team for sure but the Colts are better than their record and I feel we have excellent line value here. Keep in mind Baltimore faced KC, LV, Detroit and Denver. The Ravens beat the Chiefs but KC is now 2-3 on the season and their defense has been poor. Baltimore lost to the Raiders in OT and Las Vegas also now off B2B losses and starting to disappoint. The Broncos are also 3-2 and padded their record with 3 wins against bad teams to start the season. As for the Lions, though they fight hard they are still 0-5 SU on the season. The points is that I am certainly not convinced that the Ravens should be a 7.5 point favorite over this solid Colts team. Baltimore has 2 wins that came by a total margin of just 3 points. They could easily be 1-3 on the season! As for the Colts they have faced Rams and Titans teams that are a combined 7-3 on the season. Indianapolis off a win at Miami last week and statistically have the better defense in comparison with the Ravens. That said, I look for the Colts to have a great shot at the outright upset here and, if they do fall short, I certainly expect it to be by just a 1-score margin. 10* INDIANAPOLIS +7.5 |
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10-11-21 | Toronto v. Hamilton -4.5 | Top | 24-23 | Loss | -113 | 9 h 54 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #688 Monday 10* Top Play Hamilton Tiger-Cats -4.5 vs Toronto Argonauts @ 4 ET - Toronto is coming off a big win versus Ottawa on Wednesday but the Argonauts were fortunate. The Redblacks actually outgained them by 153 yards but interceptions where the difference in the game. That said, this is now a battle for first place at the top of the division and the team trailing, Hamilton, is the better team and is coming off a loss and has a rest edge here. Last week the Tiger-Cats lost in OT to Montreal so this is a great spot to back them. Toronto is just 1-3 on the road this season and the Ti-Cats can pull equal with them in the standings by notching a win in this one. Hamilton is allowing only 18 points per game this season while the Argos are allowing 23 points a game. Again, the home/road dichotomy for the Argonauts is another reason to look for the Tiger-Cats to bounce back big at home in this one. Hamilton's wins have been by an average margin of 13 points per game and that includes a big win over Toronto. Look for another dominating victory here. 10* HAMILTON -4.5 |
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10-11-21 | Ottawa +9.5 v. Montreal | 16-20 | Win | 100 | 7 h 32 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #685 Monday 8* Ottawa Redblacks (+) @ Montreal Alouettes @ 1 ET - I lost with the Redblacks at Toronto on Wednesday but that was a turnover-fueled loss. Ottawa QB Caleb Evans threw for 334 yards but 3 interceptions. The Redblacks outgained the Argonauts by over 150 yards but the turnovers were the difference in the game. That has led to solid line value in this spot on Thanksgiving Monday in Canada. Note that the Als are actually 0-2 at home this season and coming off an OT win at Hamilton. That makes this the perfect spot to fade them with a Redblacks team that has been playing better in recent weeks. Look for a cleaner game from the visitors here with fewer turnovers and, as a result, they easily stay inside the number here. 8* OTTAWA +9.5 |
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10-10-21 | Bills +3 v. Chiefs | 38-20 | Win | 100 | 31 h 7 m | Show | |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 8* Buffalo Bills +3 @ Kansas City Chiefs @ 8:20 ET - This is a double revenge spot for the Bills as they lost at home to KC in the regular season last year and then got knocked out of the playoffs here in Kansas City in January. I know the Chiefs are still a very solid football team, particularly on offense. But, I do not like what I have seen from the KC defense this season. Additionally, the Bills defense is very strong and I feel we have a solid edge in that regard here in addition to a huge motivational edge for Buffalo in this one. Kansas City is allowing more than double the yardage that the Bills defense is this season! I know KC has faced the tougher schedule this season but still this Chiefs team just not seem as dominant as what we have seen from them in recent seasons. Buffalo is rolling right now off 3 straight dominating wins and I know they faced weaker foes but they could easily be 4-0 this season as they outstatted the Steelers significantly in week one. The Bills are allowing 11 points per game this season while the Chiefs are allowing 31 points per game. You also know that the visitors have had this game circled on their calendar ever since the schedule came out. I do not expect them to be denied here but will grab the 3 points in case they do fall just short of the outright win. 8* BUFFALO +3 |
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10-10-21 | Giants +7 v. Cowboys | Top | 20-44 | Loss | -107 | 28 h 60 m | Show |
NFC East Game of the Month - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 10* Top Play New York Giants +7 @ Dallas Cowboys @ 4:25 ET - The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS this season and, as a result, are over-rated right now. The Giants are known for playing them very tough and this is a real tough spot for Dallas to cover in my opinion. New York is only 1-3 this season SU but get at least a little confidence back as they are coming off a win plus their two games prior to that were each losses but only by a combined 4 points. If you look at the stats of these two teams they are not very different but the betting masses are not seeing that. What the betting masses are seeing is a Dallas team that is 4-0 both SU and ATS on the season and also a Giants team that was 0-3 SU prior to notching their first win of the season last week. What generally happens in NFL betting in cases like this is that facing the market perception is your best bet and that is absolutely what I am going to do here. I am grabbing the generous points being offered here for my top side play of the day. 10* NEW YORK GIANTS +7 |
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10-10-21 | Broncos v. Steelers +2 | 19-27 | Win | 100 | 24 h 3 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 8* Pittsburgh Steelers +2 vs Denver Broncos @ 1 ET - I successfully faded an over-rated Denver team last week with the Ravens and am hoping for the same result here with the Steelers. Yes the Broncos are 3-1 SU / ATS on the season while Pittsburgh has underachieved and is 1-3 SU / ATS but I feel this is helping to give us line value here. Denver's wins were all against weaker foes and then they struggled at home against a solid Baltimore ream. The Steelers have had issues this season no doubt but they are still a tough team to face and this is particularly true at home and the Broncos have a huge divisional game on deck with Las Vegas. Look for Denver to be a bit beat up after going to war with a physical Ravens team last week and the hungry home team takes care of business here. 8* PITTSBURGH +2 |
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10-09-21 | Calgary +4.5 v. Saskatchewan | Top | 22-19 | Win | 100 | 12 h 20 m | Show |
Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #663 Saturday 10* Top Play Calgary Stampeders +4.5 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders @ 7 ET - I know the Riders outgained the Stamps last week but still lost the game. However, I am not taking the bait here on Saskatchewan. The Roughriders opened up as a 3.5 point favorite and are up to a 4.5 point favorite. Everyone seems to be liking the revenge factor here but this Stampeders team is better than their record shows and the Riders also have had trouble matching up with them. Look for the Calgary offensive line to again help key the victory as they win battles in the trenches. This is a battle of brothers in the coaching ranks and the Stamps hold a 3-0 edge in games in which they have squared off. Look for that to be 4-0 after today but I am grabbing the points also as added insurance in what could be a tight finish. 10* CALGARY +4.5 |
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10-09-21 | UTSA v. Western Kentucky -3 | Top | 52-46 | Loss | -104 | 10 h 28 m | Show |
Game of the Month - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #394 Saturday 10* Top Play Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -3 vs UTSA Roadrunners @ 7 ET - I have been waiting for the right spot to fade UTSA and I believe we have that right here! Long-time followers know I am a contrarian and so it will not surprise you to see me making this bet. Western Kentucky is 1-3 this season while UTSA is 5-0 plus the Roadrunners have the much better numbers on defense and yet the Hilltoppers are favored. Looks funny does it not? Of course it does and you know that a situation like this is screaming "trap line" and I love the home team in this spot. UTSA has played the much weaker schedule and their luck runs out here. They had a dramatic come from behind victory at Memphis two weeks ago which was a game the Tigers gave away and had no business losing. Then last week the Runners barely got past a bad UNLV team. Now the Roadrunners are on the road and facing a Western Kentucky team that has played the tougher schedule and also is averaging over 500 yards of offense per game. The Hilltoppers defense is certainly not a strength but they will step up here at home in what is their first conference game of the season. On the other side of the field I just do not see UTSA as being able to get enough stops against the potent WKU offense. 10* WESTERN KENTUCKY -3 |
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10-09-21 | Georgia v. Auburn +15 | 34-10 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 7 m | Show | |
Afternoon Annihilation - Rickenbach CFB Rotation #358 Saturday 8* Auburn Tigers +15 vs Georgia Bulldogs @ 3:30 ET - Of course I have plenty of respect for the #2 team in the nation but this is just too many points in my opinion. Auburn has a lot of momentum after rallying for the win at LSU last week and have won 4 of 5 games this season. The Tigers lone loss was a game where they actually played Penn State very well in a game that, as the stats show, could have gone either way and that was on the road. At home for this battle, I look for Auburn to come up big against a very tough Georgia team. Keep in mind, the Bulldogs only other true road game was at Vanderbilt and so this is going to be first tough road test of the season for Georgia. The Bulldogs impressive win over Clemson earlier this season was a neutral site game and also has become less impressive because of the way Clemson has been underachieving this season. Just like that game, look for these Tigers to also put up quite a fight before ultimately falling short by just a single score. I like the value here as even a 2TD loss would still cash our ticket and I look for this to be tight throughout. The Tigers defense is quite good and the offense growing with confidence after sorting some things out at the QB spot. Grab the generous points being offered to the home dog as this one was a major mover from the early lines this season. Value! 8* AUBURN +15 |
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10-06-21 | Cardinals v. Dodgers -1.5 | Top | 1-3 | Win | 100 | 11 h 9 m | Show |
Run Line Rout - Rickenbach MLB Rotation #940 Wednesday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 runs -100 vs St Louis Cardinals @ 8:10 ET - The Dodgers should win this one in a blowout. I know the Cardinals were hot late in the season and that Max Scherzer did struggle in his final two starts of the season. However, he also is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in his last 3 starts against the Cardinals. Two of those were this season and in those 3 starts he allowed only 11 hits while striking out 33 in 21 innings! St Louis counters with Adam Wainwright here. He pitched well on the road this season but has had some rough seasons in terms of road struggles throughout his career. I have never been able to trust him as much on the road as a result and I have a strong feeling the Dodgers pound him here. Wainwright will face a Dodgers team that has won 7 straight games and 9 of its last 10. By the way, the combined margin of the 9 victories was 61 to 32. That works out to an average score of about 7 to 3.5 and there is certainly nothing "average" about that. With that said, and with the fact the Cardinals did lose 3 of their last 5 games and scored only 3 runs per game in those 5 games, I like this play no matter who the pitchers are. I expect a home blowout and will lay the -1.5 runs with action on the pitchers for those of you able to play that option at your respective sports book. 10* Los Angeles Dodgers Run Line -1.5 runs -100 |
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10-06-21 | Ottawa +9.5 v. Toronto | Top | 16-35 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 56 m | Show |
ESPN+ Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFL Rotation #679 Wednesday 10* Top Play Ottawa Redblacks +9.5 @ Toronto Argonauts @ 7:30 ET - Ottawa was much better in last week's win versus Edmonton. That was a Wednesday game too so they are fine on rest here too. The Argonauts are off a bye week so they are set up well here but I feel this is a dangerous game for them. Toronto has a big game with rival Hamilton on deck and that is on Monday. The Redblacks also have a game Monday at Montreal but the point is those big Thanksgiving Day (Canada) match-ups are more of a lookahead for the Argos in this case. Toronto is 4-3 and Hamilton is right behind them in the standings at 4-4 plus coming off their huge 2019 season. It is hard for the Argonauts to not already be thinking about that key battle with the Tigercats. As for the Redblacks, their mindset is quite different. The win over the Elks was key and if they get a win here they are suddenly just a game out of 1st place in the division! I look for another very motivated effort, just like we saw from them last week, as Ottawa makes this a difficult match-up for Toronto. Yes the Argos are the better team and at home and they may still win the game here but I don't see them covering this large number. The Redblacks capable of making this one a battle all the way to the finish. The Argonauts 4 wins this season all by 7 or less points and, in fact, the average margin was just 3.5 points in those 4 victories. Look for another tight one here. 10* OTTAWA +9.5 |
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10-04-21 | Raiders +3 v. Chargers | Top | 14-28 | Loss | -100 | 18 h 15 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach NFL Monday 10* Top Play Las Vegas Raiders (+) @ Los Angeles Chargers @ 8:15 ET - The Raiders much-maligned defense was really bad last season but they are a little better this season. Statistically, based on yardage allowed, they are right about even with the Chargers. That said, I like the fact that Las Vegas does have the more potent offense and, sitting undefeated on the season, they are playing with a ton of confidence right now. I am not sold on this Chargers team. They are off to a good start this season as well but they faced two NFC East teams to start the season and then faced a Chiefs team that handed them the game on turnovers. Give Los Angeles some credit for sure but I am just saying they might be slightly over-rated at this early juncture in the season. The Raiders faced a strong Baltimore team, impressed with a road win in eastern time zone, and then suffered no letdown last week when they defeated Miami. Getting the 3 points is a strong value here as the Raiders potent offense insures their ability to stay in this game all the way through and I sense a road upset. Note that the road team has won each of the last 3 meetings between these teams. I don't see that changing here but will grab the points as added insurance. I know Chargers QB Justin Herbert is not on the injury report for this game but he did have his throwing hand iced and bandaged after the game at Kansas City last week. Perhaps a little bit of an issue for him in this game and, either way, I like the road dog that has shown a knack for finding a way in tight games this season. Give me the points. 10* LAS VEGAS +3 |
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10-03-21 | Ravens v. Broncos | Top | 23-7 | Win | 100 | 10 h 51 m | Show |
AFC Game of the Month - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 10* Top Play Baltimore Ravens PICK'EM @ Denver Broncos @ 4:25 ET - I know the Chiefs are just 1-2 this season but Kansas City is still a very good football team. What does that have to do with this play? Kansas City is one of the teams the Ravens beat and the Chiefs were in the Super Bowl (again!) last season! As for Baltimore's lone loss it came in OT and in a very tough setting at Las Vegas in Week 1 when the Raiders finally were able to have a stadium full of fans and it showed. Also, LV is now 3-0 on the season. Speaking of 3-0 records, so too are the Broncos. However, let me know when they play somebody meaningful! Actually, that is happening this week and that is the point! The Broncos are highly over-rated right now in my opinion because they are undefeated this season but they have played 3 teams that are now a combined 0-10 on the season! Denver has faced the Jaguars, Giants, and Jets! Now the Broncos finally face a tough football team and I do not expect this to go well at all for them. The fact the Ravens are on the road for this one is even better for us because the line is a pick'em as a result. If the game was in Baltimore that means we would likely be laying 6 or 7 points in this one which I would still recommend but I much prefer this situation. The Ravens are riding the positive emotion of a dramatic last-second win last week and they come to Denver and take care of business in this one. The Broncos finally face a real challenge and that changes everything. 10* BALTIMORE PICK'EM |
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10-03-21 | Chiefs -6.5 v. Eagles | 42-30 | Win | 100 | 7 h 54 m | Show | |
Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NFL Sunday 8* Kansas City Chiefs (-) @ Philadelphia Eagles @ 1 ET - The Chiefs are offering a lot of line value here because they are on a long ATS slump. I know that might make it enticing to play on the streak here but this Eagles team is starting to show its true colors. They won in Week 1 but that was against a bad Falcons team. Philly then lost at home to the Niners and then got blasted at Dallas on Monday Night. This is a short week of prep for the Eagles and they face former head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs are angry off back to back losses. They suffered a late game loss at Baltimore and then lost to Chargers because of a 4-0 turnover deficit. Kansas City is much better than they have shown of course. The Chiefs have faced 3 teams that are all 2-1 on the season and playing quite well early on. That said I feel we have good value in going against an Eagles team that fell apart last season and is going to take some time to rebuild. The Chiefs are annual super bowl contenders while the Eagles are now in rebuild mode. We are only having to lay less than a TD here because of the bad ATS streak for KC and, that being said, this looks like the perfect spot to pound them. 8* KANSAS CITY -6.5 |
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10-02-21 | Auburn +3 v. LSU | Top | 24-19 | Win | 100 | 14 h 34 m | Show |
SEC Game of the Year - Rickenbach CFB 10* Top Play Auburn Tigers (+) @ LSU Tigers @ 9 ET - I lost a lot of respect for this LSU team when they lost at UCLA early in the season. I know they ended up getting the win last week against Mississippi State but LSU was outgained in that game and it was a very fortunate win. So the Bruins and the Bulldogs were the only two tough games that LSU has had this season and they should have lost both games. I am well aware of the fact that Auburn lost their big game at Penn State earlier this season but that was a strong game from them! The stats were roughly equal in that game and Auburn is a perfect 3-0 on the season and could very easily be 4-0. Of course LSU is out for revenge after getting blasted by Auburn last season but revenge tends to be over-played. The fact is Auburn is the much better defense in this match-up and, on offense, has the vastly superior ground attack. I love taking road underdogs that play solid defense and can run the ball on offense. I know this is a night game in Baton Rouge and being played with revenge, etc. but this is not the same level of LSU teams we have seen in the past. I feel we have excellent line value here with the road team getting a full field goal. I also like the fact that QB Finley is a former LSU players and if Nix plays I also look to him be better after being benched last week. That was a wakeup call for him and this is a well-coached Auburn team capable of punching LSU in the mouth all night long. 10* AUBURN +3 |
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10-02-21 | Saskatchewan v. Calgary +2.5 | Top | 17-23 | Win | 100 | 13 h 23 m | Show |
ATS Game of the Week - Rickenbach CFL Saturday 10* Top Play Calgary Stampeders (+) vs Saskatchewan Roughriders @ 7 ET - This line may look funny but Calgary is way better than their record shows. Keep in mind, the Stampeders are coming off a huge season and have been looking better in recent games. Also, they enter this game off a bye week and are 14-2 SU the last 16 times when coming off a bye. I really don't think we'll need the points here but I am grabbing the 2.5 points. The Stampeders are only 2-5 on the season but only 1 of their losses was by more than 6 points. This is a team that has been within one possession of a 6-1 season thus far. The fact is the Riders are a strong team and they have the record to show for it too. However, they have played only 2 road games this season (went 1-1) and that has certainly helped their strong start. Also, the Roughriders are off a big comeback win last week and that was on the road and it took a lot in rallying for the win. The Stamps will be the more rested team and fresher team and they bring it big-time in what is essentially a must-win game for them to get back into the thick of things out west. Look for them to do just that as they improve to 15-2 when off a bye week! 10* CALGARY +2.5 |
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10-01-21 | Iowa v. Maryland +3.5 | Top | 51-14 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
Reichenator Rout - Rickenbach CFB Friday 10* Top Play Maryland Terrapins +3.5 vs Iowa Hawkeyes @ 8 ET - When a team is favored by a field goal it is not quite the same as being a pick'em but the point is most games are decided by 3 or more points in football. The reason I mention that here is because I find it quite interesting that a team ranked #5 in the nation is favored by such a small number here. That said, the public is likely to be enticed to play Iowa here. Don't be fooled by this line! Yes, the Hawkeyes have played the tougher schedule so far this season but do not underestimate these Terrapins. They are undefeated on the season, just like Iowa, and statistically their defense has not been that far behind that of the Hawkeyes. The key statistical variance in looking at these two teams is actually on the other side of the ball where Maryland has been the much stronger team. The Terrapins offense, based on yardage, ranks among the best in the nation while the Hawkeyes offense production ranks among the worst. Iowa does hold the defensive edge but I am expecting a big game from Tagovailoa here and the QB helps lead the way to a home win in this one. If they do fall short I expect it to be by the slimmest of margins so I am grabbing the points here. 10* MARYLAND +3.5 |
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09-30-21 | Jaguars +7.5 v. Bengals | Top | 21-24 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
Thursday Thrasher - Rickenbach NFL Thursday 10* Top Play Jacksonville Jaguars +7.5 @ Cincinnati Bengals @ 8:20 ET - The Bengals are 2-1 on the season plus at home and they are facing a winless Jacksonville team. This should be easy, right? Absolute blowout for the home team, right? No not at all! In fact I would not be surprised to see this one result in an outright upset for the underdog but I am grabbing the generous points being offered. The Jaguars are 0-3 but there are only five 3-0 teams in the league at this point in the season and Jacksonville faced two of them. Conversely, the Bengals have faced three teams that all have losing records now at this point in the season. Also, Cincinnati's win over the Vikings in Week 1 was a fortunate one and it took OT to get it. Also, the Bengals win last week at Pittsburgh was driven by turnovers. The Steelers actually outgained Cincinnati in that game. As you can see, big value with the underdog in this one and it is a big of a hidden value which is what makes it even better as I expect the line to stay in the 7.5 or 8 range and, keep in mind, this line had opened up at a 6.5 which was for a reason as I like to say! 10* JACKSONVILLE +7.5 |
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09-30-21 | Virginia v. Miami-FL -5.5 | Top | 30-28 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 14 m | Show |
Reichenator Rout - Rickenbach CFB Thursday 10* Top Play Miami Hurricanes -5.5 vs Virginia Cavaliers @ 7:30 ET - The Hurricanes are playing their first ACC game while this is the 3rd one for the Cavaliers. However, I expect this actually to work to Miami's edge in this case. That's because Virginia is 0-2 in ACC action already and the handwriting is on the wall early for them this season. As for the Canes, they are expected to perform well in the ACC this season and enter this one at 0-0 with everything in front of them. Yes, they have two non-conference losses but they were to Michigan State and Alabama - a pair of 4-0 teams. Note that Miami just thrashed an FCS school last week which is a big confidence boost heading into this game. Also, D'Eriq King should be back after sitting that one out and his shoulder has improved. He was solid on the ground and through the air when the Canes beat a solid Appalachian State team a few weeks ago. I feel we are getting good value here with the better team and the home team and we get that value because they have two losses but to two undefeated teams. The Cavs defense has simply been atrocious this season and the Canes better defense at home will be the difference maker here even if King did not play or was limited but I do not expect any issues with that here. Either way, 10* MIAMI -5.5 |
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09-28-21 | Edmonton Elks -6.5 v. Ottawa | Top | 24-34 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
ESPN+ Smash Pass - Rickenbach CFL Tuesday 10* Top Play Edmonton Elks -6.5 @ Ottawa Redblacks @ 7:30 ET - Both teams dealing with QB injuries but the situation for the Redblacks is even worse. Also I like what I saw from Elks QB Taylor Cornelius last week but he just needs to cut down on the turnovers. This is a revenge game for a week 2 home loss for Edmonton in which they lost 16 to 12 despite a massive yardage edge! The Elks outgained Ottawa by a 443 to 127 edge! I seriously do not know if there has ever been another CFL game in history with that type of yardage domination and yet a loss for the team with the big edge! It is payback time here and Ottawa is 0-3 at home this season and their win over the Elks is their only win this year! The Redblacks 5 losses have been by an average margin of 19.2 points! The very first number to come out on this game is 6.5 and I expect it to climb but, either way, expect a road rout by a double digit margin. Elks have #1 pass defense and #2 rush defense in the league in terms of yards allowed per game. 10* EDMONTON -6.5 |
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09-27-21 | Eagles +3.5 v. Cowboys | Top | 21-41 | Loss | -115 | 16 h 54 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - Rickenbach NFL 10* Top Play Philadelphia Eagles +3.5 @ Dallas Cowboys @ 8:15 ET - Value with the points here. First divisional game for each of these teams and it is an early-season battle for first place in the NFC Least as I like to call it! Both of these teams have looked a little better than expected early this season but like the fact that, though both teams went 1-5 ATS in divisional games last season, the Cowboys are laying 3 plus the hook here and they went an ugly 1-6 ATS as a favorite last season. Philadelphia has been the better team defensively early this season and I also like the fact that they have been running the ball well early this season. When you have a road team that can establish the ground game on offense plus play very strong on the other side of the ball, you have a good shot at a road dog cover if not upset win. Also note that Dallas is 2-0 ATS this season but look around the league after yesterday's results and you can see how rare it is for teams to be perfect 3-0 ATS after 3 weeks. In other words the odds a bit stacked against the Cowboys here and I do like the fact that the road teams are a perfect 2-0 ATS this season in both Eagles games and Dallas games. Those trends continue here and the road dog relies on solid defensive play as well as a strong ground game on offense to grind out the win (at least ATS win) in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA +3.5 |
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09-26-21 | Packers v. 49ers -3 | Top | 30-28 | Loss | -107 | 14 h 23 m | Show |
Primetime Punisher - NFL Sunday 10* Top Play San Francisco 49ers (-) vs Green Bay Packers @ 8:20 ET - The 49ers burned their backers when they let the Lions get a miracle backdoor cover in Week 1. Green Bay then burned Lions backers last week with a big 2nd half to get the money. Still the Packers were outgained by Detroit in that game and also looked very ugly in their season-opening 38 to 3 loss to the Saints. The point is that I still do not think things are as they should be in Green Bay just yet and we are getting a lot of line value here as a result. The Niners got embarrassed by the Packers when these teams met last season but this is much more than a revenge spot for San Francisco. It is also their home opener and they get Green Bay on a short week as they are coming off a Monday night win versus Detroit. If you look at the Packers statistically it is quite ugly. As for the Niners stats a lot of the yardage allowed to the Lions was in garbage time of what was otherwise a blowout win. Then last week SF battled hard for a win over a resilient Eagles team that is playing solid defense early this season. I feel we have excellent line value with the home team now dropping to a -3 here after being as high as a -4 in early trading action earlier this week. Keep in mind the public still remembers the 6-10 SF team of last season and the 4-12 team that preceded the 49ers big season in 2019. As for the public's viewpoint on the Packers all they can remember is the 13-3 records of the past two seasons but that Aaron Rodgers holdout situation has effected the team chemistry of this team and last week's win was not reflective of how the game should have played out - just look at the stats - and again this was the same Lions team that the Niners really destroyed in week one before letting them in for a miracle backdoor cover. Tremendous line value here. 10* SAN FRANCISCO |
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09-26-21 | Bears +7.5 v. Browns | 6-26 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 26 m | Show | |
NFL Sunday 8* Chicago Bears +7.5 @ Cleveland Browns @ 1 ET - Bears 24, Rams 18. Final score? No those were the first downs in a very deceiving 34-14 loss at the hands of LA in week 1. This Chicago defense is underrated right now and they will be up for the challenge at Cleveland. The Browns offense has looked great early this season but they faced a Chiefs team that has not looked good at all on defense yet this season plus a Texans team that looks like a complete mess and is just fortunate they played Jacksonville in week 1 so they at least have 1 victory early this season. Houston has been horrible in their other two games. I think the Bengals are better than people realize and that is why they are only a 3-point dog at Pittsburgh this week. The point is that Chicago just beat the Bengals and that was with a horrible performance on offense. Now Fields is the starter after QB Dalton got hurt last week. That said, he'll be better after a full week of practice with the offense and after getting his feet wet in game action last week. Browns might win this game but I don't see them winning by more than 1 score and like having 7 plus the hook in this one! Like having the better defense in this one and expect complete effort as Bears make up for the 20-point thrashing at Los Angeles which everyone remembers but was a deceiving final! 8* CHICAGO +7.5 |
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09-26-21 | Bengals +3 v. Steelers | 24-10 | Win | 100 | 9 h 14 m | Show | |
NFL Sunday 8* Cincinnati Bengals +3 @ Pittsburgh Steelers @ 1 ET - Long-time followers know I am a contrarian and this has been particularly beneficial to my long-term success in the NFL. This line is saying that the Bengals are equal to the Steelers because Pittsburgh is favored by just 3 on their home field. So think about that for a minute and think about how the public is going to view this game. Of course the public is going to be all over the Steelers which means, of course, you should be on on the Bengals. When something looks too good to be true it usually is and this is particularly true in the NFL. Nothing is 100 percent of course but I love the odds in cases like this as usually the public loses. Think about it again. This line is saying these two teams would be equal on a neutral field. The Bengals are 6-25-1 the last two seasons. The Steelers are 29-18-1 the last three seasons. Statistically the Bengals have been the much better defense. Pittsburgh was lucky (look at the stats!) when they won at Buffalo in week one. That showed up last week when, at home and catching the Raiders in a letdown spot, the Steelers watched Vegas trounce them on their own field. This game priced this way with good reason. Grab the points. 8* CINCINNATI +3 |
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09-26-21 | Chargers v. Chiefs -7 | 30-24 | Loss | -100 | 9 h 8 m | Show | |
NFL Sunday 8* Kansas City Chiefs -7 vs Los Angeles Chargers @ 1 ET - I do not like to lay many points in NFL games so when I am willing to lay 7 the situation has to be very strong and that is the case here! The Chargers are 1-1 to start the season and they played two teams from the division I refer to as the NFC Least! Facing Dallas and Washington is a lot different from facing a Chiefs team that is annually a Super Bowl threat and that, for this one, is at home and coming off a loss. I look for this game to be blowout city. I know KC is 0-2 ATS and failed to cover their home opener but their defense is normally much better when at home and I look for them to bounce back here. As for the offense, the Chiefs are averaging 34 points a game and will roll to a blowout win here over a team that is a bit over-rated early this season in my opinion. 8* KANSAS CITY -7 |
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09-25-21 | Oregon State v. USC -10.5 | Top | 45-27 | Loss | -112 | 16 h 21 m | Show |
CFB Saturday 10* Top Play USC Trojans -10.5 - The Trojans lost their most recent home game to Stanford and it got their head coach fired. Still shell-shocked from that, USC traveled to Washington State and spotted the Cougars a 14-0 lead. Their response? Southern Cal, let by interim coach Donte Williams, rattled off 45 straight points in the huge 45-14 win! That was against the same Cougars team that won at Oregon State by double digits last season and that was the only win Washington State had in their shortened 4-game season. The point is that the Beavers are not a great football program. They have gotten a little better but still they particularly are lacking on defense and I expect USC to have a huge day on offense as they are rolling with confidence after how last week's game played out. The Trojans have won 23 straight games at Memorial Coliseum when hosting the Beavers. That said, of course we still must cover the spread here but I love the fact that the line has dropped from 13 to near 10 now and QB Kedon Slovis is back for the Trojans here and pronounced 100% ready to go after dealing with a neck injury. Southern Cal just has too much talent and too many weapons at the skill positions for Oregon State to be able to keep up in this one. Yes the Beavers are off to a 1-2 start but they lost their only challenging game (at Purdue) and the Trojans have played the tougher schedule. Also, USC is hell bent on making up for their embarrassing home loss in their last game here so I look for the Trojans to keep their foot on the gas throughout this game and win by at least a 3 TD margin! Lay the big points and look for a home blowout in this one. 10* USC -10.5 |
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09-25-21 | LSU v. Mississippi State +2.5 | Top | 28-25 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 22 m | Show |
CFB Saturday 9* TOP Mississippi State Bulldogs +2.5 - Revenge game for LSU on the one hand as the Bulldogs beat the Tigers in Louisiana last season. However, lets not forget what happened the year before than when Mississippi State was the host and lost by 23 points despite the first downs in the game being equal. The point is that the Bulldogs have been reminded of that home loss beatdown heading into this game and I feel we have the stronger team at home and in a great spot. Mississippi State is off a loss at Memphis that never should have happened as they outgained those Tigers by more than 200 yards! Now they get a chance to dominate these Tigers and I do feel LSU is a little over-valued right now. The Bulldogs have played the tougher early season schedule and the Tigers are of back to back wins but against Central Michigan and McNeese State. In the only tough game LSU has had they lost to UCLA by double digits. Simply put, this is not the LSU teams of old and they are facing an up and coming Mississippi State team that has impressed early this season and won't make the same mistakes this week at home which they made last week on the road. 9* MISSISSIPPI STATE +2.5 |
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09-23-21 | Panthers v. Texans +8 | Top | 24-9 | Loss | -107 | 15 h 38 m | Show |
NFL Thursday 10* Top Play Houston Texans +8 vs Carolina Panthers @ 8:20 ET - This is a typical contrarian play for me. Everyone will be high on the Panthers because they demolished the Saints last week. Everyone will be down on the Texans because they lost by double digits at Cleveland last week plus they lost their starting QB to injury. Give me Houston here! For one thing they are at home and they played very well in their first game of the season here. For another thing Carolina is on the road for the first time this season. Yes they have impressed so far this season but the Panthers faced a bad Jets team in week one and then caught the Saints off a big win over Green Bay. Lets not forget the Panthers lost 9 of last 11 games last season. Carolina also went 0-2 last season when off a win in which they allowed 13 points or less. Now here the Panthers are laying 8 points in that exact situation! Houston went only 2-4 in final 6 home games last season but 3 of the 4 losses were by 6 or less points. This means if you would have had Houston plus 8 in each of their last 7 regular season home games you would have gone 6-1 ATS. We have a lot of value here with the home dog and, keep in mind, their #2 QB played his college ball in the Pac-12. It is not as if this rookie QB, Davis Mills, has not faced some tough competition in his career. He'll be ready for the big stage here especially after getting some playing time last week and now this week he is at home for this start. Texans make this one helluva game and should cover the spread along the way. I look for this game to be decided by a one-score margin. 10* HOUSTON +8 |
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09-23-21 | Marshall v. Appalachian State -7 | Top | 30-31 | Loss | -107 | 15 h 38 m | Show |
CFB 10* Top Play Appalachian State Mountaineers -7 vs Marshall Thundering Herd @ 7:30 ET - Revenge game from last season as the Mountaineers lost 17-7 at Marshall despite having an edge in first downs in the game. Look for payback to be delivered here as Appalachian State has played the tougher early season schedule and also has been the stronger defense early this season. When the Mountaineers played East Carolina they dominated and the final score could have been even more dominant as the Pirates simply got some late meaningless scoring. That same East Carolina team just faced Marshall and the late scores were far from meaningless as the Pirates got the 42-38 upset win by rallying in the 4th quarter. The way each of these teams fared against East Carolina says a lot and I like the fact that Marshall just gave up 42 while the Mountaineers are allowing an average of only 19 points per game this season. Home team rolls here and wins this one by double digits. 10* APPALACHIAN STATE -7 |
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09-23-21 | Dodgers -1.5 v. Rockies | 7-5 | Win | 100 | 6 h 13 m | Show | |
MLB Thursday 8* LA Dodgers Run Line -1.5 -155 @ Colorado Rockies @ 3:10 ET - Dodgers lost yesterday's game. Now ace Scherzer takes the mound. Freeland got rocked in most recent home start for Rockies. The Dodgers Scherzer has been incredible in display of his top form. Also he is 10-2 with a 2.23 ERA in road starts this season. Scherzer has allowed 0 runs on 9 hits while striking out 29 in this last 23 innings on the mound spanning his last 3 starts. LA had won 9 of 10 before yesterday's loss. Rockies have been playing well of late but had lost back to back games before yesterday's win. Also, Colorado is 14 games below .500 when facing a team with a winning record this season. The Dodgers are 35 games over .500 when facing a team with a losing record this season. Look for a big bounce back for the road team. I am not crazy about the price here but is reasonable given the likelihood of a blowout road rout in this one. Lay it! 8* LA DODGERS -1.5 -155 |
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09-22-21 | Hamilton v. Ottawa +9 | Top | 24-7 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 17 m | Show |
CFL Wednesday 10* Top Play Ottawa Redblacks +8.5 vs Hamilton @ 7:30 PM ET - Yes Ottawa has been a horrible team so far this season. Definitely the worst team in the league thus far. However, they have some big edges here as they are at home and playing with extra rest and they are catching Hamilton on the road and playing on short rest. Though the Tiger-Cats defeated the Stampeders last week at home, they actually were outgained in the game and were helped greatly by turnovers. The Ti-Cats are still down to their back-up QB and the Redblacks are going to make a game of this one in my strong opinion. Hamilton will get caught looking ahead to big game with Montreal coming up next week. 10* OTTAWA +8.5 |
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09-20-21 | Lions +12 v. Packers | Top | 17-35 | Loss | -110 | 17 h 10 m | Show |
NFL Monday 10* Top Play Detroit Lions +12 - I know that the Packers are generally strong at home and should bounce back here. But for Green Bay to respond and win this game by double digits is what I am doubting. The Packers have some issues. I am not sure how cohesive this group is ever since the Aaron Rodgers off-season saga. This team just looks a bit disjointed. Undoubtedly, talent-wise Green Bay is the better team in this match-up. However, the Lions gained confidence and showed a lot of character in battling back against San Francisco last week. Yes it was a fortunate ATS cover for Detroit but that does not change the fact that it gave new QB Jared Goff and this Lions offense some confidence heading into this week's match-up. Keep in mind Green Bay was turnover-prone last week and just overall it was an ugly performance against the Saints. That said, consider that New Orleans then went on the road yesterday and looked very bad against the Panthers. As for the Niners they went on the road and beat an Eagles team that is playing inspired football early this season. The point is Detroit's cover against San Francisco might be more impressive than first realized and Green Bay's demolishing at the hands of New Orleans might be even worse than originally thought. I would not be surprised to see these teams trade scores a bit and for the Lions to hang around throughout this contest. Look for a game decided by a margin of about 7 points which means we have great value with the big points offered here. 10* DETROIT +12 |
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09-20-21 | Orioles v. Phillies -1.5 | Top | 2-0 | Loss | -100 | 15 h 52 m | Show |
MLB Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia -1.5 +110 - I respect John Means for the Orioles. He is a very solid pitcher. However, Ranger Suarez has been dominant for the Phillies so Baltimore has no edge in the pitching department here. That said, Baltimore is really in trouble when you compare everything else too. The Phillies have the bullpen edge, lineup edge, and home field edge in this one. Of course this is why they are a big favorite of nearly 2 to 1 on the money line. Where we get our value is on the run line. Phillies actually are available at a plus money price by laying the 1.5 runs and I am looking for a dominating win in this one. Baltimore is 47-102 on the season and 82 of their 102 losses have been by 2 or more runs! The Orioles are slumping again too with losses in 7 of their last 9 games. 6 of those 7 defeats by 2+ runs. The Phillies are off a tight loss to the Mets last night but this followed 4 straight wins. Also, Philadelphia is 4-2 in home starts for Suarez and he has a 1.85 ERA in his 9 starts this season and has dominated out of the pen too. The lefty having a phenomenal season. Again, respect to Means but Suarez has been even better and all the other edges are with the Phillies in this one too and that makes this an easy anti-Baltimore call as we fade one of the worst teams in the majors. 10* PHILADELPHIA -1.5 +110 |
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09-19-21 | Chiefs v. Ravens +4 | Top | 35-36 | Win | 100 | 14 h 22 m | Show |
NFL 10* Top Play Baltimore Ravens +4 - The Ravens are off a disappointing OT loss at Las Vegas on Monday Night. For all intents and purposes, their season is now over. I am being sarcastic of course but I am simply pointing out public perception here as this line has risen on the Chiefs from -2.5 point favorites to being as high as -4.5 point favorites. Keep in mind Kansas City went 14-2 SU last season but only covered 6 of the 16 games. There is a lot of value here in the home dog in this one. Baltimore is off a road loss and now back home and, keep in mind, they got the cash in 10 of their 16 games last season. KC, of course, is a great team but the public is so enamored with them that it often drives their lines too high. I strongly believe that will prove to be the case again here. Last year Mahomes outplayed Jackson and the Chiefs got a dominating road win at Baltimore last September. So everyone expects this game to be the same. The KC defense did not look good at all last week and gave up substantial yardage to the Browns both through the air and on the ground. Keep in mind, when a home dog can get their ground game going they are particularly dangerous. The Chiefs defense was at home last week and still did not look good. They are generally known for being tougher at home but that was not the case last week. That spells trouble as they now take to the road to face a Ravens team that is angry off a loss plus hell-bent on revenge from last season's home loss to these Chiefs. Keep in mind, Ravens were on a 6-0 ATS run prior to losing to the Raiders last week. Look for them to get back into the SU win column here but I will gladly grab the points as added insurance here as well. 10* BALTMORE +4 |
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09-19-21 | Bills -3 v. Dolphins | 35-0 | Win | 100 | 8 h 57 m | Show | |
NFL 8* Buffalo Bills -3 - The Bills lost at home to the Steelers but dominated statistically and were done in by a blocked punt returned for a Pittsburgh TD. Buffalo is much better than the scoreboard showed last week. The Dolphins are off a big divisional win at Foxboro last week but they were statistically dominated by the Patriots. In other words, these teams are off disparate results last week and that is helping to offer line value this week on the better team. Yes Buffalo is on the road but I am happy for that as this is keeping the line manageable. If this game was in upstate New York the line would be nearly double digits and I do not like to lay big points in the NFL. The Dolphins have lost 7 of last 8 versus the Bills and I expect that streak to continue here and look for the road favorites to pull away for big win as Miami gets caught still celebrating big upset win over New England last week. 8* BUFFALO -3 |