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🎃 Halloween in Vegas. Or a Rainy Night at the Coliseum?
Halloween on a Saturday night in Las Vegas? Count me in. You’ll find me at Circa’s Legacy Club.
VSiN’s Matt Youmans, on the other hand, will be at the Ohio State–USC game at the Coliseum in Los Angeles (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC), where a raincoat might be the most appropriate costume for the evening.
With Julian Sayin sidelined by an arm injury, the Buckeyes reportedly will ask Luke Fahey to masquerade as their starting quarterback. Ryan Day has yet to publicly name a starter.
Matt, coming off a 4-1 week in his column (30-12-5 for the season), believes this might be the right time to catch Ohio State. But there’s a question:
“The Trojans have the talent to match up with the Buckeyes, but are they tough enough to do it for four quarters and is their defense up to the task?”
USC moved from +7 to +6.5 late in the week. Matt explains how you may want to bet the game.
» Matt’s Ohio State–USC strategy, plus four more picks
Wes Reynolds notes that Lincoln Riley is just 5-15 against AP Top 25 teams during his USC tenure. “This is a desperation game for both teams, but especially for the Trojans to show that they can still compete with elite programs.”
» Wes’ Ohio State–USC pick, plus eight more bets
More College Football Best Bets
Steve Makinen: 16 bets
Dave Tuley: 5 plays
Adam Burke: 3 plays
Zach Cohen: 3 plays
Brad Taylor: Live Bet Saturday picks in VSiN Community
🏈 Five for Five on NC State
The most popular play from Friday’s Circa Football Invitational was NC State -7 against Cal. All five contestants who selected the game sided with the Wolfpack: Scott Pritchard, Randy McKay, Clyde Walker, Carl Sack and Frank Carulli. McKay made it his Best Bet.
On Ohio State–USC, Jack Lenenberg took USC +6.5, while Chris Macero and Alex White both played Under 51. Macero made the total his Best Bet.
That’s just a sample of 175 picks from 25 handicappers. » See all 175 Invitational selections
The Fired-Coach Trend Starts 1-0
In yesterday’s email, I mentioned Tim Murray’s observation that teams playing after firing their head coach went 8-4 ATS last season.
It’s off to a 1-0 start in Week 9: Baylor, a 1-point underdog, beat UCF 41-9 Friday night after the dismissal of Dave Aranda.
Two more teams are on the board Saturday: Maryland +2.5 vs. Illinois (Mike Locksley) and NC State -7 vs. Cal (Dave Doeren). That makes the Invitational consensus on NC State especially interesting.
» College Football Week 9 Betting Hub
🏈 Lamar Jackson Is Back. But Is He Really?
Lamar Jackson (ankle) will play Sunday at Buffalo, according to Ravens coach Jesse Minter. That’s what he says, anyway.
Dr. David Chao, who joins Steve Fezzik for VSiN’s Sunday halftime injury reports, offers a warning: “His mobility will be limited — which may impact the Ravens offense and his rushing ability.”
The Ravens are 3-point underdogs at Buffalo.
» Check the latest NFL injury report
SIC Picks is 22-7-1 (75%) on its 3-Star Pick of the Week. Get a free week at SICpicks.com with promo code VSIN (Premium weekly package).
NFL Best Bets and Tools
Zach Cohen: 5 plays
Dave Tuley: Takes on every game
Steve Makinen: 8 bets
Adam Burke: 3 player props
Adam Burke: 3 first-TD picks
Coming later this morning: NFL picks from Matt Youmans and Wes Reynolds.
Watch and learn: John Hansen’s 17 prop bets and Steve Fezzik’s total play.
🏆 Tonight: The Football Contest Show
Matt Brown joins Circa’s Derek Stevens and Jeff Benson tonight (9–10 p.m. ET) to reveal the consensus picks for the Circa contests.
Matt still has one of the 660 surviving entries chasing the $25 million Circa Survivor prize. (The other Matt, Youmans, has three live entries.)
The Matts haven’t listed their entries on the Survivor Sweat Marketplace. At least not yet.
» See the Survivor entries for sale
🐎 Nine More Breeders’ Cup Races
Dave Tuley did pretty well boxing his Friday Breeders’ Cup selections — as did the crew in our office that followed along — even without a straight-up winner. Worth remembering when you read his picks for Saturday’s nine Cup races.
» Dave Tuley’s Saturday Breeders’ Cup picks
“Mr. Ed” Sehon has added selections for the Dirt Mile, Distaff and Sprint, along with his separate Classic handicap.
» Mr. Ed’s Dirt Mile, Distaff and Sprint picks | » His Breeders’ Cup Classic handicap
» Daily Racing Form expert picks for Saturday
🏀 College Basketball Tips Off Sunday
The season begins Sunday, and our College Basketball Betting Guide gives you a head start: every conference previewed, with individual team breakdowns for the top 10 conferences.
» Get the VSiN College Basketball Betting Guide
DONBEST: The College Basketball Rotation Book is available for $4.99. Get the Rotation Book.
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