Archived Selections

November 3, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the college games of Saturday, Nov. 3:

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Iowa +2 1/2 Purdue

                              Texas -2 West Virginia

REGULAR PLAYS:

So. Miss +2 1/2 Marshall

Air Force +6 1/2 Army

Air Force--Army UNDER 42 1/2

Florida -6 1/2 Missouri

Washington State -9 California

Kansas State +9 1/2 TCU

Wyoming---San Jose UNDER 38

FIU -2 1/2 FAU

Oklahoma State---Baylor UNDER 69 1/2

LSU +14 Alabama

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Washington started the year as one of the favorites to be in the final four. But this ultra-disappointing squad will now be fortunate to get even a pretty good bowl to invite them.

Today's opponent Stanford has also fallen on hard times. But under standout coach David Shaw they've proven time and again that they can bounce back from adversity. This spread simple seems to large to me and represents 2-3 points of value for me. So:

TAKE: Stanford +10 1/2 Washington

BASKETBALL

Friday record: 1-1

Season so far: 19-7

Philadelphia -7 1/2  Detroit

Charlotte -9 Cleveland

Houston -8 Chicago

Denver -4 Utah

Good hunting today!!! 

November 2, 2018

FOOTBALL

After yet another terrific night in this spot (Late Consensus winner plus a Norm's Late Thoughts winner) there's only one game that interested me and I've made that game (Colorado) a Pick of the Pole.

BASKETBALL

Thursday record: 2-0

Season so far: 18-6

Oklahoma City +2 1/2 Washington

Dallas -6 1/2 NY Knicks

Happy November!

November 1, 2018

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick on tonight's football action:

REGULAR PLAY: No. Illinois -6 Akron

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: After a couple of nice, winning recommendations the last couple of nights lets try to keep a very good season for "Late Thoughts" going this evening. Temple got drilled by UCF last year 45-19. BUT---four Temple turnovers undercut the Owls in a game where the yardage was right at even. Unbeaten UCF has everything to play for

but these Owls have been rugged on the road and the spread is pretty generous here:

TAKE: Temple +10 1/2 UCF

Also, lean to:

Ohio -3 W. Michigan

BASKETBALL

Wednesday record: 0-1

Season so far: 16-6

Philadelphia -5 LA Clippers

Atlanta--Sacramento OVER 231

Milwaukee +2 Boston

Milwaukee---Boston UNDER 215

Good hunting tonight!

October 31, 2018

OOTBALL

We were fortunate that our "lean" to Buffalo turned out OK last night. Tonight we have just the single MAC game but I have a bit of a feeling in this one also. Toledo's been tangling with some pretty decent teams with losses to Miami, Fla., Fresno and Buffalo. But don't ever confuse Ball St. with that list of decent teams. This spread seems petty high but Ball State is #111 in the country in rush defense and Toledo runs it for 5.0 yards per carry. That allows them to control the game all night long. 

But this is, like Buffalo, only a "lean" for me:

Toledo -18 1/2 Ball State

BASKETBALL

Tuesday record: 1-1

Season so far: 16-5

LA Lakers -7 Dallas

Good hunting again tonight!

October 30, 2018

FOOTBALL

Only a pair of games in college football tonight but one of these contests holds some limited appeal for me. Buffalo's been a team we've been on with solid success this season. They are wonderfully quarterbacked by Tyree Jackson and at this level of competition having a very solid triggerman elevates a team greatly. At 3-5 Miami's just another collection of uniforms these days. This isn't a strong play but I do lean to:

TAKE: Buffalo -7 Miami  Ohio

BASKETBALL

Monday record: 2-0

Season so far: 15-4

Orlando -4 1/2 Sacramento

Oklahoma City - 2 1/2 LA Clippers

Good hunting!

October 28, 2018

FOOTBALL

Handicappers seem pretty split on whether to lay all those points (14) with NE tonight or to take the points at home with Buffalo. I'm not a big fan of either side and do not have a strong feeling here. But my continuing opinion that Buffalo is simply hideous keeps me from playing the underdog here. I'd slightly lean to the favorite but must believe

there will be better spots to truly step out down the road

BASKETBALL

Sunday record: 1-0

Season so far: 13-4

Philadelphia -11 Atlanta

Minnesota---LA Lakers OVER 237

BASEBALL

Sunday record: 2-0....+$2.30 (game plus 

                                   series winner)

World Series record: 5-1....+$4.75

Season over!

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the NFL is games of Sunday, Oct. 28.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Kansas City -9 Denver

REGULAR PLAYS: 

New Orleans -1 1/2 Minnesota

Seattle +3 Detroit

Green Bay +8 1/2 LA Rams

Green Bay---LA Rams OVER 57

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: This smaller slate leaves me a bit cool but I would suggest one game for consideration. I'm not certain what Cincy is at this point. They started fast but now have lost two in a row, but to solid teams. But the Bengals defense scares me a lot and Tampa has players who can break down poor defenses. This is a moderate recommendation ar best but lets;

TAKE: Tampa Bay +3 1/2 Cincinnati

BASEKETBALL

Saturday record: 1-1

Season so far: 12-4

Utah -3 1/2 Dallas

BASEBALL

Saturday record: 1-0....+$1.45

World Series so far: 3-1.....+$2.45

Boston +130 LA Dodgers

Good hunting today!

     

October 27

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks of college games of Saturday, Oct. 27.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: Texas Tech +6 Iowa State

STRONG PLAYS: Kentucky +7 1/2 Missouri

REGULAR PLAYS:

No. Illinois +7 BYU

S. Florida +8 1/2 Houston

Navy +23 1/2 Notre Dame

San Diego State -2 1/2 Nevada

Florida +6 1/2 Georgia

Texas A&M +1 Mississippi State

Arkansas +1 Vandy

Florida State +17 1/2 Clemson

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS---I must be dead honest with you. I'm not a fan of either of the really strong plays and  several of the other Consensus picks. Not at all in love with So. Florida and I actually like the other side of the Clemson--Florida State game. Now, this is not to say that I'm heavily on on the other sides. I just thought I should tell you that this card really does leave me pretty cold on many of these games. But, I do have three "late thought" selections for you:

TAKE: Charlotte +7 So. Miss

           TCU -13 1/2 Kansas

           Stanford -3 Washington State

But let me also add that some of my handicapper friends also like the other side of a couple of these games. BE CAREFUL today!!!

BASKETBALL

Friday record: No plays

Season so far: 11-3

Philadelphia minus the points versus Charlotte

Indiana minus the points versus Cleveland

BASEBALL

Friday record: 0-1....-$1.00

World Series so far: 2-1....+$1.00

Boston +150 LA Dodgers

Happy Saturday!!!

October 26, 2018

FOOTBALL

You 

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I've already made three of these Friday games Picks of thePole but there's a still another game that interests me a bit. Miami's a small favorite over Boston College and that makes this an intriguing value play. BC's pretty solid. Points worth taking I think.

TAKE: Boston College +3 1/2 Miami Florida

BASKETBALL

Thursday record: 1-0

Season so far: 11-3

NO PLAYS FRIDAY NIGHT

BASEBALL

World Series record so far: 2-0

Boston +145 LA Dodgers

Good hunting tonight!!!

October 25, 2018

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick on tonight's football action. It's a REGULAR STRENGTH PLAY:

TAKE: Houston -7 1/2 Miami

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I just get a feeling that tonight is where a solidly superior West Virginia team steps out against Baylor. The Mountaineers are still fully in the thick of the playoffs f they can run the table and swiping out Baylor would be a fine springboard to November.

Baylor's an improved bunch but this appears a shaky spot for the Bears to me.

TAKE: West Virginia -14 Baylor

BASKETBALL

WEDENESDAY RECORD: 1-1

Season so far: 11-4

Detroit-7 Cleveland

Denver---LALakers OVER 239 1/2

BASEBALL

Wednesday record: 1-0

Series so far: 2-0

No game tonight

October 24, 2018

BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 1-0 plus an extra "lean to"

               winner

Boston -135 LA Dodgers

BASKETBALL

Tuesday record: 2-0-1 (Push Philly--Detroit)

Season so far: 10-3

Dallas -1 1/2 Atlanta

LA Lakers -3 Phoenix

Good hunting tonight!

October 23, 2018

FOOTBALL

There are no Late Consensus Picks on tonight's lone college game. The line has been steadily moving toward Troy here going from -11 1/2 to -13. That's still the way I'd "lean" but the value's disappearing here so I'll hunt for better places this week.

BASEBALL

GAME 1---Boston -140 LA Dodgers

     ---I would also "lean" to the OVER 7 1/2

     ---I also like Boston -155 in the Series

BASKETBALL

Monday record: 0-1

Season so far: 8-3

Philadelphia minus the points vs. Detroit

New Orleans -6 1/2 LA Clippers

Denver -11 Sacramento

Happy Tuesday!!!

October 22, 2018

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick on tonight's Monday night "football game."

REGULAR PLAY: NY Giants +3 1/2 Atlanta

BASKETBALL

Sunday record: 1-0

Season  so far: 8-2

Utah -10 Memphis

Good hunting!

October 21, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the NFL games of Sunday, October, 21.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Philadelphia -5 1/2 Carolina

REGULAR PLAYS: Miami +3 Detroit

                                Tampa Bay -3 1/2 Cleveland

                                Chicago +2 1/2 New England

                                Buffalo---Indianapolis UNDR 50 1/2

                                San Francisco +8 1/2 LA Rams

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Another Sunday where the card is pretty well picked over. I've already put out some strong opinions on some games and will stand on those. But yet one more reminder of possible use of the money line. If you like underdogs like Chicago and New Orleans, you might consider taking them on the money line to win straight up instead of taking the small point spread. The odds

can works in your favor in such situations.

BASKETBALL

Saturday record: 2-1

Season so far: 7-2

Atlanta--Cleveland OVER 230

Happy Sunday!!!

October 20, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the college games of Saturday, Oct. 20.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: 

• None
  

STRONG PLAYS: 

• Purdue +12 Ohio State
  
• Oklahoma -7 1/2 TCU
  

REGULAR PLAYS: 

• Michigan State +7 Michigan
  
• Auburn -4 Mississippi
  
• Virginia +7 Duke
  
• USC +7 Utah
  
• Navy +12 Houston
  
• Arizona---UCLA UNDER 56
  

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: 

I have a pair of games for you today.

Winless Nebraska's player perhaps the most difficult schedule in the country and today gets a very mediocre Minnesota team to visit Lincoln. This appears a good spot to take out a bit of frustration for the Huskers.

TAKE: Nebraska -5 Minnesota

Wester Kentucky's another former top program that's fallen on tough times. But today's opponent Old Dominion has little to recommend it. The small spread  does scare me much here.

TAKE: W. Kentucky -4 Old Dominion

BASEBALL

Friday record: 2-0.....+$2.10

Playoffs so far: 8-13.....-$7.65

DOUBLE PLAY: Milwaukee EVEN LA Dodgers

BASKETBALL

Friday record: 1-0

Season so far: 5-1

Indiana -8 1/2 Brooklyn

Boston -9 NY Knicks

Houston---LA Lakers OVER 234 1/2

Good hunting today!!!

October 19, 2018

FOOTBALL

There are no Late Consensus Picks on tonight's limited college football card. But we had another nice winner for you in Stanford last night along with keeping you away from a pretty popular NFL selection on Arizona last evening.

We've had very good success of Friday's this year (DOUBLE PLAY WINNER two weeks ago and a SINGLE PLAY WINNER last week). This week won't be as strong but Air Force seems to be playing with lots of purpose which can't be said for a UNLV team that's not very good and I don't believe can be trusted very highly at  home. This is not a strong play but call it a "lean" to:

 Air Force -9 1/2 UNLV

BASKETBALL

Thursday record: 2-0

Season so far: 4-1

New Orleans -11 Sacramento

BASEBALL

Out struggles here continue.

Thursday record: 0-1....-$1.80

Playoffs so far: 6-13.....-$9.75

DOUBLE PLAY: Milwaukee +105 LA Dodgers

Good hunting tonight!

October 18, 2018

FOOTBALL

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Most of my handicapping friends like Arizona tonight in the NFL Thursday night game. And I know of Denver's dreadful road record over the last year plus. But I simply cannot take a very poor team like the Cardinals in a "must win to cover" situation. It's not that I'm in love with Denver either but that's the way I'd "lean" in the Thursday nighter.

I do have a college pick for you. I simply feel Stanford's the better team in this matchup with Arizona. And that's my recommendation for a REGULAR STRENGTH play:

TAKE: Stanford -2 1/2 Arizona State

BASKETBALL

Wednesday record: 2-1

Season so far: 2-1

Philadelphia -11 Chicago

Portland---LA Lakers OVER 222

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Wednesday record: 0-1....-$1.50

Playoffs so far: 6-12....-$7.95

Houston -135 Boston

Happy Thursday

October 17, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 1-0....+$1.20

Playoffs so far: 6-11.....-$6.45

Houston -140 Boston

BASKETBALL

Denver -1 1/2 LA Clippers

Utah -8 1/2 Sacramento

Houston--New Orleans OVER 228 1/2

Happy Wednesday

October 16, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Monday record: 0-1....-$1.70

Playoffs so far: 5-11....-$7.65

Geez, we're not going along very well now. 
BUT, I do like the underdog Red Sox tonight. Eovaldi's seemingly back in form and Keuchel doesn't look like the ace he was a couple years ago. Lets take the price on the underdog here.

Boston +120 Houston

October 15, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Sunday record: 0-1....-$1.00

Playoffs so far: 5-10.....-$5.95

LA Dodgers -170 Milwaukee

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick on the Monday Night NFL game. It's a REGULAR strength play:

San Francisco +8 1/2 Green Bay

NORM's LATE THOUGHTS: I'm not in love with the above play on the Niners. Green Bay's wounded but still potent offensively.

At home and in need of a stellar performance to steady the ship I look for  Rodgers to have a truly fine game. But also, there are some very fine trends toward the OVER in this game. So, lets "lean" to Green Bay in the game and "lean: to the OVER also.

October 14, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Saturday record: 1-1.....EVEN

Playoffs so far: 5-9......-$4.95

Houston EVEN Boston

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the NFL games of Sunday, Oct. 14

VERY STRONG PLAYS: Pittsburgh +2 Cincinnati

STRONG PLAYS: New England -3 1/2 Kansas City

REGULAR PLAYS:

Indianapolis +2 1/2 NY Jets

Seattle -2 1/2 Oakland

Pitt--Cincinnati OVER 50

Tennessee+2 1/2 Baltimore

Miami +4 Chicago

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Not much left on this card to handicap.

Given the shaky nature of each of the offenses involved I almost made Dallas--Jacksonville UNDER a Pick of the Pole.That's the way I'd still lean in this game though not enough to make it a full recommendation. For now, lets just call it a "LEAN." Good hunting today.

October 13, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Playoff record so far: 4-8....-$4.95

Boston--Houston Over 7 1/2

Milwaukee +115 LA Dodgers

TAKE: Houston -135 Boston in the series

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the college games of Saturday, Oct. 13.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Wisconsin +10 Michigan

                              Colorado+7 USC

REGULAR PLAYS:

Michigan State +13 Penn State

Boise State -16 1/2 Nevada

Iowa State +6 1/2 W. Virginia

North Texas---So. Miss UNDER 54

Texas -14 Baylor

LSU +7 Georgia

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I have three games for you today.

Temple again got off to a slow start and has now found their stride just as they did last year. Navy appears a full cut beneath the level of recent Navy outfits.  So:

TAKE: Temple -7 Navy

Toledo's controlled E. Michigan for years now (11 wins in a row). The Rockets record is deceiving with their losses coming to very good teams from Miami Fla. and Fresno. EMU's improved but there's lots of bad history and trends here. So: 

TAKE: Toledo -2 1/2 E. Michigan

Oklahoma State's a full TD favorite at Kansas State. When Okie State simply folded versus Iowa State last week it seemed to validate the fact that these Cowboys are nothing but a mediocre team. Kansas state's also taken a step backward in their program. But coach Bill Snyder is a fantastic 32-15 ATS his last 47 games as an underdog. There appears to be value here. So:

TAKE: Kansas State +7 Oklahoma State

Good hunting today! 

October 11, 2018

FOOTBALL

There is a Late Consensus Pick on the Thursday night NFL game and it is a STRONG PLAY:

TAKE: Philadelphia -3 NY Giants

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I also have an opinion tonight.  Georgia Southern is really running the ball again like they a couple years ago before a brief, unsuccessful coaching change. Tonight they face a Texas State team that's 7-29 SU their last 36 games with their only win this year coming against a pathetic Texas Southern outfit. T State has yielded 41 to mediocre So. Alabama, 25 in a loss to UTSA whose only other wins came against awful teams from Rice and UTEP and 42 to U La La which hasn't scored over 28 against any other of its four Division 1 foes this season. I smell a blowout:

TAKE: Georgia Southern -17 1/2 Texas St.

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Take Houston -145 Boston in the ALCS

October 9, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Monday record: 0-2....-$2.20

Season so far: 4-8....-$4.95

NY Yankees -135 Boston

October 8, 2018

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick on tonight's MNF game. It's  regular strength play:

TAKE: Washington +5 1/2 New Orleans

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Sunday record: 0:2....-$3.15

Playoffs so far: 4-6....-$2.75

Atlanta PICK LA Dodgers

Cleveland -120 Houston

Good hunting today!

October 7, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are you Late Consensus Picks for the NFL games of Sunday, Oct. 7.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Pitt -3 Atlanta

                              KC -3 Jacksonville

REGULAR PLAYS:

Denver -1 NY Jets

Minnesota +3 Philadelphia

Green Bay PICK Detroit

Arizona +3 1/2 San Francisco

Oakland +5 LA Chargers

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I must advise you that the handicapping world is more than a but mixed on that above play on the Minnesota Vikings. For me, this game is simply confusing and I'll pass.

As for the other games, this Sunday left me a bit cold. I came close to making Carolina a Pick of the Pole and for today a very tepid recommendation on the Panthers is about as much as I can offer.

But there are much better places down this road. Be careful.

LIGHT play on Carolina -6 1/2 NY Giants.

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

SATURDAY RECORD: 1-1....+$0.05

PLAYOFFS SO FAR: 4-4....+$0.40

Colorado -145 Milwaukee

LA Dodgers -170 Atlanta

Happy Sunday! 

October 6, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Record Friday:0-1....-$1.00

Playoffs so far: 3-3.....+$0-35

Cleveland +135 Houston

NY Yankees +105 Boston

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for  the college games of Saturday, Oct. 6:

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS:  Florida +2 1/2 LSU

                               Colorado -2 1/2 Arizona State

REGULAR PLAYS:

Wake Forest +20 1/2 Clemson

Texas +7 Oklahoma

Virginia Tech +6 1/2 Notre Dame

E. Michigan +4 W. Michigan

Kentucky +5 1/2 Texas A&M

San Jose +2 1/2 Colorado State

Hawaii -2 1/2 Wyoming

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Let me begin by saying that, while I deeply respect the handicapper who made the above pick on Kentucky, I'll be staying away  from this game. My sense is that A&M's a bit better than  every believes and that Kentucky might be a tad worse than their 5-0 record suggests. Give me a PASS  on this game

I do, however, like three games today:

For me the line on the Georgia Souther--So. Alabama game has simply fallen to far.I like Geo. So. when the line was -13 1/2. Now it's -11 or -11 1/2. I'll bite.

TAKE: Georgia So. -11 1/2 So. Alabama

I know Rutgers is just awful. Just awful! But today Illinois is favored on the road which just as distasteful/\.Give me the Scarlet Knights.

TAkE: Rutgers +5 Illinois

Buffalo's a solid team with a start QB coming off a poor game. C. Mich looks like just any other raggedy outfit.

TAKE: Buffalo -7 1/2 C. Michigan

Good hunting today!

October 5, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Thursday record: 1-0....+$1.00

Playoffs so far: 3-2...+$1.35

Friday: NY Yankees +170 Boston

In the series: NY Yankees +130 Boston

Good hunting today!

October 4, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Wednesday record: 0-1....-$1.00

Playoffs so far: 2-2....+$0.35

Atlanta--LA Dodgers UNDER 7

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick on the NFL game tonight. It is a REGULAR STRENGTH play:

TAKE: New England -10 Indianapolis

October 3, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 1-0....+$1.20

Playoffs so far: 2-1....+$1.35

Oakland +175 NY Yankees

Good hunting today

October 2, 2018

PLAYOFF BASEBALL

Monday record: 1-1....+$0.15

Playoffs so far: 1-1....+$0.15

Colorado +120 Cubs

October 1, 2018

BASEBALL

Milwaukee +115 Cubs

Colorado +165 LA Dodgers

Good luck

FOOTBALL

There is one Late Consensus Pick (actually a couple on the same team on Monday Night Football). It is a REGULAR STRENGTH play:

TAKE: Denver +3 1/2 Kansas City

NORM'S LATE THOUGHT: The more I looked at this game the more it looked like a high scoring affair. I'd "lean" to the OVER.

Cheers everyone and happy October! 

September 30, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the NFL games of Sunday, Sept. 30:

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Seattle -3 1/2

REGULAR PLAYS: 

Detroit Lions +3 Dallas

NY Giants +3 New Orleans

Chicago -2 1/2 Tampa Bay

Baltimore +3 Pittsburgh

New England -6 1/2 Miami

Tennessee +3 Philadelphia

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Another reminder that REALLY applies to these games---consider the money line. It takes some nerve to bet underdogs to win the games straight up and, for example, taking the NYG +3 to win straight up exposes you to the possibility that New Orleans wins the game by a very narrow margin and you lose a straight up play when taking +3 could have produced a winner or a push. But, you can get the Lions, Giants, Titans and Ravens all at +125 or +130 straight up in their roles as small dogs. If you like CLE (which I do)  or DEN tomorrow night you can get similar to higher prices. The money line's a nice, rewarding alternative ways to play games and make prices work for you. Cheers!

BASEBALL

Saturday record:0-3...-$3.50

Season so far: 345-334....-$14.20

White Sox +125 Minnesota

September 29, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your LATE CONSENSUS PICKS for the games of Saturday, SepT. 29. Both picks last night were winners. Lets keep this going.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: Virginia Tech +4 1/2 Duke

STRONG PLAYS: Florida Atlantic -3 Middle Tennessee

REGULAR PLAYS:

BYU +17 Washington

Ohio -13 1/2 UMass

Texas Tech +3 1/2 West Virginia

Florida +7 Mississippi State

New Mexico -7 Liberty

Penn State +3 1/2 Ohio State

Texas A&M -20 1/2 Arkansas

Cal +2 Oregon

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I'm not big fan of a couple of the above plays. I'll tread very lightly on the FAU--Middle Tenn game. And, as you know from my selections, I go the other way on the Texas Tech game favoring W. Virginia. But I respect each of the handicappers whose study of these games has taken them in a different direction.

Today I have two games for you. A couple years ago Indiana and Rutgers were both Big 10 bottom feeders. Rutgers still  is. But Indiana's making progress. One way to encourage progress is to smash lesser squads. That's what I believe happens today.

Utah meanwhile visits Washington State. For me this one comes down to simply asking which is the better team in this virtual toss-up game. For me that's Utah. So:

TAKE: Indiana -16 1/2 Rutgers

TAKE: Utah -2 Washington State

BASEBALL

Friday record: 5-1....+$3.90

Season so far: 345-331.....-$10.70

Pittsburgh -135 Cincinnati

Atlanta +145 Piladelphia

Colorado -125 Washington

Good hunting today

September 28, 2018

BASEBALL

Thursday record: 2-0...+$2.10

Season so far: 340-330...-$14.60

Cubs -155 St. Louis

Atlanta -125 Philadelphia

Colorado -180 Washington

San Diego +135 Arizona

NY Yankees -125 Boston

Oakland -145 LA Angels

FOOTBALL

There are two major college football games tonight and oddly we have Late Consensus Picks on both of them. Each play is a REGULAR STRENGTH PLAY:

Colorado -9 1/2 UCLA

Memphis -14 Tulane

Good luck today!

September 27, 2018

FOOTBALL

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Minnesota got torched last week by a shaky Buffalo offense. Don't expect that to happen back-to-back to a Mike Zimmer defense. And there's solid historical info to support a low scoring game here also. So:

TAKE: LA Rams--Minnesota UNDER 49 1/2

BASEBALL

Wednesday's record: 2-2....-$0.15

Season so far: 338-330...-$16.70

Colorado -170 Philadelphia

NY Mets +110 Atlanta

Good hunting today!

September 26, 2018

BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 1-2....-$0.75

Season so far: 336-328....-$16.55

Pittsburgh +160 Cubs

Colorado -185 Philadelphia

LA Dodgers -115 Arizona

Oakland -110 Seattle

September 25, 2018

BASEBALL

Monday record: 2-1....+$1.70

Season so far: 335-326....-$15.80

Pittsburgh +125 Cubs

San Diego EVEN San Francisco

Oakland EVEN Seattle

Happy Tuesday!

September 24, 2018

Sunday record: 1-0.....+$1.05

Season so far: 334-326...-$17.50

Pittsburgh +145 Cubs

Milwaukee +130 St. Louis

Toronto +180 Houston

FOOTBALL

There is one REGULAR STRENGTH Consensus pick on tonight's game:

Tampa PICK Pittsburgh

Plus, I took this game UNDER as one of the Picks of the Pole.

September 23, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Consensus Late Picks from various top handicappers on the NFL games of Sunday, Sept. 23

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAY: Washington +3 Green Bay

                           New England -7 Detroit

REGULAR PLAYS: Carolina -3 Cincinnati

                                New Orleans +2 Alanta

                                San Fran +6 1/2 Kansas City

                                LA Rams -7 LA Chargers

                                Seattle -1 1/2 Dallas

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Well, we're on a nice roll in "Late Thoughts." Had a nice week last week, hit the Penn State winner Friday and two winners Saturday on UMass and Texas. As you well know I disagree with that Consensus pick on Dallas. But that's been on record for a couple of days now.

Today lets go to a  total. There are a couple of heavy trend indicators that suggest a pretty fair number of points today in the Bears--Arizona game. Teams like 'Zona who've opened with two straight games scoring less than 14 points go OVER in week three at a 16-clip in recent seasons. Lets go with that angel. So:

TAKE: Chicago--Arizona OVER 38 1/2

BASEBALL

Saturday record: 3-2....+$0.45

Season so far: 333-326.....-$18.55

Colorado +105 Arizona

Good hunting today!

September 22,2018

BASEBALL

Friday record: 2-2.....EVEN

Season so far: 330-324.....-$19.00

Miami EVEN Cincinnati

Atlanta -150 Philadelphia

St. Louis -170 San Francisco

Tampa Bay -150 Toronto

Texas -105 Seattle

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the college games of Saturday, Sept. 22:

VERY STRONG PLAYS---None

STRONG: Purdue +7 Boston College

                 Navy -6 1/2 SMU

REGULAR PLAYS:

Missouri +14 1/2 Georgia

Wake Forest +6 1/2 Notre Dame

Nebraska +18 Michigan

Liberty +13 North Texas

Rice +14 So. Miss

Virginia -5 1/2 Louisville

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I have a pair of NLT's for you this morning.

1. I like what appears to be growth going on in Austin. The home dog Longhorns offer some value today. Plus, there are  a handful of long term negative trend toward TCU in this situation and that's unusual for a terrific coach like coach Patterson

2. UMass is a veteran team off to a struggling start. But weakling Charlotte may be just what the doctor ordered here. Give me the Minutemen to play away as this one goes along.

TAKE: Texas +3 TCU

            UMass -7 1/2 Charlotte.

Good hunting today!

September 21 2018

FOOTBALL

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: We had a nice winner with revenge minded Temple last night and have a couple more thoughts about tonight's action.

The Illinois program seems to be a total mess while Penn State seems to get some offensive things figured out last week during their waltz against Kent State. This looks like a mis-match and James Franklin's Nittany Lions have been solid at home. Illinois passing game seemingly doesn't give them much chance to trade points with PSU.

So:

TAKE: Penn State minus that bushel of points versus Illinois.

Also, USC's back home against Washington State. Last week the Trojans went down in flames against Texas and are now 10-22 ATS their last 32 away from home. But they're a much tougher nut to crack at home.

LEAN ONLY: To USC

BASEBALL

Friday record: 2-1.....+$3.20

Season so far: 238-232....-$19.00

Mets -135 Washington

Pittsburgh +130 Milwaukee

Atlanta -135 Philadelphia

LA Angels +210 Houston

September 20, 2018

FOOTBALL

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Temple looks for conference revenge tonight when they face Tulsa who torched them 43-22. That's a role the Owls have been excellent in. Under coaches Ruhle and Collins Temple's a sterling 14-3 in that role. They've also been terrific (9-3) in the schedule-interrupting weekday night games. Temple started slowly last year and have again this year (losing their first two). But then the roll began. They drilled Maryland last week without allowing an offensive score by Mary. Can't see Tulsa hanging with the owls tonight.

So: 

TAKE: Temple -7 Tulsa

BASEBALL

WEDNESDAY RECORD: 1-2...-$1.20

Season so far: 326-321.....-$22.20

Mets +240 Washington

Miami +120 Cincinnati

White Sox +180 Cleveland

Good hunting today!

September 19, 2018

BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 2-4....-$3.50

Season so far: 325-319.....-$21.00

Mets -120 Philadelphia

LA Dodgers -200 Colorado

Boston EVEN NY Yankees

Cheers!

September 18, 2018

BASEBALL

Monday record: 2-0....+$2.10

Season so far :323-313.....-$17.50

NY Mets +165 Philadelphia

Atlanta -140 St. Louis

Milwaukee -190 Cincinnati

NY Yankees -135 Boston

Toronto--Baltimore UNDER 9

Tampa Bay -200 Texas

Cheers!

September 17 2018

FOOTBALL

Here is a Late Consensus Pick on tonight's NFL game. One of our handicappers has:

REGULAR PLAY: Seatlle--Chicago OVER

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: I'm going to pass on the above play. Seattle has gone UNDER 9 straight times when playing the second of two in a row on the road. For coach Carroll they're also UNDER 6 of the last  7 Game Two's on the schedule.

BASEBALL

Sunday record: 0-4....-$5.00

Season so far: 321-313....-$19.60

Mets +110 Philadelphia

Milwaukee -160 Cincinnati

Cheers!

September 16, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks  for the NFL games of Sunday, Sept. 16

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: LA Rams -13 Arizona

REGULAR PLAYS:

Indianapolis +6 Washington

Atlanta -6 Carolina

Denver -6 1/2 Oakland

Yes 

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: San Fran played a solid, rugged game in their loss to Minnesota last week. The problem was their turnovers. The opposition weakens considerably today when they face Detroit at home. The Lions looked like puke getting trampled by the mediocre Jets. The more I looked at this game the more I was attracted by the Niners at home. So:

TAKE: San Francisco -6 Detroit.

BASEBALL

Saturday record: 1-0....+$1.00

Season so far: 320-306....-$14.60

LA Dodgers -145 St. Louis

Atlanta -130 Washington

Kansas City -105 Minnesota

Texas -120 San Diego

Good hunting today!

September 15, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for the college games of Saturday, Sept. 15.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Hawaii +6 1/2 Army

                              Boise  State +1 Oklahoma State

REGULAR PLAYS:

So. Florida -11 Illinois

Ball State +15 1/2 Indiana

Georgia Tech---Pitt OVER 54 1/2

C. Michigan +14 1/2 No. Illinois

Toledo +11 1/2 Miami Fla.

Mississippi +22 1/2 Alabama

Nevada -3 1/2 Oregon State

UAB +3 1/2 Tulane

TCU +13 Ohio State

Arizona State -5 San Diego State

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: Just a reminder that when playing underdogs, instead of taking the points, consider playing those games on the money line where your underdog must win the game straight up but the price you get in return is attractive. For example:

Today you can play Syracuse +3 wagering 110 to win 100. Or you can play the Orangemen on the money line where you play 100 and, if they win the game straight out, your return is 125. There are other such underdogs today like Boise, Utah, UAB and, perhaps, even Purdue that could make attractive money line plays.

BASEBALL

Friday record: 1-4.....-$3.20

Season so far: 320-309....-$15.60

LA Dodgers -135 St. Louis

Have a wonderful Saturday!

September 14, 2018

FOOTBALL

Once again there'll be no plays of Late Picks on tonight's tiny card of games.

BASEBALL

Thursday record: 1-1....-$0.60

Season so far: 319-303....-$12.40

Washington--Atlanta UNDER 7 1/2

Milwaukee---Pitt UNDER 8 1/2

St. Louis +110 LA Dodgers

NY Yankees -280 Toronto

Tampa Bay EVEN Oakland

Good hunting this Friday!

FOOTBALL

No picks of any kind tonight

BASEBALL

Wednesday record: 1-2....-$1.55

Season so far: 318-302...-$11.80

Mets -160 Miami (When Vargas pitches)

Oakland -180 Baltimore

Happy Thursday!

September 12, 2018

BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 0-4....-$4.70

Season so far: 317-300.....-$10.75

NY Mets -150 Miami (With Vargas for NY)

Cubs -150 Milwaukee

Arizona -105 Colorado

Tampa Bay--Cleveland UNDER 7

Cheers!

September 11, 2018

BASEBALL

Monday record: 1-2....-$1.80

Season so far: 317-296.....-$6.05

LA Dodgers -165 Cincinnati

Pittsburgh +140 St. Louis

Colorado--Arizona OVER 10 1/2

Tampa Bay EVEN Cleveland

Have a great Tuesday!

September 10, 2018

FOOTBALL

There is one REGULAR STRENGTH Late Consensus Pick on an NFL game tonight:

LA Rams--Oakland Raiders UNDER 48

BASEBALL

Sunday record: 0-2....-$2.00

Season so far: 316-294....-$4.25

LA Dodgers -180 Cincinnati

NY Mets -150 Miami

Pittsburgh +115 St. Louis

Colorado -140 Arizona

Cheers!

September 9, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks for Sunday, Sept. 9 after a solid Saturday in which the STRONG play lost but the REGULAR strength

plays went 7-2-1.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Baltimore -7 1/2 Buffalo

                              Houston +6 1/2 New England

REGULAR PLAYS:

NY Giants +3 Jacksonville

Cincinnati +2 Indianapolis

Tennessee---Miami UNDER 42 1/2

Seattle--Denver OVER 42

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS---I thought we had yet another winner on the So. Miss game to go OVER after the first quarter when the score was 14-10. But then BOTH teams stopped scoring. Not much left to choose from in this card and nothing truly lights my candle so we'll simply PASS  in this spot and move on to tomorrow night.

BASEBALL

SATURDAY RECORD: 1-2....-$1.30

Season so far: 316-292....-$2.25

Pittsburgh -185 Miami

Colorado +115 LA Dodgers

Kansas City +140 Minnesota

Cheers everyone! Happy NFL Sunday!

September 8, 2018

FOOTBALL

Here are your Late Consensus Picks from several top handicappers arounds the country on the college games of Saturday, Sept. 8.

As a refresher, we rate these games as "VERY SRONG PLAYS", STRONG PLAYS or REGULAR PLAYS.

VERY STRONG---None

STRONG---South Carolina +10 Georgia

REGULAR:

So. Florida +3 Georgia Tech

Air Force +8 Florida Atlantic

Miami Ohio -1 Cincinnati

Miami Ohio---Cincinnati UNDER 49 1/2

C. Michigan -3 1/2 Kansas

Navy +6 1/2 Memphis

Indiana---Virginia UNDER 50 1/2

No. Illinois +11 Utah

Texas A&M +11 1/2 Clemson

Stanford -5 USC

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS---So. Miss and Louisiana Monroe each have solid offenses and produce points. Unfortunately each also possesses defenses that yield points. This matchup looks like the type that will light up the scoreboard to me. So:

TAKE So. Miss--U La Monroe OVER 67 1/2

Have a wonderful Saturday!

BASEBALL

Friday record: 2-2....-$0.10

Season so far: 315-290.......-$0.95

Cubs +140 Washington (Versus Scherzer)

Mets -145 Philadelphia

Arizona -130 Atlanta

Good hunting today!

September 7, 2018

BASEBALL

Thursday record: 0-2....-$2.60

Season so far: 313-288....-$0.85

• LA Dodgers -145 Colorado
  
• Cleveland--Toronto OVER 9
  
• Tampa Bay -250 Baltimore
  
• Boston EVEN Houston
  

FOOTBALL

Norm's Late Thoughts---We're off to a very nice start with NLT this season with a "lean" winner on Stanford last Friday, a winner on UNLV last Saturday and another winner last night on the Philly game to go UNDER. SMU looked pathetic on both sides of the ball last week and TCU's one fine football team leaving us really only one option tonight. But the line on this game has been rising and rising making me more and more uncomfortable.  So, I'm left with only  another "lean" to recommend on the Horned Frogs. Be careful! Cheers---Norm

September 6, 2018

BASEBALL

Wednesday record: 0-2.....-$2.45

Season so far: 313-286....+$1.75

• Cincinnati -150 San Diego
  
• Washington -110 Cubs
  

FOOTBALL

Norm's Late Thoughts: The Falcons have been a team that digs defensively in when facing revenge type games. The Eagles beat Atlanta in the NFL playoffs last year.

So, tonight's NFL season opener gives the Dirty Birds a chance for immediate payback. In their last 19 revenge games Atlanta's gone 4-14-1 UNDER. Lets stay with that angle.

TAKE: Atlanta--Philly UNDER 44 1/2

Good hunting!

September 5, 2018

BASEBALL

Tuesday record: 2-2....-$0.55

Season so far: 313-284....+$4.20

Milwaukee -120 Cubs

Tampa Bay -135 Toronto

Happy days!

September 4 2018

BASEBALL

Monday record: 4-1....+$3.80

Season so far: 311-282...+$4.75

Pittsburgh -145 Cincinnati

NY Mets +210 LA Dodgers

Boston -130 Atlanta

White Sox -155 Detroit

Happy Monday!

September 3 2018

BASEBALL

Sunday record: 1-2....-$1.15

***Please note: We posted an incorrect record for Saturday. Th3 season record is now correct.

Season so far: 307-281.......+$0.95

St. Louis +165 Washington

NY Mets--LA Dodgers UNDER 7

White Sox -120 Detroit

Kansas City +180 Cleveland

Boston -120 Atlanta

FOOTBALL

Just a reminder that one of our Late Consensus Picks for the weekend was a STRONG PLAY on Virginia Tech.

Cheers--Norm

September 2, 2018

BASEBALL

Saturday record: 2-1....+1.35

Season so far: 307--279....+$4.30

Arizona +145 LA Dodgers

Miami -115 Toronto

FOOTBALL

There are no Late Consensus Picks today and no Norm's Late Thoughts on the single game on the card.

Cheers

September 1 2018

FOOTBALL

Dear members---Here is your first week of the Late Consensus Picks 

from top handicappers around the country on the college games of this weekend.

VERY STRONG PLAYS: None

STRONG PLAYS: Virginia Tech +7 Florida State (MONDAY)

REGULAR PLAYS:

Penn State -24 Appalachian State (Loss)

Michigan +1 Notre Dame (Loss)

UMass 17 1/2 Boston College (Loss)

Central Michigan +17 1/2 Kentucky (Win)

Liberty +5 1/2 Old Dominion (Win)

Troy +10 Boise State (Loss)

Alabama -24 Louisville (Loss)

NORM'S LATE THOUGHTS: USC's been a team that seems a bit unfocused at times against opponents that they're considered much better than. They'll toy with teams like a cat will toy with its over-powered mouse. UNLV's not hapless and, given the large spread here,I believe they're capable of hanging in under that spread. So: 

TAKE: UNLV +26 USC (Win)

BASEBALL

Friday record: 1-2...-$1.70

Season so far: 304-279......+$0.60

Arizona +160 LA Dodgers

Minnesota -125 Texas

Miami -110 Toronto

Good hunting this weekend