The much-anticipated 12-team College Football Playoff is here. As the top four seeds rest and awa...

<p>The much-anticipated 12-team College Football Playoff is here. As the top four seeds rest and await their opponent, the remaining eight teams will fight for a spot in the quarterfinals. The higher seed earned home-field advantage for the opening round, while the rest of the rounds will be played on a neutral field.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/303" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/303">Indiana</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/501" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/501">Notre Dame</a> kick off the playoffs Friday night, and the other three games are on Saturday. Let's get to the action.</p><h3>No. 10 Indiana @ No. 7 Notre Dame (-7.5, O/U 51.5)</h3><p>Notre Dame reeled off 10 straight wins to qualify for the playoff after losing to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/488" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/488">Northern Illinois</a> in Week 2. Indiana also has only lost once but lacks impressive wins.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Case for Indiana</strong></p><ul>
<li>Quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/138530" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/138530">Kurtis Rourke</a> tossed for over 2,800 yards this season and rarely turned the ball over.</li>
<li>The Hoosiers have the nation's sixth-best scoring defense, allowing 14 points per game.</li>
<li>They also have the second-best scoring offense, averaging 43.3 points.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Notre Dame</strong></p><ul>
<li>Indiana is near the top of the nation in numerous statistical categories, but those numbers are skewed by weak competition. It had the easiest schedule among power conference playoff teams.</li>
<li>Notre Dame has the nation's third-best scoring defense, allowing 13 points per game.</li>
<li>The Fighting Irish have a balanced offensive attack, and quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/163464" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/163464">Riley Leonard</a> has played clean football during their winning streak. They have the nation's third-best scoring offense, averaging 39.8 points.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Notre Dame is 9-2-1 against the spread (ATS), while Indiana is 9-3.</li>
<li>The Fighting Irish are 8-0 ATS in their last eight games, most of which have been double-digit spreads.</li>
<li>Notre Dame is 3-2-1 ATS at home.</li>
<li>Indiana is 0-1 ATS as an away underdog but 3-1 ATS on the road.</li>
<li>Indiana's last eight road games have gone over the total.</li>
<li>This is the most split game on the card, as public and sharp bettors haven't reached a consensus on who to back: 50.8% of the bets and 50.5% of the handle (money wagered) is on Notre Dame to cover.</li>
<li>For the total, 68% of the bets and 74% of the handle is on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Notre Dame -7.5</strong></p><p>Notre Dame is one of the hottest teams in the country. It didn't play anyone outstanding, but wins over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/64" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/64">Army</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/676" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/676">USC</a> to close the season are nothing to scoff at. The last time Indiana faced a playoff-caliber team it was embarrassed by Ohio State.</p><p>The Hoosiers were a fun story in Curt Cignetti's first year, but they aren't talented enough to compete with Notre Dame, especially on the road.</p><h3>No. 11 SMU @ No. 6 Penn State (-8.5, O/U 53.5)</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/584" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/584">SMU</a> snuck into the playoff despite losing to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> in the ACC championship game. Many have argued that another SEC team should have been rewarded the spot, but the Mustangs have a chance to prove they belong against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/521" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/521">Penn State</a>.</p><p><strong>Case for SMU</strong></p><ul>
<li>SMU doesn't own an impressive win but has handled business against inferior opponents all season.</li>
<li>It has the nation's sixth-best scoring offense, averaging 38.5 points per game.</li>
<li>SMU will need to keep pace with Penn State's offense through its passing game because it's struggled to contain passing attacks throughout the year.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Penn State</strong></p><ul>
<li>It's no secret James Franklin can't win big games. He's 1-14 against top-five teams. Although this might be considered a big game, it isn't against an opponent close to Penn State's caliber.</li>
<li>SMU benefitted from a weak ACC schedule but hasn't proved it can defeat a superior team.</li>
<li>Franklin has a great track record against inferior competition, and Penn State will benefit from a raucous home crowd.</li>
<li>While the Nittany Lions' defense struggled against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/514" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/514">Oregon</a> in the Big Ten championship, they'll have an easier time against a lesser SMU group.</li>
<li>When Penn State feeds tight end <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/153194" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/153194">Tyler Warren</a>, one of the best offensive weapons in the country, it's unstoppable offensively.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>SMU is 8-5 ATS, while Penn State is 6-7.</li>
<li>Penn State is 3-3 ATS as a home favorite.</li>
<li>It's also 0-3 ATS against ranked teams.</li>
<li>SMU is 2-0 ATS as an underdog.</li>
<li>Penn State's last four games have gone over the total.</li>
<li>Bettors are split on this matchup: 51% of the bets and 55% of the handle are on Penn State to cover.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Penn State -8.5</strong></p><p>SMU doesn't deserve to be in the playoff, which will be evident against a far superior opponent. The Mustangs don't have the defensive personnel to stop Penn State's offense. The Nittany Lions got lucky with a leisurely playoff path. For all the criticisms aimed at Franklin, he doesn't lose games he should win. This will be a blowout.</p><h3>No. 12 Clemson @ No. 5 Texas (-11, O/U 51.5)</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> earned a playoff spot by winning the ACC but didn't obtain a first-round bye. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a> fell in the seeding after losing to Georgia in the SEC championship.</p><p><strong>Case for Clemson</strong></p><ul>
<li>Although it's facing a phenomenal defense, Clemson has a top-20 scoring offense.</li>
<li>Texas' offensive inconsistencies could hurt it against a Clemson's stout defense.</li>
<li>Texas quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/166550" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/166550">Quinn Ewers</a> has had his moments, but he's also stumbled in big spots throughout his career. He's thrown nine interceptions this season.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Texas</strong></p><ul>
<li>Texas' only two losses are to Georgia. It didn't have the daunting SEC schedule some of its counterparts faced, but it still has quality wins.</li>
<li> The Longhorns boast the nation's second-best scoring defense, limiting opponents to 12.46 points per game.</li>
<li>Clemson's offense has had some impressive outputs but floundered against the two SEC opponents it played. The Tigers scored three points in the season opener against Georgia and 14 points in the season finale versus<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/573" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/573"> South Carolina</a>.</li>
<li>It was clear Clemson was outmatched physically against SEC teams.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Texas is 7-6 ATS while Clemson is 6-7, but both teams are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games.</li>
<li>Clemson is 0-2 ATS against SEC teams.</li>
<li>Four of Clemson's last six games and Texas' last four have gone under the total.</li>
<li>Clemson has covered only two of its last six games as an underdog.</li>
<li>The bet percentages on the spread are nearly split between Clemson and Texas, but 62% of the handle is on Texas to cover.</li>
<li>Slightly over 70% of the handle is on the under but slightly more than half the bets are on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Clemson +11</strong></p><p>Texas has defeated everyone except Georgia this season, but it only beat <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/635" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/635">Texas A&amp;M </a>and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/59" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/59">Arkansas</a> by 10 points each late in the season. Texas' offense isn't prolific enough to run up the score against Clemson's defense. The Tigers need just a few quality offensive possessions to score enough to keep this within the number.</p><h3>No. 9 Tennessee @ No. 8 Ohio State (-7, O/U 47.5)</h3><p>Ryan Day is facing more pressure than any other head coach in the College Football Playoff. It's safe to say Day is gone if the Buckeyes lose at home to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/630" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/630">Tennessee</a>. Will <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a>'s devastating loss to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/407" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/407">Michigan</a> galvanize the group or break it beyond repair?</p><p><strong>Case for Tennessee</strong></p><ul>
<li>Tennessee lost to Arkansas and Georgia but got its season-defining win at home over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/40" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/40">Alabama</a>.</li>
<li>The Volunteers are tied for the nation's fourth-best scoring defense, holding opponents to 13.92 points per game.</li>
<li>They also have a top-10 scoring offense, one of three playoff teams with a top-10 scoring offense and defense.</li>
<li>There's a chance Ohio State's loss to Michigan was so devastating that the Buckeyes fail to recover.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Ohio State</strong></p><ul>
<li>Ohio State has the best scoring defense, limiting teams to 10.92 points per game.</li>
<li>Entering the season's final week, Ohio State's lone loss was to 1-seed Oregon. It defeated fellow playoff teams Penn State and Indiana.</li>
<li>However, Ohio State lost to rival Michigan in the final game of the regular season. But while the Buckeyes shrink against their rival, they play to the standard of an exceptional team against all other opponents.</li>
<li>Before its loss, Ohio State's offense had scored 30-plus points in three straight games.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Tennessee is 7-5 ATS, while Ohio State is 6-6.</li>
<li>The Vols are 0-1 ATS as away underdogs but 3-1 ATS against ranked teams.</li>
<li>Ohio State is 2-8 straight up in its last 10 games against SEC teams.</li>
<li>Four of Tennessee's last five games have gone over the total, but five of Ohio State's last six have gone under.</li>
<li>Tennessee +7 is the most public play of the first round, with more bets (67%) on the Vols than on any other spread. Tennessee has also received 62% of the handle.</li>
<li>Almost 90% of the handle is on the under, but more than half of the bets are on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Tennessee +7</strong></p><p>Ohio State could collapse after its regular-season finale and the noise surrounding Day's job status. Ohio State's defense has shut down almost everyone it's seen this season, so Tennessee's offense will struggle to score. But Tennessee also has a talented defense.</p><p>This game has the lowest total among playoff games. Assuming it's a defensive battle, seven points is too many to gift the Buckeyes. </p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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CFP 1st-round betting preview: Which underdogs can keep things close?

Every week, Bet or Bail will explore players, teams, storylines, and markets throughout the NBA l...

<p><em>Every week, Bet or Bail will explore players, teams, storylines, and markets throughout the NBA landscape.</em></p><h3>Bet on Barrett to win Most Improved Player</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/76543" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/76543">Baker Mayfield</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/98048" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/98048">Sam Darnold</a>'s career rejuvenation can be attributed to the right environment and coaches. But above all, their redemption stories are a lesson in patience. Wait, isn't this an NBA column?</p><p>It is, but those lessons also apply to the Association, where fans' and organizations' patience wears thin quickly with high draft picks. However, certain players take years to reach their potential.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69533" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69533">RJ Barrett</a> was the first <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> draftee to sign a second contract with the team since Charlie Ward in 1999. But then New York saw an opportunity to upgrade its roster by trading Barrett for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a> last season, one of many moves that eventually landed New York one of the league's best starting units. But one organization's trash could be another's treasure.</p><p>Barrett had his moments in New York and helped facilitate a rebuild but never lived up to his potential as the No. 3 pick in 2019.</p><p>The sixth-year guard is breaking out through a quarter of his first full season with the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/5" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/5">Raptors</a>, averaging 23.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, all career highs. He's the rebuilding Raptors' leading scorer as Toronto desperately awaits the returns of other young building blocks <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96044" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96044">Scottie Barnes</a> and<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93852" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93852"> Immanuel Quickley</a>.</p><p>Barrett has the eighth-best odds at +2200 to win the Most Improved Player award, which seems high for an emerging star. </p><p>More opportunity typically leads to greater production. The Duke product is seizing his chance in a way he failed to in his previous five seasons. The Raptors have allowed Barrett to play on the ball more, partly because of the injuries to Barnes and Quickley.</p><p>Barrett has the highest usage rate of his career and is averaging the most touches. He's averaging a career-high 15.7 drives per game and is scoring the 11th most points in the NBA off drives. Though Barrett's also averaging a career high in turnovers, it's expected with more on-ball duties.</p><p>Greater volume usually leads to lower efficiency, and that's the case for Barrett. But he's never been a 3-point sniper. He's shooting a career-high 5.7 threes per game on 35% shooting. Barrett's propensity to drive more has led to a career-best free-throw rate. He's scoring 0.865 points per possession as the pick-and-roll ball-handler, the highest mark of his career.</p><p>Barrett's biggest leap has little to do with scoring. He's evolved into a playmaking titan, setting up teammates in a way he seldom has in previous years. Although he showed flashes of his passing ability in his 32 games with the Raptors last season, Barrett's assists per game have nearly doubled. He ranks in the top 30 in assists and averages 10.4 potential assists per game, on par with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/148" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/148">Steph Curry</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93855" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93855">Tyrese Maxey</a>.</p><p>Here's a Barrett pass off a pick-and-roll early last season with the Knicks:</p><figure class="article-segment--video"><video poster="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761345/preview.png?ts=1734563973" loop="" muted="" autoplay="" playsinline="" controls="" onclick="if(/android 2.[0-3]/.test(navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase())) { var sources = this.getElementsByTagName('source'); for(var i = 0, total = sources.length; i &lt; total; i++) { this.removeChild(sources[0]);}; this.outerHTML = this.innerHTML; }"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761345/animation.mp4?ts=1734563973" type="video/mp4"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761345/animation.webm?ts=1734563973" type="video/webm"> <div>Your browser does not support the video tag.</div> </source></source></video><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">MSG Network</span></figcaption></figure><p>And here he is rejecting a ball screen and throwing a dart this year:</p><figure class="article-segment--video"><video poster="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761346/preview.png?ts=1734564431" loop="" muted="" autoplay="" playsinline="" controls="" onclick="if(/android 2.[0-3]/.test(navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase())) { var sources = this.getElementsByTagName('source'); for(var i = 0, total = sources.length; i &lt; total; i++) { this.removeChild(sources[0]);}; this.outerHTML = this.innerHTML; }"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761346/animation.mp4?ts=1734564431" type="video/mp4"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761346/animation.webm?ts=1734564431" type="video/webm"> <div>Your browser does not support the video tag.</div> </source></source></video><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">TSN</span></figcaption></figure><p>Barrett rejects the screen, picks up his dribble, and fakes a pass to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37800" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37800">Jakob Poeltl</a>. He then reacts to the low man (<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96095" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96095">Brandon Boston</a>), who tags Poeltl on the roll. As he sees that, Barrett steps through and zips a left-handed pass to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102750" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102750">Ochai Agbaji</a>.</p><p>In the first clip, Barrett doesn't wait for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a>'s roll to fully develop and doesn't deceive the defense with his eyes or a pass fake before he rushes a no-look jump pass that sails over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31118" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31118">Julius Randle</a>'s head.</p><p>Barrett isn't immune to passes like the one in the first clip, but his decision-making out of the pick-and-roll and ability to read layers of the defense while creating shots for others have taken a huge step forward.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110231" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110231">Gradey Dick</a> is having a breakout sophomore season, averaging 18.5 points per game. When Barnes and Quickley return, this young core could make a run up the standings. The Raptors are only four games out of the play-in and +1600 to participate in the play-in tournament. Barrett's emergence could help them sneak in.</p><h3>Are the Rockets legit contenders?</h3><p>The 2023-24 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Rockets</a> were the best team to ever miss the play-in tournament. They finished last season at 41-41, the best record in NBA history for an 11-seed. With a young, developing core and the perfect coach for a youthful group, the Rockets' inevitable improvement in an extremely deep West shouldn't surprise anyone.</p><p>But the Rockets haven't just taken off, they've launched to the third seed in the West with an unexpected 17-9 start. Their identity as a gritty, physical, defensive-minded team that imposes its will on opponents isn't a secret. Houston has the league's second-best defense and an average offense. It has seven players averaging double figures, including a deadly bench combo of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102780" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102780">Tari Eason</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110271" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110271">Amen Thompson</a>, who would lead the Sixth Man race if the award honored a bench duo. Individually, Thompson has the third-best odds at +2500 and Eason has the 10th best at +7500.</p><p>Despite the fast start, Vegas isn't buying the Rockets as contenders. They're +1200 to win the West, tied with the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/23" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/23">Grizzlies</a> for the seventh-best odds behind the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Thunder</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/21" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/21">Mavericks</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Nuggets</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/27">Timberwolves</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/19">Suns</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Warriors</a>.</p><p>While Houston is a well-coached, deep, and tough group, it lacks the star power to win playoff series. The Rockets wouldn't have the best player in a matchup against any of the aforementioned teams. That matters in a seven-game series.</p><p>The Rockets have a high floor but a low ceiling. Defense can lead to regular-season wins, but it's hard to find much success beyond that without a prolific offense.</p><p>The Timberwolves were an exception to that rule last season. They had the league's best defense and a similar offensive rating to the Rockets this season. The difference is the T-Wolves had <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93912" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93912">Anthony Edwards</a>, a dominant lead guard and one of the NBA's best scorers, to carry them to the Western Conference finals. That player doesn't exist in Houston.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96113" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96113">Alperen Sengun</a> is a potential franchise cornerstone. The center, dubbed "Baby Jokic," deserves to be an All-Star, but he can't consistently create shots for himself or his teammates the way the three-time MVP in Denver can.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96116" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96116">Jalen Green</a> has the skill set of a top-tier creator, but he's an efficiency nightmare, and his numbers are down across the board.</p><p>The Rockets have the right blend of youth and veterans to be a great regular-season team. They're a fun surprise and should continue to be a difficult nightly matchup with their daunting defense, but they're a star player away from competing with the best in the West.</p><p>Houston is well on its way to eclipsing its win total, is 16-10 against the spread, and is -600 to make the playoffs (86% implied probability) for the first time since <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/351" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/351">James Harden</a> left in 2020. Enjoy the Rockets' regular-season ride, but stop short of any hope beyond that.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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NBA Bet or Bail: Barrett's emergence, Rockets' hot start

Sunday's marquee game between the Bills and Lions had oddsmakers' full attention.  The Bills are ...

<p>Sunday's marquee game between the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/1">Bills</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/26">Lions</a> had oddsmakers' full attention.</p><p>The Bills are now favored to win the Super Bowl after beating the Lions, who previously held the top spot on the oddsboard. Thanks to its 11th victory of the season, Buffalo's odds moved from +600 to +375 on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet.</p><p>The change in odds marks the Bills' first time being Super Bowl favorites this season. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Lions fell from +225 to +450, tied with the Chiefs as third favorites. Not only did they lose to the Bills, but they also lost running back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/112122" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/112122">David Montgomery</a> and defensive lineman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161881" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161881">Alim McNeill</a> for the season, adding to the lengthy list of key injuries that already included star pass-rusher <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174006" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174006">Aidan Hutchinson</a>. </p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/19">Eagles</a>, meanwhile, got closer to the NFC's No. 1 seed after dominating the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/11">Steelers</a> to win their 10th straight game and improve to 12-2. Philadelphia has the NFL's leading rushing attack and is tied for the best scoring defense, giving it a legitimate claim as the league's most complete team. As a result, the Eagles have the second-best odds at +400 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.</p><p>Detroit has the tiebreaker over Philadelphia, giving it the conference's top seed. But the Lions have tougher final three games than the Eagles, and their injury pileup could affect them down the stretch. They're currently +200 to win the NFC while the Eagles are +185.</p><p>In the AFC, the Bills' impressive win and eighth consecutive week scoring at least 30 points improved their Super Bowl chances with an implied probability of 21.1%. Buffalo (+185) also jumped Kansas City (+200) as the favorite to win the conference.</p><p>This is the first time this season K.C. is not at least the co-favorite to win the AFC. The Chiefs still hold the top seed at 13-1 while the Bills are 11-3, but the Chiefs' drop is as much about <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/89514" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/89514">Patrick Mahomes</a>' health as the Bills' recent success: Mahomes left Sunday's win over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/10">Browns</a> early with an ankle sprain. His status is uncertain, but the Chiefs are 2.5-point home underdogs against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/13" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/13">Texans</a> on Saturday, which indicates the star quarterback will likely sit. The Chiefs have three games in 11 days, so they'll likely be cautious with Mahomes over this tough stretch.</p><p>The Bills' win over the Lions influenced bettors to make a move: Over the past 24 hours, Buffalo has received the most Super Bowl bets and handle (money wagered). Almost half of the entire handle on the Super Bowl market has been on the Bills since Sunday morning.</p><p>Here are the Super Bowl odds for all playoff contenders. </p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Bills</td>
<td>+375</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eagles</td>
<td>+400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lions</td>
<td>+450</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chiefs</td>
<td>+450</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ravens</td>
<td>+850</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vikings</td>
<td>+1300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Packers</td>
<td>+1400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steelers</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texans</td>
<td>+3500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rams</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chargers</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Buccaneers</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commanders</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Broncos</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seahawks</td>
<td>+10000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The NFL's upper tier consists of the Bills, Chiefs, Lions, and Eagles. Any one of them could justifiably be the favorite, so expect the odds to continue to move in the season's final three weeks.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29458312/related

Super Bowl odds: Bills favorites for 1st time after shootout win over Lions

<p><em>Every week, Bet or Bail will explore players, teams, storylines, and markets throughout the NBA landscape.</em></p><h3>Pritchard emerges as Sixth Man of the Year favorite</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93845" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93845">Payton Pritchard</a> <em>shouldn't</em> be this good. Only 10 NBA players are listed shorter than the 6-foot-1 Pritchard, whose breakout season has led to him becoming the prohibitive favorite (-275) to win the Sixth Man of the Year award after not cracking oddsmaker's top-15 preseason candidates. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110271" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110271">Amen Thompson</a> (+1200), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53037" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53037">De'Andre Hunter</a> (+1500), and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/24735" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/24735">Buddy Hield</a> (+2800) are also in contention.</p><p>Pritchard has shot a remarkable 43% from deep while making the fifth-most threes in the NBA, more than <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/148" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/148">Steph Curry</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5343" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5343">Damian Lillard</a>, and All-NBA teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The fifth-year veteran's scoring average has jumped from 9.6 points per game last season to 16.1. He's averaging career highs in field-goal and 3-point percentage despite shooting almost double as many threes as last season, and he leads all true bench players in points.</p><p>Pritchard is the only Celtic who's played every game, and he can certainly take on more scoring responsibility when stars sit out. He's averaging 28 minutes per game this season, six more than last campaign, despite playing for a defending champ that returned practically the entire roster.</p><p>Pritchard would be a borderline All-Star on any other team. For now, he's accepting his role and flourishing as a key member of a squad favored to become the first team to win back-to-back championships since the 2018 Warriors.</p><p>Pritchard is the NBA's most efficient pick-and-roll ball handler, scoring a league-leading 1.44 points per pick-and-roll possession, per NBA Advanced Stats. Here's a glimpse into how far his range extends:</p><figure class="article-segment--video"><video poster="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760169/preview.png?ts=1733946812" loop="" muted="" autoplay="" playsinline="" controls="" onclick="if(/android 2.[0-3]/.test(navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase())) { var sources = this.getElementsByTagName('source'); for(var i = 0, total = sources.length; i &lt; total; i++) { this.removeChild(sources[0]);}; this.outerHTML = this.innerHTML; }"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760169/animation.mp4?ts=1733946812" type="video/mp4"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760169/animation.webm?ts=1733946812" type="video/webm"> <div>Your browser does not support the video tag.</div> </source></source></video><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NBC Sports Boston</span></figcaption></figure><p>But the Oregon product isn't just some small long-range shooter. He brilliantly maneuvers through the defense and finishes in traffic despite being an ant among a forest of trees. Pritchard scores an excellent 1.41 points per shot at the rim. Below-the-basket players aren't supposed to be this effective around the hoop:</p><figure class="article-segment--video"><video poster="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760151/preview.png?ts=1733941189" loop="" muted="" autoplay="" playsinline="" controls="" onclick="if(/android 2.[0-3]/.test(navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase())) { var sources = this.getElementsByTagName('source'); for(var i = 0, total = sources.length; i &lt; total; i++) { this.removeChild(sources[0]);}; this.outerHTML = this.innerHTML; }"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760151/animation.mp4?ts=1733941189" type="video/mp4"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760151/animation.webm?ts=1733941189" type="video/webm"> <div>Your browser does not support the video tag.</div> </source></source></video><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NBC Sports Boston</span></figcaption></figure><p>Pritchard's speed, tight handle, burst ability, and efficacy at changing speeds and directions turned the Celtics guard from a 3-point specialist to a three-level scorer. </p><p>His footwork is akin to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>, another small guard unconventionally effective at scoring at the rim, which helps him create unorthodox openings.</p><figure class="article-segment--video"><video poster="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760152/preview.png?ts=1733941245" loop="" muted="" autoplay="" playsinline="" controls="" onclick="if(/android 2.[0-3]/.test(navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase())) { var sources = this.getElementsByTagName('source'); for(var i = 0, total = sources.length; i &lt; total; i++) { this.removeChild(sources[0]);}; this.outerHTML = this.innerHTML; }"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760152/animation.mp4?ts=1733941245" type="video/mp4"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760152/animation.webm?ts=1733941245" type="video/webm"> <div>Your browser does not support the video tag.</div> </source></source></video><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NBC Sports Boston</span></figcaption></figure><p>Pritchard is even a pest defensively, even though teams typically try to target small guards. Boston is comfortable with him switching onto bigger wings and holding his own.</p><p>"Going up against somebody like Payton is difficult. I'd hate to do it," <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/383" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/383">Jrue Holiday</a> said earlier this season.</p><p>The Celtics signed Pritchard to a four-year, $30-million extension before the 2023-24 season, now one of the NBA's best contracts. Boston desperately needs team-friendly contracts with a ludicrously expensive roster exceeding the second apron.</p><p>Pritchard will never get the notoriety that Tatum, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/32925" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/32925">Derrick White</a>, or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44888" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44888">Kristaps Porzingis</a> receive - nor should he. But he's an instrumental part of Boston's success, and he'll earn individual hardware at the end of the season if he keeps producing off the bench.</p><h3>Are the Bucks back in the contender circle? </h3><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> trade rumors cooled off - for now. The rumor mill ran rampant after a 2-8 start to the season and a visibly frustrated Antetokounmpo expressing his displeasure following losses. Coming off a disappointing 2023-24 that led to a mid-season firing of their head coach, the pressure was on the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> to contend with an aging and oft-injured roster.</p><p>The Bucks are 11-3 since that pitiful start and the 6-seed in the East. Various factors have contributed to Milwaukee's turnaround, but let's start with its nucleus.</p><p>Antetokounmpo is having perhaps the best season of his career, which is saying something for a two-time MVP and NBA champion. He leads the league in scoring with a career-high 32.7 points per game on an efficient 61% from the field. Giannis is second behind <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> in player impact estimate. He has the second-highest usage rate of his career and is attempting his most-ever field goals. Somehow, he only has the fourth-best odds to win MVP (+750) behind <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> (+700), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> (+330), and Jokic (-120).</p><p>Antetokounmpo and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5343" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5343">Damian Lillard</a> are finally showing consistent chemistry over a year into their partnership, allowing them to flourish alongside each other while running various pick-and-rolls (and inverted pick-and-rolls) and knowing the other's spots.</p><figure class="article-segment--video"><video poster="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760315/preview.png?ts=1734029360" loop="" muted="" autoplay="" playsinline="" controls="" onclick="if(/android 2.[0-3]/.test(navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase())) { var sources = this.getElementsByTagName('source'); for(var i = 0, total = sources.length; i &lt; total; i++) { this.removeChild(sources[0]);}; this.outerHTML = this.innerHTML; }"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760315/animation.mp4?ts=1734029360" type="video/mp4"> <source src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/760315/animation.webm?ts=1734029360" type="video/webm"> <div>Your browser does not support the video tag.</div> </source></source></video><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">FanDuel Sports Network Detroit</span></figcaption></figure><p>Lillard's stats (points, assists, field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage) are up across the board compared to last campaign. His and Antetokounmpo's cohesion is essential to the Bucks' success. They're the NBA's highest-scoring duo, averaging 58.5 combined points, accounting for more than half of the Bucks' 113.4 points per game.</p><p>Second-year guard <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110242" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110242">Andre Jackson Jr</a>. has added some perimeter resistance to a starting lineup that's needed a defensive spark since Milwaukee traded Holiday for Lillard. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/300" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/300">Brook Lopez</a> is back to protecting the rim at a high level after looking old and washed to start the season, while Antetokoumpo acts as a daunting free safety.</p><p>The Bucks will never have a defensive juggernaut with their current personnel, but they're around league average and have made noticeable improvements from last season's defensive dumpster fire. That could be good enough if Milwaukee maintains its recent offensive output, as it has the league's second-best offensive rating over the last 10 games.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4789" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4789">Khris Middleton</a> returned to the floor last week. While he's playing limited minutes, the Bucks need his production on both ends to compete with the best in the East. However, relying on an aging, injury-prone Middleton could contribute to the Bucks' downfall.</p><p>Milwaukee has the fourth-best odds (+1100) to win the East, behind the Celtics (-110), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a> (+500), and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> (+500). Oddsmakers don't give the Bucks much chance to win the NBA Finals, with the 10th-best odds at +2500.</p><p>Although that seems like long odds for a team with one of the NBA's top three players, Milwaukee likely won't have enough reliable talent surrounding its elite duo to make a playoff run.</p><p>But there's a way to bet on the Bucks' short-term success without counting on an aging roster to extend its recent encouraging play to the spring. Milwaukee beat the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Magic</a> on Tuesday night to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday. The Bucks are 3.5-point favorites against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/11">Hawks</a> in the semis and +240 to become the second-ever NBA Cup champions.</p><p>Milwaukee's improved showing makes the team worth a bet to hang at least one banner this season. Just not the one Antetokounmpo's craving.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29406237/related

NBA Bet or Bail: Bucks' resurgence, Pritchard's 6th man candidacy

The NBA Cup has wrapped up group play, and eight teams remain in contention. The quarterfinals wi...

<p>The NBA Cup has wrapped up group play, and eight teams remain in contention. The quarterfinals will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the semifinals in Las Vegas on Saturday.</p><p>Four of the top five seeds in the West advanced to the knockout stage while the East bracket also features worthy contenders. </p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> have attracted more bets to win the NBA Cup than any other team, but most of the money wagered is on the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a>. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Warriors</a> have garnered the second-most money and third-most bets.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Let's get to the odds for each remaining team and look at the quarterfinal matchups.</p><h3>NBA Cup champion odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Knicks</td>
<td>+300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>+300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bucks</td>
<td>+450</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rockets</td>
<td>+550</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mavs</td>
<td>+750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>+750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hawks</td>
<td>+2000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Magic</td>
<td>+2200</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>After a rocky start, the Knicks have won 10 of their last 13 contests thanks to a balanced offensive attack. New York is tied for the best odds to win the NBA Cup, owns the third-best odds to win the NBA Finals, and is the 6.5-point home favorite against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/11">Hawks</a>. </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> seamlessly fit together and have emerged as one of the league's best guard-big duos, helping the Knicks garner the best offensive rating in the NBA. But the team has sacrificed defense for incredible offensive production: New York sits near the bottom half of the league in defensive rating, a rarity for a Tom Thibodeau-coached squad.</p><p>The Hawks are having an encouraging campaign after missing the playoffs last season. They've won six of their last seven and boast emerging wings like <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96072" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96072">Jalen Johnson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102785" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102785">Dyson Daniels</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53037" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53037">De'Andre Hunter</a> to accompany <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60633" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60633">Trae Young</a>. Young is averaging his fewest points and field goal attempts since he was a rookie, but he leads the NBA in assists with a career-high 12.2 per game and is one of eight Hawks averaging double figures. Still, Atlanta's 19th-ranked defense will have a tough time stopping the Knicks' prolific offense.</p><p>The winner of that matchup will face the winner between the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> and the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Magic</a> in the semifinals. Milwaukee is a 6.5-point home favorite in the quarterfinals, partly because Orlando's odds to win the Cup dropped when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96086" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96086">Franz Wagner</a> tore his oblique amid the best stretch of his career. He's out indefinitely - and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102767" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102767">Paolo Banchero</a> continues to miss time with the same injury.</p><p>After starting 2-8, the Bucks have won eight of their last 10 and are back in the playoff picture as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5343" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5343">Damian Lillard</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>'s chemistry improves. Plus, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4789" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4789">Khris Middleton</a> made his season debut last week.</p><p>Out west, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/21" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/21">Mavericks</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Thunder</a> meet in one of the best matchups of the NBA Cup. The Thunder are 4.5-point home favorites as the top seed in the West and have the league's best net rating and best defensive rating. Despite <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a>'s extended absence, Oklahoma City has a deep bench and a dynamic scoring duo in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> and<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/83974" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/83974"> Jalen Williams</a>. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60051" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60051">Isaiah Hartenstein</a> returned from injury and has been everything the Thunder hoped he would be when signing him this summer. He's averaging a double-double and is a daunting defensive presence.</p><p>But the Mavs are the NBA's hottest team, winning seven straight with<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198"> Luka Doncic</a> returning to MVP form. He's averaging 31 points, 10.5 boards, and 9.5 assists in December. Dallas' perfectly balanced roster has the NBA's second-best offensive rating over the last 10 games. This is a battle between the two favorites to win the West, and a rematch of last year's Western Conference semifinals.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Rockets</a> have been a huge surprise, sitting at 16-8 with the West's third-best record after missing the playoffs last season. Led by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96113" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96113">Alperen Sengun</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96116" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96116">Jalen Green</a>, Houston has the perfect blend of young talent and proven veterans, as well as the league's second-best defensive rating.</p><p>The Warriors are 2.5-point road underdogs against Houston. Golden State has slipped in the standings after losing six of its last eight. Injuries have contributed to that, but the emergence of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96094" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96094">Jonathan Kuminga</a>, who has blossomed with an increased role of late, has kept the Warriors in the mix. Golden State still needs a reliable secondary creator to become a true contender, but it can certainly win the NBA Cup with its deep roster.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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Knicks, Thunder favored to win NBA Cup as knockout rounds begin

The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is set, and the committee's selection didn't come ...

<p>The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is set, and the committee's selection didn't come without controversy.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/584" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/584">SMU</a> earned the final at-large bid over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/40" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/40">Alabama</a>, leaving a sour taste in SEC fans' mouths as the sport's most dominant conference only has three teams in the dance while the Big Ten has four and the ACC has two. Here's a look at each team's odds of winning the national title:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>+350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Georgia</td>
<td>+350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>+350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td>+475</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Penn State</td>
<td>+650</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
<td>+1200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tennessee</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Indiana</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arizona State</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Clemson</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SMU</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Boise State</td>
<td>+6000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/514" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/514">Oregon</a> has attracted the most national title tickets over the last two weeks at theScore Bet and ESPN Bet, but most of the money wagered is on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Oregon, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/255" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/255">Georgia</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/99" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/99">Boise State</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/58" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/58">Arizona State</a> earned the top four seeds and first-round byes as the highest-ranked conference champions. The bracket is as follows:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THE FIRST-EVER 12-TEAM CFP BRACKET IS SET 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/LPwpoxdzLM">pic.twitter.com/LPwpoxdzLM</a></p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1865812981457850430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Gifting the top seeds to teams ranked well below the top four has created a wonky bracket that advantages some teams and disadvantages others.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/521" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/521"> Penn State</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a> are -185 and -210, respectively, to make the semifinal as both teams avoid Big Ten and SEC opponents on their path to the final four. Oregon is the top seed but has worse odds (-145) of reaching the semifinal because it will play a powerhouse program in Ohio State or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/630" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/630">Tennessee</a> in the quarterfinals. That seems backward.</p><p>ESPN Bet and theScore Bet offer a market to bet on the conference of the championship winner. The Big Ten is favored at even money because it has the most teams, while the SEC is +130. Everyone else is a long shot. Before considering the championship, we broke down the opening odds of each first-round matchup.</p><h3>No. 10 Indiana @ No. 7 Notre Dame (-7.5, O/U 50.5)</h3><p>Both teams are 11-1, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/501" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/501">Notre Dame</a> has more impressive wins despite being an independent school. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/303" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/303">Indiana</a> had the easiest strength of schedule among all at-large teams in the playoff.</p><p>This line opened at 8.5, but bettors wagered on Indiana, lowering it to 7.5. The total also dropped two points. Remember, all first-round matchups are at the higher seed's stadium, so this will be played in South Bend, Indiana. The Fighting Irish have won 10 straight and have covered seven in a row.</p><h3>No. 11 SMU @ No. 6 Penn State (-9, O/U 53.5)</h3><p>SMU snagged the final spot in the playoff over a plethora of SEC schools who believed they were more deserving. The Mustangs' thrilling ACC championship loss to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> didn't hurt their position with the committee. SMU has benefitted from a remarkably easy schedule but will have its hands full in Happy Valley.</p><p>Penn State lost another big game in the Big Ten championship. While James Franklin continues to prove he can't defeat elite competition, SMU is anything but that. The Nittany Lions have dominated lesser opponents all season, and this line indicates they'll easily advance to the quarterfinals.</p><h3>No. 12 Clemson @ No. 5 Texas (-11, O/U 54.5)</h3><p>Clemson is the only playoff team ranked outside the top 12, but it earned an automatic bid by winning the ACC. The four highest-ranked conference champs earned a first-round bye, but Clemson was the fifth-highest-ranked champ. The Tigers have looked shaky and inconsistent but won a weak conference.</p><p>Texas is a different beast than any ACC opponent. The Longhorns didn't have a demanding schedule, but their only two losses were to Georgia. The talent disparity between Texas and Clemson will be obvious in this matchup and is properly reflected in the spread.</p><p>The line opened at 10.5, but bettors pounced on Texas, bumping it to 11. The total opened at 54.5 but has lowered three points in 24 hours.</p><h3>No. 9 Tennessee @ No. 8 Ohio State (-7.5, O/U 47.5) </h3><p>No coach faces more pressure this playoff than Ryan Day after Ohio State's embarrassing home loss to rival <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/407" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/407">Michigan</a> as 20.5-point favorites. Day's time in Columbus will end if the Buckeyes don't get past the first round - and potentially further. </p><p>Luckily, Ohio State is at home and a big favorite over Tennessee. The Volunteers' biggest win this season was over Alabama, but they also lost to Georgia and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/59" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/59">Arkansas</a>. </p><p>Tennessee is one of three teams in the playoff with both a top-10 scoring offense and defense (Indiana and Notre Dame are the others). Ohio State and Tennessee each have top-five scoring defenses, which explains why this is the lowest total among all playoff games.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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College Football Playoff picture: 1st-round spreads, championship odds

One of the wackier college football regular seasons is officially in the books. Conference realig...

<p>One of the wackier college football regular seasons is officially in the books. Conference realignment and the expanded playoff created more intrigue in the final weeks. There's still much to be determined during conference championship weekend, including the top four seeds and first-round byes in the 12-team playoff. We broke down the four major conference championships below.</p><h3>No. 16 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Arizona State (-2, O/U 59.5)</h3><p>The stakes in the Big 12 title game are simple: The winner punches a ticket to the College Football Playoff, and the loser is out. It's been a chaotic year in the lowly Big 12, but a champion must be crowned.</p><p><strong>Case for Iowa State</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><ul>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/307" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/307">Iowa State</a>'s two November losses almost sank the ship. However, muddled results across the Big 12 and a three-game winning streak to end the season catapulted the Cyclones into the championship contest.</li>
<li>The Cyclones' defense has been dominant all season, allowing the fewest points (19.6 per game) and the fewest passing yards (156.9) in the Big 12.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/58" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/58">Arizona State</a>'s passing attack is subpar. Iowa State should prevent the Sun Devils from moving the ball through the air.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Arizona State</strong></p><ul>
<li>Arizona State rallied off five consecutive wins to earn a championship appearance.</li>
<li>The Sun Devils don't have the passing game to defeat Iowa State, but they dominate the trenches as a run-heavy team on offense and shut down opposing run games on defense.</li>
<li>They have the Big 12's fourth-best rushing attack (195 yards per contest) and allow the second-fewest rushing yards per contest (116).</li>
<li>Iowa State has a proficient pass defense but can't consistently stop the run. It allows the conference's third-most rushing yards per game (173).</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Arizona State is tied for the best ATS record in the country at 10-2.</li>
<li>Iowa State is 7-5 ATS.</li>
<li>Arizona State is 3-0 ATS against ranked opponents, while Iowa State is 1-0.</li>
<li>The Sun Devils are 7-0 ATS as favorites.</li>
<li>Iowa State is 1-4 ATS at a neutral site under Matt Campbell.</li>
<li>Four of Arizona State's last five games have gone over.</li>
<li>Over 80% of bets and over 90% of the handle (money wagered) is on Arizona State to cover.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Arizona State -2</strong></p><p>The Big 12 has been so bad this season that despite being considered a power conference, the winner likely won't earn a first-round bye. However, they will earn the No. 12 seed in the College Football Playoff. Arizona State has an advantage at the line of scrimmage on both sides. It should run all over Iowa State en route to a conference championship.</p><h3>No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 2 Texas (-2.5, O/U 49.5)</h3><p>The winner of this contest is in the playoff and will likely be a top-two seed. The loser won't earn a first-round bye but will still be in the dance.</p><p><strong>Case for Georgia </strong></p><ul>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/255" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/255">Georgia</a> avoided a massive upset and a do-or-die situation in the SEC championship when it erased a 17-point deficit and defeated <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/257" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/257">Georgia Tech</a> in an eight-overtime classic last weekend.</li>
<li>We've seen the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a>-Georgia matchup before when the Bulldogs dominated the Longhorns on the road in October.</li>
<li>Georgia completely naturalized Texas' offense, leading to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/184393" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/184393">Arch Manning</a> briefly replacing Texas quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/166550" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/166550">Quinn Ewers</a>.</li>
<li>The Bulldogs' defensive line had an overwhelming advantage against Texas' offensive line, as the Longhorns struggled to establish a run game.</li>
<li>Georgia had seven sacks against Texas.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Texas</strong></p><ul>
<li>While Texas' offense struggled against Georgia, the Longhorns have seen the Bulldogs' game plan.</li>
<li>Georgia hasn't looked like world-beaters since its bout with Texas, losing to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/425" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/425">Ole Miss</a> and barely escaping Georgia Tech.</li>
<li>Quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/148097" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/148097">Carson Beck</a>'s inconsistency has hurt Georgia. He threw three interceptions and zero touchdowns against Texas. The Longhorns' offense must do enough to take advantage this time.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Georgia is an abysmal 3-9 ATS, while Texas is 7-5.</li>
<li>However, the Longhorns are 3-5 ATS against SEC squads.</li>
<li>Texas is 1-0 ATS at a neutral site, while Georgia is 1-1.</li>
<li>The only time Georgia was an underdog this year was at Texas (four points) and won outright.</li>
<li>Georgia's last three games have gone over the total, but Texas' last three have gone under.</li>
<li>Kirby Smart is 2-4 straight up in the SEC championship game.</li>
<li>Over 70% of the bets and handle are on Texas to cover.</li>
<li>Over 70% of the bets and handle are on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Georgia +2.5</strong></p><p>Georgia's defensive line left a lasting impression the last time we saw these programs share a field. The Bulldogs' defense has advantages everywhere and is good enough to stifle Ewers and Texas' offense again.</p><h3>No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 1 Oregon (-3.5, O/U 49.5)</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/514" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/514">Oregon</a>'s perfect record is on the line in the Big Ten championship game against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/521" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/521">Penn State</a>, which jumped <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a> in the standings and earned a trip to the conference championship after the Buckeyes' embarrassing upset loss to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/407" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/407">Michigan</a>.</p><p><strong>Case for Penn State</strong></p><ul>
<li>Although Oregon's the lone undefeated team in the country, the Ducks' easy schedule doesn't make them overly daunting.</li>
<li>Penn State's offense, particularly its passing game, has been rolling as quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/171465" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/171465">Drew Allar</a> plays clean football. He's thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions in the last four contests.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/153194" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/153194">Tyler Warren</a>, the nation's best tight end, has been unstoppable in recent weeks. Oregon won't have an answer for him.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Oregon</strong></p><ul>
<li>Oregon has passed every test, including a one-point win over Ohio State in October.</li>
<li>While the Ducks haven't had the toughest schedule, they've mostly annihilated mediocre opponents.</li>
<li>Penn State lost to Ohio State, while Oregon narrowly escaped with a win.</li>
<li>The Ducks have a top-five rushing and passing attack in the Big Ten.</li>
<li>They've held opponents to 16.2 points per game, the conference's fourth-best mark.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Oregon and Penn State are both 6-6 ATS, but Oregon is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games.</li>
<li>Oregon is 2-0 ATS against ranked opponents, while Penn State is 0-2.</li>
<li>Six of Oregon's last eight games have gone under the total.</li>
<li>Penn State is 1-6 ATS in its last seven contests as underdogs.</li>
<li>James Franklin's only Big Ten championship appearance came in 2016 when Penn State beat <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/748" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/748">Wisconsin</a> to win the title.</li>
<li>Bettors don't believe in Penn State: 86% of bets and 90% of the handle is on Oregon to cover.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Penn State +3.5</strong></p><p>Oregon hasn't faced a quality opponent in well over a month. It's hard to know just how good these Ducks truly are. Penn State's offense is clicking, and the spread is as low as it is for a reason, so I'm rolling with the Nittany Lions.</p><h3>No. 17 Clemson vs. No. 8 SMU (-2.5, O/U 55.5)</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/625" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/625">Syracuse</a>'s upset win over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/405" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/405">Miami</a> last Saturday kicked the Hurricanes out of the ACC championship game and College Football Playoff. It also allowed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> an opportunity to punch its ticket to the dance. The winner of this contest automatically heads to the playoff.</p><p><strong>Case for Clemson</strong></p><ul>
<li>This is a matchup of strength versus strength, as Clemson boasts the ACC's best rushing attack and SMU has the top rushing defense.</li>
<li>Clemson will likely have to trust quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/172177" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/172177">Cade Klubnik</a> to play a turnover-free game and make plays with his arm. SMU has an average pass defense, while Clemson averages the ACC's fourth-most passing yards (275).</li>
<li>While the Tigers have lost two of their last five, including a rivalry game against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/573" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/573">South Carolina</a> last week, they've played a tough schedule, while SMU has faced cupcake opponents.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for SMU</strong></p><ul>
<li>SMU has the ACC's second-best scoring offense and best scoring defense, holding opponents to fewer than 20 points per game.</li>
<li>However, that's slightly skewed because SMU played a weak schedule, leading to its 11-1 record.</li>
<li>The Mustangs still have the talent to compete with Clemson, which has a very suspect run defense. SMU will win if it establishes the run.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key Trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>SMU is 8-4 ATS.</li>
<li>Clemson is 5-7 ATS but has covered just one of its last six contests.</li>
<li>Four of Clemson's last five games have gone under the total.</li>
<li>Clemson has only been an underdog once this season - it lost and failed to cover against Georgia in the season opener.</li>
<li>SMU is 6-4 ATS as a favorite.</li>
<li>Almost 80% of bets are on SMU to cover, but only 56% of the handle is on the Mustangs.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Clemson +2.5</strong></p><p>Clemson's difficult nonconference schedule will be advantageous at a neutral site. SMU had an easy nonconference schedule and a relatively easy ACC schedule. Dabo Swinney has coached in plenty of big games and should have his squad ready. </p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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CFB championship week betting preview: Texas, Georgia compete for SEC title

<p><em>Every week, Bet or Bail will explore players, teams, storylines, and markets throughout the NBA landscape.</em></p><h3>Is it time to bail on LeBron and the Lakers?</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Lakers</a> head coach JJ Redick has continuously criticized his team's poor effort and focus, but the message isn't resonating. Los Angeles has lost six of its last eight games, four of which have been by more than 20 points. The Lakers have the NBA's fourth-worst defense and are the sixth-worst rebounding team.</p><p>Their woes start with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a>. Father Time has lost many battles to its toughest competitor, but it may finally be winning the war. James, who turns 40 later in December, is averaging his fewest points since his rookie season and is shooting 49.1% from the field, his worst mark in a decade.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Despite his greatness and remarkable health over his 21-year career, it's unrealistic to expect James to produce at an All-NBA level. The Lakers' poor roster construction means James must play like a superstar, especially as co-star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11373" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11373">Anthony Davis</a> snaps in and out of an MVP level depending on the game. However, James isn't one of the league's best players anymore.</p><p>Defensively, the four-time MVP shows little effort and points at his teammates more than he slides over to help or closes out shooters himself. James understandably is trying to conserve his energy at his advanced age, but the six-time All-Defensive team selection is part of the reason offenses feast on the Lakers.</p><p>The team's nonexistent perimeter resistance isn't all James' fault, but Los Angeles' defensive rating is significantly better with James off the court. In fact, the Lakers outscore opponents by 4.3 points per 100 possessions when James is on the bench, but opponents outscore them by 9.2 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor. This is the first season of James' Hall of Fame career where his team has a worse net rating with him playing.</p><p>The Lakers got off to a 10-4 start this season because of a flourishing offense that relied on Davis as a hub. Los Angeles' defensive struggles go back to the opener, but it posted a top-10 offense early on.</p><p>The offense ran through Davis as Redick implored him to be an aggressive attacker. James was often relegated to an off-ball role to preserve his energy and make Davis the focal point.</p><p>Davis averaged over five drives per game and had a 31.2 usage rate through the first 14 games, scoring 31 points per game. James' usage rate was 26.7 during LA's hot start.</p><p>Over the last five games, Davis' drives per game dipped to 3.2 and usage rate to 23.5, while James' usage rate skyrocketed to 33. Davis averaged 17.4 points during that stretch.</p><p>The Lakers are worse when James has more responsibility. He's still capable of offensive explosions, but he's scored fewer than 20 points in five of his last seven games and has made just one of his last 23 3-point attempts. The Lakers have the league's fifth-worst offense over the past 10 contests.</p><p>They have problems beyond their two stars, which likely can only be resolved with a trade. The skies in Los Angeles won't brighten until Davis regains his early-season form and consistently shows up as the Lakers' best player.</p><p>The purple and gold have covered the spread in just one of their last 10 games.<strong> </strong>They're currently the 9-seed at 12-10 and are -115 to make the playoffs. They're +2800 to win the NBA Finals and +1200 to win a deep West on theScore Bet and ESPN Bet.</p><p>Forget a championship, Los Angeles is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs without an in-season move.</p><h3>Wagner has turned the Magic into contenders</h3><p>After the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Magic</a> got off to a 3-1 start and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102767" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102767">Paolo Banchero</a> emerged as an MVP candidate, the third-year star suffered an oblique injury. Banchero's diagnosis meant he'd be sidelined for at least four-to-six weeks. The Magic were unsure how to survive his early-season absence and lost their first four games without their All-Star.</p><p>But the Magic are now thriving, winning 13 of their last 15 games and sitting as the 3-seed in the East thanks to their tenacious defense and remarkable performances from fourth-year star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96086" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96086">Franz Wagner</a>.</p><p>Many skeptics emerged after the Magic gave Wagner a five-year extension last offseason. He had shown minimal improvement from Year 2 to 3 and shot just 28% from deep. But Orlando trusted Wagner, and it's paid off. He's averaging a career-high 24.2 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds. Without Banchero, the German forward has more time on the ball and can showcase his playmaking instincts.</p><p>Wagner is the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award (+125). He was +3000 before the season and didn't crack the top 10.</p><p>Most impressively, Wagner hasn't sacrificed efficiency for volume. His 3-point percentage has improved, although still isn't great.</p><p>The question remains whether Wagner can sustain this production when Banchero returns. Banchero and Wagner could become one of the NBA's best young duos if they can take turns as scoring ball-handlers and coexist similarly to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a>. With the leap Wagner and Banchero have made, Orlando's floor is elevated, and its ceiling is a championship run.</p><p>Like last season, when the Magic made the playoffs for the first time in four years, the NBA's third-best defense has carried them. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96087" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96087">Jalen Suggs</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11367" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11367">Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</a> suffocate guards as all five defenders' connectivity and toughness make it challenging for opposing offenses. The Magic's deep bench includes a versatile cast of defenders who can switch on the perimeter and protect the rim, and they have great defensive instincts. The team forces turnovers at the NBA's third-highest rate.</p><p>Orlando was +8000 to win the Finals before the season but has cut that in half to +4000. The Magic have the fifth-best odds to win the East (+1500). That number will only shrink as Banchero nears a return.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29333205/related

NBA Bet or Bail: Lakers downfall, Magic's rise

The most pressing question heading into the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings reveal ...

<p>The most pressing question heading into the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings reveal Tuesday night was who would earn the final spot in the field between <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/40" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/40">Alabama</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/405" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/405">Miami</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/425" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/425">Ole Miss</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/573" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/573">South Carolina</a>. </p><p>After Alabama's Iron Bowl win over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/67" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/67">Auburn</a> on Saturday night, oddsmakers at theScore Bet and ESPN Bet listed the Crimson Tide at -115 to make the playoff. Bettors pounced, forcing the line to lengthen to -240 before Tuesday's official reveal.</p><p>Alabama's resume - which features a 3-1 record over current top-25 teams, a 6-1 mark against clubs above .500 and a top-20 strength of schedule rank - ultimately gave the Tide the nod over Miami, Ole Miss and South Carolina.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>But Alabama hasn't officially punched its ticket to the dance. Conference championship weekend could shuffle the rankings. Below are the current seeds and rankings. Remember, the seeding is different than the ranking because the five highest-ranked conference champions earn an automatic bid and the top four conference champs earn a top-four seed and a bye.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Seed</th>
<th>Ranking</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds to win national title</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td>+350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td>+425</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>SMU</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>Boise State</td>
<td>+10000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>Penn State</td>
<td>+1100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
<td>+750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>Georgia</td>
<td>+500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>Tennessee</td>
<td>+1800</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td>+425</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>11</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>+1400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>Arizona State</td>
<td>+7500</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/58" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/58">Arizona State</a> is in if it wins the Big 12 championship Saturday. If it loses to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/307" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/307">Iowa State</a>, the Cyclones are in. The same principle applies to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/99" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/99">Boise State</a>: If <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/671" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/671">UNLV</a> defeats the program in the Mountain West championship this weekend, then UNLV earns a spot.</p><p>Alabama's spot is in flux if <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/584" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/584">SMU</a> loses to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> in the ACC championship. Clemson would earn the automatic bid and the final at-large bid would come down to Alabama or SMU.</p><h3>Odds to make the CFP</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Yes</th>
<th>No</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td>-390</td>
<td>+270</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SMU</td>
<td>-500</td>
<td>+340</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Alabama and SMU are both in if the latter defeats Clemson on Saturday, which is why both teams are big favorites to make the playoff. But SMU is only a 2.5-point favorite over Clemson, so it's far from guaranteed.</p><p>But who would the committee favor between Alabama and SMU if Clemson wins? SMU is ranked ahead of Alabama, but would that change if SMU suffers another loss? And would the committee penalize SMU for being forced to play in its conference championship while Alabama doesn't have to play an extra game?</p><p>The Mustangs' implied probability of making the playoffs is 83%, while the Crimson Tide's is 79%. Alabama's significantly harder strength of schedule and higher-quality wins could put them ahead of a two-loss SMU squad. Still, it's hard to know exactly how the committee views a situation like this in the inaugural season of the expanded playoff.</p><p>Committee chairman Warde Manuel responded "potentially, yes" when asked on Tuesday's selection show if SMU could fall below Alabama depending on this weekend's result.</p><p>Alabama will certainly root hard for SMU to defeat Clemson on Saturday so both programs hear their name called on Sunday's selection show.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p><div> </div><div> </div>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29305134/related

College Football Playoff shakeup: Could Alabama be left out?

Saquon Barkley's stellar season has him in the MVP conversation with the second-best odds (+425),...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/99272" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/99272">Saquon Barkley</a>'s stellar season has him in the MVP conversation with the second-best odds (+425), trailing only <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/94699" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/94699">Josh Allen </a>(-225). He's all but locked up the Offensive Player of the Year award (-550) and has helped the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/19">Eagles</a> win eight straight games, including a road victory Sunday over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/12" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/12">Ravens</a> as underdogs.</p><p>Barkley, the league leader in rushing yards, has been the catalyst for the Eagles' top-five total offense. Relying on Barkley's explosiveness behind a dominant offensive line has served Philadelphia's offense well during its winning streak.</p><p>The former Giant has rushed for 1,499 yards through 12 games. He's well on his way to becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/72385" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/72385">Derrick Henry</a> was the last player to reach the milestone in 2020. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>But could Barkley rewrite history and break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set in 1984? The 40-year record has been close to being toppled over the last few decades, but no one has dethroned Dickerson. Granted, the NFL added an extra game to the schedule in 2021, so any challengers have an additional opportunity to reach 2,106 yards.</p><p>Barkley is +275 to break the record at ESPN Bet and theScore Bet, giving him a 26% chance of rushing for at least 2,106 yards.</p><p>He's 607 yards away from the record with five games remaining, meaning he must rush for 121.4 yards per contest to reach the storied mark. Barkley is averaging 124 rushing yards per game. The good news is that the Eagles' final five opponents rank in the bottom seven in yards per carry allowed.</p><p>However, Philadelphia has more important goals than individual accolades and awards. Barkley leads the NFL in carries and has assumed a large workload throughout the season. He's on pace to accumulate the most carries of his career. The Eagles need the seven-year veteran to be healthy and productive in the playoffs. The club will likely try to find him rest opportunities and reduce his workload in the final weeks, especially if it's up big against weak opponents. Three of Philly's final five games are against the lowly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/32" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/32">Panthers</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/17">Cowboys</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/18">Giants</a>.</p><p>Although the record is attainable based on Barkley's previous production, oddsmakers believe the superstar rusher will slow down, or the Eagles will take necessary precautions to keep their MVP candidate rested.</p><p>Regardless, Barkley's season has been filled with memorable moments and absurd stat lines. Whether it becomes truly historic will be determined in the final few weeks. </p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29280792/related

Will Barkley break Dickerson's single-season rushing record?

There are fewer games than usual Sunday as Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday ate into the weekend...

<p>There are fewer games than usual Sunday as Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday ate into the weekend's contests. But we're still breaking down four exciting Sunday matchups.</p><h3>Sunday 1 p.m. ET</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 5" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-KYbbg" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/KYbbg/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/11">Steelers</a> are in Cincinnati for a huge AFC North matchup. Pittsburgh is battling for a division title, while the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/9">Bengals</a> hope to keep their season alive coming off their bye.</p><p><strong>Case for Steelers</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><ul>
<li>After a huge win over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/12" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/12">Ravens</a>, the Steelers lost to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/10">Browns</a> last Thursday. But that was off a short week when Mike Tomlin's teams typically struggle.</li>
<li>Pittsburgh's defense allows the fourth-fewest points per game (16.9).</li>
<li>The Steelers' offense also deserves credit for its progress since <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/12258" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/12258">Russell Wilson</a> became the starter. They're averaging 25.6 points per game over their last five games.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Bengals</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Steelers' defense is much better against the run than the pass, and the Bengals have a pass-heavy operation with one of the NFL's best quarterbacks.</li>
<li>Cincinnati leads the NFL in passing yards. The Steelers won't have an answer for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/97638" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/97638">Joe Burrow</a> and the Bengals' passing game.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Steelers are 8-3 ATS, while the Bengals are 6-5.</li>
<li>Pittsburgh is 57-43-1 ATS after a loss under Tomlin.</li>
<li>The Bengals are 3-3 ATS after a bye under Zac Taylor.</li>
<li>Cincinnati is 1-4 ATS at home.</li>
<li>The Steelers are 4-2 ATS on the road and 2-0 ATS as a road underdog.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Bengals -3</strong></p><p>The Bengals' season is essentially over with a loss. They're the more desperate group and have a prolific passing attack that the Steelers won't stop.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 2" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-RdNJ2" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/RdNJ2/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>After a week off, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/29" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/29">Falcons</a> welcome the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/8">Chargers</a> for a cross-conference battle between two playoff contenders. Atlanta has a one-game lead over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/31" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/31">Buccaneers</a> in a tight NFC South race. The Chargers will look to bounce back after losing to the Ravens on Monday to keep pace in the AFC wild-card race.</p><p><strong>Case for Chargers</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Chargers allow the fewest points per game (15.9), and the Falcons' offense struggled before its bye week.</li>
<li>Atlanta lost to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/30" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/30">Saints</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/5" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/5">Broncos</a> while scoring a combined 23 points across both contests.</li>
<li>The Chargers should have extra motivation following a loss and amid a close wild-card battle.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Falcons</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Falcons have a substantial rest advantage coming off their bye, while the Chargers had a grueling battle with the Ravens on Monday night and have to travel across the country.</li>
<li>Atlanta has a top-five passing offense. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/14947" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/14947">Kirk Cousins</a> struggled his last two games but has mostly been accurate this season. Extra rest should benefit the 36-year-old quarterback.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Falcons are 5-6 ATS, while the Chargers are 7-4.</li>
<li>The Chargers are 3-1 as an away favorite.</li>
<li>Atlanta is 0-1 ATS as a home underdog.</li>
<li>Los Angeles is 2-1 ATS after a loss.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Falcons +1</strong></p><p>The Chargers are a well-coached, tough squad, but this is a challenging spot for them. It's difficult to play on the road on a short week against a well-rested team. Atlanta lost two straight before its bye and will bounce back with a win Sunday.</p><h3>Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 11" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-lGlGd" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lGlGd/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Get your popcorn ready. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/19">Eagles</a> take on the Ravens in what could be a Super Bowl preview. Both teams boast electrifying offenses led by dynamic quarterbacks and feature Offensive Player of the Year candidates in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/99272" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/99272">Saquon Barkley</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/72385" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/72385">Derrick Henry</a>. </p><p><strong>Case for Eagles</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Eagles are playing as well as anyone outside of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/26">Lions</a>. They've won seven straight and have the league's best rushing attack.</li>
<li>Their defense has been just as good, holding opponents to a league-best 274 yards per game.</li>
<li>Philadelphia consistently dominates teams in the trenches with its elite offensive and defensive lines.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Ravens</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Ravens have a similar offensive style to the Eagles, relying on the NFL's second-best rushing attack to fuel their offense.</li>
<li>Philadelphia hasn't faced a run defense like the Ravens, which holds teams to the second-fewest rushing yards per game.</li>
<li>Like the Eagles, the Ravens have a dangerous quarterback in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/97162" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/97162">Lamar Jackson</a> who's capable of making plays with his legs and arm.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Eagles are 7-4 ATS but have covered their last three games.</li>
<li>The Ravens are 6-5-1 ATS.</li>
<li>Baltimore has the highest over rate in the NFL, with 10 of its 12 games going over the total.</li>
<li>Philly is 5-1 ATS on the road and 2-0 as a road underdog.</li>
<li>The Eagles are 5-6-1 ATS with a rest advantage under Nick Sirianni.</li>
<li>The Ravens are 31-24-3 ATS with a rest disadvantage under John Harbaugh (Baltimore played Monday night, while Philadelphia played Sunday night).</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Eagles +2.5</strong></p><p>The Eagles are an unstoppable offensive force when Barkley consistently carries the ball behind the NFL's best offensive line. Baltimore has the personnel to limit the run game, but Philadelphia has a capable quarterback in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/105247" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/105247">Jalen Hurts</a> with elite playmakers on the outside. Plus, the Eagles' young defense is playing lights out.</p><h3>Sunday Night Football</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 7" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-jNDq3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jNDq3/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Week 13's Sunday slate ends with a doozy between the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/23" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/23">49ers</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/1">Bills</a>. San Francisco is coming off a<em><strong> </strong></em>disastrous road loss against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/27">Packers</a>, while the Bills are fresh off their bye week and have the AFC's 1-seed in their sights.</p><p><strong>Case for 49ers</strong></p><ul>
<li>The 49ers are broken physically and mentally. The Super Bowl hangover has hit them with injuries to almost every key offensive position.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/174189" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/174189">Brock Purdy</a> was out last week, and his status for Sunday is uncertain.</li>
<li>San Francisco lost to the Packers 38-10 last week.</li>
<li>However, the 49ers aren't out of the NFC West race. They're 5-6 but still just one game out of first place.</li>
<li>The only real case for the 49ers against one of the league's best teams is for Purdy to return and the team to play with a spark after last week's embarrassing result.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Bills</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Bills have won six straight and are one game back of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/6" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/6">Chiefs</a> for the AFC's No. 1 seed.</li>
<li>Buffalo's offense is unstoppable with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/94699" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/94699">Josh Allen</a> under center, scoring at least 30 points in five straight games.</li>
<li>Buffalo's rushing attack is also ranked in the top third in the league, helping to relieve some pressure off Allen.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Bills are 7-4 ATS and have covered five of their last six.</li>
<li>The 49ers are 4-7 ATS and have covered just one of their last five.</li>
<li>Buffalo is 4-2-2 ATS off a bye under Sean McDermott and 11-12-2 with a rest advantage.</li>
<li>San Francisco is 15-13-1 with a rest disadvantage under Kyle Shanahan. </li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: 49ers +6</strong></p><p>This bet is counting on Purdy to play. Even if he doesn't, San Francisco should play with pride and desperation after its beatdown last week. Plus, the 49ers are still very much in the division race. The Bills are as good as any team in the NFL, but a touchdown spread is too many points.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29206835/related

Week 13 betting preview: Can Eagles extend win streak against Ravens?

The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff has created chaos and provided more meaning to late...

<p>The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff has created chaos and provided more meaning to late-season games. There's much to sort out over the next two weeks and many consequential games this weekend. Here, we zero in on three intriguing matchups in the final week of the regular season.</p><h3>Michigan @ No. 2 Ohio State (-19.5, O/U 42.5)</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/407" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/407">Michigan</a>'s poor record diminishes the intrigue this matchup has provided over the last few seasons. However, it's still one of the sport's biggest rivalries. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a> is seeking revenge after the Wolverines won the last three matchups.</p><p><strong>Case for Michigan</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><ul>
<li>The 6-5 Wolverines will treat Saturday like the biggest game of their season. There's nothing more important than beating Ohio State.</li>
<li>A win won't catapult Michigan from a lowly bowl game into the playoff, but it'd hurt the Buckeyes' resume.</li>
<li>The Wolverines' offense showed some life last week, hanging 50 points on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/493" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/493">Northwestern</a> thanks to a balanced offense.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Ohio State</strong></p><ul>
<li>Ohio State should be motivated to take advantage of Michigan during a down season after three consecutive years of embarrassment.</li>
<li>The Buckeyes are remarkably more talented than the Wolverines on both sides for the first time in a while.</li>
<li>Ohio State has the Big Ten's second-best scoring offense and best scoring defense, while Michigan is toward the bottom of the conference in both categories.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Ryan Day is 1-3 straight up against Michigan.</li>
<li>Ohio State is 6-5 ATS and Michigan is 4-7 ATS.</li>
<li>The Buckeyes are 4-3 ATS at home.</li>
<li>The Wolverines are 1-2 ATS on the road.</li>
<li>Ohio State's spread has received 57% of the bets and 65% of the handle at theScore Bet and ESPN Bet.</li>
<li>Bettors are hammering the over with more than 90% of the handle and bets on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Ohio State -19.6</strong></p><p>Ohio State is out for revenge after the last few seasons, and the program finally has the upper hand over its rivals with a significantly better roster. The Buckeyes' frustrations over the last few years should come out against Michigan in a resounding home win.</p><h3>No. 15 South Carolina @ No. 12 Clemson (-2.5, O/U 49.5)</h3><p>The winner of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/573" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/573">South Carolina</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> has a (slight) chance to earn an at-large CFP bid after last weekend's chaos.</p><p><strong>Case for South Carolina</strong></p><ul>
<li>South Carolina fans are clamoring for more playoff consideration after a 5-3 SEC campaign. A win over one of the best ACC teams on the road would help their cause.</li>
<li>The Gamecocks' strength is their defensive line, which has multiple NFL prospects. They wreck opposing offensive lines and allow the SEC's third-fewest rushing yards per game.</li>
<li>Clemson runs the football frequently, so South Carolina will succeed if it limits the Tigers' rushing attack.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Clemson</strong></p><ul>
<li>As previously noted, Clemson's effectiveness in the ground game will decide this contest. The Tigers lead the ACC in rushing yards per game (195).</li>
<li>Clemson averages 469 yards per game, the second most in the ACC.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>South Carolina is 8-3 ATS and 5-1 in its last six.</li>
<li>Clemson is 5-6 ATS and 1-4 in its last five.</li>
<li>The Gamecocks are 4-0 ATS on the road, while the Tigers are 3-3 ATS at home.</li>
<li>Over 70% of the bets and the handle are on the Gamecocks to keep it within the number.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: South Carolina +2.5</strong></p><p>South Carolina is a tough, physical team that's been through the gauntlet of an SEC schedule. That should help the Gamecocks in their interstate rivalry against a group that's played an easy ACC schedule. South Carolina's defensive line will limit Clemson's run game, leading to a low-scoring win.</p><h3>No. 3 Texas @ No. 20 Texas A&amp;M (-5, O/U 48.5)</h3><p>This game would've had more meaning if <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/67" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/67">Auburn</a> hadn't upset <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/635" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/635">Texas A&amp;M</a> last weekend. Nonetheless, Texas A&amp;M can still make the SEC championship and have a chance at the playoff if it upsets <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a>.</p><p><strong>Case for Texas</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Longhorns will be driven to make a statement with a victory over a good opponent this weekend. Texas doesn't own a quality win thanks to an easy SEC schedule.</li>
<li>The Longhorns have a top-three scoring offense and defense in the SEC and a roster full of future NFL players.</li>
<li>Their defense is particularly great at forcing turnovers, leading the conference in interceptions.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Texas A&amp;M</strong></p><ul>
<li>Texas A&amp;M's explosive rushing attack averages the SEC's second-most rushing yards. Texas' defensive strength is stopping the pass, meaning the Aggies could gain momentum on the ground.</li>
<li>Texas A&amp;M should be extra motivated off a loss with its season on the line.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Texas A&amp;M is 3-8 ATS despite a solid record straight up.</li>
<li>Texas is 6-5 ATS but 1-4 in its last five games. It's 2-2 ATS on the road.</li>
<li>Texas A&amp;M is 2-5 ATS at home.</li>
<li>The over hit in five of Texas A&amp;M's last six games, but the under hit in six of Texas' last seven games.</li>
<li>Yet bettors are still riding with the over as 90% of the bets are on the game to go over.</li>
<li>Sharp bettors and public bettors are split: 67% of the bets are on Texas to cover, but 85% of the handle is on Texas A&amp;M to cover.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Texas -5</strong></p><p>Texas A&amp;M's defense has been disastrous. Texas has enough offensive weapons to exploit it. The Aggies have lost their last two games to power conference schools, including a 44-20 loss to South Carolina. This is Texas' chance to punch its ticket to the SEC title game with a quality win.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29193873/related

CFB rivalry week betting preview: Can Ohio State get revenge?

What's Thanksgiving Day without football? It's not the prettiest holiday slate, but it's good eno...

<p>What's Thanksgiving Day without football? It's not the prettiest holiday slate, but it's good enough to prop yourself on the couch, fill your stomach with turkey, and bet the board.</p><h3>Game 1 - 12:30 p.m. ET</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 9" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-vuDfH" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vuDfH/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>As is tradition, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/26">Lions</a> will host the first game of the Thanksgiving Day slate when they welcome the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/25" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/25">Bears</a> to Ford Field. Detroit has a firm grasp of the division lead at 10-1, while 4-7 Chicago is fighting to keep its season alive.</p><p><strong>Case for Bears</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><ul>
<li>The Lions have a top-five run defense and a bottom-eight pass defense. Granted, that number is skewed because teams are constantly trailing the Lions and forced to pass.</li>
<li>But there's optimism that <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/199760" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/199760">Caleb Williams</a>, who performed well in a comeback Sunday that ultimately fell short against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/28">Vikings</a>, will play a quality game against an exploitable pass defense.</li>
<li>This is a desperate spot for the Bears, who will effectively be out of the wild-card race with a loss.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Lions</strong></p><ul>
<li>Do we ever need to present a case for the Lions? They have the best record in the NFC, the highest-scoring offense, and the best scoring margin.</li>
<li>Their rushing attack is unstoppable and the passing game is equally as prolific. The Lions are first in the NFC North, and the Bears are last.</li>
<li>While Detroit's offense gets the praise, its defense allows the second-fewest points per game (16.6).</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Detroit is 37-45-2 straight up on Thanksgiving but 8-4 against the spread (ATS) in its past 12 holiday games.</li>
<li>The Bears are 20-15-2 straight up on Thanksgiving.</li>
<li>The Lions have the league's best ATS record at 9-2. They're also 4-1 ATS as a home favorite.</li>
<li>Chicago hasn't covered a spread (0-3-1) as the road team.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/71572" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/71572">Jared Goff</a> and Dan Campbell have never won on Thanksgiving together.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Bears +10.5</strong></p><p>This is a massive spread for a game between division rivals on a short week. The Lions aren't just beating teams, they're destroying them. Detroit's average margin of victory over its past five games is 23. However, Chicago has a solid defense and a quarterback trending in the right direction. The Bears should keep this within the number.</p><h3>Game 2 - 4:30 p.m. ET</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 3 (Copy)" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-ebufE" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ebufE/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>If your family's complaining you're watching too much football, this is the three-hour block to spend time with them. This game looked much more appealing before the season. However, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/18">Giants</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/17">Cowboys</a> are having disastrous campaigns, meaning households will be served a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188915" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188915">Tommy DeVito</a>-<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/65598" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/65598">Cooper Rush</a> matchup with their Thanksgiving Day feast.</p><p><strong>Case for Giants</strong></p><ul>
<li>The DeVito portion of the Giants' season has begun. New York (2-9) moved on from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/97984" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/97984">Daniel Jones</a> last week after six mostly pathetic years.</li>
<li>But things only got worse Sunday in an embarrassing 30-7 home loss to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/31" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/31">Buccaneers</a>. It's nearly impossible to make a solid case for the Giants to win a game the rest of the season.</li>
<li>New York's only hope is to eliminate a Cowboys passing game led by a backup quarterback. The Giants allow the seventh-fewest passing yards per game, and the Cowboys have a nonexistent rushing attack.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Cowboys</strong></p><ul>
<li>Rush is a competent backup QB. He's 6-3 as a starter and has thrown for more than 600 yards the past two weeks.</li>
<li>Despite the statistics and final scores, Dallas' defense is still solid with linebacker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161667" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161667">Micah Parsons</a>, whose two sacks and eight tackles helped the Cowboys (4-7) upset the Commanders last week.</li>
<li>The Giants have the league's worst scoring offense.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Cowboys are 33-22-1 on Thanksgiving.</li>
<li>Both groups have two of the worst ATS records in the league at 3-8 apiece. </li>
<li>Dallas hasn't won a home game this season (0-5) and has failed to cover in all five.</li>
<li>The Giants are 2-2 ATS as an away underdog.</li>
<li>The Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their past five Thanksgiving Day games.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Cowboys -4</strong></p><p>The Giants are a lifeless football team and DeVito's magic might have run out after last season. The Cowboys showed signs of life in a thrilling win over Washington. Dallas has an advantage at almost every positional group, while the Giants have quit on their season.</p><h3>Game 3 - 8:20 p.m. ET</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 6" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-PSBH3" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/PSBH3/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/2" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/2">Dolphins</a> travel north to Green Bay for a date with the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/27">Packers</a> to close out the holiday slate. Miami is trying to climb back into the AFC wild-card picture while Green Bay heats up.</p><p><strong>Case for Dolphins</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Dolphins have won three in a row and look like a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/114411" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/114411">Tua Tagovailoa</a>-led offense again. They're averaging 29 points over their past five contests since Tagovailoa returned from a concussion.</li>
<li>Miami is 5-6 and still in the playoff hunt, meaning every game is crucial for the rest of the season.</li>
<li>As the Dolphins' offense regains form, their defense has been solid, ranking sixth in yards allowed.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Packers</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Packers (8-3) have won six of their past seven and are fresh off a 38-10 beatdown of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/23" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/23">49ers</a>. Their only loss during that span was to the 10-1 Lions.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/104659" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/104659">Jordan Love</a>'s been inconsistent, but Green Bay's offense relies on the league's third-best rushing attack to move the ball. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/110848" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/110848">Josh Jacobs</a> is third in the NFL in rushing yards.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>The Packers are 15-20-2 on Thanksgiving.</li>
<li>Miami and Green Bay are both 5-6 ATS, but the Dolphins have covered four straight. The Packers covered one of their past five games.</li>
<li>The Dolphins are 3-0 ATS in all three of their Thanksgiving games this century.</li>
<li>Tagovailoa is 4-9 ATS in prime-time night games.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Pick: Dolphins +3</strong></p><p>It's hard to ignore how dominant the Dolphins' offense has been since Tagovailoa returned. The Packers are playing their best football lately, but Miami is desperate. Its playoff hopes are likely over if it suffers another loss.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29183128/related

Thanksgiving betting preview: Can Lions keep win streak alive vs. Bears?

Saquon Barkley entered Sunday as a +6000 long shot to win MVP, tied with or behind 14 players. Th...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/99272" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/99272">Saquon Barkley</a> entered Sunday as a +6000 long shot to win MVP, tied with or behind 14 players. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/19">Eagles</a> star soared up the oddsboard following a historic Sunday Night Football performance.</p><p>Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for at least 255 yards in a game. He also totaled over 300 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Barkley now has the fourth-best odds to win MVP at +600 on theScore Bet and ESPN Bet behind <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/94699" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/94699">Josh Allen</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/97162" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/97162">Lamar Jackson</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/71572" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/71572">Jared Goff</a>.</p><p>The former Giant leads the NFL in total carries and rushing yards and is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in seven of the Eagles' 11 games this season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Barkley's career-best campaign has also helped Philadelphia get off to a 9-2 start, win seven straight games, and build a substantial lead in the NFC East. The Eagles now have the second-best odds to win the NFC (+275) behind the 10-1 Lions (+130) and the fifth-best odds to win the Super Bowl (+650).</p><p>Barkley is the runaway favorite to win Offensive Player of the Year (-325), with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/72385" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/72385">Derrick Henry</a> trailing at +350. But MVP has become a quarterback honor as running backs are valued less.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/1309" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/1309">Adrian Peterson</a> was the last running back to win MVP in 2012. Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006, Shaun Alexander in 2005, and Marshall Faulk in 2000 are the only running backs to win MVP this century. However, Barkley's value to the Eagles is insurmountable.</p><p>The tailback has rushed for 1,392 yards through 12 weeks, putting him on pace to surpass Eric Dickerson's 1984 single-season rushing record of 2,105. Records are skewed because the NFL added a 17th game in 2021, but just eight players in NFL history have rushed for over 2,000 yards in a campaign. Four of them have won MVP.</p><p>Voters can't ignore that Barkley is firmly in the MVP conversation, even if they're reluctant to gift a running back the award.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29171224/related

Barkley enters MVP race following historic SNF showing

We already previewed Notre Dame vs. Army, but there are more high-stakes games this weekend that'...

<p>We already previewed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3133449" href="https://thescore.com/news/3133449">Notre Dame vs. Army</a>, but there are more high-stakes games this weekend that'll surely impact the playoff picture. Let's dive in.</p><h3>No. 5 Indiana @ No. 2 Ohio State (-11, O/U 52.5)</h3><p>Although this game is being billed as a massive one for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/303" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/303">Indiana</a>, it's actually not - sorry to be the bearer of bad news. ESPN's playoff predictor gives Indiana a 99% chance of making the playoff if it beats <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a>. If it loses? Well, those chances drop<em> all the way</em> to 95%. Whether that's fair or not is a conversation for another day. This is a good test for Indiana but unless it gets demolished, the Hoosiers are going dancing.</p><p><strong>Case for Indiana</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><ul>
<li>Indiana is one of three remaining undefeated teams (10-0). It has the highest-scoring offense (43.9 points per game) and third-best scoring defense (13.8 points per game).</li>
<li>Hoosiers quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/138530" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/138530">Kurtis Rourke</a> has been incredible, tossing over 2,400 yards and 21 touchdowns to four interceptions.</li>
<li>However, Indiana's benefited from the easiest strength of schedule among all Big Ten and SEC teams.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Ohio State</strong></p><ul>
<li>While Indiana's offense has impressed, it hasn't faced a defense anywhere near as ferocious as Ohio State, which allows the fewest points (10.3) and yards per game (250) in the Big Ten.</li>
<li>Ohio State's offense has been inconsistent, and losing center Seth McLaughlin for the season isn't ideal. However, the Buckeyes still have the Big Ten's second-highest scoring offense (37.8 points per game).</li>
<li>The Hoosiers' defensive line stops opposing rushing attacks, but isn't as strong guarding weapons on the outside.</li>
<li>QB <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/148298" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/148298">Will Howard</a> and his explosive playmakers will make life difficult for Indiana's defense.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Indiana is 8-2 ATS while Ohio State's 5-5.</li>
<li>Ohio State is 22-14-1 ATS at home under Ryan Day.</li>
<li>Indiana is off to its best start in program history but ranks outside the top 100 in strength of schedule.</li>
<li>Bettors trust the Hoosiers despite their leisurely schedule: 65% of bets and 72% of handle (money wagered) are on Indiana to keep it within the spread.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Best bet - Ohio State -11</strong></p><p>Indiana hasn't proved it can compete with any decent team. Despite the magical run, it's hard to back the Hoosiers against one of the nation's most talented groups. Indiana is in the playoff win or lose, so it's not a desperation spot.</p><h3>No. 16 Colorado @ Kansas (+3, O/U 59.5)</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/328" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/328">Kansas</a>' (4-6) only purpose left this season is to play spoiler to its Big 12 foes, like when it upset undefeated <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/107" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/107">BYU</a> last week. Its next opportunity is at home against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/164" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/164">Colorado</a>, which is searching for a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff appearance.</p><p><strong>Case for Colorado</strong></p><ul>
<li>Colorado's won four straight and seven of its last eight.</li>
<li>The offense has averaged 39.5 points over the last four games, led by projected first-round pick <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/160938" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/160938">Shedeur Sanders</a>.</li>
<li>The Buffaloes' once-maligned defense has been almost as impressive, limiting opponents to 22.7 points per game.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Kansas</strong></p><ul>
<li>Kansas' defense, which held BYU to 13 points, carried it to an upset over the Cougars. But the Jayhawks' rushing attack has sparked its late-season resurgence.</li>
<li>The Jayhawks average 200 rushing yards per game, the Big 12's third-best mark. </li>
<li>The key for Kansas is controlling the clock by effectively running the ball, ensuring Colorado's offense earns limited possessions.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Colorado is a perfect 7-0 ATS against Big 12 opponents. </li>
<li>The Buffs are 4-1 ATS in away games.</li>
<li>Kansas covered its last four games and is 3-0 ATS against ranked teams.</li>
<li>Colorado's spread has slightly more bets but Kansas' spread has almost 60% of the money.</li>
<li>Almost 100% of the money and slightly under 90% of bets are on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Best bet - Kansas +3</strong></p><p>The Big 12 is a lousy but chaotic conference. Kansas played spoiler last week and will assume the role again by relentlessly running the ball.</p><h3>No. 14 BYU @ No. 21 Arizona State (-3, O/U 48.5)</h3><p>There are massive playoff implications in this matchup between two Big 12 teams picked to finish toward the bottom of the conference in preseason polls.</p><p><strong>Case for BYU</strong></p><ul>
<li>BYU was 9-0 and firmly in the playoff picture before it lost to Kansas last weekend. Now it must run the table and win the Big 12 to earn a bid. </li>
<li>The Cougars have the Big 12's best total defense and second-best scoring defense.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/58" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/58">Arizona State</a>'s mediocre passing offense will struggle against BYU. The Sun Devils average under 400 yards per game, the Big 12's 10th-best offense.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Arizona State</strong></p><ul>
<li>While BYU's defense has been lights out, its offense struggles to produce. It hasn't scored more than 24 points in its last two outings.</li>
<li>Arizona State's rushing defense is one of the conference's best. The key for the Sun Devils will be to keep the game low scoring. They'll win if they can limit BYU's explosive plays while breaking free for a couple of their own.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Both groups have been great against the number: Arizona State is 8-2 ATS and BYU is 7-3.</li>
<li>BYU is 4-0 ATS as an underdog and 3-0 as a road underdog. </li>
<li>Arizona State is 5-0 ATS at home and 4-0 as a home favorite.</li>
<li>Almost 70% of the bets and 74% of the handle is on Arizona State to cover as a favorite.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Best bet - BYU +3</strong></p><p>BYU suffered a heartbreaking loss last weekend, but its season is far from over. This is a desperate spot for the Cougars, who've proved their defense can travel.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29117931/related

CFB Week 12 betting preview: Can Indiana keep it close against Ohio State?

<p><em>Every week, Bet or Bail will explore players, teams, storylines, and markets throughout the NBA landscape.</em></p><h3>McCain, Knecht leading ROY race</h3><p>The first few weeks of the season prove that nobody - not even front-office executives and expert scouts - is immune to oversight when evaluating and drafting prospects. Even in a draft labeled the worst in modern NBA history, the two most impressive rookies slipped out of the lottery.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121672" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121672">Jared McCain</a> fell to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/4" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/4">Sixers</a> at No. 16, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121679" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121679">Dalton Knecht</a> dropped to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Lakers</a> at No. 17. There were obvious concerns - McCain's size and Knecht's age - but neither were unheralded prospects who slipped through the cracks. Knecht and McCain were college stars for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/630" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/630">Tennessee</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/202" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/202">Duke</a>, respectively.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>How did these guys tumble in a weak draft class? Well, front office personnel must answer to their owners after the two rookies made certain organizations look like fools.</p><p>McCain is the Rookie of the Year favorite (+130) after entering the season way down the board at +3000.</p><p>While the Sixers deal with more dramatic episodes than a reality TV show, McCain has benefitted from the chaos. He's earned opportunities in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93855" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93855">Tyrese Maxey</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/1889" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/1889">Paul George</a>'s absence, and to say he's made the most of it would be an understatement. He leads all rookies in points (15.6 per game) while shooting over 40% from three.</p><p>The Duke product understands the nuances of the game - relocating as a shooter, passing angles, playmaking chops - at a far greater level than most 20-year-old rookies. He has the most points by a rookie in his first four starts in NBA history, passing Sixer alum Allen Iverson.</p><p>Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has no choice but to give him extended minutes even as the team gets healthier at guard. McCain earned the start alongside Maxey, George, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a> in the Big Three's debut Wednesday night.</p><p>Philadelphia has the NBA's worst record at 2-12. This franchise with a perpetual dark cloud hanging over it doesn't have many signs of optimism, but McCain has been the lone bright spot and a potential future building block in an otherwise harrowing season.</p><p>On the other coast, another overlooked rookie is shining with an increased role. Knecht played sporadically in the first two weeks and barely produced in the scoring column. He was +2500 to win Rookie of the Year in mid-November after starting the season at +1400. But JJ Redick entrusted his rookie sniper by inserting him into the starting lineup.</p><p>The Tennessee product is averaging 23.8 points in the four games since, and he's shooting 46% from three on the season. Knecht's career-high 37-point outing Tuesday night led to the sharpshooter skyrocketing up the Rookie of the Year ladder. He now has the second-best odds at +215.</p><p>McCain has better on-ball playmaking skills than Knecht, but the latter is a more prolific shooter. However, the Sixers guard is shooting 44% on catch-and-shoot attempts. Opportunity is everything in a Rookie of the Year race as open as this one, and Knecht and McCain have earned theirs.</p><h3>Bet on Jokic's MVP candidacy, Bail on the Nuggets</h3><p>The best way to define someone's value is to see how a system operates when that person is absent. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Nuggets</a> won five in a row before <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> left the team for personal reasons. Since then, they've lost two of their past three.</p><p>Furthermore, the Nuggets outscore opponents by 11.3 points per 100 possessions when Jokic is on the floor. Opponents outscore Denver by 14.9 points per 100 possessions when he's off the court, per NBA advanced stats. In simpler terms, the Nuggets are the league's second-best team with Jokic (based on net rating) and the NBA's worst team without him. Jokic leads the league in player impact estimate.</p><p>Of course, the MVP award is not gifted solely on a player's value. Otherwise, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a> would have a house full of them. Narrative, counting stats, and team success are weighed in voters' decisions.</p><p>Jokic, who has won three of the past four MVPs, had only the third-best odds (+460) entering this season despite his undeniable status as the league's best player. Voter fatigue likely seemed to interfere with his chances of winning.</p><p>But he's averaging career-highs in points (29.7), rebounds (13.7), assists (11.7), and 3-point percentage (56%). He's currently the favorite to win MVP at +220. Jokic's impact is too obvious that he might overcome voters' reluctance to give him his fourth trophy (James was the last player to win four in five years from 2009 to 2013).</p><p>In all that lies the Nuggets' problem: Jokic has to do too much. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44995" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44995">Jamal Murray</a>, Jokic's co-star during their 2023 Finals run, has seemingly fallen off a cliff. He's having the worst statistical season of his career and isn't a reliable second option.</p><p>Denver let two key pieces from its championship team walk in free agency - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52805" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52805">Bruce Brown</a> in 2023 and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/11367" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/11367">Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</a> last summer. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102793" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102793">Christian Braun</a> is having a career season, but the Nuggets don't have enough talent surrounding Jokic. They average the third-fewest bench points and attempt the third-fewest threes. Adding <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/347" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/347">Russell Westbrook</a> - a career 30% 3-point shooter - didn't exactly solve their shooting woes.</p><p>The Nuggets are 8-5 and have the third-best odds to win the West. Jokic, averaging 14 more touches per game than any other season, can carry them to a top seed - and win the MVP in the process - but the Nuggets won't return to the Finals without reliable parts around him.</p><h3>Don't bail on the East yet</h3><p>An NBA civil war is brewing between the East and the West. A recent<a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/42529811/nba-intel-early-trade-predictions-knecht-3s-east-vs-west"> ESPN report</a> outlined a possible battle for secession among certain West teams to break free to the easier Eastern Conference when NBA expansion arrives.</p><p>The West is 41-22 against the East. Only four East teams are above .500 and the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/13" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/13">Heat</a>, who are in fifth place at 6-7, would be 13th in the West.</p><p>The West has been the deeper conference for years. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Rockets</a> finished 11th at 41-41 last season, the best record by an No. 11 seed in NBA history.</p><p>But there's reason to be optimistic about the East's outlook. No, they won't be as deep as the West anytime soon, but the East's overall record should improve as teams get healthier.</p><p>For starters, the defending champion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> still reside in the East and are the favorites to repeat. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a>' leap has made them legit contenders after becoming the fourth team in NBA history to start 15-0. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> started slow but have won four straight to get over .500 and will only improve defensively once <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a> returns. The Magic have weathered the storm without<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102767" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102767"> Paolo Banchero</a>, winning seven of their past eight thanks to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96086" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96086">Franz Wagner</a>'s emergence. Orlando could be a real contender when Banchero returns.</p><p>As for the bottom of the conference, it's hard to imagine the Sixers, who have the NBA's worst record, getting any worse. They're still -220 to make the playoffs for some reason and should soar up the standings in the coming months once they're healthy and their stars accumulate reps together.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> are 6-9 but have won four of their past five after an abysmal start, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/4789" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/4789">Khris Middleton</a> should make his season debut soon. The Pacers should also improve after a rocky start. While Western Conference teams envy their conference counterparts, don't count out the East as a formidable conference just yet.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29128787/related

NBA Bet or Bail: Rookie of the Year race, Jokic MVP case

Notre Dame and Army have a lot at stake for this Saturday's marquee matchup at Yankee Stadium.  N...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/501" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/501">Notre Dame</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/64" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/64">Army</a> have a lot at stake for this Saturday's marquee matchup at Yankee Stadium.</p><p>Notre Dame must win its remaining two games to secure its spot in the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, Army hasn't received much playoff consideration despite its best start in decades. A win over Notre Dame would propel the Black Knights into the conversation for an automatic bid as the highest-ranked Group of 5 champions.</p><h3>No. 24 Army vs. No. 8 Notre Dame (-14.5, O/U 44.5)</h3><p><strong>Case for Army</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><ul>
<li>Army is having a historic 9-0 season, but it hasn't seen an opponent nearly as talented as Notre Dame.</li>
<li>However, Army leads the nation in total rushing yards by a sizable margin.</li>
<li>The Black Knights must dominate Notre Dame's defensive line and effectively control the clock. It'll be a long night in the Bronx if they can't limit Notre Dame's possessions.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Case for Notre Dame</strong></p><ul>
<li>Notre Dame has decimated opponents since an embarrassing upset loss to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/488" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/488">Northern Illinois</a> in Week 2, winning its last eight games by an average of 32.5 points.</li>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/163464" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/163464">Riley Leonard</a> has been steady after a shaky start. He's thrown for over 200 yards in four of his last five games while totaling 24 total touchdowns and only two interceptions in Notre Dame's last eight wins.</li>
<li>Army allows the third-fewest rushing yards per game, but its pass defense falls behind. Notre Dame also has an elite rushing attack.</li>
<li>The Black Knights haven't faced a top-50 defense or top-75 offense thanks to arguably the nation's easiest schedule.</li>
<li>The Fighting Irish will earn a trip to the playoffs if they beat Army this Saturday and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/676" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/676">USC</a> next Saturday.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Key trends</strong></p><ul>
<li>Army is 7-1-1 ATS, the best ATS win percentage in the country.</li>
<li>Notre Dame is 7-2-1 ATS and has covered five straight.</li>
<li>Army is an underdog for the first time this season.</li>
<li>Notre Dame is 2-0-1 ATS versus ranked opponents.</li>
<li>The Fighting Irish are 6-1 ATS at a neutral site under Marcus Freeman.</li>
<li>Army is 14-6 ATS at a neutral site under Jeff Monken.</li>
<li>Notre Dame has received 59% of the bets and 54% of the handle.</li>
<li>Over 70% of the bets and handle are on the over.</li>
</ul><p><strong>Best bet - Notre Dame -14.5</strong></p><p>The line indicates Army isn't a serious undefeated team. But Notre Dame has failed to cover large spreads before, even losing outright as a 28.5-point favorite this season.</p><p>However, Notre Dame is playing its best ball in November, and all its goals are in front of it. The Fighting Irish have the defensive front to stymie Army's run game. The Black Knights' offense won't keep up with the Fighting Irish, who should cover the two-touchdown spread.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29116068/related

Can undefeated Army keep dream season alive vs. Notre Dame?

The College Football Playoff picture is taking shape with just two weeks left in the regular seas...

<p>The College Football Playoff picture is taking shape with just two weeks left in the regular season. Other than the automatic conference champion qualifiers and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/501" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/501">Notre Dame's</a> likely appearance as an independent school, most of the 12-team field will feature SEC and Big Ten teams. But how many?</p><p>Oddsmakers at theScore Bet and ESPN Bet assigned the over/under for SEC teams in the dance at 4.5 (+300 to the over and -500 to the under).</p><p>Here are the programs under consideration:</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds to make playoff</th>
<th>Remaining schedule</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>No. 3. Texas</td>
<td>-1400</td>
<td> vs. Kentucky; @ Texas A&amp;M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>No. 7 Alabama</td>
<td>-750</td>
<td> @ Oklahoma; vs. Auburn</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>No. 9 Ole Miss</td>
<td>-400</td>
<td> @ Florida; vs. Mississippi State</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>No. 10 Georgia</td>
<td>-3500</td>
<td> vs. UMass; vs. Georgia Tech</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First team out: Tennessee</td>
<td>-135</td>
<td> vs. UTEP; @ Vanderbilt</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Third team out: Texas A&amp;M</td>
<td>+450</td>
<td> @ Auburn; vs. Texas</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>It's clear the CFP selection committee doesn't value strength of schedule as much as many believe it should. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a> is the highest-ranked SEC team despite all of its conference wins coming against five of the bottom seven teams in the standings. The Longhorns were dominated by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/255" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/255">Georgia</a> in their only game against quality competition.</p><p>Texas can make a statement in its final regular-season game against No. 15 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/635" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/635">Texas A&amp;M</a>. A loss could see the Longhorns slip out of the playoff picture entirely, but a win would guarantee their spot and book them a trip to the SEC championship. Texas A&amp;M, currently among the first four out, would force the committee to consider its entry with a win.</p><p>Georgia is undervalued. The Bulldogs have had the hardest schedule in the country, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/fpi/_/view/resume/sort/resume.avgsosrank/dir/asc">ESPN</a>'s College Football Power Index, their only two losses have come to top-10 teams (<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/40" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/40">Alabama</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/425" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/425">Ole Miss</a>), and they have wins against three top-15 teams, including Texas and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/630" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/630">Tennessee</a>.</p><p>Ole Miss and Alabama also have two losses but beat the Bulldogs earlier this season, so they're ahead of them in the ranking. But Georgia is seven slots below a Texas team it beat on the road. Make it make sense.</p><p>Tennessee is ranked 11th but is currently out of the picture because projected conference champions <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/99" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/99">Boise State</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/107" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/107">BYU</a> would earn automatic bids and leap the Volunteers.</p><p>There's also the possibility that a two-loss SEC team earns a trip to the SEC championship and suffers its third loss, which could hurt its ranking. It remains to be seen if the committee will penalize teams for being forced to play an extra game because it was atop the standings. </p><p>Regardless, the SEC will have a minimum of four teams. How the committee views fringe SEC teams against their Big Ten counterparts will determine if they earn a fifth squad. These are how the Big Ten contenders currently rank: </p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds to make playoff</th>
<th>Remaining schedule</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1. Oregon</td>
<td>N/A</td>
<td> vs. Washington</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2. Ohio State</td>
<td>-8000</td>
<td>vs. Indiana; vs. Michigan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4. Penn State</td>
<td>-900</td>
<td>@ Minnesota; vs. Maryland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5. Indiana</td>
<td>-350</td>
<td>@ Ohio State; vs. Purdue</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Only four Big Ten teams are in consideration. Although they're all ranked in the top five, only the conference champ will earn a top-four seed and first-round bye.</p><p>Oddsmakers at theScore Bet and ESPN Bet assigned the over/under for Big Ten teams at 3.5 (-400 to the over and +250 to the under).</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/303" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/303">Indiana</a> has shocked the nation with a 10-0 start in Curt Cignetti's first season. However, the Hoosiers have had the easiest schedule among all 34 SEC and Big Ten programs.</p><p>But does the committee care? Seemingly no. Indiana is ranked ahead of all but one SEC school. Even if (when) Indiana loses to Ohio State this weekend, it shouldn't impact the Hoosiers' standing. Granted, that could change if Indiana gets annihilated.</p><p>The final slot will presumably be between a one-loss Indiana squad and a two-loss SEC school like Tennessee. The Volunteers lost to Georgia and Arkansas but have a top-20 strength of schedule, and their best win was over a top-10 Alabama team. Indiana's best win was against a .500 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/407" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/407">Michigan</a> group.</p><p>The Hoosiers' resume shouldn't meet the necessary qualifications, but the committee's arbitrary criteria will sneak it in, likely giving the SEC and Big Ten four teams each.</p><p>However, the games must be played, and chaos could ensue in the next three weeks before the official playoff bracket is revealed.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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How many SEC, Big Ten teams will make the College Football Playoff?

After an interception Saturday against Utah, Travis Hunter flashed the Heisman pose as an emblem ...

<p>After an interception Saturday against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/677" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/677">Utah</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/179519" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/179519">Travis Hunter </a>flashed the Heisman pose as an emblem of the iconic trophy awarded to the nation's most outstanding college football player.</p><p>Hunter entered the Utah matchup as the Heisman favorite and strengthened his position with another impressive showing. Once considered a long shot to win, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/164" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/164">Colorado</a> wide receiver and cornerback's history-making season has grabbed the country's attention.</p><p>It's unprecedented for players to play full snap counts on offense and defense, but the projected first-round pick is elite as a pass catcher and a defensive back.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Oddsmakers assigned Hunter a 1% chance of winning the Heisman in the preseason. It's up to 80% with just two regular-season games remaining. Here's how Hunter's odds have fluctuated throughout the campaign:</p><h3>Travis Hunter's Heisman odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Week</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Preseason</td>
<td>+6000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 1</td>
<td>+2200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 2</td>
<td>+6000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 3</td>
<td>+3000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 4</td>
<td>+1600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 5</td>
<td>+700</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 6 (CU's bye)</td>
<td>+700</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 7</td>
<td>+325</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 8</td>
<td>+600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 9</td>
<td>+2000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 10</td>
<td>+200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 11</td>
<td>+225</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Week 12</td>
<td>+100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Now</td>
<td>-400</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Part of the hesitancy surrounding Hunter's Heisman bid was that Colorado wouldn't win enough games. The Heisman isn't always awarded to a playoff-caliber team, but it typically goes to a player suiting up for a top program.</p><p>Colorado's preseason win total was 5.5, and legitimate questions surrounded the Buffaloes after a shaky 1-1 start. They've won seven of their past eight since and will clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game if they win their final two contests. Colorado is currently the favorite to win the Big 12 (-115), which would grant it an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.</p><p>It's also rare for a non-quarterback to win. Only four non-quarterbacks have won the Heisman this century, and three were running backs. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161668" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161668">DeVonta Smith</a> in 2020 is the only wideout to earn the honor. Charles Woodson in 1997 is the only defensive player to win.</p><p>Hunter's campaign as a multi-positional athlete makes his case unique. Plus, it helps that quarterbacks have had a down year, and 2025 is projected to be one of the worst quarterback draft classes in recent NFL history.</p><h3>Heisman Trophy odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Travis Hunter</td>
<td>-400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ashton Jeanty</td>
<td>+375</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cam Ward</td>
<td>+1200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dillon Gabriel</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jalen Milroe</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kurtis Rourke</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/405" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/405">Miami</a> quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/247" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/247">Cam Ward</a> was the favorite a few weeks ago, but the Hurricanes' 23-point output in an upset loss to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/257" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/257">Georgia Tech</a> ended their undefeated season and Ward's Heisman hopes.</p><p>The only other quarterback in contention is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/514" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/514">Oregon</a>'s <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/138036" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/138036">Dillon Gabriel</a>, who is one win away from an undefeated regular season. A Big Ten championship against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a> is the Ducks' only remaining marquee game before the Heisman is decided. Gabriel hasn't produced remarkable statistical outputs and has benefitted from a loaded roster. However, he could cover some ground if he shines against the Buckeyes again and leads the Ducks to a Big Ten title.</p><p>The closest challenger to Hunter is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/99" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/99">Boise State</a> running back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/172507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/172507">Ashton Jeanty</a>, the favorite earlier this season when he was on pace to break Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.</p><p>Jeanty is still 735 rushing yards shy of Sanders' record. While that mark seems unlikely, Jeanty could catch <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/54651" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/54651">Melvin Gordon</a> for the second-most rushing yards in a season. He's 694 yards short of Gordon and should play in a Mountain West title game, but Jeanty's Heisman momentum has slowed down. It doesn't help Jeanty's case that his fiercest competitor has Colorado head coach Deion Sanders' marketing machine at his disposal.</p><p>Assuming Hunter stays healthy and Colorado keeps winning, he won't just mimic the Heisman symbol, he'll raise the trophy in December.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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Heisman watch: Is Hunter running away with the award?

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<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Game 15" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-I0p7A" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/I0p7A/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="108" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure><p>Unfortunately, NFL fans must continue to watch the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/17">Cowboys</a> in prime time. Even during a disastrous season in which <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/50470" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/50470">Dak Prescott</a> has been ruled out for the remainder of the year, Dallas still draws huge audiences.</p><p>The Cowboys are already looking ahead to next season as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/65598" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/65598">Cooper Rush</a> remains their signal-caller for the rest of this campaign. Dallas won't successfully move the ball against the NFL's third-best passing defense, which only allows 174 passing yards per game. So Dallas will rely on its ground game, right? Well, the Cowboys have the league's second-worst rushing attack. They won't score enough to win.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/13" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/13">Texans</a> are dealing with their own struggles, as well as injuries to key offensive pieces, after losing two straight to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/4" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/4">Jets</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/26">Lions</a>. Houston still has a significant lead in the lousy AFC South. There's no need to panic, but the Texans must find their footing against the Cowboys in prime time if they want to be a playoff threat in an extremely competitive AFC.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Key trends</h3><ul>
<li>The Cowboys are 2-7 ATS and 0-4 straight up and ATS at home.</li>
<li>The Texans are 4-5-1 ATS and 2-3 on the road.</li>
<li>Houston is 2-4 as a road favorite under DeMeco Ryans.</li>
<li>The Texans have the best under rate in the NFL, with eight of their 10 games going under the total.</li>
<li>C.J. Stroud is 1-3 ATS in night games and 5-10 ATS as a favorite in his career.</li>
</ul><h3>Insights</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>% of Bets</th>
<th>% of Handle</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Texans -7</td>
<td>73.58%</td>
<td>46.85%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cowboys +7</td>
<td>26.42%</td>
<td>53.15%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Bettors are done with the Cowboys' egregious ATS record. Even as a touchdown underdog, 73% of the bets are on Houston to cover. However, 53% of the money is on Dallas.</p><p>Following the Texans' under streak, 62% of the bets and 72% of the handle are on the game to go under the 41.5 total.</p><h3>Best bet - Texans -7</h3><p>The Texans are desperate for a win after consecutive losses, while the Cowboys could quit on their season as the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/16">Jaguars</a> did in Sunday's 46-point loss to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/26">Lions</a>. Laying a touchdown is never ideal, but it's worth it against Dallas' porous defense and incompetent offense.</p><h3>Players to watch</h3><p><strong>Joe Mixon over 89.5 rushing yards</strong></p><p>The Cowboys allow the second-most rushing yards per game, and Houston relies heavily on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/82723" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/82723">Joe Mixon</a> to generate offense. He's rushed for over 100 yards in four of the past five games while averaging 22.4 carries.</p><p><strong>C.J. Stroud over 249.5 passing yards</strong></p><p>Houston's run-game production will open up the passing game. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/188132" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/188132">C.J. Stroud</a> has struggled the last few weeks with a revolving door of receivers, but he'll have his No. 1 weapon back in the lineup thanks to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/161840" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/161840">Nico Collins</a>' return.</p><p>Stroud has only reached 250 passing yards once in his past five games, but he surpassed this total in three of the five contests Collins played. The Cowboys' defense is helpless and will likely show poor effort as their season erodes.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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MNF betting preview: Can Texans snap 2-game skid against reeling Cowboys?

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