Sports Handicapper Steve Janus's Picks & Predictions

15* ROCKETS/LAKERS NBA SHARP PLAY on Rockets vs Lakers over 235½ -110

My money is on the Lakers and Rockets to go OVER the high total of 235.5 in LeBron James' home debut with LA. Both teams saw more than 240 combined points in their season openers and that was with both teams not excelling on offense like they are capable of. LA had 219 points despite a miserable night shooting from long distance and the Rockets scored 112, despite shooting 42.4% from the field. Neither team looked all that great defensively. Houston gave up 131 to the Pelicans and the Lakers allowed 128 to the Blazers. Bet the OVER 235.5! 

1* Free Sharp Play on Ohio State vs Purdue over 67 -105

My money is not he OVER in Saturday's primetime Big Ten showdown between Ohio State and Purdue. I think enough people are talking about Ohio State needing to be on upset alert, that we won't see the Buckeyes not 100% locked in like they were last week against Minnesota. Ohio State has scored 40 or more in 5 of 7 games and Purdue gave up 40 to Missouri at home. Buckeyes offense ranks No. 2 in the country at 556.8 ypg. They have the No. 3 ranked passing attack at 371.4 ypg. Purdue is 109th agains the pass, giving up 267.5 ypg. I would be shocked if Ohio State didn't get to 40 points. While the defense is suspect, Purdue has the No. 10 offense in the nation and we have seen Ohio State's defense exposed on multiple occasions. Bet the OVER 67! 

15* OKLAHOMA/TCU NCAAF SHARP PLAY on TCU +8 -105

My money is on the Horned Frogs as a home dog against the Sooners. TCU has to be one of the best 3-3 team in the country. I know the loss at home to Texas Tech, where they scored just 14 points is hard to ignore, but we have seen this team play with Ohio State and my money is on Gary Patterson getting everything he can possible squeeze out of his players for this game. There's not many teams TCU would love to beat more than Oklahoma. Keep in mind the Sooners beat them twice last year, including that 41-17 beatdown in the Big 12 title game. I don't know if they will be able to get their revenge, but I like them to at worst keep this within a touchdown. Bet TCU +8! 

15* NC STATE/CLEMSON NCAAF SHARP PLAY on Clemson -16 -115

My money is on the Crimson Tide to cash in a win and cover at home against NC State. I think this line is going to look like way too many points to a lot of people, but the books aren't stupid. They know the public is going to jump on an undefeated NC State team at this price, especially against a team like Clemson who just recently almost lost at home to Syracuse. The Wolfpack have a really good quarterback in Ryan Finley, but they are 5-0 because of their schedule. If they were 3-2 and unranked they might sneak up on Clemson, but that's not the case. The Tigers are going to be 100% locked in for this matchup, especially with this game very well a possible deciding factor in who wins the Atlantic Division in the ACC. I just don't think NC State can hang with the best Clemson has to offer. Bet the Tigers -16! 

15* OREGON ST/CAL NCAAF SHARP PLAY on Oregon State +6½ -105

My money is on Oregon State to cover as a home dog against a struggling Cal team. I just don't like where this Cal team is headed and how they have responded to things not going their way. After losing at home to Oregon, they lost to a bad Arizona team on the road and followed that up by getting annihilated on their home field 37-7 by a UCLA team that hadn't won a game. Now they go on the road to face an Oregon State team that has lost 4 straight and a massive game on deck against Washington. I think we see Cal continue to play as poorly as they have and I think we get the best Oregon State has to offer at home in one of the few games they believe they can win. Bet the Beavers +6.5! 

25* MISS ST/LSU SEC GAME OF THE YEAR on Mississippi State +6½ -105

 My money is on Mississippi State to cover and maybe pull off a massive upset on the road against LSU. Everyone is buying into the Tigers after they laid it on Georgia 36-16 at home. No denying Orgeron knows how to get this team to play hard, but I have to wonder if they won't be running on empty after laying it all on the line the last two weeks against Florida and Georgia. Making matters worse, they will be up against a fresh Mississippi State team that is coming off a bye. The Bulldogs defense is legit and they have the defensive line to completely disrupt this LSU offense. I think Nick Fitzgerald and his mobility will be enough for Mississippi State to pull off the upset. Bet the Bulldogs +6.5