Picks for 10/11/24
College Football
10:30 PM EST
Rotation # 119
Utah -5.5 over Arizona State (loss)
Arizona State had the luxury of playing in a few hot games at home to start the season, which crippled opponents not used to the desert heat. I am not convinced that the Sun Devils have drastically improved from their 2-7 PAC 12 campaign a season ago. Both teams are now trying to make their mark in the BIG 12. Utah gets a break as the game starts later. The Utes are an experienced coaching staff with a veteran signal-caller in Cameron Rising. Utah has good running backs and will look to attack the Sun Devils. Utah is more talented on both sides of the football and has much more experience. The Utes are looking to get back on track after a tough home loss to the surging Wildcats. Rising did not play in that contest, and we saw a true freshman quarterback look like one. Utah should stop the run much better than last week with their experienced front seven. The Utes receivers will have a better night with their QB back under center. Take Utah.
MLB
8:00 PM
Rotation # 919
Padres +120 over Dodgers (loss)
Darvish/Yamamoto
Tonight’s win-or-go-home game features two Japanese sensations on the mound, who certainly are not just big in Japan. Both teams have been great against right-handers this season and have continued their hot hitting in the postseason. Both bullpens have looked good in the playoffs. The winner of this game will grab control early and hold on for dear life late. Padres start Yu Darvish is by far the more experienced postseason pitcher. Dodgers rookie starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched three total innings in game one and couldn’t have been worse. Los Angeles won the game, but the results will be different tonight with Darvish on the mound. We will trust experience over youthful starting pitching tonight. Outside of that, it’s a coin flip. Take the Padres.