The SEC takes center stage today — not that the conference doesn’t have a big piece of it every college football weekend.
Let’s look at what VSiN’s experts have to say about the three big games involving six ranked SEC teams.
But before we do, a reminder from Steve Makinen’s Best Bets column: In games featuring two ranked teams since 2017, home teams are now 210-104 SU and 183-122-9 ATS (60%).
No. 8 Ole Miss (6-1) at No. 13 Oklahoma (6-1), noon ET, ABC.
Adam Burke: Oklahoma’s defense has obviously been very good, but this is just indicative of how they haven’t faced an offense like Lane Kiffin’s and it could be a big wake-up call. I’ll pay to see Oklahoma shine against a legitimate top-10 team, given that they haven’t played one yet. Pick: Mississippi +5. >>More picks.
>Tyler Shoemaker has an opposing view on this game.
No. 15 Missouri (6-1) at No. 10 Vanderbilt (6-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Matt Youmans: My biggest season win-total wager was on Missouri Over 7. That bet looks good, but the Tigers are not there yet with five games to go. Missouri was fortunate to escape with a 23-17 double-overtime win at Auburn a week ago. Alabama is responsible for the only loss suffered by both the Tigers and Commodores. With Missouri on the road again, this is a better spot for Vanderbilt, which proved its toughness by handling LSU. I prefer to side with Pavia to keep the good times rolling in Nashville. Best Bet: Vanderbilt -2.5. (Note: Line moved to -3 later Friday.) >More picks.
No. 3 Texas A&M (7-0) at No. 20 LSU (5-2), 7:30 p.m., ABC
Makinen: LSU has been a major disappointment this season, particularly offensively, where it is averaging just 25.6 PPG. Now granted, the Tigers have played some pretty tough defenses to put up that total against. Still, you have to feel that their best football lies ahead. Otherwise, the season will be looked at as a disaster. For a team ranked in the top 10 at the outset of the season, what we’ve seen so far can’t be all they have to offer. Best Bet: LSU +2.5. >More picks.
>Wes Reynolds also has an opinion on this one.
Other Best Bets columns:
Josh Appelbaum’s CFB Sharp Report will be posted later this morning.
The Week 8 selections for the Circa Friday Football Invitational were announced by Matt last night (7-10 ET), so let’s see what they did with LSU-Texas A&M:
- Kenny White: LSU (+2.5)
- Chris Macero: OVER (49)
- Alex White: UNDER (49)
- Drew Bridges: UNDER (49)
>>Get all 175 picks from 25 handicappers.
Other CFB resources
>Everything we have on Week 9 is here.
Having trouble finding a game on TV? Try the VSiN Game Finder.
Surprise, surprise
The Blue Jays routed the Dodgers 11-4 Friday night, blowing open a 2-2 game with 9 runs in bottom of sixth inning, in Game 1 of the World Series. Toronto did it as a +132 home underdog. The game flew Over 7.5 runs on Addison Barger’s pinch-hit grand slam.
>>Playoff betting stats from Dave Tuley.
Greg Peterson has his plays for Game 2 tonight (8 ET, Fox).
Adam Burke and Steve Makinen will have their contributions later this morning.
NFL Week 9 QB Updates
QB news you can use:
- Ravens: Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Bears. He did have a full practice Friday, which was enough to move the line to Ravens -7 from -6.5.
- 49ers: Brock Purdy (toe) is out vs. the Texans (-2.5). Mac Jones will start.
- Jets: Aaron Glenn has declined to name a starter vs. the Bengals (-6).
I checked our Opta AI player prop projections for the biggest differences between the DraftKings line and the AI projection:
- Joe Flacco, Bengals: Under 239.5 passing yards at DK (Opta AI -57.62)
- Derrick Henry, Ravens: Under 89.5 rushing yards at DK (-33.83) >Not so sure about this one, the Bears ruled out two defensive starters on Friday
- Christian Watson, Packers: Over 19.5 receiving yards at DK (+36.37)
FYI: The projections will adjust up to game time based on injuries and line moves.
Adam Burke offers his favorite props for Week 8, plus Pauly Howard specializes in kicking props.
Everything we post on NFL Week 8 will be here.
Get an alert when Matt Youmans and Wes Reynolds file their NFL Best Bets by signing up for VSiN’s push notifications.)
Quick Hits
NBA: Don’t forget to check out our new Opta AI NBA player props projections. Look for Best Bets from Zach Cohen and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report around mid-morning on our NBA page.
NHL: VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis will post his Best Bets around mid-day.
Horse Racing: On the VSiN At The Track podcast, Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman explain why the Breeders’ Cup is the toughest two days of handicapping, analyze the jockey move on Journalism, profile some of the Kentucky Derby hopefuls running in the Juvenile and dish out best bets for this weekend’s races at Churchill Downs and Keeneland. >Watch. >Listen.
VSiN’s “Mr. Ed” Sehonhas picks for today’s card at Keeneland.
Special 1/ST BET offer: Deposit and bet $200 on the Breeders’ Cup at 1/ST BET with promo code VSINBC and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a VIP Vegas Experience at Circa — including a two-night stay, a $250 food and beverage credit, your own cabana at Stadium Swim, and a behind-the-scenes visit to the VSiN studio. Plus, when you deposit and bet just $100, you’ll score a one-year VSiN Pro subscription. Sign up today.
UFC: Main card in Abu Dhabi starts at 2 ET. Dave Ross and Rob Moreno handicap UFC 321 on the First Strike podcast. >Listen. Rob writes up the predictions from the podcast. Lou Finocchiaro posted his plays. Britton Hess will add his picks later this morning.
Soccer: VSiN soccer analyst Nigel Seeley has his Best Bets for the EPL menu this weekend.
College Basketball: The VSiN College Basketball Betting Guide is available for download.
