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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAB, NBA, NHL and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 11/18/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Nov 18, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.The eleventh week in the National Football League regular season kicks off with the New England Patriots traveling to Atlanta to play the Falcons on Fox and the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET. The Patriots won their fourth straight game with a 45-7 victory against Cleveland as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Falcons lost their second game in their last three after a 43-3 loss at Dallas as an 8-point underdog on Sunday. New England is a 7-point road favorite with the total set at 47 (all odds from DraftKings).Week 12 in the college football regular season continues with Louisville traveling to Duke on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. The Cardinals ended a two-game losing streak with a 41-3 win against Syracuse as a 3-point favorite on Saturday. The Blue Devils lost their sixth straight game after a 48-17 loss at Virginia Tech as a 13.5-point underdog last week. Louisville is a 20.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 60.Six games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Golden State plays at Cleveland as an 8-point road favorite. Miami hosts Washington as a 6.5-point favorite. Two more games begin at 8:10 PM ET. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Memphis as a 1-point road favorite with a total of 220.5. Minnesota is at home against San Antonio as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 222. Two games conclude the NBA card at 9:10 PM ET. Denver plays at home against Philadelphia as a 7.5-point favorite. Utah hosts Toronto as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 213.The National Hockey League has 11 games on the slate. Calgary travels to Buffalo as a -180 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Toronto is at home against the New York Rangers as a -170 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Pittsburgh plays at Montreal as a -145 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Florida hosts New Jersey as a -185 money line favorite with a total of 6. Tampa Bay visits Philadelphia as a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two NHL games start at 8:08 PM ET. St. Louis is at home against San Jose as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Minnesota plays at home against Dallas as a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Two more games begin at 9:08 PM ET. Edmonton hosts Winnipeg as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Columbus is at Arizona at 9:08 PM ET as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The final two games on the NHL card start at 10:08 PM ET. Vegas plays at home against Detroit as a -165 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Carolina travels to Anaheim as a -145 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Nashville/Ottawa game got postponed because of the COVID outbreak on the Senators roster. Fifteen games are on national television in college basketball, including the opening round of three invitational tournaments.The Myrtle Beach Invitational takes place at the HTC Center in Conway, South Carolina, with all four first-round games on ESPNU. Davidson plays New Mexico State at noon PM ET as a 2-point favorite with a total of 133. Utah State goes against Pennsylvania as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5. Oklahoma battles East Carolina as a 13-point favorite with a total of 135.5. Old Dominion faces Indiana State at 9:30 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5. The Charleston Classic takes place at the TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina, with its four opening games broadcast on ESPN2. St. Bonaventure goes against Boise State at 2 PM ET as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 130.5. Clemson battles Temple at 4:30 PM ET as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 133.5. Mississippi faces Marquette at 7 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 135.5. West Virginia plays Elon at 9:30 PM ET as a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 135.5. The Jersey’s Mike Classic takes place at McArthur Gymnasium in St. Petersburg, Florida, with its three opening games on the CBS Sports Network. UNC-Greensboro faces Green Bay as a 9-point favorite with a total of 126.5. Weber State plays Massachusetts at 5:30 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Ball State battles Florida International at 8 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 143.Four more games in NCAAB are on national television. Two games tip-off at 6:30 PM ET. Ohio State visits Xavier on FS1 as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 141.5. New Hampshire travels to Providence on FS2. Rutgers plays at DePaul on FS1 at 8:30 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 133.5. San Diego State hosts Arizona State on the CBS Sports Network at 10:30 PM ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 137.

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Ness Notes: NFL 2021 With Eight Weeks To Go

by Larry Ness

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021

The NFL's first-ever 17-game schedule (over 18 weeks) began back on Sep 9th, when the defending champions Bucs eked out a 31-29 win over a Dallas Cowboys team coming off a 6-10 season. Raise your hand if you predicted that through Week 10 of the season, the Bucs would be 6-3 (3-6 ATS), while the Cowboys would be 7-2 (8-1 ATS).That's just ONE of the many surprises that the 2021 NFL season has delivered.Consider this. FOUR teams entered Week 10 with a record under .500 and defeated a team that began the week in first place or tied for first. The Dolphins started things off with a 22-10 win over the Ravens last Thursday and then on Sunday, it was Washington 29-19 over Tampa Bay, Carolina 34-10 over Arizona and Minnesota 27-20 over the LA Chargers.Thirteen teams have either four or five wins, the most-ever through Week 10, and every team has lost at least twice. Twelve of the AFC's 16 teams are .500 or better, keeping playoff hopes alive for more teams than usual. The guys at FiveThirtyEight.com are reporting that 22 of 32 teams have a 20-plus percent chance of making the playoffs. My mom's favorite saying was, "It's too much for my pinhead brain," and I think I'm right there with her.The playoff format will be just like last season. Only the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC will get a bye, with the other three division winners hosting the three teams with the best record among no-division winners. Here's how the playoffs would begin if the postseason were to begin today (Nov 17th). Giving a second shout to my mom, today would have been her 92nd birthday.8-2 Tennessee (South) would be the AFC's No. 1 seed, followed by division winners 6-3 Buffalo (East), 6-3 Baltimore (North) and 6-4 Kansas City (West). The three other qualifiers would be 5-3-1 Pittsburgh, 6-4 New England and the 5-4 LA Chargers (win tiebreakers over the 5-4 Raiders and Bengals). 8-2 Green Bay (North) would be the NFC's No. 1 seed, followed by division winners 8-2 Arizona (West), 7-2 Dallas (East) and 6-3 Tampa Bay (South). The three other qualifiers would be the 7-3 LA Rams, 5-4 New Orleans and 5-5 Carolina.Comparing last year's playoff field with the one through Week 10 of 2021, we find that the Browns and Colts would be replaced by the Pats and Chargers this season in the AFC. Over in the NFC, 2020 playoff teams like Seattle, Washington and Chicago, would be replaced by Arizona, Dallas and Carolina. Taking a closer look at the current playoff field, the Bills own the best point-differential (+145), 47 points higher than Ariona and New England's plus-98. The worst point differential of the 14 teams belongs to the Steelers, who are minus-8 points (only team with a negative point differential).I guess it's not a surprise that Pittsburgh owns a 3-6 ATS record, as do the Bucs and Ravens but the worst ATS mark belongs to the 3-7 Chiefs. Residing at the top of the ATS 'food chain' we have 9-1 Green Bay and 8-1 Dallas plus 7-3 Arizona and 7-3 Tennessee. Speaking of ATS records, my last NFL update gave records thru Week 4. Here's what I wrote. "Home teams went 132-123-1 two seasons ago (2019), the worst record since the advent of the 16-game schedule. Then, in 2020, home teams had a losing record for the first time in history, going 127-128-1. One could argue that empty and partially-empty stadiums played a role in that. However, that situation no longer applies in 2021 and after four weeks, home teams are just 30-33 (.476) SU and even worse ATS, going 28-35 (44.4%). You may be wondering about that 64th game but back in Week 1, the Saints had their home opener against the Packers moved to Jacksonville, creating a neutral-site situation." Let me get you up to speed through all games played through Week 10.Entering 'lucky' Week 11, the NFL has played 150 games. All but three have involved a home team. The exceptions are the two London games and the Week1 game played between the Packers and Saints that was moved from New Orleans to Jacksonville due to Hurricane Ida. Home teams remain sub-.500 SU, going 71-75-1 (.483). For those of you who may be betting on these games, home teams are a 'money-burning' 61-85-1 ATS or 41.7% (Ouch!). There have been years in which home dogs were seen as 'money in the bank' but home dogs are only 17-35 (.327) in 2021, although they are close to .500 ATS (25-27, .481). If one likes to play NFL totals, the numbers support playing the under. There have been 83 Unders, 65 Overs and two pushes. That's a 56.1% edge to the under.Good luck...Larry

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NFL Week 11 Breakdown

by Will Rogers

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021

BEST GAME - Dallas at Kansas City (-2)Dallas 7-2 SU, 8-1 ATSKansas City 6-4 SU, 3-7 ATSWith 8 covers in 9 games, it appears that sports books are still playing catchup with the Cowboys, who are the No. 1 cover team in the NFL. Maybe their loss at home to the Broncos planted some seeds of doubt, but this past Sunday’s disemboweling of the Falcons means that Jerry Jones will arrive in Missouri this coming Sunday with a huge smile on his face. Any why not? The Boys have all but wrapped up the otherwise lethargic NFC East, and the rest of the schedule includes only one legitimate test (Arizona on Jan. 2). Likewise, the Chiefs seem to be – finally – getting their own house in order. With the rest of the AFC West in a fade pattern, KC has taken full advantage. Narrow wins over the Giants and Packers kept the slow-starting Chiefs on life support, and the offense put the pedal to the metal this past Sunday in a convincing 27-point victory over division rival Las Vegas. With both offenses rolling, bettors no doubt will be pounding the Over here – even though the number (54) is the highest on the board for Week 11.WORST GAME – Detroit at Cleveland (-10)Detroit 0-8-1SU, 5-4 ATSCleveland 5-5 SU, 5-5 ATSThe Browns lost by 31 in New England last Sunday, and the ugliness spilled over in the locker room when several Cleveland players blamed the coaching staff for not making adjustments when the Patriots took control of the game. If losing to the red-hot Patriots got them cranky, imagine what a loss to home to Detroit would do. Cleveland’s season of mediocrity has also raised questions about whether Baker Mayfield is the QB going forward. As for the Lions, the heat is off to an extent in that last week’s tie with Pittsburgh means they can’t go 0-17 and beat their own NFL-worst 0-16 record set 13 years ago.BIGGEST SPREAD -- New York Giants at Tampa Bay (-11.5)New York 3-6 SU, 5-4 ATSTampa Bay 6-3 SU, 3-6 ATSTwo losses in row? Tom Brady? Yikes. Well, it happened last November, too, when the Bucs dropped back-to-backs to the Rams and Chiefs. Brady and TB responded with a four-game win streak to end the season, then ran the table on the way to winning the Super Bowl. It could happen again, especially as the Bucs enter the soft underbelly of their schedule, with most of the remaining games dotted with mediocre opponents with no legit chance to make deep playoff runs (Dec. 12 Buffalo being the exception). Still, Tampa Bay’s loss to Washington this past Sunday was a cautionary tale in the Any Given Sunday league. Brady put TB in an early hole with two interceptions, and this time there was no late magic. The Bucs – who BTW have been a poor cover team this season, still should win the NFC South – but they’ll have to work for it.SMALLEST SPREAD -- Cincinnati at Las Vegas (-1)Cincinnati 5-4 SU, 4-5 ATSLas Vegas 5-4 SU, 4-5 ATSNot the best of weeks for the Raiders. First, former coach Jon Gruden went after the league and commissioner in court, then the team was not competitive at home against the Chiefs. Gruden may have gone on offense, but the LV offense was stagnant against a sketchy Chiefs D – and that has to raise lots of red flags. The O-Line bears much of the blame for an offense that has produced only 30 points total in the last two games. When you net only 50 yards on the ground against one of the worst defenses in the league, you need to re-assess. Cincinnati no doubt used tis bye week to do some soul-searching of its own after consecutive losses to the Jets and Browns.SMALLEST TOTAL -- Washington at Carolina (43.5)Washington 3-6 SU, 2-7 ATSCarolina 5-5 SU, 5-5 ATSCam Newton is back. Are the Panthers? Maybe. At least they’re not dead and buried, despite a nightmarish 0-4 October and a stinking loss to the Patriots a week ago. Their three-touchdown win over the best-record-in-the-league-at-the-time Cardinals opened up a playoff avenue for Carolina, who were no doubt energized by Newton’s return. Newton didn’t start, but finished off a few drives by relieving starter P.J. Walker in the red zone, and there will be pressure to start him against the WFT.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/17/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.Week 12 in college football continues with two games in the Mid-American Conference at 7 PM ET. Central Michigan travels to Ball State on ESPNU. The Chippewas won their fourth game in their last five after their 54-30 victory against Kent State as a 2.5-point favorite on Wednesday. They improved their record to 6-4 with the win. The Cardinals lost their second game in their last three with a 30-29 upset loss at Northern Illinois as a 3-point favorite on Wednesday. Ball State has a 5-5 record. Central Michigan is a 1.5-point road favorite with the total set at 59 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Northern Illinois visits Buffalo on ESPN2. The Huskies won their sixth game in their last seven with their 30-29 upset victory as a 3-point underdog on Wednesday. They are 7-3 on the season. The Bulls lost their second-straight game in a 45-178 loss at Miami (Ohio) as a 7-point underdog last Tuesday. Buffalo has a 4-6 record. Northern Illinois is a 1-point road favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Eleven games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Two games tipoff at 7:10 PM ET. Charlotte hosts Washington as a 2.5-point favorite. Indiana plays at Detroit as a 6-point road favorite with a total of 211.5. Five games start at 7:38 PM ET. Atlanta is at home against Boston as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 214. Brooklyn plays at home against Cleveland as an 11-point favorite with a total of 206.5. Miami hosts New Orleans as an 8.5-point favorite. New York is at home against Orlando as an 11-point favorite with an over/under of 209. Milwaukee plays at home against the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN as a 7.5-point favorite.Two games in the NBA begin at 8:08 PM ET. Minnesota hosts Sacramento as a 2-point favorite with a total of 223. Oklahoma City is at home against Houston as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 211.5. Two games conclude the NBA card at 10:08 PM ET. Portland plays at home against Chicago as a 1-point favorite with a total of 220. Phoenix hosts Dallas in the second game of the ESPN doubleheader as an 8-point favorite. Three games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Colorado travels to Vancouver at 9:08 PM ET as a -155 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Seattle hosts Chicago on TNT at 10:08 PM ET as a -140 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Washington visits Los Angeles to play the Lakers at 10:38 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Five games are on national television in college basketball. Rhode Island plays at home against Boston College on the CBS Sports Network at 6 PM ET as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 137. Connecticut is at home against Long Island on FS2 at 6:30 PM ET as a 26-point favorite at William Hill with a total of 144. Michigan State plays at Butler on FS1 at 7 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 131.5. North Carolina State travels to Oklahoma State on the CBS Sports Network at 8 PM ET. Indiana hosts St. John’s on FS1 at 9 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with a total of 148.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and CFL Previews and Odds - 11/16/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Nov 16, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and the CFL.Week 12 in college football kicks off with three games in Mid-American Conference action. Toledo visits Ohio on ESPN+ at 7 PM ET. The Rockets have won two of their last three games with their 49-17 victory at Bowling Green as a 10.5-point favorite on Wednesday. The Bobcats won their second straight game with a 34-26 upset victory at Eastern Michigan as a 6-point underdog on Tuesday. Toledo is a 7-point road favorite with a total set at 55.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Western Michigan travels to Eastern Michigan on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET. The Broncos ended their two-game losing streak with a 45-40 win against Akron as a 25-point favorite on Tuesday. The Eagles’ two-game winning streak ended with their upset loss to Ohio last week. Western Michigan is a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 66. Miami (Ohio) plays at home against Bowling Green on ESPNU at 8 PM ET. The RedHawks won their third game in their last four with a 45-18 victory against Buffalo as a 7-point favorite on Tuesday. The Falcons lost their fifth game in their last six with their loss to Toledo last week. Miami (Ohio) is a 17-point favorite with a total of 51. Three games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Brooklyn plays at home against Golden State on TNT at 7:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 220. Utah hosts Philadelphia in the second game of the TNT doubleheader at 10:40 PM ET as an 8-point favorite with a total of 217.5. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against San Antonio as a 6-point favorite at 10:40 PM ET with an over/under of 218.5. Eleven games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Five games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. Toronto plays at home against Nashville as a -195 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Florida hosts the New York Islanders as a -175 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New York Rangers are at home against Montreal as a -175 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Calgary visits Philadelphia as a -120 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Pittsburgh is at home against Buffalo as a -245 money line favorite with a total of 6. Three games in the NHL start at 8:08 PM ET. St. Louis hosts Arizona as a -320 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Minnesota plays at home against San Jose as a -195 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Edmonton travels to Winnipeg as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Dallas plays at home against Detroit at 8:38 PM ET as a -175 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. The final two games in the NHL start at 10:08 PM ET. Carolina plays at Vegas as a -125 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Washington is at Anaheim as a -135 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Ottawa at New Jersey game got postponed because of the COVID outbreak on the Senators team.Nine games are on national television in college basketball. Two games tip-off at 6 PM ET. USC visits the Florida Gulf Coast on ESPNU. Miami (Florida) plays at Florida Atlantic on the CBS Sports Network as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 146.5. Villanova hosts Howard on FS2 at 6:30 PM ET. Nebraska plays at home against Creighton on FS1 as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 145.5. Houston hosts Virginia on ESPN at 8 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 123. North Carolina visits Charleston on the CBS Sports Network at 8:30 PM ET as a 13-point road favorite with an over/under of 153. Georgetown plays at home against American on FS2 at 8:30 PM ET. Michigan is at home against Seton Hall on FS1 at 9 PM ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 138.5. Oregon hosts BYU on ESPN at 10 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5.Week 16 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with Toronto playing at home against Edmonton at 7:30 PM ET. The Argonauts won their third straight game with their 31-12 upset win at Hamilton on Friday. The Elks lost their eighth straight game with their 29-24 loss at Saskatchewan as a 12-point underdog on Friday. Toronto is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and NFL Previews and Odds - 11/15/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Nov 15, 2021

The Monday sports card features action in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.The National Football League concludes Week 10 with the Los Angeles Rams visiting the San Francisco 49ers on ESPN at 8:15 PM ET. The Rams had their four-game winning streak end with their 28-16 upset loss to Tennessee as a 7-point underdog on Sunday. The Rams outgained the Titans by a 347 to 194 mark in yardage, but a 24-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Kevin Byard helped Tennessee go into the locker room at halftime with a 21-3 lead. LA fell to 7-2 with the setback. The 49ers have lost five of their last six games with their 31-17 upset loss to Arizona last week. A -3 net turnover margin for the Niners proved too much to overcome. San Francisco has a 3-5 record after the loss. The 49ers swept the two games against the Rams last year for the second straight season. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point road favorite with the total set at 50 (all odds from DraftKings).Eleven games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Three games tip-off at 7:10 PM ET. Boston visits Cleveland as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 200. Sacramento plays at Detroit as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 213. Washington is at home against New Orleans as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 213.5. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Atlanta hosts Orlando as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 215.5. New York plays at home against Indiana as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 215.5. Four games in the NBA begin at 8:05 PM ET. Dallas plays at home against Denver as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 209.5. Memphis hosts Houston as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 219.5. Phoenix travels to Minnesota as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 221. Miami visits Oklahoma City as an 8-point road favorite with a total of 229.5. Portland plays at home against Toronto at 10:10 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 214.5. The Los Angeles Lakers are at home against Chicago as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 218.5.Two games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Tampa Bay hosts the New York Islanders as a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 5. Columbus plays at home against Detroit as a -130 money line road favorite. Five games are on the card in college basketball. Three games tip-off at 7:PM ET. Illinois visits Marquette at 7 PM ET on FS1 as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 142. LSU hosts Liberty on ESPNU. Penn State visits Mass on the CBS Sports Network as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 143.5. Wisconsin hosts Providence on FS1 at 9 PM ET as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 132. Oregon State visits Tulsa on ESPNU at 9 PM ET as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 133.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NHL, NBA and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 11/14/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Nov 14, 2021

The Sunday sports card features action in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.The National Football League continues Week 10 in the regular season with 12 games. Seven games kick off the card at 1 PM ET. Tennessee hosts New Orleans as a 3-point favorite with a total set at 43.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Indianapolis plays at home against Jacksonville as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Dallas is at home against Atlanta as an 8-point favorite with a total of 54.5. Buffalo visits the New York Jets as a 13.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Tampa Bay travels to Washington as a 9-point road favorite with a total of 50.5. New England is at home against Cleveland as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 45. Pittsburgh hosts Detroit as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 41. Four games take place in the second-afternoon window. Two games start at 4:05 PM ET. Arizona is at home against Carolina as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 43. The Los Angeles Chargers are at home against Minnesota as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 53. Two games kick-off at 4:25 PM ET. Green Bay hosts Seattle as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 49.5. Denver plays at home against Philadelphia as a 2-point favorite with a total of 45. Kansas City travels to Las Vegas to play the Raiders on NBC at 8:20 PM ET for Sunday Night Football. The Chiefs come off a 13-7 victory against Green Bay as a 7.5-point favorite last Sunday. Las Vegas got upset by the New York Giants, 23-16, as a 3-point favorite last week. Kansas City is a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 51.5. Seven games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. The Los Angeles Lakers are at home against San Antonio at 3:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 222. Atlanta hosts Milwaukee at 6:40 PM ET as a 1-point favorite. Three games tip-off at 7:10 PM ET. Philadelphia plays at Houston as an 8.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 222.5. Golden State visits Charlotte as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 224.5. Brooklyn is at Oklahoma City as a 9-point road favorite with an over/under of 214.5. Denver plays at home against Portland at 8:10 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against Chicago at 9:40 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 217.5.Six games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Calgary travels to Ottawa at 5:08 PM ET as a -175 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Four games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. The New York Rangers are at home against New Jersey as a -145 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Washington hosts Pittsburgh as a -165 money line favorite with a total of 6. St. Louis plays at home against Edmonton as a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Boston hosts Montreal as a -200 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Anaheim plays at home against Vancouver at 8:08 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Five games are on national television in college basketball. Seton Hall plays at home against Yale on FS1 at noon PM ET as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 147. Florida hosts Florida State on ESPN at 1 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 145. South Carolina is at home against Western Kentucky on ESPNU at 5 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 147. Syracuse plays at home against Drexel on ESPN2 as a 16-point favorite with an over/under of 142.5. Minnesota visits Princeton on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite with a total of 135.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and CFL Previews and Odds - 11/13/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Nov 13, 2021

The Saturday sports card features action in the NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and the CFL.Week 11 of the college football season concludes with 51 games between FBS opponents. Seventeen games kick off the card in the initial noon PM ET to 3 PM ET window. Six games are on national television at noon PM ET. Oklahoma visits Baylor on Fox as a 5.5-point road favorite with the total set at 62.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Michigan travels to Penn State on ABC as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. Auburn plays at home against Mississippi State on ESPN as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 51. Wisconsin hosts Northwestern on ESPN2 as a 24.5-point favorite with an over/under of 41. SMU is at home against Central Florida on ESPNU as a 7-point favorite with a total of 60.5. Kansas State plays at home against West Virginia on FS1 as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 47. Twenty games start from 3:30 PM ET to 5:30 PM ET. Five games are on national television at 3:30 PM ET. Georgia travels to Tennessee on CBS as a 20-point road favorite with a total of 56. Ohio State is at home against Purdue on ABC as a 21-point favorite with an over/under of 64. Miami (Florida) visits Florida State on ESPN as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 61. Iowa State plays at Texas Tech on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 57.5. Marshall hosts UAB on the CBS Sports Network as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 55.5. Two more college football games kick off at 4 PM ET. Michigan State is at home against Maryland on Fox as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 61.5. Tulsa plays at Tulane on ESPNU as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 55. Fourteen games conclude the NCAAF card from 7 PM ET to 10:30 PM ET. Four games are on national television at 7 PM ET. Texas A&M visits Mississippi on ESPN as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 57.5. Kentucky plays at Vanderbilt on ESPN2 as a 21.5-point road favorite with a total of 52.5. Arizona State travels to Washington on FS1 as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 45.5. Air Force is at Colorado State on the CBS Sports Network as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 45.5. Two more college football games start on national television at 7:30 PM ET. Notre Dame plays at Virginia on ABC as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 63. Texas hosts Kansas on ESPNU as a 30.5-point favorite with a total of 62. Oklahoma State is at home against TCU on Fox at 8 PM ET as an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54. Three games are on national television at 10:30 PM ET. Oregon hosts Washington State on ESPN as a 14-point favorite with a total of 57.5. San Jose State plays at home against Utah State on FS1 as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 57.5. San Diego State is at home against Nevada on the CBS Sports Network as a 3-point favorite with a total of 45. Seven games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Utah plays at home against Miami at 5:10 PM ET as a 7-point favorite at BetRivers. Three games tip-off at 7:10 PM ET. Indiana hosts Philadelphia as a 2-point favorite at BetRivers. Washington visits Orlando as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 204. Memphis plays at New Orleans as a 2-point road favorite at BetRivers. Toronto plays at home against Detroit at 7:40 PM ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 202. Boston travels to Cleveland at 8:10 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 203. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against Minnesota at 10:40 PM ET as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 222.5. Thirteen games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Boston plays at New Jersey at 1:08 PM ET as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Six games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. The New York Rangers travel to Columbus as a -125 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Winnipeg plays at home against Los Angeles as a -190 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Toronto is at Buffalo as a -190 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Pittsburgh visits Ottawa as a -150 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Detroit hosts Montreal as a -125 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Tampa Bay plays at home against Florida as a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Carolina is at home against St. Louis at 7:38 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two NHL games start at 8:08 PM ET. Nashville hosts Arizona as a -280 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Dallas plays at home against Philadelphia as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Colorado is at home against San Jose at 9:08 PM ET as a -235 money line favorite with an over/under of 6. Two games complete the NHL card at 10:08 PM ET. Vegas hosts Vancouver as a -145 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Minnesota visits Seattle as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Six games are on national television in college basketball. Five games are on FS2 throughout the day. Connecticut hosts Coppin State at noon PM ET as a 35-point favorite at William Hill with a total of 145.5. Georgetown is at home against Dartmouth at 2 PM ET as a 16-point favorite with an over/under of 135.5. St. John’s plays at home against Saint Peter’s at 4 PM ET as a 13-point favorite with a total of 137. DePaul hosts Central Michigan at 6 PM ET as a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 145. Butler is at home against Troy at 8 PM ET as a 13.5-point favorite at BetRivers with a total of 130.5.Gonzaga plays at home against Texas on ESPN2 at 10:30 PM ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 151.Week 15 in the Canadian Football League concludes with two games on ESPN+. Winnipeg travels to Montreal at 1 PM ET as a 6-point road favorite with a total of 44.5. Saskatchewan hosts Edmonton at 4 PM ET as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 43.5.

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NFL'S Game 10 Elite Money-Maker

by Tom Stryker

Friday, Nov 12, 2021

The big boys on Sunday are getting down to crunch time.  There are a number of teams that will be playing their 10th game of the season and some need to make a move.  Time is running out and the margin for error is very slim. This week, I took a look at game 10 teams that were hovering around the .500 mark – at 5-4 SU and 4-5 SU.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that those teams will be extremely focused on winning.  The last thing a 5-4 SU team wants to do is fall back to 5-5 SU.  Obviously, a 4-5 SU team will be desperately trying to grab the “W” in order to even up their record.  A couple of outstanding technical situations were discovered.  Here is the best one:   Since 1980, PLAY AGAINST any game 10 guest that holds a 5-4 SU record provided they check in off a straight up win.  41-Year ATS Record = 40-18-5 ATS for 68.9 percent  This Week’s Play on Team = NEW ENGLAND and LAS VEGAS  Honestly, given the basic parameters, I thought a 5-4 SU team that is on the road and off a straight up victory would ride the wave of momentum and win again in order to get to 6-4 SU.  As it often does, the Team Stryker Database proved me wrong.   There is one tightener that can be added to the general system that makes it more effective.  If our “play against” side enters off the comforts of a home game and is lined up against a foe that holds a won/loss percentage of .400 or higher, this game 10 situation falls to a pitiful 4-24-1 ATS.  Please note:  Since 1990, this special tightener is on a ridiculous 1-17-1 ATS run including a jaw-dropping 0-17-1 ATS provided this is not a Monday night game.  The Raiders are the only team that applies to that perfect tightener. Good luck with the Silver and Black on Sunday!

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAB, NBA, NHL, CFL and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 11/12/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Nov 12, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in the NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and the CFL.Week 11 of the college football season continues with two games. Cincinnati visits South Florida on ESPN2 at 6 PM ET. The Bearcats maintained their unbeaten season with a 28-20 victory against Tulsa as a 22.5-point favorite on Saturday. They are 9-0 on the season. The Bulls lost their fifth game in their last six with a 54-42 defeat to Houston as a 13.5-point underdog on Saturday. South Florida has a 2-7 record. Cincinnati is a 23-point road favorite with the total set at 57.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise).Boise State hosts Wyoming on FS1 at 9 PM ET. The Broncos won their second-straight game with a 40-14 upset win at Fresno State as a 4-point underdog last week. The victory improved their record to 5-4. The Cowboys ended a four-game losing streak with a 31-17 upset victory against Colorado State as a 3.5-point underdog on Saturday. Wyoming is also 5-4. Boise State is a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 48.5. Eleven games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. New York travels to Charlotte at 7:10 PM ET as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 224.5. Two games tip-off at 7:40 PM ET. Milwaukee plays at Boston on ESPN as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under 214.5. Cleveland is at home against Detroit as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 203. Four more games start at 8:10 PM ET. Portland visits Houston as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 223.5. Phoenix plays at Memphis in a pick ‘em contest. Brooklyn is at New Orleans as a 7.5-point road favorite at BetRivers. Sacramento travels to Oklahoma City as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 218. Dallas visits San Antonio at 8:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 218. Denver plays at home against Atlanta as a 4.5-point favorite at BetRivers. Golden State hosts Chicago on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET as a 5.5-point favorite. The Los Angeles Lakers are at home against Minnesota at 10:40 PM ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 224. Five games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Four games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. Edmonton plays at Buffalo as a -175 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Toronto hosts Calgary as a -150 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Carolina is at home against Philadelphia as a -185 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5 Washington travels to Columbus as a -140 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Chicago plays at home against Arizona at 8:38 PM ET as a -190 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Ten games are on national television in college basketball. Richmond hosts Utah State on the CBS Sports Network at 6 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with a total of 137. Three games tip-off at 6:30 PM ET. Western Kentucky visits Minnesota on ESPNU as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 139.5. Xavier plays at home against Kent State on FS1 as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 143.5. Central Arkansas plays at Butler on FS2. Three more NCAAB games begin at 8:30 PM ET. New Hampshire travels to Marquette on FS2. Virginia Tech plays at Navy on the CBS Sports Network. West Virginia hosts Pittsburgh on ESPNU as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 137.5. South Carolina hosts Princeton at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN News as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 149. Stanford visits Santa Clara on the CBS Sports Network at 11 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite with an over/under of 137. UCLA plays at home against Villanova on ESPN2 as a 4.5-point favorite. Week 15 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with two games on ESPN+. Toronto plays at home against Hamilton at 7:30 PM ET as a 1-point favorite with a total of 45. Calgary visits British Columbia at 10:30 PM ET as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 46.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NCAAB, NFL, NCAAF, and NHL Previews and Odds - 11/11/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Nov 11, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB.The National Football kicks off Week 10 in the regular season with the Baltimore Ravens visiting the Miami Dolphins on Fox and the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET. The Ravens won their sixth game in their last seven with their 34-31 victory in overtime against Minnesota as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. They improved their record to 6-2. The Dolphins ended a seven-game losing streak with their 17-9 win against Houston as a 4-point favorite last week. Miami is 2-7 this season. Baltimore is a 7-point road favorite with the total set at 46.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Week 11 in the college football season continues with Pittsburgh hosting North Carolina on ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. The Panthers won their fifth game in their last six with a 54-29 victory at Duke as a 21-point favorite on Saturday. They improved their record to a 7-2 mark. The Tar Heels won their second game in their last three after a 58-55 win against Wake Forest as a 2.5-point favorite. Pittsburgh is a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 73.Three games are on the docket in the National Basketball Association. Philadelphia plays at home Toronto at 7:10 PM ET as a 2-point favorite. Utah is at home against Indiana at 9:10 PM ET as a 9-point favorite. The Los Angeles Clippers play at home against Miami at 10:40 PM ET as a 2.5-point favorite. Eleven games are on the slate in the National Hockey League. Five games drop the puck at 7:08 PM ET. Boston is at home against Edmonton as a -145 money line favorite with a total of 6. Calgary visits Montreal as a -140 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Los Angeles Kings travel to Ottawa in a game where both teams are priced at -110 with a total of 5.5. The New York Islanders play at New Jersey as a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Florida is at Pittsburgh as a -120 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Washington plays at Detroit at 7:38 PM ET as a -145 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Two NHL games start at 8:08 PM ET. St. Louis is at home against Nashville as a -175 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Winnipeg hosts San Jose as a -185 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Colorado is at home against Vancouver at 9:08 PM ET as a -170 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:08 PM ET. Vegas plays at home against Minnesota as a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Seattle hosts Anaheim as a -165 money line favorite with a total of 5.5.Two games are on FS1 in college basketball. Sacred Heart visits Providence at 6:30 PM ET. Kansas State plays at Creighton at 8:30 PM ET. 

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NFL Midway MVP Thoughts

by ASA, Inc.

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021

Coming off one of the most bizarre weeks in the NFL we find ourselves about halfway through the 2021 season. Tom Brady and Josh Allen are dead even atop most of the MVP odds. Brady fresh off a bye week and Allen trying to figure out how Urban Meyer’s Jags held his offense to 6 points. If either regress (similar to Russell Wilson in 2020) or have injury trouble, there is value in a few other names. Josh Allen                            +325Tom Brady                          +325Kyler Murray                      +700Matthew Stafford            +750Lamar Jackson                   +1000Aaron Rodgers                  +1200Dak Prescott                      +1200  Buy: Mathew Stafford had one of his worst games of the season in a surprising loss to the Titans. Two “Carson Wentz” like picks left a bad impression for viewers on Sunday night, yet Stafford still has 23 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions. This puts him on pace to finish with 43 TDs and 11 INTs. Those numbers would be good enough to win previous MVP’s depending on what year you look back at. Brady in 2017 threw for 32 TDs and 8 INTs. Lamar in 2019 threw for 36 and 6. If Stafford can keep the interceptions to a minimum, the Rams will be in prime contention come playoff time. Big touchdown numbers and a high seed are a great formula for MVP.  Buy: Dak Prescott is in a very similar situation in a loaded NFC. Dak missed a game and already has his bye week behind him putting him on pace for 41 TDs and 12 INTs. We are going to chalk up the Bronco’s loss to the week 9 craziness that happened all around the league. It may all come down to who wins out in the NFC with Brady, Murray, Stafford, Rodgers, and Prescott all very much alive to claim the top seed.  Sell: Kyler Murray is banged up and struggled mightily last year when not fully healthy, while Rodgers may be in the media doghouse for the year, maybe life. Lamar currently has 13 TDs with 7 picks so it is hard to see him making a push no matter how much he runs for. A small dip in production, or a few games out due to injury open the door wide open for Stafford and Prescott. 

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