Bruce's Picks (7 Live)
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