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NHL Off the Post: October 12th

by Sean Murphy

Monday, Oct 12, 2026

With the 2026-27 NHL season just getting underway, here's a look at some news and notes from around the league to help with your daily hockey handicapping. Burning up While not much was expected of them this season, the Flames couldn't have asked for a much worse start as they've now dropped five straight games following Saturday's 4-2 loss to Anaheim. In fact, Calgary's opening stretch has been the worst in franchise history, and things aren't likely to get any easier if the team can't find a way to tighten things up defensively. The Flames have already shown some ability to generate offense, but that's of little consolation when they're struggling to keep pucks out of their own net. Dustin Wolf has his work cut out for him, and until this team starts showing some consistency at both ends of the ice, it's difficult to justify backing Calgary at anything other than a generous price and even that might be a stretch. Gale force winds The defending Stanley Cup champions are wasting little time reminding everyone why they're the team to beat as Carolina picked up its fifth straight victory with Sunday's 4-1 win over Philadelphia. Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov continue to lead the way offensively, while Mark Jankowski has chipped in with goals in four consecutive games. The Hurricanes have been getting contributions throughout the lineup, which is always a good sign for a team looking to repeat as champions. The goaltending situation remains something to monitor, but Carolina is doing a good job of making life easier for whoever is between the pipes. They'll return home to host Washington on Tuesday before heading out on a long five-game road trip that includes four stops in western Canada.Losing sleep in NYC? The Rangers have enjoyed a terrific start on home ice, improving to 4-0-0 at Madison Square Garden after Sunday's convincing 6-2 victory over Vancouver. Unfortunately, the good news comes with a significant caveat as star goaltender Igor Shesterkin has suffered a season-ending injury. That's a massive blow for a team that relies heavily on its goaltending, and it remains to be seen whether Dylan Garand can handle the increased workload or if they'll need to reach into their deep pockets for help. Garand made 19 saves in his first start in Shesterkin's absence, while New York's offense did its part with six goals. A team I was higher than most on entering the season, the Rangers have enough talent to remain competitive, but we'll need to pay close attention to the team's defensive play and goaltending numbers in the coming weeks. A strong start can vanish into a distant memory when a club loses its most important player. Duck season While plenty of attention has been focused on the league's traditional contenders, Anaheim has quietly put together an encouraging start to the campaign. The Ducks improved to four wins in their first five games with Sunday's victory over Calgary, showing an ability to get the job done in a game that was still very much in doubt entering the third period. Ryan Poehling played a key role before leaving with a knee injury, while the Ducks received goals from Frank Vatrano, Jackson LaCombe and Nikita Nesterenko. Goaltender Ville Husso also made 27 saves in his season debut. It's obviously much too early to suggest Anaheim is ready to make a serious run up the Western Conference standings, but this is a team that deserves some respect if it continues to get contributions from throughout the lineup. The injury situation is worth monitoring, particularly with Poehling and Cutter Gauthier both dealing with issues, but the Ducks have certainly done enough early on to warrant a closer look.Streets of Philadelphia It's been a miserable opening stretch for the Flyers, who remain without a win after seven games and are coming off another frustrating loss to Carolina. The latest defeat was particularly concerning because Philadelphia managed just one goal against a Hurricanes club that was in a back-to-back situation. The Flyers have now lost 11 straight games when including the end of last season, and confidence can't be particularly high in the dressing room at the moment. Of course, there is plenty of time to turn things around, but the longer this losing streak continues, the more pressure will mount on the coaching staff and the players to produce results. From a handicapping standpoint, the key will be determining whether Philadelphia is genuinely struggling to compete or simply running into a difficult stretch of opponents (it seems to be a bit of both). Until the Flyers start showing more consistent offensive production and find a way to close out games, there's little reason to rush to back them simply because the price looks appealing.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 10/12/26

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Oct 12, 2026

The Monday sports card features NFL, MLB, NHL, and EPL action. Week 5 in the NFL concludes with one game. The Los Angeles Rams host the Buffalo Bills on ABC/ESPN at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Rams have won two of their last three games after their 24-20 win at Philadelphia as a 3.5-point favorite last Sunday. The Bills had won three games in a row before their 29-26 upset loss at home against New England as a 7.5-point favorite last Sunday. Los Angeles is a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 54.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Major League Baseball postseason continues with two games in the American and National League Championship Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers on Fox at 5:00 p.m. ET. The Brewers took the opening game of this best-of-seven series with their 2-1 victory at home last night. They have won 12 of their last 14 games. The Dodgers send out Yoshinobu Yamamoto to take the hill to pitch against Milwaukee’s Logan Henderson. Los Angeles is a -136 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7. The Tampa Bay Rays play at home against the Cleveland Guardians in the opening game of their best-of-seven American League Championship Series. The Rays have won five of their previous six games after completing their three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the ALDS with a 4-3 victory on the road against the Yankees on Thursday. The Guardians have won three games in a row after their 3-2 win at home against the Chicago White Sox in Game Five of that ALDS. Drew Rasmussen gets the ball for Tampa Bay to face Foster Griffin for Cleveland. The Rays are a -172 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. The Florida Panthers play in Buffalo against the Sabres at 1:10 p.m. ET as a -112 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6. The New Jersey Devils are at home to take on the Ottawa Senators at 7:10 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Minnesota Wild host the Vegas Golden Knights at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -118 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Matchweek 6 in the English Premier League concludes with one match. Newcastle United are on the road against Coventry City on the USA Network at 3:00 p.m. ET. The Magpies have won two of their last three matches after their 2-1 victory against Hull City on September 19th before the three-week international break. With eight points in EPL play, they are in 11th place on the table. The Sky Blues ended a four-game losing streak with a 1-0 win on the road against Nottingham Forest on September 19th. Their one point in five matches places them in a tie with two other clubs for 17th place on the EPL table. Newcastle United is a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 10/11/26

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Oct 11, 2026

The Sunday sports card features NFL, MLB, NHL, and EPL action. Week 5 in the NFL continues with 13 games. The Jacksonville Jaguars challenge the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on the NFL Network at 9:30 a.m. ET. The Jaguars are a 7.5-point favorite, and the total is set at 41.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Eight NFL games kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Chicago Bears travel to Green Bay to play the Packers as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 46.5. The New England Patriots host the Las Vegas Raiders as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 45.5. The Cincinnati Bengals play in Miami against the Dolphins as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 43.5. The New York Jets are at home to take on the Cleveland Browns as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 39.5. The Minnesota Vikings are on the road in New Orleans to face the Saints as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 41.5. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 43.5. The Washington Commanders play at home against the New York Giants as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 41.5. The Houston Texans visit the Tennessee Titans as a 7-point road favorite with a total of 37.5. Three NFL games start in the second afternoon window. The Denver Broncos play in Los  Angeles against the Chargers at 4:05 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 41.5. Two more NFL games begin at 4:25 p.m. ET. The Seattle Seahawks are at home to battle the San Francisco 49ers as a 3-point favorite with a total of 45.5. The Detroit Lions are on the road in Arizona to play the Cardinals as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 54.5. Sunday Night Football on NBC features the Atlanta Falcons hosting the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Falcons are a 3-point favorite with a total of 43.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with Game 1 in the National League Championship Series. The Milwaukee Brewers play at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Fox at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Brewers send out Jacob Misiorowski to duel against the Dodgers’ Tarik Skull. Milwaukee is a -113 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. The Washington Capitals are at home to take on the Seattle Kraken at 5:10 p.m. ET as a -218 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The New York Rangers host the Vancouver Canucks at 6:10 p.m. ET as a -265 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers at 7:10 p.m. ET as a -180 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Matchweek 6 in the English Premier League continues with three matches. Two EPL matches begin at 9:00 a.m. ET. Nottingham Forest plays at Crystal Palace on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Everton is on the road at Hull City as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Manchester City is on the road to challenge Liverpool on NBC at 11:30 a.m. ET, as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. 

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UEFA Conference League Futures (2026/27 Season)

by Amedeus Mastrangelo

Saturday, Oct 10, 2026

The Conference League qualifiers have concluded and the League Phase is set to start on Thursday, October 15. The competition has only existed for 5 years so there has only been 5 different winners, but the competition has also been dominated by teams from the bigger leagues in Europe, the Premier League specifically. Roma won the 1st ever edition of this competition and Crystal Palace is the champion from last year, but an English club has won this competition 3 of the last 4 years with Olympiacos being the only team outside the big 5 leagues in Europe to win it all. It is not possible for there to be a repeat champion due to the winner getting promoted to Europa League, so there will be a new champion this season. With the League Phase set to start soon, it is time to see who has the best chance at lifting the trophy this season.  To Win Outright Brighton & Hove Albion +290: Brighton is coming into this competition as the team with the best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Brighton has the best squad of all the teams in this competition and they very well could go all the way this year. They have had a good start to the Premier League season and they have a very potent attack that has been finding the net a lot. Their defense has also been great though, not allowing many goals, and that is going to carry them deep into this competition. The only thing that could hold them back is this being the lesser tournament of the 3 UEFA competitions, but Brighton is also not a team that qualifies for European competitions a lot, so there is certainly going to be a focus on winning this trophy. A large majority of this competition is made up of clubs from much smaller and weaker leagues across Europe as well, so Brighton is always going to be one of the better teams in this tournament and they should be able to dominate every team they face. Brighton should cruise through the League Phase playing against weaker opponents. They have the quality to be one of the better teams in the Premier League this season as well and they have been in great form, they are a big threat to win this competition and this is a very fair price for what might be the best team in the competition. Brighton has some value at this price to lift the trophy this season.  Atalanta +550: Atalanta is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Atalanta is one of the better teams in this competition due to playing in a much stronger league and there will be plenty of opponents that they dominate due to having a lot more quality than some of these smaller clubs, but Atalanta does not have a great team this season and they are not going to match up well when they have to face stronger opponents. They had a good start to their season, but they were very shaky in a lot of their wins and that has caught up with them now as they went into the international break playing in awful form. They have lost a lot of quality from last season and they have been a club in decline over the last 3 years, certainly not being the same dominant club they were just a few years ago. They are going to struggle to be one of the better teams in Italy this season and this is even a year which Serie A is lacking in quality as a whole, being one of the weaker leagues of the big 5. They might not be fully focused on this competition either, considering their success in qualifying for Champions League in recent years, and they will also struggle the deeper they get if they are fighting to get into the top 5 in Italy. They have had big problem on defense the last few seasons that they have not fixed either and their attack has also been struggling a lot this season which was their biggest strength, but now they have lost a lot of that attacking quality. Atalanta is a lot better than a lot of the opponents they will face in this competition, but they do not have a great team this season and they will eventually run into someone better in the competition. There is no real value in Atalanta at this price as they are not a strong threat to lift the trophy this season.  AS Monaco +700: Monaco is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. In the 5 years of this competition, there has never been a French club that has won it and no French club has even made the Final. Monaco has improved a lot this season though and they could be the French team that finally breaks through here as they certainly have one of the better teams in this competition. They have been in great form to start the season, currently sitting at the top of Ligue 1, and they have hired a new manager this season that knows how to win after managing Flamengo to one of the better seasons in all of South America last year. Monaco has a lot of quality in their squad this year with some very good attackers, but their defense has been their biggest strength and that is going to carry them deep into this competition. Monaco has the quality to make a very deep run in this competition and win it all with a very good manager leading the way. There is a lot of value in Monaco at this price as they are one of the better teams in this competition by far.  SC Freiburg +700: Freiburg is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Freiburg has been in very good form to start their season and they are currently sitting near the top of the table, but they have not been a consistent team in the league. The Bundesliga is not a very strong league either and German teams have not had a lot of success in this competition. No German team has ever won the Conference League and no German team has even appeared in the Final. They do not have the quality to sustain a deep run either. Their attack has been very good to start the season as well as their defense, but they do lack quality on both ends and will struggle to score goals against stronger defenses the deeper they go in this competition. They are still one of the better teams in this competition and will run into a lot of weaker opponents from lesser leagues, but they do not have the quality to compete with some of the stronger teams at the top. There is not a lot of value in Freiburg at this price as they will eventually run into a stronger team.  Braga +1000: Braga is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Braga has been a very good team in Portugal for years and they made a very deep run in Europa League last season. They have also lost some quality from last season though and they are not as good this year. They have struggled to start the season in their own domestic league as well and they do not play in a big league. The Portuguese League is still very good and one of the better leagues out of all the smaller ones, but they still have a lot of weaker competition and Braga does not usually dominate the league either. They are going to be one of the better teams in this competition when it comes to clubs from smaller leagues, but they do not have the quality to compete with some of the bigger clubs. Their defense has been good to start the season, but they do not have a great defense that will be able to carry them through this competition. They also have a weaker attack that has struggled to score goals this season and that will be a big problem as they go deeper and have to play against better defenses. Braga is not a bad option considering their success going deep in these competitions, but this is not a great Braga team and they do not have the quality to win the big matches. There is no real value in Braga at this price as they are not a true contender in this competition.  Ajax +1000: Ajax is coming into this competition as the team with the next best chance at lifting the trophy this season, according to the oddsmakers. Ajax has been one of the most dominant clubs in the Netherlands for years, but recently they have been struggling more than usual. They are still one of the better teams in their domestic league, but they have not dominated the league over the last few seasons. It has been very difficult for these clubs from weaker leagues to win this competition as well. The Netherlands has had a club appear in the Final as Feyenoord made the 1st ever edition of this competition, but they also lost in the Final to Roma and no team from the Netherlands has ever made it back. Ajax has also had a shaky start to their own season and they do not have the quality to make them the dominant team in their own league this year. They are still going to be much better than a lot of the clubs in this competition, but they will struggle to compete with the clubs at the top. They have a very potent attack that can score goals, but they also play against much weaker competition in their own league and they have still struggled to keep the ball out of their net which will be a bigger problem as they go deeper and play against stronger attacks. Ajax is not a true contender to win this competition this season, so there is not a lot of value in them at this price.  RecommendationThere is a very big field to start this competition, but there are only a handful of contenders that can actually win it. The competition was created to encourage the dominant clubs in these smaller European leagues, but it has still been the clubs from the big 5 that have dominated this competition and this year will be no different. English clubs have really dominated this competition as well, winning in 3 of the last 4 seasons, and Brighton who is the favorite this year truly does have the best squad and the best chance to win. Monaco is also a very good team that has been on the rise in France this year and they have the best shot at challenging Brighton for the trophy. Brighton at +290 is the best option to win this competition, but Monaco at +700 has a lot of value as a dark horse. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NHL, CFL and EPL Previews and Odds - 10/10/26

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Oct 10, 2026

The Saturday sports card features MLB, NCAAF, MLB, NHL, CFL, and EPL action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football concludes with 46 games between FBS opponents. Seven NCAAF games on major national television kick off at noon ET. Wake Forest travels to North Carolina State on the CW as a 3.5-point road favorite with the total set at 58.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Arizona plays at West Virginia on TNT/truTV/HBO Max as a 3.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Oklahoma State hosts Central Florida on ESPN2 as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 53.5. Pittsburgh plays at home against North Carolina on ESPN as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Missouri is at home to take on Texas A&M on ABC as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 49.5. Indiana is on the road at Nebraska on Fox as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. Seven NCAAF games on major national television start at 3:30 p.m. ET. Texas battles Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 39.5. Oregon hosts UCLA on CBS as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 58.5. Illinois visits Michigan State on FS1 as a 2.5-point road favorite with a total of 48.5. Kansas State plays at home against Houston as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 55.5. Notre Dame is at home to challenge Stanford on NBC as a 39.5-point favorite with a total of 54.5. Duke plays at Georgia Tech on ESPN2 as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 44.5. Mississippi is on the road to face Vanderbilt on ESPN as a 9.5-point road favorite with a total of 54.5. Two NCAAF games on major national television begin at 7:00 p.m.  ET. Memphis hosts UAB on ESPN2 as a 14.5-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5. North Dakota State travels to UNLV on the CW as a 20.5-point road favorite with a total of 47.5. Nevada plays at UTEP on FS1 as a 9.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 49.5. LSU is on the road to play Kentucky on ESPN as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 50.5. Two NCAA-F games begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Penn State plays at home against USC on NBC as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5. Alabama is at home to take on Georgia on ABC as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 51.5. Utah hosts Kansas on ESPN at 10:15 p.m. ET as a 15.5-point favorite with an over/under of 51.5. Two more games conclude the NCAA-F schedule between FBS opponents at 10:30 p.m. ET. Arizona State plays at home against Hawaii on FS1 as a 21-point favorite with a total of 50.5. Boise State visits Fresno State on the CW as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with one game in the best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs. The Cleveland Guardians are at home against the Chicago White Sox in the decisive final game of their best-of-five series on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Guardians tap Gavin Williams to pitch against the White Sox’s Sean Burke. Cleveland is a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The National Hockey League has 14 games on its slate. The Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers at 1:10 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New Jersey Devils play at home against the Vancouver Canucks at 3:10 p.m. ET as a -285 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers play at San Jose against the Sharks at 4:10 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Florida Panthers are at home to take on the Minnesota Wild at 6:10 p.m.  ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. Seven NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Montreal Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings as a -205 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The St. Louis Blues play at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes are on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -245 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche are at home to play the Toronto Maple Leafs as a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Buffalo Sabres host the Utah Mammoth as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Dallas Stars travel to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Ottawa Senators play at home against the Nashville Predators as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning play in New York against the Islanders at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Anaheim Ducks are on the road in Calgary to face the Flames as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are at home against the Los Angeles Kings as a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. Week 19 in the Canadian Football League continues with one game. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Calgary Stampeders at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Matchweek 6 in the English Premier League begins with six matches. Arsenal plays at home against Leeds United on the USA Network at 7:30 a.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Four EPL matches continue at 10:00 a.m. ET. Brentford travel to Aston Villa on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Chelsea is at home against Bournemouth as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Fulham plays at Ipswich Town as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Brighton and Hove Albion are on the road against Sunderland as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Manchester United hosts Tottenham on NBC at 12:30 p.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5. 

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Big Al's Breeders Cup Classic Preview

by Al McMordie

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

The Breeders Cup returns to iconic Keeneland Racecourse in 2026, where it's been held on three previous occasions (2015, 2020, and 2022).  This year's races will be contested on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, with the weekend culminating in the Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday as the last of the nine Championship races, scheduled for 6:16 pm ET.  It's not often that we get to see the winners of the last two Kentucky Derbies face each other in this Championship race.  In fact, it's only happened on one other occasion -- 1987 with Ferdinand (winner of the Derby in 1986) faced Alysheba (1987 winner) in a thrilling Classic that was won by Ferdinand by a nose.  As of this writing, we will be seeing a Kentucky Derby showdown for the second time in the Breeders Cup history, as Sovereignty (winner in 2025) is set to race, as well as Golden Tempo, who was victorious for Cherie DeVaux this past May.     Ferdinand and Alysheba met again in the 1988 Breeders Cup, making it the first and only time that two Derby winners AND the winner of the previous year's Classic met in the Classic race, but that's about to change.  Last year's winner of the Classic, Japanese Superhorse Forever Young, will be back to defend his title in what will likely be his last race.  So this year we potentially have the first meeting of three Champion runners: the winners of each of the last two Derbies, plus the winner of last year's Breeders Cup Classic. But as historic as a meeting of these three would be, there are other runners worth mentioning who appear ready to try the 1 1/4 mile BC Classic with its $7 Million purse:   Magnitude:  After his wins in this year's Dubai World Cup and Stephen Foster, this son of Not This Time was thought to be the best older horse in training in the U.S.  But a disappointing 6th place finish in the Whitney at Saratoga has put a question mark on him going into the Classic.  If he can return to his earlier form, Magnitude is a major player in here, and you'll get a very nice price to find out.   Napoleon Solo:  A 3-year-old like Golden Tempo, Napoleon Solo has done little wrong this year.  After winning the Preakness, he finished a close second in both of the other biggest non-Triple Crown races of the summer, the Haskell and the Travers, beating the Kentucky Derby winner in the latter.  These horses are often still improving in the fall of their three-year-old season, so if this son of Liam's Map can take a step forward, he could definitely contend in this race, especially given the tactical speed he possesses.   Skippylongstocking:  A fan favorite, this seven-year-old horse is a 12-time Graded Stakes winner who has danced every dance and run in the biggest races at virtually every major track in the country.  He had a three-race win streak between December 2025 and March 2026, but has lost his last three, with two third-place finishes and a second, indicating that he might finally be tailing off a bit.  He will be a huge longshot in this race, and that's often when he comes up with his biggest performances.   The Puma:  This 3-year-old son of Essential Quality was set to be one of the favorites in this year's Kentucky Derby before having to scratch the day of the race.  He finally made his comeback in the Haskell and Travers, finishing fourth both times.  But then he broke through in his last race -- the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on September 19 in impressive fashion.  Could he be peaking at just the right time?    Knightsbridge:  Here is perhaps the most intriguing horse of the bunch.  This five-year-old son of Nyquist can only be described as a freak -- in the same way the term applied to Flightline, the undefeated superhorse who won the Classic the last time it was contested here in 2022.  Knightsbridge possesses the kind of speed that makes your jaw drop to the floor, and in his last race -- the Pacific Classic -- he appeared to answer the stamina question, blowing away a quality field in a 1 1/4 Grade 1 Stakes race that was never in doubt.  Still, his ownership group is considering the BC Dirt Mile rather than the Classic.  If he does go here, he adds a ton of intrigue to an already historically great field.Good luck, as always,Al McMordie

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NBA Eastern Conference Win Totals: Top Three Predictions for 2026-27

by Vegas Writer

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

The Eastern Conference enters the 2026-27 season with more star power, deeper competition and fewer comfortable paths to the playoffs. New York wears the championship crown, but Detroit’s young core and Cleveland’s established talent remain substantial threats.Philadelphia has raised its ceiling with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, while Miami’s acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo further complicates the hierarchy. Boston regroups around Jayson Tatum, and Indiana welcomes back Tyrese Haliburton.For win-total bettors, those changes demand a distinction between headline appeal and dependable production. My strongest opportunities involve two proven teams facing lower expectations and another with major availability concerns.Odds Courtesy DraftKings1. Detroit Pistons: Over 49.5 Wins (-115)Detroit’s postseason disappointment should not erase the foundation of a team that finished 60-22 and led the Eastern Conference. The Pistons ranked second in defensive rating, providing a dependable identity that can survive uneven shooting nights.Cade Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists, while Jalen Duren contributed 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. That combination gives Detroit established production with room for further development rather than relying on aging stars to maintain their previous standards.Isaiah Joe’s arrival improves perimeter spacing, and John Collins adds another scoring option around Cunningham. Ausar Thompson remains central to the defensive pressure that fuels transition opportunities.Losing Isaiah Stewart and Tobias Harris creates legitimate questions about interior depth and secondary creation. The East also offers stronger resistance.Still, the market allows substantial regression from last season’s performance. Detroit’s defense, youthful core and improved shooting make this my strongest Eastern Conference Over entering the season.2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Over 47.5 Wins (-120)Cleveland’s regular-season outlook looks stronger than its conference finals sweep might suggest. The Cavaliers finished 52-30 despite a changing rotation, then survived Detroit in seven games to reach the East finals.James Harden arrived in February, leaving limited time to establish chemistry with Donovan Mitchell and the frontcourt. A full training camp should help Kenny Atkinson organize their responsibilities, stagger his creators and generate more consistent offense throughout games.Cleveland ranked sixth in offensive efficiency last season. Its most-used regular-season lineup logged only 89 minutes together, illustrating how little continuity supported a productive team.Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen provide an established interior partnership, while Mitchell supplies the scoring needed to navigate difficult stretches.Harden’s age and Cleveland’s mediocre defensive ranking are meaningful concerns. However, this wager allows for a modest decline from last season. Better familiarity gives the Cavaliers a credible path to another profitable regular season for bettors.3. Philadelphia 76ers: Under 50’ Wins (+110)Philadelphia’s additions build a championship case, but keeping that lineup together for an entire regular season presents a different challenge. The Sixers finished 45-37 last season before adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.Joel Embiid has played only 96 regular-season games over the past three years. James appeared in 60 games last season and turns 42 in December. Those availability concerns matter when evaluating how consistently Philadelphia can field its best combinations.The team also needs an adjustment period. Brown, Embiid and Tyrese Maxey all command substantial offensive involvement, requiring Nick Nurse to establish roles, distribute touches and construct effective combinations when starters rest.James’ passing should help, and Brown gives Philadelphia another dependable scoring option. Their talent makes this a competitive team even with occasional absences.However, the improved East reduces easy opportunities to absorb growing pains. I favor the Under because health and chemistry demand more cautious expectations.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, NCAAF, WNBA and CFL Previews and Odds - 10/09/26

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Oct 09, 2026

The Friday sports card features NCAAF, NHL action, WNBA, and CFL action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football continues with five games between FBS opponents. Louisville hosts Florida State on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Cardinals have lost two games in a row after their 31-28 upset loss at North Carolina State as a 5.5-point favorite last Saturday. The Seminoles have won two games in a row after their 38-7 upset victory as a 1.5-point underdog on Saturday. Louisville is a 3.5-point favorite with the total set at 59.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Three NCAAF games kick off at 9:00 p.m. ET. San Jose State plays at home against Wyoming on the CBS Sports Network. The Spartans have won three of their last four games after their 20-16 upset win at Hawaii as a 2.5-point underdog last Saturday. The Cowboys have lost two of their last three games after a 28-0 loss at North Dakota State as a 17.5-point underdog last Friday night. San Jose State is a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 42.5. Utah State is at home to take on Washington State on the CW. The Aggies lost for the fourth time in their first five games this year with a 37-18 loss at Boise State as a 19.5-point underdog on Saturday. The Cougars lost for the fourth time in their first five games with a 26-6 upset loss at home against Fresno State as a 2.5-point favorite last Saturday. Utah State is a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 43.5. Washington hosts Iowa on Fox. The Huskies have lost two games in a row after a 25-21 loss at USC as a 7.5-point underdog last Saturday. The Hawkeyes had won four games in a row before their 31-14 loss at home against Ohio State as a 14.5-point underdog on Saturday. Washington is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 41.5. BYU plays at home against Iowa State on ESPN at 10:15 p.m. ET. The Cougars have won their first four games this season after their 17-10 win at TCU as a 5.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Cyclones have won two of their previous three games after their 45-42 win against West Virginia as a 2.5-point favorite last Saturday. BYU is a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Three NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Detroit Red Wings are at home against the Seattle Kraken as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Washington Capitals host the New York Rangers as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Columbus Blue Jackets play at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -122 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets are at home to face the Anaheim Ducks at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -120 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The WNBA continues its postseason with two games in the semifinals of the playoffs in its best-of-five series using a 2-2-1 home-court format. The New York Liberty host the Atlanta Dream on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Dream have won nine games in a row after their 101-98 victory against the Liberty as a 2.5-point favorite on Wednesday. The Liberty are down 0-2 in this series yet are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 172.5. The Las Vegas Aces play at home against the Golden State Valkyries on Peacock/NBC Sports Network at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Aces are down 0-2 in this series after their 83-81 loss on the road as a 1.5-point underdog on Wednesday. The Valkyries have won five of their previous six games. Las Vegas is a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 156.5. Week 19 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with two games. The Edmonton Elks travel to Hamilton to battle the Tiger-Cats at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 6-point road favorite with an over/under of 61.5. The British Columbia Lions are at home against the Ottawa Redblacks at 10:00 p.m. ET as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 63.5. 

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NBA Western Conference Win Totals: Top Three Predictions for 2026-27

by Vegas Writer

Thursday, Oct 08, 2026

The Western Conference enters the 2026-27 season with a clear divide between championship expectations and the uncertainty of who will meet them.Oklahoma City and San Antonio set the standard, combining elite defense with young stars still expanding their games. Denver remains dangerous behind Nikola Jokic, while Houston brings an intriguing blend of veteran scoring, defensive versatility and returning reinforcements. The Lakers begin a new chapter around Luka Doncic after LeBron James’ departure. For bettors, the opportunity lies in separating postseason reputation from regular-season reliability.These three win totals offer the strongest combination of proven production, roster context and attainable expectations.Odds courtesy DraftKings1. Houston Rockets Over 47.5 Wins (-105)Houston needs 48 victories to cash this ticket after winning 52 games in consecutive seasons. That cushion looks more appealing given last season’s obstacles: Fred VanVleet missed the entire campaign, and the Rockets struggled with turnovers and late-game execution.VanVleet’s expected return gives Ime Udoka a proven organizer, allowing Amen Thompson to attack more naturally while easing the creation burden on Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Marcus Smart supplies another experienced defender and ballhandler.Sengun averaged 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists last season, providing an established offensive foundation. Reed Sheppard’s development adds another avenue for improvement, particularly through his perimeter shooting.Durant’s age and VanVleet’s recovery remain concerns, but this number already accommodates meaningful regression. Houston can finish four wins below last season’s record and still deliver the Over. With better guard depth and multiple routes to improvement, the Rockets are my strongest Western Conference win-total selection.2. Denver Nuggets Over 49.5 Wins (+120)Denver’s championship outlook invites scrutiny, but its regular-season floor remains attractive at a number requiring 50 victories. The Nuggets finished 54-28 last season, extending their streak of 50-win campaigns to four.Nikola Jokic averaged 27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists, giving Denver a nightly advantage in scoring efficiency, rebounding and offensive organization. That production supports a team that can bank victories even when its supporting cast fluctuates.Health offers potential upside. Aaron Gordon played only 36 games, while Christian Braun appeared in 44. More availability from those complementary pieces would help offset offseason losses.Losing Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas creates legitimate defensive and depth concerns. DeMar DeRozan adds scoring, although his fit requires careful management.Still, Denver can lose four victories from last season and clear this total. I trust Jokic’s sustained excellence and the established core to keep the Nuggets above a threshold they have repeatedly reached.3. Oklahoma City Thunder Under 62.5 Wins (-110)Oklahoma City can remain a championship contender and still finish below this demanding total. Cashing the Over requires 63 victories, leaving little room for injuries, rotation adjustments or ordinary slippage.The Thunder went 64-18 last season behind the NBA’s best defense, allowing 106.5 points per 100 possessions. Repeating that dominance becomes more difficult after the departures of Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, which remove established perimeter defense, shooting and depth.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the centerpiece, and improved availability from Jalen Williams could strengthen the offense. Williams played only 33 regular-season games last year, so better health is a substantial argument against this pick.However, the market demands near-perfect results from a reshaped rotation. San Antonio also presents a formidable rival for conference supremacy.My Under rests on the narrow margin for error at 62.5. Even a superb 60-win season would reward this position while keeping Oklahoma City dangerous.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAF, MLB and NHL Previews and Odds - 10/08/26

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Oct 08, 2026

The Thursday sports card features NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and NHL action. Week 5 in the National Football League kicks off with one game. The Dallas Cowboys host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Amazon Prime Video at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Cowboys have won two of their last three games after their 34-30 upset win at Houston as a 2.5-point underdog against the Texans last Sunday. The Buccaneers are winless in their first four games this season after their 17-14 loss at home against Green Bay as a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday. Dallas is an 8.5-point favorite with the total set at 47.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Week 6 in NCAAF college football continues with four games between FBS opponents. Two NCAAF games start at 7:00 p.m. ET. Western Kentucky plays at home against Missouri State on ESPN as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 56.5. Liberty is at home to take on Sam Houston on ESPNU as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 52.5. Two more NCAAF games begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. UTSA hosts South Florida on ESPN as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 49.5. Arkansas State plays at home against South Alabama on ESPN2 as a 3-point favorite with a total of 60.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with one game in the best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs. The Cleveland Guardians travel to Chicago to play the White Sox on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Guardians had lost the first two games in this series before their 9-3 win on the road on Wednesday. They send out Parker Messick to pitch against a starting pitcher yet to be named for the White Sox. Cleveland is a -117 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The National Hockey League has 10 games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning are at home against the Minnesota Wild as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Utah Mammoth play on the road in Boston against the Bruins as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks as a -325 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Ottawa Senators play at home against the Philadelphia Flyers as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Dallas Stars are on the road to face the Buffalo Sabres as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Montreal Canadiens are at home against the Nashville Predators as a -185 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues play at home against the San Jose Sharks at 8:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Colorado Avalanche visit Calgary to challenge the Flames at 9:10 p.m. ET as a -238 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are at home to battle the Toronto Maple Leafs at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. 

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College Football Week 6 Top 10 Rankings

by Wayne Root

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2026

Week 5 of the college football season produced three Top-25 matchups that ended in double-digit blowouts, creating movement across the rankings. 1. Texas:The Longhorns were off in Week 5 and will be back in action against rival Oklahoma next Saturday. I can’t wait to see if there’s anything remarkable about Archie Manning this weekend. 2. Georgia:Though their ranking is not expected to change, the anticipation for next week's meeting with Alabama was only heightened after another dominant defensive performance in a 38-14 win against Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs are allowing just 14.7 points per game in SEC play through three games after bottling up Blaze Berlowitz, but the challenge changes when staring down Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa next weekend. 3. Notre Dame:Rainy conditions in Chapel Hill forced the Fighting Irish to lean on their ground game in the second half, and the results were a continuation of the encouraging signs we've seen from the offense in recent weeks. Notre Dame rolled up a season-high 241 rushing yards on 45 attempts (5.4 per rush) while holding North Carolina to just 77 net rushing yards on the ground. This is the fifth straight game that Notre Dame has run for more yards than it did in the week prior, and suddenly the loss of two first-round running backs seems like less of an issue. 4. Miami:The Hurricanes defense arrived in Death Valley with numerous injuries, but the depth of that group was on full display in a convincing win against Clemson. Miami likely did not do much to close the gap on No. 1 with the win but played well enough to avoid getting jumped by Alabama's rise. That was their media eye candy game until Notre Dame in a few weeks. They covered a big spread. 5. Alabama: Saturday's early slate had Alabama in the spotlight in a tricky road spot at Mississippi State, which entered the weekend at No. 16. What voters tuned in and found was yet another runaway win for the Crimson Tide, who have put up 45+ points in every game and are beating opponents by 28.8 points per game. This is a team that's building a case for No. 1 consideration, and that debate will be the backdrop for next week's showdown with Georgia. Coach Sabin would approve of this team. 6. Ohio State:It's unlikely that Ohio State will have too many complaints about getting in and out of Iowa City without too much of an upset scare, but the 31-17 win against the Hawkeyes might not carry as much juice as Alabama's high-scoring win in Starkville. Ultimately, our projection is that the tiebreaker is the loss column, and the Tide's undefeated record gives them a slight edge for that last spot in the top five. 7. Indiana:The Hoosiers methodically picked Rutgers apart and cruised to a 47-15 win. We don't expect voters to be overwhelmed by the result, even if it came dominantly while dealing with injuries. The only real adjustment is a re-shuffling in response to Alabama's jump up. But a huge test is this Saturday in Lincoln against the Cornhuskers. 8. Ole Miss: The Rebels were off in Week 5 and will be back in action next week at Vanderbilt. Their profile took a hit with Florida's loss at Missouri, but the head-to-head win against LSU could prevent any major changes. Their quarterback keeps them relevant. 9.  Florida:While it will be difficult for Florida fans to justify a drop below the Ole Miss team that the Gators just beat, we are projecting that voters will use the Oregon-Mississippi State-Tennessee range as the floor for a move down. The strength of the Ole Miss win still carries plenty of weight, but the poor performance at Missouri and a common opponent with Tennessee (close win against Auburn) point to a shared tier in that range of the SEC. Florida got pushed off the charts after suffering last week’s embarrassing loss to Missouri. 10. Mississippi State: It does seem confusing that a team could give up 56 points at home and not move in the rankings, but the strength of Mississippi State's resume and the growing respect for Alabama could leave voters keeping the Bulldogs in this range on their ballots. With head-to-head wins against Missouri and Minnesota, this is a team that has already logged multiple quality power conference victories, and the loss to the Bulldogs included myriad injury issues, the most notable of which was star quarterback Kamario Taylor. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NCAAF, NHL and WNBA Previews and Odds - 10/07/26

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Oct 07, 2026

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, MLB, NHL, and WNBA action. Week 6 in NCAAF college football continues with two games between FBS opponents. Jacksonville State travels to Kennesaw State on the CBS Sports Network at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Gamecocks won for the third time in their last four games with a 23-13 victory at home against Middle Tennessee as a 7-point favorite on September 26th. The Owls are on a three-game losing streak after their 17-14 loss at Arkansas State as a 6.5-point underdog on September 26th. Jacksonville State is a 3-point road favorite with the total set at 49.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Florida International hosts New Mexico State on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Golden Panthers have won two of their last three games, including their 20-3 victory against Long Island as a 37.5-point favorite on September 26th. The Aggies ended a two-game losing streak with a 34-13 loss at home against Western Kentucky as a 2.5-point favorite last Wednesday. Florida International is a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. The Major League Baseball postseason continues with four games in the best-of-five divisional round of the playoffs. The Chicago White Sox play at home against the Cleveland Guardians on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 4:00 p.m. ET. The White Sox took a 2-0 lead in this series with their 4-3 win on the road on Monday. Chicago sends out Sean Newcomb to pitch against the Guardians’ Daniel Espino. The White Sox are a -120 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Los Angeles Dodgers play in Atlanta against the Braves on FS1 at 6:10 p.m. ET. The Dodgers took a 2-1 lead in this series with their 3-1 victory on the road against the Braves last night. Tyler Glasnow takes the mound for Los Angeles to duel against Tyler Mahle for Atlanta. The Dodgers are a -144 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The New York Yankees are at home to take on the Tampa Bay Rays on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Rays have a 2-0 series lead after their 5-2 win at home on Monday. The Yankees tap Max Fried to challenge the Rays Nick Martinez. New York is a -176 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The San Diego Padres host the Milwaukee Brewers on FS1 at  10:10 p.m. ET. The Padres kept their season alive last night with a 4-3 victory at home. The Brewers have a 2-1 lead in this series. San Diego is a -116 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The National Hockey League has three games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche are on the road in Winnipeg to battle the Jets on TNT/HBO Max as a -185 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Washington Capitals play at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers visit the Anaheim Ducks at 10:10 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The WNBA continues its postseason with two games in the semifinals of the playoffs in its best-of-five series using a 2-2-1 home-court format. The Atlanta Dream are at home to challenge the New York Liberty on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Dream took the opening game in this series with a 92-82 victory as a 4.5-point home favorite on Sunday to extend their winning streak to eight games. The Liberty had won two games in a row before that loss. Atlanta is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 170.5. The Golden State Valkyries host the Las Vegas Aces on Peacock/NBC Sports Network at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Valkyries won for the 10th time in their last 12 games with a 70-61 win at home against the Aces as a 1.5-point favorite on Sunday. Las Vegas has lost two of their last three games. Golden State is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 156.5. 

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