Sports Betting
Wednesday’s Best Bets: Rangers-Penguins, Pitt-Florida, College Basketball
It was a rough go of it yesterday as we suffered our first losing day, going 0-3 on our picks. Western Michigan was who I thought they were and only could muster 10 points while Bowling Green dropped 34. And the Broncos essentially gave up at the end of the game, running the clock out and not taking any more shots. What a pathetic showing, show some pride and tried to get a score to go into the offseason with something to build. We are now 10-8 overall.
Anyways, I want to explore what has become a fascinating race for the Heisman Trophy. Right now on ESPN Bet, Jayden Daniels is listed at -115, Bo Nix is +140 and Michael Penix is +550. You would need to bet $115 to win $100 on Daniels while a $71.50 bet wins you $100 with Nix.
I easily predicted that LSU was going to do everything in their power vs Georgia St to rack up as many yards and touchdowns as possible for Daniels on Saturday night. The same thing can and will likely happen when the Tigers face Texas A&M, which will be their last game. Bo Nix and Oregon have two games left, hosting Oregon St in the Civil War and a rematch with Washington. Right now, if Oregon wins out and Bo Nix plays extremely well, I can see Nix winning the Heisman. The marketing campaign will pay off for the Ducks.
Now onto today’s picks.
Marquette vs Purdue (-3.5) O/U 141.5 – Maui Invitational Championship Game – 5 pm on ESPN
With no football today for the first time in a long time, we are going to double dip on college basketball with easily the best game of the day. After beating #1 ranked Kansas last night, Marquette will now square off with #2 ranked Purdue in the Maui Invitational Championship game.
It is so strange that this game is at 5 pm and not in primetime. And these aren’t the last games of the Maui Invitational as Syracuse faces Chaminade later on and Gonzaga/UCLA, a Final Four rematch from 2021, will tip at midnight. I get the time difference but c’mon man.
Marquette was able to hold Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson to only 13 points in their win over Kansas and I believe they find a way to limit Boilermaker big man Zach Edey as well.
Take Marquette to cover. They are a legit team that will make a deep tournament run.
Marquette Covers +3.5, Marquette 68 – Purdue 70
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GET THE APPNew York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins (-120) – O/U 6.5 – 7 pm on SportsNet Pittsburgh
The Penguins playing on the day before Thanksgiving at home is one of those traditions that seems unofficial but happens every year. Even going back 20-25 years I can always remember the Pens playing a game at home on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
And the best part about these games is the Penguins seemingly win every time this game takes place. The Pens have won 4 straight games on the day before Thanksgiving, with their last loss coming to Vancouver in 2017.
I believe the Penguins make it 5 straight wins tonight and pick up a huge divisional win against the Metro leading Rangers.
Pittsburgh Penguins ML (-120), New York Rangers 3 – Pittsburgh Penguins 5
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GET THE APPPittsburgh Panthers vs Florida Gators (-4.5) – O/U 156.5 – NIT Season Tip-Off – 9:30 pm on ESPN2
After a blazing start to their season, the Pittsburgh Panthers face their first true test of the season when they go up against the Florida Gators tonight at the Barclays Center in the NIT Season Tip-Off.
The Gators have faced some better competition so far than the Panthers have, both of which were from the ACC. Florida dropped a game earlier this month to Virginia and blew out Florida St in the most recent game. Yesterday, the Seminoles knocked off a ranked Colorado team in overtime.
This will be a tough test for Pitt but the Panthers should fare much better at the Barclays Center than they did the previous year. I believe Pitt may not win this game outright, though I do believe they will keep it close enough to cover.
Pitt Panthers Cover +4.5, Pitt 64 – Florida 66
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
