Sports Handicapper Tom Macrina's Picks & Predictions

Florida International +3 (-110)

Jacksonville State wants to run the ball, and so far they've been lucky with their schedule, facing a run of poor rush defenses. FIU is a different story. Their defense has been elite this season, giving up just 6 combined points over their last two games and holding every opponent to 20 or fewer.

Pace works in our favor too. Neither team plays fast, so there will be fewer possessions and a tighter scoring window. It's also a short week for both sides, and this FIU defense has proven it travels.

Everything points to a one-score game that comes down to a field goal either way, so we'll happily take the points.

Take FIU +3 (-110).

Let's cash some tickets!

New Jersey Devils -105 at Detroit Red Wings

We're backing New Jersey on the second leg of a back-to-back. The Devils dropped one at home to Ottawa on Monday and now head to Detroit, but I'm not worried about the schedule spot this early in the season. Fatigue rarely matters in the first couple of weeks.

Detroit hasn't looked right on the ice, and they have just one win all season. New Jersey has been generating shots at a high rate, and this is the type of opponent that volume should turn into goals.

The Devils also bounce back well. They're 9-2 after their last 11 losses and 90-73 in that spot since 2021. At -105 the price is a little short on the New Jersey side, so we're happy to take the Devils.

Let's cash some tickets!

Edmonton Oilers -125

We’re riding the hot hand here. The Oilers have won 4 straight and are a perfect 3-0 on the road, and their offensive firepower is the story of this matchup.

The Kings, on the other hand, are still looking for their first win. They’ve managed just 1 goal in each of their last 2 games, and while the losses have been close, they keep falling short because they can’t generate enough offense. Their special teams have been a problem too, especially the penalty kill, which is a bad spot to be in against an Edmonton power play.

Between current results, scoring, and health, the Oilers look like the clearly stronger side. The Kings’ form issues only widen that gap.

I expect the Oilers to be a popular public side, so shop around for the best number before you lock it in. At -125, we’re happy to back the better team.

Let’s cash some tickets!

Take Utah Mammoth -1.5 (+153)

Utah is back home for just its second home game of the season after a 5-game road trip, and it started in dominant fashion with a 6-0 rout of Chicago in the home opener. Playing in Utah is never easy, and we’re getting the Mammoth at home against a Toronto team that’s riding some early momentum.

The Leafs just pulled off a surprising road win at Colorado as +180 dogs. Their offense has looked impressive, but the results have been uneven. Rest is equal, so there’s no schedule edge for either side.

Toronto has owned this series for the most part, but Utah took last year’s meeting in Utah 6-1. This should be a competitive game, but home ice, better recent form, and a strong power play give the Mammoth the edge.

Toronto does have the league’s top penalty kill, but it’s early in the season, and we should expect some regression to the mean. The moneyline is a little juicy for my liking, so we’ll take the puck line instead. Every one of Utah’s wins this season has come by 2+ goals, which makes +153 a great price.

Let’s cash some tickets!

Delaware vs. Middle Tennessee State: Under 48 (-115)

Public betting interest is split close to evenly on this one, so we’re not fighting the market either way. The more important factors are the matchup and the status of Delaware’s quarterback.

Delaware

The Blue Hens are rested, having not played since Oct 2. They lean heavily on the passing game because the run game has been ineffective. That makes QB Nick Minicucci the driving force of the offense, and his status is still unknown. The backups saw action last week with mixed results. Whether he plays is the biggest swing factor for this offense.

Middle Tennessee

MTSU is more balanced on offense but inefficient. The defense is the real concern, because the run defense has been extremely porous. Delaware could exploit that, but with a ground game that has struggled, it may not unless the Hens adjust their approach.

History and trends

Delaware won the most recent meeting 31-28 in 2025. Both teams average in the low 20s in points per game. Delaware has gone Under in 4 of 5 games, and so has MTSU. Totals in these games have mostly stayed low, outside of blowouts and games against FCS opponents.

The play

We like the Under. Neither offense scores consistently, MTSU’s run defense forces drives to stall (even if it’s a weakness, Delaware may not take advantage), and the season-long total trends back it up.

Take Delaware vs. Middle Tennessee State Under 48 (-115).

Keep an eye out for a Free Play on Delaware if Minicucci is a go.

Let’s cash some tickets!