PLATINUM PICKS: Taking The Safe Bet

Pal

The thrill of the bet is what makes it all worth it, says any winner. If you followed my advice the last two weeks you are loving me. Last week's college picks were not so solid, however for the second straight week I went 2-0 in the pros. This week we practice a safer more cautious approach. Sometimes a good gambler has to take the safe play for less potential money and live to bet another day rather than take the risky play and loose and be forced into gamblers poverty. An extreme example of that is this week's Patriots spread. Although all the bleeding heart Pats faithful believe that Tom Brady is the second coming, the Seahawks proved mighty Tommy and his Pats are indeed mortal. Which makes the fact they are favored by 14 points on the road a little shaky of a wager.

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Although I do believe the Pats will spank the 49ers, 14 is a big number especially on the road.  As ridiculous as it sounds I will bet the Pats on the Money Line. Am I insane you ask? Well maybe, but not for this reason. Think of it this way, if I offered you a free dollar no strings  attached would you take it? Of course you would. That's what this is. New England is -700 meaning you would have to bet $700 to win a mere $100. Once again it is better to walk away with some money than none. If I was an investment baker I would label this a low risk, little return fund.

As solid as the advice I just mentioned here are my picks for this week with slightly more of a risk and certainly more reward.

Saturday College Picks
UConn +8 1/2 at Boston College
BC has the most pathetic excuse for a football program in the country. Their squad is uninspired and has flat out layed down to any team with any type of talent. UConn is the exact opposite. The Huskies always play tough even when the score does not dictate as such. Look for the Huskies to win this one out right.

West Virginia +3 1/2 vs. Oklahoma
Ohh the Big 12! No conference championship game and no representative in the playoffs this season. Although some so called experts are calling for the Sooners to get past the Mountaineers and then miraculously be recognized by the playoff committee, I am not one of those people. Parody perhaps in 2016 is the real champ of the Big 12 as West Virgina who was once considered to be a candidate for conference champ after starting the season 6-0 highlighted by a big victory against TCU in prime time. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers they followed that victory with an unforgivable loss to Oklahoma State. A loss they will avenge this week when they return to prime time television.

NFL Picks
Dallas -7 vs. Baltimore
Who is hotter than Dallas? With Romo taking the high road and stepping down making the Cowboys are officially Dak's team. Dallas is poised and ready for a run at the post season. The Ravens are not. This season Baltimore has underachieved and been beaten handly by superior opponents. This week is not any different.

Miami -2 at LA
Honestly I do not know what to think of the Rams other than, not this year. People in LA are happy? I ask that because in my lifetime the city had two crappy football teams and was happy to see them both go in the 90s. Now they have one of those dysfunctional teams back and they are well, crappy. The Rams won a field goal battle against the Jets last week which is nothing to brag about. The dolphins have won four in a row and might I add convincingly. Look for Miami to keep the streak alive this week.

Oakland ML vs. Houston
Like I mentioned in the open sometimes it is best to win less rather than loose. This week on MNF the NFL has actually given us a good game to watch. The Texans have been tough this season and are +6 1/2 underdogs coming into this match up. The Raiders have been exciting to watch and finally after a decade of basement bargain football are a legit contender again. I like the Raiders to win this week but it will be closer then 7 points. Take the Raiders on the money line and wake up Tuesday with a smile.

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