4 Unit Play. Take #261 Cincinnati Bengals over New York Jets (1p.m., Sunday, October 31 CBS) The Jets are terrible and now have quarterback issues. Cincinnati is coming off one of the most dominating wins of the season against Baltimore. Look for them to follow that up with a double-digit win on Sunday against one of the worst teams in the league. Cincinnati pounded Detroit by 23 points two weeks ago and should be entering having won 5 straight if not for a missed field goal in overtime against the Packers. Cincinnati has outscored New York 94-37 in their last 3 meetings. Look for that to continue against on Sunday.

10 Unit Play. Take #254 Atlanta Falcons over Carolina Panthers (1p.m., Sunday, October 31 FOX) NFL Game of the Year The Panthers are in freefall now having lost 4 straight games. They are backing their turnaround on Christian McCaffrey coming back later in the season, but I do not see things getting any better until then. Atlanta has won 3 of their last 4 games and played well last week against Miami leading for most of that game before turnovers got the Dolphins a late lead. They will clean that up on Sunday and win this game by close to double digits. Carolina has had turnover issues and I do not expect that to be cleaned up in this game either. QB Donald is not a top tier player and Carolina did much of their damage at the start of the season against bad teams. Atlanta is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against Carolina. The Panthers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games. Atlanta is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games against teams with a losing record.

10 Unit Play. Take #190 Ohio State Buckeyes over Penn State Nittany Lions (7:30p.m., Saturday, October 30 ABC) Ohio State has been rolling of late winning 5 straight games and all of them have come by more points than tonight’s posted number. Penn State could not run the football against Illinois, and they are gassed after losing to the Illini in 9 overtimes. QB Clifford did return from an injury against Iowa but did not look good, throwing for just 165 yards on 56% completions. Penn State is going to have to score points to stay in this game and I just do not believe that is something they can do at this stage of the season. Ohio State still has a great chance to make the college football playoff if they win out and win convincingly. They have scored at least 52 points in their last four games and if they hit that number on Saturday, they will win this game with ease. Penn State is 4-20 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 26 games following a loss in their previous game. Ohio State is 13-5 ATS in tier last 18 games following an ATS win in their previous game. The James Franklin to USC rumors heat up and Penn State continues to lose games, this one coming by 20+ points.

4 Unit Play. Take #117 Iowa Hawkeyes over Wisconsin Badgers (12p.m., Saturday, October 30 ESPN) You have an unranked team that is favored over a ranked team, but I do not buy the metrics on Wisconsin. The Badgers have a terrible quarterback and if Hawkeyes can stop the run, they will have trouble moving the football. Iowa is solid on defense as well and if they can take care of the football they should win this game straight-up. Wisconsin got 5 turnovers last week against Purdue and only had to throw 8 passes. Iowa turned it over 4 times two weeks ago against Purdue and lost of them. Do you see a trend about what Iowa needs to do to win this game? The road team is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 meetings between Iowa and Wisconsin.

4 Unit Play. Take #124 Michigan State Spartans over Michigan Wolverines (12p.m., Saturday, October 30 FOX) This is just too many points for a true road game against a team Michigan has not done well against in the past. Michigan State is 9-4 straight-up and 11-2 ATS against Michigan since 2008. Both defenses are tough against the run and whoever can make plays in the passing game will likely win this game. I feel Michigan State has the best player on the field in Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III and a strong showing in this game will vault him up the standing. Michigan State is coming off a bye week to get healthy and I just do not see them getting run off the field against Michigan. Coach Harbaugh still has a terrible record against ranked teams and if this game is close in the fourth quarter, I expect Michigan State to win it straight-up. Michigan is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with a winning record. Michigan State is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games played during the month of October. Take the points in this game, as I believe the wrong team is favored.

4 Unit Play. Take #139 Rutgers Scarlet Knights over Illinois Fighting Illini (12p.m., Saturday, October 30 BTN) Just do not know who Illinois will bounce back after a 9 overtime win last time out against Penn State. Rutgers is coming off a bye last week and Illinois still have major issues at quarterback. Illinois has proven they can lose to anyone, and I just feel Rutgers is further along in year two with Greg Schiano compared to year 1 of Bret Bielema. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between Rutgers and Illinois.

4 Unit Play. Take #465 Philadelphia Eagles over Las Vegas Raiders (4:05p.m., Sunday, October 24 FOX) Just feel that the Raiders cannot handle prosperity. The Eagles have extra rest for this game, and I feel that they will be able to take it down to the wire. Las Vegas played well last week against a fraud team in Denver but in their last home game they were dominated by Chicago. The Bears and similar to the Eagles and I feel this game will go down to the wire. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between Philadelphia and Las Vegas. The Raiders are 8-19 ATS in their last 27 games following a victory in their previous game.

4 Unit Play. Take #459 Atlanta Falcons over Miami Dolphins (1 p.m., Sunday, October 24 FOX) Miami is not very good this year on either side of the football and have gone 0-5 straight-up since their opening game win at New England. Miami is returning home from London (most teams get a bye after playing in London) and they have a coach clearly on the hot seat. The favorite is 3-1 ATS (1 push) in the last 5 meetings between these teams. Atlanta is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games against teams with a losing record.

4 Unit Play. Take #409 Nevada Wolf Pack over Fresno State Bulldogs (7 p.m., Saturday, October 23 FS2) Just feel Nevada as the better team getting points is too good to pass up. Nevada has won 4 of the last 6 games with Fresno State, and they have an explosive offense led by an NFL prospect at quarterback in Carson Strong. Nevada is 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog. The road team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between Nevada and Fresno State. The Bulldogs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite.

4 Unit Play. Take #369 New Mexico Lobos over Wyoming Cowboys (3:30 p.m., Saturday, October 23 Stadium) This line is an overaction to how bad New Mexico looked on offense last week. They need to make a quarterback change, and I expect them to be better on Saturday against Wyoming. The Cowboys are not an offensive juggernaut, scoring just 25 points per game, and that does not bode well when trying to cover this big of a spread. The best coach on the sidelines is Rocky Long, and he will have the Lobos defense ready to stop the running attack of Wyoming. New Mexico is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings against Wyoming. That includes 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games in Laramie.

10 Unit Play. Take #386 UAB Blazers over Rice Owls (3:30 p.m., Saturday, October 23 ESPN+) UAB has dominated this series of late, winning 4 straight games. These teams appear to be heading in opposite directions with Rice being blown out last week by UTSA and barely beating Southern Miss the week before. All 4 of Rice’s losses have come by at least 21 points. The Blazers have won 4 of their last 5 games and pitched a shutout last time out against SMU. Rice is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games played in Birmingham. UAB is 18-7 ATS (1 push) in their last 26 home games.

4 Unit Play. Take #394 Purdue Boilermakers over Wisconsin Badgers (3 p.m., Saturday, October 23 BTN) Purdue is coming off an impressive win against Iowa, and look for a carry over into this game. Purdue has a chance to win the Big Ten West if they beat Wisconsin, a team that still has no identity on offense. Wisconsin was again terrible on offense against Army, and QB Mertz appears to be a bust as a successful Big Ten quarterback. If Purdue takes care of the football, they will win this game. Wisconsin is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite. The underdog has covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 games. Purdue is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home underdog. Coach Chryst just does not seem to have any answers when his offense cannot overpower teams by running the football.

10 Unit Play. Take #272 New England Patriots over Dallas Cowboys (4:25p.m., Sunday, October 17 CBS) Just feel Dallas is due for a regression having covered the spread in every game that they have played in 2021. Dallas has not won a game in Foxboro since the 1980s and they have also lost 6 straight games to New England. Also do not believe the Patriots will lose 4 straight home games. This game will go down to the wire and we will cover the spread with whoever comes out on top. Dallas is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite. New England is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games as a home underdog.

4 Unit Play. Take Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears (1p.m., Sunday, October 17 FOX) The Packers have won 10 of their last 11 games at Soldier Field and the disparity at quarterback will be too much for Chicago to overcome. QB Rodgers has gone 20-5 against Chicago and has a 55-10 touchdown to interception ratio in those games. Green Bay has covered the spread in 9 of their last 13 divisional games. QB Fields still makes mistakes and that will be his undoing in this game. Green Bay is 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games in Chicago. The Bears are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games against teams with a winning record.

4 Unit Play. Take #260 Carolina Panthers over Minnesota Vikings (1p.m., Sunday, October 17 FOX) Just feel Carolina will bounce back and not lose three straight games. The Panther should get some skill players back on offense a loss he could send them spiraling down. Minnesota struggled to put away Detroit last week at home and I just do not trust them to win consecutive games. The Vikings are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games. The Panthers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss in their previous game.

4 Unit Play. Take #264 Detroit Lions over Cincinnati Bengals (1p.m., Sunday, October 17 FOX) Just do not believe the Bengals should be favored over anyone in a true road game. Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses last Sunday and sooner or later Detroit will finish off one of these games. The Lions are happy to be back at home and the Bengals have just been a road favorite twice in the last 4 years. The Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog. The Bengals have some key people injured on offense and will not be a full strength. Cincinnati is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. Detroit is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games during Week 6 of the regular season.

10 Unit Play. Take #155 Colorado State Rams over New Mexico Lobos (7p.m., Saturday, October 16 Stadium) Just feel these two teams are going in opposite directions. The Rams are dominated the Lobos over the last decade going 10-0 straight-up and 8-2 against the spread. New Mexico really has trouble moving the football averaging just over 200 yards per game during this 4-game losing streak. They are averaging just 7 points per game over this losing streak. The favorite is 6-1 ATS (1 push) in the last 8 games between Colorado State and New Mexico. The Lobos are 8-22 ATS in their last 30 games following an loss in their previous game.

4 Unit Play. Take #181 Purdue Boilermakers over Iowa Hawkeyes (3:30p.m., Saturday, October 16 ABC) Iowa is coming off a big win last week over Penn State, a game they likely would not have won if Penn State did not lose their quarterback. Now they face a poor man’s version of themselves in Purdue, a team that also have a strong defense. Expect a low scoring game and I believe Purdue keeps the deficit in single digits. Purdue has beaten Iowa in 3 of the last 4 meetings including 2020. If they can take care of the football they should be able to take this game down to the wire. The road team is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings between Purdue and Iowa. Purdue is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog.

Free Play from Doc’s Sports. Take #151 Rutgers Scarlet Knights over Northwestern Wildcats (12p.m., Saturday, October 12 BTN) These are two of the worst teams in the conference and I see Rutgers coming out on top in a true road game. Rutgers has played better on the road this season covering the spread in both games. The Scarlet Knights are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite. Northwestern is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. Do not miss out on Doc’s Sports weekend football card featuring top play winners on Saturday and Sunday. Sign-up now and let 50 years of handicapping experience work for you. 

4 Unit Play. Take #144 Minnesota Golden Gophers over Nebraska Cornhuskers (12p.m., Saturday, October 16 ESPN2) Nebraska continues to be a tough luck team and I see no reason why that will change today in a true road game at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota does not look that impressive this year but they have a veteran quarterback and are coming off a bye week. Just expect this game to go down to the wire and the line movement towards Nebraska makes this a strong play on Minnesota. The home team is 3-1 ATS (1 push) in the last 5 games between Nebraska and Minnesota. Nebraska is 1-6 ATS in their last 6 games played during the month of October. Minnesota is 4-0 ATS (1 push) in their last 5 Big 10 games.

3 Unit Play. Take South Alabama Jaguars over Georgia Southern Eagles (7:30p.m., Thursday, October 14 ESPN) This game features two teams desperate for a win and we will side with the home team tonight in Mobile. USA has never beaten Georgia Southern but that will end tonight. The Eagles are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Jaguars are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games.

4 Unit Play. Take #478 Kansas City Chiefs over Buffalo Bills (8:20p.m., Sunday, October 10 NBC) This is a rematch of the AFC Championship Game from last season. The Chiefs already have two losses and play in a much better division and thus I feel this game means more to them. Buffalo has been beating up on bad teams during this three game winning streak and they have not seen a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes all season long. Kansas City has won 5 of the last 6 games against Buffalo. Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played during the month of October. Buffalo is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games played during the month of October.

4 Unit Play. Take #464 Pittsburgh Steelers over Denver Broncos (1p.m., Sunday, October 10 CBS) Points may be hard to find for both teams in this game. Denver had an easy schedule and thus their 3-0 record is inflated, and I just do not trust them. QB Bridgewater is in concussion protocol, and I just do not trust his backup quarterback whatsoever. Coach Tomlin has a knack for winning games when he does not have a talented roster and always seem to finish at least .500 come January. Pittsburgh is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games played during Week 5 of the regular season. Denver is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games against teams with a losing home record.

4 Unit Play. Take #468 Houston Texans over New England Patriots (1p.m., Sunday, October 10 CBS) Everyone feel in love with Mac Jones on Sunday Night Football when he outplayed Tom Brady. But he still lacks a running game and a deep threat wide receiver, and I just do not see them routing the Texans in a true road game. Houston has beaten New England two straight games and I feel this game goes down to the wire. Not much good can be said about how Houston is playing of late, but they are professionals and expect a bounce back from last week’s game. The Texans are 4-1 ATS (1 push) in their last 6 home games against the Patriots. New England is just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite. 

10 Unit Play. Take #457 New Orleans Saints over Washington Football Team (1p.m., Sunday, October 10 FOX) Just do not believe in Washington especially on the offensive side of the football. New Orleans plays better on the road going 16-7 ATS in their last 16 road games when they are the favorite. They still have more playmakers compared to Washington and that will be the difference today. The Saints are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games. Washington is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games. Jameis takes care of the football and the Saints take advantage of a couple of key injuries on offense for the Football team.

4 Unit Play. Take #382 Nebraska Cornhuskers over Michigan Wolverines (7:30p.m., Saturday, October 9 ABC) Michigan finally won a big game last week against Wisconsin and now I believe Nebraska and Coach Frost will do the same this Saturday in Lincoln. Back-to-Back road games are always a tough situation and that is what Michigan will face tonight. Nebraska has a better offense than does Wisconsin and they are coming off their best performance of the season. Michigan is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Big 10 games. Quietly, Nebraska has covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games (1 push). 

4 Unit Play. Take #396 Iowa Hawkeyes over Penn State Nittany Lions (4p.m., Saturday, October 9 FOX) This is a great matchup from the Big 10 and does not feature Ohio State. Just not sure Penn State is all the way back and playing in Iowa City will be their toughest challenge of the season. The Nittany Lions have a brutal schedule this season and I expect them to have three or more losses come December. Iowa is playing outstanding defense and getting takeaways at an unbelievable clip. Penn state does not have a dynamic offense and I really feel they will have trouble scoring points in this game. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games between Penn State and Iowa. The Hawkeyes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games. Iowa moves into the top 3 in the country after a win today at home.

4 Unit Play. Take #376 Illinois Fighting Illini over Wisconsin Badgers (3:30p.m., Saturday, October 9 BTN) We went against Wisconsin each of the last two weeks and easily won and we will look to complete the trifecta on Saturday. This game will be full of emotions on both sidelines as former Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema now the head man at Illinois. But this play just comes down to us not trusting the Wisconsin offense. If Illinois can take care of the football and not beat themselves, they will be able to keep this game in single digits. Wisconsin is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games. Illinois is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight-up victory. 

10 Unit Play. Take #379 Oklahoma Sooners over Texas Longhorns (12p.m., Saturday, October 9 ABC) The Cotton Bowl is the site for this annual edition of the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma has just been getting by of late and thus the spread in this game has dropped to around a field goal. Oklahoma has won 9 of the last 12 meetings and if they win today, they should be able to cover this small spread as well. I still believe Oklahoma’s best football is still ahead of them and it will start on Saturday.

10 Unit Play. Take #280 Los Angeles Chargers over Las Vegas Raiders (8:15p.m., Monday, October 3 ESPN) Just do not feel the Raiders will be able to handle prosperity. They enter this game at 3-0, but needed to survive last week at home against the Dolphins, a team that was playing a backup quarterback. The Chargers are coming off an impressive victory at Kansas City last Sunday and have covered the spread in 5 of their last 7 games (1 push). Las Vegas is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games played during the month of October. Los Angeles is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 divisional games. 

4 Unit Play. Take #278 New England Patriots over Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:20p.m., Sunday, October 2 NBC) Everyone is expecting the Buccaneers to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season last week in Los Angeles. I just do not see a blowout in this game, as Tampa Bay is playing their second straight road game and New England is playing their second straight home game. New England has beaten Tampa Bay 4 straight times and I see this game going down to the wire as well. Emotions will be high for QB Brady and I believe the Patriots will want to win just as badly. New England is 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games as an underdog. Tampa Bay is 3-12 ATS (1 push) in their last 16 games played during the month of October.

4 Unit Play. Take #253 Detroit Lions over Chicago Bears (1p.m., Sunday, October 3 FOX) Just do not feel that the Bears should be favored over any team in the NFL at the moment. Chicago has three quarterbacks that may play on Sunday and to me that means none of them are any good. Detroit has an established quarterback in Jared Goff and should have beaten Baltimore last week if a delay of game was properly called. Detroit played hard last week, and I believe that they will get over the hump this week and record their first victory on the season. Chicago is 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games as a favorite.

4 Unit Play. Take #261 Carolina Panthers over Dallas Cowboys (1p.m., Sunday, October 3 FOX) The Panthers have a defense that should be able to slow down the Cowboys and I see this game going down to the wire. The Panthers have some injuries, but I just cannot overlook how they are playing early in 2021. They are 3-0 with a win against the Saints and have confidence on both sides of the football. Carolina has beaten Dallas in the last two meetings and the Cowboys are 2-10 ATS (1 push) in their last 13 home games when not facing an NFC East team. Carolina is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog. Dallas is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.

4 Unit Play. Take #222 UCLA Bruins over Arizona State Sun Devils (10:30p.m., Saturday, October 2 FS1) UCLA still does not seem to get any love and I feel this spread should be closer to a touchdown than a field goal. This Arizona State team is overvalued and beating Colorado last week does not impress me whatsoever. The Buffaloes do not have a quarterback like Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and he should be able to pick apart this Sun Devils team like he did last week against Stanford. Arizona State lost their only road game to BYU by double-digits and this will be another loss by around double-digits. UCLA is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against Arizona State. The Sun Devils are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win in their previous game. 

4 Unit Play. Take #199 Michigan Wolverines over Wisconsin Badgers (12p.m., Saturday, October 2 FOX) This line moved but ways with Michigan being favored on Monday, but Tuesday saw it move back to Wisconsin being the favorite. Either way I just do not trust the Wisconsin offense and feel Michigan is the better all-around team. QB Mertz has his best game of his career last year at Michigan, but it has been mostly downhill ever since. He has major issues heading into this game and it will not surprise me if he has a short leash in this game. Michigan finally has a quarterback, and he will be to make some plays through the air because I do not see Michigan being able to run the football much in this game. Michigan is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games played during the month of October. Wisconsin is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.

10 Unit Play. Take #120 Purdue Boilermakers over Minnesota Golden Gophers (12p.m., Saturday, October 2 BTN) Purdue has some injuries on the offensive side of the football, but this is a game Coach Brohm wants badly. Purdue lost to Minnesota last year when a go-ahead touchdown was called back on a terrible offensive pass interference call. Everyone who saw that play was upset with the call and payback will be coming this Saturday. Minnesota is coming off a terrible loss to Bowling Green last week, a terrible MAC team that was a 30+ point underdog. QB Tanner Morgan has not been himself so far in 2021 and this will be the best defense he has had to face so far in 2021. The home team is 11-5 ATS (1 push) in the last 17 games between Minnesota and Purdue. This will be a defensive battle, but Purdue wants it more and wins it by double-digits.

10 Unit Play. Take #496 San Francisco 49ers over Green Bay Packers (8:20p.m., Sunday, September 26 NBC) Green Bay pulling away late on Monday Night Football gave us the value we like for this game. The favorite has dominated this match in recent years covering the spread at an 80% clip. Just am not sold on this Green Bay defense, as new coordinator Joe Barry seems lost as the leader of the defense. Just do not believe the Packers will be able stop the rushing attack of the 49ers and thus I do not expect Jimmy G to have to win this game with his arm. Green Bay must travel on short rest should allow the 49ers to win this game by around double-digits.

4 Unit Play. Take #490 Denver Broncos over New York Jets (4:05p.m., Sunday, September 26 CBS) The Broncos drew an easy schedule to open the 2021 season and that will certainly continue today against the Jets. This is Denver’s home opener, and the Broncos are always tough to beat at home during the month of September. New York is averaging just 10 points through two games this season and if Denver takes care of the football, they will win this game by close to 20 points. The Jets are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 road games. The Broncos are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games against teams with a losing record.

4 Unit Play. Take #478 New England Patriots over New Orleans Saints (1p.m., Sunday, September 26 FOX) Just do not trust Jameis Winston going against a Bill Belickick defense and expect the Patriots to win their second straight game and first game at home. New Orleans has dropped 5 of their last 6 games against the Patriots. This is the Saints third straight games away from the Superdome and playing on the road that much usually catches up with teams. The Saints will need to run the ball effectively to win this game, but Alvin Kamara is off to a slow start this season. The Patriots are 18-7 ATS (1 push) in their last 26 games following a victory of more than 14 points in their previous game.

5 Unit Play. Take #315 Kentucky Wildcats over South Carolina Gamecocks (7p.m., Saturday, September 25 ESPN2) Kentucky did not perform well last week against an inferior FCS team and could have lost that game. We now have a more favorable line and can attack this game with the veteran coach facing a first-year head coach in Shane Beamer. Kentucky is 6-1 straight-up and ATS in their last 7 games against South Carolina. Kentucky should be able to run the ball successfully in this game and I like their defense a lot better than I do South Carolinas. Kentucky is 8-2 ATS (1 push) in their last 11 games against teams with a winning record. South Carolina is 1-6 ATS in tier last 7 SEC games. They backdoored their way to a cover last week against Georgia, still lost by 27 points, but that will not happen today. Kentucky is further along in year 9 of Mark Stoops compared to year 1 on Shane Beamer.

4 Unit Play. Take #400 Michigan State Spartans over Nebraska Cornhuskers (7p.m., Saturday, September 25 FS1) Nebraska put forth a good effort last week against Oklahoma but I just do not see them being able to get up for this game after yet another loss under Coach Scott Frost. Michigan State has made great strides in year two under Mel Tucker and they are one of the most surprising teams thus far in 2021. Nebraska has trouble stopping the run last week and Kenneth Walker should have a field day against them in this game. Nebraska has played well in this series since joining the Big 10, but I just believe these two teams are heading in opposite directions at this point in their respective coach’s career.

10 Unit Play. Take #364 Stanford Cardinal over UCLA Bruins (6p.m., Saturday, September 25 PAC 12 Network) UCLA just cannot handle prosperity and now must travel on the road for this first time in 2021 after a bad loss to Fresno State last Saturday. Stanford has been going along nicely since losing to Kansas State in their first game of the season. Once Tanner McKee has been inserted into the line-up this team has gelled and has been able to score points including 42 against USC two weeks ago. The Cardinal will be playing their first home game after 7 straight road games. Stanford has owned this series under David Shaw winning 12 of the last 13 meetings (11-2 ATS). Just do not think UCLA is back yet and laying points on the road in a conference game is never a spot to back them. UCLA found a way to lose last week, and I see this game going down to the wire as well. UCLA is 8-20 ATS in their last 28 games as a favorite. Stanford is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as home underdog.

4 Unit Play. Take #317 Notre Dame Fighting Irish over Wisconsin Badgers (12p.m., Saturday, September 25 FOX) This is too many points to be giving for this neutral site matchup. Both teams have issues and I just do not see a blowout in this game. I expect it to go down to the wire and you can bet Irish QB Coan wants to play well against his former team. Notre Dame is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games. Wisconsin is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games as a favorite. South Ben is closer to Chicago than is Madison and that means Notre Dame will have a big crowd in the Windy City.

10 Unit Play. Take #291 Tennessee Titans over Seattle Seahawks (4:25p.m., Sunday, September 19 CBS) Tennessee getting blown out was one of the most shocking results in week 1 of the 2021 Regular Season. The Titans have beaten the Seahawks in 2 of the last 3 meetings and they are 6-2 ATS over the last 8 years in their road opening game. Seattle is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a victory in their previous game. Just think pride sets in for Tennessee and they take this game down to the wire.

4 Unit Play. Take #276 Pittsburgh Steelers over Las Vegas Raiders (1p.m., Sunday, September 19 CBS) The Raiders are coming off an exciting win, but this franchise has never seemed to handle prosperity well. Pittsburgh has a major edge on the defensive line, and I do not seen Derek Carr going up and down the field in the fourth quarter like he did against Baltimore. Pittsburgh will make some key plays on offense to control this game for 60 minutes and win it by double digits. Las Vegas is just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a Monday Night Football game in the previous week. The Raiders are 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games following a win in their previous game. The Steelers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a win in their previous game.

4 Unit Play. Take #280 Indianapolis Colts over Los Angeles Rams (1p.m., Sunday, September 19 FOX) The love Matt Stafford is getting this week has been over the top. He is who he is after playing in the NFL since 2009 and that game on Sunday Night Football was closer than what the final score would appear. Now the Rams was a desperate Colts team that does not want to start the season 0-2, with both losses coming at home. The Rams are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with a losing record. The Colts are 9-1 ATS (1 push) in their last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home in their previous game.

4 Unit Play. Take #285 New England Patriots over New York Jets (1p.m., Sunday, September 19 CBS) The Patriots have beaten the Jets 18 of the last 20 games, and I see this game being a double-digit victory as well. The Jets got a late touchdown to make that game look closer than what it was last week, but Carolina was never in danger of losing that game. Bill Belichick is 9-1 the last 10 times he has faced a rookie quarterback. The Patriots have expectations of making the playoffs in 2021 and this is a game they must win if they want to make the playoffs. The Patriots are 24-9 ATS in their last 33 games against teams with a losing record. The Jets are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games against AFC East teams.

10 Unit Play. Take Marshall Thundering Herd over East Carolina Pirates (6p.m., Saturday, September 18 Stadium) East Carolina blew the game last week against South Carolina and now must face a better Marshall team in their first true road game of the season. East Carolina has scored just 36 total points in two games this season. Marshall has been lighting up the scoreboard in their two games this season and has received impressive play from QB Grant Wells, who has thrown for over 300 yards in both games this season. The Pirates are 4-12 ATS (1 push) in their last 17 nonconference games. The favorite has covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 games between these former rivals. East Carolina cannot score enough points to keep this deficit in single digits.

4 Unit Play. Take Purdue Boilermakers over Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2:30p.m., Saturday, September 18 NBC) The Irish got a scare last week from Toledo and now will face the most talented team they have seen in 2021 through 3 games. Notre Dame has a quarterback controversy and a defense that has not been stopping teams whatsoever. The Irish have been giving up a ton of sacks as well. The underdog is 13-2 ATS in the last 15 games Purdue has played in. The road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these two in-state teams. Notre Dame is 2-5 ATS (1 push) in their last 8 games against Big 10 teams.

4 Unit Play. Take #135 Nevada Wolf Pack over Kansas State Wildcats (2p.m., Saturday, September 18 ESPN+) Nevada is for real and they are catching the Wildcats at the right time, with their starting Quarterback Skylar Thompson out with a knee injury. The Pack were able to cruise last week against an FCS opponent and we see know that their victory in week 1 against Cal was a decent win. K-State struggled last week against Southern Illinois, and I do not see them being able to keep pace with Nevada unless turnovers play a role in this game. Nevada has covered the spread in 5 straight non-conference games. K-State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with a winning record.

4 Unit Play. Take #121 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers over Buffalo Bulls (12p.m., Saturday, September 18 ESPN2) This would have been a great game last year but Buffalo lost their coach and has fallen off in 2021. They got destroyed last week at Nebraska and they will have trouble if the Chanticleers can stop the run. Buffalo lost their top receiver and top running backs from 2020. Coastal Carolina is 9-2 ATS (1 push) in their last 12 games overall. Buffalo is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games played during the month of December.

10 Unit Play. Take #481 Baltimore Ravens over Las Vegas Raiders (8:15p.m., Monday, September 13 ESPN) The Ravens dominated the preseason for five straight years, and we expect them to get off to a good start in the 2021 regular season. Baltimore returns most of their 2020 team and the Raiders defense has ranked in the bottom four each of the last four seasons. Baltimore is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 opening week games. The Raiders are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games. Just do not trust the coach and gm with the Raiders and feel this may be the end of the line for Jon Gruden in Las Vegas. Lay the points and take the better all-around team in Baltimore.

4 Unit Play. Take #474 New England Patriots over Miami Dolphins (4:25p.m., Sunday, September 12 CBS) Just feel that the Patriots are better in the trenches in this game and that will allow QB Mac Jones to make some plays in the passing game. Will Fuller is suspended for this game, and I just do not have a lot of faith in QB Tagovailoa making enough plays to win this road game. Miami is 8-18 ATS in their last 26 games on field turf. Miami is 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games @ Foxboro. The Patriots have covered 4 of their last 5 opening week games.

4 Unit Play. Take #454 Buffalo Bills over Pittsburgh Steelers (1p.m., Sunday, September 12 CBS) The Steelers feel apart at the end of 2020 including a defeat at Buffalo and we see this game being a double-digit game as well. Pittsburgh will have to be able to throw the football down field to win games in 2021, as defenses will stack the line of scrimmage. The Steelers are 2-7 ATS (1 push) in their last 10 season openers the last decade. Buffalo is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games. QB Allen made great strides last year and look for that to continue in 2021, especially early in the season.

4 Unit Play. Take #465 Seattle Seahawks over Indianapolis Colts (1p.m., Sunday, September 12 FOX) Seattle will travel east but I just feel they are in a better situation for Week 1. QB Wentz was injured during camp and then got covid last week. Wentz was 0-5 straight up against Seattle with the Eagles. Indianapolis also has offensive line issues and I see Seattle winning this game by double-digits. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games between Seattle and Indianapolis. The Colts are 1-11 ATS (1 push) in their last 13 season opening games.

4 Unit Play. Take #374 Kentucky Wildcats over Missouri Tigers (7:30p.m., Saturday, September 11 SECN) Just feel Kentucky is farther along with Mark Stoops ninth year compared to Eliah Drinkwitz in his second season. Missouri struggled last week against Central Michigan and Kentucky should signs that then can pass the football with a new offensive coordinator in Lexington this season. Missouri struggled to stop Central Michigan giving us a bunch of passing yards. Despite losing by 10 points last year, Kentucky has still won 5 of 6 against Missouri. The Tigers are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 road games. Kentucky is 12-4 ATS in their last 16 home games.

10 Unit Play. Take #361 NC State Wolfpack over Mississippi State Bulldogs (7p.m., Saturday, September 11 ESPN2) This is a classic case of an SEC team playing an ACC team at home and thus the number does not fully reflect the talent disparity between the two teams. Mike Leach is not Lane Kiffin when it comes to offenses in the SEC, the Bulldogs were not able to run the ball at all against Louisiana Tech last week. The La Tech Bulldogs blew that game last week being outscored 21-3 in the fourth quarter and missing a field goal at the buzzer to lose by 1 point. NC State has two strong running backs, and they return their entire secondary. This will not shutdown the Bulldogs passing attack but I expect them to be able to hold their own. NC State is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games. Mississippi State is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games against ACC teams.

4 Unit Play. Take #346 TCU Horned Frogs over Cal Golden Bears (3:30p.m., Saturday, September 11 ESPNU) We went against Cal last week as our top play and will do so again this week. They are a lifeless team and only scored 3 points in the last 3 quarters against Nevada. Now they must face another veteran team with a proven head coach in Gary Patterson. They finished strong in 2020 and will enter this game having won 4 straight. Nevada torn them apart last week and expect Max Duggan to pick them apart as well. The Golden Bears are 1-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 5 games. The Horned Frogs are 4-0 ATS (1 push) in their last 5 games as a favorite.

4 Unit Play. Take #315 Pittsburgh Panthers over Tennessee Volunteers (12p.m., Saturday, September 11 ESPN) Tennessee struggled on offense against a terrible mid-major last Thursday and now must face a real team with a defensive minded coach. The Panthers return most of their skill players on offense including Kenny Pickett. Tennessee had yet another coaching change and now must learn a new system under Josh Heupel. QB Joe Milton was terrible last week going 11 for 23 and just 140 yards. Pittsburgh is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 nonconference games. Tennessee has a ton of trends to fade them including going 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games.

10 Unit Play. Take #217 Nevada Wolf Pack over California Golden Bears (10:30p.m., Saturday, September 4 FS1) Just believe Nevada is better on both sides of the football, especially on offense. The Wolf Pack have an NFL prospect in Carson Strong and will have a bunch of fans at this game trying to get away from the smokey conditions in Reno. Cal is just 1-8 ATS (1 push) in their last 9 games as a home favorite and this line has the wrong team favored. The Bears went just 1-3 last season and all 3 of those losses were against bad teams. This is the year Nevada is expected to make a run for the MWC Championship and it will start on Saturday. This line is just a Power 5 team playing at home so the public will jump on that number. In reality Nevada has better talent, and they will win this game straight-up.

4 Unit Play. Take #178 Navy Midshipmen over Marshall Thundering Herd (3:30p.m., Saturday, September 4 CBSSN) We all remember Navy looking helpless last year against BYU in the opening game on Labor Day. But that has a rare situation for Coach Niumatalolo, as his 2020 team did not have time in practice to work on any fundamentals. They also faced the No. 2 pick in the draft and now they get to face a team in Marshall with a first-year head coach. The Thundering Herd never seem to be satisfied with their coach despite having a great tradition and winning records. That will catch up to them in this game, as Navy will pull the upset. Marshall is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games. Navy is 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games.

4 Unit Play. Take #166 Wisconsin Badgers over Penn State Nittany Lions (12p.m., Saturday, September 4 FOX) This is one of the best Big 10 opening games in recent memory. We will follow the line movement that keeps going higher, as Wisconsin will be pumped up for a full stadium of fans. Wisconsin has revenge on their minds having lost 4 straight games to Penn State. The Lions are just 3-6 in their last 9 games as a road underdog and have only covered the spread 1 time in their opening game over the last 4 years. The home team is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings between Penn State and Wisconsin.

4 Unit Play. Take #144 Tennessee Volunteers over Bowling Green Falcons (8p.m., Thursday, September 2 SECN) Bowling Green is terrible and they were not competitive in any of their 5 games last season (went 0-5 straight-up and 1-4 ATS). Tennessee has a new coach in Josh Heupel and he will bring an up-tempo offense that can score points in a hurry. Tennessee needs to get their fans behind this program and with a brutal schedule ahead this is a game they need to dominate and win by close to 50 points. Bowling Green is 0-9 ATS in their last 9 road games.

10 Unit Play. Take 308903 Sam Houston State Bearkats over South Dakota State Jackrabbits (2p.m., Sunday, May 16 ABC) The line is going up and I feel that the Bearkats have what it takes to take this game down to the wire. The Missouri Valley Conference was not as strong this season, but still got credit based on the strength of NDSU this decade. The Jackrabbits are the best team in the league, but this will be far and away the most explosive team they have seen in 2021. San Houston State had no business winning last week against James Madison, but they scored 28 points in under 3 minutes and held on against James Madison last week. They have a huge edge in this game since it is being played in Texas and they can bus to the game (about a 3-hour trip). This game will go down to the wire and we will come out on top with whoever pulls it out by a field goal.

10 Unit Play. Take #308973 James Madison Dukes over Sam Houston State Bearkats (2:30p.m., Saturday, May 8 ABC) A battle of unbeatens is set to do battle at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, TX on Saturday with a television broadcast on ABC. The Dukes are outstanding at ball control and I feel they have the better defense in this game. James Madison honestly believes they should be hosting this game and expect them to make a statement in this game as they advance onto the championship game (also being played in Texas). SHS is coming off a big win last week against North Dakota State, the dominate team over the last decade in FCS and I just do not know how much left they will have for this game. NDSU was nowhere near as strong this season and SHS still had to hold onto dear life to beat them. JMU has a much better quarterback than what NDSU showed last week and that will be the different today.

10 Unit Play. Take #308958 James Madison Dukes over North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6p.m., Sunday, May 2 ESPN2) Just feel the Hawks are getting to much publicity in this game due to the conference that they played in. North Dakota State destroyed them on March 20, and they have not been able to play many games since then. James Madison is not flashy at the quarterback position and they are rock solid on defense and I just do not see them losing this game at home. The Dukes were upset when they were given a No. 3 seed in the FCS Playoffs and expect them to march onto the final four with a victory on Sunday at home. We will lay the small points and expect close to a double-digit win.

10 Unit Play. Take #308919 Southern Illinois Salukis over Weber State Wildcats (4p.m., Saturday, April 24 ESPNU) The Wildcats were a top 5 team going into the spring season, went undefeated and yet are only around a 4-point favorite against a 5-3 team. How is that possible? That is because they have not looked that impressive against fledging team that did not make the playoffs. Their last 4 wins have come by a combined 18 points and Southern Illinois is the strongest team that they will have faced in the spring season. Southern Illinois has wins over Northern Iowa and North Dakota State this season and played in the highly competitive Missouri Valley Conference. Weber State is just playing with fire each and every week and that will bite them on Saturday. Southern Illinois wins this game straight-up and getting points is just icing on the cake.

10 Unit Play. Take #308995 Richmond Spiders over James Madison Dukes (2p.m., Saturday, April 17 Flo Football) The two best teams in the CAA are finally set to do battle Saturday in Harrisonburg, VA. Both teams have had the last two weeks off and both teams are undefeated in 2021. I just do not see a blowout in this game since it means more to Richmond with regards to making the FCS Playoffs. Both teams are strong on offense scoring over 30 points per game and I just do not believe the Dukes will be able to completely shutdown Joe Mancuso and company. This is the toughest opponent James Madison will have played in 2021 and while I see them winning, I expect a battle for 60 minutes. Grab the points in this battle of unbeaten teams.

10 Unit Play. Take #308958 Richmond Spiders -11 over Elon Phoenix (4p.m., Saturday, March 27 NBC Sports Washington/FLO SPORTS) FCS GAME OF THE YEAR We have faded the Phoenix the last two weeks and easily won both games and now we look to complete the trifecta on Saturday. These two teams met two weeks ago in Elon and Richmond won that game 38-14. The selection just comes down to the fact the Phoenix are using their third or fourth string quarterback. Neither one is any good and expect the Spiders to stock the box and force them to beat them through the air, something they have not been capable of doing in 2021. Elon is getting beat up and they are 1-4 on the season with 3 of those losses coming by at least 21 points. Richmond will dominate this game for 60 minutes and win by 20+ points.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

7 Unit Play. Take #308938 Idaho Vandals over UC Davis Aggies (3p.m., Saturday, March 6 Pluto TV) Idaho had one of the most impressive upsets of the year beating Eastern Washington last week by 7 points. Now they face a lesser team in UC Davis and also get to face them raw, as the Aggies have yet to play a game in 2021. Idaho likes to throw the football and should find little resistance from UC Davis in this game. Throw in the fact that UC Davis is coached by noted loser Dan Hawkins and I see this being a double-digit victory for the home team. The Vandals will shutdown the run for a second straight week and make UC Davis one-dimensional.

6 Unit Play. Take 208942 Alabama State Hornets over Southern University Jaguars (7p.m., Friday, February 26 ESPN3) We will follow the line movement in this game, as both teams are opening up their spring season. Southern finished 6-1 on conference play in 2019, but they did not have a ton of blowouts except when having inferior smaller level teams. They opened 2019 at 1-3 and I do not see them blowing out Alabama State tonight in a true road game. The Jaguars win by defense and running the football and thus it is hard to cover this type of number unless they get turnovers. Alabama State has a strong offense led by Michael Jefferson and with Southern having some injuries on defense this game should go down to the wire.

2 Unit Play. Take #308902 Tarleton State (pk) over McNeese State (7p.m., Saturday, February 13 FSSW) We will follow the line movement in this selection, as McNeese State opened just under a field goal favorite but now this game is a pick’em. Both teams have a ton of talent at the running back position with the Texans returning two of their top three running backs from last year. Tarleton State is moving up from division 2 and this will be there first game ever as an FCS team. I think they want to show they belong and will win this game straight-up.

Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports

10 Unit Play. Take #102 Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Kansas City Chiefs (6:30p.m., Sunday, February 7 CBS) SUPER BOWL 55. Just feel Tampa Bay is the better all-around team and Tom Brady seems to be the destined winner of this game. Tampa Bay has won three straight road games to get to this point or being the first team ever to host the Super Bowl in their own stadium. Kansas City is loaded on offense, but they have offensive line injuries, and the Buccaneers have a pass rush capable of putting pressure on QB Mahomes for the entire 60-minute game. Kansas City has been winning games of late, but they have not been covering the spread and I just do not see them being able to move the football at will against this Tampa Bay defense.

These two teams met earlier this season and Kansas City jumped out big before Tampa Bay rallied, and had they gotten a stop might have been able to win that game. Tampa Bay has gotten revenge on two teams in the playoffs and I expect them to get revenge on Kansas City as well. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games between Tampa Bay and Kansas City. The Chiefs are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games. The Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog. Tampa wins this game straight-up and gives Brady his 7th Super Bowl.

4 Unit Play. Take #314 Kansas City Chiefs over Buffalo Bills (6:40p.m., Sunday, January 24 CBS) The Chiefs have struggled to cover spreads of late despite winning games and I just feel Any Reid will get his team back to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year. Sooner or later the Chiefs will cover a spread and I do not see them losing this game straight-up and thus expect to win and cover the spread. Kansas City has gone 6-0 straight-up against teams with a winning record. Buffalo has been playing great of late, but they are a young team and I just do not believe QB Allen is ready to lead this team to a Super Bowl at the age of 24. Kanas City is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Buffalo.

10 Unit Play. Take #312 Green Bay Packers over Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3:05p.m., Sunday, January 24 FOX) This line has been creeping down since it opened Sunday night and I now like the Packers even more. QB Brady has played in cold weather for most of his career but he just is not playing at the same level as QB Rodgers is now. Tampa Bay benefited greatly from 4 New Orleans turnovers last week and I just do not believe Green Bay will do the same thing. The Packers have not only been winning games of late, they also have been covering the spread in those games as well. Now we get them at home (with fans) and a low number. Green Bay is 8-1 straight-up at home this year (6-3 ATS) and I see them jumping out early and winning this game by double-digits. Tampa Bay is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games played during the month of January. Green Bay is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played during January. The home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 matchups between the Buccaneers and Packers.

4 Unit Play. Take #307 Tampa Bay Buccaneers over New Orleans Saints (6:40p.m., Sunday, January 17 FOX) Round 3 of Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees takes place Sunday night at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Just feel it is impossible to beat Tom Brady 3 times in 1 season and thus we expect Tampa Bay to not only cover the spread but win this game straight-up. The Saints did not look that impressive last week and if the Bears had a functional offense, they would have taken that game down to the wire. QB Brees still has trouble moving in the pocket and throwing the deep ball and the Buccaneers have the defense to put pressure on him for 60 minutes. New Orleans is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against teams with a winning record.

4 Unit Play. Take #303 Baltimore Ravens over Buffalo Bills (8:15p.m., Saturday, January 16 NBC) Both teams are playing well down the stretch and you could make a case for Buffalo, but the experience of the Ravens will prevail in this game. Buffalo looked shaky last week against Indianapolis at home and both times they appeared to have control of that game; they gave up a touchdown in a matter of one minute. QB Jackson got his first playoff win last week at Tennessee and I just feel the Ravens defense is playing better now. Baltimore is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 road playoff games. Buffalo is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games played during the month of January.

10 Unit Play. Take #302 Green Bay Packers over Los Angeles Rams (4:35p.m., Saturday, January 16 FOX) NFL PLAYOFF GAME OF THE YEAR We used the 49ers has our top play last year right out of the gate in the Divisional Round and will follow that formula again in 2021. The Rams are banged up and the game time temperature for this game should be around 30 degrees. The Packers are rested and QB Rodgers knows the importance of having the No. 1 seed in the NFC (only had it 1 other time in his career). Green Bay is 13-1 in their last 14 home games. QB Rodgers has a 23-2 touchdown to interception ratio at home this year. Green Bay led the league in points this year and I just do not believe Los Angeles will be able to match them score for score in this game. The Rams are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games against the Packers. The favorite is 9-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings as well. Green Bay is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games against teams with a winning record.

4 Unit Play. Take #499 Ohio State Buckeyes over Alabama Crimson Tide (8:05p.m., Monday, January 11 ESPN) Would not surprise me if Alabama jumped out to an early lead in this game, but I believe Ohio State will be able to take this game down to the wire. Alabama has not faced a complete team like this all year and I just do not believe they will be able to run the Buckeyes off the field. The Crimson Tide defense has trouble when teams can spread you out and this will be a high scoring game that will remain in single digits. Ohio State played their best game of the season last time out and it would not surprise me if they follow that up with another strong performance this Monday. Alabama is just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 bowl games. Ohio State is 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games as an underdog.

10 Unit Play. Take #150 New Orleans Saints over Chicago Bears (4:40p.m., Sunday, January 10 CBS) The Bears backed into the playoffs this season with a soft schedule down the stretch before getting pounded at home last week against the Packers. The Saints are simply better on both sides of the football and they will win this game by double-digits. New Orleans lost last year in the wildcard round and thus they will not take this game lightly. QB Trubisky has played better of late, but neither the coaching staff or fans have much confidence that he will perform well in this game. He is not the quarterback of the future and this may be the end of the road for him in Chicago as the starter. New Orleans is 5-1 ATS (1 push) in the last 7 games against Chicago. The Saints are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.

4 Unit Play. Take #147 Baltimore Ravens over New Orleans Saints (1:05p.m., Sunday, January 10 ABC) The Ravens are everyone’s sleeper picks, and it would not surprise me in they make some noise in the 2021 playoffs this season. QB Jackson has yet to win a playoff game in his career and I expect him to finally get that monkey off his back on Sunday. Tennessee does not have a strong defense and they just are not particularly good in any layer on defense. The road team is 3-0 ATS (1 push) in the last 4 matchups between Baltimore and Tennessee. The Titans are 0-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 4 home playoff games.

4 Unit Play. Take #146 Washington Football Team over Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:15p.m., Saturday, January 9 NBC) Nobody is giving Washington much of a chance in this game, but teams that host playoff games with a record of .500 or less have been well in this spot. Alex Smith is a capable NFL quarterback and expect him to bounce back in a big way on Saturday night. The strength of the football team is their defense and expect them to contain QB Brady and company for much of this game. These teams have met twice before in the playoffs and both of those games have been decided under tonight’s posted number. The underdog is 5-0 ATS (1 push) in the last 6 games between Tampa Bay and Washington. The Buccaneers are 1-8 ATS (1 push) in their last 10 games played on Saturday.

4 Unit Play. Take #142 Buffalo Bills over Indianapolis Colts (1:05p.m., Saturday, January 9 CBS) Just do not feel that Phillip Rivers will be able to keep up with the high scoring Bills offense in this game. Buffalo finished the season on fire, winning 6 straight games and all of them came over today’s posted number. Buffalo went 5-2 ATS this season against teams with a winning record. Indianapolis is 2-4 ATS this season against teams with a winning record. The Colts are 0-3 ATS (1 push) in their last 4 games as an underdog. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the Colts and Bills. Finally, the home team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 games in this series.

4 Unit Play. Take #104 Indianapolis Colts over Jacksonville Jaguars (4:25p.m., Sunday, January 3 CBS) The Colts need to win and also need help or they will be on the outside looking in when it comes to the AFC playoffs. Jacksonville is terrible and has already thrown in the towel on their 2020 season getting the No. 1 draft pick. This will be a 20+ point victory for the Colts and we will not hesitate to lay the points in this game.

10 Unit Play. Take #105 Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears (4:25p.m., Sunday, January 3 FOX) The Packers will need to win this game to clinch the No. 1 seed and earn the only bye in the NFC. Green Bay has won 8 of the last 9 games against Chicago and crushed them in the first meeting in November at Lambeau Field. The favorite is 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings between Green Bay and Chicago. The Bears are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games against teams with a winning record. QB Rodgers cements his legacy as the 2020 MVP with another outstanding performance and a double-digit Packers victory.

4 Unit Play. Take #110 Cleveland Browns over Pittsburgh Steelers (1p.m., Sunday, January 3 CBS) The Browns got a gift with Pittsburgh winning last week and now the Steelers can rest up for the playoffs and not try and win this game. The line has skyrocketed but it will not matter with Cleveland winning this game by double-digits. Pittsburgh has dominated this series, but this is not the same Cleveland doormat that they have been for the last two decades. Pittsburgh is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Steelers will show some fight early but in the end Cleveland will pull away and make the playoffs with a dominating win.

4 Unit Play. #123 Miami Dolphins over Buffalo Bills (1p.m., Sunday, January 3 CBS) The Dolphins have a lot more to play for in this game, as Buffalo will likely be the No. 2 seed with Pittsburgh not playing to win on Sunday. It would be a remarkable accomplishment for this Miami team to make the playoffs and they will do that with a win. Miami is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against AFC teams. Buffalo is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games played during the month of January.

4 Unit Play. Take #497 North Carolina Tar Heels over Texas A&M Aggies (8p.m., Saturday, January 2 ESPN) Orange Bowl Everyone expects a letdown in this game for Texas A&M since they did not get into the College Football Playoff, and now they must face a high scoring offense in North Carolina. We will grab the points with the Tar Heels, as Mack Brown is familiar with the Aggies have played them numerous times in the Big 12 while he was the head coach at Texas. North Carolina underachieved this season, but I believe they will play a complete game tonight and take this one down to the wire.

10 Unit Play. Take #334 Clemson Tigers over Ohio State Buckeyes (8p.m., Friday, January 1 ESPN) Sugar Bowl This is a rematch of the semi-final game last year in which questionable officiating allowed Clemson to emerge victorious. But in 2020 I just do not see the same Ohio State team that have been so explosive in year’s past. Clemson had a 541-263 yardage edge against Notre Dame and that game was never in doubt after the first quarter. Everyone thinks Ohio State will be motivated for revenge and the diss that Dabo Sweeny gave them by ranking them No. 11 in the coaches poll, but in the end talent wins out.

4 Unit Play. Take #331 Notre Dame Fighting Irish over Alabama Crimson Tide (4p.m., Friday, January 1 ESPN) Rose Bowl Nobody is giving Notre Dame a chance in this game, but I believe they will be able to score some points against this Alabama defense. The Tide have been lit up on defense a couple of times this season and Notre Dame has an offense capable of scoring 30 points against them. The Irish are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against teams with a winning record. Alabama is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games played during the month of January. The Tide might be up big at some point in this game, I just believe Notre Dame will keep it in the teens once 60 minutes are completed.

4 Unit Play. Take #322 San Jose State Spartans over Ball State Cardinals (2p.m., Thursday, December 31 CBS) Arizona Bowl Ball State is coming off their Super Bowl two weeks ago winning the MAC Championship in surprising fashion over Buffalo. Not sure how much left in the tank they will have for this game. The Spartans are explosive on offense led by QB Nick Starkel, who has 16 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions in 7 games played this season. Ball State is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 bowl games. San Jose State is 12-3 ATS (2 pushes) in their last 17 games.

10 Unit Play. Take #312 Wake Forest Demon Deacons over Wisconsin Badgers (12p.m., Wednesday, December 30 ESPN) Duke Mayo Bowl We have faded Wisconsin in their last two games and easily covered both games. Wisconsin has quarterback issues, banged up wide receivers, and running backs that are not explosive. They have a solid defense, but they have yet to face an offense as up-tempo and explosive like Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are coming off a bad performance against the Cardinals, but that final score is a little misleading (Louisville scored 17 points in the last 17 minutes of that game). Wake Forest is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 bowl games. Wisconsin is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games as a favorite. If Wake Forest can take care of the football, they should be able to take this game down to the wire and win it straight-up.

4 Unit Play. Take #296 Miami Hurricanes over Oklahoma State Cowboys (5:30p.m., Tuesday, December 29 ESPN) Cheez-it Bowl The Hurricanes have lost 3 straight bowl games and I feel it is important for Many Diaz to right the ship in this game. Miami has the advantage of playing in-state for this game and there will be fans in attendance. I am a big fan of D’Eriq King and expect him to bounce back in a big way tonight after a bad performance against UNC last time out. Oklahoma State beat Iowa State but that was their only quality win on the season and I just think Miami has a big edge at the quarterback position. The Pokes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games. Miami is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.

10 Unit Play. Take #480 Green Bay Packers over Tennessee Titans (8:20p.m., Sunday, December 27 NBC) Green Bay has the No. 1 seed in sight if they win this game tonight and I see no reason not to lay this small number with the best team in the NFC. QB Tannehill has played outstanding this season but he is not in the same league as Aaron Rogers, the likely MVP of the league. Green Bay has been jumping out early on teams of late and I see them doing the same as well in this game. They will need to stop the run-on defense, but their defense last been playing better of late as well. The Titans are 3-13 ATS (1 push) in their last 17 games played during Week 16 of the regular season. Green Bay is 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games following an ATS loss in their previous game. The Packers win this game by 7-10 points and lay claim to the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

4 Unit Play. Take #476 Seattle Seahawks over Los Angeles Rams (4:25p.m., Sunday, December 27 FOX) This is an important game in the NFC West with the winner likely winning the NFC East and hosting a playoff game. Everyone expects to the Rams to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to the Jets last Sunday, but I just do not see them going into Seattle and winning this game. The Hawks have covered the spread in 5 of their last 7 home games. Seattle is also 9-4 ATS against Los Angeles in the last 13 games against them in Seattle.

4 Unit Play. Take #470 Washington Football Team over Carolina Panthers (4:05p.m., Sunday, December 27 CBS) Carolina is just playing out the season and will enter this game having lost 3 straight games and 8 of their last 9 games. They are competitive in some of those losses, but they are still losses and that eventually takes its toll on a team. Washington has so much on the line in this game and with Alex Smith expected to be back I think they have enough to win it. Washington has beaten Carolina each of the last two seasons. The Football Team is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games. The Panthers are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games against teams with a losing record. Finally, Coach Ron Rivera wants to win this game in a big way since he was fired by the Panthers last year.

4 Unit Play. Take #465 Indianapolis Colts over Pittsburgh Steelers (1p.m., Sunday, December 27 CBS) Pittsburgh is in freefall now and not much analysis is needed to describe why we are picking against them. They have lost 3 straight games including 2 against inferior opponents in Washington and Cincinnati. They are banged up on defense and have not been able to run the football whatsoever. The Colts need this game more and want to end their 6 games losing streak to the Steelers. Indianapolis is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite. Pittsburgh is 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games played during the month of December.

4 Unit Play. Take #462 Las Vegas Raiders over Miami Dolphins (8:15p.m., Saturday, December 26 NFLN) Just do not trust the Dolphins as a favorite on the road. They are coming off a big win over New England last Sunday and it will not surprise me if they have a letdown in this game. The Raiders have extra rest and I do not see much of a drop-off with Mariota as quarterback. Miami is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games during Week 16 of the regular season. Las Vegas is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games played during Week 16 of the NFL season.

4 Unit Play. Take #280 Buffalo Bulls over Marshall Thundering Herd (2:30p.m., Friday, December 25 ESPN) Camellia Bowl Buffalo is coming off their worst performance on the season, losing to Ball State in the MAC. Marshall has a suspect offense and that will put a lot of pressure on them to be able to stop Jaret Patterson in this game. Marshall will enter having lost 2 straight games by an average of 14.5 points. Marshall is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a loss in their previous game. Buffalo is 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games overall.

4 Unit Play. Take #365 Kansas City Chiefs over New Orleans Saints (4:25p.m., Sunday, December 19 CBS) The Saints are coming off a devastating loss at Philadelphia last week and now will likely not earn the top seed in the NFC (only 1 team gets a bye this year). The Chiefs have been winning games but not covering the spread of late, but now they have a low number where they likely just need to win the game. QB Brees have been eyeing this date to return but I do not think it will matter. Kansas City is an offensive machine and New Orleans will have to score in the high twenties to have a chance to cover this spread. Kansas City is 11-4 ATS (1 push) in their last 16 road games against teams with a winning home record. New Orleans is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against teams with a winning record.