After a brief pause against top-shelf Carolina, the Preds were back at it again Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Leafs. Different from the first month of the season, the Preds are now clearing the zone much better and resultant pressure on the O-zone has been much improved. The big guns have started to fire, too, with Filip Forsberg netting five times across the past five games. Of course the Rangers seem to play better on the road where the offense has displayed more life all season. Note Nashville scorelines have reached six goals or more in six of the last seven games, and Justus Annunen (3.73 GAA) is also in goal for the Preds as Juuse Saros gets a rest. Play Rangers-Preds Over

We've seen enough of the Ducks trying to step up in class, at the Players Era last month in Las Vegas, to recent games vs. Big Ten "West" foes USC and UCLA, to suggest that if Dana Altman's team hits stride as his editions usually do, it hasn't happened yet. Even the return of 7-footer Nate Bittle, who was out briefly, to active duty hadn't lifted the Webfoots vs. top-shelf opposition. Gonzaga certainly rates that much with its near 93 ppg and 53% FG -hooting offense that pounds foes with its twin towners Braden Huff (19 ppg) and Graham Ike (17 ppg). The ravenous Zag fan base will also be well-represented at the Blazers' Moda Center. Play Gonzaga (at Portland)

A bit bumpy lately for the Heat, loser in six of seven and apparently missing explosive G Tyler Herro (23.2 ppg; out the past two weeks with toe.). Herro is slated to miss again on Sunday, and worth noting that before the Celtics' Derrick White erupted for nine triples on Friday to speed up the pace at TD Garden, Miami scorelines has been reducing. The previous five losses in the current slump saw the Heat held to 111 points or fewer. As for the Knicks, they looked a bit tired on Friday vs. the Sixers, and note the last meeting between these two landed on 228 on November 17, the pace much slowed from their previous clash three nights earlier. Play Heat-Knicks Under

Don't be deceived by that 108-99 Indiana State-Bradley scoreline at midweek, as it took triple OT for the Sycs and Braves to settle matters at Terre Haute; the game was destined to be an under result (and ISU cover) had Sycamores' G Jo Van Buggenhout's 61-footer at the buzzer not knotted the score at 74 and caused the first OT. Matthew Graves found a recipe that worked for ISU in preceding games vs. Southern Illinois and Milwaukee, playing at a bit slower pace, and kept tempo to its liking most of the way vs. Bradley. The Redbirds might be the team to beat in the Valley, but asking them to speed up the Sycs enough to clear 151 might be a chore. Play Sycamores-Redbirds Under

It looks like Columbia might be an Ivy League contender this season...not the ACC. Those are the challenges ahead for Mark Madsen's Cal, but the Golden Bears are passing most of their tests thus far, winning 11 of 12, with a win over UCLA as the decorative piece. Cal has plenty of balance in its near-84 ppg offense, with Virginia transfer G Dai Dai Ames (17.4 ppg) proving a very pleasant surprise for Madsen. The Lions have what should be an Ivy MVP contender in G Kenny Noland (17.7 ppg), but the schedule has mostly broken well, and this is a long road trip (vs. what appears a foe of real quality) for a team used to playing in the Eastern Time Zone. Play Cal

It looks like Geno Smith will return to the Raiders lineup on Sunday. At one point this season we would have considered that big news...but not now. Nothing seems to be helping the Silver & Black, whose losing streak has reached eight with several abysmal performances from the offense, which has been shut out twice by identical 31-0 scores (by Chiefs & Eagles). Trading away top WR Jakobi Myers to the Jags at midseason was reportedly against Pete Carroll's wishes and if true another indicator of the dysfunction of the front office. As for the Texans, they couldn't be at a more opposite end of the spectrum, with six straight wins as they continue to bear down on Jacksonville in the AFC South. Play Texans

Sean Payton lets nothing slip thru the cracks, noting this week that the Jags' cornerbacks create extra problems because of their "ball skills." Payton went on to clarify, noting that "their cornerbacks can catch the ball, which a lot of corners in this league don't do very well. It creates more risk to throw their way." Though a basic observation, it was put succinctly, and Payton's ability to do just that is one reason the Broncos have won 11 straight. Payton also took time to note the Jags "are doing a lot of things really well," especially Trevor Lawrence, off of his 5 TDP last week, though he'll have perhaps his toughest test of the season vs. Denver's voracious pass rush. Play Broncos

Notre Dame has greater challenges ahead in the ACC but might look at this test vs. go-go PFW as a valuable tune-up. The Mastodons are playing at their normal brisk pace for Jon Coffman, scoring at near 86 ppg and led by G Corey Hadnot, scoring at 20.2 ppg and hitting 57% FGs. Along with backcourt mates DeAndre Craig and Mikale Stevenson, Coffman's team is also shooting nearly 50% from the floor. This suggests the Irish will have to answer, but will have chances vs. a PFW defense allowing nearly 80 ppg. It's important for Micah Shrewsberry to identify new go-to scorers with star G Markus Burton (18.5 ppg) on the shelf for several weeks with a foot injury. Play IPFW-Notre Dame Over

Molasses-paced Maine would probably prefer no shot-clock and play the old stall game if the rules allowed. That's because the Black Bears effectively have no offense, scoring at only 58.5 ppg, which ranks 360th out of 361 in D-I (only the slow-motion Ragin' Cajuns from ULL are scoring less). Maine doesn't do anything particularly well except slow the pace, and isn't even shooting FTs with any accuracy (only 61%). There's also just one DD scorer (SE Missouri transfer F TJ Biel at 11.2 ppg). No reason for Drexel to fear the 1-12 Black Bears, but it will likely be a tedious afternoon in Philadelphia for the Dragons, who have their own limitations offensively (just 42.5% FGs). Play Maine-Drexel Under

Hofstra is creating quite a buzz in the Coastal after recent wins over Pitt and Syracuse but this might not be am easy test this afternoon on Long Island. The Q is looking like a top contender in the Metro-Atlantic after a succession of combative efforts featuring five straight wins and also including a win over ACC Pitt. Tom Pecora is hoping to get back top scorer Jaden Zimmerman (17 ppg), who has missed consecutive games with a foot problem, but even without Zimmerman, the Pollsters' balance (four other DD scorers) helped put away UMass-Lowell and Monmouth. As for the Pride, it is leaning awfully hard upon explosive G Cruz Davis (20.8 ppg) to keep producing. Play Quinnipiac

JJ McCarthy's return has sparked the Vikings offense, scoring 65 points across the past two weeks with McCarthy back and taking snaps. Minnesota got involved in a lively game last week vs. the Cowboys and this would be no surprise again as the G-Men post some of the worst defensive numbers in the league on the side of the G-men, McCarthy should have another chance to shine. As for New York,, no reason not to wing it as interim HC Mike Kakfa has taken whatever leash there ever was off of rookie QB Jaxson Dart. The Giants haven't been winning but they have been going over consistently (four straight and 8-1 the last nine). Play Vikings-Giants Over

The marketplace still seems to be overvaluing the Cowboys, whose playoff hopes could be completely extinguished by the time this one kicks off in Arlington. Dallas should have had more left in the tank for last Sunday 34-26 loss to the Vikings, and the defense starting to resemble its poor form from the first half of the season while allowing 39 ppg in consecutive losses to the Lions and Vikes. As for the Bolts, they're still playing inspired defense while continuing to chase Denver in the AFC West, and Justin Herbert's left wrist has had another week to heal and get him closer to 100%. This is arguably a tougher test for Dallas than others they didn't pass the past two weeks. Play Chargers.

It didn't seem like we had much of a race in the NFC South...but now, we do! Though we continued to think the Bucs were the team to beat in the division, we're not so sure now after watching Tampa Bay drop five of its last six. injuries along the OL have scaled back the ground game that was more effective earlier this season and a season ago. Without a reliable infantry diversion, Baker Mayfield has been less effective. Meanwhile, the Panthers are kicking themselves for losing twice to the Saints, but they also beat the Rams at home and have pulled out their last six wins in one-score game, as Bryce Young & Co have fared well in close decisions. Play Panthers

Flush with success in the UEFA Conference League and qualifying for one of the right byes at the top of the knockout round, Rayo Vallecano is breathing some rarified European air these days. This isn't the first time, however, that we've seen a side get distracted by European success and forget about domestic chores; in Rayo's case, bad idea, as it is sliding downward in the table on a six-match winless run. Meanwhile, surprise package Elche has earned results in four of five, including a spirited 2-2 with Real Madrid, and is unbeaten in eight at home this term. Scoring laader Rafa Mir also put two past Girona in Elche's last home game December 7. Play Elche on Money Line

Considering they've won 11 of 12 in the Prem since failing to score in their first four games, we're looking for reasons to go with Aston Villa these days, and this price provides another opportunity. It was "Morgan Rodgers Unleashed" last week in London vs. West Ham as Rogers recorded a breathtaking brace and the Villans again fought from behind to pick up three points. Meanwhile, Man U's form continues back-and-forth, and now Ruben Amorim must account for the absences of leading scorer Brian Mbeumo, plus Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui, to AFCON duty for the next month. Play Aston Villa on Money Line