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CBB Deep Dive: Key Players, Top Teams & More:

by William Burns

Monday, Oct 20, 2025

Just like last year, I'm back with another College Basketball Preview to start the '25-'26 season. Last season was brilliant, and I'm expecting another phenomenal campaign of both watching and picking winners. Here's my "Deep Dive," looking into the different players and best teams for the upcoming season. (Odds via. DraftKings Sportsbook)  Five Players to Watch Out For (Guard-Center) + Honorable Mentions : G - Braden Smith (Purdue)One of the premier guards in College, Braden Smith has the opportunity to accomplish something very special this season. Even if his assist totals drop just a tad from last year (assuming he plays every game this season,) Smith could end up breaking the all time assist record in the NCAA. That would be extremely special. He's also an incredible scorer of the basketball given his height of just six feet tall. Purdue is many peoples #1 overall team coming in (#1 in the AP Poll) and there's no doubt that Smith will help lead the Boilermakers to the tournament.G - Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)On a team that lost many guys from last season, Pettiford should stand out as the top option for the Auburn Tigers in 2025-26. He was the sixth man for the majority of the year in his freshman season and I, like most people, are expecting an absolutely monstrous season from Auburn guard. He's a polished all-around player, a fantastic dribbler with an excellent touch around the hoops. He's poised for an NBA career after the season. F - AJ Dybantsa (BYU)As one of two Freshman on this list, Dybantsa really stands out for me as the top prospect coming into College this season. He's 6'9" and has the ball handling skills of a point guard. He can score from anywhere on the basketball court and already has a Gold Medal/MVP to his name from the FIBA U19 World Cup with Team USA. Dybantsa has all the talent in the world and should be one of the top options to win the CBB Player Of The Year Award (Naismith) at the end of the year. F - Trey Kaufman-Renn (Purdue) As my second Purdue Boilermaker on this list, there's no doubt that I believe that they are one of the best teams in the country. Kaufman-Renn sort of took over the Zach Edey role a season ago and really helped keep this Purdue team at that top level. Averaging 20.1 PPG last season, he is one of the best scorers in the nation and I fully believe that he can produce similar numbers here in '25-'26.F/C - Cameron Boozer (Duke)Just like AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer has the all intangibles to be great in his first Collegiate season. The son of Bulls legend Carlos Boozer and brother of teammate Cayden Boozer is likely to be one guy that stands out from the Blue Devils this season. Yes, they've got immense talent around him. However, Boozer is a dominant force under the hoop and he can also extend his range beyond the arc. He will be one of the best players in the country. Three Honorable Mentions: 1.) Joseph Tugler (Houston)As you can see down below, Houston is my #1 team in the country coming into this season and Tugler is going to be a massive reason why. He didn't crack my list above. But, the Cougars' forward has a type of game that everyone in College should appreciate. Tugler is one of the best defensive players in the nation. He's also an extreme pest on the offensive boards (Houston's specialty.) Oh, and I forgot. He's got a 7'6" wingspan. 2.) JT Toppin (Texas Tech)After the way last season ended and with Chance McMillan & Darrion Williams departing, I wasn't entirely sure if JT Toppin would stay at Texas Tech for this upcoming season. However, since he has, the Red Raiders are going to be in for another fantastic year of basketball. Toppin scores the ball at an excellent rate and he was the Big 12 Player Of The Year last season. 3.) Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan)Wrapping up my "Honourable Mentions" list is Yaxel Lendeborg. The transfer from UAB is going to be a huge force within the Big Ten this season and he might just be the best transfer that was in the portal this offseason. With Dusty May as his head coach for this upcoming season, I expect massive things from the guy that absolutely dominated the AAC on both offense and defense through his first couple of seasons. Burns' Preseason Top 25 Rankings: 1.) Houston Cougars 2.) Purdue Boilermakers3.) Connecticut Huskies4.) Duke Blue Devils5.) BYU Cougars6.) Florida Gators7.) Michigan Wolverines8.) St. John's Red Storm9.) Louisville Cardinals10.) Texas Tech Red Raiders 11.) Kentucky Wildcats12.) Iowa State Cyclones13.) Arkansas Razorbacks14.) UCLA Bruins15.) Arizona Wildcats16.) Alabama Crimson Tide17.) Tennessee Volunteers18.) Kansas Jayhawks19.) Illinois Fighting Illini20.) Auburn Tigers21.) Wisconsin Badgers22.) Gonzaga Bulldogs23.) North Carolina Tar Heels24.) Michigan State Spartans25.) San Diego State Aztecs Three Future Bets to Make Before the Season: 1.) Houston Cougars to win the National Championships (+950)Even though Purdue and Florida seem to be the main picks from the "experts" to start the season, with my Championship Pick (prior to the season) I'm going to go with a team that I see making the Final Four this year AT THE VERY LEAST. This Cougars team is absolutely stacked, from returning players last year to the freshman class of this year and transfers. I believe that Houston is the most complete team in the country and they will always have extremely great conditioning/stamina under head coach Kelvin Sampson. The Cougars were so close last season and I believe that they are even better this season. 2.) San Diego State to win the MWC Regular Season Title (+140)The Mountain West has become extremely competitive over the past couple of seasons and more and more teams are starting to make the big dance. I believe that the Aztecs should just be one level above the rest this season. Reese Waters finally will get to play again after missing last season and that will be a massive add to SDST who has an even more confident Miles Bird & BJ Davis. I'll take the Aztecs at this price to win the conference. 3.) Gonzaga to win the WCC Regular Season Title (-160)The West Coast Conference normally comes down to a two-team race between Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. Yes, the Gaels won last year with an extremely strong 17-1 conference record. However, I believe that Saint Mary's will take a step back this season and Gonzaga shouldn't have four losses inside conference play. The Zags will be back to the top of the conference. 

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Mid-October News and Notes (What's Going on Right Now)

by AAA Sports

Monday, Oct 20, 2025

Shohei Ohtani sends LA back to the World Series ~ Given that we may have just witnessed the greatest single-game performance in history, people still appear to be overlooking it. Ohtani anticipated to finish the NLCS (up 3-0) against the Brewers in Game Four after he was on the mound during the Divisional Series against the Phillies and had an "alright" game. Ohtani pitched 6.0 innings on Friday night, giving up two hits, zero runs, and 10 strikeouts. Great game already. After that, he walks once and hits 3/3 on offense, all three of which are home runs. Expectations have always been high for him, and he is often discussed, as he has been the so-called "top player" in the MLB since coming over from Japan. Inevitably, it is impossible to normalize what the Dodgers star just accomplished. That was out of this world. Now Los Angeles will play for a second World Series in as many years.Blue Jays and Mariners battle it out in Game 7 on Monday ~ Most people believed that the ALCS was over after Seattle seized a 2-0 series lead on the road. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays managed to stay alive and return home field advantage to the Rogers Centre for Games Six and Seven, just like they have done all season. Both teams will now compete for a chance to play the Dodgers in the World Series after Toronto won Game Six. It would mean so much to both teams. Being the only Canadian team in the MLB, Toronto has the support of the entire nation. Seattle has never made the World Series in the history of the organization (only team not to do so.) Monday night's Game Seven is going to be spectacular. Sister Jean passes away at the age of 106 ~ A living legend in the College Basketball world as well as the school of Loyola Chicago, Sister Jean made head-waves across the world being as old as she was and still being one of the most ambitious basketball fans on the planet. She was a very intelligent woman who played an influential role in the Ramblers' run to the Final Four in 2018 (which was one of the most shocking March Madness runs in recent memory) and watched their National Championship victory in 1963 as a fan. In the realm of college basketball, she will always be recognized. Sister Jean, may you rest in peace. Are the Chiefs finally fully back? Rashee Rice returns in Week 7 ~Kansas City suddenly seems to be operating on all cylinders after a painful start to the season. KC's first two games against PHI and LAC ended in defeat. Then, in week five, it lost to JAX. Now that their best wide receiver is back from suspension, the Chiefs have won consecutive games. What did he do in his first game back? He caught two touchdown passes in a 31-0 win over the Raiders. Despite a slow start, Patrick Mahomes is still leading the MVP race. The Chiefs might just make another Super Bowl this season.  From Qualifyer to ATP 1000 Champ. Valentin Vacherot reaches new heights ~Who is Valentin Vacherot? The Monegasque player was not even in the Main Draw of this ATP 1000 tournament in early October, having been ranked below #200 in the ATP Rankings prior to Shanghai. He had to go through a pair of qualifying matches, losing the first set in both to even make the tournament. When he did, he took advantage of it. To achieve the unfathomable, he defeated #82 Laslo Djere, #17 Alexander Bublik, #23 Tomas Machac, #31 Tallon Greikspoor, #11 Holger Rune, #5 Novak Djokovic, and #54 Arthur Rinderknech. (all rankings from before the tournament) After his heroics in Shanghai, he is currently ranked #40 in the world.  James Franklin fired. Billy Napier fired. Jay Norvell fired. Who's next? ~According to the preseason rankings, Penn State was the best team going into the season. Without a doubt, the Nittany Lions have fallen short of expectations. The organization has chosen to dismiss head coach James Franklin. Also, their quarterback, Drew Allar, has suffered an injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. We think it's somewhat cruel and he has poured so much effort into the program and was just one play away from making it to the National Championship Game last year. Over the previous week, Jay Norvell (CSU), and Billy Napier (Florida) have also been let go. We think that Mike Norvell (FSU) or Hugh Freeze (Auburn) could be next after another tough home loss this past weekend.Las Vegas Aces sweep Phoenix Mercury. Win WNBA Championship ~Halfway through the WNBA season, something changed in Las Vegas. The Aces were 14-14 and didn't appear to be among the league's top teams until they managed to win all 16 of their games at the end of the season, ending up 30-14. They went on to have the always important home court advantage in every series after earning the second seed in the playoffs. The Aces carried their momentum and rode it through the playoffs with a commanding 4-0 sweep in the finals against Phoenix. Given her performance this season, A'ja Wilson ought to be regarded as the league's most outstanding player at the moment. Cape Verde to the World Cup in 2026. 2nd smallest country ever ~ Every nation on the planet's goal is to qualify for the World Cup, particularly if it is their first time doing so. The largest sporting competition in the world will be held next summer. Cape Verde, a nation made up of ten distinct volcanic islands with a total land area of slightly more than 4,000 square kilometres, has officially made it.  With an estimated population of roughly 540,000, Cape Verde is now the second-smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. When the tournament rolls around, the entire country will be hoping for some success!

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 10/20/2025

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Oct 20, 2025

The Monday sports card features NFL, MLB, NHL, and EPL action. Week 7 in the NFL concludes with two games. The Detroit Lions host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on ABC and ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Lions had won four games in a row before their 30-17 loss at Kansas City as a 2.5-point underdog last Sunday night. They have a 4-2 record. The Buccaneers are on a two-game winning streak after their 30-19 victory at home against San Francisco as a 3-point favorite last Sunday. They have improved their record to 5-1. Detroit is a 6-point favorite with the total set at 53.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Major League Baseball concludes its best-of-seven league championship round of the playoffs with one game. The Toronto Blue Jays play at home against the Seattle Mariners on Fox at 8:08 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays evened this series at 3-3 with their 6-2 victory at home last night. Toronto sends out Shane Bieber to pitch against the Mariners’ George Kirby. The Blue Jays are a -124 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The National Hockey League has five games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The New York Rangers are home against the Minnesota Wild. The Rangers ended a three-game losing streak with their 4-3 win at Montreal on Saturday. The Wild have lost three games in a row after a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia on Saturday. New York is a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Philadelphia Flyers host the Seattle Kraken. The Flyers have won two of their previous three games after their victory against Minnesota two days ago. The Kraken ended a two-game losing streak with their 4-3 win at Toronto on Saturday. Philadelphia is a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Montreal Canadiens play at home against the Buffalo Sabres at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Canadiens had won four games in a row before their loss to the Rangers two days ago. The Sabres have won two games in a row after their 3-0 victory against Florida on Saturday. Montreal is a -148 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets travel to Calgary to play the Flames at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Jets are on a four-game winning streak after a 4-1 victory at home against Nashville on Saturday. The Flames have lost five games in a row after their 6-1 loss on the road against Vegas. Winnipeg is a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5.The Vegas Golden Knights are home against the Carolina Hurricanes at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Golden Knights have won three games in a row after their victory against Calgary two days ago. The Hurricanes have won five games in a row after a 4-3 win on the road against the Los Angeles Kings. Vegas is a -120 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Matchweek 8 in the English Premier League concludes with one match on the USA Network at 3:00 p.m. ET. West Ham United hosts Brentford as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, MLB, NHL and EPL Previews and Odds - 10/19/2025

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Oct 19, 2025

The Sunday sports card features NFL, MLB, NHL, and EPL action. Week 7 in the NFL continues with 12 games. The Los Angeles Rams play the Jacksonville Jaguars on the NFL Network at 9:30 a.m. ET. The Jaguars are the technical home team in this game being played at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The Rams are a 3-point favorite with the total set at 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Six NFL games kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 43.5. The Cleveland Browns host the Miami Dolphins as a 3-point favorite with a total of 35.5. The Kansas City Chiefs play at home against the Las Vegas Raiders as an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 45.5. The Chicago Bears are home against the New Orleans Saints as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 45.5. The New England Patriots play in Tennessee against the Titans as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 42.5. The Carolina Panthers are in New York to face the Jets as a 1.5-point road favorite with a total of 41.5. Four NFL games start in the late afternoon window. Two NFL games start at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Chargers host the Indianapolis Colts as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 48.5. The Denver Broncos play at home against the New York Giants as a 7-point favorite with a total of 39.5. Two more NFL games begin at 4:25 p.m. ET. The Green Bay Packers visit Arizona to battle the Cardinals as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 44.5. The Dallas Cowboys are home against the Washington Commanders as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 53.5. The San Francisco 49ers host the Atlanta Falcons on NBC at 8:20 PM ET for Sunday Night Football. The 49ers are a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Major League Baseball continues its best-of-seven league championship round of the playoffs with one game. The Toronto Blue Jays play at home against the Seattle Mariners on FS1 at 8:08 p.m. ET. The Mariners took a 3-2 series on Friday with their 6-2 victory. The Blue Jays send out Trey Yesavage to pitch against Seattle’s Logan Gilbert. Toronto is a -127 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. The Washington Capitals are home against the Vancouver Canucks at 12:40 p.m. ET as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers play in Detroit against the Red Wings at 3:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Two games conclude the NHL card at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Anaheim Ducks are on the road in Chicago against the Blackhawks as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Matchweek 8 in the English Premier League continues with two matches on the USA Network. Tottenham hosts Aston Villa at 9:00 a.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Liverpool plays at home against Manchester United at 11:30 a.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: CFL, EPL, NHL and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 10/18/2025

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Oct 18, 2025

The Saturday sports card features NCAAF, NHL, CFL, and EPL action.Week 8 in NCAAF college football concludes with 49 games between FBS opponents. Four NCAAF games on major national television kick off at noon ET. TCU hosts Baylor on ESPN2 as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 66.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Michigan plays at home against Washington on Fox as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 50.5. Vanderbilt is at home against LSU on ABC as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5. Duke hosts Georgia Tech on ESPN as a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 60.5. Central Florida plays at home against West Virginia on TNT at 1:00 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 46.5. Three NCAAF games on major national television start at 3:30 p.m. ET. Georgia is home against Mississippi on ABC as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 57.5. Ohio State travels to Wisconsin on CBS as a 25.5-point road favorite with a total of 41.5. Texas A&M plays at Arkansas as a 7.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 58.5. Two more NCAAF games on major national television at 4:00 p.m. ET. Texas Tech is on the road at Arizona State on Fox as a 7-point road favorite with a total of 50.5. Memphis visits UAB on ESPN2 as a 21.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 62.5. Texas plays at Kentucky on ESPN as a 12.5-point road favorite with a total of 43.5. Two more NCAAF games on major national television begin at 7:30 p.m. ET. Alabama hosts Tennessee on ABC as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 59.5. Notre Dame plays at home against USC on NBC as a 10-point favorite with a total of 60.5. Two more NCAAF games on major national television start at 8:00 p.m. ET. Cincinnati is on the road against Oklahoma State on ESPN2 as a 23.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 58.5. Utah travels to BYU on Fox as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 49.5. Florida State plays at Stanford on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET as a 17.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 54.5.The National Hockey League has 13 games on its slate. The Florida Panthers are in Buffalo to take on the Sabres at 1:10 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Ottawa Senators are home against the New York Islanders at 3:10 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers visit New Jersey to play the Devils at 3:40 p.m. ET as a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Wild play in Philadelphia against the Flyers, with both teams priced at -110 with an over/under of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Seattle Kraken as a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Columbus Blue Jackets play at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning as a -112 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Montreal Canadiens are home against the New York Rangers as a -118 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Dallas Stars are in St. Louis to challenge the Blues as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Winnipeg Jets host the Nashville Predators as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two NHL games start at 9:10 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche play at home against the Boston Bruins as a -250 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes travel to Los Angeles to battle the Kings as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5.Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Pittsburgh Penguins play in San Jose against the Sharks as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights are home against the Calgary Flames as a -230 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. Week 20 in the Canadian Football League continues with two games. The Montreal Alouettes visit Ottawa to take on the Redblacks at 3:00 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 51.5. The Calgary Stampeders host the Toronto Argonauts at 7:00 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 52.5. Matchweek 8 in the English Premier League begins with seven matches. Chelsea plays at Nottingham Forest on the USA Network at 7:30 a.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Five more EPL matches begin at 10:00 a.m. ET. Newcastle United is on the road against Brighton and Hove Albion on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Leeds United travels to Burnley as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Crystal Palace plays at home against Bournemouth as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5.  Manchester City is home against Everton as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Sunderland hosts Wolverhampton as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Arsenal plays at Fulham at 12:30 p.m. ET as a -1.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. 

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NBA Futures Wager: Oklahoma City to Win the 2026 NBA Title

by Al McMordie

Friday, Oct 17, 2025

For a long time, we did not see many repeat champions.  But that has been changing over the past couple of years.  In College Basketball, Connecticut won back-to-back National Championships in 2023 and 2024.  Likewise, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowls those same two years.  The NHL saw repeat champions in 2020 and 2021 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and in 2024 and 2025 with the Florida Panthers.  And the Georgia Bulldogs won back-to-back titles in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.  Even Major League Baseball -- which has not seen a repeat winner since the New York Yankees won three straight titles from 1998 to 2000 -- may get a back-to-back winner this season with the Dodgers.  So, with repeat titles in vogue, we'll take Oklahoma City to run it back in 2026.  Currently, the best odds are +245 at DraftKings.The Thunder's three best players are just starting to discover how good they can be.  And none of them have even entered their prime years.  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP last season, and is 27 years old.  Jalen Williams is only 24.  And Chet Holmgren is a year younger, at 23.  But it's not just this trio; a majority of the Thunder's roster is 25 years old (or younger).Last season, the Thunder were 68-14, and set a regular season record (including the in-season tournament championship game) with a margin of victory of 12.51.  And they also had the best point spread record ever, as they went 54-26-3 ATS, and covered the point spread by an average of 3.62 ppg.  The Thunder was not as dominant in the post-season, as they went 16-7 straight-up, and 11-12 ATS.  Their victory margin was still impressive at 11.60.  But they also were stretched to seven games by both the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers.Houston, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers will be the main threats out West, while the New York Knicks and Cleveland lurk in the East.  But none of those five teams improved enough to challenge the Thunder, especially since OKC is IMPROVING itself.  I expect OKC's defense to once again be the best in basketball.  The Thunder led the league in defensive rating (106.6), steals, opponent FG percentage, and opponent 3-point FG percentage.  They also were second in blocks.  Defense wins championships, and OKC's defense is by far the best.  Take the Thunder at +245 to win the 2026 Larry O'Brien Trophy.Good luck, as always,Al McMordie

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NCAAF, NHL, and CFL Previews and Odds - 10/17/2025

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Oct 17, 2025

The Friday sports card features NCAAF, MLB, NHL, and CFL action.Week 8 in NCAAF college football continues with four games between FBS opponents. Miami (FL) hosts Louisville on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes have won their first five games of the season after their 28-22 victory at Florida State as a 3.5-point favorite on October 4th. The Cardinals had won their first four games of the season before a 30-27 upset loss against Virginia as a 6-point favorite on October 4th. Miami (FL) is a 13.5-point favorite with the total set at 50.5. Nebraska travels to Minnesota on Fox at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Cornhuskers have won two games in a row after their 34-31 victory at Maryland as a 7-point favorite last Saturday. They have a 5-1 record. The Golden Gophers won two of their last three games after a 27-20 victory at home against Purdue as a 7-point favorite on Saturday. The win raised their record to 4-2. Nebraska is a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Utah State plays at home against San Jose State on the CBS Sports Network at 9:00 p.m. ET. The Aggies are on a two-game losing streak after a 44-26 upset loss at Hawaii on Saturday. Their record stands at 3-3. The Spartans have lost two of their last three games after a 35-28 upset loss at Wyoming as a 1.5-point favorite last Saturday. Their record is 2-4. Utah State is a 4-point favorite with a total of 61.5. California is at home against North Carolina on ESPN at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Golden Bears lost for the second time in their last three games after a 45-21 loss at home against Duke as a 3-point underdog on October 4th. They have a 4-2 record. The Tar Heels have lost two games in a row after their 38-10 loss against Clemson as a 14.5-point underdog two Saturdays ago. Their record has dropped to 2-3. California is an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Major League Baseball continues its best-of-seven league championship round of the playoffs with two games. The Toronto Blue Jays play in Seattle against the Mariners on FS1 at 6:08 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays evened this series at two games apiece with their 8-2 victory on the road against the Mariners on Thursday. Toronto sends out Kevin Gausman to pitch against Seattle’s Bryce Miller. The Blue Jays are a -112 money-line road favorite with a total of 7. The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Milwaukee Brewers on TBS/truTV/HBO Max at 8:38 p.m. ET. The Dodgers took a 3-0 series lead on Thursday with their 3-1 victory. Shohei Ohtani takes the ball for Los Angeles to face a starting pitcher yet to be named for the Brewers. The Dodgers are a -194 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning are in Detroit to face the Red Wings as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Washington Capitals play at home against the Minnesota Wild as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Vancouver Canucks visit Chicago to face the Blackhawks at 8:40 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Utah Mammoth are home against the San Jose Sharks at 9:10 p.m. ET as a -265 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Week 20 in the Canadian Football League kicks off with one game. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers host the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5. The British Columbia Lions play at home against the Edmonton Elks at 10:30 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 56.5.

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ASA's NFL News & Notes

by ASA, Inc.

Thursday, Oct 16, 2025

ASA’s NFL News & Notes  DENVER BRONCOS – What a brutal stretch for Denver.  Here is their schedule over the last 5 weeks…@ Indianapolis, @ LA Chargers, home vs Cincinnati, @ Philadelphia, @ London vs NY Jets and now no bye after playing overseas.  On top of that, they host the Giants who are coming off a win on Thursday vs Philadelphia so they have 10 days to get ready for this game in Denver.  The Broncos have been terrorizing QB’s as they lead the NFL in sack percentage and sacks per game.  Over the last 2 games alone, vs Philly and NY Jets, they have 15 sacks.  The Giants Oline is bottom 10 in sack percentage allowed and they are giving up almost 3 sacks per game.  QB Dart is very mobile which should help although Denver faced Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts the last 2 weeks and that didn’t seem to matter.  Now is the time to make a run for the Broncos who have 4 of their next 5 games at home with 3 of those games coming vs teams that currently have losing records (Giants, Raiders and Cowboys).  ARIZONA CARDINALS – QB Kyler Murray sat out last week’s game @ Indianapolis due to a foot injury.  Veteran back up Jacoby Brissett came in and let the Cardinals to their highest offensive output of the season with 27 points and 400 total yards (31-27 loss).  Prior to last week, Arizona had been held under 300 total yards in 4 of their first 5 games.  Brissett threw for 320 yards which is 100 yards more than Kyler Murray best passing game this season.  Not back facing an Indy defense that came into the game allowing just 315 YPG and 17.8 PPG (3rd in the NFL).  Coming into the game the Cards ranked 23rd in total offense, 26th in scoring, and 27th in YPP with Murray under center.  With Brissett at QB they topped their averages by 85 yards, 10 points, and 0.9 YPP vs one of the better defenses in the NFL.   Head coach Jonathan Gannon has a decision to make this Sunday (hosting Green Bay) if Murray is back and ready to go.     LA CHARGERS – The LA offense needs to figure out how to get in the endzone.  Their offense has been very good ranking 7th in total offense yet just 23rd in scoring offense (21 PPG).  They had a chance to bury Miami early last week but settled for 5 FG’s while scoring only 2 TD’s.  They rank dead last in the NFL in red zone TD percentage (just 35%) and 2nd in field goals per game.  They rank 28th in yards per point (17 yards per point) so they are moving the ball just not getting into the endzone.  The Chargers have had 61 offensive possessions this season and scoring only 12 TD’s.  That has to improve if they want to make the playoffs facing a tough division with KC and Denver.    SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – We were on the Seahawks each of the last 2 weekends for our Top Play.  They lost 38-35 two weeks ago when TB scored 10 points in the final 1:06 of the game.  They outgained the Bucs 8.6 YPP to 7.3 YPP in that loss.  Last week they traveled to Jacksonville and dominated more than then 20-12 final score outgaining the Jags 6.4 YPP to 4.0 YPP.  This team is better than their 4-2 record.  They rank 2nd in the NFL in YPP margin and point differential at +49.  Their 2 losses came by a combined 7 points and the led with under 2:00 minutes to go in both.  Using the NFL DVOA metric (Defense adjust value over average), which we use quite often, the Seahawks are ranked as the #1 team in the NFL and rank in the top 5 both offensively and defensively.  The only other team that ranks in the top 5 on both sides of the ball (per DVOA) is the LA Rams.  They’ve been great on the road winning 10 of their last 11 games dating back to last season with 5 of those wins coming as an underdog.  Something to make note of moving forward.  CLEVELAND BROWNS – The Browns traded starting QB Flacco to division rival Cincinnati and decided to go with rookie Dillon Gabriel under center.  The results have been the same.  They’ve scored 26 total points the last 2 games with Gabriel calling the signals.  This Cleveland offense ranks last in scoring (13.7 PPG), 27th in total offense, 31st in YPP, 28th in rushing and 26th in passing.  3 of their 5 losses came with the defense holding their opponent to 23 points or less.  Their only win came vs Green Bay in a game they only scored 1 TD which came on a 4 yard drive with 3:00 remaining (following a Jordan Love interception).  They’ve scored only 8 offensive TD’s in 67 possessions this season.  They host the Dolphins on Sunday in a battle of 1-5 teams.  KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – After staring the season 0-2 with losses to the Chargers and Eagles, the Chiefs have rebounded to win 3 of 4.  Even in their 1 loss during that stretch @ Jacksonville, the Chiefs dominated the stat sheet with 7.6 YPP to 5.9 for the Jags.  Their offense kicked it in gear a few weeks ago when their top WR Xavier Worthy returned from an injury.  In their first 3 games KC averaged 20 PPG and over their last 3 they’ve upped that to 31.6 PPG.  They averaged just 307 YPG in their first 3 games and then exploded for 404 YPG over their last 3.  The speedy Worthy is averaging 11.2 yards per reception and 10.2 yards per carry since coming back.  They are 13 point favorites on Sunday vs division opponent Las Vegas.  Since Mahomes took over as KC’s starting QB in 2018, the Chiefs are 12-2 SU but just 5-9 ATS vs. the Raiders.  Last year’s games both won by the Chiefs with final scores of 27-20 and 19-17.   BUFFALO BILLS – We faded the Bills each of the last 2 weeks and cashed as they lost outright to the Patriots and Falcons as favorites.  We felt Buffalo was vastly overvalued after the first 4 weeks with a perfect 4-0 record.  Fact is they played the easiest schedule in the NFL through the first 4 weeks and by quite a wide margin.  In week 1 they came from 15 points down with under 4:00 remaining to beat the Ravens scoring 17 points in the final 3:56.  While Baltimore has had some injuries, even prior to that they’ve shown they might not be near the level they were a year ago.  After that the Bills beat the Jets, Dolphins, and Saints who have a combined record of 2-16.  If we throw the Ravens in the mix, the combined record of all 4 teams the Bills have topped is just 3-21!  Despite their easy schedule, Buffalo’s point differential is +30 which is tied for just the 8th best in the NFL.  The Falcons dominated them on Monday night with 443 yards to just 291 for Buffalo.  The Bills continued to struggle stopping the run with Atlanta racking up 210 yards on the ground.  The Buffalo rush D is dead last in YPC allowed (5.8) and 31st in YPG on the ground allowed (156).  They have this weekend off and then travel to Carolina who has rushed for 239 and 216 yards in their last 2 games and the Panthers rank 4th in the NFL in rushing.   

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NBA Contrarian Betting

by Wayne Root

Thursday, Oct 16, 2025

The contrarian strategy in NBA betting can be a powerful tool when used wisely. By betting against public opinion and identifying value in the betting lines, contrarian bettors can find opportunities that others might overlook. However, it requires thorough research, a good understanding of the game, and a disciplined approach to be successful.The contrarian strategy in NBA betting involves betting against the majority of bettors. Here’s a detailed look at how this strategy works and why it can be effective:Understanding the Contrarian StrategyPublic Bias:Many bettors tend to favor popular teams or star players, often influenced by media coverage and recent performances. This can lead to skewed betting lines. For example, if a well-known team is on a winning streak, the public might heavily back them, causing the odds to shift in their favor. Identifying Value:Contrarian bettors look for instances when the odds are not reflective of the actual probabilities of an outcome. When the majority backs one side, the contrarian might see value in betting the opposite side. The idea is that sportsbooks adjust lines based on public betting patterns, sometimes leading to inflated odds for the popular side. Psychology of Betting:Many casual bettors have a tendency to follow trends and go with their gut feelings, which can create opportunities for contrarians. This can lead to overreactions to recent performances, injuries, or media narratives. Contrarian bettors capitalize on this by going against the crowd, especially in high-stakes games where emotions run high. When to Use the Contrarian StrategyHigh Public Betting Percentage:If a large percentage of the betting public is backing one team, and the line doesn't move significantly, it may indicate value in betting against that team. Late-Season Fatigue or Injuries:As the season progresses, public perception may lead to an overestimation of a team’s capabilities, especially if they’re dealing with fatigue or injuries. Home Underdogs:Often, the public tends to favor the visiting team, especially if they have a strong record. Betting on home underdogs can be a contrarian approach, especially if the home team has strengths not reflected in the public's perception. Risks InvolvedMisjudging the Market:The public often has valid reasons for their opinions. Ignoring data and trends in favor of being contrarian can lead to losses. Timing:Contrarian bets may take time to pay off. A team favored by the public could continue to win, and waiting for the right moment to bet against them requires patience and discipline. Emotional Bias:Sometimes, being contrarian can stem from personal biases against popular teams, leading to irrational decisions. Tips for Effective Contrarian BettingDo Your Research:Analyze team performance, player statistics, and other relevant data. Ensure your contrarian bets are based on solid reasoning. Monitor Line Movements:Pay attention to how betting lines change in response to public betting patterns. This can provide insight into when to place a contrarian bet. Stay Disciplined:Stick to your strategy and avoid emotional betting. Successful contrarian betting requires a level-headed approach. Focus on Situational Factors:Look for situational factors such as matchups, travel schedules, and player injuries that can influence the game outcome beyond public sentiment.Here are some common mistakes that contrarian bettors should avoid to enhance their chances of success:1. Ignoring Data and TrendsMistake: Relying solely on the contrarian approach without considering statistics, team performance, and matchups. Solution: Always back your contrarian bets with solid research and analysis. Understand the underlying reasons for public sentiment and how they relate to actual performance. 2. Overreacting to Recent PerformancesMistake: Betting against a team simply because of a recent loss or poor performance, without considering the bigger picture. Solution: Look for long-term trends rather than just short-term fluctuations. Assess whether the recent performance is indicative of a deeper issue or just a temporary setback. 3. Chasing LossesMistake: Trying to recover losses by increasing the size of contrarian bets, which can lead to poor decision-making.  Solution: Stick to a disciplined bankroll management strategy, betting only a small percentage of your bankroll on each wager. 4. Betting with EmotionMistake: Allowing personal biases or emotions to influence contrarian bets, such as betting against a team you dislike. Solution: Maintain objectivity and focus on data-driven decision-making rather than personal feelings. 5. Neglecting Line MovementsMistake: Failing to monitor how betting lines move in response to public sentiment, which can indicate value. Solution: Pay attention to line movements and understand what they might signify about market perception and potential value. 6. Ignoring Contextual FactorsMistake: Not considering situational elements like injuries, travel schedules, or player fatigue that can impact game outcomes. Solution: Always assess the context of a game; these factors can significantly influence performance and betting value. 7. Focusing Only on Popular TeamsMistake: Concentrating solely on high-profile teams, which can lead to missed opportunities with less popular teams that offer better value. Solution: Widen your focus to include a variety of teams and matchups, looking for value wherever it exists. 8. Failing to AdaptMistake: Sticking rigidly to the contrarian strategy without adjusting based on changing circumstances or new information. Solution: Be flexible and willing to adapt your approach as the season progresses and as new data becomes available. 9. Not Shopping for the Best OddsMistake: Betting at a single sportsbook without comparing odds, potentially leaving money on the table. Solution: Use multiple sportsbooks to find the best odds for your contrarian bets, maximizing potential returns. 10. Underestimating Public SentimentMistake: Dismissing the opinions of the public entirely, assuming they are always wrong. Solution: Recognize that the public can sometimes have valid insights. Analyze their reasoning and assess whether it aligns with your research.ConclusionBy avoiding these common mistakes, contrarian bettors can improve their decision-making process and enhance their chances of success. A disciplined, research-driven approach that considers both public sentiment and objective analysis is key to effective contrarian betting.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NHL, MLB and NCAAF Previews and Odds - 10/16/2025

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Oct 16, 2025

The Thursday sports card features NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and NHL action.Week 7 in the National Football League kicks off with one game. The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals on Prime Video at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Steelers have won three games in a row after their 23-9 victory at home against Cleveland as a 6-point favorite last Sunday. The Bengals are on a four-game losing streak after their 27-18 loss at Green Bay as a 15-point underdog on Sunday. Pittsburgh is a 5.5-point road favorite with the total set at 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings).Week 8 in NCAAF college football continues with one game between FBS opponents at 7:00 p.m. ET. East Carolina hosts Tulsa on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET as a 17.5-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5. Major League Baseball continues its best-of-seven league championship round of the playoffs with two games. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on TBS/truTV/HBO at 6:08 p.m. ET. The Dodgers took a 2-0 series lead with their 5-1 victory on Monday. They send out Tyler  Glasnow to pitch against a Brewers starting pitcher wh0 yet to be named. Los Angeles is a -199 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5.The Seattle Mariners are home against the Toronto Blue Jays on FS1 at 8:33 p.m. The Blue Jays won their first game in this series last night with their 13-4 victory. The Mariners still hold a 2-1 series lead. Luis Castillo takes the mound for Seattle to pitch against Max Scherzer for Toronto. The Mariners are a -137 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The National Hockey League has 11 games on its slate. Six NHL  games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Ottawa Senators host the Seattle Kraken as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Colorado Avalanche play in Columbus against the Blue Jackets as a -162 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets are in Philadelphia to take on the Flyers as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Montreal Canadiens play at home against the Nashville Predators as a -162 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New Jersey Devils are home against the Florida Panthers as a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Rangers as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers visit New York to face the Islanders at 7:40 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Dallas Stars play at home against the Vancouver Canucks as a -198 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Three games conclude the NHL card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Vegas Golden Knights are home against the Boston Bruins as a -225 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Los Angeles Kings host the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes play in Anaheim against the Ducks as a -180 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5.

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Inside The College Football Boxscores Week 7 – Part 3

by Matt Fargo

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025

Fargo looks past the top line scores and goes deep into the box scores to get a better picture of what really happened for all of the FBS games the past weekend.Florida Atlantic 53, UAB 33Florida Atlantic forced a three and out to open the game and went 64 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead which was the first of four touchdowns in four possessions and the Trent Dilfer tenure was done before halftime. The Blazers punted on their first four possessions and the game was done two minutes into the second quarter. The Owls outgained UAB 482-329 and 7.4 to 4.8 despite going just 3-10 on third down but were helped out by the Blazers committing 15 penalties for 128 yards. Coastal Carolina 23, ULM 8Coastal Carolina went 120 yards in its first two possessions but had to settle for a pair of field goals and it was a very inefficient first half before finding the endzone right before halftime for take a 16-0 lead into the break. The Warhawks punted on all six first half possessions and after scoring a touchdown early in the third quarter, the offense could do nothing the rest of the way. The Chanticleers only outgained UL Monroe 378-315 and 5.4 to 5.1 yppl but the Warhawks were 1-13 on third down.Wyoming 35, San Jose State 28San Jose St. jumped out to a 21-7 lead with the only Wyoming touchdown coming on a 73-yard punt return and the Spartans took a 14-point lead into halftime. After a scoreless third quarter filled with turnovers, the Cowboys cashed a turnover into a touchdown via interception and they scored two late touchdowns amassing 165 yards and the defense held. Wyoming outgained the Spartans 413-383 but ran 19 fewer plays and it had the yppl advantage 6.4 to 4.6. Texas A&M 34, Florida 17Florida took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead but Texas A&M scored touchdowns on its first three possessions consisting of drives of 75, 81 and 75 yards. The Aggies took a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter and scored 10 points off a missed fourth down conversion and a fumble from the Gators. Texas A&M outgained Florida 417-319 and 6.1 to 5.2 yppl as it went 9-17 on third down while the defense held the Gators to 1-10 on third down. Iowa 30, Wisconsin 0Iowa opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal then intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown three plays later and intercepted another pass two plays later and scored a touchdown on the next play. The Hawkeyes dominated the rest of the way with their defense to pitch the shutout. Iowa outgained the Badgers 319-209 and 5.2 to 3.7 yppl so it was far from dominating but the two early interceptions set the tone. The Hawkeyes did rush for 210 yards on 36 carries (5.8 ypc). USC 31, Michigan 13USC took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Wolverines went three and out on its first possession and despite running 11 plays on its second possession, it was forced to punt again but took its third possession 86 yards in 14 plays to tie the game. The Trojans then scored the next 17 points to put the game away. USC outgained Michigan 489-316 and 7.2 to 5.5 yppl while going 6-12 on third down and held the Wolverines to 2-9 on third down. Minnesota 27, Purdue 20Purdue jumped out to a 10-0 lead and took a four-point lead into halftime and a third quarter field goal gave the Boilermakers a 20-13 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Gophers went 70 yards in 14 plays to tie the game and had an interception return for a touchdown on the next play to take the lead. Purdue was then stopped at the Minnesota seven-yard line with 1:56 left. Purdue outgained the Gophers 456-262 but were -3 in turnovers while going just 3-5 in the redzone. Georgia 20, Auburn 10Auburn took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in 14 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Tigers forced a punt and went 70 yards but had to settle for a 24-yard field goal and then after a punt, they went 79 yards but fumbled at the Georgia one yard line. That motivation got the Georgia offense going as the Bulldogs scored in four of their next six possessions, the exceptions being a turnover on downs and a missed field goal. Georgia outgained Auburn 296-277 and 4.3 to 4.1 yppl. Clemson 41, Boston College 10Clemson jumped ahead 10-0 and built a 17-3 lead before Boston College went 75 yards in 10 plays to cut the lead to seven points but then it was all Tigers after that. Clemson scored 17 points to close the first half to take a 34-10 lead into the break but it threw two interceptions to open the second half. The defense did the job not to let the Eagles back in the game and overall, the Tigers outgained Boston College 504-221 and 6.6 to 3.6 yppl but were sloppy with three turnovers. Texas Tech 42, Kansas 17Texas Tech forced a punt on the opening possession of the game and threw a 71-yard touchdown pass on its first play from scrimmage. Kansas fumbled on its next play and the Red Raiders scored a second touchdown five plays later then built a 21-0 lead. Kansas did score 17 unanswered points to end the first half but Texas Tech owned the second half 21-0. The Red Raiders outgained Kansas 505-319 and 7.4 to 4.1 and they rushed for 372 yards on 40 carries (9.3 ypc).  UTSA 61, Rice 13UTSA took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in five plays to take a 7-0 lead and Rice was able to move the ball on its first possession but had to settle for a field goal. The Roadrunners then scored the next 31 points before Rice tacked on a touchdown before halftime. UTSA opened the second half with two defensive touchdowns in the first seven plays and added a safety. The Roadrunners outgained Rice 437-269 and 7.4 to 3.9 yppl but the offense was just 4-10 on third down. LSU 20, South Carolina 10LSU opened the scoring with a field goal following a Gamecocks fumble and South Carolina then missed a field goal. The Tigers then fumbled it back to South Carolina and scored three plays later on a 72-yard rushing touchdown. It was a tie game midway through the third quarter before LSU scored the final 10 points. The Tigers outgained South Carolina 420-317 and 6.7 to 4.4 yppl as it ran nine fewer plays but did have three turnovers. The Gamecocks committed 13 penalties. BYU 33, Arizona 27BYU took a 14-0 lead before Arizona ran off 24 straight points, the last touchdown coming early in the fourth quarter. The Cougars then went 69 yards in 15 plays but had to settle for a 24-yard field goal and then forced a punt and went 47 yards to tie the game with 19 seconds remaining. Field goals were traded in the first overtime and in the second overtime, BYU scored and then the defense held. The Cougars outgained Arizona 430-383 and held the Wildcats to 4-17 on third down. Troy 48, Texas State 41Texas St. opened up a 28-7 lead after the first quarter as it had two big touchdown plays of 59 and 62 yards. The Bobcats slowly let Troy back in the game as the Trojans scored on seven of their final eight possessions including the game tying touchdown with 1:13 remaining and the Bobcats missed a 42-yard field goal as time expired. Troy scored first in overtime before the Bobcats failed to convert a fourth and one. Texas St. outgained the Trojans 574-458 and 7.7 to 6.3 yppl. Boise State 41, New Mexico 25Boise St. opened the scoring with a field goal and then added a touchdown to end the first quarter but New Mexico returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The Lobos forced a three and out and drove 58 yards for a touchdown but the Broncos went on a 31-3 run before New Mexico added a touchdown in garbage time. Boise St. outgained the Lobos 397-231 but had the ball for 21 more minutes while running 32 more plays and had just a 4.6 to 4.3 yppl advantage. Utah 42, Arizona State 10After Utah scored a touchdown on its opening possession, Arizona St. went 54 yards in 16 plays and took over seven minutes off the clock but had to settle for a field goal. The Utes then scored the next 21 points before the Sun Devils added a touchdown but it was too late. Utah rushed for 276 yards on 42 carries (6.6 ypc) and overall the Utes outgained Arizona St. 412-273. They ran 23 fewer plays and outgained the Sun Devils 7.5 to 3.5 yppl and had only eight third downs. San Diego State 44, Nevada 10San Diego St. had a 14-0 lead after the first quarter following touchdowns on a 75-yard punt return and a 45-yard interception return. The Aztecs added on 30 more points before taking the foot off the gas. Nevada scored all 10 points in garbage time in the fourth quarter. San Diego St. outgained the Wolf Pack 409-254 with 141 of those 254 yards for Nevada coming on those two scoring drives. The Aztecs held Nevada to 60 yards rushing on 33 carries (1.8 ypc). Hawaii 44, Utah State 26It was a back and forth game with Hawaii taking the lead 27-26 near the end of the third quarter and then outscored the Aggies 17-0 in the fourth quarter. Utah St. scored one minute into the second half and then the offense fell apart as it finished with two punts, a turnover on downs, a fumble and an interception in its final eight possessions. Hawaii outgained the Aggies 546-435 but ran 17 more plays and the yppl was even at 6.6. The Aggies were 2-12 on third down.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, MLB and NHL Previews and Odds - 10/15/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, MLB, and NHL action.Week 8 in NCAAF college football continues with two games between FBS opponents at 7:00 p.m. ET. Delaware travels to Jacksonville State on ESPN. The Blue Hens had won two games in a row before a 27-24 upset loss at home against Western Kentucky as a 2.5-point favorite on October 3rd. They have a 3-2 record on the season. The Gamecocks won for the second time in their last three games in a 29-27 victory at Sam Houston as a 7-point favorite last Thursday. The victory evened their record at 3-3. Delaware is a 3-point road favorite with the total set at 57.5 (all odds from DraftKings). UTEP plays at Sam Houston on the CBS Sports Network. The Miners lost their fourth straight game last Wednesday in a 19-8 setback against Liberty as a 2-point underdog. They have a 1-5 record. The Bearkats have lost their first six games of the season after their loss at home against Jacksonville State last week. UTEP is a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 47.5. Major League Baseball continues its best-of-seven league championship round of the playoffs with one game. The Seattle Mariners host the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the ALCS on FS1 at 8:08 p.m. ET. The Mariners took a 2-0 lead in this series with their 10-3 victory on the road in Toronto on Monday. They have won five of their last six games. The Blue Jays have lost three of their last four games. Seattle sends out George Kirby to take the mound to pitch against Toronto’s Shane Bieber. The Mariners are a -137 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Florida Panthers are on the road in Detroit against the Red Wings on TNT. The Panthers had won their first three games of the season before a 5-2 loss at Philadelphia on Monday. The Red Wings rebounded from losing their opening game of the season with two straight victories after a 3-2 win at Toronto on Monday. Florida is a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.The Ottawa Senators visit Buffalo to take on the Sabres. The Senators won their opening game of the season but have since lost two games in a row after a 4-1 loss against Nashville on Monday. The Sabres have lost their first three games of the season after a 3-1 loss at home against Colorado on Monday. Ottawa is a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Two more games conclude the NHL card at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Utah Mammoth plays at home against the Calgary Stampeders. The Mammoth lost for the second time in their first three games this season in a 3-1 loss at Chicago on Monday. The Flames won their first game of the new season before losing two games in a row after their 4-2 loss at home against St. Louis on Saturday. Utah is a -218 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues are home against the Chicago Blackhawks on TNT. The Blues rebounded from losing their opening game of the season with two straight victories after their 5-2 win at Vancouver on Monday. The Blackhawks ended a three-game losing streak to begin the season with their victory against Utah on Monday. St. Louis is a -230 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5.  

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