Sean Murphy

AAC Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between Memphis and Rice at 7 pm et on Friday.

It's going to be difficult for either of these teams to install too many new wrinkles in the offensive gameplan as they both play on a short week on Friday. Memphis bounced back from a stunning 'upset' loss against UAB by delivering a come-from-behind win against upstart South Florida on Saturday. The Tigers scored a touchdown less than two minutes into the game but then couldn't reach the end zone again until the final minute of the first half. After that they were held to a single field goal until scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Two weeks ago in the loss to UAB, Memphis didn't score an offensive touchdown until the final two minutes of the first half and then not another until the game's final three minutes - when they were down 31-17. Rice survived a wild double-overtime game against Connecticut on Saturday. That game totalled just 48 points in regulation time before 23 points were scored in overtime. Of note, two of Rice's regulation time touchdowns in that game came by way of UConn defensive breakdowns (a 73-yard rush and a 75-yard catch). After falling behind 21-17 at halftime, the Owls held the Huskies out of the end zone for the entire second half. Note that last year's meeting between the Owls and Tigers totalled just 47 points. Take the under (10*).

Northwest Division Game of the Month. My selection is on Portland plus the points over Denver at 10:10 pm et on Friday.

While the betting scandal circling the Trail Blazers and namely head coach Chauncey Billups could have served as a major distraction, that hasn't been the case. Instead, the Blazers have seemingly used it as fuel as they're off to a 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS start to the season and enter Friday's showdown with the Nuggets riding a two-game winning streak. Denver dominated wire-to-wire against the Pelicans two nights ago, marking its third straight victory both SU and ATS. While there's no denying the Nuggets are an elite team, I simply feel they're laying too many points on the road against an upstart Blazers team. Portland certainly hasn't backed down in two previous home games against seemingly superior opponents, taking the Timberwolves down to the wire in a four-point loss and beating the Warriors by 20. This is one of those difficult one-game road trips for the Nuggets as they'll look ahead to two days off before beginning a four-game homestand on Monday against Sacramento. Take Portland (10*).

Friday NBA Free play. My selection is on Phoenix minus the points over Utah at 10 pm et on Friday.

The Suns are reeling, riding a four-game losing streak entering Friday's home game against the Jazz. Of course, one of those losses came against Utah earlier this week. The Jazz won that game 138-134 in Salt Lake City. With the scene shifting to Phoenix on Friday, we'll call for the Suns to get their revenge and finally snap their losing skid. Note that they nearly prevailed two nights ago as they dropped a 114-113 home decision against the Grizzlies. That was actually one of their best offensive showings of the young season against a good Memphis team. I think it's the type of performance they can build on as they host an over-achieving Jazz team that will be starting a long five-game road trip that will take them all over the map. Take Phoenix.

I've won 11 STRAIGHT college football plays and winning number 12 IN A ROW goes on Friday night - it's my 10* AAC Total of the Year as my 101-69 CFB tear continues; get it now and make plans to head into the weekend on a WINNING note!

My selection is on the 'under' between New York and Chicago at 8:10 pm et on Friday.

While both of these teams are coming off 'over' results, I can't help but feel this total has been set too high, noting that the Knicks have made good on fewer than 40 field goals in all four games this season. New York turned in its worst defensive effort of the young season on Tuesday in Milwaukee but it still allowed 'only' 121 points on 43 made field goals. Prior to that, the Knicks had limited their previous three opponents to 40, 35 and 38 made field goals while posting a 1-2 o/u record. The Bulls have been involved in back-to-back high-scoring 'over' results here at home against the Hawks and Kings. Off to a 4-0 SU and ATS start, I think a letdown is coming for Chicago but rather than fade it in this home underdog spot, I'll go with the 'under', noting that the Bulls are likely to see some offensive regression after making good on 48 and 49 field goals on better than 52% shooting in each of their last two games. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on Boston plus the points over Philadelphia at 7:10 pm et on Friday.

We'll grab the points with the revenge-minded Celtics on Friday as they enter riding a two-game SU and ATS winning streak following an 0-3 SU and ATS start to the campaign. Remember, Boston was 'upset' at home against Philadelphia back on October 22nd - the season-opener for both teams. Since then, the Sixers have just kept winning, rolling to a 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS start. I do think there's some trouble lurking for Philadelphia, however, noting that it has allowed all four opponents to knock down more than 40 field goals, most recently allowing the lowly Wizards to connect on a whopping 51 field goals in a 139-134 overtime win. Boston, on the other hand, has shown improvement offensively, connecting on 46 and 42 field goals in its most recent winning streak while holding the opposition to fewer than 40 made field goals in all five contests so far this season. Take Boston (8*).

My selection is on Los Angeles over Toronto at 8 pm et on Friday.

The Blue Jays have to be feeling pretty good about themselves heading back home for two games, needing only one victory to secure their first World Series title since 1993. I do think they'll be feeling the pressure to accomplish that on Friday night as they send their ace Kevin Gausman to the mound against Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers. Yamamoto of course turned in a performance for the ages with a complete game victory in Game 2 of this series last week - his second straight complete game victory. He'll be given a similar task in this spot as Los Angeles is once again coming off a loss, two in fact, but this time also facing elimination. I like Yamamoto's chances of silencing the Jays bats again while I do think Gausman presents a favorable matchup for the Los Angeles offense. We won with the Jays in Game 5 but I won't hesitate to go the other way here, as I think the price is right with the visiting Dodgers installed as 40-cent favorites, at the time of writing. Take Los Angeles (8*).