We had a nice rebound night with the Winning Picks. UConn was able to pull away late in the 2nd half and get a cover against a feisty Butler Bulldogs team. The under was able to cover the Jets/Ducks game, and we predicted the final score of 3-1. That’s a first. The Warriors couldn’t get the cover against the Pistons. We move to 84-65-3 on the year.
We have an action-packed day of sports this Saturday. While this will be the first Saturday without college football since August, we do have some big matchups in college hoops that I like. Look for Houston, Baylor, FAU and Gonzaga to cover as favorites today in their games. As for underdogs to cover, take a chance on Notre Dame hosting Duke. The Irish have already beaten both Virginia and NC State in the last week at home. They can cover this double digit spread.
As for the NFL game today not involving the Steelers, I really like the Texans to win and punch their ticket to the postseason. CJ Stroud is back in the fold for Houston. When these teams met in Week 2, this young Texans team was still going through their growing pains and figuring out what they had on their squad. Look for Houston to win a high scoring game against the Colts.
Now time for the Winning Picks!
Pitt Panthers (-9) at Louisville Cardinals O/U 145 12:00 PM on the CW
To say the least, the Pitt Panthers need a get right game. North Carolina completely shutdown the Panthers offense in their win over Pitt on Tuesday. Now the Panthers face a team they were able to beat up on last year and have been beaten up by opponents this year: the Louisville Cardinals.
This once proud program has been turned upside down. In my lifetime, I have never seen a college basketball team that is considered a blue blood face this type of hardship. Is it the players? Is it coaching? I think it is a commendation of the two.
Pitt really needs a strong showing in this game to get off the mat in the ACC. I believe Jeff Capel’s squad has a big game, particularly Blake Hinson, who had one of his worst games on Tuesday as a Panthers. Pitt wins in a route and covers.
Pitt Covers -9, Pitt Panthers 79 Louisville Cardinals 63
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Baltimore Ravens O/U 34.5 4:30 PM on ABC
The Steelers were able to sneak out a win against the Ravens back in October thanks to a bunch of drop passes by the Baltimore receiving core. If those drop passes don’t open, the Ravens probably win by double digits. But now, a lot of that core will be resting this game.
Baltimore will be without Lamar Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr and a host of others as they rest up before the playoffs. As we all know, the Steelers need to win today to stay alive in the playoffs. Can Mason Rudolph carry this team to another win?
My feeling is they will. Expect Rudolph to once again go over his passing yards total and look for the running game to continue to produce like last week. Diontae Johnson will find the end zone through the air while Najee Harris gets another touchdown on the ground.
The Steelers will be ready for this game and will get out of Baltimore with a win and cover. This will be a wet and wild game.
Steelers Cover -3, Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Baltimore Ravens 17
Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins (-175) O/U 6.5 7:00 PM on SportsNet Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins return home after an impressive win on the road against one of the top teams in the east, the Boston Bruins. Now the Pens face a team they have split their previous two meetings against: the Buffalo Sabres.
The recent success of the Pens revolves around the play of Sidney Crosby. The captain is off to his best start to a season, in my opinion, in over a decade. He is playing like he is 25 again. If the Penguins end up making the playoffs, it will be on the back of Crosby.
For tonight, I am picking the Over in this game. Tristan Jarry should be in net and he has been shaky all year. The Pens will have to win in a high scoring game.
Over 6.5 Covers, Buffalo Sabres 3 Pittsburgh Penguins 5