ranger 7

Las Vegas - As you get ready to start handicapping week #2, here are some crazy week #1 stats. In China, it's the year of the Ox, but here, last week, all across the country, it was the week of the DOG. Underdogs KILLED it, covering 12 of 16 games. Home teams were 7-9 against the spread. And if you're thinking offensive explosions across the board, UH UH, because there were nine Unders and seven Overs.

As promised, here are the odds to replace Clay Helton at USC. The leader in the clubhouse is Luke Fickell at 6/1. Why? The USC athletic director, Mike Bohn, was the AD at Cincinnati from 2014 to 2019, and he hired Fickell. After inheriting an ugly team and going 4-8 in his first season, Fickell has been
RIDONKULOUS, posting a 33-6 record since 2018. So, look for Fickell to become a Trojan VERY soon. Mario Cristobal and P.J. Fleck are both 7/1, with Urban Meyer and Matt Campbell at 8/1 and Chris Peterson at 10/1.

Still in the hunt for the second National League Wildcard, the Phillies might have found a gem. His name is Ranger Suarez. The Ranger jumped into the starting rotation back in early August, and he has been close to untouchable in his last four starts. He has put 23 innings in the books and allowed just 3 earned runs, which works out to a pretty skinny 1.17 ERA. The Cubs have been a touch above average at home this season, with a 39-36 record, but on the road, it's a HORROR SHOW at 26-43. Gimme the Phils for the money!

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