Thursday’s Best NCAAF, MLB & WNBA Bets (8/31)
No matter your sport of choice, there's always sports betting action to be had. We'll have you covered each and every day with our daily best bets. Here are all of our best bets across each major sport in action today.
Today's Best Bets
Here are today's best bets.
College Football Best Bets
Florida vs. Utah
The Florida Gators struggled with the No. 4 overall pick of the NFL Draft. Yes, Florida wasn't even good with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. So, what makes anyone think Graham Mertz will change the Florida offense this year? Mertz left Wisconsin when the new coaching staff came in; Luke Fickell didn't want him. Mertz has thrown ten or more interceptions in his last two seasons.
On the other hand, there are questions regarding Utah QB Cam Rising's health. A week ago, it seemed likely that Rising would play. Now, the reports are that Rising is doubtful to suit up. Rising has thrown for nearly 50 touchdowns over the last two seasons. But now it is expected to be Bryson Barnes at quarterback. Barnes threw four touchdowns and two interceptions last season. However, he only went 10-for-19 against Penn State in a 35-21 loss in the Rose Bowl. Rising would be a significant loss for Utah; however, Utah still has the better pieces in place. Barnes is more familiar with Utah's offense than Mertz is with Florida's.
Let's not forget that Florida lost to Oregon State, without Richardson, 30-3, in the bowl game last year. That's a comparable Pac-12 team. And sure, Florida didn't have all their players who elected to opt out. But a 30-3 loss is embarrassing. No matter who the quarterback is, I'm taking Utah against the spread in this one.
Pick: Utah -4.5 (-110)
-Jason Radowitz
Check out our other NCAAF Odds, Picks & Predictions:
- College Football Week 1 Odds, Picks & Predictions (Thursday)
- College Football Week 1: Early Lines, Odds & Predictions (2023)
- College Football PrizePicks Week 1 Player Predictions (2023)
MLB Best Bets
Miami Marlins (-162) at Washington Nationals (+136) | O/U 8.5 (-115/-105)
Braxton Garrett is currently on a great run, pitching at least five innings and allowing three or fewer runs in six consecutive starts. One of those was his most recent against the Nationals, but the bullpen allowed three more runs, and he took the loss.
In that same matchup, Joan Adon had his best start of the season, going six scoreless as he earned the win. For him, last year was so disastrous that he spent the first half of this season in the minors. Some improvements include cutting his walk rate in half from 12% to 6%, but he's still not reducing his opponent's power numbers, and this means an increase in his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity.
Miami is not playing well at the moment and has lost 10 of their last 13. The once-incredible lineup has gone quiet, which will allow Adon to get another win.
Pick: Nationals Moneyline (+136)
Check out our other MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions:
- MLB Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
- MLB Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions
- MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks & Predictions
- MLB Best Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
WNBA Best Bets
Washington Mystics vs. Las Vegas Aces
The Washington Mystics are one game away from returning to .500. However, they're facing a Las Vegas Aces team on the road, who are 30-6 on the season.
Ironically enough, the Aces have lost their last two games and have dropped three of their previous five games. Las Vegas hadn't lost two straight all year until their last two games, and that first loss of the two was against Washington.
The Mystics defeated the Aces 78-62 on their home court on August 26. Now we'll have a rubber match of a three-game regular season series after Las Vegas dominated the Mystics 113-89 in the first matchup.
Elena Delle Donne scored 21 points for the Mystics in their recent win over the Aces. The Mystics scored just eight points in the entire second quarter but then held the Aces to no more than 18 points in any quarter. Las Vegas shot 6-for-29 from three and only 30.8% from the field. They also turned the ball over 19 times. However, Washington only scored seven points off turnovers; the Mystics didn't take advantage of Las Vegas' mistakes.
The Aces have put up 92.6 points per game this season and rarely shoot poorly from the field. They'll be back home against a Washington team that has allowed 81 points per game this year. I like the Aces in a revenge game tonight.
Bet: Aces -9.5 (-110)
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