The Oregon Ducks could blow out James Madison Saturday night.
Wise guys are just betting against it.
When the matchup was announced two Sundays ago on ESPN, Oregon opened as a 20.5-point home favorite over the Sun Belt champions. The initial push showed on the Ducks behind all their speed, skill and NFL talent. Multiple sportsbooks reached Oregon -22 and some predicted the line could reach -23 or higher. Not so fast.
James Madison money started to hit the screen earlier this week and there’s been a steady appetite from respected bettors to take three touchdowns or more as we get closer to kickoff. In fact, offshore powerhouses Pinnacle and CRIS are at 20.5.
And most big bets the last few days in Las Vegas are on the Dukes.
🎙 Vegas Voices
“They took +22 and +21.5,” Westgate bookmaker Ed Salmons told me.
“Oh yeah,” South Point head honcho Chris Andrews said. “They bet me at +22. I’m at 21 now and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
“They got me, too,” Golden Nugget VP Tony Miller cracked.
“One guy hit us nice on Dukes,” Wynn Resorts bookmaker Motoi Pearson added. “And he’s been doing pretty good with us lately. That opened my eyes a bit.”
What else?
“[Sharps] played the Saints -4.5,” Westgate VP John Murray reported. “That’s a real barnburner on Sunday morning. Saints-Jets. They bet Carolina +3 against Tampa Bay.”
🐔 The Boys are Back!
Maybe you’ve heard, Joe Ostrowski and me relaunched “Chicken Dinner” yesterday. We started the show together in Chicago back in Aug. 2016.
We found out two months ago that “Bet Sweats” was not going to be a part of a network merger with Westwood One and we were still asked to host a daily three-hour radio show for two months. All while we’re about to be let go. Merry Christmas.
Maybe that explains the shitty two months of handicapping!
You can watch the newest episode here. We discuss our last two months, the mental gymnastics, owning our own content and the weekend football slate.
🦬 Bills or Bust x2
What a win for Buffalo at New England last Sunday. If Josh Allen plays like the Winter Soldier in the NFL Playoffs, that team will be tough to kill. I keep adding Bills Super Bowl stock. It’s sort of a problem. I suggested +900 last week and suggest another pop at +800 right now. Buffalo’s kryptonite — Patrick Mahomes — ain’t walking through that door.
I wrote 600 words on my Bills’ stance for FOX Sports on Dec. 10.
📊 Sharp Report
James Madison +22 —> +20.5
Montana State -4.5 —> -6
Miami FL +4.5 —> +3
Saints -4 —> -6.5
Titans +4.5 —> +3
Bills -9.5 —> -10.5
JAX-DEN O43 —> 47
🥃 Fade the Bartender
The Bartender won both his bets last weekend and he’s undoubtedly feeling himself heading into the weekend. Maybe we’ll get a Bears-Packers play.
Find out what our guy is eyeing Saturday on X.
🐔 Chicken Picks
Here are the plays this weekend. Best of luck.
Oklahoma ML -115
James Madison +21
James Madison 1H +12.5
Ravens -3 -105
Steelers +7
(Another) Bills win Super Bowl +800
L/W: 2-3, -1.3 units
YTD: 32-45-6, -17.3 units
Follow Sam!
Bear Bets | Chicken Dinner | FOX Sports