Sports Handicapper Nick Parsons's Picks & Predictions

This is a TOP PLAY SIDE WINNER on Alabama.

I'm travelling and don't have the time to give my full analysis. If needed, you can hit me up on socials to get the full details.

Alabama won this game 100-87 last year and I think it has an opportunity to win this year's matchup outright as well.

In a contest that I see being decided by whichever of these talented and evenly matched teams has its hands on the ball last, I'm grabbing the points.

The play is on ALABAMA.

Good luck, NP

This is a TOTAL PUNISHER on the UNDER Warriors/Heat.

I'm travelling and don't have the time to give my full analysis. If needed, you can hit me up on socials to get the full details.

Golden State is playing the final game of a tough road trip and I think comes in fatigued. Both teams are dealing with injury issues.

I say a slower overall pace will lead to a much lower-scoring final outcome than what the oddsmakers are trying to lead us to believe.

The play is on the UNDER.

Good luck, NP

This is a FREE PLAY on the Washington Capitals.

Last year I had one of my better NHL seasons, but so far this season I've struggled. I'm confident and more determined than ever to get back to my long-term winning ways on the ice.

And I won't be playing any huge favorites. I'll be playing small favorites, underdogs, puckline wagers, and a lot of totals.

This play here on Wednesday night sees the Edmonton Oilers at the Washington Capitals, and I think the home side offers great value at this price to find a way to take care of business on home ice.

Edmonton is 9-8-4 overall this year, but only 4-7-2 on the road.

Washington is 9-8-2 overall, including just 5-4-1 at home.

Like me, these were two teams that came into the 2025/26 NHL season with pretty big expectations, but SO FAR, none of us have lived up to them yet. 

But as I said, I'm confident in my systems, and I'm confident that some of these disgustingly close games, overtime contests, and close calls will start going my way.

And after snapping a two-game slide with a 2-1 win over LA at home last time out, I'm confident that the Capitals can build off that impressive effort.

The Kings actually came into that game on fire at 10-5 and having won four straight up to that point.

Edmonton is 2-2 so far on this road trip, and it's coming off a poor 5-1 loss at Buffalo. 

But with a tough game at Tampa Bay tomorrow night, followed by a game at Florida in a rematch of the Cup Final, it absolutely also sets up as a prime "look-ahead" spot for the struggling visiting side. 

Washington plays on Thursday as well in Montreal, but that just means this home game against the Oilers is even more important here for the Capitals on Wednesday.

Stuart Skinner gets the call for Edmonton in net, and he's 7-5-3 with a 2.86 GAA. He'll be opposed by Washington's Logan Thompson, who is 7-5-1 with a 1.85 goals against.

As primarily a situational capper, I love the way this one sets up for Washington. 

Consider joining me with Thompson and the CAPITALS at this price and in this situation.

Good luck, NP

This is a BOOKIEKILLER on Kent State.

I really love the way this one sets up for the 4-6 Kent State Flashes? Can Kent State pull off the outright upset and keep its bowl berth chances alive?

The answer is, possibly. 

They're coming off a bowl-saving 42-35 OT win at Akron last weekend as a 7.5-point underdog, and now here they are at home on Senior Night, with the season on the line once again and getting even more points.

Suppose the Flashes can manage to find a way to win this one outright. In that case, they'd close the season with a favorable matchup at 3-7 Northern Illinois, which has already officially been eliminated from bowl contention.

In the overtime win, Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields had one of the best games of his life, going 17 of 25 for 317 yards and five touchdowns.

Also, note that Kent State has absolutely played its best Football at home this year, going 3-1 SU and ATS.

6-4 Central Michigan is 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS on the road this season.

The pressure is off the Chips, though, who pulled away for the 38-19 win at home over Buffalo as 2.5-point favorites last week to earn their sixth win of the season. CMU is 3-1 and 4-0 ATS over its last four, but now that it's earned eligibility, I think a predictable letdown could be imminent here. 

Central Michigan then closes out the season with a game at home against currently 6-4 Toledo.

The Chips are, of course, led by quarterback Joe Labas, who has 1,313 passing yards, but a pretty mediocre 10-to-4 touchdown to interception ratio. 

CMU also has a strong run game, with three strong backs that have combined for 1,779 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.

DeSheilds is the much better quarterback in this matchup without question, as he's thrown for 1,638 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. 

He's complemented by a strong run game as well, led by Gavin Garcia, who has 419 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

In my opinion, these teams are much more evenly matched than what the oddsmakers are trying to lead us to believe. If this game were played on a neutral field, that would make Kent State a 12.5-point underdog.

Use whatever cliche sports phrase you want here for the Golden Flashes: "Dor Or Die!" "Now Or Never!" etc, etc.

If CMU hadn't JUST posted its sixth win, then I'd likely be backing the Chips in this spot, but for all the reasons I've just stated, I think KENT STATE and all of these points are the correct call. 

Good luck, NP