Sports Handicapper Michael Alexander's Picks & Predictions

Rating: 2 Units

I’m on the Maple Leafs in this one. I get the allure of backing the Rangers here but the Rangers have been a Jekyll and Hyde team this season. At home, back the Rangers as the MSG magic is back. On the road? Fade them as they can’t take that same level of play out on the road away from the Big Apple. I think Toronto takes care of business on home ice as the Maple Leafs have started to really show something so give me Toronto here.

Rating: 2 Units

Boston comes into this matchup after their winning streak was snapped on Tuesday night, but they have been red hot to start the season. The Bruins are 3-1-0 at home this year, while the Predators are 1-0-2 on the road. Nashville has lost three of their last four games, but they have allowed three or fewer in three of those four. The Bruins have been the better team to start the season and they are at home. Take Boston to win

Rating: 2 Units

The Senators are on the end of a back-to-back, but they’re playing solid hockey and just made light work of a good Panthers side. This will be the Sharks’ fifth straight road game, and they’ve lost 6 of their last 7 tries against the Senators. You can confidently say this version of the Senators is even better than those previous sides. With an impressive defense leading the charge, I’ll roll with the Senators and the low price for a second straight game.

CFB Total of the Week

Rating: 5 Units

Liberty's offense has been efficient this season, scoring a total of 187 points over six games, which ranks them 51st in the nation. Their strong rushing game, with 1373 yards, complements their passing attack, making them a well-rounded offensive unit. Facing a Kennesaw State defense that ranks 79th in points allowed, Liberty should find multiple scoring opportunities. Kennesaw State's offense, while inconsistent, has shown flashes of potential, particularly in their passing game, accumulating 1342 yards this season. Despite a 1-5 record, the Owls can score, as demonstrated by their previous games against Liberty where high-scoring results were common. With Liberty's defense ranked 48th in points allowed, Kennesaw State could exploit some vulnerabilities. The head-to-head history between these two teams suggests a tendency for high-scoring games, as seen in their last two encounters which both went over 48 points. Given the current over/under set at 50.5 and both teams' offensive capabilities, the trend should continue. Liberty's recent games have consistently hit the over, indicating their offensive proficiency and the potential for another high-scoring game. Considering these factors, the projection points towards an offensive showcase between Liberty and Kennesaw State, with both teams likely contributing to a combined score exceeding the set total. A projected final score could see Liberty winning 38-20, supporting the decision to take the over.

Rating: 2 Units

JMU is 7-0 and 4-0 in the Sun Belt. They have won 12 straight regular-season conference games and are 7-0 for the fifth time in program history. With a high-powered attack that averages 42.9 points, 461 yards of total offense, and 223.7 rushing yards per game, it’s easy to overlook a stout defense that allows just 16 PPG, with no opponent topping 24 points on the scoreboard. However, we think 4-2 Appalachian State could be laying in the weeds here. The Mountaineers have sold out 19 of their last 21 games at The Rock, including tonight’s fracas, and they arrive after rallying from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Coastal Carolina last week, 35-32. In fact, every Mountaineer FBS game this year has been a one-score affair inside the final two minutes. ASU’s offense finally hit on all cylinders in its comeback victory, piling up 516 yards, including 253 on the ground – its best totals against an FBS opponent this season. A key turnover test also awaits, as the Dukes have thrown just one interception in seven games while App State’s defense has picked off nine passes in six games. Can’t quite call for the outright upset, but we will grab the points in what should be a closer-than-expected outcome in the high mountains.

PRIME TIME PLAY OF THE DAY

Rating: 3 Units

After that strange OT collapse, East Carolina now faces a second straight Thursday road game. Surprisingly, the Greenville Buccaneers lead the series, 18-8, have won the last three meetings, and are 8-2 outright in their last ten against Memphis. But the Tigers must be seeing red after their loss to the Greenies dropped them into a fourth-place tie in the American Conference race. With its schedule getting tougher by the week – Army, USF, and Navy are on deck – it’s now or never for first-year head coach Charles Huff and his Tigers. With Memphis looking to exact triple revenge against the Pirates and get back in the win column after blowing a three-game victory skein, we seal the deal with the fact that East Carolina is 1-9 SU / 2-8 ATS as a dog of 6-plus points versus opponents that have revenge in the series.