[LLXC]

NCAAB

***BEST BET
Florida State* over Florida International by 36
FSU has had problems with turnovers, against teams like Florida and Iona, who play 3/4 and full court pressure defense for long stretches. FIU doesn't have enough qual- ity players to do that and they are coached by Isiah Thomas, who is a lousy coach. FLORIDA STATE, 90-54.

[LLXC]

NBA

***BEST BET
*Milwaukee over Cleveland by 4
Led by rookie sensation Brandon Jennings, the Bucks jumped off to their best start since 2001-02. Will it last? Probably not, but the Bucks are a gritty team under Scott Skiles. Jennings and Michael Redd give them scoring. The Bucks had only lost three times by more than three points during their first 15 games. They’ll be up for this home contest against LeBron James. MILWAUKEE 98-94.

***BEST BET
*Sacramento over Miami by 7
Brandon Jennings has been drawing all the rookie attention, but Kings’ first-year guard Tyreke Evans quietly has scored 20-plus points in his last eight games through Nov. 28. Thanks to Evans, the Kings haven’t missed Kevin Martin as much as some people thought. Sacramento has covered six of its first eight games at Arco Arena. Miami is playing its fourth road game in six days. The Heat isn’t going to have too much leftin the tank after having just faced Portland, Denver and the Lakers. SACRA- MENTO 98-91.

[LLXC]

NFL

****BEST BET
Tennessee over *Indianapolis by 11
There will be some attention on this matchup as Indianapolis goes for its 21st straight regular-season victory, which would tie New England’s record. But this game really doesn’t count for much as far as 2009 goes for the Colts. Indianapolis already has sewn up the AFC South Division, while hold- ing a bulging three-game lead for home-field throughout the playoffs.The win streak is nice, but the Colts are more concerned about being in the best shape to win the Super Bowl. Credit goes to the Colts for winning each week, but these victories haven’t been masterpieces. No, we’re not being picky either.The Colts have won the past five times by a combined 18 points.They trailed in the final quarter during each of these wins.The Colts have multiple injuries on defense. Star pass rusher Dwight Freeney (check status) didn’t play last Sunday.The secondary is minus Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, cornerback Marlin Jackson and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (check status). Tennessee opened 0-6. A quarterback switch to Vince Young has paved the way for the Titans to turn their season around. They’ve won five in a row. Chris Johnson has emerged as the best running back in football. He’s on pace to rush for 2,024 yards. He’s averaged better than 125 yards rushing in six straight games, only the third back to accom- plish that feat.Young is playing his best, too.The Titans have won nine in a row with Young starting.Young has greatly improved his accuracy and deci- sion-making. He’s burned defenses keying on Johnson. The Titans have revenge from a 31-9 loss to the Colts in Week 5 when their secondary was banged-up. Expect Jeff Fisher to be treating this game as Tennessee’s Super Bowl.TENNESSEE 31-20.

***BEST BET
Philadelphia over *Atlanta by 15
Michael Vick makes his return to Atlanta.That’s just one of many subplots, which finds Atlanta in a vulnerable state. The Falcons have won 12 of 13 times at the Georgia Dome since Mike Smith came on the scene as head coach.They are 5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS at home this season. But they are in trouble here. Philadelphia travels well.The Eagles have covered 15 of their last 21 road contests. The Eagles could be down a couple of weapons if Brian Westbrook (check status) and big-play receiver and returner DeSean Jackson (check status) are out.The Falcons, however, are in far worse shape physically.They lost their quarterback, Matt Ryan, to a toe injury early in last week’s narrow win against Tampa Bay. Chris Redman is a decent backup, but he’s far from being in Donovan McNabb’s class. Look for McNabb to go after the Falcons’ chronic weakness at left corner. McNabb has been sacked 24 times, already one more than last year.The Falcons, though, don’t gener- al much pass rush. John Abraham is their best pass rusher and he’s having a disappointing season. The Falcons probably rushed star running back Michael Turner back into the lineup too soon after he missed just one game with a high ankle sprain. He re-injured the ankle last week. The Falcons’ offensive line also took a hit losing several linemen. Not helping matters is the erratic placekicking of Jason Elam. He’s missed five field goals in the last five weeks. It’s become a huge problem area for the Falcons. Even before all of these key injuries, the Falcons weren’t playing well having lost four of their past six games.Their only wins during this entire span were against Washington and Tampa Bay, teams with a combined record of 4-18. PHILADELPHIA 31-16.

**PREFERRED
*New York Giants over Dallas by 10
The Giants have been playing as a team – just a bad team having lost five of their last six games while going 0-6 ATS.The Giants have gone full circle since opening the season 5-0. But now is the right time to start the Giants bandwagon.This is December and must-win territory.The Giants find them- selves in such a situation.There will be tremendous urgency.Tom Coughlin will make sure of that. Dallas has won six of its last seven games.This isn’t anything new with Tony Romo.The Cowboys and Romo play their best ball in November. December is when they play their worst.The Cowboys are 1- 9 ATS in their last 10 games in December. Romo is 5-10 following Thanksgiving. The Cowboys are not a cold-weather grass team. They have failed to cover in four of their last five road games versus the Giants. Dallas’ offensive line isn’t nearly as effective away from Texas Stadium. Left tackle Flozell Adams has hearing problems. Right guard Marc Colombo is out.The Giants’ strength is their play in the trenches.They can control both lines of scrimmage. New York has the pass rushers to bother Romo. Its secondary is healthier than it has been. Eli Manning has been up and down. But Dallas has injuries in its secondary.The Giants beat Dallas on the road in Week 2, 33-31. NY GIANTS 27-17.

*Washington over New Orleans by 1
Washington covered only one spread in its first eight games. But the Redskins have shown plenty of resilience and heart during the second half of the season. Despite key injuries, the Redskins upset Denver by 10 as 3 _-point home ‘dogs, lost to Dallas by one point as 11-point road ‘dogs and fell by three as 9 _-point road ‘dogs to the Eagles during their last three games.Washington has covered five of seven times this season in an under- dog role. Now they catch the Saints traveling on a short week after hosting New England in one of the more anticipated Monday night games. The Saints are a warm-weather, dome team.They’ll be playing on grass in their only potential cold-weather contest.The Saints don’t play as quick on grass as they do artificial turf. Only once this season have the Redskins lost by more than 10 points. Washington entered Week 12 ranked No. 1 in pass defense and No. 4 in total defense. They haven’t had Albert Haynesworth during the past two weeks. Even without their best run-stuffer, the Redskins held Dallas and Philadelphia to a combined three touchdowns. The Redskins have been without Clinton Portis (check status), but former special teams performer Rock Cartwright has proven reliable at tailback even giving the team a spark.WASHINGTON 24-23.

**OVER: Minnesota at Arizona - Minnesota has scored 27 or more points in all but one game, while the Cardinals have the receivers to offset the Vikings’ strong pass rush.