What a week with the Breeders’ Cup and football. The books were wild and crazy just like the games and races.
Thanks to those at Palace Station who made the Breeders’ Cup seminar a huge success. Scott Morrow, director of casino operations and a real class act, and the soft spoken Mike Corrigan, race and sports manager, another real class act.
Most importantly “twin Q” Donnie one of the hardest working race supervisors in the industry. Thanks to all. I would also like to thank Professor Gordon Jones for his expertise and great work on the BC races, plus giving out the BC winner Bayern, and the host of hosts, Ralph Siraco.
Paul Truitt, our MC, looked great in his sport coat and has that look in his eyes like he is looking for a jockey to pick up. Maybe Mark Guidry will come out of retirement?
Thanks to Tony Miller down at the beautiful Golden Nugget for picking up lunch when I was there on Friday doing the Brian Blessing show.
On to football.
NCAA
SATURDAY
Penn State -4.5 at Indiana: Nittany Lions were in a perfect spot last week to get beat coming off a huge revenge game with Ohio State. They hit the road to Bloomington and play the Hoosiers who have gone 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three. Penn State looks for some payback after last year’s embarrassing 44-24 loss to the Hoosiers. Lions 7-0 as a road chalk when coming off a SU home loss as a favorite. PENN ST.
Michigan +1.5 at N’western: Both teams trying to reach .500 mark. Wildcats in rare position to get a win against the Wolverines. They have a shot, going 5-0 ATS at home when coming off a double digit loss and playing a conference team that is .500. NORTHWESTERN.
Wisconsin -16 at Purdue: Boilermakers only own three wins this year but have covered their last four games. They look to make it five straight in this game. Badgers 0-9 ATS when favored on the road by 10 or more points when playing a foe that is .500 or less. PURDUE.
Duke -3.5 at Syracuse: Blue Devils 8-1 ATS in their last nine games when playing a team with a losing record. Orange just 3-6 overall. Duke pulled out a great OT win last week in Pittsburgh and now are 7-1. Devils have won and covered three straight games and are 8-0 in the second of back to back rodies playing a team coming off a loss. They have won four straight before playing Virginia Tech, the next opponent. DUKE.
Louisville -3 at BC: Cards coming off huge game last week against Florida State, which they blew after having a 21-0 lead. They are 9-0 ATS on the road when playing a team with a .666 or higher win percentage. LOUISVILLE.
Alabama -6 at LSU: Tigers have gone 10-0 ATS as dogs with revenge and lost to the Tide last year, 38-17, in Tuscaloosa. LSU has had an extra week in Baton Rouge to prepare. LSU.
Baylor +3.5 at Okla St.: The Bears getting points for the first time this year. Baylor 8-0 ATS away when playing a conference team that has a record of .750 or less coming off a double digit win. Sooners beat Iowa State last week, 59-14, and they have gone 0-4 ATS in games before playing Texas Tech, the next opponent. BAYLOR.
Ga. Southern -10 at Texas St.: Visiting Panthers are high scoring and good (7-2 SU/8-1 ATS). Their only two losses where against NC State, 24-23, and 42-38 at Georgia Tech. GA. SOUTHERN.
Last week: 3-2
Season: 41-32-1
NFL
SUNDAY
In this wacky world of the NFL with all the tats, long hair and finger pointing, in games that are hard to watch mostly because of the zebras and stupidity of the players and coaches we will play a few games.
49ers +3.5 at Saints: Bags are off and Saints had a few extra days off after last Thursday’s nice win at Carolina. They have won and covered two straight. Now have a big shot in the NFC South. SAINTS.
MONDAY
Panthers +5.5 at Eagles: The Panthers offense has gone South for the winter, scoring 17, 9, 10 in their last three games. Eagles fly in Philly snow or shine. EAGLES.
Last week: 0-1
Season: 8-6
Richard Saber, a former director of race and sports at the famed Stardust book, is GamingToday’s horse racing and sports handicapper. Follow Richard on Twitter @SabesBet. Contact Richard at [email protected].
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