Announcement

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 10:13 AM

Armadillo: Thursday's six-pack

Odds on some college basketball teams to win national title next April......

7-1-- North Carolina, Maryland-- Former rivals are co-favorites.

8-1-- Kentucky-- Open season with the gritty Albany Great Danes.

12-1-- Duke-- Get lot of talented players, but few stay very long.

50-1-- California-- Have very talented freshman class.

100-1-- Arizona St-- Bobby Hurley's move (Buffalo-ASU) huge weather upgrade.

1,000-1-- Northwestern-- Wildcats have never been in NCAA tournament.

**********

Armadillo: Thursday's List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud........

13) Cubs 4, Pirates 0-- Jake Arrieta is on a Hershiser-like roll; Orioles look like fools for trading him two years ago. Road teams are now 6-2 in Wild Card games.

12) We talked several times this summer about the weirdness of teams batting their pitcher 8th; there is no apparent reason for doing it, but it seemed like some teams did it just because other teams were doing it, so it must be a good thing.

Actions speak louder than words; when the Cubs got into the playoffs, Joe Maddon has his pitcher bat.........9th. Arrieta hit 9th for only the fourth time all year; that says the whole batting 8th thing is a gimmick that got into everyone else's head.

11) Wichita State alum/Knicks' sub Cleanthony Early played in an exhibition game last night even though he got his wisdom teeth taken out earlier in the day. When I was 20, I got my wisdom teeth out and they made me stay in the hospital overnight. Good to see a young guy trying hard to make the team.

10) Baylor Bears are a 44-point road favorite in a conference game this week. Kansas has lot of work to do just to become mediocre in league play. Oy.

9) Since 2009, Patriots have faced 14 quarterbacks starting because of injury to the starter; they're 11-3 in those games. Brandon Weeden is the Cowboys' backup QB.

8) Falcons' WR Roddy White has been on field for 235 snaps this year, most of any Atlanta WR, but caught only six passes (13 targets). He is not happy, despite the Falcons' 4-0 start. This is called selfishness.

7) Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archer is 27; he has a long career ahead of him, but he was very, very good on TV Tuesday and would appear to have a bright future in TV when he gets done pitching. He also didn't want to get off the air, talking his way into another half-inning on the air when the inning he was on went by quickly.

6) LSU-South Carolina game this weekend was moved to Baton Rouge because of the flooding in the Palmetto State. We hope everyone in South Carolina is alright.

5) Ryan Tannehill got into a war of words with members of Miami's scout team, not what you want out of your starting QB, who is supposed to be a team leader, someone other players will follow. Most things that make a great QB cannot be seen by the average fan; it is not just physical skill. You have to be a really good teammate.

4) Matt Hasselbeck has been sick this week, so the Colts hustled former 3rd-stringer Josh Johnson back to Indy after they had cut him earlier in the week. Looks as if Andrew Luck will start tonight in Houston; unsure who the backup will be.

3) Vancouver-Calgary got into a fight 0:02 into their game last night; I mean, the four gloves almost hit the ice before the puck did to start the game. Some people in the NHL think the league needs fighting to remain popular; I'm thinking the two guys need to be thrown out of the game. Kings-Sharks had a fight less than 2:00 into their game too. It makes zero sense; hockey is a great game-- let the skilled players play.

2) Have you seen the GEICO commercial with the sea monster on the golf course? In the original version of that commercial, the scoreboard was the same shape as the scoreboard at Augusta National, where The Masters is played.

Apparently someone complained, because the newer version of the commercial has a rectangular scoreboard. People at Augusta National can be a little touchy.

1) If I own the New York Giants, I bring Odell Beckham Jr in and tell him we do not want him punching opposing players, because you can break your hand punching a football helmet. The last thing the Giants need is Beckham with a broken hand.

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 10:24 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, October 8

Ottawa @ Buffalo

Game 51-52
October 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Ottawa
13.631
Buffalo
9.485
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 4
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Ottawa
-130
5
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(-130); Under

Winnipeg @ Boston

Game 53-54
October 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
12.117
Boston
13.631
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-125
5
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-125); Over

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay

Game 55-56
October 8, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
12.184
Tampa Bay
13.979
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-200
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-200); Under

Edmonton @ St. Louis

Game 57-58
October 8, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
11.990
St. Louis
10.849
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Edmonton
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-200
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Edmonton
(+170); Over

Carolina @ Nashville

Game 59-60
October 8, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Carolina
9.361
Nashville
13.979
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Nashville
by 4 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Nashville
-200
5
Dunkel Pick:
Nashville
(-200); Over

Pittsburgh @ Dallas

Game 61-62
October 8, 2015 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
11.857
Dallas
10.517
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Dallas
-115
5 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-105); Under

Minnesota @ Colorado

Game 63-64
October 8, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
13.979
Colorado
9.845
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 4
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-120
5
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-120); Over

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 10:27 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, October 8

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTTAWA (45-28-0-15, 105 pts.) at BUFFALO (23-51-0-8, 54 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BUFFALO is 253-211 ATS (+23.8 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
OTTAWA is 6-2 (+3.2 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
OTTAWA is 6-2-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.2 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WINNIPEG (43-29-0-14, 100 pts.) at BOSTON (41-27-0-14, 96 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 41-41 ATS (-1.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WINNIPEG is 2-2 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 2-2-0 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+3.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA (33-31-0-18, 84 pts.) at TAMPA BAY (64-36-0-8, 136 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-24 ATS (+36.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 5-1 (+3.7 Units) against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
TAMPA BAY is 5-1-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.8 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDMONTON (24-44-0-14, 62 pts.) at ST LOUIS (53-28-0-7, 113 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 8-30 ATS (+48.6 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 6-0 (+6.0 Units) against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
ST LOUIS is 6-0-0 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.7 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAROLINA (30-41-0-11, 71 pts.) at NASHVILLE (49-27-0-12, 110 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CAROLINA is 4-19 ATS (+32.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 10-27 ATS (+44.7 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 53-104 ATS (+180.0 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
CAROLINA is 3-1 (+2.4 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CAROLINA is 3-1-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.2 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PITTSBURGH (44-29-0-14, 102 pts.) at DALLAS (41-31-0-10, 92 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 44-43 ATS (-23.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 8-14 ATS (-11.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 3-1 (+2.8 Units) against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1-0 straight up against PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (50-34-0-8, 108 pts.) at COLORADO (39-31-0-12, 90 pts.) - 10/8/2015, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 94-77 ATS (+16.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 9-8-0 straight up against COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.1 Units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 10:30 AM

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, October 8

NHL writeups will begin October 15.

NHL

Thursday, October 8

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:00 PM
OTTAWA vs. BUFFALO
Ottawa is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Ottawa is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Buffalo is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 7 games when playing Boston
Winnipeg is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing Winnipeg

7:30 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. TAMPA BAY
Philadelphia is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

8:00 PM
CAROLINA vs. NASHVILLE
Carolina is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville
Nashville is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Nashville is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games

8:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
Edmonton is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
St. Louis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Edmonton

8:30 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. DALLAS
Pittsburgh is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 13 games on the road
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games

9:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. COLORADO
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 12:37 PM

NHL
Short Sheet

Thursday, October 8

Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:05 PM EDT
Ottawa: 12-10 SU as a road favorite
Buffalo: 26-51 SU as a home underdog

Winnipeg at Boston, 7:05 PM EDT
Winnipeg: 23-16 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +150
Boston: 41-41 SU in all games

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 7:35 PM EDT
Philadelphia: 8-25 SU as a road underdog of +100 to +200
Tampa Bay: 19-4 SU as a home favorite of -200 or higher

Edmonton at St Louis, 8:05 PM EDT
Edmonton: 8-30 SU first half of the season
St Louis: 20-9 as a home favorite of -200 to -300

Carolina at Nashville, 8:05 PM EDT
Carolina: 4-19 SU in a road game where where the total is 5 or less
Nashville: 8-0 SU as a home favorite of -200 or higher

Pittsburgh at Dallas, 8:35 PM EDT
Pittsburgh: 28-23 SU in a road game where where the total is 5.5
Dallas: 5-16 SU at home when the money line is -100 to -150

Minnesota at Colorado, 9:05 PM EDT
Minnesota: 17-9 SU as a road favorite of -200 or less
Colorado: 8-13 SU as a home underdog of +100 to +150

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 12:55 PM

NHL

Thursday, October 8

Stars' LW Jamie Benn, questionable Thursday

Benn continues to recover from offseason hip surgery and is questionable to play Thursday against the Penguins.

Lightning C Tyler Johnson, questionable Thursday

Johnson is questionable to play against the Flyers in the season opener due to an unspecified injury.

Jets' D Dustin Byfuglien, probable Thursday

Byfuglien left the team for the birth of his child but is expected to play Thursday against the Bruins.

**Udog** · 10-08-2015, 01:01 PM

Three sensational spot bet opportunities bettors need to know

It will be tough for Iowa to follow its Heartland Trophy win over Wisconsin in Week 6, when the Hawkeyes host the Fighting Illini as 11-point favorites.

Letdown spot

The Iowa Hawkeyes stunned Big Ten bettors with a huge win at Wisconsin last Saturday, snapping the Badgers’ 10-game home winning streak and also giving the Hawkeyes their first win over a ranked opponent in their last 10 tries. Iowa won a 10-6 grinder over the Badgers, taking advantage of four Wisconsin turnovers. The game was so out of hand that a 15-year-old Iowa fan got sucker punched by an older Wisconsin fan while leaving the stadium. You stay classy Madison.

It will be tough for Iowa to follow that Heartland Trophy mayhem in Week 6, when the Hawkeyes host the Fighting Illini as 11-point favorites. Illinois is coming off a win over Nebraska and isn’t the punchless program everyone thought it would be after firing Tim Beckman right before the season. The Hawkeyes went 0-3 ATS as double-digit faves last season and could be stepping into a typical letdown spot Saturday.

Lookahead spot

A 42-point spread can be a tough number for college football bettors to wrangle. Ole Miss is giving just that to the visiting New Mexico State Aggies this weekend, a week before a very interesting showdown with the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial in Tennessee. Could the Rebels trim back their playbook and ease off the gas, resting starters when – not if – this Saturday’s game gets out of hand? Yeah, head coach Hugh Freeze pretty much said so this week.

Mississippi is coming off a loss to Florida as a 6.5-point road favorite in Gainesville last weekend and this non-conference tilt with the winless Aggies serves as an unofficial bye week, with the Rebels able to rest some key players, get younger guys some touches, and iron out wrinkles before taking on the Tigers. Those 42-points could be tough to tackle, especially with Ole Miss looking ahead to Memphs.

Schedule spot

The Minnesota Wild have high hopes for this hockey season, boasting one of the best defenses in the NHL as well as a budding star in goaltender Devan Dubnyk. But the Wild could be put to the test in the season opener Thursday when they scale the Rocky Mountains to play the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.

Colorado sits 5,280 feet above sea level and is notorious for its life-sucking thin air, at least when it comes to visiting sports franchises. Facing the Avs on the road in the very first game of the season will test Minnesota’s conditioning, which is never quite “game shape” until a couple weeks into the regular sked.

Announcement

Thursday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 10/8

Thursday's NHL Trends and Indexes - 10/8

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment