Follow us @bigal_com

Instagram Twitter

Articles

NCAA Friday Night Football: Louisville/Syracuse Preview

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Nov 20, 2020

The Friday night college football game on ESPN involves two ACC teams with disappointing 1-6 records in conference play. Syracuse has lost five games in a row after a narrow 16-13 loss to Boston College as a 14.5-point underdog on November 7th. Freshman quarterback JaCobian Morgan made his first collegiate start in that game with mixed results. He completed 19 of 30 passes for just 188 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. The Orange only gained 240 yards but were only on the field for just over 21 minutes.Head coach Dino Babers moved to the freshman under center with Rex Culpepper struggling in his three starts. The senior has completed only 46.4% of his passes this season with five touchdown passes but six interceptions in 112 pass attempts. He had taken over in mid-October after junior Tommy Devito suffered a season-ending able injury. Syracuse is scoring only 18.3 points-per-game this season, which is 114th in the nation. Their 263.8 yards-per-game mark is 123rd in the country. The Orange’s defense has not fared much better as they rank 103rd in the FBS by allowing their opponents to average 464.4 yards-per-game. Syracuse lost six of their top eight tacklers from last year’s unit that ranked 115th in the nation by giving up 464.1 yards-per-game. The Orange are 1-7 on the season, with their lone win this year against Georgia Tech in September. Babers had 11 starters return from the team that finished 5-7 last year. He has a 24-32 record in his five seasons at Syracuse, with this being his fourth losing season. Louisville has lost two games in a row as well as six of their last seven contests after their 31-17 loss at Virginia last Saturday. Head coach Scott Satterfield settled for the loss despite the Cardinals outgaining the Cavaliers by 110 net yards. Ye three Louisville turnovers were too much to overcome. Junior quarterback Micale Cunningham threw an interception returned for an 85-yard touchdown that began the scoring for the Cavs. Cunningham later fumbled in Virginia territory with 8:22 left in the fourth quarter to short circuit a potential game-tying touchdown. Those events have been the recurring story of the season in Satterfield’s second year with the program. Louisville has turned the ball over 18 times this season, which is the third-most in the nation. The Cardinals have a -12 net turnover margin, which has overwhelmed their +48.5 net yards-per-game advantage. Cunningham rushed for a career-high 197 yards against Virginia on 20 carries with two touchdowns. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 161 yards with no touchdown passes and that one interception. Cunningham is completing 63.2% of his passes for 1907 yards with 15 touchdown passes but nine interceptions, and the dual-threat has added 417 yards on the ground with five more touchdowns. He will not have Javian Hawkins in the backfield after he decided to opt-out for the rest of the season to prepare for the NFL draft. The redshirt sophomore rushed for 822 yards on 6.2 yards-per-carry with seven touchdowns this season. He also had 127 receiving yards with one touchdown reception. Junior running Hassan Hall expects to return after being out the last three games. Louisville returned 16 starters from the team that finished 8-5 with their 38-28 win over Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl. The Cardinals have victories against Western Kentucky and Florida State, but their 2-6 record is far below expectations. Louisville won their meeting last season with Syracuse by a 56-34 score, with Cunningham throwing a career-high five touchdown passes in the victory. BetAnySports lists the Cardinals as an 18.5-point favorite with the total set at 56.5. The ESPN broadcast begins at 7 PM ET.

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAA Football Preview

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Nov 20, 2020

Four college football games dominate the Friday sports card. The Friday night college football game on ESPN involves two ACC teams with disappointing 1-6 records in conference play. Syracuse has lost five games in a row after a narrow 16-13 loss to Boston College as a 14.5-point underdog on November 7th. Freshman quarterback JaCobian Morgan made his first collegiate start in that game with mixed results. He completed 19 of 30 passes for just 188 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. The Orange only gained 240 yards but were only on the field for just over 21 minutes.Louisville has lost two games in a row as well as six of their last seven contests after their 31-17 loss at Virginia last Saturday. Head coach Scott Satterfield settled for the loss despite the Cardinals outgaining the Cavaliers by 110 net yards. Ye three Louisville turnovers were too much to overcome. Junior quarterback Micale Cunningham threw an interception returned for an 85-yard touchdown that began the scoring for the Cavs. Cunningham later fumbled in Virginia territory with 8:22 left in the fourth quarter to short circuit a potential game-tying touchdown. Louisville won their meeting last season with Syracuse by a 56-34 score, with Cunningham throwing a career-high five touchdown passes in the victory. The Cardinals are an 18.5-point favorite with the total set at 56.5 (all odds from BookMaker). The ESPN broadcast begins at 7 PM ET.Purdue travels to Minnesota for a 7:30 PM ET kickoff with the Golden Gophers. The Boilermakers opened their season with victories against Iowa and Illinois, but they lost at home by a 27-20 score to Northwestern as a 4-point underdog last Saturday. Purdue managed only 265 yards of offense against the Wildcats. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell completed 28 of 51 passes for 263 yards with two touchdown passes in the losing effort. He is questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury. The Boilermakers are hopeful that not only he plays but that junior wide receiver Rondale Moore makes his season debut after missing the first three games with a lower-body injury. Minnesota continued their disappointing season with a 35-7 loss at home to Iowa last Friday night. The Golden Gophers have also lost to Michigan and Maryland this season, with their lone victory in four games being against Illinois. Expectations were much higher for this team who returned 13 starters from the group that finished 11-2 last year. Minnesota upset Iowa last season with a 38-31 score in Iowa City as a 1.5-point underdog. The Hawkeyes are a 2-point road favorite for this rematch with an over/under of 61. The broadcast is on the Big Ten Network at 7:30 PM ET. Florida Atlantic hosts UMass at 8 PM ET. The Owls raised their record to a 4-1 mark last Friday with their 38-19 victory over Florida International. Freshman quarterback Javian Posey ran for 182 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown while completing 10 of 16 passes for 80 yards with another two touchdown passes. The Florida Atlantic defense has been the biggest story for this team under first-year head coach Willie Taggart as they are allowing only 13.0 points-per-game. UMass has only played two games this season as an independent in a sea of teams mostly restricting themselves to conference games. The Minutemen opened their season with a 41-0 loss at Georgia Southern as a 30.5-point underdog on October 17th. UMass returned to the field on November 7th, where they lost at Marshall as a 44-point underdog by a 51-10 score. FAU is a 32.5-point favorite with a total of 51. The CBS Sports Network has the broadcast.The Friday college football card concludes at 9:30 PM ET with New Mexico traveling on the road to play Air Force in a Mountain West Conference showdown. The Lobos are winless this season after their 27-20 loss to Nevada as a 17.5-point underdog. New Mexico opened their season with a 36-21 loss at San Jose State before losing at Hawai’i the next week by a 39-33 score. Junior quarterback Tevaka Tuioti did not play against the Wolf Pack after entering the concussion protocol. He is doubtful for this game, which likely leaves the Lobos with Trae Hall under center. The redshirt sophomore completed 17 of 32 passes for 195 yards with an interception in his start last week. Air Force opened their season with a 40-7 victory Navy, but they have lost their last two games. The Falcons lost at San Jose State by a 17-6 score on October 24th before losing against on Halloween to Boise State by a 49-30 score. With junior Donald Hammond III leaving the program in the fall, the quarterback position has been unsettled for head coach Troy Calhoun in the fourteenth year with the program. Junior Warren Bryan rushed for 87 yards in the losing effort against the Broncos in their last game after replacing Haaziq Daniels, who got knocked out with a shoulder injury. The sophomore started the first two games for Air Force and should return for this contest. Daniels has rushed for 134 yards with a 5.2 yards-per-carry average while adding a passing threat to the flexbone option by completing 13 of 26 passes for 133 yards. Air Force is a 7.5-point favorite with an over/under of 55.5. FS1 has the broadcast.

Read more

Ness Notes: Thursday, Nov 19

by Larry Ness

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020

This column will be available Monday through Friday (posted no later than 1:00 ET), EXCLUSIVELY at BigAl.com. I like to call it my daily 'random thoughts' on the sports betting world, although I'll pass along that my therapist refers to it as "thoughtful commentary."NBA Draft: The NBA finally held its draft last night, some FIVE months later than it was originally scheduled. Surprisingly, the lottery (first 14 picks) played out without a SINGLE deal being made. The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Georgia guard Anthony Edwards with the first pick, the Golden State Warriors took Memphis center James Wiseman with the No. 2 pick and guard LaMelo Ball followed as the third pick to the Charlotte Hornets. I'll get to the two guards in a minute but let me deal with Wiseman and the Warriors, first.Wiseman is a 7-foot-1 center who played only THREE games last season for Memphis because of eligibility issues and a 12-game suspension due to rules violations. The thought (hope?) is that he will be able to give Golden State a physical presence alongside Draymond Green in the Warriors' frontcourt. The Warriors fell to the bottom of the standings last season following FIVE consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, amid injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Just prior to the draft, Thompson suffered a right leg injury during a workout on Wednesday afternoon with several NBA players in Los Angeles. Thompson felt pain in the calf area when he landed on his leg, according to sources. The Warriors are worried it's possibly an Achilles tendon injury but are holding out hope it's not as serious and are determined to wait on the MRI results on Thursday morning. What a turn of events it would be if that MRI reveals real damage. Edwards led all Division I freshmen with 19.1 points per game last season and was the SEC Freshman of the Year and Ball averaged 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 12 games for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia's National Basketball League. Maybe it's just me but these two picks eerily remind me of the NBA's 2017 draft, when Washington's Markelle Fultz was that draft's No. 1 pick by the 76ers and UCLA's Lorenzo Ball was chosen No. 2 by the Lakers. Fultz was able to play just 33 games (15 starts) in his two years with Philly, averaging just 7.7 PPG and 3.4 APG while shooting 41.4%, including 26.7% on threes. Fultz was traded to Orlando and last season, played 72 games, making 60 starts. He upped his scoring 12.1 PPG and his assist total to 5.1 per, while shooting 46.5% (although he was still an 'ugly 26.7% on threes). Is that what one expects from the top player in a draft? As for Ball, he was also a major disappointment for the team that drafted him, before the Lakers traded him to New Orleans. Ball has developed into a solid NBA guard (his three-season averages are 10.7-6.1-6.6), who plays very good defense, but it's HIGHLY unlikely he will ever be the player Magic predicted he would be.Will Edwards and LaMelo Ball make it "deja vu all over again" in this latest NBA draft? As reported by Elias Sports Bureau, Edwards joins Fultz as the only players in the lottery era to go No. 1 overall coming from a program with a record of .500 or worse in his final college season. The Georgia Bulldogs went 16-16 (including 5-13 in the SEC) and would have NOT played in the NCAA Tourney if there had been one. If that does give one pause, how about the following comment attributed to Edwards earlier this week that he’s “not really into basketball?” LaMelo is the younger brother of Lonzo and is the NBA really ready for another constant daily press conference from 'Poppa LeVar?' LaMelo has had a winding road up to this point, playing in Lithuania and then Australia, before being chosen by Charlotte. Best of luck to both the T-wolves and Hornets but "color me skeptical!" On to college football. MACtion recap: With Buffalo and Kent St each winning on Tuesday to reach 3-0, it sets up a showdown on Nov 28 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) in which Buffalo plays at Kent St. The winner will move to 4-0 in what is just a six-game schedule in the MAC for 2020. The victor will have a near-stranglehold on the East Division title, owning a one-game advantage while also having the tiebreaker edge, with just two games left. Wednesday's results saw Ball St and Toledo each move to 2-1 with wins over Northern Illinois (31-25) and Eastern Michigan (45-28), respectively. In the MAC's "Game of the Week," Western Michigan rolled up 628 yards in snapping Central Michigan's seven-game home winning streak with a 52-44 win. QB Kaleb Eleby was just 12 of 20 but passed for 382 yards with five TD passes. WRs Eskridge (four catches for 212 yards with three TDs) and Hall (four catches for 110 yards with two TDs) were the beneficiaries of Eleby's outstanding game. However, my guess is the duo may say that they did have "something to do with it," as well. Western Michigan is now 3-0 in the MAC West (Broncos are averaging 50.3 PPG) and has beaten TWO of three schools (Central Michigan and Toledo) that sit at 2-1. The exception is Ball St which will get to host Western Michigan on Dec 12 (regular-season finale for both). However, the Broncos will host Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan the next two Saturdays, teams which are a combined 0-6. Meanwhile, Ball St has to play on the road at both Toledo and Central Michigan. Western Michigan is sure "lookin' good" as the MAC West's division winner.CFB Weekend: There will be three games between ranked teams this weekend, all of which will be played on Saturday (stay tuned). There will be 13 more games, featuring ranked teams against unranked opponents and as I noted in Monday's Notes, we finally saw the ranked teams in those matchups begin to assert themselves the previous two weeks. Ranked teams went a perfect 14-0 SU against unranked opponents from Nov 3-7 but still could NOT win more than 50 percent ATS, going 6-7-1. However, when 'all the dust had settled' from the week of Nov 10-15, ranked teams had gone 12-1 SU against unranked opponents (then-No. 19 SMU's loss to Tulsa being the exception) and more significantly, a MONEY-MAKING 11-2 ATS! That leaves the Y-T-D numbers at 94-23 SU (.803) and 53-62-2 ATS (46.1%) entering this week. The first of those 13 games  will go tonight, when Tulsa hosts Tulane. The Golden Hurricane are ranked (No. 25) for the first time since the final poll of 2010 (24th) and the last time Tulsa was ranked during the regular season was back in 2008. (at No. 19). Tulsa is favored by 6 1/2-points. There are four games on Friday but NONE involving ranked opponents. However, before moving on to Saturday, let's look at the latest COVID-19 disruptions. Ohio U at Miami-Ohio (Tuesday), Utah St at Wyoming (Thursday) and UAB at UTEP (Friday) were all canceled. As of Thursday morning, 11 Saturday games have been either postponed or canceled, including ranked schools No. 5 Texas A&M (for the second straight week), No. 12 Miami-Fl (moved to Dec 19), No. 15 Marshall, No. 22 Texas (moved to Dec 12) and No. 24 ULL. Fingers crossed that this represents the final list of games to be affected this weekend but that may be wishful thinking. Saturday games: The higher ranked teams have gone 17-3 SU and 16-4 ATS when top-25 teams have squared off in 2020 and there are three such matchups this Saturday. No. 3 Ohio St welcomes 9th-ranked Indiana to Columbus. The Buckeyes have won their last 15 Big Ten games by double digits, while the Hoosiers own their highest ranking since being No. 4 back in 1967 and this game marks the school's first-ever meeting of top-10 teams. Ohio St is favored by 20 1/2-points. No. 10 Wisconsin has had two games canceled but have won the two games it has played, 45-7 and 49-11. The Badgers will play at No. 19 Northwestern, which is off to its first 4-0 start in Big Ten play since 1996. The Wildcats have been very successful against the Badgers at home, winning FIVE of the last six matchups at Ryan Field. However, the Badgers are favored by seven points. The third top-25 matchup on Saturday features "Bedlam" in Norman, Oklahoma as the 14th-ranked Oklahoma St Cowboys take on the 18th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. It's a Spencer vs Spencer battle of QBs, as Spencer Sanders of Oklahoma State faces his counterpart Spencer Rattler of Oklahoma. Oklahoma St is 4-1 in the Big 12 and Oklahoma is 4-2 (Iowa St leads at 5-1). A win Saturday by Oklahoma St would not only put the Cowboys in the driver's seat for their first Big 12 Championship Game berth (top-two teams meet on either Dec 12 or Dec 19), but would virtually knock the Sooners out of contention, ending their FIVE year run of conference titles with two regular-season games remaining. That said, Oklahoma is favored by seven points.No. 2 Notre Dame (owners of the nation's longest active winning streak at 14) has an off week and No. 5 Texas A&M has had its game with Ole Miss postponed. Three top-10 teams are involved in top-25 matchups (see above), leaving five, top-10 teams playing unranked opponents. No. 1 Alabama is home to Kentucky, with the Tide favored by 30 points. No. 4 Clemson comes off a bye week AND a loss at Notre Dame on Nov 7, to play at 2-6 Florida St. Trevor Lawrence is back for the Tigers, who are favored by 35 1/2-points. No. 6 Florida plays at winless Vandy (0-6), where the Gators are favored by 31 1/2-points as Kyle Trask continues his OUTSTANDING season (28 TD passes in six games with just three INTs). No. 7 Cincinnati faces its toughest test to-date, playing in Orlando against UCF. The Bearcats are averaging 41.6 PPG and allowing just 12.4 PPPG, but UCF takes the field with an offense averaging 51.3 PPG plus has won 23 of its last 24 home games! The Bearcats are favored by six points. Last but NOT least, we have the 8th-ranked BYU Cougars looking to move to 9-0 on the season with a home win over North Alabama. Pretty sure the Cougars will do just that, as they are favored by 48 points.I didn't forget the NFL, which opens its Week 11 with a "Battle 4 First" in the NFC West between the Cards and Seahawks in Seattle. The NFC West has a three-way tie at the top between the Cards, Rams and Seahawks (all are 6-3).The Cards and Seahawks square off in Seattle and barring a tie, one will move to 7-3. The Rams play Monday night in Tampa against the Bucs, making their path to 7-3 a real test. The Cardinals overcame a 10-point fourth quarter deficit back in Week 7 in a SNF matchup at home, to edge the Seahawks 37-34 on a Zane Gonzalez 48-yard FG with 15 seconds remaining in OT (note: Gonzalez had previously kicked a 44-yarder as time expired in regulation). Seattle is favored by three points and the over/under is 57. The NFL takes 'center stage' in Friday's Notes.Good luck...Larry

Read more

2020 NFL: Is There a Home Field Advantage This Season?

by ASA, Inc.

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020

With limited or no fans allowed at NFL games this season, does it make playing on the road easier? Teams are allowed to pump in sound for games to make it more realistic, but the noise levels do not come close to what 60,000 plus fans can produce. There are other factors that come with playing on the road such as the long travel days or the unfamiliar weather, but the fan noise seems to make it most difficult. Over the past 10 seasons home teams have had a distinct advantage. For this reason oddsmakers have usually given points to home teams, but with no fans this season, home teams don’t have their customary advantage.  Home Records 2010-2019 2019 - 132-1232018 - 153-1012017 - 145-1112016 - 147-1072015 - 138-1182014 - 145-1102013 - 153-1032012 - 146-1092011 - 145-1112010 - 143-113Overall 1447-1106 (56.7%) After 145 games this season, home teams are 76-69 (51.7%) straight up. This even includes last week where home teams went 11-3. A 5% change between this year and the past 10 seasons would suggest road games are easier in 2020. That’s not a monumental change but it might quantify the impact that the fans noise and energy can bring to a home team. It’s hard to definitively say that home field advantage is not real this season, but it appears that it is not as beneficial as it usually is.  On a pure numbers basis, the home teams this season have a positive point differential of +64 this season.  Divide that by the 147 games played this year and the straight numbers home field advantage is +0.43 so less than a half point per game. The real question is, are oddsmakers accounting for this? In 2020 home teams are 68-77-1 against the spread. At only 46.5% it seems like they are not, but when compared to previous seasons it actually is on par. In 2018 home teams ATS covered 49% of the time, while only 44% in 2019. Overall, it appears in recent years that oddmakers are giving too many points to home teams, including 2020. 

Read more

NFL Stock Rising and Falling: Week 11

by Sean Murphy

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020

We're coming off another winning Sunday in NFL action and back to take our weekly look around the NFL at three teams on the rise and three on their way down as we head into Week 11.Stock RisingNew England PatriotsPerhaps their come-from-behind win over the hapless Jets in New Jersey two weeks ago will serve as the Pats unlikely turning points, as long as they can build off of last Sunday's impressive primetime win over the Ravens. QB Cam Newton looks healthy again and that's bad news for a rag-tag Texans defense that will try to slow him down on Sunday afternoon in Houston. New England is currently laying less than a field goal.Indianapolis ColtsThe Colts have won three of their last four contests and find themselves in a spotlight non-conference game against the Packers this Sunday They'll have the benefit of a long week of preparation having not played since last Thursday's key win over the division-rival Titans. The Packers are back on track following consecutive wins but neither victory was all that impressive (coming against the injury-ravaged 49ers and lowly Jaguars). Kansas City ChiefsOf course, we could install the Chiefs at the top of this article virtually every week, but here we'll make a point to include them as they've scored a whopping 111 points over their last three games. Kansas City's lone loss this season came in stunning fashion at home against the Raiders back in early October so you can be sure it will be up for this revenge matchup in Las Vegas on Sunday. While the Chiefs are undefeated on the road this season, two of their four wins have come by single-digit margins.Stock FallingCincinnati BengalsI'm not going to knock the Bengals for last week's tough road loss against the undefeated Steelers but the fact is, they've had a miserable time trying to find the win column since their schedule toughened up in October. Cincinnati checks in having won just once in its last five games and while it does draw a favorable matchup against the Washington Football Team this Sunday, it's a tough spot from a motivational standpoint coming off that big measuring-stick division showdown with Pittsburgh.Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles had a fine opportunity to take control of the NFC East with a victory over the Giants last Sunday but ultimately fell short. They've been sputtering all season, playing a maddeningly inconsistent brand of football - par for the course in the NFC 'Least'. This Sunday's game in Cleveland is winnable but it's getting awfully tough to predict when the Philadelphia offense in particular will finally get it together, if at all this season.Baltimore RavensThere's sure to be somewhat of an overreaction in the betting marketplace to the Ravens losing that rain-soaked game in New England last Sunday night. With that being said, there's no question Baltimore is having a difficult time reaching the heights that it saw last season. Sitting at 6-3 it is in desperate need of a strong bounce-back performance at home against the Titans on Sunday as a very difficult road game against the Steelers looms next week. QB Lamar Jackson looks like a quarterback that might be putting a little too much pressure on himself.

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NFL and NCAA Football Preview

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020

The NFL Thursday night game, along with one game in college football, takes place on Thursday. Utah State and Wyoming had their Mountain Western Conference game canceled for Thursday night amidst a COVID outbreak in the Aggies football program.Tulane travels to Tulsa for a 7:30 PM ET kickoff in the American Athletic Conference. The Green Wave have won three in a row after their 38-12 win against Army as a 3-point favorite on Saturday. Freshman quarterback Michael Pratt completed 19 of 27 passes for 197 yards with two touchdown passes and without an interception to lead his team to the victory. Pratt is completing only 55.3% of his passes for 1308 yards, but he has thrown 14 touchdown passes with only four interceptions. He has also rushed for 158 yards with five additional touchdowns. Tulane was on a three-game losing streak before rattling off wins against Temple and at East Carolina before their win over the Black Knights last week. Head coach Willie Fritz has not quite seen this team elevate from 'good to great' as he has preached from the team that finished 7-6 last year after defeating Southern Mississippi in the Armed Forces Bowl by a 30-13 score. The Green Wave are only 2-4 in conference play. Tulsa responded from a 16-7 loss at Oklahoma State in their opening game to win four straight games after their 28-24 victory over SMU last Saturday. Senior quarterback Zach Smith completed 26 of 38 passes for 325 yards with three touchdown passes and an interception. The former transfer from Baylor is completing 61.5% of his passes for 1249 yards with ten touchdown passes but six interceptions in his five games. The Golden Hurricane are 4-0 in conference play. After only nine victories in their last three seasons, Tulsa seems to have made the jump to the next level in the sixth year under head coach Philip Montgomery. Thirteen starters are back from the team last year that finished just 4-8 but with a schedule that included nine teams that played in a bowl game. The Golden Hurricane only won two of their eight conference games yet outgained those foes by 45 yards-per-game, including winning the yardage battle against SMU, Cincinnati, and Memphis. Tulsa is a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 53.5 (all odds from BetOnline). ESPN has the broadcast.The Thursday night game on Fox presents a battle of two first-place teams in the NFC West. Both Arizona and Seattle share 6-3 records after the Cardinals won the first meeting between these two teams with their 37-34 overtime victory on October 25th. Arizona has won two of their next three games after that triumph. The Cardinals come into this game on an emotional high after the Kyler Murray-to-DeAndre Hopkins Hail Mary 43-yard touchdown pass snatched victory from the claws of defeat in the final moments of their game on Sunday with Buffalo. Murray completed 22 of 32 passes for 245 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception while adding another 61 rushing yards with two touchdowns on the ground in leading his team to the 32-20 victory. Seattle has lost two straight games after their 23-16 setback in Los Angeles against the Rams on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson struggled by throwing two interceptions while completing only 22 of 37 passes for 248 yards. Wilson also lost a fumble amidst being under constant pressure from the Los Angeles defensive front. He got sacked six times while getting hit 12 times. Seattle did not have Jamal Adams available in the October clash with the Cardinals. Adams is healthy again as he registered seven tackles with two sacks and one forced fumble on Sunday. The Seahawks also added defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap since that first game with Arizona. Seattle is a 3-point favorite with the total set at 57.5. Kickoff is at 8:20 PM ET.

Read more

NFL Thursday Night Football: Seahawks/Cardinals Preview

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Nov 19, 2020

The Thursday night game on Fox presents a battle of two first-place teams in the NFC West. Both Arizona and Seattle share 6-3 records after the Cardinals won the first meeting between these two teams with their 37-34 overtime victory on October 25th. Arizona has won two of their next three games after that triumph. The Cardinals come into this game on an emotional high after the Kyler Murray-to-DeAndre Hopkins Hail Mary 43-yard touchdown pass snatched victory from the claws of defeat in the final moments of their game on Sunday with Buffalo. Murray completed 22 of 32 passes for 245 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception while adding another 61 rushing yards with two touchdowns on the ground in leading his team to the 32-20 victory. Murray is completing 68.2% of his passes this season for 2375 passing yards with 17 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. He has another 604 rushing yards along with ten rushing touchdowns. The Cardinals have scored 33.3 points-per-game in the three games since their first meeting with the Seahawks while averaging 471.3 yards-per-game. They also got running back Kenyon Drake back from injury against the Bills. He ran the ball 11 times for 100 yards. Seattle has lost two straight games after their 23-16 setback in Los Angeles against the Rams on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson struggled by throwing two interceptions while completing only 22 of 37 passes for 248 yards. Wilson also lost a fumble amidst being under constant pressure from the Los Angeles defensive front. He got sacked six times while getting hit 12 times. The Seahawks’ offensive line has allowed 30 sacks this season, tied for the fourth-most in the league. They have allowed 104 pressures on the quarterback along with 11.6 pressures on the QB per game. Those marks rank fourth and third-worst in the NFL. Wilson is responsible for seven turnovers in the last two games. Seattle is allowing their opponents to score 29.6 points-per-game and the 448.3 yards-per-game they are allowing remains the worst of all 32 teams. Yet the Seahawks have improved to allowing 386.7 yards-per-game in the three games since playing in Arizona last month. Injuries have played a significant role in Seattle’s last two losses. Starting center Ethan Pocic did not play last week as he goes through the concussion protocol, and he is questionable for Thursday’s game. Backup center Kyle Fuller is listed as questionable, as well, after suffering a high ankle sprain on Sunday. Head coach Pete Carroll has not had the services of his top two running backs, Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde, since the first meeting with the Cardinals (with Rashad Penny already out indefinitely with a knee injury). Both running backs, along with Travis Homer, are questionable for this game, but Hyde did take part in a limited practice on Tuesday.  Homer was downgraded to doubtful for tonight, but Hyde will return to the field to join DeeJay Dallas as the Seahawks’ primary running backs for this game.Wide receiver Tyler Lockett is questionable with a knee strain after being limited to only two catches for 28 yards against the Rams, although being covered by cornerback Jalen Ramsey played a role with those under-performing numbers. Seattle cornerbacks Quinton Dunbar and Shaquill Griffin are also questionable in what will be challenging circumstances for the Seahawks playing on a short week.  Both cornerbacks were declared out on Wednesday.Arizona received disappointing news on Wednesday with nose tackle Corey Peters declared out the season with a knee injury. He is the fourth defensive linemen to be placed on Injured Reserve, including starting defensive end Zach Allen. Pro Bowl linebacker Chandler Jones is also on Injured Reserve with his bicep injury. Defensive end Jordan Phillips is also out with a foot injury.Seattle did not have Jamal Adams available in the October clash with the Cardinals. Adams is healthy again as he registered seven tackles with two sacks and one forced fumble on Sunday. The Seahawks also added defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap since that first game with Arizona. BetAnySports lists Seattle as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 57. Kickoff is at 8:20 PM ET.

Read more

Ness Notes: Wednesday, Nov 18

by Larry Ness

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020

This column will be available Monday through Friday (posted no later than 1:00 ET), EXCLUSIVELY at BigAl.com. I like to call it my daily 'random thoughts' on the sports betting world, although I'll pass along that my therapist refers to it as "thoughtful commentary."Tuesday MACtion featured a pair of games featuring 2-0 schools playing 0-2 ones and as expected, Buffalo moved to 3-0 in defeating Bowling Green 42-17 and Kent St made it three straight wins to open the 2020 season by beating Akron, 69-35. Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson carried it 31 times for a school-record 301 yards and scored four TDs. Patterson has now rushed for 3,323 yards at Buffalo, moving him to second on the school's all-time list (Branden Oliver holds the Buffalo record at 4,049). He sure loves playing BG, as last season he rushed for 298 yards and a MAC-record six TDs against the Falcons. Buffalo outscored BG 14-0 in the third quarter to open a 35-3 and has now outscored its opponents 49-0 in the third quarter over three games. Kent St found itself in a much tougher than expected game vs winless Akron (much more on the Zips in a bit), leading just 35-28 at the half. However, the Golden Flashes were 'golden' in the second half, outscoring the Zips 34-7 to earn a 35-point win and get the cover. Kent QB Dustin Crum threw for 348 yards and three TDs, while adding 104 rushing yards with two TDs. Kent St ran up 750 total yards against the Zips, including 390 on the ground (7.6 YPC). Tuesday's results set up a showdown on Nov 28 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) in which 3-0 Buffalo plays at 3-0 Kent St. The winner will move to 4-0 and will have a near-stranglehold on the East Division title, with a one-game advantage and just two games to go, while also owning the tiebreaker edge.Wednesday's MACtion serves up a three-game card. 2-0 Northern Illinois is at 1-1 Ball St (Cardinals are favored by 14 1/2-points), 1-1 Toledo is at 0-2 Eastern Michigan (Rockets are a 6 1/2-point road favorite) and in the MAC's "Game of the Week," 2-0 Western Michigan is at 2-0 Central Michigan. This game has a similar scenario that will face Buffalo and Kent on Nov 28, but 10 days earlier. The winner puts itself in PRIME position to win the MAC West. The MAC is only playing SIX league games, meaning the team which comes out of the game at 3-0 will effectively own a TWO-game lead, considering it will also have the tiebreaker. Central Michigan opened as a small home favorite but as of Wednesday morning, WMU is the one-point favorite. One thing is for sure, Toledo will be rooting for the Chippewas (of course the Rockets have to make sure they beat EMU, first). Western Michigan 'stole' a win from Toledo last week, meaning if the Rockets and Broncos both win, Toledo will be one game back but WMU will own the tiebreaker (tough 'hill to climb' with just three games left). However, if CMU wins, the Rockets may be looking at a "winner-take-all" home game with the Chippewas at home on Dec 12.CFB 2020's loveable losers: Entering the current CFB week (Nov 17-21), there are SEVEN winless schools among FBS teams that have played at least four games. Throw in Akron, which fell to 0-3 (1-2 ATS) with its loss Tuesday night (Zips get 'grandfathered in') and I'm dubbing them the "Not-So Great Eight!" A list of the seven schools 0-4 or worse follows, in order of the team with the most losses. UL-Monroe checks in at 0-8 (3-5 ATS), followed by 0-7 (0-7 ATS) Kansas and 0-6 (3-3 ATS) Vanderbilt. Four more schools are all 0-4. That group includes 0-4 (0-4 ATS) Penn St, 0-4 (0-4 ATS) Utah St, 0-4 (0-3-1 ATS) UNLV and 0-4 (1-3 ATS) FIU. Doing the math reveals that my "Not-So Great Eight" are a combined 0-40 SU and 8-31-1 ATS (20.5%).I include Akron in my list because while the Zips are just 0-3 to open 2020 (MAC didn't begin play until Nov 4), they own the nation's longest-active losing streak at 20 in a row (last win came back on 10/27/18 when the Zips won 17-10 at home over Central Michigan). Akron has not just lost 20 straight, it's also gone a 'money-burning' 5-15 ATS (25%) in that span. Three of the seven schools that are 0-4 or worse are from Power-5 conferences, Kansas, (Big 12), Vandy (SEC) and Penn St (Big Ten). We've all talked about and heard enough about Penn St and no one cares what Vandy is doing, even SEC fans. However, I will discuss Kansas in some detail (sorry Gayle), as the Jayhawks own the second-longest active losing streak (11) behind Akron.Remember the 'svelt' Mark Mangino? He was hired as Kansas head football coach in December 2001. The program had NOT posted a winning season in any of the SIX seasons prior to his arrival. However, in 2003, his second season at KU, Mangino led the Jayhawks to an appearance in the 2003 Tangerine Bowl (now known as the Camping World Bowl). This was the first bowl appearance for Kansas since 1995. In 2005, his fourth season at KU, the team finished the regular season 6–5, to post its first winning record under Mangino, and went on to the Fort Worth Bowl, its second bowl game in three seasons. In 2007, Mangino coached the Jayhawks to a 12–1 record and a 24-21 win over Va Tech in the 2008 Orange Bowl (their first ever BCS appearance). Kansas finished as the AP's No. 7 team in its final poll that season. Mangino led the Jayhawks to 19 consecutive weeks ranked in the AP and/or USA Today polls (2007–08), 20 wins in a two-year period for the first time in school history, set home attendance average records in each of his last four seasons (2004–2008), led KU to its first appearance in national polls since 1996 and to the school’s highest ranking ever at (No. 2), produced the top-three total offense seasons in school history, the top-two passing seasons and two of the top three scoring seasons and won three Bowl games, the same number Kansas had won in its 102-year history combined, prior to his arrival. However, things fell apart quickly for Mangino. There were allegations of academic fraud and recurring issues of Mangino's chronic, alleged misconduct towards his players. It became the subject of an internal investigation by the University of Kansas Athletic Department. After a prolonged period of negotiations, the university and Mangino's attorneys agreed on a buy-out amount that was large enough to secure his quiet resignation in December 2009.So how have things gone since? Kansas opened the 2020 season with a 21-99 record since 2010 (span of 10 years), including a 6-83 record in the Big 12. The laundry list of head coaches since Mangino was forced out include, Turner Gil, Charlie Weis, interim head coach Clint Bowen when Weis was fired, David Beaty and now Les Miles (note: Joshua Eargleis is currently coaching the Jayhawks, as Miles is following protocols after testing positive for COVID-19). Throw in Kansas' 0-7 SU and ATS record in 2020 and since Mangino left, the Jayhawks are 21-106 (.156) overall, including 6-89 (.063) in Big 12 play. Wondering about KU's ATS record? It's 49-75-3 (41.9%). Anyone have Mangino's cell number or email address?You know me, I can never end without "one last thing." The UMass Minutemen football team is the FOURTH-oldest program currently in FBS. UMass began play in 1879 and has since appeared in three FCS National Championship games, winning the title in 1998. The Minutemen began a two-year FBS transition period in 2011, becoming bowl eligible in 2013. In March 2014, the MAC and UMass announced an agreement for the Minutemen to leave the conference after the 2015 season due to UMass declining an offer to become a full member of the conference. The Minutemen have subsequently played as an independent through the 2019 season. UMass was one of the first schools to say it was NOT going to play in 2020. Here's the statement. "After consulting with university, state and public health officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 UMass football season," athletic director Ryan Bamford said in a statement. "We have been in constant communication with university leadership and our football staff since March, with the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and staff remaining our top priority. The continuing challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic posed too great of a risk, and we reached the conclusion that attempting to play a season would not have placed the members of our program in the safest situation possible." However, UMass reversed that earlier decision in late Sep, saying it intended to play fall football. The problem being, the Minutemen had trouble finding opponents to play. Maybe, UMass should have left well enough alone? Coming off a 1-11 season (3-9 ATS) in which the team allowed 52.7 PPG, the Minutemen were able to schedule just four games. They've opened 0-2, getting outscored 92-10! Paul Revere would NOT be happy.Good luck...Larry

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NCAA Football Preview

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020

The Wednesday sports card features three games in midweek Mid-American Conference college football action. All three of these games start at 7 PM ET.Toledo travels to Ypsilanti to play Eastern Michigan looking to rebound from their 41-38 loss at Western Michigan last Wednesday. The Rockets led for most of this game. They went into halftime with a 24-14 lead before seizing a 38-28 edge with under three minutes to go after scoring their final touchdown. Yet the Broncos responded by scoring a touchdown with under a minute left to go (and missing the extra point). Western Michigan then successfully recovered an onside kick giving their offense the chance to win the game. After getting the ball to the Toledo 9-yard line, Broncos’ quarterback Kaleb Eleby invoked Dan Marino by faking a spike that would stop the clock to instead throw the winning touchdown pass with just 17 seconds left to steal the victory away from Toledo. The Rockets controlled the time of possession for more than 38 1/2 minutes while outgaining Western Michigan by 64 yards in settling with the loss. Senior quarterback Eli Peters completed 30 of 46 passes for 339 yards while leading Toledo to 501 yards of offense in the losing effort. He joined 13 other starters returning this year from the Rockets’ team that settled for a 6-6 record while being the only bowl-eligible team not invited to play in a bowl game. The conclusion of their season was the first time since 2013 that Toledo did not play in a bowl. Head coach Jason Candle has brought-in another top-level recruiting class in his fifth season with the program as they look to get back to the postseason. The Rockets opened this season with a 38-3 win at home against Bowling Green.Eastern Michigan remained winless last Wednesday with their 38-31 loss at Ball State as an 8-point underdog. Junior quarterback Preston Hutchinson completed 17 of 29 passes for 250 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the loss. He also added 104 rushing yards with three more touchdowns on the ground in leading the Eagles offense. Eastern Michigan opened this season with a 27-23 loss at Kent State. This game will be the first one at home this year for head coach Chris Creighton’s team in his seventh year with the program. Eleven starters are back from the group that finished 6-7 after a narrow 34-30 loss to Pittsburgh in the Quick Lane Bowl, where they did not trail until the final 47 seconds of that game. Toledo is a 6.5-point road favorite with the total set at 61 (all odds from BetOnline). The CBS Sports Network has the broadcast. Ball State hosts Northern Illinois after earning their first victory of the season last Wednesday with their win over Eastern Michigan. Senior Drew Plitt led the Cardinals to the victory by completing 22 of 31 passes for 232 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He led a Ball State offense that gained 536 total yards. The Cardinals opened their season with a 38-31 loss at Miami (OH). Ball State has 14 starters back from the team that finished 5-7 last year. Fifth-year head coach Mike Neu was given a two-year extension through the 2023 season at the end of last season despite his team not becoming bowl eligible.Northern Illinois remained winless last Wednesday after getting blown out at home to Central Michigan as a 5.5-point underdog. Senior quarterback Ross Bowers completed only 16 of 32 passes for 139 yards in the loss. The Huskies managed only 244 yards offense to be outgained by 189 yards to the Chippewas.It has been a difficult start for head coach Thomas Hammock in the second-year with the program. Northern Illinois opened the season with a 49-30 loss at home to Buffalo. After the Huskies finished 5-7 last year, Hammock brought in 57 newcomers on the roster, with 47 of these players being true freshmen. Ten starters form the nucleus of this team led by Bowers under center. Ball State is a 14.5-point favorite with the over/under at 61.5. ESPN News has the broadcast.Western Michigan travels to Central Michigan in a battle of unbeaten teams. The Broncos opened their season with a 58-13 win against Akron before defeating Toledo last week. Eleven starters returned from the team that finished 7-6 last season after a 23-20 loss to Western Kentucky in the First Responders Bowl. That was the sixth straight season for this program to finish bowl eligible. Head coach Tim Lester has aspirations of his team winning the MAC West division in his fourth year with the program. Central Michigan won the MAC West division last year before losing to Miami (OH) in the MAC championship game by a 26-21 score. While the Chippewas then lost to San Diego State by a 48-11 score in the New Mexico Bowl, it remained a remarkable campaign for first-year head coach Jim McElwain who inherited a group that was just 1-11 the previous season while being winless in conference play.The Chippewas followed up a 30-27 victory at home against Ohio with a 40-10 win at Northern Illinois last Wednesday as a 5.5-point favorite. Daniel Richardson completed 13 of 19 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The redshirt freshman is completing 60% of his passes for 439 yards this year with three touchdown passes and an interception. He has three completions of over 40 yards. Western Michigan currently holds the Cannon Trophy between these two teams after defeating the Chippewas last year by a 31-15 score in Kalamazoo. The Broncos are a 1-point road favorite with the total set at 59.5. ESPN2 has the broadcast.

Read more

NCAA Wednesday Night Football: Central Michigan/Western Michigan Preview

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2020

Midweek Mid-American Conference action continues on Wednesday, with Central Michigan hosting Western Michigan on ESPN2 in a battle of undefeated teams. Western Michigan outlasted Toledo at home last Wednesday by a 41-38 score as a 1-point favorite. The Broncos trailed for most of this game. They went into halftime with a 24-14 deficit before going down 38-28 with under three minutes to go after the Rockets scored a touchdown. Western Michigan responded by scoring a touchdown with under a minute left to go (but missed the extra point). The Broncos then successfully recovered an onside kick giving their offense the chance to win the game. After getting the ball to the Toledo 9-yard line with the clock ticking away, quarterback Kaleb Eleby invoked Dan Marino by faking a spike that would stop the clock to instead throw the winning touchdown pass with just 17 seconds left to steal the victory. Eleby completed 20 of 29 passes for 284 yards with three touchdown passes to lead his team to victory. The redshirt sophomore is completing 71.1% of his passes for 546 yards with six touchdown passes and no interceptions while adding another two touchdowns on the ground. He leads the MAC with six completions of over 30 yards this season. Eleby played in five games in 2018 after Jon Wassink suffered a foot injury late in the year. He redshirted last year during Wassink’s senior season, where he won the MAC Offensive Player of the Year award. He leads an offense that leads the conference with a 49.5 points-per-game scoring average along with an 8.01 yards-per-play average. Western Michigan opened their season with a 58-13 win against Akron. Eleven starters returned from the team that finished 7-6 last season after a 23-20 loss to Western Kentucky in the First Responders Bowl. That was the sixth straight season for this program to finish bowl eligible. Head coach Tim Lester has aspirations of his team winning the MAC West division in his fourth year with the program. Central Michigan won the MAC West division last year before losing to Miami (OH) in the MAC championship game by a 26-21 score. While the Chippewas then lost to San Diego State by a 48-11 score in the New Mexico Bowl, it remained a remarkable campaign for first-year head coach Jim McElwain who inherited a group that was just 1-11 the previous season while being winless in conference play.McElwain had 13 starters back from that group, but attrition has hit this team. Sophomore cornerback Kyron McKinnie-Harper left the school after legal problems, and fellow sophomore cornerback Montra Braswell transferred to Missouri. Defensive end Laquan Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game of the season. Central Michigan remains in limbo regarding the eligibility of senior quarterback David Moore who was suspended last season in October for using a banned substance. Moore had his appeal denied earlier this year (in the pre-COVID environment) to overturn a five-game suspension. The Chippewas followed up a 30-27 victory at home against Ohio with a 40-10 win at Northern Illinois last Wednesday as a 5.5-point favorite. Daniel Richardson completed 13 of 19 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The redshirt freshman is completing 60% of his passes for 439 yards this year with three touchdown passes and an interception. He has three completions of over 40 yards. Central Michigan has a balanced offensive attack as they are averaging 219.5 passing yards-per-game along with 210.5 rushing yards-per-game. The Chippewas have a two-headed monster in their backfield with junior running back Kobe Lewis and freshman Lew Nichols who have combined for 293 rushing yards. Central Michigan hosts the MAC’s top-scoring offense with the conference’s best scoring defense that is allowing only 18.5 points-per-game. Western Michigan currently holds the Cannon Trophy between these two teams after defeating the Chippewas last year by a 31-15 score in Kalamazoo. BetOnline has the Broncos as a 1-point road favorite with the total set at 59.5. Kickoff is at 7 PM ET.

Read more

Big Ten Betting Report

by Doc's Sports

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020

We are four games into the Big Ten conference schedule, and the standings are looking exactly like we thought they would at this time of the season… or not. Because of the COVID Pandemic, things have been shuffled around more than usual and teams have suffered either canceled games and or games where they didn’t have key players in the lineup for COVID issues. And then you have some teams, not naming any names yet, who just flat out stink.  To say the Big Ten has been anything short of entertaining football through a month of action would be selling the conference short. We’ve seen plenty of upsets, some games that were extremely hard to watch, and some games that featured little to no defense. However, here we are, with four games left in the shortened season, and some big-name programs have a lot of work left to do if they are to get to where they want to go.  Before I break down the upcoming week, let’s take a look at the standings first.  In the Big Ten East, Indiana leads the division with a perfect 4-0 record. Behind them is Ohio State at 3-0 and Maryland at 2-1. As for the state of Michigan, you know it’s been a rough season for both the Wolverines and Spartans when they are tied with Rutgers in the standings at 1-3. Below them, having an even worse go of it is Penn State, who checks in at 0-4.  In the Big Ten West, the only surprise would be Northwestern leading the division with a perfect 4-0 record. Wisconsin is right behind them but has played only two games (and won both). Below them is where you’ll find Purdue (1-2), Iowa (2-2), Nebraska (1-2), Illinois (1-3) and Minnesota (1-3).  Key Games of the Week No. 9 Indiana at No. 3 Ohio State. (-20) This game at Ohio Stadium will likely go a long way in determining who will finish atop the East Division. Indiana’s remaining schedule after Ohio State is extremely manageable for this team, with Maryland, Wisconsin and Purdue on deck to finish out the season. If the Hoosiers can play a perfect 60 minutes of road football and upset the No. 3-ranked Buckeyes, not only will it provide another wrinkle in the College Football Playoff picture, but it will give them a two-game lead with just three games left to play. The Hoosiers are winning games in large part due to their offense, as they’ve scored 36,37,38, and 24 points in their four wins. The defense has also played well over the last three weeks, not giving up more than 21 points, including pitching a shutout last week against Michigan State. They are getting great QB play from Michael Penix, who has thrown for 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns to just three interceptions. They’ve also gotten good production out of running back Stevie Scott. Scott has rushed for 317 yards and five scores in four contests. If the Hoosiers are going to pull off the upset, they are going to need both guys to go above and beyond their current production in order to keep up with the high-powered Buckeyes’ offense.  Ohio State comes into this game off a mini bye week as their game last Saturday against Maryland was canceled due to COVID concerns at College Park. Ohio State has been as advertised this year, posting a 3-0 record having outscored their opponents 139-69. They are getting tremendous production out of the quarterback position by potential top-three draft pick Justin Fields. Fields has thrown for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s also rushed for 57 yards and added two scores on the ground. He’s got enough talent to give opposing defenses fits with both his arm and legs. And with the production he’s getting around him, the Buckeyes are going to be hard to stop. His go-to receiver is Garrett Wilson. Wilson has caught 24 balls for 344 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State has everything to play for in this one as an upset loss would likely push them out of the CFP top four, whereas a win would allow them to move up a spot based on what happens elsewhere.  No. 10 Wisconsin at No. 19 Northwestern (+7.5) The other key game of the week takes place at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois, when the 10th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers take on the No. 19-ranked Northwestern Wildcats. Similar to the above game, this game will likely determine the Big Ten West champion as Wisconsin and Northwestern have been the two best teams in the conference so far this season. It’s not going out on a limb to say we expected the Badgers to be highly ranked and own a perfect record, but with two games played (compared to four by most of the league), the Badgers have some catching up to do. They dominated Michigan last week as they put up 49 points in a 49-11 win. Many thought the three-week layoff would affect them and they would come out rusty, but they put that notion to bed really quick. The offense was efficient under Graham Mertz, and the defense was its usual smothering self. Now they take on a Northwestern team that has played tremendous football through four weeks of play. The Wildcats have ridden a dominant defense to four wins, as they’ve given up just 56 points, for an average of 14 points per game. The offense is doing just enough to win football games. And if I were a betting man, which I am, I’d say this game is going to be a defense battle – which is why the total is set 45.5. 

Read more

Ness Notes: Tuesday, Nov 17

by Larry Ness

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2020

This column will be available Monday through Friday (posted no later than 1:00 ET), EXCLUSIVELY at BigAl.com. I like to call it my daily 'random thoughts' on the sports betting world, although I'll pass along that my therapist refers to it as "thoughtful commentary."MNF: NFL Week 10 concluded with the Vikings beating the Bears 19-13 in Chicago. Kirk Cousins threw for 292 yards and two TDs (both to Adam Thielen, who now has NINE TD receptions on the season), as the Vikings won their THIRD straight after a 1-5 start. In stark contrast, after opening 5-1, the Bears have now lost FOUR in a row. Cousins completed 25 of 36 passes and was intercepted once but is ONE happy guy, as he won for the FIRST time in 10 career starts on Monday night, snapping his record drought. Chicago QB Nick Foles had a poor game (15 of 26 for 106 yards and an interception) and was carted off the field with 37 seconds to go due to an apparent right leg injury. Was it a great performance by the Minnesota D (entered the game allowing 29.2 PPG on 417.9 YPG) or a pathetic effort by the Chicago offense?  Chicago had just 149 total yards (including 41 rushing yards on 2.4 YPC) and accounted for just 10 FDs, converting 2 of 11 on third down and 0-2 on fourth down. Week 10 recap in just a bit.The CFB week begins with Tuesday night MACtion. The MAC completes its Tuesday and Wednesday schedule this week, as the conference will move to Saturday games on Nov 28, Dec 5 and Dec 12 to complete its regular season schedule. The conference championship game (at Ford Field in Detroit) will be played Friday, Nov 18. There were supposed to be three MAC games on Tuesday but the Mid-American Conference made an announcement Sunday afternoon that there will be no "Battle of the Bricks" this year between Ohio U and the Miami-Ohio. The statement read; “The Ohio University at Miami University football game has been canceled due to roster issues with the Ohio football team related to positive covid-19 tests and subsequent contact tracing. The game has been declared a no contest.” After 15 games were postponed or canceled last week in CFB, as of Tuesday morning, the Ohio/Mia-O contest is just one of SEVEN games to already suffer a similar fate. The list includes No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 12 Miami-Fl and No. 15 Marshall. And so it goes...Returning to teams actually playing, tonight's MACtion features a pair of games featuring 2-0 schools playing 0-2 ones. 2-0 Buffalo (2-0 ATS) is at 0-2 Bowling Green (0-2 ATS) at 7:00 ET, while 0-2 Akron is at 2-0 Kent St (both schools are 1-1 ATS) at 8:00 ET. Buffalo is averaging 45.5 PPG and BG is allowing 50.0 PPG, so it's no surprise that the visiting Bulls are a 31-point road favorite. The Zips are averaging 11.5 PPG and allowing 41.0 PPG in their 0-2 start (more in just a second), while Kent is averaging 44.5 PPG in its 2-0 start. Once again, there is no surprise in the pointspread, which has the Golden Flashes favored by 26 points. I'll close with the continuing woes of the Akron Zips (bring back Gerry Faust!). Akron went winless in 2019 at 0-12 and also matched that by going 1-11 ATS. In fact, Akron's last win came back on 10/27/18, when the Zips won 17-10 at home over Central Michigan. Doing the math, Akron takes a 19-game losing streak (nation's longest active) into tonight's game, having gone almost as bad ATS, covering just FOUR of its 19 losses (21.1%). Wednesday's Notes will feature more MACtion plus take a look at CFB's 'lovable losers' in 2020.NFL Week 10 recap and highlights: Let's start with the numbers. Home teams did well, going 11-3 SU and 8-6 ATS (home dogs were 2-3 SU & ATS). Doing the match on the Y-T-D numbers, home teams entered the week below .500 at 65-67-1 (.492) on the season but are now 76-70-1 (.520), although they remain under .500 ATS at  68-77-2 ATS (46.9%). Home dogs are well below .500 at 14-36 (.280) SU but are a small money-maker in going 26-22-2 (54.2%) ATS. Scoring was robust in Week 9, as games averaged 52.9 PPG, resulting in nine overs, four unders and one push. However, Week 10's 14 games averaged just 45.7 PPG (just over a TD less per game!), as EIGHT of 14 games stayed under the total. There have now been 75 overs, 68 unders and four pushes through 10 weeks.I already credited Kirk Cousins for winning a MNF game in his 10th try but also noteworthy in last night's game was Bears kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson opening the second half by returning the kick-off 104-yards for a score. He is now tied for first-place in NFL history with his eighth career kickoff return for a TD. he's pulled even with Josh Cribbs (2005-14) and Leon Washington (2006-14). It also was the longest kickoff return in Bears history, eclipsing a 103-yard TD by Gale Sayers against Pittsburgh on Sep 17, 1967. We lost Gayle ("The Kansas Comet") on Sep 23rd at 77-years-old and if you haven't watched Brian's Song, shame on you! I saw it the first time as a freshman at Ohio U in a crowded dorm lobby, with each one of us trying to hide the tears in our eyes from one another. Steelers fans will surely remember the chant, "Pittsburgh Goin' to the Super Bowl, We've got a Feeling," back in the 1974 season. As the 2020 moves to Week 11, Pittsburgh remains the NFL's lone unbeaten, after taking care of the Bengals 36-10 on Sunday. "Big Ben' couldn't practice all week because of COVID protocols, but passed for a season-high 333 yards with four TD passes. The Steelers are now 9-0 and with Baltimore falling to 6-3 with a 23-17 loss in New England, Pittsburgh has a commanding three-game lead in the AFC North. Up next, is securing home field advantage in the AFC. However, the defending champion 8-1 Chiefs, just may have other ideas. Buffalo still leads the AFC East at 7-3 (more on their game in a bit) but Tua moved to 3-0 as an NFL starter in Miami's 29-21 win over the Chargers, as the Dolphins have now won FIVE in a row and sit 6-3. In the AFC South, the Texans (winners of the division in four of the last five seasons) are 'dead' at 2-7 and it will be a 'fight to the finish' between the 6-3 Colts and Titans. The Colts beat the Titans 34-17 in Week 10 (Thursday night) and the teams will have a rematch at Indy in Week 12.Over in the NFC, the Giants beat the Eagles 27-17, as QB Daniel Jones has now gone without a TO in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. The 3-5-1 Eagles lead the NFC 'Least' but are the 3-7 Giants charging? Washington lost 30-27 at Detroit but is there a better 'feel good' story in NFL 2020 than the journey of Alex Smith? It's taken nearly two years for him to return to the starting lineup. It took him only two games to inject himself into the conversation over whether he can be Washington's future quarterback. He's thrown for a combined 715 yards in Washington's last two losses, nearly leading comebacks from large deficits each time. Smith has returned to a place few thought he would reach again. In Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Detroit Lions, Smith's first start since breaking the fibula and tibia in his right leg on Nov 18, 2018, he completed a career-high 38 passes for 390 yards. Washington tied the game after trailing by 21 points in the second half only to lose on a last-second field goal.Chicago's MNF loss to the Vikings leaves the Packers 'smiling' atop the NFC North. Green Bay had a sluggish 24-20 win over Jacksonville on Sunday but is now 7-2 and no other team in the division has a better record than Chicago's 5-5 mark. Should the Pack really be worried about the 4-5 Vikings and their current three-game winning streak? The Saints won their SIXTH straight game (27-13 over the 49ers) and are now 7-2. However, Drew Brees has multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung on the right side, injuries suffered over two weeks. It is uncertain how much time he might miss. Jameis Winston to the rescue? Oh my! The Tampa Bay 'Bradys' moved to 7-3 with a 46-23 rout of Carolina (TB rolled up 554 yards), as TB-12 threw three TD passes and added a TD run, bouncing back from his embarrassing three-INT game in Week 9, 38-3 at home to the Saints.New Orleans' win over San Francisco leaves the defending NFC champions at 4-6 in the NFC West, a division which features Arizona, the LA Rams and Seattle all tied at 6-3. No postseason in 2020 for the 49ers! Arizona beat the Bills on a 'miracle' Hail Mary 43-yard TD pass with two seconds remaining in the game. Up by two points and NOT wanting to risk the extra-point attempt being blocked and returned for two points, the Cards 'passed.' Arizona was favored by anywhere from one to three points in the game. Oh, the ATS carnage! Meanwhile, the Rams beat the Seahawks 23-16, leaving the Cards, Rams and Seahawks all tied (see above). That sets up Week 11's Thursday night game, as the Cards travel to Seattle for a rematch with the Seahawks. Arizona won 37-34 in OT at home over Seattle back in Week 7. Pretty good way to kick off 'lucky' Week 11. Good luck...Larry

Read more
« ‹ 1 365 367 390 › »

Follow us @bigal_com

Instagram Twitter

Links

Big Al's Sports Picks Info

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2026 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.