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Florida St at MIAMI-FLORIDA (-20')

By Sean Michaels, Featured Handicapper

Wrong side last night in the Memphis-Tulane meeting, as the Tigers were tamed by the Green Wave. I knew it was a loser at halftime.

That's the way it goes some nights. Let's make it a bounce-back Saturday.

It is still a 13- run the past 20 days, and the plan for tonight is to make it a 14-7 run whether you are with me or not.

Winning Day # 22 of 34
$10 players up $4,150 past 33 days

50 DIME
Winner # 13 of 20

Wisconsin at UCLA - 7:30 ET

Thursday 100 Dime NFL Winner # 10 of 14
- Broncos (+2') 17-14 over Seahawks -

TWICE AS BIG as Monday's 25 Dime Winner # 11 of 14
- Bills-Rams OVER the total -

Pick backed by my insight on the game

Miami of Florida has the opportunity to make a statement against its biggest rival Saturday night, and the Hurricanes have the offensive firepower to cover a three-touchdown spread at home that is for sure!


The Hurricanes are sitting at #3 at 5-0 and is averaging 49.6 points and 554.8 yards per game. Quarterback Darian Mensah has completed 84.2% of his passes for 1,438 yards and 15 touchdowns without an interception through five games. Miami is coming off a bye after a 41-13 victory at Clemson, giving the Hurricanes extra preparation time for a Florida State team that has struggled to finish games.


The defensive matchup also favors the Hurricanes. Florida State just surrendered 397 rushing yards in its 44-20 loss at Louisville, which should encourage Miami to establish the ground game before allowing Mensah to attack through the air. 


The Seminoles are 3-3 after losing three of their last four, while Miami has won five straight and is coming off a 28-22 victory over Florida State last season.


Miami also expects several defensive contributors back from injury, including Xavier Lucas, Marquise Lightfoot, Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. and Damari Brown, giving the Hurricanes a chance to improve on an already strong start.


Florida State has shown it can compete in stretches, including building leads against Alabama and Louisville, so Miami cannot afford to coast or let the Seminoles hang around. However, the combination of Miami's elite scoring production, Mensah's accuracy, the Hurricanes' home-field advantage and Florida State's defensive problems makes the favorite the side to back. 


Miami has won the last two meetings, and with the Hurricanes rested after their bye, I like Miami to control the game and win by more than three touchdowns.


3* MIAMI-FLORIDA (on a 1* to 5* basis)


Utah (-15') at COLORADO

By Al DeMarco - GM, Featured Handicapper

I'm on a 10-4 roll with free plays. Simply not feeling well enough to do a Video Report today so figured I'd post my comp plays here at the site.

I've used Utah three times as a complimentary play this season, and considering the Utes are 5-0 straight up and against the spread this year, well, you can do the math.

They did not play one of their finer games last weekend in Salt Lake against Kansas, but they got the job done in a 41-24 victory. They find themselves on the road for a second time this season in Boulder today against a bad Buffalo squad. The first time they were on the road, they got the job done at Iowa State.

Obviously, the line is much greater today, as they're laying between 14½ and 15½ points against the Buffaloes. But Colorado has shown you absolutely nothing this season, so why not lay the points?

The irony in this game is that former Utah starting quarterback Isaac Wilson is the latest to be at the helm for Coach Prime's squad. He started two Saturdays ago in the 29-7 loss to Texas Tech, and he was responsible for three of Colorado's four turnovers. Yes, he completed 26 of 44 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown, but those three interceptions certainly went a long way toward the loss.

His inability to win the job at Utah was one of the reasons the Utes had Devon Dampier transfer in, and, well, you know what Dampier has done since arriving in Salt Lake. He's coming off yet another big game against Kansas: 23-of-30, 238 yards, three touchdowns through the air; 17 carries, 71 yards rushing, and a touchdown on the ground.

What makes Utah's offense so damn devastating is the way offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven changes things up. He'll have both Dampier and his fellow quarterback Byrd Ficklin on the field. Matter of fact, 14% of their charted plays have both QBs out there. He runs constant motion, multiple sets, etc. It's just designed chaos to keep defenses on their heels, and it works.

Then you've got Wayshawn Parker, who's coming off a 171-yard, two-touchdown performance on 16 carries against Kansas. That was preceded by a 174-yard, two-touchdown performance on 18 carries at Iowa State. He's averaging 7.6 yards per carry.

I realize Utah hosts Houston next week, but I don't think the Utes are in a look-ahead situation. You've got one of the best third-down offenses in the Big 12, converting at a 55% clip. You've got one of the best third-down defenses as well, as they hold opponents to only 29.6% on first-down tries.

You have an offense that has hit 30 points in every single game, averaging 42.8 on the year, versus a Colorado attack that in four games against FBS foes has totaled 41 points.

So yes, we have to lay a little over two touchdowns today, but has Colorado given you any indication that it can stay within the margin?

The answer is no.

3* UTAH


Wake Forest (-10) at CAL

By Richard Coia, Featured Handicapper

There is no question I have sucked when I am live with play. My friends have started to play against my releases - that's how bad it has been!

That all changes tonight though with this marquee meeting in Provo.

No more words, just a winner.

75 DIME
Winner # 24 of 40

Notre Dame at BYU - 7:30 ET

Wake Forest has emerged as one of the ACC’s most dangerous teams under second-year coach Jake Dickert, and last week’s 38-14 road victory over NC State certainly reinforces that impression!


The Demon Deacons trailed 14-10 at halftime before dominating the second half, outscoring the Wolfpack 28-0 and allowing just 63 yards after the break. Quarterback Gio Lopez completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, added a rushing score, and finished with four total touchdowns.


Wide receivers Jack Foley and Carlos Hernandez both topped 100 receiving yards, giving Lopez multiple reliable options. Wake is now 5-1 overall, with three Power Four road victories, and its ability to make adjustments after halftime has been particularly impressive.


Also take into consideration that Jake Dickert did spend from 2021 through 2024 coaching in Pullman at Washington State, so he is quite familiar with dealing with the Golden Bears, especially in Berkeley, so this rare coast-to-coast foray should not bother the Deacs all that much, especially with the pacific time zone night time start.


California’s recent 25-20 upset of Virginia Tech shows why this matchup deserves respect, but the Golden Bears still have significant issues to solve. New play-caller Pat McCann has brought better offensive rhythm, and Jackson Brousseau delivered an impressive first start, completing 29 of 43 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown without an interception. 


Cal also has a productive receiving corps, led by Ian Strong and Chase Hendricks, so Wake cannot afford to rely exclusively on stopping the run. However, the Bears have struggled to establish a consistent ground game, and Wake’s defense showed against NC State that it can take control once its front starts winning at the line of scrimmage.


The question of whether Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele returns at quarterback adds uncertainty, but Brousseau’s strong performance also means Cal is no longer entirely dependent on its starter. The Bears’ passing ability is the biggest obstacle to a comfortable Wake Forest cover.


The Deacons have demonstrated an ability to finish games strongly, and their defense has recently overwhelmed opposing offenses. Cal’s 46-36 victory over Wake in 2024 is worth noting, but these are different teams, and the Deacons arrive with considerably more momentum.


Wake 'Em up tonight in Berkeley. Play Wake Forest.


4* WAKE FOREST (on a 1* to 5* basis)