Jim Feist

Thursday night’s Sun Belt showdown between Troy and Old Dominion in Norfolk carries major conference implications, with both teams sitting at 6-3 and jockeying for position in the divisional race. The matchup sets up as a physical, defense-driven contest where Old Dominion’s home-field edge will be tested by Troy’s resilience.  Troy comes into this game at 6-3 overall, 4-1 in Sun Belt play, but fresh off a disappointing 23-10 loss to Arkansas State. The Trojans have leaned on their defense all season, ranking top-60 nationally in yards allowed and holding opponents to just over 24 points per game. Their offense, however, has been inconsistent, averaging only 324 yards per game and struggling to establish a reliable rushing attack. Quarterback play has been serviceable, but the lack of explosive plays has limited Troy’s ability to pull away in close contests. For Troy to succeed here, they’ll need to control the line of scrimmage and avoid turnovers against a disciplined Monarchs defense.

Old Dominion, also 6-3 (3-2 Sun Belt), enters with momentum after a convincing 31-6 win over Louisiana-Monroe. The Monarchs boast one of the more balanced offenses in the conference, averaging nearly 452 yards per game, with over 200 yards coming on the ground. Quarterback Colton Joseph has been efficient, and the run game has consistently worn down opponents. Defensively, ODU has been solid against the pass, ranking top-35 nationally, though their run defense has been more vulnerable. Playing at home, where they’ve been strong all season, the Monarchs will look to dictate tempo early and force Troy into passing situations.

Troy's ability to slow down high-powered offenses gives them a chance to keep this one close.  Expect a competitive Sun Belt clash where Old Dominion’s offense tests Troy’s defense, but the Trojans’ ability to grind out possessions and limit explosive plays could make this a tighter contest than the spread suggests.

Jim's Play : 313. Troy State

The Phoenix Suns (7-5) will face off against the Indiana Pacers (1-10) on Thursday, November 13, 2025. As favorites on the Suns home floor, Phoenix is poised to expand upon their four-game winning streak when they meet a Pacers team that has experienced nightmarish start to the 2025-26 NBA Season. Devin Booker has been the Suns’ most important offensive player through the early goings of the NBA Season. He has a gaudy true shooting percentage that is topped by his ability to drive to the hoop while limiting his 3-point shot attempts. Although Phoenix has seen Jalen Green become inactive for the season early due to a hamstring injury, the Suns have remained effective in spite of the loss as they have found contributions from Booker, Grayson Allen, and their supporting cast. Phoenix’s defense has also seen improvements, especially at home where they have held opponents to fewer than 110 points in three of four games.

Indiana, as they mentioned, is in a severe funk as they are 1-10 on the season. After the Pacers dropped a game where they allowed Utah to score 152 points on them, Indiana is set to host a Suns team that is equipped to challenge any number of the Pacers’ many defensive deficiencies. They don’t have Tyrese Haliburton in the lineup and are seeing Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner shoulder the offensive scoring responsibilities. Indiana is still at the point where Turner is their go-to interior option as they see two main creators in Mathurin and Turner to make plays. Defensively, the Pacers have struggled to contest opponents’ field goal attempts, especially from outside, giving up shooting percentages above 55% from the field in their last three games. Additionally, Indiana’s pace issues have made it difficult for them to rebound their slow starts from the defensive end. Pacers coach Ben Sullivan has explained Indiana is too slow out of the gates to their opponents. Phoenix has a quality opponent to face on a night when Booker can assert himself as a leading option in the playoffs at home. Phoenix will be much too much for the Pacers to handle in this matchup.

Jim's Play: 574. Suns 

The New England Patriots enter Thursday night’s Week 11 clash against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium as double-digit favorites, and the matchup sets up for the Patriots to win convincingly and cover the spread. New England has surged to an 8-2 record, riding a seven-game winning streak under head coach Mike Vrabel. Quarterback Drake Maye has settled into rhythm, throwing for over 2,500 yards with 18 touchdowns, while running back TreVeyon Henderson has added balance with explosive plays on the ground. The Patriots’ offense has been efficient, averaging nearly 27 points per game, but it’s their defense that has carried the identity of this team, ranking top-five in points allowed and consistently forcing turnovers. At home, New England has been dominant, winning four straight and covering in three of those contests.

The Jets, meanwhile, limp into Foxborough at 2-7, despite picking up a rare win over Cleveland last week. Quarterback Justin Fields has struggled with consistency, completing fewer than 55% of his passes on the season, and the Jets’ offense ranks near the bottom of the league in both passing and scoring.  There could be a change this week at QB with Tyrod Taylor stepping into the spotlight. Running back Breece Hall remains a bright spot, New York’s offensive line has been shaky, and facing a Patriots front seven that thrives on pressure, sustaining drives will be a major challenge. Defensively, the Jets have talent, but injuries to key contributors like Garrett Wilson and Austin Hooper have left them vulnerable, particularly in the secondary. 

The Patriots have been one of the league’s best ATS teams this season, covering in seven of their first ten contests. The Jets, conversely, have failed to cover in four of their last five road games, and their offensive limitations make it difficult to envision them keeping pace.

With Maye’s poise, Henderson’s explosiveness, and a defense that has consistently suffocated weaker opponents, this game projects as another statement win for New England. The Patriots should control the tempo, force turnovers, and capitalize on short fields to build a comfortable margin. Expect New England to win decisively and cover the spread.

Jim's Play: 312. Patriots