Bettor's best friend (BBF): Saturday's wagering tips
The Orton option
It looks like more and more that the washed-up Chris Simms will start at quarterback for the Denver Broncos on Sunday against San Diego. Orton missed his third straight day of practice on Friday and is a game-time decision. The former Purdue star led the Broncos to 17 first-half points against the Redskins before spraining his ankle and getting relieved by Simms. Denver never scored again. No line has yet been released for the game.
Satin curtain defense
The Steelers defense suffered another big blow this week. Safety Troy Polamalu and starting defensive end Travis Kirschke will miss the team?s game at Kansas City this weekend. Kirschke already was filling in for the injured Aaron Smith, one of the team?s best defensive lineman. End Nick Eason and safety Tyrone Carter will start in their place. Pittsburgh is listed at -10 with a total of 40 points.
Husky problem
No one blows a fourth-quarter lead like Connecticut. The Huskies were up 10-0 against North Carolina, 21-6 at Pittsburgh and 24-21 against both West Virginia and Rutgers. And who do they play on Saturday? Notre Dame, the king of late-game comebacks this season. The Irish have rallied to win in the fourth quarter four times this year. Connecticut is listed at -6 with a total of 57.5.
Caged Tigers
For a dominant team in the SEC, the Tigers sure have a tough time against the Rebels. Ole Miss is 7-1 ATS in their past eight meetings with LSU, including a 31-13 thrashing last season. The Rebels enter this year?s game winners of four of five, while the Tigers are coming off a poor, 24-16 win over a bad Louisiana Tech team. LSU also is iffy at the quarterback position with Jordan Jefferson nursing an ankle injury that sidelined him last week. The Rebels are listed at -4.5 with a total of 42 points.
Dumont does it all
The Nashville Predators aren?t just playing good hockey ?they are the hottest team in the Western Conference. Nashville, which hosts Columbus on Saturday, has won eight of its past 10 games and sevent straight thanks to the stellar play of J.P. Dumont. Over the past seven games, he has recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists) and picked up four helpers on the power play. Nashville is listed at -135 with a total of 5.5 goals.
Home cooking
The Denver Nuggets know how to win at home. The team is 4-0 at Pepsi Center this year and 3-1 ATS winning each game by at least 10 points. Meantime, the visiting Bulls are just 2-4 on the road this year and lost on a last-second bucket to the Nuggets in Chicago earlier this month. Take the home juggernaut. The Nuggets are listed at -9 with a total of 205.
The Orton option
It looks like more and more that the washed-up Chris Simms will start at quarterback for the Denver Broncos on Sunday against San Diego. Orton missed his third straight day of practice on Friday and is a game-time decision. The former Purdue star led the Broncos to 17 first-half points against the Redskins before spraining his ankle and getting relieved by Simms. Denver never scored again. No line has yet been released for the game.
Satin curtain defense
The Steelers defense suffered another big blow this week. Safety Troy Polamalu and starting defensive end Travis Kirschke will miss the team?s game at Kansas City this weekend. Kirschke already was filling in for the injured Aaron Smith, one of the team?s best defensive lineman. End Nick Eason and safety Tyrone Carter will start in their place. Pittsburgh is listed at -10 with a total of 40 points.
Husky problem
No one blows a fourth-quarter lead like Connecticut. The Huskies were up 10-0 against North Carolina, 21-6 at Pittsburgh and 24-21 against both West Virginia and Rutgers. And who do they play on Saturday? Notre Dame, the king of late-game comebacks this season. The Irish have rallied to win in the fourth quarter four times this year. Connecticut is listed at -6 with a total of 57.5.
Caged Tigers
For a dominant team in the SEC, the Tigers sure have a tough time against the Rebels. Ole Miss is 7-1 ATS in their past eight meetings with LSU, including a 31-13 thrashing last season. The Rebels enter this year?s game winners of four of five, while the Tigers are coming off a poor, 24-16 win over a bad Louisiana Tech team. LSU also is iffy at the quarterback position with Jordan Jefferson nursing an ankle injury that sidelined him last week. The Rebels are listed at -4.5 with a total of 42 points.
Dumont does it all
The Nashville Predators aren?t just playing good hockey ?they are the hottest team in the Western Conference. Nashville, which hosts Columbus on Saturday, has won eight of its past 10 games and sevent straight thanks to the stellar play of J.P. Dumont. Over the past seven games, he has recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists) and picked up four helpers on the power play. Nashville is listed at -135 with a total of 5.5 goals.
Home cooking
The Denver Nuggets know how to win at home. The team is 4-0 at Pepsi Center this year and 3-1 ATS winning each game by at least 10 points. Meantime, the visiting Bulls are just 2-4 on the road this year and lost on a last-second bucket to the Nuggets in Chicago earlier this month. Take the home juggernaut. The Nuggets are listed at -9 with a total of 205.
