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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 11/08/2023

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Nov 08, 2023

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and UEFA Champions League action.The 11th week in college football continues with three games on national television between FBS opponents. Two NCAAF games kick off at 7 PM ET. Bowling Green travels to Kent State on the CBS Sports Network as a 10-point road favorite, with the total set at 41 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Miami (OH) hosts Akron on ESPNU as a 17.5-point favorite with an over/under of 40.5. Toledo plays at home against Eastern Michigan on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET as a 19-point favorite with a total of 46.The National Basketball Association has 14 games on its docket. Three NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Charlotte Hornets are at home against the Washington Wizards as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 241. The Indiana Pacers host the Utah Jazz as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 244. The Boston Celtics visit Philadelphia to play the 76ers as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 228. Two more NBA games start at 7:40 PM ET. The Los Angeles Clippers play in Brooklyn against the Nets as a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 229. The New York Knicks play at home against the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN as a 9-point favorite with an over/under of 223.5. Six NBA games begin at 8:10 PM ET. The Chicago Bulls are at home against the Phoenix Suns as a 1-point favorite with a total of 221. The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Houston to play the Rockets as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 218.5. The Miami Heat play in Memphis against the Grizzlies as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 218.5. The Milwaukee Bucks host the Detroit Pistons as a 12-point favorite with an over/under of 227. The Minnesota Timberwolves play at home against the New Orleans Pelicans as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 219. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Oklahoma City to play the Thunder as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 229.5. The Dallas Mavericks are at home against the Toronto Raptors at 8:40 PM ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 224.5. Two more games conclude the NBA card at 10:10 PM ET. The Denver Nuggets host the Golden State Warriors on ESPN as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 227.5. The Sacramento Kings play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 221.The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. The Toronto Maple Leafs are at home against the Ottawa Senators at 7:07 PM ET as a -175 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The Florida Panthers visit Washington to play the Capitals on TNT as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights host the Los Angeles Kings on TNT at 10:07 PM ET as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The college basketball schedule has 28 games involving Division I teams tipping off at 6 PM ET. None of these games are on national television. Matchday 4 in the UEFA Champions League concludes with eight group-stage matches. Two matches start at 12:45 PM ET. Napoli plays at home against Union Berlin as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5 (all soccer odds from BetMGM). Read Sociedad is at home against Benfica as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Six matches conclude the UCL card at 3 PM ET. Bayern Munich hosts Galatasaray as a -2 goal-line favorite with a total of 4. Manchester United plays at FC Copenhagen as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Arsenal plays at home against Sevilla as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3. PSV Eindhoven is at home against Lens as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3. Real Madrid hosts Sporting Braga as a -2 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Inter Milan is at RB Salzburg on the CBS Sports Network as a -1 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. All eight Champions League matches are available on Paramount+.

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NCAA Football Top 10 Poll - Week 11

by Wayne Root

Tuesday, Nov 07, 2023

Michigan vs Penn St, Ole Miss vs Georgia and Oregon vs USC highlight this weekend games.   1. Michigan (9-0) We shall finally see if Michigan is worthy off the number 1 position as they have a meeting with Penn St this Saturday on the road. Meanwhile, for the ninth time in nine games, Michigan beat up a weaker opponent as it handled Purdue, 41-13, on Saturday. The Wolverines have won every game this season by at least 24 points, partially due to the fact that they still haven’t faced a top-25 team in PFF’s power rankings. On the off the gridiron news, disciplinary action is likely coming for Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh following the NCAA's investigation into sign-stealing and yesterday's resignation from staffer Connor Stalions. 2. Georgia (9-0) Georgia survived a scare from No. 12 Missouri on Saturday, escaping with a 30-21 victory. Carson Beck threw a pair of touchdown passes, Georgia scored 14 points in a decisive third quarter and the Bulldogs' championship-level defense came up with two crucial fourth-quarter interceptions to prove the difference against the upset-minded Tigers. Carson Beck continued to show why he’s one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country. His 90.0 passing grade this season ranks sixth among all signal-callers in the country. Making that even more impressive is the fact that his top target, Brock Bowers, has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury. While the Tigers were the best team the Bulldogs have played all season, Georgia hosts a top-10 team in Ole Miss this Saturday. 3. Washington (9-0) Dillon Johnson gashed USC for 256 yards rushing and four touchdowns as the Huskies stayed unbeaten in their quest to the reach the College Football Playoff. Michael Penix added two touchdown passes to his impressive total on the season, but it was Johnson's big plays on the ground that kept the Trojans at bay. Both teams surpassed 500 yards of total offense, but it was the Huskies who came up with two late stops when they needed them the most. The Washington-USC over/under was the highest among all games this weekend at 75.5, and the over still hit by nearly 20 points. In a game that produced 1,087 yards of total offense, Washington outlasted defensless USC 52-42. Michael Penix Jr. outdueled reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams in the shootout and staked his claim as one of the top contenders for this year’s award. The sixth-year senior tossed two big-time throws without any turnover-worthy plays in the victory and his 91.4 passing grade on the season is third among all signal-callers in the country. He’ll face a much stingier defense this Saturdayin Utah. 4. Ohio St (9-0) Rutgers had Ohio State on the ropes this past weekend, as the Scarlet Knights trailed by just five in the fourth quarter. Ohio State avoided a monumental upset with 28 points in the second half, erasing a halftime deficit in a big way to stay unbeaten. Jordan Hancock's 93-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter was the backbreaker for the Scarlet Knights, who had a chance to move ahead by two possessions inside the red zone. Marvin Harrison Jr. tacked on two trips to the end zone in the fourth quarter to give him 10 on the season. That was enough for the Buckeyes to slam the door shut on a potential upset and escape with a 35-16 victory. The bad news for the Buckeyes is at their quarterback position. While C.J. Stroud dominates in his rookie campaign for the Houston Texans, his replacement in Columbus has been solid but unspectacular. Kyle McCord has as many turnover-worthy plays (12) as big-time throws this year, and his 74.6 grade ranks just 66th among FBS quarterbacks. 5. Florida State (9-0) The Seminoles played one of their most complete defensive performances of the season in a road win over the Panthers and Jordan Travis threw for 360 yards en route to a 9-0 start. FSU clinched a spot in the ACC Championship Game with the win and will likely play Louisville the first weekend of December to determine a spot in the playoff for the Seminoles. Mike Norvell and his team aren't getting ahead of themselves, however. Despite being without his top two receivers, Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson, Jordan Travis still threw for 360 yards with a pair of big-time throws in a 24-7 win over Pittsburgh. While other top playoff contenders have difficult stretches to close out the season, the Seminoles are simply in the mode of “Don’t screw it up”. Florida State doesn’t play a ranked team until at least the ACC Championship Game, as it must face Miami (FL), North Alabama and Florida to close the season. 6. Alabama (8-1) In what ended up being an epic duel between dual-threat quarterbacks, Jalen Milroe and Alabama emerged victorious over then-No. 14 LSU, 42-28. The redshirt sophomore ran for 155 yards and four touchdowns against the Tigers, earning an 84.5 grade in the process. Milroe’s development this season has been extraordinary. Since being benched in Week 3, his 90.2 grade is fifth among all quarterbacks in the country. Fueled by Milroe's marvelous outing and a defense that only allowed seven points in the second half, Alabama moved closer to clinching another SEC West title under Nick Saban with a momentum-building win over the Tigers. Alabama scored the game's final 21 points after LSU moved ahead, 28-21, in the third quarter. Alabama was able to overcome a huge performance from LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to avenge last season's loss to the Tigers. 7. Oregon (8-1) Bo Nix threw four touchdown passes and ran for two other scores during Oregon's blitzing of the Bears. Oregon hasn't lost since the setback to Washington last month. This week's showdown at USC is pivotal for the Ducks, who are trying to stay at the top of the Pac-12 race with Washington in hopes of a redo of sorts in December's league title game. Speaking of quarterbacks with incredible growth, that’s precisely what Oregon has in Bo Nix. The fifth-year senior endured a tumultuous three years at Auburn to begin his career but has blossomed into one of the nation’s best signal-callers after moving to Eugene. Nix’s 91.6 passing grade this season paces all quarterbacks in college football, as does his 85.1% adjusted completion rate. If Nix and the Ducks continue their success the rest of the season, a Heisman could be featured in his trophy case. 8. Texas (8-1) Texas squandered a 20-point lead in the second half, but kept pace at the top of the Big 12 title hunt with a 33-30 overtime win over Kansas State. The Longhorns dodged the potential game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter after Chris Tennant whiffed on a 27-yard attempt, but he made up for it with one second left after nailing a 45-yarder to force overtime. The Longhorns were previously in total control behind strong performances on the ground from Jonathon Brooks and Cedric Baxter. Even though the Longhorns blew a massive lead, it was still an impressive win considering starting quarterback Quinn Ewers was once again out due to a shoulder injury. While Maalik Murphy has won two games in his stead, his performance has left plenty to be desired. The redshirt freshman has just a 52.4 passing grade this season with four big-time throws and six turnover-worthy plays. If Ewers is unable to go against TCU, it might be wise for head coach Steve Sarkisian to give Arch Manning a shot.  The true freshman was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class and is the next in line to the Manning quarterback dynasty. However, Manning might bolt to the transfer portal. 9. Penn St (8-1) After a sluggish two weeks that included a loss to Ohio State and a close win over Indiana, Penn State rebounded in a big way with a 51-15 victory over Maryland on Saturday. Penn State shook off the cobwebs quickly from last week's near-whiff against Indiana and disposed of the Terrapins without issue on the road behind four touchdown passes from Drew Allar. Kaytron Allen rushed for 91 yards and had a plunge into the end zone as the Nittany Lions improved to 8-1 and remained one game back of Big Ten East co-leaders Michigan and Ohio State coming down the stretch. Drew Allar finished with a career-high 91.3 grade on the day as the sophomore tossed a pair of big-time throws with no turnover-worthy plays. The Nittany Lions will need him and the rest of the team to find similar success this weekend as they take on undefeated Michigan in the Wolverines’ first true test of the season. 10. Ole Miss (8-1)  We almost moved the Rebels up in the poll. Depending on the outcome this Saturday, movement is definitely coming for Ole Miss whether they move forward or a team that disappears in the bottom 25. Ole Miss has quietly put together a very impressive resume thus far, beating current top-25 teams like LSU and Tulane while only losing to Alabama on the road. The Rebels’ stars were stars during a tight win over Texas A&M, one finalized after the Aggies’ potential game-tying field goal fell short of the crossbar in the final seconds. Jaxson Dart finished 24 of 33 for 387 yards and two touchdowns while Quinshon Judkins piled up 102 yards and three scores on the ground. Ole Miss was one game back of Alabama in the SEC West entering the day and battles unbeaten Georgia this weekend. Jaxson Dart is having a similarly underrated year, as his 91.0 grade is sixth among all quarterbacks in the country. Both he and the Rebels have a chance to make some serious noise this weekend against the defending back-to-back champs in Georgia.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NHL, NCAAB, and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 11/07/2023

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Nov 07, 2023

The Tuesday sports card features NCAAF, NHL, NCAAB, and UEFA Champions League action.The 11th week in college football begins with three games on national television between FBS opponents. Two NCAAF games kick off at 7 PM ET. Northern Illinois hosts Ball State on the CBS Sports Network. The Huskies were on a three-game winning streak before a 37-31 upset loss at Central Michigan as a 6.5-point favorite last Tuesday. The Cardinals lost for the fifth time in their last six games after a 24-21 loss at Bowling Green as a 5-point underdog on Wednesday. Northern Illinois is a 10-point favorite, with the total set at 43 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Western Michigan plays at home against Central Michigan on ESPNU at 7 PM ET. The Broncos ended their three-game losing streak with a 45-21 win at Eastern Michigan as a 3-point favorite on October 28th. The Chippewas won for the second time in their last three games after a 37-31 upset victory at Northern Illinois as a 6.5-point underdog on Tuesday. Western Michigan is a 3-point favorite with a total of 56.5. Ohio travels to Buffalo on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET. The Bobcats lost for the second time in their last three games in a 30-16 upset loss to Miami (OH) as a 7.5-point favorite on October 28th. The Bulls lost for the second time in their last three games in a 31-13 loss at Toledo as a 14.5-point underdog on Tuesday. Ohio is a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 44. The National Hockey League has ten games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The Carolina Hurricanes are at home against the Buffalo Sabres as a -198 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning play in Montreal against the Canadiens as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Two more NHL games start at 7:37 PM ET. The New York Islanders host the Minnesota Wild as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The New York Rangers play at home against the Detroit Red Wings on TNT as a -166 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The Winnipeg Jets are in St. Louis Blues at 8:07 PM ET as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Two more NHL games begin at 9:07 PM ET. The Seattle Kraken visit Arizona to play the Coyotes with both teams priced as a -110 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Calgary Flames are at home against the Nashville Predators as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. Two NHL games start at 10:07 PM ET. The Pittsburgh Penguins play in Anaheim against the Ducks as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche host the New Jersey Devils on TNT as a -175 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Philadelphia Flyers are in San Jose to play the Sharks at 10:37 PM ET as a -192 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5.The college basketball schedule has five games on national television. Two NCAAB games tip off at 7 PM ET. Georgetown plays at home against Le Moyne on FS2 as an 18.5-point favorite with an over/under of 145. St. John’s is at home against Stony Brook on FS1 as an 18-point favorite with a total of 143.5. Three NCAAB games start at 9 PM ET. DePaul hosts Purdue-Fort Wayne on FS2 as an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 143.5. Creighton plays at home against Florida A&M on FS1 as a 30-point favorite with a total of 136. Baylor battles Auburn on ESPN on a neutral court at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Bears are a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 143.Matchday 4 in the UEFA Champions League begins with eight group-stage matches. Two matches start at 12:45 PM ET. Newcastle United travels to Borussia Dortmund in a pick ‘em match with a total of 2.5. Barcelona plays at Shakhtar Donetsk as a -1.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5.Six matches conclude the UCL card at 3 PM ET. Atletico Madrid plays at home against Celtic on the CBS Sports Network as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3. Feyenoord is at RB Lazio in a pick ‘em match with an over/under of 2.5. Paris Saint-Germain visits Inter Milan as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Manchester City is at home against the Young Boys as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. RB Leipzig plays at Crvena Zvezda as a -1 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3. FC Porto hosts Antwerp as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. All eight Champions League matches are available on Paramount+.

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Your Best College Basketball Futures Right Now

by Oskeim Sports

Monday, Nov 06, 2023

It’s almost hard to believe, but the 2023-24 college basketball season tips off on Wednesday, November 8. That means it’s time to take a look at the college basketball futures market. There are a number of great values right now. Here, we take a look at four. Aggies Win March MadnessKey veteran returnees give Texas A&M a ton of experience. They have a standout point guard, play great defense, and rebound well. Those are keys to winning a national championship.  The Aggies, who finished 15-3 in the SEC last year and have returned every member of their starting lineup save for Dexter Dennis. Texas A&M would have received one of the top four seeds in the NCAA tournament last year if not for a poor non-conference strength of schedule and a few disappointing early losses. Wade Taylor IV is one of the top point guards in the nation and runs the offense. With Julius Marble, Henry Coleman III, and Andersson Garcia as their big men, A&M should be well-positioned to be a top rebounding team once again.  The Aggies also have a coach who has been there before. Buzz Williams, who led Marquette and Virginia Tech to the second round of the NCAA tournament and came perilously close to making it to the Final Four, will lead the Aggies again this season. You can get Texas A&M at a value at +5500 to win a national title this season. Is This Creighton’s Year?The stage has been set for a deep run this March by Creighton with two Sweet 16 appearances in the last three seasons. With their starting five, the Bluejays should be able to break into the top 10 early this season. They finished 12th in the KenPom rankings last season. Normally, a team that has historically built its roster through player development and continuity would find it impossible to overcome the losses of Arthur Kaluma and Ryan Nembhard. However, this offseason, head coach Greg McDermott hit the portal successfully. At point guard, Steven Ashworth is a fantastic addition because he combines deadly long-range shooting with effective playmaking. During his final season at Utah State, he averaged 16.2 points per game and made 43% of his three-point attempts. With Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner back, teams will have to play a pick-your-poison game every night because of their ability to shoot the basketball. Their final member of the big four, Baylor Scheierman, is a stat-sheet stuffer with a ton of March Madness experience. Creighton plays in a tough Big East conference which prepares them for the rigors of March Madness. McDermott has been there before and this could be the team that finally breaks into the Final Four. Creighton is a top-3 Big East team and at least a No. 5 seed in the tourney this year. You can bet the Bluejays to win it all at +3300. What Happened to Kentucky? There isn't a definite favorite to win the SEC this season, but Kentucky is still a strong contender at +600 to win the conference for the first time since 2020. In four of the previous five SEC seasons, the Wildcats have finished 12-6, 14-4, 15-3, and 15-3, but they have only won one conference title. Each year, head coach John Calipari adds to the Kentucky roster. This year, the Wildcats will still start a mix of freshmen alongside fifth-year guard Antonio Reeves and West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell. Calipari is feeling the heat in Lexington after early exits from the NCAA tourney the last few years.  They will host Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas, all favorites to win the conference. An upset here or there and the Wildcats may be worth a small stake to win the SEC at +600. Speaking of the SEC Given how loaded the SEC is, Arkansas has a good chance of winning the 2024 NCAA title. For some reason, no one is paying much attention to the Hogs in the conference battle.  Davonte Davis is back for Arkansas, and Trevon Brazile returns after a season-ending injury early in 2022. If Brazile hadn't been hurt, he was probably a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Head coach Eric Musselman added a number of key additions via the transfer portal.  The starting lineup includes El Ellis from Louisville, Chandler Lawson from Memphis, Keyon Menifield Jr. from Washington, Jeremiah Davenport from Cincinnati, Tramon Mark from Houston and Khalif Battle from Temple. And, Musselman landed two top-60 recruits in Baye Fall and Layden Blocker. The Razorbacks were ranked in the top 20 by KenPom in terms of both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. This is a team that can get it done on both ends of the floor. It’s why you should consider Arkansas to win the SEC Championship at +850.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 11/6/23

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Nov 06, 2023

The Monday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.Week 9 in the NFL concludes with one game. The Los Angeles Chargers travel to New York to play the Jets on ABC and ESPN at 8:15 PM ET. The Chargers are a 3.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 39.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). The National Basketball Association has 12 games on its docket. Four NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Golden State Warriors play in Detroit against the Pistons as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 228.5. The Indiana Pacers host the San Antonio Spurs as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 238. The Orlando Magic play at home against the Dallas Mavericks as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 224.5. The Philadelphia 76ers are at home against the Washington Wizards as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 227.5. Three NBA games start at 7:40 PM ET. The Milwaukee Bucks play in Brooklyn against the Nets as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 230. The Miami Heat host the Los Angeles Lakers as a 1-point favorite with a total of 221.5. The Los Angeles Clippers are in New York to play the Knicks as a 2-point road favorite with an over/under of 226.5. Four NBA games begin at 8:10 PM ET. The Chicago Bulls play at home against the Utah Jazz as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 223.5. The Houston Rockets are at home against the Sacramento Kings as a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 219. The Boston Celtics play in Minnesota against the Timberwolves as a 4-point road favorite with a total of 225.5. The Atlanta Hawks visit Oklahoma City to play the Thunder as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 236.5. The Denver Nuggets host the New Orleans Pelicans at 9:10 PM ET as a 6-point favorite with a total of 223. The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The Florida Panthers play at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -238 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs are at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Dallas Stars host the Boston Bruins at 8:07 PM ET as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers play at Vancouver against the Canucks at 10:07 PM ET as a -118 money-line road favorite with a total of 7. The college basketball season tips off with four games on national television on its schedule. Oregon plays at home against Georgia on truTV at 4 PM ET as a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 139.5. Rutgers is at home against Princeton on Peacock at 7 PM ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 137. USC visits Kansas State on TNT at 10 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 143. San Diego State plays at home against Cal-State Fullerton on FS1 as a 15-point favorite with a total of 131. Matchweek 11 in the English Premier League concludes with one match. Tottenham is at home against Chelsea at 3 PM ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 11/05/2023

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Nov 05, 2023

The Sunday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, and EPL action.Week 9 in the NFL continues with 12 games. Nine NFL games kick off at 1 PM ET. The Kansas City Chiefs battle the Miami Dolphins at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany on the NFL Network at 9:30 AM ET. The Chiefs are a 1-point favorite, with the total set at 50.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Seven NFL games tip off at 1 PM ET. The Atlanta Falcons play at home against the Minnesota Vikings as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 37.5. The Baltimore Ravens are at home against the Seattle Seahawks as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 44. The Cleveland Browns host the Arizona Cardinals as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 38. The Green Bay Packers play at home against the Los Angeles Rams as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 38. The Houston Texans are at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 40. The New England Patriots host the Washington Commanders as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 41. The New Orleans Saints play at home against the Chicago Bears as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 41. The Indianapolis Colts travel to Carolina to play the Panthers at 4:05 PM ET as a 2-point road favorite with a total of 44. Two more NFL games start at 4:25 PM ET. The Las Vegas Raiders are at home against the New York Giants as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 37.5. The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys as a 3-point favorite with a total of 47. Sunday Night Football on NBC has the Cincinnati Bengals playing at home against the Buffalo Bills at 8:20 PM ET. The Bengals are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 50.5. The National Basketball Association has five games on its docket. The Phoenix Suns visit Detroit to play the Pistons at 3:10 PM ET as a 5.5-point road favorite with a total of 222.5. The Toronto Raptors play in San Antonio against the Spurs at 3:40 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 224. The Cleveland Cavaliers are at home against the Golden State Warriors at 6:10 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 224. The Dallas Mavericks host the Charlotte Hornets at 7:40 PM ET as an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 236. The Memphis Grizzlies are in Portland to play the Trail Blazers at 9:10 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 218.5. The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. The New Jersey Devils travel to Chicago to play the Blackhawks at 7:07 PM ET as a -230 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights play in Anaheim against the Ducks at 8:07 PM ET as a -185 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Matchweek 11 in the English Premier League continues with two matches on the USA Network. Aston Villa is at Nottingham Forest at 9 AM ET as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Liverpool travels to Luton Town at 11:30 AM ET as a -2 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3.5.

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NFL Top 10 Poll - Week 9

by Wayne Root

Saturday, Nov 04, 2023

Is the cream of the NFL separating from the rest and able to hold their position this upcoming week? 1. Philadelphia (7-1)It’s a huge conference game this week for the Eagles as they get set to play Dallas. The Cowboys defense is fortunate that Jalen Hurts is limping heavily. The Eagles made it another wild game with the Commanders this season but they showed their offense with Jalen Hurts is fine getting it done when it can't really run. A.J. Brown seems to have become unstoppable downfield. A.J. Brown is making a case for MVP.2. Baltimore (6-2)They’re the best team in the NFL’s best division. However, they have a very difficult game this week against the Seahawks. Pete Carroll Will certainly make life miserable for Lamar and Co. The Ravens don't get a lot of style points for getting a little sloppy defensively at the end of their game at Arizona, but keep in mind they were riding the high of the Lions rout and had a mini letdown ahead of bigger matchups. Still, Lamar Jackson and the running game kept doing their thing.3. Miami (6-2)Germany gets the best game the NFL has ever exported, with a pair of top-five teams as the Dolphins meet the Chiefs. The Dolphins took care of their trap game at home against the Patriots by unleashing their usual brand of offense, backed by key improved pressure and coverage defense. It will be fun when Mahomes and Hill are on the same field again in Frankfurt. Watch out, autobahn.4. Jacksonville (6-2)Having their bye week at the pinnacle of their hot streak is somewhat unlucky for the Jags. The Jaguars are the hottest team in the AFC, having won five consecutive games. They have taken care of the Bills and Steelers far away from Jacksonville along the way. The defense keeps making key plays and the offense gets it done however it feels with Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Only the bye cools them off. A San Francisco showdown — and potential Super Bowl preview — is coming after their bye. It’ll be interesting to see how they respond after this layoff. 5. Kansas City (6-2)It was eventual that Patrick Mahomes would lose to a losing team and also lose to the Broncos. He got it out of his system with a turnover mess in Denver that set up their first loss since Week 1. Perhaps they were also caught looking ahead to the track meet with the team now right behind them in Germany next week. Will the Chiefs develop any viable option in the passing game after Travis Kelce? Does having Taylor Swift as the number 1 media sensation help Kelce and the team or distract them?6. Dallas (5-2)They’ve quietly developed the best home-field advantage in the league. The Cowboys tend to rock after a bye with Dak Prescott and he was the big reason for the massive victory over the Rams. Prescott had his best passing game, confident throwing everywhere downfield. The defense and special teams got back into their complementary mojo, too. The Cowboys defense should be able to contain Jalen Hurts as he’s limping badly the past few days. It’s the Cowboys must win game of their year. 7. San Francisco (5-3)That win over the Cowboys seems like it was a very long time ago. The elapsed time will actually seem much longer as they enter their bye week. The 49ers have hit a low with a three-game losing streak. It's all tied to Brock Purdy coming down to earth and making more mistakes than big plays. He is still using his weapons well but they do miss Deebo Samuel. The bigger question is, what happened to the defense dominating?8. Seattle (5-2)What a difference a year makes in the NFL. Geno Smith hasn't quite lit it up. The running game is up and down. The defense is trying to figure out more answers after a slow start. Yet, the Seahawks, thanks to the 49ers losing, are in first place in the division. They'll get a good test in Baltimore this week to see just how complete they are this time under Pete Carroll. We’ll find out who they are starting on Thanksgiving, when the 49ers come to town.9. Buffalo (5-3)This game this week in Cincinnati should bring up many memories. The Bills went back to letting Josh Allen loose with his running and passing and it got the offense somewhat going again, with major help from a traditional rushing attack. But the defense still is undergoing transitional pains vs. the pass. And Burrows is coming around at just the right time. With three losses, Buffalo needs to right the course. However, they’re going to have their hands full in Cincinnati.10. Detroit (6-2)The jury is still out concerning the Detroit Lions. The Lions know how to win and defeat the lower talented teams but that’s where it ends so far. The Lions stumbled for a second time this season against the Ravens in Week 8 after losing earlier to the Seahawks. They got well with everything, especially the running game and defense, vs. the Raiders at home on Monday night. The No. 1 seed isn’t impossible, given the schedule. They are currently on their bye week. 

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Michigan's Sign-Stealing Scandal Under Jim Harbaugh

by Oskeim Sports

Saturday, Nov 04, 2023

Many well-known members of the national sports media have advocated for Michigan to be punished prior to the conclusion of an NCAA investigation. That is not the answer and if Michigan were a Group of 5 school that hadn’t won a ton of games over the past few seasons, this issue wouldn’t even be on everyone’s radar. One FOX Sports analyst used social media on Thursday to provide the Big Ten conference with a much-needed voice of reason regarding the NCAA investigation into the Michigan football program. Reports suggest that a Michigan staffer attended games of Wolverines' opponents and recorded them. That is not permitted according to NCAA rules. The FOX analyst said that the level of resentment for the Wolverines is directly related to the amount of success they have had recently. Every NCAA or Big Ten infraction should be handled the exact same way. There should be no decisions made until the investigation is finished. A number of well-known ESPN personalities and others are urging the Big Ten to take immediate action. A majority of Big Ten coaches have urged the conference’s commissioner, Tony Petitti to levy punishment on Michigan right away.  In any other case involving the breaking of NCAA or conference rules, there is an investigation. All relevant facts are collected, sorted out, and a decision is made. Why would that be different in this case? According to this FOX analyst and many others, it’s because Michigan has enjoyed tremendous success over the past two seasons. The Wolverines have made each of the last two College Football Playoffs.  Connor Stalions, a Michigan off-field staff member, reportedly attended - or paid for someone else to attend - games of Michigan opponents. The games were filmed along with the coaches on the sideline in an effort to break down opponents’ signals. There are no rules against breaking down and “stealing” an opponent’s signals. What is prohibited is scouting an FBS opponent in person. Proving that is going to be difficult for the NCAA and/or the Big Ten. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has stated that he and his staff had no knowledge of what Stalions was doing. Stalions is an interesting character who wrote a whole 600-page “manifesto” on how he was going to take over the Michigan football program. He is in his first year as a paid member of the Michigan football staff, though Stalions serves in an off-the-field role. He’s a Naval Academy graduate and a retired Marine Corps captain. Whatever happens, it might be time for the NCAA or the FBS conferences to start looking into helmet audio technology. The NFL has been using it for years. There is even new technology, developed by AT&T, that allows players to actually see a play call on a small screen inside the facemask of the helmet. The technology was developed for Gaulladet University, which is a school for non-hearing, i.e. deaf, students. Of course, the argument against technology is that not all 133 FBS programs could afford it. The NCAA, however, could surely front the bill. The organization had revenues of nearly $1 billion in 2022 on TV and marketing rights alone.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL, CFL and EPL Previews and Odds - 11/04/2023

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Nov 04, 2023

The Saturday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, CFL, and EPL action.The tenth week in NCAAF college football concludes with 53 games between FBS opponents. Seven NCAAF games kick on national television at noon ET. Ohio State travels to Rutgers on CBS as an 18.5-point road favorit,e with the total set at 42.5 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise). Mississippi hosts Texas A&M on ESPN as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 52. Notre Dame plays at Clemson on ABC as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 44.5. Texas is at home against Kansas State on Fox as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 50. Florida plays at home against Arkansas on ESPN2 as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 49. Nebraska is at Michigan State on FS1 as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 34.5. South Carolina hosts Jacksonville State on ESPNU as a 15-point favorite with a total of 55. Virginia is at home against Georgia Tech on The CW at 2 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 56. Air Force battles Army at Empower Field at Mile High on the CBS Sports Network at 2:30 PM ET as a 17.5-point favorite with a total of 32. Eight NCAAF games on national television start at 3:30 PM ET. Iowa faces Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Peacock as a 5-point road favorite with an over/under of 31. Georgia plays at home against Missouri on CBS as a 15-point favorite with a total of 55. Florida State visits Pittsburgh on ESPN as a 21.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 50. Central Florida plays at Cincinnati on FS1 as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 60. Oklahoma is at Oklahoma State on ABC as a 6-point road favorite, with an over/under of 62. Tulane travels to East Carolina on ESPNU as a 17-point road favorite with a total of 45.5. James Madison plays at Georgia State on ESPN2 as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 53. Penn State is at Maryland on Fox as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 50. Two more nationally televised NCAAF games begin at 6 PM ET. Liberty hosts Louisiana Tech on the CBS Sports Network as a 15-point favorite with an over/under of 58.5. Appalachian State is at home against Marshall on the NFL Network as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 55.5. Four nationally televised NCAAF games start at 7 PM ET. Iowa State plays at home against Kansas on ESPN as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5. West Virginia hosts BYU on Fox at 7 PM ET as a 12-point favorite with a total of 48.5. Utah State visits San Diego State on FS1 as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 57. Washington plays at USC on ABC and ESPN2 as a 3-point road favorite with a total of 77. Michigan is at home against Purdue on NBC as a 32.5-point favorite with an over/under of 52.5. Alabama plays at home against LSU on CBS at 7:45 PM ET as a 3-point favorite with a total of 61.5. Washington State hosts Stanford on ABC at 9 PM ET as a 13-point favorite with an over/under of 59. Two more NCAAF games on national television begin at 10 PM ET. Oregon State is at Colorado on ESPN as a 13-point road favorite with a total of 61.5. Fresno State is at home against Boise State on the CBS Sports Network as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5. UCLA travels to Arizona on FS1 at 10:30 PM ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 50.5. The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. The Phoenix Suns play in Philadelphia against the 76ers at 1:10 PM ET. Three more NBA games tip off at 7:10 PM ET. The Charlotte Hornets are at Indiana to face the Pacers. The Los Angeles Lakers visit Orlando to play the Magic as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 218.5. The Atlanta Hawks play in New Orleans against the Pelicans. Three NBA games start at 8:10 PM ET. The Boston Celtics are in Brooklyn to play the Nets as a 9.5-point road favorite with a total of 229.5. The Sacramento Kings travel to Houston to play the Rockets. The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Utah Jazz as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 226.5. The Chicago Bulls play in Denver against the Nuggets at 9:10 PM ET. The National Hockey League has 15 games on its slate. The Edmonton Oilers are at home against the Nashville Predators at 3:07 PM ET as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets play in Arizona against the Coyotes at 4:07 PM ET as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Five NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 PM ET. The St. Louis Blues play at home against the Montreal Canadiens as a -118 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Boston Bruins visit Detroit to play the Red Wings as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Ottawa Senators are at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning as a -120 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres as a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Washington Capitals play at home at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. Two NHL games start at 7:37 PM ET. The Carolina Hurricanes travel to New York to play the Islanders as a -120 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Los Angeles Kings play in Philadelphia against the Flyers as a -170 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Two more NHL games begin at 8:07 PM ET. The Florida Panthers are in Chicago against the Blackhawks as a -198 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Minnesota Wild are at home against the New York Rangers as a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 6. The NHL card concludes with four games at 10:07 PM ET. The Seattle Kraken host the Calgary Flames as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The Pittsburgh Penguins play in San Jose against the Sharks as a -230 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Dallas Stars visit Vancouver to play the Canucks as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The Colorado Avalanche are in Vegas to play the Golden Knights, with both teams priced at -110 with a total of 6.5.The playoffs begin in the Canadian Football League with the two divisional semifinal contests. The Montreal Alouettes play at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 48. The British Columbia Lions are at home against the Calgary Stampeders at 6:30 PM ET as a 7-point favorite with a total of 49.5.Matchweek 11 in the English Premier League begins with seven matches. Manchester United plays at Fulham on the USA Network at 8:30 PM ET as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5 (all soccer odds from BetMGM). Four more EPL matches start at 11 AM ET. Brentford hosts West Ham United as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Crystal Palaces visits Burnley in a pick ‘em match with an over/under of 2.5. Brighton and Hove Albion is at Everton as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 3. Manchester City plays at home against Bournemouth on the USA Network as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Wolverhampton plays at Sheffield United as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Arsenal travels to Newcastle United on NBC at 1:30 PM ET in a pick ‘em match with an over/under of 2.5.

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NCAA Basketball Futures Wager: Purdue to Win the 2024 Championship

by Al McMordie

Saturday, Nov 04, 2023

Back in 2018, the Virginia Cavaliers were seeded #1 in the Men's NCAA basketball tournament, but became the first #1 seeded-team to lose to a #16 seed.  Maryland-Baltimore County was a whopping 20.5-point underdog, but upset the Cavaliers by a staggering 20 points.  That following season, I had Virginia as my futures play at 22-1 odds, as I thought the ignominy of losing to a #16 seed would fuel Tony Bennett's men throughout the season, and catapult them to a National Championship.  Indeed, it was my favorite futures play of any I have made in my 45 years of sports handicapping.  Sure enough, the Cavaliers played great that season, finished with a 29-3 record in the regular season, and were ranked as the #1 team for much of the season.  Not bad value for a 22-1 ticket.  They then finished off the job by winning their six games in the Tourney (and I pressed them every game along the way by playing them on the moneyline).I thought I would never have another opportunity to take a team on a futures bet that was coming off a loss to a #16 seed.  And that was for two reasons.  First, I didn't think I would see such an upset again in my lifetime (I'm old).  And, second, one not only has to get a #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed, but that team has to also have a reasonable chance to win the following season.  But, lo and behold, the Purdue Boilermakers have given us this opportunity.  They were seeded #1 last year, and got smacked, 63-58, by the 23-point underdog, Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (who almost pulled the trick 38 years earlier when they narrowly lost to #1-seeded Michigan, 59-55).  There was a chance that center Zach Edey would depart for the NBA.  But he elected to return to West Lafayette, and that cemented Purdue as a National Title contender.Matt Painter's team returns nine of its 10 rotation players from last season.  Only Brandon Newman (6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.1 apg) has departed.  The Boilers will also welcome two new players in Myles Colvin and Lance Jones.  Colvin is a 6'6" freshman guard with NBA potential, while Jones transferred from Southern Illinois, where he poured in 13.8 ppg and pulled down 3.1 boards last season.I like Painter as a coach (notwithstanding his post-season failures), and believe that Purdue will earn a #1 seed (they're ranked #3 in the preseason poll).  Currently, Purdue is 15-1 at BetMGM.  Take the Boilermakers to win the National Championship.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA and NHL Previews and Odds - 11/03/2023

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Nov 03, 2023

The Thursday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, and NHL action.The tenth week in NCAAF college football continues with two games on national television between FBS opponents. Syracuse hosts Boston College on ESPN2 at 7:30 PM ET. The Orange are on a four-game losing streak after their 38-10 loss at Virginia Tech as a 2.5-point underdog on Thursday. The Eagles are on a four-game winning streak after their 21-14 win against Connecticut as a 14.5-point favorite on Saturday. Syracuse is a 3-point favorite, with the total set at 51 (all odds from DraftKings unless indicated otherwise).The Wyoming Cowboys play at home against Colorado State on the CBS Sports Network at 8 PM ET. The Cowboys are on a two-game losing streak after their 32-7 loss at Boise State as a 4.5-point underdog last Saturday. The Rams lost for the third time in their last four games with a 30-13 loss to Air Force as a 14.5-point underdog on Saturday. Wyoming is a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 42. The National Basketball Association tips off the In-Season Tournament with its first Tournament Night with seven games on its docket. The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Indiana to play the Pacers at 7:10 PM ET. The Cavaliers ended a three-game losing streak with their 95-89 upset victory at New York as a 6-point underdog on Wednesday. The Pacers are on a two-game losing streak after their 155-104 loss at Boston as a 13-point underdog on Wednesday. Cleveland is a 4.5-point road favorite at BetMGM with a total of 222.5.The Milwaukee Bucks are at home against the New York Knicks on ESPN at 7:40 PM ET. The Bucks lost for the second time in their last three games after a 130-111 upset loss at Toronto as a 4.5-point favorite on Wednesday. The Knicks lost for the second time in their last three games in their loss to Cleveland on Wednesday. Milwaukee is a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 228. Three NBA games tip off at 8:10 PM ET. The Miami Heat host the Washington Wizards. The Heat have lost four games in a row after their 109-105 loss to Brooklyn as a 6.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Wizards are on a two-game losing streak after a 109-105 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. Miami is a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 226.5. The Chicago Bulls play at home against the Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls lost for the second time in their last three games with their 114-105 loss at Dallas as a 3.5-point underdog on Wednesday. The Nets are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Heat on Wednesday. Chicago is a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 220. The Golden State Warriors visit Oklahoma City. The Warriors won their fourth straight game with a 102-101 victory against Sacramento as a 7-point favorite on Wednesday. The Thunder lost for the second time in their last three games with a 110-106 upset loss to New Orleans as a 3.5-point favorite on Wednesday. Golden State is a 5.5-point road favorite with a total of 229. Two games conclude the NBA card at 10:10 PM ET. The Denver Nuggets are at home against the Dallas Mavericks on ESPN. The Nuggets had won their first four games of the season before a 110-89 upset loss at Minnesota on Wednesday. The Mavericks have won their first four games of the season after their victory against the Bulls on Wednesday. Denver is a 7.5-point favorite at BetMGM with an over/under of 227.5. The Memphis Grizzlies play in Portland against the Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies remain winless in their last five games after a 133-109 loss at Utah as a 1.5-point underdog on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers are on a two-game winning streak with a 110-101 upset win at Detroit as a 3-point underdog on Wednesday. Memphis is a 2-point road favorite with a total of 218. The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. The Buffalo Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:07 PM ET as a -185 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. The New Jersey Devils are in St. Louis to play the Blues at 8:07 PM ET as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. 

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NCAA Football Top 10 Poll - Week 10

by Wayne Root

Thursday, Nov 02, 2023

By Wayne Allyn Root The Top 5 teams have moved around this week as the teams move into conference play. The lines will be tightened up as will the performances of the Coaches and players.   1. Ohio St The Ohio State Buckeyes are the best team in college football. Entering Week 9, the Buckeyes had the highest Football Power Index in the nation, putting them over Michigan and Georgia by a fairly significant margin. The Buckeyes avoided a hangover one week after beating Penn State, winning at Wisconsin by two touchdowns. Plus, the Buckeyes’ offense has been producing through injuries to key players. Quarterback Kyle McCord wasn’t great, although wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. was. And the Ohio State defense was once again tremendous, which has been the case all year. Victories over Notre Dame – on the road – and against Penn State further demonstrate why Ohio State has earned the No. 1 spot in our college football rankings for the last three weeks. 2. Michigan I dropped Michigan from the No. 1 spot because of their popcorn schedule. It’s totally embarrassing. The Michigan Wolverines don’t have a win over a ranked opponent this season, but they are continuing to dominate in the midst of the biggest scandal in college football this season. Fortunately for Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy, they can cross off that last remaining hole on their resume in Week 11 with a victory against Penn State. Next week, the Wolverines play Purdue before taking a fascinating road trip to Penn State. While the Nittany Lions are at home, we’ll always bet on Harbaugh and McCarthy against a James Franklin-coached team. 3. Georgia The Georgia Bulldogs aren’t the same without Brock Bowers, but Kirby Smart and Co. have proven countless times they can overcome injury. Life without tight end Brock Bowers started off on the right foot. Georgia clobbered Florida 43-20, moving to 8-0. On Saturday, Georgia’s offense did just that. Carson Beck racked up over 300 yards through the air, with Ladd McConkey stepping up for a huge performance. Between that and a strong ground game with a defense still playing at a high level, Georgia has equaled Michigan in our eyes when comparing the top teams in the nation. The Bulldogs enter a fascinating stretch of games, starting with a home matchup against Missouri. The following week, Georgia plays Ole Miss before taking a road trip to Tennessee. 4. Washington   For the second week, Washington struggled mightily against lesser competition. This is it for the Washington Huskies. Led by Michael Penix Jr., head coach Kalen DeBoer’s program has won 15 consecutive games since October 15, 2023. It’s been all thanks to one of the best offenses in college football over the last two years. Penix remains a frontrunner according to the latest Heisman odds. The Huskies are unbeaten, although the signs are concerning. Now, the Huskies head into their most challenging stretch with matchups against the USC Trojans, Utah Utes and Oregon State Beavers. 5. Florida St Florida State made quick work of Wake Forest, cruising to a 41-16 win. The Florida State Seminoles offense put on a clinic this Saturday against Wake Forest. Travis, one of the leading Heisman candidates, had one of his best performances through the air in 2023 with Trey Benson and Keon Coleman coming through with big performances. Plus, the Seminoles’ defense played well. For the Seminoles, everything is still in front of them. They’ll play at Pittsburgh next, and they’ll be a favorite in every remaining game. With two quality wins on the year already, Florida State can now go for style points as it controls its destiny in the CFP race. 6. Alabama   Nick Saban has had much better teams, but this one has heart and spunk. The bye week came at the perfect time for the Alabama Crimson Tide, providing a banged-up team with much-needed rest. Plus, Alabama’s offense showed a lot more life in its Week 8 victory over Tennessee and that second-half performance provided a lot to build from. LSU’s high-power offense is coming to town, and the environment promises to be one of the best we get all season. This is a yearly ritual and a massive football game all at once. As long as the Crimson Tide’s offensive line holds up against LSU’s pass rush, the Crimson Tide should roll to victory in Week 10. 7. Oregon The Oregon Ducks needed a signature win on Saturday to sustain any slim hope of sneaking into the CFP picture. The Ducks traveled to Utah, and they responded with an emphatic win that showcased their talent and depth on both sides of the ball. In a tough spot on the road against the Utah Utes, the Ducks came through in emphatic fashion thanks to Bo Nix. With Texas missing Quinn Ewers, the Ducks move up a few spots. There are meaningful games still to come, but there’s only one road game remaining. This team feels like a real threat at the moment. The path to even making the top five is difficult, but the Ducks can at least have a shot if they head into the Civil War (Nov. 24) with a 10-1 record. 8. Ole Miss The victories are rarely pretty for the Ole Miss Rebels, but they do have wins over two ranked opponents this season and entered Saturday 13th in FPI. The next two games will tell us plenty. Ole Miss plays Texas A&M and at Georgia, which will ultimately swing this ranking up or down. The Rebels are rarely going to win in dominating fashion and that likely includes next Saturday’s matchup at home against Texas A&M. If Lane Kiffin’s program wants more national recognition, it will need to pull off a stunner in Georgia on Nov. 11. We wouldn’t count on that happening, but Quinshon Judkins at least gives Ole Miss a shot. 9. Oklahoma The effort we saw last Saturday in a two-point victory over Central Florida carried over into Week 9. And after beating Texas just a few short weeks ago, the team was rocked. There will be a lot of finger-pointing in Norman after Saturday, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel shouldering some if not most of the responsibility. Our biggest takeaway, though, is Brent Venables’ reputation as a brilliant defensive mind has not translated to much on-field success by his defense in recent weeks. It doesn’t get immediately easier. Oklahoma heads to Oklahoma State for a massive rivalry game. The Sooners’ playoff hopes are effectively toast. 10. Texas  The Texas Longhorns should be favored in every remaining game on their regular-season schedule and victories will keep them in the top 10. When stacking up the best teams in college football, though, that’s where the Quinn Ewers injury really hurts. Despite playing without its starting QB, Texas destroyed BYU. Backup QB Maalik Murphy wasn’t perfect, but he did account for two touchdowns. While he’s not out for the season, starting a very inexperienced quarterback always significantly reduces a team’s margin for error in each game and that puts Texas at risk of an upset loss. In a massive week of games, Texas has a doozy. The Longhorns welcome surging Kansas State to town, and a win will not be easy.

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