Auburn's Bo Nix has yet to throw an interception in 2021. But what he did against LSU repeatedly running around like a chicken with its head off isn't going to fly against this Georgia defense.
Last year's Auburn-Georgia game got out of hand in a hurry. The Tigers were down 24-0 in the blink of an eye. Considering LSU jumped out to an early 13-0 lead this past weekend and considering Auburn trailed Georgia State 24-12 at halftime the week before, it's easy to see something similar happening in this one.
This Georgia team is the best team in the country and I think they steam roll Auburn this weekend.
Stanford lost 24-7 season-opener against Kansas State and UCLA is a better team than K. State. The Cardinal are going to struggle to run the ball against UCLA as they never got anything going on the ground against Kansas State and will have their work cut out again against a stout UCLA defense. UCLA's front seven has held opponents to 2.3 yards per carry and 63.0 rushing yards per game. Stanford could make things interesting if they get their passing attack going but it won't quite be enough to top a UCLA team that has scored at least 37 points in each game this season.
Ross Stripling last 3 games has 2.3 ERA over 5.1 innings. Gerrit Cole last 3 starts has a 2.7 ERA over 5.7 innings. And Cole will be tested against Toronto's 4th best offense in the league.
These two teams just faced off on Saturday and the Hornets won 107-94. The Pistons offense is ranked #26 in the league and playing back to backs, I like Charlotte to run it back here.
The Trail Blazers have won 3 games in a row over the Grizzlies, Pacers, and Nets. Portland scored at least 128 points in each of the two games and this is a game they can win, give me the free points.
Bucks is the easy choice here. The Celtics continue to ride the struggle bus with losses in five of their last seven games, and they've covered just one of their last five games. The Bucks have won seven straight and have won their last five games by an average of 11 points while shooting 48.8 percent from the field.
Iowas 87.8 PPG ranks third in the country and first in the Big Ten. Rutgers averages 72.6 PPG to rank 152nd in the nation and eighth in the conference. The big issue is Iowas defense. It ranks 12th out of the 14 teams in the conference by allowing 75.8 PPG in Big Ten games.Iowa doesn't deserve to be a 6.5 point favorite, they 1-4 straight up and 0-5 ATS. While Rutgers last 4 victories have come over bottom dwellers in the conference, but getting 6.5 points still feels like a lot here against the hotter Rutgers team.
The Bulls slipped to 2-6 ATS in the past eight as a favorite, including 1-5 ATS in the past six as a favorite on the road. Neither of these teams have been very consistent lately, so you have to go with what you saw lately.
The numbers suggest this will be a good one. No. 1 offense versus the No. 1 defense. Davante Adam’s versus Jalen Ramsey. Aaron a Donald versus, well, probably a series of double teams and running back chip blocks. I do think these match ups will make for some good football and limited margin of error, but the Packers win out because I just don’t see the Rams being able to score enough points.
The Vols are the more talented team here and should be able to get their will mojo back tonight. Arkansas only shot 26.8 percent from the field and a 51-36 rebounding deficit to Missouri. The Hogs will be in trouble tonight if those trends continue.
TAKE THE POINTS. The Carolina Panthers are a team primed with all the ability to make this game a close one right down to the wire. 7 OF 9 losses are by one score. I have the Packers slightly under their scoring average for this game, If they don’t have the ball, they can’t score. This Carolina defense has enough playmakers like Jeremy Chinn and Brian Burns to make it interesting, but the Packers’ offense should continue to roll for the most part.
ECU won't get blown out. The Pirates haven’t had any problems putting up yards, their ground attack has taken over with two straight 200-yard games, starting with the emergence of freshman Keaton Mitchell who’s averaging over 110 yards and 7.5 yards per carry over the last two weeks. I'll take my chances with the points in this one.
Iowa run defense vs. Nebraska run offense. Something has to give. I’m gonna go with the Hawkeyes shutting down the Huskers rushing attack, especially if Nebraska can’t get the passing game going.
The Vikings have won three straight to get back into playoff contention, the Cowboys not so much. The Dallas defense has continued to be a problem and the Red Rifle might be back today but I'm not sure that's a good thing. The Vikings defense has played much better in the past three games, and they will play well here again. Minnesota should pick up their 4th straight here...
The Cards might be only 3-5-1 but have been one of the league’s best against the number, posting a 6-3 ATS this season and covering four covers in their last five games. I like Kyler Murray and the feisty Cards to come away with another cover.
Although Memphis is undefeated they have had a pretty soft schedule and I think Temple will bow up here at home and keep things close. Temple has a top 20 defense that should do enough to slow the untested Tigers. In a close game you've got to take the points here.
Georgia is better than South Carolina at just about every possible spot on the field. The Dawgs will win the game, but here’s why I’d take South Carolina to cover.
1. Slow starts - The Bulldogs have a tendency to come out slow. And with this being a noon game, I would not be surprised one bit if Georgia struggles in the first quarter.
2. Kirby Smart does not care about blowouts + Kirby Smart and Will Muschamp are pals…and friends don’t run up the score on friends
3. The Gamecocks are capable of scoring on offense and staying within earshot. The Gamecocks scoring offense has been inconsistent all season, but when things gets going, SC can put up just enough points to stay within 24. Look what they did against Alabama. The Cocks put up 23 points against the Tide.
Those are a few reasons why I’d be hesitant to pick Georgia to cover the spread on Saturday. Score prediction: Georgia 34, South Carolina 13
When the Patriots offense takes to the field they have managed to score 31 points a game and defensively the Patriots are giving up only 6.8 points a game this year. Yes 6.8 PPG and the Giants are starting their water boy at running back tonight. Patriots win 31-6.
Oh my, you had me at waterboy. I bet the Patriots run and drain the clock, Not to mention the weather, making me suspicious on a 17 pt spread. On the flip side, I can’t imagine NYG being within 2 touchdowns and a field goal.
Utah State lost their HC Matt Wells to Texas Tech so they are operating under a new HC and new offense. The Aggies are led by 6-4, 220 pound QB Jordan Love, who is drawing a lot of buzz lately and is showing up near the top of early QB lists for the 2020 NFL Draft. Fortunately the Deacs have home field advantage and a plethora of talent at skill positions on both sides of the football. Both teams have question marks in the trenches, and ultimately whoever can protect their QB better will likely win this one. Notwithstanding Jordan Love, the Deacs have more athletes at key positions and I predict Jamie Newman comes out and shows why he won the starting QB job and leads the Deacs to a win and cover. Lay the 4 points and take the bigger, stronger, faster ACC team over a Mountain West team operating under a new HC.
Wisconsin only has 5 returning starters on offense and South Florida returns nine starters on offense and six starters on defense. The Bulls Quarterback Blake Barnett and running back Jordan Cronkrite were dynamic last year and the Bulls showed just how good they can be last season when they started the season with seven straight wins. The Bulls defense is always a concern but there's lots of talent (and speed) on this South Florida team so while I'm not bold enough to call an outright upset, I think USF should be can hang with Wisconsin tonight. Love the 10.5 points tonight.
The Dodgers are a different team at home and they almost never lose at home with Kershaw on the hill where they are 18-3 in their last 21 home games as a favorite with Kershaw pitching. Can't buck those trends, give me Dodgers on the RL -1.5 (+105).
Player Props: Demarcus Cousins OVER 11 points (-120). Without KD I think Cousins will get a lot of looks tonight. ..especially if they keep running that Box-and-1 defense against Steph. Shrek hasn't don't anything offensively in this series and Demarcus and Iguodala only other offensive threats. I like Cousins to have a big game.
Brooklyn is one of the few teams where it seems like home court doesn't matter, as they are barely above .500 this season, if the 3 ball isn't going for the Nets I think they lose by double digits again.
