Thursday Night Madness - Seven Games On Tap Tonite - Let's Take a Look at a Few of Them

We will start in the NFL, and in that game we like Cleveland (+) over Cincinnati. This is the Browns' Super Bowl, as it is a national TV game against a division rival for a team that is 2-6 and, again, going nowhere. That is the exact opposite of the Bengals, who are just off their (early season) Super Bowl, a trip to Pittsburgh that ended in a last second win. Potential for letdown is strong in this one, and there is another post Pittsburgh factor in play here. Playing the Steelers always means a very physical game, and as such playing on a short week after playing them figures to be a challenge...and it has been, Our research shows that over the last 26 seasons NFL teams are 1-3 SU on Thursday Night after playing Pittsburgh! It is true that Cleveland is very injured (that is the reason this is not star rated), and that Manziel is starting, but all of the above points to a play on the underdog here, as does that fact that NFL Thursday double digit favs are 1-4 ATS since 2011.

Next, let's take a look at some college games. We lean with Kansas State (+), as Baylor starting a true frosh QB, at night, in Manhattan - and that is not an easy task. Problem with taking KSU here as a star rated play is their inability to score the last two weeks, and that of course is a BIG problem against the Bears. However, the last time KSU played an offense first/defense challenged team they did hang 45 on TCU, so there is precedent for the Wildcats to do well. Finally, note that four of the last five series meetings have been decided by 10 or less. Take the points in this one.

Sticking with the college game, and sticking with the (so far) underdog theme, we like Arkansas State (+) over Appalachian State. Two main factors here: 1) We think Ark State is a good team, and they are getting a bunch of points despite coming into this off four straight wins. 2) App State is off a three overtime game and now has to play on a very short week, and that is a tough task. The fact that App St dominated the stats in last year's meeting is what keeps this from being star rated, but REd Wolves still worth a nice look here.

The final game we will look at today is Ball State at Western Michigan, and in this case we are going to lay the points with WMU. BSU playing its 10th straight game with no bye, on the road, on a short week, after having lost by 18 in previous contest. WMU's last three wins have come by 25-22-30 points. Ball State has actually controlled the stats in the last two meetings and that makes it hard to lay big numbers, but this has the look of a very solid win for the home team in this one.

As mentioned, we DO have a star rated play today, and it will be posted by 12:30pm. We are off a great weekend, and we look to keep it going today!

Have a Great Day!