Crimson Tide begin title defense against Virginia Tech
The Alabama Crimson Tide have compiled a 25-2 SU record over the last two seasons en route to two straight BCS National Championships. Alabama will begin its path towards a third straight BCS title (and a fourth in five years) this Saturday when it takes on the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Virginia Tech had an eight-year streak of 10+ wins snapped last season, going just 7-6 SU and 9-4 ATS. The Hokies will try to bounce back this season, but have their work cut out for them in Week 1 as a 19-point underdog at 5Dimes. The total is currently set at 46 points.
One of the most compelling storylines heading into the final week of the NFL preseason is the Oakland Raiders starting Terrelle Pryor on Thursday night at Seattle. Pryor has outplayed Matt Flynn this preseason, and could win the starting job with a strong performance against the Seahawks. It won’t be an easy assignment for Pryor and the Raiders as the Seahawks are a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS this preseason and are 8-0 SU and ATS over their last eight preseason games. Seattle is a 7.5-point favorite at 5Dimes.
The Cincinnati Reds will try to gain some ground in the super-tight NL Central race this week when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game series starting on Monday. St. Louis is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games against the Reds. Tyler Lyons takes the mound for the Cardinals Monday night and is a -112 favorite at 5Dimes over Mike Leake and the Reds (+102).
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are both going off at 2/1 at Bovada to win the US Open, which starts on Monday. Defending champion Andy Murray is 7/2 to win the tournament, while Juan Martin Del Potro (12/1) and five-time winner Roger Federer (14/1) are also expected to be in the mix.
Last year’s US Open finalists Serena Williams (2/3) and Victoria Azarenka (3/1) are the big favorites in this year’s event on the women’s side. At Bovada, “Djokovic and Williams to win” and “Nadal and Williams to win” are both going off at 9/2.