Sports Handicapper Bobby Conn's Picks & Predictions

50* Powerhouse Play on Canadiens +135

The Canadiens (3-2-2, 8 points) and Blues (3-1-3, 9 points) have six wins and five overtime losses between them. Tonight, these two teams will battle in St. Louis.

Montreal is coming off a shutout victory over the Wild, giving them two wins out of their last three contest. In those three games, the Canadiens have outscored their opponents 11-6. Meanwhile, the Blues have lost three straight to the Canadiens (6-3), Islanders (3-2), and Canucks (4-3).

The Canadiens and Blues last met one week ago. With that 6-3 score line, Montreal outperformed their season averages.

Thus far, the Canadiens are scoring 3.57 goals per game while allowing 3.29 goals per game. St. Louis is scoring 3.14 goals per game while allowing 3.29 goals per game.

Offensively, Montreal is currently led by the trio of right winger Brendan Gallagher, right winger Joel Armia, and center Jonathan Drouin. Gallagher leads the team with seven points on three goals and four assists, Armia is the goals leader with four, and Drouin has a team-high five assists.

The Blues have counted on a pair of centers for much of their offensive production. While Ryan O’Reilly leads St. Louis with six assists, Brayden Schenn continues to lead the team with five goals and eight points.

50* Powerhouse Play on Predators -140

Just a single point separates the Panthers (2-2-3, 7 points) and Predators (4-3-0, 8 points) through seven games. Both teams will face off this evening in Nashville.

With enough points to place them ahead of only Detroit and Ottawa in the Atlantic Division, the Panthers are currently looking up at a host of teams, including Buffalo at 13 points. Florida has won just one of their past five games, and will be playing for the second time in as many days.

On average, the Panthers are scoring 3.29 goals per game while allowing 3.86 goals per game.

Center Aleksander Barkov leads the Panthers with six assists, and left winger Mike Hoffman leads the team with five goals and eight points.

Nashville tends to find itself in high-scoring games, including a 7-4 loss to the Kings a week ago. Since then, the Preds have defeated the Knights and lost to the Coyotes.

On average, Nashville is scoring an NHL-best 4.29 goals per game while allowing 4.00 goals per game.

Center Matt Duchene leads the team with nine points, but center Filip Forsberg has a team-high five goals and defenseman Ryan Ellis has a team-high eight assists.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Lightning -160

The Lightning (4-2-1, 9 points) were the NHL’s best team throughout last year’s regular season. The Avalanche (6-0-1, 13 points) have taken that title for the opening part of this season. Tonight, these two clubs will get to settle it all on the ice in Tampa Bay.

Keeping up an exceptional goal rate, Colorado has earned at least a point in each one of their seven games thus far. And last night’s 5-4 win over the Panthers helped them extend their lead in the Central Division.

On average, the Avalanche are scoring 4.14 goals per game, which is good enough for second in the NHL. Defensively, Colorado is allowing 2.71 goals per game (10th).

Nathan McKinnon has been the main man for Colorado thus far. From the center position, McKinnon has scored four goals and added six assists for 10 points, all of which are team highs.

The Lightning are coming off back-to-back victories over Montreal and Boston as they aim to find last year’s form. Sitting third in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay will be on an extra day of rest after taking last night off.

On average, the Lightning are scoring 3.71 goals per game (6th) and allowing 3.00 goals per game (14th).

Tampa Bay goalminder Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed just 2.58 goals per game on top of a save percentage of .921.

50* Powerhouse Play on Air Force/Hawaii over66 -110

Identical records will be put on the line when the Air Force Falcons (4-2) go on the road to take on the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (4-2) on Saturday night. The over/under is set at 66 points.

Air Force is coming off one of their better offensive performances of the season, defeating Fresno State by a score of 43-24. On average, Air Force is scoring 34 points per game on 424 yards of offense while allowing 24 points per game on 310 yards.

The Air Force triple option is led by quarterback Donald Hammond III, who’s thrown for 655 yards, five touchdowns, and three picks in addition to his 249 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. The Falcons have two 400-yard rushers in Taven Birdow and Kadin Remsberg.

Most recently, the Rainbow Warriors followed up a 54-3 win over Nevada with a 59-37 loss to #14 Boise State. Hawai’i has scored 35 or more in each of their past three games.

On average, the Rainbow Warriors are scoring 37 points per game on 473 yards of offense while allowing 33 points on 412 yards.

No stranger to high-scoring affairs and airing it out, Hawai’i quarterback Cole McDonald is on pace for a huge year. With a 66.7% completion percentage, McDonald has thrown for 1,880 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine picks.

50* Powerhouse Play on Central Michigan/Bowling Green over52½ -110

Despite a four-game losing streak, the Bowling Green Falcons (2-4) have a chance to catch Kent State in the Mid-American Conference. To do so, they’ll need a win over the Central Michigan Chippewas (4-3) on Saturday. The over/under is set at 52.5 points.

Central Michigan is coming off two wins over Eastern Michigan and New Mexico State. Scoring 42 points in both contests, the Chippewas outscored their opponents 84-42 in those games. On average, Central Michigan is scoring 28 points per game on 411 yards of offense while allowing 28 points per game on 367 yards.

The Central Michigan offense is led by the duo of Jonathan Ward and Kobe Lewis at the running back position. While Ward has 531 yards and five touchdowns, Lewis has 491 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

With a 20-7 win over Toledo last week, Bowling Green halted a four-game skid in which they were outscored 201 to 27. 52-0 losses to both #9 Notre Dame and Kansas State attributed to much of that disparity.

On average, the Falcons are scoring 16 points per game on 343 yards of offense while allowing a whopping 35 points per game on 459 yards.

With 28 catches for 337 yards and two touchdowns, receiver Quintin Morris is Bowling Green’s leading threat in the passing game.

With a defense that’s been torched for at least 52 points on three separate occasions, the Falcons will need their offense to keep up with Central Michigan in this one.

50* Powerhouse Play on Coastal Carolina/Georgia Southern under45½ -110

An all-Sun Belt contest on Saturday features the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (3-3) on the road against the Georgia Southern Eagles (2-3). The over/under is set at 45.5 points.

It’s been an interesting 30-day stretch for the Chanticleers coming into this matchup. After putting up 46 and 62 points in wins over Norfolk and UMass, Coastal Carolina dropped back-to-back games against App State and Georgia State.

On average, the Chanticleers are scoring 34 points per game on 423 yards of offense while allowing 27 points on 319 yards.

Without a receiver with more than 309 yards through the air, the Chanticleers rely on the running game more often than not. If Georgia Southern can suffocate running back CJ Marable, who has 508 rushing yards and five touchdowns, they’ll have a good chance in this one.

The Eagles enter this contest with the momentum of a 20-17 double-overtime win over South Alabama. On average, Georgia Southern is scoring 21 points per game on 278 yards of offense while allowing 32 points per game on 380 yards.

Georgia Southern has been inept when it comes to a passing game. Without a single 100-yard receiver, both Georgia Southern quarterbacks have thrown for a combined 277 yards.

50* Powerhouse Play on Kentucky/Georgia under47 -110

We’ll find out how rattled the #10 Georgia Bulldogs (5-1) are after their first loss of the season when they host the Kentucky Wildcats (3-3) on Saturday. The over/under is set at 47 points.

In the world of college football, the Wildcats are generally involved in low-scoring games. None of Kentucky’s last four games have gone over 50 total points, and the Wildcats haven’t scored more than 24 in any of them.

On average, the Wildcats are scoring 24 points per game on 384 yards of offense while allowing 24 points per game on 380 yards.

After six games, Kentucky doesn’t have a running back over 420 yards or a receiver over 350 yards. However, the Wildcats offer a perfectly balanced offense that averages 192 rushing yards and 192 net passing yards per game.

Before last weekend, Georgia was considered one of the best teams in the nation with a clear path to the College Football Playoff. Then, the Bulldogs scored just 17 against South Carolina.

On average, Georgia is scoring 39 points on 504 yards of offense while allowing 12 points per game on 281 yards.

The 20 points Georgia gave up to South Carolina is the most any team has put on the Bulldogs all season long. In addition to a couple of 17-point performances, other Georgia opponents have scored 14, six, and zero points in the remaining games.

50* Powerhouse Play on Boise State/BYU over45 -110

The BYU Cougars (2-4) will have their hands full this weekend as the undefeated #14 Boise State Broncos (6-0) come to town. The over/under is set at 45 points.

Boise State hasn’t lost a single game thus far, and has scored at least 30 points in all but one game this year. BYU’s biggest issue is that the Broncos are coming off their highest-scoring game of the season after putting up 59 points on Hawai’i.

On average, the Broncos are scoring 37 points per game on 488 yards of offense while allowing 20 points per game on 327 yards.

Between John Hightower and Khalil Shakir, the Broncos have a pair of 400-yard receivers for quarterback Hank Bachmeier to throw to. On the season, Bachmeier has thrown for 1,547 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

After taking down #24 USC, BYU has lost three straight games to #22 Washington, Toledo, and USF. In each of those three losses, the Cougars have allowed at least 27 points to their opponent.

On average, the Cougars are scoring 22 points per game on 386 yards of offense while allowing 31 points per game on 413 yards.

BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has thrown for 1,312 yards with five touchdowns and four picks.

50* Powerhouse Play on South Florida/Navy under52 -110

With only a single loss on the record, the Navy Midshipmen (4-1) have gotten off to a great first half of the season. Saturday, they’ll host the South Florida Bulls (3-3) in an American Athletic Conference contest. The over/under is set at 52 points.

South Florida has gotten it going over the past couple of weeks with wins over UConn and BYU. On average, the Bulls are scoring 27 points per game on 339 yards of offense while allowing 29 points on 383 yards.

Coming off a 150-yard performance a week ago, running back Jordan Cronkrite will aim for another big game. On the season, Cronkrite has 382 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan McCloud is the team’s second-leading rusher with 167 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

With two straight wins over Air Force and Tulsa, Navy has improved to 4-1 with their only loss coming against a good Memphis team. On average, Navy is scoring 38 points per game on 434 yards of offense while allowing 19 points per game on 286 yards.

In addition to quarterback Malcolm Perry’s 489 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions through the air, he’s the team’s leading rusher with 604 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

With good defenses that have allowed more than 25 points just twice in the last 10 combined games, points should be at a premium in this one.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Temple/SMU over59 -110

Two of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference are set to face off Saturday when the Temple Owls (5-1) take on the #19 SMU Mustangs (6-0). The over/under is set at 59 points.

Only a single loss to Buffalo has kept the Owls from a perfect season through six games. With wins over #21 Maryland and #23 Memphis, Temple can now boast two wins over ranked teams. They’ll aim for a third on Saturday.

On average, the Owls are scoring 30 points per game on 446 yards of offense while allowing 19 points per game on 325 yards.

Quarterback Anthony Russo has led Temple to five victories on his 1,502 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Running back Re’Mahn Davis has rushed for 575 yards and four touchdowns.

Apart from a 37-30 victory to open the season, SMU has scored at least 41 points in every game this year. The Mustangs now enter this contest after a bye week that followed their comeback win over Tulsa a couple of weeks ago.

On average, the Mustangs are scoring 44 points per game on 498 yards of offense while allowing 28 points per game on 386 yards.

The balanced SMU attack is led by quarterback Shane Buechele, who’s thrown for 1,665 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five picks. Buechele has two 500-yard receivers in Reggie Roberson Jr. and James Proche.

1* Free Play on Missouri/Vanderbilt over55 -110

The records of the #22 Missouri Tigers (5-1) and Vanderbilt Commodores (1-5) are perfect opposites through six games of the season. When these two squads face off on Saturday, the over/under will be set at 55 points.

Since a 37-31 loss to Wyoming to start the season, Missouri is a perfect 5-0 with wins over West Virginia, Ole Miss, and South Carolina. The Tigers have scored at least 31 in every game, and have reached a high of 50 points.

On average, the Tigers are scoring 39 points per game on 474 yards of offense while allowing 16 points per game on 262 yards.

With five pass catchers over 200 receiving yards, quarterback Kelly Bryant leads one of the better passing attacks in the nation. Completing 65% of his passes, Bryant has thrown for 1,575 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Apart from a 24-18 win over Northern Illinois, Vanderbilt has gotten torched all season long. On average, Vanderbilt is scoring 18 points per game on 338 yards of offense while allowing 37 points per game on 482 yards.

Mizzou’s offense will be chomping at the bit to go up against a Vandy defense that’s given up 42 to Purdue, 66 to LSU, and 34 to UNLV.

50* Powerhouse Play on Baylor/Oklahoma State over67½ -110

The Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2) will face their third ranked opponent in four games when they host the undefeated #19 Baylor Bears (6-0) on Saturday. The over/under is set at 67.5 points.

Although the Bears remained unscathed, it took two overtimes for them to earn a three-point victory over Texas Tech last week. Over the past two weeks, Baylor has scored a combined 64 points.

On average, the Bears are scoring 38 points on 475 yards of offense while allowing 18 points per game on 340 yards.

With 1,554 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three picks, quarterback Charlie Brewer leads the Baylor attack. Receiver Denzel Mimz, who has 32 catches for 503 yards and five touchdowns, is Brewer’s favorite target.

Coming off a 45-35 loss to Texas Tech, Oklahoma State has the benefit of an extra week of preparation with a bye last week. On average, the Cowboys are scoring 40 points per game on 528 yards of offense while allowing 28 points per game on 415 yards.

This Oklahoma State offense is powered by Chuba Hubbard. The Cowboys running back has already rushed for 1,094 yards and 13 touchdowns through six games of the season.