Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

Phoenix rode the coattails of Devin Booker in the opening win vs. Dallas. He had 19 of his 35 in the last minutes but this figures to be a different story. Deandre Ayton, seems to have adjusted quickly to the league, but he will be going against the tricky Jokic in the middle. Denver only had one poor quarter in the win over the Clips on Wednesday. Coach Malone played a full rotation and it worked. They held L.A. to 27% from beyond the arc and it’s not often that the center leads the teams in assists but that is how Jokic kicked off the season.

Rating: 2 Units

Jhoulys Chacin has been excellent in his last three starts, allowing one run in 16 innings with 12 strikeouts. Look for Brewers’ manager Craig Counsell to be on the ball to maximize these two pitchers. The Dodgers have scored only 18 runs in the six games in this series. Walker Buehler hasn’t been as successful with nine runs allowed in his last 12 innings. Milwaukee is an excellent 75-48 vs. righties this year, scoring 4.6 runs per game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Under is 9-3 in Blue Jackets last 12 vs. Central and 5-2 in Blue Jackets last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Rating: 2 Units

The Blackhawks have yet to get their power play going (2-for-20) and may be able to get something done against Columbus, which has surrendered six man-advantage tallies. The Blue Jackets recovered from an 8-2 thrashing at Tampa Bay last Saturday with two goals from Cam Atkinson on Thursday en route to a 6-3 victory against Philadelphia to start a three-game homestand. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky earned his second victory of the campaign for Columbus on Thursday with 32 saves and his next game will be his 400th in the NHL.

Rating: 2 Units

The Over is 25-9 in Jets last 34 vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Rating: 3 UnitInter-Conference Game of the Day

Line opened at Missouri minus 7, and is now minus 10. Sure, the line swing is hardly welcomed here, but, this sets up nicely. Catching the Tigers of Memphis, off being crushed in the one that they've been pointing all season, gives us a perfect spot to jump in. In its 31-30 loss to unbeaten Central Florida, Memphis held 31-14 lead over the Knights, in the 2nd, only to be held scoreless over the final 32:04, not exactly what this offense is accustomed to. Mizzouri's loss to mighty Alabama was nearly on script (28-point dog, 29-point loss), so no letdown. Offense galore, with the emotional edge to Missouri.

Rating: 2 Units

Kicking ourselves for passing on Hawkeyes last week, in that 42-16 rout of Indy, behind Stanley's 6 TD passes (10/2 L2 weeks). The favorite is now on a 7-0 ATS run in Iowa games. Terps at 350 rushing yards per game in 3-of-last 5 games, but less than 148 rushing yards each of other 3 games. Iowa does not let this get away

Rating: 3 Units

'Cats just an OT loss from a perfect start, & stand at +65½ points ATS for the season. Would you believe that UK did not snap the ball in A&M territory, until OT.? Just 70 rushing yards, & 1 offensive TD. Vanderbilt in off blowing 21-3 lead over Florida. Check a 1,029-431 rushing yard deficit in L4 games.

Rating: Pac-12 Play of the Day

Just that improbable OT loss to Stanford keeps 'Ducks from unbeaten ranks. Took Washington in OT, by twice freezing Husky placekicker, on final play. Herbert: another 2/0, & now at 17 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. But offensive line is hurting. Washington State also 5-1 (39-36 loss to Usc). Minshew in off 430 passing yards (5/0) & Wash State is at 38.6 points per game in its L7 home games (14-4 ATS at home).

Rating: 4 Unit NCAAF Blowout of the Week

Utah State doing it up right, behind QB Love, who has 9 TD passes, with no picks L2 weeks. Are 4-0-1 ATS, by 72 points so far, and in off balanced 598 yards vs a decent Unlv squad. 'Pokes have a 159-62 point deficit in lined games, with zero "O" TDs past 2 weeks. Favorites are 6-0 ATS in Wyoming games this year.

Rating: 4 Unit NCCAAF Game of the Week

Cadets are something else. Check their current 5-0 spread run by 95½ points. A better than 300 rushing yard edge in latest romper, vs San Jose State. 'Hawks in off 29 & 14 point covers (led Kent 30-0), but were at just 132 rushing yards per game, before posting 295 vs Kansas State's paper defense. Use Army/Buff as a barometer.