Sports Handicapper Sean Higgs's Picks & Predictions

Taking the RAYS. Brewers got it done last night behind their ace - now Tampa will even it up at a game a piece. Rasmussen continues what was a dominate season, into a dominate post season. 3 games. A 1.29 ERA .178 BA Against and a .76 WHIP - 23Ks in 21 innings of work with just 3 runs allowed (2 HRs). A pitcher I have talked about all season long. He gets us the win tonight. 5* Best Bet TAMPA BAY RAYS

Taking LSU.  I just have to fade Auburn off that win. LSU will be able to score on these guys. 4* Money Maker LSU

Taking NEVADA. I like Nevada's rushing attack against a San Jose State offense that's been struggling to move the football. The Spartans have averaged just 17 points per game over their last four and have been outgained in three straight games. Nevada has a nice one-two punch in the backfield with Dominic Kelly and Herschel Turner combining for over 900 rushing yards. And this Wolf Pack defense? Seventh nationally against the pass, allowing just 156 yards per game. Nevada has covered three straight and was more competitive against North Dakota State than the final score suggests. Now, the quarterback situation is a concern. Carter Jones missed last week with an arm injury, and backup AJ Bianco got banged up as well. Something to monitor, but I like Nevada's ability to lean on the running game regardless of who's under center. And let's not forget the last meeting in Reno. Nevada absolutely destroyed San Jose State 55-10! Better offensive balance, home field, and a Spartans offense that's been inconsistent. 4* Money Maker NEVADA 

Taking IOWA STATE Give me the Cyclones catching double digits in Tucson. Arizona is 5-1 and ranked 25th, but let's look a little deeper. Iowa State has played a MUCH tougher schedule, with one set of ratings putting the Cyclones 25th in strength of schedule compared to Arizona at 92nd! So how good are those Wildcat defensive numbers against weaker competition? Iowa State comes in rested off a bye, with Aiden Flora rushing for 680 yards, including 212 against West Virginia. And here's an interesting spot. Arizona has a huge game at Texas Tech on deck. Maybe a little look-ahead here? The Wildcats are just 2-3-1 ATS despite that 5-1 record. And Iowa State has covered five of its last six away from home coming off a bye. I respect Noah Fifita and this Arizona offense, but I think the market is overvaluing the Wildcats against a battle-tested Iowa State team. Arizona might win this football game, but winning by double digits is another story. 4* Money Maker IOWA STATE

Taking TOLEDO. Give me the Rockets laying a field goal at home. Both teams are 5-2, but there's a big difference offensively. Toledo is averaging over 36 points per game and outgaining opponents by 136 yards per game. Western Michigan? They're actually being OUTGAINED by 14 yards per game! And that Broncos defense allowing just 16.9 points per game? They've built those numbers against offenses ranked around 119th nationally. Now they face a Toledo offense led by John Alan Richter, who has 14 touchdown passes against just ONE interception. The Rockets just rolled up 480 yards in a 34-14 win at Eastern Michigan while recording six sacks. Western Michigan has been winning close games, but I think Toledo has too much firepower here. Better quarterback, better offense, home field, and a little revenge for last year's 14-13 loss. 4* Money Maker TOLEDO

Taking WISCONSIN. Give me the Badgers catching a field goal at Camp Randall. USC is 6-1, ranked 16th, and everybody loves that explosive Trojan offense. But what about that defense? Wisconsin is allowing just 16.7 points and 287 yards per game, while USC's defense has been the weak link. The Badgers have a significant yards-per-play margin advantage, and they've played the tougher schedule! Last week Wisconsin held a UCLA rushing attack averaging 253 yards per game to just 120. That's a defense that can play! USC is coming off a bye, but they've got Ohio State on deck. Little look-ahead spot perhaps? And the Trojans have been a lousy bet in the Midwest, going just 1-6-1 ATS over their last eight games there. Wisconsin is coming off a frustrating loss at UCLA, and I expect a much better effort back home. Better defense, better yards-per-play numbers, and a home underdog catching a field goal. I wouldn't be surprised if Wisconsin wins this outright! 4* Money Maker WISCONSIN

Taking UCF. Give me the Knights catching nearly a touchdown at home. BYU is undefeated, ranked No. 2, and coming off that massive win over Notre Dame. Now they have to travel across the country to Orlando against a UCF team rested off a bye. Talk about a potential letdown spot! And here's a number I love. Teams that upset Notre Dame are just 21-40-2 ATS the following week! BYU's defense is outstanding, no question, but this offense is averaging just 23 points per game in Big 12 play and is missing star running back LJ Martin. UCF is 3-0 at home, has already beaten TCU in the Bounce House, and has scored on 21 of 22 red-zone trips. The Knights' defense has been better than people realize, holding opponents 82 yards below their season averages. BYU may be the better team, but this is a brutal spot to be laying nearly a touchdown. Rested home dog, emotional letdown for the favorite, and a game I expect to be low scoring. 4* Money Maker UCF

Taking MIAMI OHIO. Give me the RedHawks to win this football game. Central Michigan has lost three of four and has become a one-dimensional offense. The Chippewas average 184 rushing yards per game but barely throw for 100! That's a problem against a Miami defense allowing just 99 rushing yards per game. And how about the RedHawks last week? They rushed for 324 yards in a 34-14 win over Akron while forcing FOUR interceptions! Central Michigan has allowed 185 rushing yards per game, including 224 last week against Western Michigan. That's a favorable matchup for Miami, even with a backup quarterback. And let's not forget, the RedHawks have won FIVE straight in this series. Central has fallen behind 31-0 and 21-0 in its last two games. I don't trust this offense playing from behind. Better run defense, favorable matchup, and a team that knows how to beat Central Michigan. 4* Money Maker MIAMI OHIO