In This Edition

• MLB Playoff Picture: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

  • Monday Night Football Betting Primer

  • Heard of StatMuse?

  • NFL Thursday Night Football

  • Is Pikkit Letting You Down?

  • Notable CFB Week 3 Matchups

MLB Playoff Picture: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not?

With only 22 days until Wild Card play begin, the playoff race is hotter than ever.

MLB Playoff Bracket: AL

The Twins (75-63) have reclaimed the #5 seed, pushing the Royals (74-62) back to the #6 spot.

This flip-flop could be a game-changer for your betting strategies, so keep an eye on these teams as they battle for position.

MLB Playoff Bracket: NL

The National League has seen a few changes in the past week.

• The Braves have vacated the #6 spot, making way for the Mets.

Meanwhile, the Padres (4 now) have swapped places with the Diamondbacks. These shifts could offer some intriguing betting angles as the playoff picture continues to evolve.

As the season comes to a close, keep in mind which teams have more on the line in each matchup.

Check this guy out if you're on the hunt for a reliable MLB capper – he dishes out multiple free plays (no paid ones) and is as dependable as they come.

Monday Night Football Betting Primer

Get ready for an electrifying Monday Night Football matchup as Aaron Rodgers finally makes his much-anticipated debut for the Jets against the formidable San Francisco 49ers.

Kickoff is set for 8:15pm ET, and this game promises to be a thriller.

Odds & Spread

• Point Spread: New York +5 | San Francisco -5

• Moneyline: New York +216 | San Francisco -246

• Total: Over 45.5 | Under 45.5

New York Jets

The Jets are buzzing with excitement as Aaron Rodgers takes the helm.

After a year-long wait, Rodgers is set to lead an offense featuring Breece Hall in the backfield and Garrett Wilson as the primary receiving threat.

The Jets' defense, led by Sauce Gardner, was ninth in the NFL in Rush EPA per play allowed last year and will be key in slowing down the 49ers' potent running game.

Key Points:

• Aaron Rodgers: Making his return, ready to exploit a potentially weakened 49ers pass rush.

• Defense: Strong against the run, with a secondary capable of holding its own.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers, fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, have had a rocky offseason.

Key players like Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams took time to get extended, and the offensive line has some question marks.

Brock Purdy will need to step up against a Jets defense that can bring the heat.

Key Points:

• Offensive Line Concerns: Trent Williams' performance is crucial; any struggles could spell trouble.

• Defense: Lost key pass-rushing pieces, which could give Rodgers the time he needs to pick apart the secondary.

The Bottom Line

The Jets are fired up with Rodgers under center and a defense ready to challenge the 49ers.

Historically, Super Bowl losers struggle in Week 1, and the 49ers have started slowly under Kyle Shanahan.

With the Jets' improved offense and stout defense, the Jets might even win this one.

• Jets +4 | -105 | Hard Rock Bet

StatMuse: A Free Tool Every Bettor Should Use

If StatMuse isn't on your radar yet, it's time to change that.

Next time you're diving into research for a matchup or bet, give StatMuse a whirl.

Back in 2014, two lifelong buddies had a vision, and StatMuse was born.

Fast forward to today, and they're serving tens of millions of users and racking up billions of brand impressions across the globe.

With heavyweights like Disney, Google, Allen & Company, and the NFL Players Association in their corner, StatMuse is on a mission to create the first-ever Intelligence and Entertainment Network for sports and finance.

My favorite feature is the intuitive search bar - you don’t need to be a data whiz to unlock its full power.

Just type in what you want, and StatMuse will handle the heavy lifting.

If you haven’t played around with it yet, we definitely recommend giving it a shot.

It's hands down one of the best FREE research tools we've ever used!

NFL Thursday Night Football

Get ready for what should be an electrifying TNF matchup as the Bills (1-0) take on the Dolphins in Miami (1-0).

Kickoff is set for 8:15pm ET.

• Bills Week 1: Beat Arizona 34-28

• Dolphins Week 1: Beat Jacksonville 20-17

Odds & Spread

• Moneyline: Dolphins -118 (DraftKings) | Bills +108 (FanDuel)

• Spread: Dolphins -1.5 | Over/Under: 50.5

Buffalo Bills

The Bills kicked off their season with a thrilling 34-28 comeback win over the Cardinals, rallying from a 17-3 deficit.

• Josh Allen accounted for 4 touchdowns—two through the air and two on the ground.

Despite an injury scare to his left hand, reports suggest Allen will be good to go for Thursday night.

Buffalo hits the road to face a Dolphins team they swept last year with scores of 21-14 and 48-20.

However, the Bills will miss the veteran presence of safeties Jordan Poyer (Dolphins) and Micah Hyde (contract), which could be a factor against Miami's potent passing attack.

Miami Dolphins

Miami also pulled off a Week 1 comeback, overcoming a 14-point deficit to edge out a 20-17 victory on a last-second field goal by Jason Sanders

• Tua Tagovailoa: 338 pass yds / 1 TD / 0 INT

The Dolphins stay at home this week, where they boasted a 7-2 record last season.

Under head coach Mike McDaniel, Miami is 7-1 in September, including a win against the Bills last year.

The Bottom Line

This game is shaping up to be a fun one, as both teams have the capacity to put up 40 points on any given night.

We like the Dolphins in this matchup - the Bills will have too much trouble stopping this speedy wide-receiver core.

• Dolphins -2 | -110 | bet365

Pikkit Alternatives?

For those who might not be familiar, Pikkit is a popular app among sports bettors designed to make your betting experience easier.

It offers features like bet tracking, odds comparison, and community interaction (Twitter/X style), all aimed at helping you make smarter bets and easily track them.

However, recent changes have seen new features move behind a paywall, and the app's speed and ease of use have taken a hit as it rapidly rolls out new updates.

• Pro: $39.99/month

• Annual: $299.99/year ($24.99/month)

If you're finding Pikkit less user-friendly than before, it might be time to explore other options that can keep your betting game sharp and efficient.

I’ll be doing a deep dive on Pikkit alternatives that works well for the everyday bettor - and won’t cost you a dime.

A full review will be in one of the next two newsletter editions!

Have you already found a Pikkit alternative that you love?

Reply to this email or DM me on X with your favorite alternative(s) and why you think others would like it.

Your insights could help fellow bettors find their next go-to platform 🤯

Notable CFB Week 3 Matchups

Buckle up, bettors - Week 3 of College Football only a few days away.

Let's dive into some key matchups, who's got the edge, and which bets we like the best.

(20) Arizona @ (14) Kansas State | 8:00pm ET

Get ready for an exciting Friday night as the Arizona Wildcats take on the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan, Kansas.

• Line: KSU -7

• O/U: 56.5

Arizona Wildcats

Arizona has struggled to cover the spread in its first two games, despite being heavy favorites.

They beat New Mexico 61-39 and Northern Arizona 22-10 but failed to cover the large spreads.

Now, as 7.5-point underdogs, they might have better luck.

Offense

Quarterback Noah Fifita has been solid, throwing for 595 yards and 5 touchdowns, though he has 2 interceptions.

• The Wildcats' ground game is averaging 196.5 yards per contest, led by Quali Conley with 202 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Tetairoa McMillan and Quali Conley have combined for 382 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, providing reliable targets for Fifita.

Defense

Defensively, Arizona is allowing 24.5 points and 334 yards per game.

Marquis Groves-Killebrew has been a standout in the secondary with 3 pass deflections - but the defense will need to step up to contain Kansas State's potent rushing attack.

Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State is off to a strong start, winning their first two games against UT Martin (41-6) and Tulane (34-27).

The Wildcats are looking to continue their momentum and secure their first 3-0 start since the 2021 season.

Offense

Quarterback Avery Johnson has been efficient, completing 65.9% of his passes for 334 yards and 4 touchdowns with just 1 interception.

Running back DJ Giddens has been the star, rushing for 238 yards on just 32 carries.

• Jayce Brown and DJ Giddens have combined for 157 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Keagan Johnson has 4 receptions.

The offensive line has been dominant, allowing the team to average 249 rushing yards per game.

Defense

Defensively, Kansas State is allowing 16.5 points and 312.5 yards per game.

• Austin Romaine leads the team with 11 tackles, while Tobi Osunsanmi has recorded 1.5 sacks.

The defense will need to tighten up, especially against Arizona's passing attack, which has the potential to exploit any weaknesses.

Key Stats

• Arizona: 5-1 ATS as road underdogs of 7+ points since 2022.

• Kansas State: 7-3 ATS and 8-2 overall as home favorites of 7+ points in their last 10 games.

Prediction

While Kansas State is favored at home, Arizona has a knack for covering as underdogs.

With a solid offense led by Noah Fifita and McMillan, Arizona could keep this game close.

Given Kansas State's recent defensive struggles, especially against Tulane, grabbing the points with Arizona might be the smart play.

• Arizona +7 | -110 | bet365

(4) Alabama @ Wisconsin | 12:00pm ET

Get ready for Saturday to start off quickly, headlined by Alabama traveling to Madison, Wisconsin to face off against the Badgers.

• Line: ALA -16

• O/U: 51.5

Alabama Crimson Tide

No. 4 Alabama had a sluggish start against USF but eventually pulled away for a 42-16 victory.

Despite the win, they missed the cover as 30.5-point favorites, with the Under (64.5) hitting.

The Crimson Tide led just 14-13 after three quarters and 21-16 midway through the final quarter before scoring 21 points in the last 5:50 to make the game look more lopsided than it was.

Offense

Quarterback Jalen Milroe has been more than efficient, throwing for 406 yards and 4 touchdowns.

• Milroe is currently a Top-10 Heisman Candidate

The ground game is averaging 183.5 yards per contest, led by Jase McClellan with 202 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Defense

Alabama's defense has been a cornerstone of their success, allowing just 8 points and 227 yards per game.

• Linebacker Jihaad Campbell has been a tackling machine, leading the team with 20 tackles.

His ability to read plays and react quickly has been crucial in shutting down opposing offenses.

• Defensive end Que Robinson has been a disruptive force on the line, recording 2 sacks so far this season and consistently pressuring quarterbacks.

The Crimson Tide's defense is not just about individual talent; their ability to work cohesively and adjust on the fly makes them a formidable unit.

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin has managed to secure two victories but has been less than impressive in both.

They won 28-14 against Western Michigan, failing to cover as 24-point favorites, and had an ugly 27-13 win over FCS South Dakota, again failing to cover as 18.5-point favorites.

• The Under hit in both games

Offense

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is completing 60.3% of his passes for 406 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions.

Will Pauling and Bryson Green have combined for 185 receiving yards on 17 catches, while CJ Williams has 2 receptions.

The ground game is averaging 183.5 yards per contest, led by Chez Mellusi with 134 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Defense

Wisconsin's defense has been solid, allowing only 13.5 points and 249 yards per game.

Safety Hunter Wohler leads the team with 15 tackles, showcasing his ability to be everywhere on the field.

• His versatility allows him to play both in the box and deep, making him a key player in both run support and pass coverage.

The Badgers' defense excels in bending but not breaking, often tightening up in the red zone to force field goals instead of touchdowns.

Their ability to make in-game adjustments and their disciplined approach make them a tough unit to score against.

Key Stats

• Alabama's Red Zone Efficiency: Alabama has scored touchdowns on 90% of their red zone trips this season, making them one of the most efficient teams in the country when it comes to capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

• Wisconsin's Third-Down Defense: Wisconsin has held opponents to a 25% conversion rate on third downs, showcasing their ability to get off the field and limit extended drives.

Prediction

While Alabama is favored, Wisconsin has the home-field advantage and a solid defense.

However, Alabama's explosive offense and strong defensive unit make them the team to beat.

With both teams boasting strong defenses and Wisconsin likely to employ a clock-draining strategy, the Under looks like a smart play.

• Under 51.5 | -108 | bet365

(24) Boston College @ (6) Missouri | 12:00pm ET

In what will potentially be the most critical game this weekend, BC heads to Missouri to take on the #6 Tigers.

• Line: MIZ -16.5

• O/U: 54.5

Boston College

Boston College is off to a fast 2-0 start after a statement win at Florida State and a thrashing of Duquesne.

The Eagles are riding dynamic quarterback Thomas Castellanos, who has 7 all-purpose touchdowns while completing more than 73 percent of his pass attempts.

Offense

Quarterback Thomas Castellanos threw for 234 yards and 4 touchdowns in their last game against Duquesne.

• The ground game is also strong, with Turbo Richard leading the way with 74 yards on 15 carries.

Datrell Jones and Treshaun Ward have also contributed significantly, combining for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.

• The Eagles' offense is averaging over 560 total yards per game.

Defense

Defensively, Boston College has been solid, allowing just 13.5 points and 193 yards per game.

Safety Hunter Wohler leads the team with 15 tackles, showcasing his ability to be everywhere on the field.

• His versatility allows him to play both in the box and deep, making him a key player in both run support and pass coverage.

Their ability to make in-game adjustments and their disciplined approach make them a tough unit to score against.

Missouri Tigers

Missouri is yet to allow a single point in two games against Murray State and Buffalo, but this defense will face a far-tougher test against a Boston College attack that has the targets to spread the field.

Offense

Quarterback Brady Cook has been strong for Missouri, completing 65.9% of his passes for 456 yards and 1 touchdown.

The ground game is averaging 249 yards per contest, led by Nate Noel with 121 yards and 2 touchdowns.

• Theo Wease Jr. leads the receiving corps with 179 yards on 16 receptions.

Defense

Missouri's defense has been dominant, allowing zero points and just 169 yards per game.

• Linebacker Austin Romaine leads the team with 11 tackles, while defensive lineman Elijah Hills has recorded 2 sacks.

The Tigers' defense has been particularly effective at shutting down the run and pressuring the quarterback, making it difficult for opponents to sustain drives.

Their ability to force turnovers and make key stops has been a cornerstone of their early success.

Key Stats

• Boston College's Offensive Efficiency: Boston College is averaging over 560 total yards per game, making them one of the most potent offenses in the country.

• Missouri's Defensive Dominance: Missouri has yet to allow a single point this season, showcasing their ability to completely shut down opposing offenses.

Prediction

While Missouri is favored, Boston College has the offensive firepower to challenge the Tigers.

However, Missouri's dominant defense and home-field advantage make them the team to beat in this matchup.

Expect a competitive matchup, but Missouri's depth and defensive prowess should ultimately prevail.

• Under 54.5 | -110 | FanDuel

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