Following two nailbiter performances in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, the Michigan Wolverines and the Washington Huskies are set to face off in the National Championship on Monday night.

The final game of the 2023-24 season (and the final game of the four-team College Football Playoff) will kick off from Houston’s NRG Stadium at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Here are the odds for the contest, brought to you as always by our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Odds – Michigan vs. Washington

Spread: Michigan -4.5

Moneyline: Michigan -210/Washington +172

Total: O/U 55.5

Storylines, News, & Notes

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who finished second in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting, shined in the Huskies semifinal game versus Texas. The sixth-year senior threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns on 29 completions while registering an 87.7 quarterback rating, a season-high. Now, against a much better defense in Michigan, he’ll look to do it again.

As for the other signal caller, Wolverines quarterback JJ McCarthy put together a so-so performance against the Alabama Crimson Tide last weekend. Though throwing for three touchdowns and zero interceptions, the junior playmaker struggled to get the Michigan offense going throughout the contest. He put it together when it mattered most, however, leading his team on an eight-play, 75-yard drive over the final three minutes, which he finished with a touchdown pass to Roman Wilson, to tie the game up. They of course won it in overtime.

As Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh gets ready to try and lead his team to a national title, his name continues to come up in connection with NFL openings. The long-time coach and quarterback whisperer recently hired agent Don Yee (who has major ties to the NFL) to represent him, and he’s been linked to both the Chargers and the Raiders over the last week. It’s very possible that this is his final game coaching the Wolverines.

Predictions and Picks

Behind the lead of head coach Kalen DeBoer and another dominant performance from Michael Penix Jr., the Huskies send Harbaugh back to pro football with a loss.

Washington wins a barn burner at the end, becoming the first national champion from the PAC 12 since USC in 2004, and the total goes OVER 55.5.

Score: Washington 31 – Michigan 28

Side: Washington +4.5

Total: OVER 55.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post 2023-24 CFP National Championship: Michigan vs. Washington Odds, Preview, and Prediction appeared first on CLNS Media.

Happy 2024!

It’s New Year’s Day which means it’s College Football Playoff time in the NCAA. The 4-seed Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the 1-seed Michigan Wolverines and the 3-seed Texas Longhorns will take on the 2-seed Washington Huskies.

As always, our odds, previews, and predictions are powered by our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook. So head over there to make every moment more.

Here’s a preview of both New Year’s Day contests:

Odds – Alabama (4) vs. Michigan (1)

Spread: Michigan -1.5

Moneyline: Michigan -122/Alabama +102

Total: O/U 45.5

Storylines, Predictions, and Pick

Monday’s first game will kick off at Pasadena, California’s Rose Bowl at 5 p.m. EST.

The Alabama Crimson Tide come into this one with a 12-1 record while riding an 11-game win streak after their Week 2 loss to Texas. Their quarterback in Jalen Milroe, after being benched early on in the season, has tallied 2,718 yards passing and 23 touchdowns while adding 12 scores on the ground.

“I think the biggest thing was embracing hard,” he said when asked how he improved over the course of Alabama’s campaign. “For a quarterback to strive in the SEC and to play at an elite level you have to hard, because there are a lot of uncertainties while you play the position, and with that, you have to have the right proper mindset.”

The Crimson Tide’s opponents in the Michigan Wolverines enter Monday afternoon with a perfect record, but not without controversy. A sign-stealing scandal reportedly led by assistant Connor Stalions resulted in head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for three games this season, but it didn’t stop them from winning all 13 games on their slate.

That streak stops on Monday, however. I’m going with Alabama to win a tight one in Pasadena. The Crimson Tide win outright and the total goes over.

Score: Alabama 31 – Michigan 28

Side: Alabama +1.5

Total: OVER 45.5

Odds – Texas (3) @ Washington (2)

Spread: Texas -3.5

Moneyline: Texas -178/Washington +146

Total: O/U 61.5

Storylines, Predictions, and Pick

Monday’s night game is the Sugar Bowl from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It’ll kick off at 8:45 p.m. EST.

The second perfect team in the playoff, the PAC-12’s Washington Huskies enter this one with a 13-0 record behind a Heisman Trophy-worthy performance from quarterback Michael Penix. Though he ultimately finished second behind LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Penix’s 2023 season was arguably just as impressive. The senior signal caller threw for 4,218 yards and 33 touchdowns for Washington’s high-powered offense.

They’ll take on 12-1 Texas for a chance to play in the National Championship. Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns only loss on the season came against the 12th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in a 34-30 defeat. Other than that? Texas has been sensational thanks to quarterback Quinn Ewers, wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and a solid defense on the other side.

I’m taking the ‘Horns in this one, setting up an Alabama vs. Texas rematch in the National Championship Game next Monday.

Score: Texas 42 – Washington 38

Side: Texas -3.5

Total: OVER 61.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post 2023-24 College Football Playoff – Odds, Previews, and Predictions appeared first on CLNS Media.

The NCAA’s annual Army vs. Navy game is headed to Massachusetts this Saturday as the 5-6 Black Nights will take on the 5-6 Midshipmen from Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium.

Here are the betting odds for the game, according to our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Odds – Army vs. Navy

Spread: Army -2.5

Moneyline: Army -152/Navy +126

Total: O/U 28.5

Storylines

Saturday’s Army/Navy game in Foxborough is going to be an incredible environment. Not only is it a) a standalone game and b) the home of ESPN’s College Game Day this weekend, but it’s one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. Don’t believe me? Just ask Army head coach Jeff Monken:

“I don’t think there’s a better rivalry in sports, to be honest with you,” the Black Knights head coach said at last week’s Army/Navy media day from Gillette Stadium. “There’ll be conference championships next week, the National Championship Game is coming up, rivalry weekend in college football last Saturday, and those are great games. But I don’t think any of them compare to the Army-Navy Game.”

“…Every competitor on the field next weekend,” Monken continued. “And every one of their classmates sitting in the stands made a pledge to serve our country. They’re willing to pay the ultimate price for everybody that watches the game.”

“It’s really difficult to describe,” Navy head coach Brian Newberry when speaking on the rivalry. “Just the the scene, the energy, the pageantry, just the pride that you have being a part of the game. There’s nothing like it… All 11 guys playing as hard as they do, and the pride they play with and playing for each other, it’s a special day and there’s really nothing like it.”

Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, a Navy alum and current Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve, said on Tuesday that playing in this game is on par with the Super Bowl as the biggest game he’s ever played in. He confirmed he’ll be in attendance on Saturday.

It’s going to be quite the day.

Predictions and Picks

As for the game itself, the UNDER hit in 16 (!!) straight contests before last year’s overtime thriller in Philly. An incredible feat that I believe will hit again on Saturday in Foxborough.

I like Navy to not only cover the 2.5-point spread, but win outright in yet another historic matchup with Army.

Score: Navy 13 – Army 10

Side: Navy +2.5

Total: UNDER 28.5

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick and head to FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook, for all of your sports wagering.

The post Gillette Stadium to Host 124th Army vs. Navy Game – Betting Odds, Preview, and Prediction appeared first on CLNS Media.

The A List Podcast with Sherrod , Gary and Kwani, is available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube as well as all of your podcasting apps. Subscribe, and give us the gift that never gets old or moldy- a 5-Star review – before you leave!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Celtics Clinch 2 Seed

5:00 Mazzulla can load manage now

6:40 Jaylen Brown wins 2023 Red Auerbach Award

7:25 JBs growth

11:20 Gary on Jaylen’s Contract Status

19:15 Management of loads???? Who will play in final 2 games?

26:33 BEST and WORST Matchup for Celtics in Round 1

33:28 Tatum 1s release

This episode of the A List Podcast w/ A. Sherrod Blakely, Gary Washburn & Kwani A. Lunis is brought to you by:

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1:05 UConn Wins Mens Tournament

9:15 LSU beats Iowa, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese controversy

14:55 Gary gives Goodman his flowers

17:00 Jeff gives Bob his flowers

19:33 The Wild West (Lakers, Suns, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Warriors)

25:19 Will Celtics Seed Cost them in Playoffs?

26:33 Celtics getting left off the hook?

29:30 Can the Knicks make noise?

The post Celtics Clinch 2 Seed + Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese appeared first on CLNS Media.

0:38: Goodman’s update from the road

2:04: Thoughts on the NCAA’s Final Four

9:20: Who is FAU?

14:52: FanDuel

16:00: San Diego State call at the end of the game

23:25: How good is Caitlin Clark?

25:42: Will Celtics top Bucks for the no. 1 seed?

The post NCAA Final Four Preview appeared first on CLNS Media.

1:19: Rick Pitino’s new job

8:07: Will St. John succeed & is Pitino one of the greatest basketball coaches ever?

11:09: FanDuel is now in Massachusetts!

12:18: Ed Cooley off to Georgetown

21:15: NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament’s biggest upsets

25:07: Favorites to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship

28:21: Alabama & Brandon Miller controversy

32:26: Reactions to Jaylen Brown’s recent interview addressing his future with the Celtics

The Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman Podcast is sponsored by FanDuel, the exclusive wagering partner of the CLNS Media Network. New customers in Mass can get in on the action with $200 in Bonus Bets – guaranteed! – when you place your first $5 bet. Just sign up at https://FanDuel.com/BOSTON! ???

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The post Can Celtics Keep Jaylen Brown Happy? + NCAA Sweet 16 appeared first on CLNS Media.

Daylight Savings Day is synonymous with Selection Sunday.

Every year, like clockwork, watching the NCAA tournament bracket be unveiled while it’s still light out at 6pm screams “Spring is here” – and thankfully we got to experience that again on Sunday evening.

The tickets are punched and the bracket is set, now the only thing left to do is bet on it. Here are the odds on who will  win the 2023 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, courtesy of our exclusive wagering partners at FanDuel Sportsbook:

Odds to win the 2023 NCAA Tournament

Houston               +550

Alabama               +750

Kansas                 +850

Purdue               +1000

UCLA                  +1400

Arizona               +1500

UConn                +1600

Gonzaga             +1800

Texas                   +1800

The full list of odds can be found HERE.

Though March is normally the month for upsets, once we get down to the Final Four in April there tends to only be a handful of teams that can win it all. Here are five that I think can do it:

5. Gonzaga (+1800)

Oh Gonzaga, I just can’t quit you.

The Bulldogs have flown under the radar in 2023 compared to years past – and that might be right where head coach Mark Few wants them. They still finished the season 28-5 and won a fourth consecutive West Coast Conference championship, and will likely be a top-three seed in the tournament.

In his fourth season in Spokane, forward Drew Timme is scoring 20.9 points per game, shooting 62.4% from the field, and has led the Zags to nine straight wins heading into the tournament. He’s complimented by Julian Strawther, their second-leading scorer at 15.1 PPG, and several other role players in Anton Watson and Malachi Smith that can help this team win down the stretch.

4. Kansas (+850)

Though Kansas is the reigning National Champion, they’re coming off of a brutal 20-point loss to Texas in the BIG12 Championship game on Saturday and the status of head coach Bill Self is still up in the air heading into the tournament due to health reasons.

That being said, they know how to win in the postseason (as we saw in 2022), and Gradey Dick isn’t ready to become a top-10 pick in the NBA Draft without a national title under his belt. Look for Kansas to come out swinging next week and prove that they’re back once again.

3. Alabama (+750)

Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide won their second SEC Championship in three seasons on Sunday and look ready to once again make a real push in the NCAA Tournament.

Forward Brandon Miller is a superstar basketball player. The 6’9″ 200-pound freshman is averaging 19.5 points and 8.2 rebounds for Alabama this year and has been a major factor in them being a top-five team practically all season long. Though they’re not incredibly flashy, they’re a team I wouldn’t want to play in March.

2. Houston (+550)

Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars have turned themselves into a force in the college basketball world recently and haven’t looked back. Their ferocious defense and ability to score 75+ points on a per-game basis has catapulted them to a 30-3 record this season while also going 17-2 in the AAC.

Marcus Sasser is the glue of this team. Basketball is ultimately a player’s game, and the Cougars go as he goes. If Sasser can get going like he did during Houston’s 2021 Final Four run, then there’s a chance they finish the job this time in 2023.

1. UCLA (+1400)

The Bruins lost a tight PAC12 Championship to Arizona on Saturday night but have proved time and time again this season that they can fight with the best of them in college basketball.

Despite losing one of the best defenders in the country in Jaylen Clark to an Achilles tear last week, Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez still have the ability to carry this UCLA team over the finish line. Not only do I think they’re the best team in the country – but their +1400 odds are way too good to pass up.

Mick Cronin’s Bruins are my pick to win the whole thing this year. Go get those odds now at FanDuel.com/Boston.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @PatriotsCLNS for the latest up-to-date Patriots news!

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The post Five Teams Who Can Win the 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament appeared first on CLNS Media.

This Friday night I will be inducted into the inaugural North Carolina Charlotte athletic Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/UhP5mirrv3

— Cedric Maxwell (@cedricmaxwell81) September 6, 2022

Max takes a trip down memory lane as he takes us from his upbringing in Kinston, NC, through his college days and memories with the Boston Celtics.

He helped lead our @CharlotteMBB to the 1977 Final Four
Finals MVP for the 1981 Champion Boston Celtics
Has his # 3⃣1⃣ hangs in the rafters of the Boston Garden
Now he is a member of our Inaugural Hall of Fame
We honored to induct Cedric Maxwell pic.twitter.com/paSfySscI7

— Charlotte 49ers (@Charlotte49ers) September 10, 2022

The Cedric Maxwell Podcast is powered by Indeed. Start hiring RIGHT NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/Maxwell. This offer is valid through April 30. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire? You need Indeed.

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Then, Nick Bahe joins Drew Butler as they break down the Final Four and give out their expert predictions on the semifinals, including that extremely hyped Duke vs North Carolina matchup. Then, the guys will share their expert predictions on who will cut down the nets.

Finally, the guys will give out some great odds to look at in the NBA Championship futures board as the playoffs wait just around the corner.

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The post Final Four Predictions, Chris Rock vs Will Smith Fight Odds & NBA Futures | BetOnline All Access appeared first on CLNS Media.