Home Forums Sports Picks Central Selections Central Pipe’s Picks

NCAAF 25-20-2 (+10.1 units)
MLB 19-13-1 (+9.42 units)

Friday Night Selection

1 unit Colorado team total over 35.5 vs Stanford.

The Buffs get an easier for at home after a 3 point win at ASU. More good news it sounds like Travis Hunter might be returning tonight. The Cardinal are not very good and have given up a ton of points vs competent offenses. I fully expect Prime Time to make this one Personal and try and run up the score. I think the cardinal might score some points, but not enough to keep up. Maybe the kicker will pull some dance moves again…the buffs will score in the 40s in this one. Play Colorado Team total over 35.5 points.

GL

Saturday Selections

3 units ND -2.5 vs USC

The Irish return home after a tough beat down last week. The scheduling gods frowned in Nd with consecutive games vs Ohio st, @Duke, @ Louisville, and home vs their rival USC. There’s no way the Irish will get back off the mat…right?? Not so fast. Even though the public is taking USC and the points, the bookmakers have kept this line at 2.5. The Irish have had success bottling up high powered passing attacks (see Ohio st). Usc has one of the worse defenses in the country, especially on the ground. Even though NDs offense has regressed, they will look to pound the rock on the ground and open up play action throws. In addition to having a situational edge at home, weather will play a huge factor and advantage for the Irish: Rainy, 20 mph winds, and temperatures in the upper 40s does not bode well for the boys from LA. USC will get a cold welcome to future life playing in the big 10. Caleb Williams is great, but without him this Trojan team is 7-5 at best. There’s just too many obstacles to over come in this one. Take ND -2.5

3 units Duke -3 vs NC State

Duke is coming off the bye after a tough home list to the Irish. Starting QB Riley Leonard left with an ankle injury and his status is day to day. NC state benched starting QB Armstrong last week in favor of MJ Morris. He overcame 3 picks in his debut against the thundering herd to throw 4 tds in a shootout win. Now Morris travels to Duke for his first night time road start. So in this likely battle of back up QBs who has the edge? I’ll take the well rested Duke defense at home. They are battle tested having played really well at home vs ND and Clemson. I expect this one to be close most of the way, but the Duke defense will create a few turnovers late and pull away from the tired NC state defense. It’s hard for a new starter to win their first game on the road, and MJ Morris is no exception. Take Duke -3 at home.

2 units Oregon +3.5 @ Washington

The two best teams in the Pac 12 square off on Saturday. Both teams are coming off a bye and should be full strength. Both teams have experienced QBs that have put up huge numbers this year. Both teams come in undefeated. So who has the edge?? I think Oregon is the more well rounded team and better defense. Oregon also has a balanced attack and a physical edge on both lines of scrimmage. Washington can throw the ball a ton, but they don’t even try to run the ball. I expect Oregon will give Washington the underneath routes and play red zone roulette. The ducks have a great red-zone defense. if they hold Washington to field goals and limit the big play they will pull away in the 4th. Take the Ducks +3.5

2 units Georgia -32 @ Vandy

The number one team in the country finally looked the part last week spanking Kentucky 51-13. The Bulldogs QB Carson beck looked like a seasoned pro throwing for 389 tds and 4 TDs. Vandy is improved from past seasons, but are coming off a 38-14 loss at Florida. The truth is the Dores are overmatched in this one. They will get no home field advantage as I expect UGA fans will comprise 75% of the seats in Nashville. Look for UGA to jump out early and let their reserves get more experience in the 2nd half. With the bud next week there is no look ahead spot here. The Dawgs have dominated Vandy in this series. Over the last two seasons UGA won by a combined score of 117-0. In fact, Vandy has not scored a TD vs Georgia since 2018….Take the dawgs and lay the 32.

1 unit Pitt +7.5 vs Louisville

Louisville travels to Pitt after spanking ND at home last week. This is a textbook let down and look ahead game for the Ville. Pitt is sandwiched between games vs ND and top 20 ranked Duke. Yes I know pitt is awful, Louisville is undefeated, and has the superior team. College football is funny this way though. Just like Okla st got off the mat last week at home vs k state, Pitt coming off a bye will treat this game as their Super Bowl. Pitt has one of the best run defenses in the country, and they will keep this one close. I expect Louisville to win, but having them cover 7.5 on the road after last week is just too much to ask for. Take Pitt at home and the points +7.5.

1 unit Texas AM @ Tennessee under 54.5

Jimbo fisher and the Aggies fell short at home vs the Tide last week. Honestly the game was there for them to win. Now they go on the road to Neyland stadium to face a well rested Volunteer team that’s one of the biggest unknowns so far this season. Are they as good as last year? No. Did they get boat raced by Florida? Yes. Did you know that the Vols are one of the sec leaders on the ground this year? Yes…they are a balanced attack this year, but Tex am has one of the best front 7s in the sec. Joe Milton is not the same caliber as Henson Hooker. He can throw it a mile but his accuracy is awful. He also can’t hit the medium and short passes. Tex am is one of the nations leaders in defensive havoc eating. I expect both teams to play ball control and establish the run, and I don’t believe either quarterback can light it up through the air. Take under 54.5 points.

GL

NCAAF record 26-20-2 (+11.1 units)

When I went to bed it was 29-0 and I thought the buffs would cruise. It took the fourth to get over the 35.5, but we will take the good start to the football weekend.

GL

Finished 5-1 on the day including two cigar games with Notre Dame and Duke. Would have been nice to had some ML action on Pitt. Only loss came on the Georgia play. Hindsight just not a smart pick. Several key injuries derailed the Dawgs offense in the 2nd quarter, and then they sat on it the rest of the way. We will look to continue momentum next week.

NCAAF Record 31-21-2 (+18.9 units)

Nice job PTB!

Appreciate it. Good luck to the Phillies. You guys had our number two years in a row. Bring it home for the NL East!

Passing the football games tonight. Bad team vs bad team in one,
Two evenly matched in jax st and west Ken, and not wanting to lay 2+ TDs with liberty.

1 unit James Mad @ Marshall over 48.5

Jimmy mad has been this years group of 5 bandwagon favorite. They roll in undefeated to face the thundering herd. Situationally this sets up nice for Marshall. Back to back road loses @ NC state 48-41, and Georgia st 41-24. The betting public is lining up to lay 4.5 points on the road. Both of these teams can score in bunches. Jimmy mad has a legit run defense, but can be had some through the air. Marshall’s defense does not have the jimmys and joes to hold up vs James mad. I could see this as a close high scoring game, or James max could flex its muscles and run away. Because of this uncertainty we will take the over 48.5 especially since it’s under the key number of 45. Play 1 unit over 48.5.

GL

Edit: 48.5 is under key number of 49.

GL

NCAAF record 31-22-2 (+17.8 units)

Sometimes we pick a dud and the over was one last night. Marshall started their first 3 drives on the 1 yard line and sealed our fate early. Moving on to weekend selections and better situations. Will have those out today.

GL

Saturday Selections:

3 units USC -7 vs Utah

USC returned to Hollywood last weekend with their tail tucked between their legs. The Trojans suffered their worse loss of the Lincoln Riley era in a 48-20 loss to ND. Cam Rising has been day to day since the start of the season, and as the weeks pass it seems more and more likely he doesn’t play this season. You have to be impressed with what the Utes and Kyle Wittingham has done without his starting QB. The two time defending back to back pac 12 champs travel to the coliseum ranked in the top 15 with a 5-1 record. Williams played his worst college game with 3 picks and the Trojan offense had 5 turnovers. I expect this to be a bounce back spot because the Trojans still have everything in front of them. Utah beat the Trojans twice last year, so Usc comes in this one with double revenge. Another bit of concern is that Utah has not been the same team on the road, only managing 20 points at Baylor and 7 points at Oregon st. Caleb Williams actually played very well against this Utah defense in two high scoring loses. The truth is that even if Utah can limit Usc on offense, they simply do not have a quarterback that can take advantage of the Trojan defense. Take Usc -7 vs Utah.

3 units Auburn +7 buying half pt vs Ole Miss -120

Poor Auburn got destroyed last week @ LSU 48-18 has now dropped 3 SEC games in a row. Ole Miss is riding high after beating Lsu and holding off Arkansas at home 27-20. On the surface the tigers have no chance vs Lane and the Rebs, but let’s take a closer look. The line @6.5 tells us vegas wants the public to take Ole Miss…they are giving you less than a TD. Here’s an interesting stat, Ole Miss is 3-20 ATS as a road favorite of 8 points or less. For whatever reason Kiffin teams always start the year out hot and fade away in the 2nd half of the season. On the other side Hugh Freeze coaches his best as a home dog with a record of 11-3 ATS. In their two road games this year, ole miss beat Tulane in a game they were dominated in until the last 5 minutes, and they got splattered by the Crimson Tide. This is the perfect situation for Auburn to bounce back and play inspired like they did vs Georgia. Having a night game on the plains will a fully oiled up crowd will be critical. One last thing…don’t forget that Huge Freeze was fired by Auburn and run out of town. You don’t think Huge wants to win this one and put a damper on Ole Miss’s chance at a sec west run?? Don’t be surprised if War Eagle wins this one straight up. Take the tigers +7 buying the half point.

2 units Wake -1 vs pitt

One of the common themes I look for in my selections is finding situational advantages. Just like past selections like Okla st at home vs K state, and ND last week vs USC, this game sets up perfectly. Last week Pitt upset previously undefeated Louisville at home as a 7.5 dog. Wake Forrest has lost 3 games in a row and is flat on the mat. Public perception says Pitt should win this one easily, but Wake Forrest is favored?? Hmmm seems like the boys in the desert know something we don’t. I expect Pitt to come out flat and this to be an ugly low scoring game. Wake Forrest will find a way to win late. Take WF -1

2 units Tenn @ Bama under 48

Who would have thought that after last years 42-41 shootout in Knoxville that this game total would be 48 points this year? Well, take a close look at each respective quarterback and you’ll understand why. Neither QB can methodically move their teams down the field. Both struggle with accuracy on mid and short throws and rely on shot plays. Milroe is actually one of the best at completing long passes. Joe Milton on the other hand is not accurate at all…period. It’s almost funny how similar both these teams have looked this season. Both teams have to rely on the run game, a physical defense, and complementary football to win. Both won low scoring games vs a common opponent in Tex AM. Even though Tennessee’s defense is improved, it’s not as good as Bama’s. I worry about Tennessee being able to score in this one… especially being a revenge game on the road in Tuscaloosa. I lean Bama in this contest as well, but considering the inconsistency with Milroe and his turnover issues in the redzone I feel better about taking the under. Play Bama /Tenn under 48.

1 unit South Carolina @ Mizzou over 58.5

South Carolina comes in to this matchup off a tough home loss to the Gators. Mizzou (6-1) returns home feeling good after beating up Kentucky on the road. With our situational logic seems like this could be a let down spot for the tigers. Here’s the thing…did you know the gamecocks are ranked 133 in the country in pass defense? They average giving up over 320 yds a game through the air. Sounds like a dream matchup for star receiver Luther Burden and the river offense. Did you know that Mizzou ranks 103 in the nation in allowing explosive plays? Jaden Daniels and the LSU offense torched Missouri through air a few weeks ago. They only way the gamecocks can pull the upset is to get this game in a shootout, and given the circumstances I expect them to get off the mat and make this a game. With both teams having an edge with good on bad vs the opposing defenses, we will pass on the side and opt for the points. Take Mizzou/Siuth Carolina over 58.5

1 unit Arkansas -6.5 vs Miss State

Arkansas has lost 5 in a row and finally return home after playing Byu, @ LSU, Tex am in Dallas, @ Ole Miss, and @ Bama. Dispute this stretch the hogs lost 4/5 games by 7 points or less. Miss st comes into this game uncertain if star quarterback Will Rogers or starting running back Mike White will be available. The Miss st offense has been dreadful all season, and I expect that to continue on Saturday. Arkansas senior quarterback KJ Jefferson almost led his team all the way back to beat the Crimson tide last week in a narrow 24-21 defeat. With the home crowd at their back, and so many questions surrounding the Miss st program, I expect the hogs to strike early and offer min this one. Woo pig. Play Arkansas -6.5

GL

Lost 5.7 units over the weekend with a 1-4-1 record. Unfortunately having a situational advantage is not
Always enough…especially when the other side physically dominates both lines of scrimmage. This was the case with USC and they should never be trusted laying points. I would bet Auburn again given the situation. The game was close the whole way, and not for some costly interceptions the tigers would have been right there. The wake game went as expected and in hindsight should have been a 3 unit selection. Bama stormed back in the second half and sealed our fate with the late fumble scoop and score. South Carolina got dominated on both lines of scrimmage and was a bad pick. After jumping out 3-0 after an early turnover the hogs laid a goose egg the rest of the game. As expected miss st was awful on offense, but so were the hogs. We will bounce back this week starting on Thursday.

NCAA record 32-26-3 (+12.1 units)

GL

NBA selection

1 unit Atlanta Hawks Charlotte Hornets over 236

In four games last year these teams met 4 times and averaged 237 pts a game, including 2 of the games at 242 and 250. Play with caution as there is a lot of unknown in early nba season action.

GL

Thursday Selection:

1 unit Ga Southern -1 vs Ga State

Ga southern comes into this game looking for triple revenge in this series. The eagles only two losses this year both came on the road at James Maddison and at Wisconsin. Ga state comes into this game flying high with a 6-1 record, and their only loss came against Troy. With the home advantage I expect the eagles to play one of the best games of the year. Taking out their two losses they are averaging close to 40 points a game, and statistically they have the better defense. Take the home short favorite GA southern -1

GL

NCAA Football record 33-26-3 (+13.1 units)

Got off to a good start this weekend with a no sweat Ga southern win. The eagles jump out to an early 7-0 lead and cruised to a 44-27 victory.

Back later with Saturday selections.

3 units Georgia Tech +11.5 vs North Carolina

Unc fell from grace last week losing a shocker to Virginia as a 23 point favorite. This one will be hard to get over, and now the Tar Heels have to go on the road in Atlanta. The Jackets have had the Tar Heels number as of late, winning the last two matchups as 21.5 and 14.5 underdogs straight up. Georgia Tech has had a roller coaster of a season. They took Louisville down to the wire, beat Miami on the road, got crushed at home by bowling green, and last week got ran out of the building by Boston College. Two things have been consistent: they over perform as an underdog, and underperform as a favorite. With the Tar Heels national title hopes dashed, there’s a good chance their bubble has popped. Take the jackets at home to cover +11.5.

3 units UCLA -14 (buying half pt) vs Colorado

All the social media hype and sensationalism around the Colorado program has faded. The buffs go on the road to Ucla after coming off a bye week and the 46-43 overtime choke job vs Stanford. Vibes are not good right now around the Colorado program, and I think the rails might come off the rest of the season. On the other side, 5-2 ucla looked great last week vs Stanford, and has one of the better defenses in the pac 12. UCLA has outgained every opponent on the schedule so far this season. I don’t think it matters which QB the bruins start, because Colorado has the worst defense in FBS. The buffs are also 1-7 ats their last 8 games as a road underdog. This one will get ugly early and I expect Colorado to give up in this one. Take ucla -14 buying the half point.

2 units Kentucky +3.5 vs Tennessee

Tennessee looked like world beaters for a half last week in Tuscaloosa, and then the tide blanked them 27-0 in the second half…ouch. That had to be demoralizing as their chances to win the east have faded. Their once promising season is now on the ropes as they travel to Kentucky this week. The road has not been friendly to the Vols this season, and they are catching Kentucky at a bad time. The Wildcats have dropped back to back games emphatically vs Georgia and Missouri. I expect Kentucky to get off the mat, especially with revenge on theirs minds after the Vols embarrassed the wildcats last year in Tennessee. I think Kentucky wins this one straight up in Lexington this Saturday. Take Kentucky +3.5

2 units North Tex +7 vs Memphis

Memphis comes into this game off a solid road win @ uab. The tigers are 5-2 and sit pretty in the conference after a tough stretch of games (navy, @ Mizzou, Boise, Tulane, @uab. After a tough stretch this is a bad spot in a second of back to back road games. Despite their record of 3-4, North Texas has out performed their competition 5-2 in the stats. N. Tex plays well at home, and with their high powered offense, this one might become a track meet. With the home crowd and a bowl north on the line, I expect the tigers to get N. Texas’s best effort, and they close this one straight. Take N Tex +7

1 unit Wisconsin +14.5 vs Ohio State

This is a natural letdown spot for Ohio st after beating up on Penn st last week. It hard to match the same energy, especially in a conference night game on the road. Wisconsin comes in 5-2 and still has the 3rd best odds to win the Big 10. The Badgers do not have much on offense, but they are solid on defense and will play inspired. The Buckeyes are not the same team as last year, and have relied on their defense to bail them out. McCord does not have the arm talent of CJ stroud, and he will struggle to put the ball in the end zone on the road. I don’t think the badgers will pull off the upset, but getting 14.5 points at home in this situation is too good to pass up on. Take Wisconsin +14.5

1 unit Michigan st +7 at Minnesota

You know Minnesota must be feeling pretty smug after winning in an Iowa with that controversial fair catch call on the would be punt return. Now after upsetting Iowa they return to face lowly Michigan st. Sparty has lost 5 in a row and the program is spinning down the drain after the Mel tucker fall out. The gophers at home should roll Michigan st…right? Wrong…I expect the gophers to come crashing down and find themselves in a bar brawl. Low scoring, ugly, big 10 football at its finest. Minnesota escapes with a late field goal, but sparty takes home the cash. Take Mich st +7.

GL

Went 3-3 on the day losing 0.9 units with the juice

NCAA record: 36-29-3 (+12.2 units)

Nba record 0-1 (-1.1 units)

2 units Dallas mavs @ Mem Grizzlies over 225

As the season goes along I’ll get a better feel for these nba totals once we get more stats and info- and the Mavs come into this game with a 2-0 record, and now play the 0-3 Memphis Grizzlies. Generally speaking I think this is a good spot for the Grizz to bounce back after a tough spot. In their two victories, the mavs gave up 120 and 119 points respectively. Translation they can score, but struggle from stopping other teams from scoring. Given this is the 2 week of the season I believe a lack of defense will continue until teams get stretched out. Dispute their 0-3 record, Memphis is averaging over 105 pts a game, and was averaging close to 130 a game at the end of the preseason. With all this info take the points and play over 225 as the Grizz bounce back.

GL

Nba record 1-1 (+0.9 units)

2 units Det pistons -3 vs Portland

The 2-2 Pistons host the 1-3 Trailblazers. Portland comes in after beating Toronto on the road. This is actually the Blazers 3rd road game in 4 days. I expect them to have heavy legs on a long road trip. The pistons look to bounce back after a let down spot losing to OKC in their last game. Take the pistons -3 for 2 units

GL