Sports Handicapper Jim Feist's Picks & Predictions

The Air Force Falcons look to improve on their 5-3 mark here today as they travel to the Northwest to take on Portland State. The Falcons are also 4-4 ATS on the season. After a 1-3 S/U start to the season they have won four straight and covered three of the four. That includes last game against Ark-Pine Bluff, 81-53, as a 13-point favorite. Meanwhile, the Portland State Vikings look to get over the .500 mark here today after a 4-4 start. The Vikings have won two straight games including a gimmy game against Portland Bible College in a easy, 114-31 win with no line. The Vikings have played some good competition with a win over Oregon State, 83-71, loss to West Virginia, 71-89, loss to Gonzaga, 79-102 and a win at Oregon State, 79-66. This will be a contrast of the uptempo Portland State team vs the slowdown style of the Falcons. The Falcons will also rely on their 38th ranked defense that allows just 60.8 ppg on the season. I'll take the points here today with Air Force and look for a slower game.

The Wofford Terriers look to build on their 5-3 S/U start this season. They have won four of their last five games, including a win last time out over Presbyterian, 76-63, as a 12.5 point favorite. The Terriers have covered three straight games and four of their six posted games this season. They are also 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games. Vanderbilt is off to a disappointing start at 3-4 S/U ATS. They are coming off a loss at VCU, 65-70, as a 2.5-point dog. Vandy laying around 8.5-points today might be a tall challenge for a team that is averaging just 68.1 ppg (273rd) and also ranks 240th in 3 pointers made. Wofford averages 78.9 ppg (7-th) and allows 67.6 ppg (151st). This is too many points for a Vandy team that doesn't score a lot and also is 3-4 overall. Take the points with Wofford.

Big 10 Championship looks like an easy win for Michigan here today. However, Michigan is coming off that huge emotional win over their bitter rivals Ohio State, 45-23, as a 7.5-point dog. This will actually be the first time these Big 10 have met since 2017. Purdue finished the regular season with a 3-game winning streak that propelled them to the Big 10 West title. Obviously Purdue will be hard pressed to win today, but I'm looking at this almost 17-point dog line. Purdue closed out with wins over Indiana, Northwestern and a very good Illinois team. The Boilermakers are 5-1 ATS in their last six neutral site games. Whereas Michigan is only 1-4 ATS in their last five neutral site games. Michigan should clinch that spot in the playoff top four, but will they cover this huge line. I expect Purdue to at least get inside this big number. I'll take a shot with the big dog here.

Mountain West Championship from Boise here on Saturday on the Smurph turf. Fresno State met Boise State back on October 8th with the Boise State winning easy, 40-20. Since that loss, Fresno has gone 7-0 S/U and 5-2 ATS including last week at home over Wyoming, 30-0, as a 15-point favorite. Boise State is coming off a win at home over Utah State, 42-23, as a 16.5-point favorite. That makes three straight wins since their loss to BYU on Nov 5th. Boise was perfect in the Mountain West this year, going 8-0. Today though I'm looking at the total. These teams scored 60 last time they played. Fresno has gone over in their last four road games and are 5-1 ov/un their last six overall. Boise has gone over in their last five home games. Should be a good game, I'm looking for a high scoring matchup here today. Take the OVER.

Mountain West Championship from Boise here on Saturday on the Smurph turf. Fresno State met Boise State back on October 8th with the Boise State winning easy, 40-20. Since that loss, Fresno has gone 7-0 S/U and 5-2 ATS including last week at home over Wyoming, 30-0, as a 15-point favorite. Boise State is coming off a win at home over Utah State, 42-23, as a 16.5-point favorite. That makes three straight wins since their loss to BYU on Nov 5th. Boise was perfect in the Mountain West this year, going 8-0. I don't see anything changing from the last meeting. This is on the Boise State blue home turf and that's a big advantage. Your free play is on Boise State.

Early action here on Saturday has the Big 12 Championship between Kansas State and TCU. The stakes are even higher than just this game for undefeated TCU. The Horned Frogs are 12-0 and No 3 in the latest College Playoff rankings. A win today and the Frogs will secure a spot in the four team playoff. Kansas State finished 9-3 and looking to avenge their loss to the Frogs earlier this year, 28-38. Kansas State became a better team after losing QB Adrian Martinez to an injury. Will Howard took over this team was better. Kansas State coming in off their win last week over Kansas, 47-27, as a 11.5-point favorite. K State is ranked 40th in the country in total offense. As stated, the stakes can't be any bigger for TCU here today. TCU will contend with one of the best pass defenses as K State allowed just 6.3 yards per attempt. If there is one knock against TCU, it's the fact that they are just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games on a neurtal site. The Wildcats have covered four of the last five in this series. I'll take a shot with the Cats here today to pull the upset and knock TCU out of the playoff picture.

MAC Championship here today has the 7-5 Toledo Rockets taking on the 9-3 Ohio Bobcats in an early Saturday matchup. Ohio is coming off a win over Bowling Green, 38-14, as a 5.5-point favorite. Ohio has been a great bettor's team, covering their last eight games. Toledo, is coming off a loss at Western Michigan, 14-20, as a 7.5-point favorite. The Rockets have not taken off for bettors, failing to cover in five straight games. The Rockets offense will have to improve that off poor performance at Western Michigan where they had to punt 10 times. Ohio is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 on a neutral site and 22-8 ATS their last 30 vs a team with a winning record. I like Ohio here early on Saturday.

 Sun Belt Championship as Troy hosts the title game against Coastal Carolina. Coastal is 9-2 on the season and looking for a second Sun Belt title in the last three years. Coastal got blown out last week by James Madison, 7-47. Madison actually beat out Coastal for the East Division, but because it was the Dukes first year in conference they weren't eligible for postseason this year. So really Coastal shouldn't even be in this game. Adding to their woes, QB Grayson McCall could miss this game with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Troy has been red hot under first year coach Chip Lindsey. They finished the season 10-2 overall and making their first ever in the Sun Belt Championship game. Troy coming off a strong performance last week over Arkansas State, 48-19. Troy just too good for this Coastal team that was blown out last week. Take Troy.