We’ve got NBA Basketball and College Football all day today! Today starts a new month, and we believe that November will be even better than October. Here we go!
NBA:
Sacramento at Milwaukee (-4.5):
The Kings have been a dumpster fire so far this season. Their team is full of players who want the ball and who can’t play defense. That is not a good recipe to winning games. Milwaukee has been solid this year, and that will continue in this one with a comfortable win at home. Pick: Milwaukee 124 Sacramento 112
Minnesota (-5.5) at Charlotte:
Even without Anthony Edwards, Minnesota is a more talented team than Charlotte. This is a fun matchup because Minnesota’s offense is sub par, and the same can be said for Charlotte’s defense. Something has to give. We are giving the edge to the Timberwolves. Pick: Minnesota 121 Charlotte 109
Golden State (-10.5) at Indiana:
Indiana is still looking for their first win of the season. They have played a tough schedule so far, with all their games being against Western Conference teams. That continues against a Golden State team looking to stay hot. We think they will Pick: Golden State 116 Indiana 108
Orlando (-9.5) at Washington:
Orlando played their most complete game of the season in their last game, beating the Hornets by double digits. They look to continue that momentum against the Wizards, and we think they will. Nothing like playing Charlotte and Washington in back to back games to start feeling good. Pick: Orlando 127 Washington 106
Houston (-5.5) at Boston:
Don’t look now, but the Boston Celtics have won two games in a row! That is big for a team still trying to find their way without Jayson Tatum. The Rockets have also won two games in a row, and are looking more like the team everyone thought they would be in the offseason. That will continue today, as the Rockets have too much firepower. Pick: Houston 126 Boston 113
Dallas at Detroit (-7.5):
Cooper Flagg heads on the road for the first time as a professional, as the Mavericks head north to face the Detroit Pistons. Detroit is playing a bunch of close games, and we see no reason why this one will be any different. We are giving the slight edge to the Pistons here. Pick: Detroit 113 Dallas 110
NCAA Football:
West Virginia at #22 Houston (-13.5):
West Virginia is winless in the Big 12 this year, and now heads to Houston to face a Cougars team that is peaking. Houston is 7-1 with their only loss being to a ranked Texas Tech team. We know the Cougars will win, the only questions is by how much? We say they cover. Pick: Houston 34 West Virginia 17
#9 Vanderbilt at #20 Texas (-3.5):
Show some respect to the Commodores! Yes, this game is in Austin, but Archie Manning isn’t 100% healthy and the Vanderbilt defense is really good. We think this game will be a lot like last week for Vandy, a low scoring game that they will find a way to win. Pick: Vanderbilt 20 Texas 17
Penn State at #1 Ohio State (-18.5):
A month ago this was the biggest game in the Big 10 all year. Now Penn State has lost four games in a row and fired their coach. The hits keep on coming for the Nittany Lions, as now they have to head to Columbus. We don’t see a way they keep this game close. Give us the Buckeyes, you can have the points. Pick: Ohio State 45 Penn State 17
#10 Miami (-10.5) at SMU:
Both of these teams still have ACC Championship aspirations, as they are among a litany of one loss teams in the conference. The problem for SMU is that they have beaten up on the bad teams in the conference, but don’t have a statement win yet. This would definitely be that, but we don’t see it happening. Pick: Miami 34 SMU 20
#16 Louisville (-10.5) at Virginia Tech:
Another team in the ACC that is looking to win the title, Louisville has a much easier game than the teams mentioned above. The Hokies are 2-2 in conference, but 3-5 overall, and we don’t see this game being that close. Maybe if it was a night game, but since this starts at 3PM, the fans won’t be as into it. Give us Louisville. Pick: Louisville 37 Virginia Tech 24
#13 Texas Tech (-7.5) at Kansas State:
It seems like every year Kansas St beats someone they shouldn’t. This is pretty much their last chance, as after this the only ranked team they play is Utah. The time is now for the Wildcats’ upset, so we are going to go with Kansas State to shock the football world. Pick: Kansas State 27 Texas Tech 24
#5 Georgia (-7.5) at Florida:
Florida has already fired their coach, and now heads to Jacksonville to face Georgia in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. We went to the game in 2010, and Florida won in overtime. That won’t be the case today. Georgia is looking to stay in the National Championship picture, and they need to impress the committee to do it. What better way then to pound your biggest rival into the dirt? Pick: Georgia 41 Florida 13
#12 Notre Dame (-30.5) at Boston College:
We couldn’t believe the line was this way when we were making our picks. They we looked at Boston College and realize they have been awful all year. They are 1-7, with their only win against Fordham, an FCS school. Their closest game the last month has been 14 points. This will get ugly quickly. Pick: Notre Dame 56 Boston College 13
#2 Indiana (-21.5) at Maryland:
Last week we thought the line was too high for the Indiana Hoosiers against UCLA. We are not making that mistake again. Indiana has a great offense, a great defense, and a coach that is always looking to push. This might be the best team in College Football. Pick: Indiana 47 Maryland 20
#15 Virginia (-5.5) at California:
This is the first ranked team that California has played all season. Their best win is a 2714 victory over Minnesota. Meanwhile, Virginia is looking to stay undefeated in the ACC. Even though the Cavaliers have to travel all the way across the country, we are going to go with Virginia to cover. Pick: Virginia 28 California 20
South Carolina at #7 Ole Miss (-11.5):
Ole Miss has gotten through the toughest part of their schedule, and now gets to face South Carolina at home. The Gamecocks are just 1-5 in the conference, with their only win being Kentucky. They kept it close against Alabama and LSU, and we think they will do it here as well. Pick: Ole Miss 31 South Carolina 24
Purdue at #21 Michigan (-21.5):
Purdue is another team that is winless in conference play, and we don’t think that will change after heading to the Big House. With that being said, we do think this line is too high. Michigan hasn’t beaten a conference opponent by three touchdowns all year long, so while we are picking the Wolverines to win, we are picking the Boilermakers to cover. Pick: Michigan 27 Purdue 10
#8 Georgia Tech (-5.5) at NC State:
Georgia Tech is a much better team at home than they are on the road. This week they head to NC State against a Wolfpack team desperate for a statement win. This is more of a gut feeling than anything else, but we think the Yellow Jackets are primed for an upset. Give us NC State. Pick: NC State 24 Georgia Tech 23
#23 USC (-4.5) at Nebraska:
Another chance for a big win for Nebraska, the Cornhuskers host the Trojans in Lincoln today. The last few years, these games have not been kind to Nebraska. They always find ways to lose. Will today be any different? We say no. Nebraska struggles to score and USC scores late to win by double digits. Pick: USC 27 Nebraska 17
#18 Oklahoma at #14 Tennessee (-3.5):
This is game two of a four game stretch for Oklahoma against ranked teams. Last week didn’t work out for them as they lost to Ole Miss by eight. We think something similar will happen here. Tennessee has put up a lot of points this year, and even though the Sooners defense is good, it will be enough to cover the spread. Pick: Tennessee 30 Oklahoma 20
#17 Cincinnati at #24 Utah (-10.5):
We had to double check this line. Cincinnati is getting double digit points against a Utah team that is ranked behind them. Yes this game is played in Utah, but this line is way too high. We will gladly take the points as the Utes win a close one against the Bearcats. Pick: Utah 31 Cincinnati 30
Happy picking everyone!