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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/18/2025

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Dec 18, 2025

The Thursday sports card features NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 16 in the National Football League kicks off with one game. The Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams on Amazon Prime Video at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Seahawks have won four games in a row after their 18-16 win against Indianapolis as a 13-point favorite last Sunday. The Rams are on a two-game winning streak after a 41-34 victory at home against Detroit as a 5.5-point favorite on Sunday. Seattle is a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 42.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The college football bowl season continues with one game on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET. Missouri State plays Arkansas State at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. The Bears have lost two games in a row after a 42-30 upset loss against Louisiana Tech as a 2.5-point favorite on November 29th. The Red Wolves ended a two-game losing streak with a 30-29 victory at Appalachian State as a 1-point favorite on November 29th. Missouri State is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 54.5. The National Basketball Association has 12 games on its docket. Two NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The New York Knicks travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 224.5. The Atlanta Hawks play in Charlotte against the Hornets as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 237.5. The Miami Heat are on the road in Brooklyn to face the Nets at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with a total of 227.5. Four NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The San Antonio Spurs play at home against the Washington Wizards as a 14.5-point favorite with an over/under of 241.5. The Oklahoma City Thunder are home against the Los Angeles Clippers as a 17.5-point favorite with a total of 220.5. The Houston Rockets are on the road to take on the New Orleans Pelicans as a 9.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 233.5. The Toronto Raptors visit Milwaukee to play the Bucks as a 5.5-point road favorite with a total of 219.5. The Detroit Pistons play in Dallas against the Mavericks at 8:40 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 230.5. Three NBA games begin at 9:10 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road in Utah against the Jazz as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 230.5. The Golden State Warriors travel to Phoenix to challenge the Suns as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 229.5. The Denver Nuggets host the Orlando Magic as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 236.5. The Portland Trail Blazers play at home against the Sacramento Kings at 10:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 238.5.The National Hockey League has 10 games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Washington Capitals are home against the Toronto Maple Leafs as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers play in Boston against the Bruins as a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Minnesota Wild are on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Los Angeles Kings as a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Ottawa Senators play at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -180 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Montreal Canadiens are home against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -192 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Buffalo Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The New York Rangers visit the St. Louis Blues at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Calgary Flames play at home against the Seattle Kraken at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -170 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Dallas Stars play in San Jose against the Sharks at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -218 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at 11:00 a.m. ET with 32 games involving Division I opponents. Two games are on ESPNU in the 2025 Chris Paul HBCU Challenge at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. Hampton battles Jackson State at 5:00 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 136.5. Norfolk State plays Grambling State at 7:30 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 132.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/17/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action. The college football bowl season continues with two games on ESPN. South Florida plays Old Dominion in the Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, at 5:00 p.m. ET. The Bulls won for the second time in their last three games in a 52-3 victory against Rice as a 28-point favorite on November 29th. That victory improved their record to 9-3. The Monarchs are on a five-game winning streak after a 27-10 victory against Georgia State as a 28.5-point favorite on November 29th. South Florida is a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 52.5 (all odds from DraftKings). Louisiana-Lafayette takes on Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl at the Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Ragin’ Cajuns have won four games in a row after their 30-27 victory in overtime on November 29th. The Blue Hens ended a two-game losing streak with a 61-31 loss against UTEP as a 4-point favorite on November 29th. Louisiana-Lafayette is a 3-point favorite with an over/under of 62.5. The National Basketball Association has two games on its docket at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Memphis Grizzlies as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 233.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Chicago to face the Bulls as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 242.5. The National Hockey League has five games on its slate. The Florida Panthers play at home against the Los Angeles Kings at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Detroit Red Wings are home against the Utah Mammoth on TNT at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. Two NHL games drop the puck at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Winnipeg Jets play in St. Louis against the Blues as a -148 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes are on the road against the Nashville Predators as a -180 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights host the New Jersey Devils on TNT at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at noon ET with 59 games involving Division I opponents. Five NCAAB games are on major national television. Xavier plays at home against Creighton on FS1 at 6:30 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 151.5. Vanderbilt visits Memphis on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point road favorite with a total of 159.5. Marquette is at home against Georgetown on FS1 at 8:30 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5. San Diego State hosts Air Force on the CBS Sports Network at 10:00 p.m. ET as a 23.5-point favorite with a total of 137.5. UCLA plays at home against Arizona State on FS1 at 10:30 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 146.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAAF, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/16/2025

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025

The Tuesday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action. The college football bowl season continues with one game. Troy plays Jacksonville State in the Salute to Veterans Bowl at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET. The Trojans had won two games in a row before losing at James Madison by a 31-14 score as a 24.5-point underdog in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on December 5th. The Gamecocks lost for the second time in their previous three games in a 19-15 loss at home against Kennesaw State as a 3-point underdog in the Conference USA championship game. Troy is a 1.5-point favorite with the total set at 49.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The National Basketball Association has one game on its docket. The New York Knicks take on the San Antonio Spurs in the championship game of the NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Knicks are on a five-game winning streak after their 132-120 victory against Orlando as a 4.5-point favorite in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday. The Spurs won for the third straight time with their 111-109 upset win against Oklahoma City as a 10-point underdog in their NBA Cup semifinals contest in Las Vegas on Saturday. New York is a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 230.5.The National Hockey League has ten games on its slate. Six NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Detroit Red Wings host the New York Islanders as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs play at home against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -238 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Montreal Canadiens are home against the Philadelphia Flyers as a -135 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New York Rangers host the Vancouver Canucks as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Columbus Blue Jackets play at home against the Anaheim Ducks as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Utah Mammoth travel to Boston to face the Bruins as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers play in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on TNT/truTV/HBO Max at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Minnesota Wild are home to battle the Washington Capitals at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -122 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5.Two games conclude the NHL card at 10:07 p.m. ET. The Calgary Flames are on the road against the San Jose Sharks as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Colorado Avalanche visit Seattle to challenge the Kraken on TNT/truTV/HBO Max as a -278 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5.The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at 11:00 a.m. ET with 45 games involving Division I opponents. Two games are on major national television. Clemson hosts South Carolina on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 140.5. Kansas plays at home against Towson on ESPN2 at 9:00 p.m. ET as an 18.5-point favorite with a total of 133.5. 

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Handicapping College Football Bowl Games

by Wayne Root

Monday, Dec 15, 2025

Handicapping College Bowl Games: A New Age ApproachAs college football continues to evolve, so do the strategies involved in handicapping bowl games. This new era presents unique challenges and opportunities for bettors.Understanding the implications of recent trends can help you make informed decisions when wagering on these pivotal matchups.1. Coordinators LeavingOne of the significant impacts on bowl games is the departure of coordinators. When a team's offensive or defensive coordinator leaves for a better job—often just before a bowl game—this can affect team performance. Coordinators play a critical role in game planning and player development, and their absence may lead to a lack of cohesion or new strategies that the players are unaccustomed to. Keep an eye on any announcements regarding coaching changes, as they can signal a shift in the team's abilities.2. New Head CoachesThe hiring of new head coaches can also alter the dynamics of a bowl game. A coach's approach to preparation, motivation, and play-calling can vary significantly from their predecessor. In some cases, a new coach might use the bowl game as a platform to showcase their vision for the program, potentially leading to a strong performance. Conversely, players may struggle to adapt to new schemes or philosophies, which can influence bet outcomes.3. Players Not Wanting to Play Due to Possible InjuriesIn today's college football landscape, many players are increasingly wary of risking injury in bowl games, especially if they have aspirations for the NFL. This has heightened a culture where star players may choose to sit out of bowl games to protect their draft stock. Bettors need to stay updated on player participation, as the absence of key athletes can drastically alter a team's chances of winning.4. Players Sitting Out to Protect NFL StockSimilar to the concern over injuries, players who are confident in their NFL prospects might opt to forgo bowl games altogether. This trend often affects prominent programs where several players are projected to be high draft picks. The decision to sit out can be particularly impactful, as it might remove the team's best talent while altering the game's competitive balance.5. The Transfer PortalThe transfer portal has changed the way teams can build their rosters. Players may join new programs before bowl season, impacting team dynamics and performance. Additionally, bowl games might serve as a showcase for players looking to impress potential future teams. Bettors should analyze how recent transfers may affect the core chemistry and execution of the team.6. Day-of-Game AnnouncementsAs game day approaches, last-minute announcements regarding player availability or injuries can sway betting lines. Teams may disclose the status of key players who were previously uncertain. Keeping abreast of these updates can provide an edge, potentially revealing opportunities to capitalize on line movements or misjudgments.7. Timing Your BetsOne of the best strategies when betting on college bowl games is to place your wagers as close to kickoff as possible. This timing allows you to take advantage of the most accurate information regarding team lineups and player statuses. When you have reliable information about team dynamics, you can make more informed bets. If you’re relying on earlier analyses without the latest updates, you may end up on the losing side.ConclusionHandicapping college bowl games in this new era requires a nuanced understanding of factors that go beyond traditional statistics. By keeping an eye on coaching changes, player decisions, and day-of-game announcements, you can make more educated bets. The volatile nature of college football, driven by personal decisions and shifting team dynamics, emphasizes the importance of staying informed and adapting your strategies accordingly. As always, approach your betting with careful consideration and an eye for the evolving landscape of college football.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, EPL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/15/2025

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Dec 15, 2025

The Monday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action. Week 15 in the NFL concludes with one game. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Miami Dolphins on ESPN and the ESPN2 Manningcast at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Steelers ended a two-game losing streak with a 27-22 upset win at Baltimore as a 6-point underdog last Sunday. The Dolphins have won four games in a row after their 34-10 victory on the road in New York against the Jets as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. Pittsburgh is a 3-point favorite with the total set at 42.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The National Basketball Association has five games on its docket. The Boston Celtics play at home against the Detroit Pistons on Peacock at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Celtics had won five games in a row before a 116-101 upset loss at home against Milwaukee as a 9.5-point favorite on Thursday. The Pistons have won three games in a row after their 142-115 victory at home against Atlanta as a 7-point favorite on Friday. Boston is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 230.5. The Miami Heat are home against the Toronto Raptors at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 230.5. The Dallas Mavericks travel to Utah to play the Jazz at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 236.5. The Denver Nuggets host the Houston Rockets on Peacock at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Nuggets have won four games in a row after their 136-105 victory at Sacramento as a 10.5-point favorite on Thursday. The Rockets won for the third time in their previous four games after their 115-113 victory at home against the Los Angeles Clippers as a 9-point favorite on Thursday. Denver is a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 233.5. The Los Angeles Clippers play at home against the Memphis Grizzlies at 10:40 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 227.5. The National Hockey League has five games on its slate. Two NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Lightning are home against the Florida Panthers as a -142 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The New York Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Winnipeg Jets play at home against the Ottawa Senators at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. Two more games conclude the NHL card at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Dallas Stars are home against the Los Angeles Kings as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues host the Nashville Predators as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at 1:00 p.m. ET with 14 games involving Division I opponents. No games are on major national television. Matchweek 15 in the English Premier League concludes with one match. Manchester United plays at home against Bournemouth on the USA Network at 3:00 p.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 3.5.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 12/14/2025

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Dec 14, 2025

The Sunday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action. Week 15 in the NFL continues with 14 games. Eight NFL games kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Chicago Bears host the Cleveland Browns as a 7.5-point favorite with the total set at 38.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Baltimore Ravens travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 51.5. The Kansas City Chiefs play at home against the Los Angeles Chargers as a 6-point favorite with a total of 41.5. The New York Giants are home against the Washington Commanders as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 46.5. The Philadelphia Eagles host the Las Vegas Raiders as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 38.5. The Jacksonville Jaguars play at home against the New York Jets as a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 41.5. The Houston Texans are home against the Arizona Cardinals as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 42.5. The Buffalo Bills play in New England against the Patriots as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 48.5. Five NFL games start at 4:25 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Rams host the Detroit Lions as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 54.5. The Carolina Panthers are on the road against the New Orleans Saints as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 40.5. The San Francisco 49ers play at home against the Tennessee Titans as an 11.5-point favorite with a total of 44.5. The Green Bay Packers visit the Denver Broncos as a 1.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 42.5. The Seattle Seahawks are home against the Indianapolis Colts as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 41.5. Sunday Night Football on NBC has the Dallas Cowboys at home against the Minnesota Vikings at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Cowboys are a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 47.5.The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. The Indiana Pacers host the Washington Wizards at 3:10 p.m. ET as an 8.5-point favorite with a total of 233.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers play at home against the Charlotte Hornets at 3:40 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point favorite with an over/under of 233.5. Two NBA games tip off at 6:10 p.m. ET. The Atlanta Hawks are home against the Philadelphia 76ers as a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 227.5. The Milwaukee Bucks play at Brooklyn against the Nets as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 219.5. Two NBA games begin at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Chicago Bulls are home against the New Orleans Pelicans as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 243.5. The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Sacramento Kings as an 11.5-point favorite with an over/under of 229.5. The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road against the Phoenix Suns at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 229.5. The Golden State Warriors travel to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 234.5. The National Hockey League has six games on its slate. The New Jersey Devils play at home against the Vancouver Canucks at 12:37 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Utah Mammoth plays in Pittsburgh against the Penguins at 3:07 p.m. ET. The Carolina Hurricanes are home against the Philadelphia Flyers at 5:07 p.m. ET as a -230 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Minnesota Wild host the Boston Bruins at 6:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers are on the road against the Montreal Canadiens at 7:07 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Buffalo Sabres visit the Seattle Kraken at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -120 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Matchweek 15 in the English Premier League continues with five matches. Four matches begin at 9:00 a.m. ET. Manchester City plays on the road against Crystal Palace on NBC as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Nottingham Forest plays at home against Tottenham as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Newcastle United travels to Sunderland on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Aston Villa plays at West Ham United as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Brentford is home against Leeds United on the USA Network at 11:30 a.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5.  

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NCAAF, NHL, NCAAB and EPL Previews and Odds - 12/13/2025

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Dec 13, 2025

The Saturday sports card features NCAAF, NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and EPL action.There are two games in NCAAF college football between FBS opponents. The regular season of the college football season concludes with one game. Navy plays Army West Point at MT&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on CBS at 3:00 p.m. ET as a 6-point favorite with the total set at 38.5 (all odds from DraftKings).The college football bowl season kicks off with one game. Washington takes on Boise State in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 52.5. The National Basketball Association has its two games in the NBA Cup on a neutral court at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Amazon Prime Video. The New York Knicks battle the Orlando Magic at 5:40 p.m. ET as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 223.5. Oklahoma City challenges the San Antonio Spurs at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point favorite with an over/under of 225.5. The National Hockey League has 13 games on its slate. The New Jersey Devils host Anaheim at 12:37 p.m. ET as a -125 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Minnesota Wild play at home against the Ottawa Senators at 2:07 p.m. ET as a -118 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Pittsburgh Penguins are home against the San Jose Sharks at 3:07 p.m. ET as a -162 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning travels to New York to play the Islanders at 3:37 p.m. ET as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Five NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Vegas Golden Knights play in Columbus against the Blue Jackets as a -148 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Edmonton Oilers are on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs as a -115 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Washington Capitals visit Winnipeg to take on the Jets as a -125 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The New York Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Carolina Hurricanes play in Philadelphia against the Flyers as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Two NHL games start at 8:07 p.m. ET. The Detroit Red Wings are on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks as a -192 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Dallas Stars play at home against the Florida Panthers as a -148 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Colorado Avalanche are home against the Nashville Predators at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -355 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Los Angeles Kings host the Calgary Flames at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at noon ET with 102 games involving Division I opponents. Twelve games are on major national television. Texas Tech takes on Arkansas at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on ESPN2 at noon ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 154.5. Oklahoma plays Oklahoma State at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Fox at 1:00 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 166.5. Butler plays at home against Providence on TNT at 2:00 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 168.5. Florida faces George Washington at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on ESPN2 at 2:30 p.m. ET as a 15.5-point favorite with a total of 167.5. Creighton is home against Kansas State on Fox at 3:00 p.m. ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 157.5. Louisville hosts Memphis on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET as a 15.5-point favorite with a total of 161.5. North Carolina State plays at home against Kansas on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 151.5. Santa Clara takes on Arizona State at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada, on TNT at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 157.5. Kentucky is at home against Indiana on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under of 157.5. Michigan travels to Maryland on Fox at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 19.5-point road favorite with a total of 154.5. Arizona battles Alabama at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 178.5. Gonzaga challenges UCLA at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, on ESPN at 11:30 p.m. ET as a 10.5-point favorite with a total of 148.5. Matchweek 16 in the English Premier League begins with seven matches. Two EPL matches begin at 10:00 a.m. ET. Chelsea hosts Everton on the USA Network as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Liverpool plays at home against Brighton and Hove Albion on NBC as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Fulham plays at Burnley on NBC at 12:30 p.m. ET as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Arsenal is home against Wolverhampton on the USA Network at 3:00 p.m. ET as a 2.5-goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/12/2025

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Dec 12, 2025

The Friday sports card features NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.The National Basketball Association has seven games on its docket. Four NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Indiana Pacers as a 6.5-point favorite with the total set at 230.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Chicago Bulls travel to  Charlotte to play the Hornets as a 2.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 234.5. The Detroit Pistons play at home against the Atlanta Hawks as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 233.5. The Cleveland Cavaliers play in Washington against the Wizards as a 14.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 242.5. The Memphis Grizzlies are home against the Utah Jazz at 8:10 p.m. ET as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 239.5. The Dallas Mavericks host the Brooklyn Nets at 8:40 p.m. ET as a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 222.5. The Golden State Warriors play at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 228.5. The National Hockey League has two games on its slate. The St. Louis Blues are home against the Chicago Blackhawks at 8:07  p.m. ET as a -142 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Utah Mammoth host the Seattle Kraken at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -185 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at 6:00 p.m. ET with 13 games involving Division I opponents. Two games are on major national television. Xavier plays at home against Missouri State on truTV at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Musketeers are on a four-game winning streak after their 79-74 victory in a pick ‘em match-up last Friday. They started the season on a 7-3 march. The Bears lost for the second time in their last three games in a 98-74 loss at Tulsa as an 8-point underdog on Saturday. Their record dropped to 4-4 with the loss. Xavier is an 18.5-point favorite with an over/under of 148.5. Connecticut is home against Texas on Fox at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Huskies are on a five-game winning streak after their 77-73 victory against Florida as a 4-point favorite in the Jimmy V. Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. They have a 9-1 record so far this season. The Longhorns won for the third time in their previous four games in a 95-69 victory against Southern University as a 22.5-point favorite on Monday. That win improved their record to 7-3. UConn is a 15.5-point favorite with a total of 145.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL, NBA, NHL and NCAAB Previews and Odds - 12/11/2025

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Dec 11, 2025

The Thursday sports card features NFL, NBA, NHL, and NCAAB action.Week 15 in the National Football League kicks off with one game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons on Amazon Prime Video at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Buccaneers lost for the fourth time in their previous five games after a 24-20 upset loss at home against New Orleans as a 7.5-point favorite last Sunday. The Falcons lost for the seventh time in their last eight games in a 37-9 loss at home against Seattle as a 6.5-point favorite on Sunday. Tampa Bay is a 4.5-point favorite with a total of 44.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The National Basketball Association has four games on its docket. Three NBA games tip off at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Portland Trail Blazers travel to New Orleans to play the Pelicans as a 4.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 238.5. The Boston Celtics play on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks as an 8.5-point road favorite with a total of 222.5. The Houston Rockets play at home against the Los Angeles Clippers as an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 219.5. The Denver Nuggets are on the road against the Sacramento Kings at 10:10 p.m. ET as a 9.5-point road favorite with a total of 238.5.The National Hockey League has 13 games on its slate. Seven NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Carolina Hurricanes visit Washington to face the Capitals as a -115 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning plays on the road against the New Jersey Devils as a -130 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Ottawa Senators are on the road to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets as a -115 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The New York Islanders are home against the Anaheim Ducks as a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens as a -122 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs play at home against the San Jose Sharks as a -205 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Vegas Golden Knights travel to Philadelphia to challenge the Flyers on ESPN as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. There NHL games start at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Dallas Stars play in Minnesota against the Wild as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Nashville Predators are home against the St. Louis Blues as a -115 money-line favorite with a total of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -205 money-line favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The Colorado Avalanche plays at home against the Florida Panthers on ESPN at 9:37 p.m. ET as a -245 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Buffalo Sabres are on the road against the Vancouver Canucks at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -120 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 6.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at 4:00 p.m. ET with 13 games involving Division I opponents. One game is on major national television. Iowa State is at home against Iowa on FS1 at 8:00 p.m. ET as a 12.5-point favorite with a total of 143.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and UCL Previews and Odds 12/10/2025

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025

The Wednesday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and UCL action. The National Basketball Association concludes the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup with two games broadcast on Prime Video on its docket. The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Phoenix Suns at 7:40 p.m. ET. The Thunder are on a 15-game winning streak after a 131-101 victory at Utah as an 11.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Suns won for the second time in their last three games with a 108-105 upset victory as an 8.5-point underdog on Monday. Oklahoma City is a 14.5-point favorite with the total set at 225.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Los Angeles Lakers play at home against the San Antonio Spurs at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Lakers won for the ninth time in their last 11 games in a 112-108 win at Philadelphia as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Spurs won for the third time in their last four games with a 135-132 victory at New Orleans as a 9-point favorite on Monday. Los Angeles is a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 237.5. The National Hockey League has four games on its slate. The New York Rangers travel to Chicago to play the Blackhawks on TNT at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -142 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The Detroit Red Wings play in Calgary against the Flames at 8:37 p.m. ET, with both teams priced as -110 money-line favorites with an over/under of 6.5.The Florida Panthers are on the road to take on the Utah Mammoth at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The Los Angeles Kings visit Seattle to face the Kraken on TNT at 10:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The NCAAB college basketball schedule tips off at noon p.m. ET with 38 games involving Division I opponents. Two NCAAB games are on ESPNU in the Hall of Fame Classic at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, Missouri. Yale battles Albany at 4:30 p.m. ET as a 17.5-point favorite with a total of 149.5. Boston College challenges Massachusetts at 7:00 p.m. ET as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 141.5. Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League concludes with nine league phase matches. Two UCL matches begin at 12:45 p.m. ET. Villarreal is at home against FC Copenhagen as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Qarabag hosts Ajax as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Seven matches conclude the UCL card at 3:00 p.m. ET. Borussia Dortmund plays at home against Bobo Glimt as a -1.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Newcastle United plays at Bayer Leverkusen on the CBS Sports Network as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Benfica is home against Napoli as a -0.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 2.5. Juventus hosts Pafos FC as a -2.5 goal-line favorite with a total of 3.5. Arsenal is on the road against Club Brugge as a -1.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Paris Saint-Germain travels to Athletic Bilbao as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Manchester City plays at Real Madrid as a -0.5 goal-line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. All nine Champions League matches are available on Paramount+. 

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ASA's NFL News & Notes

by ASA, Inc.

Tuesday, Dec 09, 2025

ASA NFL NEWS & NOTES  WASHINGTON COMMANDERS – Washington was shut out last week losing 31-0 @ Minnesota.  QB Jayden Daniels came back after missing 3 games due to an injury.  He left this game after injuring his elbow in the 3rd quarter.  That’s the 3rd consecutive game in which Daniels was the starter but unable to finish the game due to an injury.  The Commanders have now lost 8 straight games with 5 of those setbacks coming by at least 3 TD’s.  While the offense hasn’t been great, the defense has allowed at least 27 points in 6 of their last 7 games.  They now rank dead last in YPP (6.4) and 28th in scoring D allowing 27 PPG.  This week they are on the road again as a 2.5 point dog (as of Monday) @ NY Giants.  Keep in mind, NFL teams coming off a shutout loss have cashed the following game at a 72% clip over the last 10 years and they are a perfect 4-0 ATS this year.  Ironically, the Vikings were in that spot last weekend vs Washington having lost @ Seattle 26-0 the previous week.    INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – What a bad luck stretch for the Colts.  After trading 2 first round picks to get lock down CB Sauce Gardner from the Jets, he goes out with a calf injury and his potential return is unknown.  On top of that, they lose starting QB Daniel Jones for the season to a torn achilles.  This team was heading down the wrong path before those injuries happened.  They have lost 3 of their last 4 games outright when tabbed as a favorite.  The offense, which led the NFL averaging 34 PPG through October, has now been held to 20 points or less in 4 of their last 5 games.  They still rank 6th in total offense putting up 368 YPG but over the last 3 games they’ve only averaged 273 YPG which ranks 26th in the NFL during that stretch.  The Jones injury is obviously huge, but to make matters worse, the Colts back up QB and former starter Anthony Richardson is also on IR.  On top of that, their 3rd stringer, rookie Riley Leonard, injured his knee last week and may not play.  That leaves veteran Brett Rypien (7 seasons and 950 career yards passing) who is currently in their practice squad or possibly retired QB Philip Rivers who they had come in for a workout this week.  Indy is a massive 12.5 point dog @ Seattle this week and if this game was played a month ago we’d be looking at the Seahawks as a 3 or 4 point favorite.  That’s how far the Colts have fallen in a short period of time.      KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – After their 20-10 home loss vs Houston on Sunday, KC has been eliminated from AFC West contention and their playoff chances have dipped to just 15%.  That ends a 9 year run winning the AFC West which was the 2nd longest streak in NFL history only behind New England who won the AFC East for 11 straight season (from 2009 – 2019).  The crazy thing is, Kansas City’s numbers this year are better than last year when they went to the Super Bowl.  Listen to this stat…The Chiefs have a 6-7 record and their point differential is +63.  Last year they were 15-2 with a point differential of +59!  They also have better YPG and YPP this season.  Close games results have been the difference.  This year they have a 1-6 record in one score games and last year they were 12-0 in that situation.  HOUSTON TEXANS – What a turnaround by the Texans.  They looked dead in the water after starting the season 0-3 and winning only 3 of their first 8 games.  Their odds to make the playoffs after their first 8 games was less than 10%.  They have since won 5 straight games to move their record to 8-5 and their playoff odds are now above 80%.  Their 5 game run hasn’t been easy with 4 of those wins coming vs the Bills, Chiefs, Jags, and Colts (prior to QB Jones injury).  They are 1 game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South and the Texans close out the season with 3 of 4 at home and a fairly easy slate (Arizona, Las Vegas, and now injured Indy at home along with a game @ LA Chargers).  Houston now ranks 6th in the NFL DVOA metric (behind only Seattle, LA Rams, Detroit, Indianapolis and Green Bay) and they have the 2nd best defense according to DVOA.  That defense has allowed 19 points or less in 6 of their last 7 games.  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – Don’t look now but the Saints are playing really well over the last month.  They only have 3 wins on the season but 2 of those have come in the last 4 games and they are 3-1 ATS their last 4.  Their 2 wins over the last month both came on the road vs NFC South rivals Carolina and Tampa Bay who both currently have winning records.  Their rookie QB Tyler Shough had a shaky first 2 starts but over his last 4 he’s completed 69% of his passes and he threw for at least 239 yards in 3 of those games.  On Sunday he became just the 2nd rookie QB in Saints history to win at least 2 games (Archie Manning was the other).  The defense has been under appreciated all season.  They rank 12th in total defense, 10th in YPP allowed, and 6th in 3rd down percentage defense.  The Saints have the 3rd easiest schedule to close out the season facing the Panthers, Jets, Titans and Falcons.    MIAMI DOLPHINS – Miami is another team whose season was heading downhill fast and they turned it around.  They lost 6 of their first 7 games with their only win during that stretch coming vs the Jets and head coach Mike McDaniel was one of the betting favorites to get canned before the season came to an end.  They have since won 5 of their last 6 games with their only loss during that stretch coming @ Baltimore in a game they lost the turnover battle 3-0.  In their 5 wins since October 26th the defense has allowed an average of 12.5 PPG on just 293 YPG.  What an improvement from a defense that allowed 30+ points in each of their first 3 games of the season with their opponents scoring points on 17 of their 26 offensive possessions.  They’re pretty much out of the playoff discussion but could be dangerous down the stretch.  CHICAGO BEARS – The Bears are 9-4 and while they are much improved this season, they are overvalued.  Despite their record, Chicago has a negative point differential which is almost impossible to pull off with a 9-4 record.  They are 6-2 in one score games which helps.  The Bears have also been outgained on the year by an average of -0.6 YPP as they average 5.7 YPP on offense and allow 6.3 YPP defensively.  So how have they done it?  Turnovers.  They lead the NFL in turnover margin by a wide margin at +17 and the Texans are next best at +12.  Their 27 takeaways are 5 more than any other team in the NFL.  The Bears have won just 1 game where they were even or minus in turnover margin (vs Pittsburgh).  In their 9 wins, Chicago has a turnover differential of +20 so more than 2 per game.  In a few of their wins, they were +3 or more and the games still went to the wire.  They were +3 turnovers vs Las Vegas and won 25-24.  They were +3 vs Washington and won 25-24.  They were +4 vs Cincinnati and won 47-42.  Barely beating some bad teams with a huge turnover advantage isn’t ideal.  Can they continue to dominate the turnover stat?  If so, they’ll win games, if not, they probably won’t.  Tough schedule down the stretch as well facing the Packers, 49ers, and Lions still to close out the season. 

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Key Divisional Matchups To Watch

by Jazz Ray

Tuesday, Dec 09, 2025

With no dominant team in the NFC and the AFC turned upside down by the Chiefs’ epic fall and the Bills’ inconsistency, here’s a look at the key games down the stretch as division opponents go up against each other in Weeks 15 through 18.NFC NORTH – Green Bay at Chicago (Week 16)Green Bay could have a chance to take complete control of the division and grab a home game in the playoffs. The Packers, who own a one-touchdown Week 14 victory over the Bears, are 2.5-point favorites in this one even though Chicago (8-4-1 ATS) has been a much better cover team than Green Bay (5-7-1). That Week 14 Game pushed when GB intercepted a pass in the end zone in the final minute of the game.NFC EAST – Dallas at New York Giants (Week 18)Philadelphia pretty much owned the division until Dallas put together a three-game win streak in November, but the Cowboys’ Week 14 loss to Detroit was a killer, and this game could be moot if the Cowboys don’t get their act together. If Dallas can get through Weeks 15-17 and still show a pulse, they’ll be heavy favorites against a Giants team that figures to be fighting it out with Tennessee and Las Vegas for the overall No. 1 draft pick. Early numbers have the Cowboys as slight (-1.5) favorites, though that number will move depending on how meaningful the game is.NFC SOUTH – Tampa Bay vs Carolina (Weeks 16 and 18)NFL rules mandate that SOMEONE has to finish first in the NFC South, and the schedule-maker has conveniently pitted these two 7-6 teams against each other in two of the last three weeks of the season. That makes it almost certain that the Week 18 game will be significant, as the loser will most likely miss the playoffs. Oddsmakers like the Buccaneers in both games – by 3.5 this week in Carolina and by 7 in the rematch.  Both teams have been outscored by their opponents in what has been a down season for the division.NFC WEST – Los Angeles Rams at Seattle (Week 16)The Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers are playing musical chairs in the NFC West. All three figure to make the playoffs, but this game featuring two (at this point) 10-3 teams will give the winner a huge leg up. A loss would be tough to swallow for the Seahawks, who finish up at Carolina (Week 17) and at San Francisco (Week 18) while the Rams figure to feast on also-rans Atlanta and Arizona. Seattle is a slight (+1.5) home underdog in this one.AFC NORTH – Baltimore at Pittsburgh (Week 18)One of these mediocre teams will make the playoffs and get a home game, with the other looking toward the draft, and this game will likely determine which is which. Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers has been crankier than usual lately, saying, “Maybe now you guys [media] will shut the hell up” (about Mike Tomlin’s future with the team). Whether the Ravens make this Week 18 game relevant depends on the health of QB Lamar Jackson, who has been dealing with multiple lower-body injuries. Baltimore is an early 4.5-point favorite in this one.AFC EAST – Buffalo at New England (Week 15)A win here for the Patriots (+1) ends the division race, ends chances of Josh Allen repeating as MVP, and all but assures that Mike Vrabel will have a Coach of the Year trophy to put on his mantle. NE launched its hostile takeover of the division with a stunning 23-20 victory in Buffalo when the Bills had 3 turnovers and were penalized 11 times. The Patriots are battling it out with Denver for the No. 1 conference seed and the playoff bye that comes with it. Bills are 1-point favorites in this one.AFC SOUTH – Houston at Indianapolis (Week 18)Daniel Jones’s season-ending injury has turned Indy’s season upside down, and the Colts (losers of three straight and facing a Seattle-San Francisco-Jacksonville gauntlet in Weeks 15-17) need to somehow stay alive to make this one meaningful on their end. Houston is roaring into the final month of the season and has five straight wins. Shame that the Texans and Jaguars have already played twice (they split) this season. It would make for a Week 18 division winner-take-all game.

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