Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

The Chicago Blackhawks have finally discovered an offensive groove, reversing a trend from early in the season when they managed to score more than three goals only once in a span of a dozen games. The Blackhawks have won three of their last four, scoring five goals in each of the wins, and hope to carry the momentum into tonight's matchup at the Nashville Predators. Chicago spotted host Vegas an early two-goal lead before erupting for five unanswered tallies Wednesday to extend its point streak to four games (3-0-1).

Rating: 2 Units

St. Louis has gotten accustomed to playing in tight games as seven of its last nine contests have gone beyond three periods with the Blues coming away with victories in five. St. Louis returns home riding a nine-game point streak (7-0-2) thanks to Ryan O’Reilly, David Perron and captain Alex Pietrangelo, who each contributed 11 points during the stretch. Pietrangelo saw his four-game point streak end Friday but the 12-year veteran still sits among the top 10 among defensemen in goals (six) and points (17).

Rating: 2 Units

Irish still among the elites (#18 in this week's polls), no matter their sporadic line successes. Are coming in off possibly their best performance of the year, taking an always respectable Duke team, to the tune of 38-7 (24½ cover). Logic says that if the Irish can do that on the road, they should continue that effort in the role of host. But a closer peek shows that ND barely prevailed in their 2 HGs (SoCal & VaTech), with a combined -24 pts ATS. QB Book is in off his best game, but he won't be on the field when that top-ranked Middie running "O" is unleashed. Navy is on an 8-2-1 spread run, with only misses by 1 & ½ pt). A sticky history.

Rating:  3 Units

Just like clockwork for the defending National Champs, ever since North Carolina put a scare into them on Sept 28, when CU needed to stop 'Heels' 2-pt try in the final 1:17. Since then, a 204-41 point edge, and now a 935-248 point advantage in their last 21 games. Lawrence approaching last year's excellence, while Etienne is at an outstanding 8.9 yards per rush for the year. Deacons have been a decent play, behind Newman's 287 passing yards per rush, but rank 76th in total "D", in off allowing 470 yards in loss to Virginia Tech..

Rating: 2 Units

Bounceback time for Imps, off embarrassing 38-7 home loss to Notre Dame, with 10 first downs & less than 200 yards (272-yard deficit). Syracuse rested off allowing most-ever 496 rushing yards in 58-27 loss to BC, while ranking 90th in total "O" & 114th in total "D". And the chalk is 11-2 ATS in Orange contests

Rating: 3 Unit ACC Play of the Day

- A 3-0 turn over deficit did the Cards in at Miami, losing 52-27, despite a nicely balanced 496-449-yard edge. On 5-15 ATS run, while ranking 28th in total "O". Horrid 'Pack run continues: 1-6 ATS by 83 points, with a 144-44 pt deficit L3 games. Can't see a change

Rating: 4 Unit PAC-12 Game of the Week

Coogs comfortable at home (58, 63, 41 points L3 hosters). In off embarrassing showing at Cal (despite yet another 402 passing yards from Gordon). Faltering Card being mauled for 39.3 points per game in its road games this season. Only TD vs defenseless Colorado last week: 79-yard Costello aerial.

Rating: 4 Unit NCAAF Game of the Week

Ags in off snapping 2-game slide with L0:00 win over Fresno, behind 388 Love passing yards: 267 passing yards per game, but just 11 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Ags rank 102nd & 103rd in total & passing "D". Wyoming has out rushed all 9 foes, & on 10-3 SU run (3, 4, 3 point losses), while ranking 15th & 10th in rushing "O" & "D".