Weekend’s Best Bets
BRIAN BLESSING THE LINEMAKERS SPORTINGNEWS.COM (3-2)
New England Patriots-BUFFALO BILLS (Over 45)
This is a low total considering the crazy scores these teams have posted in recent meetings. Buffalo has been a dead under team to start the season, but that could change when Tom Brady comes calling. Tight end Rob Gronkowski usually shreds the Bills when returning home. Kyle Orton shook off some first-half rust last week in Detroit, and the veteran QB should be better in this spot. Buffalo’s running attack could present the Patriots with all kinds of trouble.
STEVE COFIELD ESPN1100.COM (2-2-1)
Auburn (-3) over MISSISSIPPI STATE
Auburn is the best team in the country and will prove it in a hostile environment. Nick Marshall is a quarterback who has won several big games in the Southeastern Conference. Tigers coach Gus Malzahn knows quarterbacks, and he’ll come up with a game plan to slow the Bulldogs’ Dak Prescott, who tore apart the Louisiana State and Texas A&M defenses.
ED GRANEY LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL (2-3)
North Texas (+6½) over ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM
This was Mean Green coach Dan McCarney at the Heart of Dallas Bowl in January: “(UNLV) is planning on winning this thing and taking the trophy back on its plane to Las Vegas! Well, (bleep)! Why not us, men? Why not North Texas? Let’s win the damn thing! Let’s win the son of a (bleep)! I believe in you men! This is what we’re meant to do!” We saw what happened there. No way UAB covers against that lunatic and his team in a critical conference game.
MATT YOUMANS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL (4-1)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-8) over Dallas Cowboys
This is a bad matchup for the Cowboys, who are thriving because of DeMarco Murray and the running attack. The Seattle defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL against the run, allowing only 2.6 yards per carry and 62 yards per game. Murray won’t be able to control the clock on the ground, and Dallas’ defense finally will get exposed by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Seattle is an especially strong play on a teaser, too.
