SIDE/TOTAL CBB COMBO • 1 BLOWOUT + 1 SHOOTOUT = A 2-0 SWEEP • 13-3 RECORD TESTED!

THE PLAY: New Orleans Saints -2.5 (-107)

The Saints have won five of the last six meetings, including a pair of outright upsets last year. Carolina is 0-3 straight-up and against the spread over its last three games following last week's 26-21 home loss to Denver. The Panthers have allowed an average of 27.2 points per game over the last five contests. New Orleans is 1-5 against the spread over the last six games, but the Saints did pick up an outright win over Cleveland last week. New Orleans continues to produce terrible offensive numbers in the first half. After a 3-3 first half tie with Cleveland last week, the Saints are now 1-7 against the first half spread this season. New Orleans has only scored in the first quarter two times in eight games, producing a total of nine first quarter points this season. Perhaps the potential return of running back Travis Etienne Jr. is just what the voodoo doctor ordered in the French Quarter. Etienne Jr. has not played since Week 3 against the Raiders, but he is expected to return to practice this week after dealing with a hamstring injury. New Orleans has the second-lowest rushing success rate in the NFL this season (Raiders last), so his potential return would be a big boost for the Saints' offense. Carolina is running out of healthy bodies on defense. A unit that already has five players on IR was missing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Bobby Okereke last week against the Broncos. If New Orleans can't muster some early scoring against this defense, then Kellen Moore needs to tear it all down and start over. Don't forget, owner Gayle Benson has been keeping a closer-than-normal eye on her team in recent weeks and wrote a letter to the Saints' fan base after the loss to Pittsburgh in Paris. Last week's win over Cleveland was a small step in the right direction, but a home win over a division opponent would go a long way toward rebuilding excitement after Who Dat Nation watched their team lose its first three home games this season.
Play New Orleans Saints

THE PLAY: UAB +2.5 (-105)

UAB won the lone meeting between these American Conference foes with a 34-24 home victory in 2023. Temple was involved in one of the wildest under-the-radar results last week against Navy. The Owls fell behind 28-0 in the second quarter but fought all the way back to tie the game before eventually losing in the final minute. Temple scored 35 points in a game where they had 19 minutes of possession and nine first downs. UAB needs one more win to reach bowl eligibility, and this would be the spot to get it. The Blazers end the year with games against UTSA and North Texas, so this clash with Temple represents the best chance to reach that sixth win. With a regular season win total of 3.5 entering the year, Alex Mortensen's team has already exceeded expectations. It certainly wasn't pretty, but UAB earned a 23-13 home win over Charlotte last week. The Blazers' defense held the 49ers to 234 total yards and ten first downs. Charlotte didn't score its first touchdown until there was one minute remaining in garbage time. While this game isn't expected to see quite the same wind effects as some others this weekend, there is still the potential for gusts of 25+ miles per hour after the Nor'Easter passes through the Mid-Atlantic. Temple has been competitive all season for KC Keeler, but at some point, the Owls need to turn those strong showings into actual wins. Temple has one win over an FBS-level opponent this season. Until the cherry-and-white get over that hump, they're not giving us much reason to back them at the betting window. That potential sixth win can be a big motivational chip for Mortensen’s Blazers. Play UAB

THE PLAY: Mississippi State +2.5 (101)

This will be the first meeting between the Tigers and Bulldogs since Auburn's 27-13 home win in October 2023. Mississippi State is 0-5 straight-up and against the spread following last week's home loss to Vanderbilt. During this five-game losing skid, Mississippi State has scored an average of 12.8 points per game as the Bulldogs struggle to replace the production of injured QB Kamario Taylor. Five of the Bulldogs' last six games have stayed under the total. Auburn snapped a two-game losing skid with a 26-23 home win over Arkansas. Despite the victory, the Tigers are just 1-6 against the spread over their last seven games. Backing the Bulldogs hasn't been much fun in recent weeks, but we're inclined to give Mississippi State a shot. Hail State plays FCS-level Tennessee Tech next week (we're going to pencil in a win), so Mississippi State needs to win this game to become bowl eligible. After such a strong start to the season, you have to imagine that Jeff Lebby can keep his team motivated with that carrot. AJ Swann isn't going to be able to replicate what Taylor did for this offense, but he provides a veteran presence that can make enough necessary plays to get the Bulldogs across this finish line. Running back Fluff Bothwell caught five passes last week against Vanderbilt, so Lebby is looking for creative ways to get the ball in his hands. Auburn can hang its hat on the upset win at Georgia, but the Tigers are 0-3 against the spread in their other three games away from home this season.
Play Mississippi State