Sean Murphy

My selection is on Houston plus the points over Los Angeles at 4:30 pm et on Saturday.

Both of these teams come in red hot and only one game separates them in the AFC standings (the Chargers hold the edge). To put it bluntly, I have more faith in the Texans defense to step up in what projects to be a low-scoring affair. Houston got a scare from the Raiders at home on Sunday, snapping its four-game ATS winning streak in the process. We'll back the Texans here, noting they haven't dropped the cash in consecutive games since opening the season with three straight ATS losses (they're 8-4 ATS over their last 12 games). The Chargers are 11-4 but they've feasted on one of the weaker schedules in the league. Like the Texans, they're in uncharted territory riding a season-high winning streak but the different is, they're laying points in this spot. We'll grab any points we can get with underdog Houston here. Take Houston (8*).

Revenge Game of the Month. My selection is on New Orleans plus the points over Phoenix at 7:10 pm et on Saturday.

The Suns are 2-0 SU and ATS against the Pelicans this season after winning right here in New Orleans last night. That game could have gone either way but the Pelicans couldn't hit their shots down the stretch and ultimately lost by seven points. We'll call for New Orleans to bounce back and avoid the season series sweep at the hands of the Suns on Saturday. While Phoenix has gone 3-1 over its last four games, only last night's victory came on the road. The Suns are still just 7-8 SU away from home this season. The Pelicans have now dropped the cash in consecutive games but are still 14-5 ATS over their last 19 contests. Take New Orleans (10*).

My selection is on LSU plus the points over Houston at 9:15 pm et on Saturday.

This season certainly didn't go as planned for LSU. It got off to a 4-0 start but it was mostly downhill from there as it went on to lose five of its final eight games and now here it is in a less-than-appealing Texas Bowl between Christmas and New Year's. With that being said, I like the way the Tigers match up in this contest. While Houston owns the better overall record, LSU faced the much tougher schedule by most metrics. We saw the Tigers toughen up defensively down the stretch, holding their final four opponents to 22 points or less. Houston thrived thanks to an explosive offense over the course of the season, scoring 30+ points in seven of 12 games. I don't think this game will be played in that type of high-scoring environment, however, with the total set in the low-40's. The Cougars closed out the regular season with a big 'upset' win on the road against Baylor and I think they have a difficult time following it up a month later. Take LSU (8*).

Bowl Underdog Game of the Year. My selection is on Miami-Ohio plus the points over Fresno State at 4:30 pm et on Saturday.

Most might be quick to dismiss Miami-Ohio as a 6-6 MAC team going up against 8-4 Fresno State in Arizona on Saturday. We'll grab all the points we can get with the Redhawks as I think they can put the Bulldogs on 'upset' alert in this one. Miami-Ohio may be 6-6 on the campaign but it has faced a considerably more difficult schedule than Fresno State by most metrics. The highlight for the Bulldogs was a 30-7 road win over eventual Mountain West Conference champion Boise State in early November. They did close out the regular season on a high note with three wins in their final four games including a blowout win over San Jose State in their regular season finale. Meanwhile, the Redhawks left a sour taste in their backers mouhts with a 23-13 'upset' loss against Western Michigan in the MAC Championship Game earlier this month. Sure to be in a foul mood off that defeat, I like Miami-Ohio's chances of at least taking this one down to the wire on Saturday. Take Miami-Ohio (10*).

My selection is on Pittsburgh minus the points over East Carolina at 11 am et on Saturday.

I can understand the temptation to grab the generous helping of points with East Carolina in this Bowl matchup. The two teams own identical 8-4 records after all and come off much different results with Pittsburgh getting crushed 38-7 by Miami and East Carolina rolling to a 42-3 victory over Florida Atlantic in the two teams' respective regular season finales. With that being said, Pitt has obviously faced the much more difficult schedule this season and I think it matches up well with a Pirates squad that beat the teams it should but didn't always rise to the occasion when stepping up in class this season. The common line of thinking is that the Panthers will be disinterested in an appearance in the Military Bowl but I think this is a proud program that shows up for this contest and ultimately wins by margin. Take Pittsburgh (8*).

My selection is on Ottawa over Toronto at 7:05 pm et on Saturday.

These two teams are coming off much different results as the Senators were 'upset' at home against the Sabres while the Maple Leafs skated to a 6-3 victory over the Penguins, both on Tuesday. We'll back Ottawa on Saturday as these Ontario rivals meet for the first time this season. Ottawa had won four straight games prior to the setback against Buffalo. The Sens figure to be in a foul mood after coughing up that decision on home ice. Toronto, meanwhile, is still just 2-5 over its last seven games, outscored by a 28-18 margin over that stretch. Of note, the Leafs haven't converted a power play opportunity in their last four games while the Sens have been red hot with the man advantage, going 14-for-38 over their last 10 contests. Take Ottawa (8*).

Saturday NHL Free play. My selection is on St. Louis over Nashville at 8:05 pm et on Saturday.

Off an extended holiday layoff for both teams, we'll back the Blues as they return home and look to avenge an earlier 7-2 loss suffered in Nashville. St. Louis has certainly played an uneven brand of hockey for much of the season but a 7-7 mark over its last 14 games could be worse. Nashville has admittedly been playing well but a few days off could serve to cool the Preds. Note that they're already in uncharted territory riding a season-long three-game winning streak entering this contest. Look for the Blues to rise up and deliver a much-needed victory on home ice. Take St. Louis.