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ACCESS
PICKS FOR TODAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2018 |
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NCAAF |
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10/20/2018 |
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FOUND
50
GAMES |
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GAME PREVIEW
Oct 16, 2018No. 20 Cincinnati will put its unbeaten record on the line in Philadelphia and Temple will try to stay ahead of Saturday's opponent in the American Athletic Conference standings. Cincinnati (6-0, 2-0 AAC) and Temple (4-3, 3-0) will square off at Lincoln Financial Field at noon ET Saturday. Luke Fickell's Bearcats (6-0) are one of eight undefeated FBS teams remaining in college football and one of three in the American. The Bearcats had a bye last week but moved up to 20th in the latest Associated Press poll. It's the highest ranking the program has had since the team was No. 4 in 2009 under former coach Brian Kelly. Cincinnati is already bowl eligible for the first time in three seasons. The Bearcats have their sights on much more than a bowl trip in 2018, however. "It's that mentality of let's continue to enjoy what it is that we've been doing. Don't want anything to slow us down and be a distraction," Fickell told reporters after his team beat Tulane on Oct. 6. " . . . I want them to stay hungry and not put limitations on us. " Cincinnati enters the game with one of the best defenses in the nation. The Bearcats are allowing just 13. 7 points per game, and they rank third in the country in scoring defense. They've held opponents to seven points or less in half of their six games, and they also rank fourth in the country in total defense (274. 3 yards per game). Cincinnati held Tulane to 266 total yards in its last game and, on offense, posted 24 of its 37 points in the first half. Led by quarterback Desmond Ridder and running back Michael Warren II, the Bearcats average 38. 3 points per game -- the 21st-best mark in the country. Ridder has thrown for 1,062 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions through six games while adding 315 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. Warren, meanwhile, has accumulated 664 rushing yards and has found the end zone 11 times. Fickell, the former Ohio State defensive coordinator who's in his second season as Cincinnati's head coach, said there's a "different vibe" around his team this season. "It's something that you see when we take the practice field," Fickell told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It's a little bit of that bounce, a little bit of that joy to what it is that we do. Everybody loves it when you're winning. " Temple has won four of its last five games after starting the season 0-2. The Owls are one of four teams in the AAC's East division with unblemished conference records (No. 10 UCF and No. 21 South Florida are also unbeaten). Temple got to 3-0 in conference play with a 24-17 win over Navy last week. Temple redshirt freshman quarterback Anthony Russo has blossomed in his role as the starter in recent weeks. Including a 300-yard performance against Navy, Russo has combined to throw for 554 yards and five touchdowns while completing 78. 6 percent of his passes in his last two games. Temple could be without starting running back Ryquell Armstrong for its second straight game. Armstead missed the game against Navy and his status was uncertain for Saturday, coach Geoff Collins told the media this week. Armstead, a senior who is nursing an ankle injury, has rushed for 626 yards and six touchdowns in six games. "We know what a great player 'Rock' is and we are excited about his healthy return, whenever that may be," Collins told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Saturday starts a tough stretch for Temple. After facing Cincinnati, Temple's next three games are at UCF, at Houston and against South Florida. Each of those teams are unbeaten in conference play. "Our focus every single week is to go 1-0," Collins told KYW Newsradio, "and we've got really good opponents we get to play in the American Athletic Conference. So we're just trying to do that every single week. "
 Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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GAME PREVIEW
Oct 18, 2018Back in late September, Iowa was disappointed but not demoralized after losing its Big Ten opener at home to Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes knew there was plenty of football left to play. Since then, the Hawkeyes won back-to-back games on the road the past two weeks that put them right back in the Big Ten West Division mix and into the Top 25 for the first time this season at No. 19. On Saturday, Iowa plays (5-1, 2-1) host to Maryland (4-2, 2-1) in a homecoming game at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes are one of four teams with one loss in the division and now have a chance to be a contender. "The best thing that our team has done going forward is one week at a time," Iowa center Keegan Render said. "The only way it's going to happen is us winning. It doesn't matter what other things happen outside of us. As long as we win, we know there's going to be a chance at the end, no matter what else happens in our division. " Iowa's offense appears to have found a groove. Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley threw six touchdown passes last week in a 42-16 win at Indiana. He has exceeded 300 yards passing in each of the past two games. Tight ends Noah Fant and T. J. Hockenson have combined with 45 receptions, 692 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Each had more than 100 yards receiving last week. The Iowa offensive line has given up a conference-low six sacks. "We knew it was just a matter of time and us going out there and doing it," Render said. "Obviously, we've done it for a couple of weeks. Now it's keep doing it. We can't go back. Keep pushing. "We know things are going to get stickier and stickier as the games go on. It's going out the and recognizing that every game is going to be a close game. It's just going out there on that first drive and realizing to take every drive like that. We've been here before. " Iowa's level of performance on defense is right there with the offense. The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 3 nationally in rushing defense (81. 5 yards per game), fifth in total defense (282. 0 ypg) and 13th in points allowed (16. 5 per game). "We're going to get tested the next six weeks," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "We're only halfway through the season. There are going to be more bumps in the road, more adversity to face, those types of things. We'll find out more about the team. " Maryland has won two of its last three games, with the loss coming at Michgian on Oct. 6. The Terrapins opened the season with an upset of Texas. "We can take away that we played hard and I have to coach better," Maryland interim coach Matt Canada said. "You have to go play and beat those teams. The Michigan game, we didn't do that. " No one quite knew what to expect from Maryland this season. Coach D. J. Durkin was placed on administrative leave in August after offensive lineman Jordan McNair died of heatstroke following a summer workout. "I don't know all the details of what's going on there," Ferentz said. "I just know it had to be a really challenging time for everybody there, their entire staff and football team. The way they're playing, you have to give everybody credit. "It starts with (Canada). He's certainly been the one that pulled them all together, kept everybody going in the right direction. When you watch film, you would never know there was any turbulence there. That's impressive. " Under Canada, who was beginning his first year as offensive coordinator when he was thrust into the job as interim head coach, Maryland has already matched last season's win total with six games remaining. "We are very proud of our players for the way they are doing it, and the way they're playing hard," Canada said. "It's never going to be whatever we all want it to be, but it is going to be the best we can make it today. Do the best you can with what you've got and where you are. " Two of the key factors to Maryland's success can be traced to turnovers and its running game. The Terrapins lead the Big Ten in turnover margin at at plus-9 and they also have the most interceptions in the conference with 12. Five of those interceptions came last week in a 34-7 win over Rutgers. "We're trying to be around the ball," Canada said. "We're trying to get takeaways. We're trying to strip the ball. We're trying to be ballhawks when the ball is in the air and act like it's our ball and not theirs. " Maryland ranks third in the conference in rushing offense at 245. 2 yards per game. Running back Ty Johnson is 19th nationally in all-purpose yards (132. 33 per game) and has rushed for 435 yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries. "They're run heavy, under center," Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse said. "They try to do a lot of stuff pre-snap to get you out of position. It still comes down to each guy doing his job. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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IN
PROGRESS
DELAY
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10/20/2018 12:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-305
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-7.5 (-105)
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Over 38.5 (-110)
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+249
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+7.5 (-115)
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Under 38.5 (-110)
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VIEW ALL PICKS |
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GAME PREVIEW
Oct 18, 2018The annual showdown between Michigan and Michigan State doesn't need more than bragging rights to bring out the best in both football teams. When the game has Big Ten implications, it just adds more juice to a heated rivalry. Thanks to the Spartans' 21-17 upset at Penn State last weekend, both teams head into Saturday's matchup at Spartan Stadium with aspirations of winning the conference title. The sixth-ranked Wolverines (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) have won six straight and are tied with Ohio State atop the Eastern Division standings. No. 24 Michigan State (4-2, 2-1) is tied with Maryland in third place, 1 1/2 games behind the top pair. "If you can play well in October, then you're going to be in the hunt for things in November," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. "So that's our intent as we move forward. I think it intensifies things. " The Spartans have won four of the last five meetings with Michigan and eight of the last 10. "I experienced things first-hand at the start when Coach (Nick) Saban was here, and so I understood when I came back as the head football coach how important this game was to our fans, to the state, and sort of went from it from there," said Dantonio, who is 8-3 against the Wolverines. Michigan State used a variety of trick plays to stick close to the Nittany Lions but churned out an old-fashioned two-minute drive to win it. Quarterback Brian Lewerke connected with Felton Davis III from 25 yards out for the game-winning score with 19 seconds left. That should serve as a confidence builder for Lewerke, who has been intercepted at least once in every game this season. He's thrown eight scoring passes and been picked off seven times. Michigan State's top running back, LJ Scott, has missed the last four games with an ankle injury, and his status for Saturday is uncertain. Michigan jumped into the Top 10 after clobbering Wisconsin 38-13 on Saturday night. Coach Jim Harbaugh hasn't been able to deliver what Michigan fans really want during the regular season -- victories over Michigan State and Ohio State. The Wolverines are 1-5 in those games since Harbaugh took over the program. The lone win came in East Lansing two seasons ago. Michigan came away with a 32-23 victory but lost at home to the Spartans a year ago, 14-10, on a rainy night in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh was predictably tight-lipped about facing the Spartans, simply calling it a "big game" and a "great opportunity. " Michigan linebacker Josh Ross was much more open with his feelings. "It's a big deal for me personally and for the team," he said. Revenge isn't the biggest motivation factor, according to Ross. "We don't really pay attention to that," Ross said of the Wolverines' recent record against Michigan State. "We're just looking at this year. We're ready to go this year. We know the confidence we have and how good we can be. " Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson has been quite good this season and showed another dimension against Wisconsin. Patterson completed 67 percent of his passes against the Badgers and was even more dangerous with his feet, breaking off an 81-yard run and scampering another 7 yards for a touchdown. "Better each week," Harbaugh said of his quarterback. "He finds another thing to be really good at every single week. This past week his running ability and his ballhandling was superb with the fakes, carrying out the fakes, his decision-making, ball security -- he does a great job of taking care of the football. He had one (throw) that he forced in this ballgame last week and that's the first one I can remember. " Patterson has thrown for 10 touchdown passes while getting picked off just three times this season. No. 1 running back Karan Higdon has gained over 100 yards in each of the last five games in which he's played. He has rushed for 687 yards (5. 7 per carry) and scored six touchdowns for the season. He'll face the top rushing defense in the nation. The Spartans have allowed just 2. 34 yards per carry. "They're very stout up front," Harbaugh said. "They've got some real hard-playing guys and their linebackers are some of the best in the league. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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GAME PREVIEW
Oct 16, 2018MADISON, Wis. -- Illinois treks to Camp Randall Stadium for its second true road game of the season on Saturday and No. 23 Wisconsin is aiming to get back on track after one of the most humbling setbacks in the tenure of coach Paul Chryst. Wisconsin, with its banged up defense, stumbled out of Ann Arbor, Mich. , with a 38-13 loss to then-No. 13 Michigan last Saturday. The Badgers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) were without sophomore defensive end Isaiah Loudermilk and senior safety D'Cota Dixon. Loudermilk will miss a second straight game with a left ankle injury suffered against Nebraska. Dixon, a starter with a right foot injury, was listed as questionable on Monday's injury report, along with a bevy of players on defense, including freshman safety Scott Nelson (right leg), who didn't play in the first half against Michigan and was ejected in the third quarter for a targeting penalty. The Wisconsin offense stumbled woefully at Michigan as sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook completed 7 of 10 passes for 100 yards, two interceptions and one touchdown. Wisconsin sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor remains a bright spot on offense. Taylor, the nation's second leading rusher, averages 158. 3 yards per game. He has rushed for 100-plus yards in six games this season, and averaged 184 yards per game at Camp Randall. Wisconsin has compiled a 15-2 record in road games during four seasons with Chryst as its head coach. The Wolverines handed the Badgers both losses. The Illini (3-3, 1-2), with new offensive coordinator Rod Smith, are implementing an up-tempo style with a zone read option out of the shotgun with two wide receivers on each side or three wideouts and a tight end. The Badgers beat the Fighting Illini 24-10 last season in Champaign, and have won six straight at Camp Randall in the series between the teams. Chryst said he's aware of some changes and his staff will take a close look at the Illini's schemes and personnel. He expects a hard-fought game. "We played against a number of these guys last year and know what they did to us and how we had to fight for the yards," Chryst said. "That's why we have a ton of respect for them. Our players know it. (Illinois) is a talented football team and I've got a ton of respect for (Illini coach) Lovie (Smith, and I know we're going to be in for a fistfight. " Illinois' defense has fought to intimidate opposing quarterbacks in a handful of games in 2018, including its 46-7 home loss against Purdue. The Boilermakers collected 611 total yards on offense, the third team to post 591 yards or more against the Illini. Smith couldn't put his finger on one thing in particular in the effort in which he said "we haven't played this bad in a game. " He was disappointed in the performance against Purdue, considering there were so many positives in Illinois' 38-17 win at Rutgers on Oct. 6. "When you don't have a lot of answers for what happens, you go back to work, which we'll do," Smith said Monday. "We started that process. Of course, this morning we went to the video. Now for our football team, whether you win or you lose, you have to move on. You can't let a bad game beat you the next week and that's not what we're going to do. " Illinois is bolstered on offense by senior quarterback Al Bush Jr. , a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech who is a dual threat. Bush missed 2 1/2 games with a left leg injury but returned three weeks ago. In two Big Ten games -- against Rutgers and Purdue -- Bush completed 22 of 33 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In addition, Bush has rushed for 140 yards and three scores, including 116 yards and two touchdowns at Rutgers. Illinois has several impact players on defense. Sophomore linebacker Jake Hansen leads the team with six tackles for loss. Freshman cornerback Jartavius Martin has three interceptions in his first five career games for Illinois.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
GAME PREVIEW
Oct 16, 2018When the season began, and even after the first three weeks, Saturday's battle between Oklahoma and TCU -- a rematch of last year's Big 12 championship game -- looked like it would be the first of maybe two big matchups this year between the programs that have become the conference's heavyweights and constant players on the national scene. But that has all changed during the past three games as ninth-ranked Oklahoma and three-loss and scuffling TCU find themselves looking up at Texas in the conference standings. Now Saturday's game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth could be an elimination game in respect to securing a berth in the Big 12 title game, especially for TCU. The Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) finish a three-game homestand in which they beat Iowa State and lost to Texas Tech, both by scores of 17-14. Another loss this week would push TCU below . 500 for the season with five games to play and drop them three games behind the surging Longhorns in the conference standings. TCU is fighting through the growing pains of inexperienced but talented sophomore quarterback Shawn Robinson, who racked up 332 yards, 290 of those passing, and both touchdowns in the loss to Texas Tech. The Horned Frogs also have been turnover prone, averaging 2. 5 per game in six games. Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson has seen this type of start before, in 2013, a year that TCU finished 4-8. "It doesn't look good when you're 3-3 and you're looking down the middle to Oklahoma and they've had two weeks to prepare for you," Patterson said after the loss to Texas Tech. "We're going to learn just like we did in 2013. Hopefully, we'll win more than we lose. " The Horned Frogs are last in the Big 12 at minus-9 in turnover margin. The giveaways are a big reason why TCU has blown halftime leads in all three of its losses. Nine of the 13 turnovers the past four games have come with the Frogs leading, tied or trailing by one point, or in the opponents' territory. "You can't turn the ball over," Patterson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "If a running back is going to complain about carries, you need to hold on to it. When you're in the red zone, the ball bounces off a guy and they intercept it . . . you gotta make plays. It's simple. " Oklahoma (5-1, 2-1) looks to rebound from its 48-45 loss to Texas on Oct. 6 in Dallas that knocked the Sooners from the ranks of the unbeaten and led to the firing of defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. Former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill takes over that post after Texas scored its most points ever against Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley was asked Monday how long it will take for the defense to stabilize after a week of drastic change. "I'm counting on about two weeks," Riley told the Daily Oklahoman, with a smile. "Everybody's got that sense of urgency. Does a new voice help? Probably some. Is part of it just having not played to the level we want to play defensively? The challenge of putting in the work to get to that point? I think there's some inner challenges happening, too, and there better be. " There has never been a question about the Sooners' offensive explosiveness. As led by uber-talented dual-threat quarterback Kyler Murray, Oklahoma has a bevy of threats to take the ball all the way to the end zone on every snap. The Sooners' signal-caller was his usual calm and cool self at Monday's press conference. "This bye week was definitely one of our most competitive practices of the year since camp," Murray said. "I think we got a lot of good one-on-one work in, good-on-good work in, and everybody's refreshed. Going into TCU, I think it'll be a good week of practice for us, and we'll be ready to go. " Oklahoma leads TCU 13-5 in the series and has a 2-6 edge in games played in Fort Worth.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
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COMING
UP
2:00 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 2:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+506
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+16 (-110)
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Over 67.5 (-110)
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-700
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-16 (-110)
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Under 67.5 (-110)
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COMING
UP
2:30 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 2:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-475
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-13 (-110)
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Over 49.5 (-110)
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+367
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+13 (-110)
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Under 49.5 (-110)
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COMING
UP
2:30 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 2:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-120
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-1.5 (-110)
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Over 60.5 (-110)
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+100
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+1.5 (-110)
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Under 60.5 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:00 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 3:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-145
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-3 (-105)
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Over 44 (-110)
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+125
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+3 (-115)
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Under 44 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:00 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 3:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-200
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-4.5 (-110)
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Over 54 (-110)
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+170
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+4.5 (-110)
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Under 54 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:00 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 3:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+492
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+15 (-110)
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Over 48.5 (-110)
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-675
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-15 (-110)
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Under 48.5 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+140
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+3 (-105)
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Over 74 (-110)
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-160
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-3 (-115)
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Under 74 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-200
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-4.5 (-110)
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Over 51 (-110)
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+170
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+4.5 (-110)
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Under 51 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
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10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-540
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-13.5 (-110)
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Over 56.5 (-110)
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+410
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+13.5 (-110)
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Under 56.5 (-110)
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GAME PREVIEW
Oct 16, 2018BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana and Penn State both figure to be upset about how the two teams have played of late. Penn State has blown leads in home losses to Ohio State (27-26) Sept. 29 and Michigan State (21-17) Saturday. The Hoosiers have lost three of their last four games, including an embarrassing 42-16 loss to visiting Iowa Saturday. "There's no doubt, getting hit upside the head with a two-by-four doesn't feel very good, but I promise you it will get your attention," IU coach Tom Allen said. "This is one of those kinds of situations. " Allen said the same is likely true for the No. 18 Nittany Lions. IU (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) will host Penn State (4-2, 1-2) at 3:30 p. m. Saturday. "It's a very talented football team that has high hopes and expectations for the season," Allen said. "They're going to be coming to Bloomington, be very hungry, ready to play and get their season back on track. " Penn State coach James Franklin said the Nittany Lions must learn from the loss to Michigan State without dwelling on it. "The biggest thing for all of us, coaches and players, is sticking to the process and focusing on things that we can control," Franklin said. "Focusing on our schemes, making sure we are being as detailed as we possibly can in meetings, making sure we are holding people accountable to that standard every single day in practice and that old guys are helping the young guys mature as much as they possible can to understand the seriousness and significance of that standard. The biggest thing we have to do is make sure we are sticking together, we're staying positive and getting those things fixed and get better at them. Because obviously last week we did not do that. " Allen said Penn State's loss doesn't affect his view of its strength. "They're a very talented football team," Allen said. "Got a lot of weapons. It's the best offensive line they've had. They've said that pretty clearly. Very experienced quarterback (Trace McSorley) that we know full well how good he is (from last two seasons). " McSorley has thrown more than 300 yards in victories over the Hoosiers the past two seasons. McSorley has completed 54. 1 percent of his passes for 1,241 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior Miles Sanders leads the Nittany Lions with 700 yards on 104 carries. "The running back (Sanders) is special," Allen said. "Sometimes I think it's the same guy. " Allen was referring to New York Giants rookie and former Penn State star Saquon Barkley. "He's his own guy, for sure, but he's a special talent," Allen said. "He was the No. 1 running back in the country coming out of high school. That's kind of what they're able to do. That's a tribute to how they've recruited, the guys they've got and developed. Very, very talented football players. " Franklin has his concerns about the Hoosiers offense. "Indiana always plays well at home, if you look at what they've been able to do the last couple of years at home, either getting big wins or playing people tough," Franklin said. "Obviously, their quarterback (Peyton Ramsey) is playing at a much higher level now. He's getting a lot of people involved in the running game. The freshman running back (Stevie Scott) has been a pleasant surprise. They have a veteran offensive coordinator in (Mike) DeBord, who has been doing it (coordinating) for 18 years, I think (at different schools). He's seen everything. That experience counts. " Franklin is impressed with Ramsey's 68 percent passing accuracy. However, Allen was disappointed with his two interceptions against Iowa. Ramsey has thrown for 12 TDs and seven interceptions overall. "He has to protect the football," Allen said. "It's part of his job. " Franklin said defensively his team played well enough to win against Michigan State. "(The Spartans) had four fumbles without losing any," Franklin said. "We get a few more of those turnovers, the game is completely different from the way it played out. That's the area we have to get better is the turnovers. We got to get more turnovers and when we have opportunities to make plays, we all realize we have to make more of them. " In the three conference games, the Nittany Lions are tops in rushing offense with 266 yards per game. In contrast, IU has struggled with his run game in league games with 85. 8 yards per game,13th of 14th teams.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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-420
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-11 (-110)
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Over 58 (-110)
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+330
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+11 (-110)
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Under 58 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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|
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+1,011
|
+22 (-110)
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Over 48.5 (-110)
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OFF
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-22 (-110)
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Under 48.5 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
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+1,198
|
+24.5 (-110)
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Over 66 (-110)
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OFF
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-24.5 (-110)
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Under 66 (-110)
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COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
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+639
|
+17 (-110)
|
Over 50 (-110)
|
|
|
-950
|
-17 (-110)
|
Under 50 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Oct 18, 2018Washington coach Chris Petersen arrived at his weekly press conference on Monday with a T-shirt that read, "Stay Positive. " "I had it on (Sunday), just for myself," Petersen said. "I could probably use 25 of these, and just keep recycling them every day. " The message is especially pertinent for No. 15-ranked Washington this week. The Huskies (5-2, 3-1 Pac-12) lost the first overtime contest in the 111-game history of the Oregon-Washington rivalry last week, which dropped them into a four-way tie atop the Pac-12 North and probably out of the College Football Playoff hunt. Regrouping begins this week for Washington against Colorado (5-1, 2-1), an opponent coming to Husky Stadium off of its own disappointment last week. Colorado linebackers Nate Landman and Drew Lewis did not have the shirts to reflect the sentiment, but both preached the same mindset as Petersen following the Buffs' 31-20 loss Saturday at USC. "This team has grown a lot," Lewis said. "Last year, people might keep their heads down and let negative energy seep into the week. " The 2017 Buffs did not start quite as hot as the 2018 team, which broke into the Top 25 briefly on the strength of the program's first 5-0 opening in 20 years. At 3-0 last year, however, Colorado needed to finish just 3-6 in conference to go bowling. The Buffs went 2-7. "This team," Lewis said confidently, "We're going to learn from our mistakes and get better. " Forecasts were not entirely rosy for Colorado coming out of USC, though. The loss dropped the Buffs to 0-13 all-time against the Trojans, but more importantly, put them in a loss-column tie atop the South. USC has the tiebreaker. What's more, standout wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. sustained a toe injury that sidelined him late at USC. Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said Tuesday Shenault's status is "day-to-day. " When asked about a potentially longer-term absence for Shenault -- whose 144. 5 total yards per game rank sixth in the national -- Buffs quarterback Steven Montez bristled. "Like, if Laviska's not there, how are we going to get yards, is that the question? If Laviska's hurt of Laviska's healthy, we're going to run our offense," Montez said. "He's probably the best player on our team, right? But we've got other good players on our team. " Like Colorado, Washington's Pac-12 championship fate is not entirely in its own control. The Huskies still play Washington State and Stanford, both of which also have one loss in conference. But by virtue of Saturday's result, the Huskies need to finish at least one game up on Oregon in the loss column to reach the league title game if those two finish in a two-way tie for first. And, like Colorado, the Huskies head into Saturday's meeting with lineup questions as a result of injuries. The status of running backs Myles Gaskin (shoulder) and Salvon Ahmed (knee) is uncertain. "That's how it is this time of season," Petersen said. "Myles has been so durable and such a workhorse. But in this game, there's going to be times when you can't go with your first guys. " Sean McGrew and Kamari Pleasant could both be expected to shoulder run-game responsibilities against a Buffs defense that held USC to just 51 rushing yards on 26 carries. Colorado's success stopping the run did not translate against the pass against USC, however -- not in the game's second quarter, anyway. The Buffs gave up all three of the Trojans' offensive scores in the second 15 minutes, and each came via the pass. Washington's own passing attack took a hit coming out of Oregon, with one of the wide-receiving corps' big-play specialists, Quinten Pounds, out for the season with a knee injury. Within Petersen's message of positivity, however, the coach spotlighted the play of quarterback Jake Browning in recent weeks, and the pass-catching of tight end Drew Sample. Sample and freshman Cade Otton have each shown potential of late, filling the void left with Hunter Bryant's injury in the offseason. But the focal point of Washington's final stretch will be Browning and how he finishes a career in which he already holds numerous program -- and, possibly soon, Pac-12 -- records. "They've had a consistent quarterback for four straight years; that makes you a good program," MacIntyre said.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+296
|
+10 (-110)
|
Over 58.5 (-110)
|
|
|
-370
|
-10 (-110)
|
Under 58.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+176
|
+5 (-110)
|
Over 54.5 (-110)
|
|
|
-210
|
-5 (-110)
|
Under 54.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+218
|
+7 (-105)
|
Over 56.5 (-110)
|
|
|
-265
|
-7 (-115)
|
Under 56.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+614
|
+17 (-110)
|
Over 58 (-110)
|
|
|
-900
|
-17 (-110)
|
Under 58 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Oct 16, 2018Given recent history, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is taking nothing for granted when his No. 3-ranked Tigers host No. 16 N. C. State on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Despite the fact that Clemson has won six in a row against the Wolfpack and opened as a 17-point favorite, don't expect Swinney to chalk this one up in the win column until the final seconds have ticked off the clock. "It wouldn't matter if they were 6-0 or 3-3 or 1-5 -- it's Clemson vs. N. C. State and it's always a great game," Swinney said. "They always get excited to play the Tigers and we always get excited to play them. It ought to be a lot of fun. " The last few games between the teams certainly have been. Last season, Clemson rallied from a 21-17 halftime deficit and withstood a 338-yard, three-touchdown passing day by N. C. State's Ryan Finley to hold off the Wolfpack 38-31. Two years ago, N. C. State missed a 33-yard field goal at the end of regulation and the Tigers escaped with a 24-17 overtime victory en route to the national title. This season's game, which is set for a 3:30 kickoff Saturday at Clemson's Memorial Stadium, could be another classic in a series that has seen the Tigers prevail 24 times by a touchdown or less. No. 3 Clemson is 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, marking its fourth consecutive 6-0 start and sixth in the last eight years. N. C. State, which is ranked 16th, is 5-0, 2-0. Both teams are coming off open dates. "It's going to be a big game, man," Swinney said. "There are not many undefeated teams left out there and you've got two of them facing off Saturday in the valley. It'll be two teams who are passionate about winning. " The main charge for Clemson's defense, which ranks third nationally in total defense, will be containing Finley, a savvy quarterback who leads the ACC in almost all passing categories. His top two receivers -- Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers -- rank first and fifth in the league, respectively. "This quarterback is a pro -- a legit pro," Swinney said of Finley. "I don't know when he's going to be drafted, but it'll be early. "He has complete ownership of what they do. He does a great job of manipulating the defense and he knows where to go with the ball. He's a very gifted thrower, very accurate. " N. C. State's defense faces a tall task as well -- namely, slowing down a Clemson rushing attack that has exceeded expectations. Led by sophomore running back Travis Etienne, the Tigers have risen to near the top of the FBS in rushing at 280. 8 yards per game, trailing only a trio of option teams -- Georgia Tech, Army and Navy. Etienne has logged four consecutive 100-yard games and has rushed for 654 yards over that span, averaging a gaudy 10. 2 yards per carry. Backups Adam Choice and Lyn-J Dixon are both coming off 100-yard games as well at Wake Forest and Tavien Feaster -- who had an 89-yard touchdown run against N. C. State last year -- is averaging 5. 1 yards per attempt. "We know we can throw and catch," Swinney said. "But it has been a long time since we've been able to run the football like we are right now. " That hasn't gone unnoticed by N. C. State coach Dave Doeren, whose team is riding a seven-game winning streak dating back to last season. "The tailback position is really dynamic," Doeren said. "And I think Etienne is a fun guy to watch. He's fast, he gets to top speed in a hurry. He sees things well and he's definitely somebody that you've got to be really concerned about tackling, getting him on the ground. "Then the guys who come in after him all average over five yards per carry, which is impressive. " Saturday's winner would have the inside track to the ACC's Atlantic Division title and berth in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 1. "We're excited to have that kind of opportunity in October against a really good team," Doeren said. "I have a lot of respect for Dabo, his staff, their program and what they've done for our conference. For us it's an opportunity to go play them when they're playing really good football. "
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+614
|
+17 (-110)
|
Over 59 (-110)
|
|
|
-900
|
-17 (-110)
|
Under 59 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
3:30 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 3:30 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
OFF
|
-29 (-110)
|
Over 57.5 (-110)
|
|
|
+1,673
|
+29 (-110)
|
Under 57.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GAME PREVIEW
Oct 17, 2018TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- University of Alabama running back Josh Jacobs couldn't help himself. Everyone knows that the tradition in the Third Saturday of October rivalry is for the winning side to break out victory cigars, which the Crimson Tide has done 11 straight times. That included five straight losses for former Tennessee coach Butch Jones, who is now an Alabama analyst. "We kind of joke with him about the situation," Jacobs said. "He's, you know, never smoked the cigar before. We're trying to make that a goal of his. " Jones should feel fortunate. When Lane Kiffin was hired as offensive coordinator, a colleague hung up a big poster of Rocky Block, the 12-10 victory in 2009, in his office. But with the Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 SEC) having won by an average score of 36-11 during the streak, there's only been one close game since then, 19-14 in 2015. Alabama went into that game ranked No. 8. This time it's nearly a unanimous No. 1 that's demolished its first seven opponents by an average score of 53. 6-15. 1. "Alabama has a tremendous team," Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. "They are a complete football team. " Pruitt knows well what that smoky locker room is like and the talent the Crimson Tide has assembled. As Nick Saban's former director of player development (2007-9), defensive backs coach (2010-12), and defensive coordinator (2016-17), he helped recruit a lot of the players. "After watching a couple games, I was afraid to look at the defense," Pruitt said about watching the Crimson Tide's game film. "They've got dominant players at all three levels, got playmakers that create turnovers. I'm sure there's probably a little bit of differences, but it'll be an attacking style defense that tries to put pressure on the quarterback. " It's going to be a little different for the Alabama players as well, although they're used to it by now. This will be the 15th time Saban is facing one of his former assistant coaches, and third time this season. He's a perfect 14-0, including the overtime win against Kirby Smart and Georgia in the 2018 national championship game. "We have a great relationship," junior linebacker Mack Wilson said. "Me and him stay in touch pretty well. I always text him and congratulate him whenever they win or whatever. I feel like our relationship will always be there. I'm well bonded with his wife and his kids, so he's more like a father figure to me. I look up to him. And obviously he's a great coach. " Also on the Volunteers sideline are numerous other former Alabama staffers including co-defensive coordinators Kevin Sherrer and Chris Rumph. Sherrer was the Crimson Tide's director of player development (2010-12) and Rumph was the defensive line coach (2011-13). Former Alabama analyst Chris Weinke is the running backs coach. Offensive line coach Will Friend was once a Crimson Tide guard. "With going against him the last two years, I definitely know how good of a coach he is," Jacobs said about Pruitt. "Seeing their team, seeing how they're coming along and they're rolling and they're stringing everything together, I think it's going to be tough. I know that their defense is going to be very disciplined, very few mistakes. " In addition to the familiarity, Tennessee ending an 11-game losing streak in SEC play with a 30-24 victory over then-No. 21 Auburn last Saturday, 30-24, got the Crimson Tide's attention. So did UT Director of Athletics Phil Fulmer leading the Volunteers in singing, "We don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama, the whole state of Alabama, the whole state of Alabama" as part of the postgame celebration. Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Guarantano had a career game, going 21-of-32 for 328 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to be named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week. For the season, he's 166-for-264 (63 percent) for 1,129 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. However, the Volunteers (3-3, 1-2 SEC) are still statistically at or near the bottom of the league in all major offensive categories, and only slightly better defensively. Tennessee is 10th in rushing and total defense, 11th in scoring defense and ninth against the pass. But you know what they say about statistics and rivalry games, which is why Wilson didn't send Pruitt a message after the Auburn win and they won't talk until after the game. Instead, he tweeted out: #TENNESSSEEHATEWEEK on Monday.
Game
Preview from The Associated
Press (AP).
Copyright
© 2018 The Associated
Press, All Rights Reserved.
|
COMING
UP
4:00 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 4:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
+291
|
+10 (-110)
|
Over 69.5 (-110)
|
|
|
-362
|
-10 (-110)
|
Under 69.5 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
4:00 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 4:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-320
|
-8.5 (-110)
|
Over 58 (-110)
|
|
|
+260
|
+8.5 (-110)
|
Under 58 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
6:00 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 6:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
-335
|
-9 (-110)
|
Over 54 (-110)
|
|
|
+271
|
+9 (-110)
|
Under 54 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMING
UP
7:00 PM EST |
|
10/20/2018 7:00 PM EST (TODAY) |
MONEYLINE |
SPREAD |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
OFF
|
-21 (-110)
|
Over 65 (-110)
|
|
|
+912
|
+21 (-110)
|
Under 65 (-110)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | |
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