Handicapper Paul Stone believes Oregon State will derail Washington’s bid to make the College Football Playoff. Plus, more picks on college football and the NFL.
Football
The Steelers upset Tom Brady’s Buccaneers 20-18 as 9½-point underdogs, and the Jets whipped Aaron Rodgers’ Packers 27-10 as 8-point underdogs.
In addition to handicapping a team’s motivation, bettors must be aware of a plethora of players who are opting out of bowl games.
One of the biggest challenges for bettors is to not overreact to what happens one week, especially in Week 1 of the NFL season.
But odds posted at offshore sportsbooks are stacked against the college football season starting Aug. 29 and the NFL opening Sept. 10 as scheduled.
The Titans are the surprise team in the NFL’s final four. But the cosmic tumblers appear to have clicked into place for the Chiefs to go to the Super Bowl.
Jacksonville is 9-2 to win its division and New York is 6-1, with the Lions 12-1, Bengals 14-1, Buccaneers 16-1, Giants 18-1 and Raiders and Cardinals at 20-1.
Kevin Sumlin isn’t the best of the 21 new FBS coaches but he might end up with the most wins this year after taking over a Wildcats team led by quarterback Khalil Tate, the fourth choice (12-1) to win the Heisman Trophy.
The Boston Celtics, who defeated the defending champion Golden State Warriors 92-88 on Thursday, have the league’s best record against the spread at 13-2-1. The Philadelphia 76ers are second with an 11-3 ATS mark.