
Tom Herman's teams are 13-0 against the spread as an underdog. Tim Warner/Getty Images
Finished 2-1-1 last weekend, with the only loss being a $25 parlay. Overall a profit- and during the grind it out weeks of football season we will take it. Never force anything when you are down, and always try and analyze your mistakes and make corrections. Last week my mistake was an emotional bias towards the Chiefs – a line that told me to stay away or play Pittsburgh.
It is going to be a huge Saturday night in sports. USC/Notre Dame, Michigan/Penn State, and Astros Game 7. Flip between USC/Notre Dame and the Astros. No need to worry about Michigan throwing 5 interceptions. DVR that garbage QB play.
USC +4 @ Notre Dame – Notre Dame has burned me several times this year. However, I think people are too down on a USC team that really has not impressed all year. This game was a pick-em preseason. 4 points is too big of a swing for me. If Sam Darnold is right, this game is close, and USC can win.
Arizona State @ Utah -6.5 first half. – Utah is very physical and should over power a soft Arizona State team coming off one of their biggest wins in program history. Arizona State might be able to throw their way back into this one second half. I look for Utah to control the line of scrimmage and punch Arizona State in the mouth early. Hard to get up for Utah after last weekend.
Indiana/Michigan State Over 46- 9 of the last 10 times these two teams have played each other they have gone over 46. The only under was last year at 45.
Oklahoma State @ Texas +7- There are several trends that point to OK St – but Tom Herman has his team in the underdog role again. Herman is 13-0 ATS as a underdog dating back to his OC days at Ohio State. That’s a long time to cover.
Kansas +39 @ TCU – Disgusting, I know. Go searching for the last time TCU covered against Kansas… Next, find the last home game TCU covered. I’m playing Kansas. Something is wrong with me.
Ravens/Vikings Under 38 Both teams really struggle to score at times. Should be a low scoring game.
Any questions please hit me up on Twitter @jayoff288W
Wake Forest was the last game cut off my card for what it is worth.
Hope your weekend is profitable.
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It wasn’t just a win — it was a glimpse into the Astros’ future
Jun 27, 2025, 10:43 pm
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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