Nick Parsons Handicapper Reviews & Picks

This is a 1% ATS BLOOD-BATH on the Lynx.

The Lynx beat the Sun 102-63 at home back in June and I expect a similar final outcome here.

It's just a complete mismatch and a matchup that does not ever work out well for the Sun.

Connecticut has been kind to bettors over the last three weeks, but everything in my opinion points to a big letdown here.

Lay the points, the play is on MINNESOTA.

Good luck, NP

This is a 1% PUNISHER on the UNDER Brewers/Jays.

The Brewers won 7-2 in yesterday's series opener, but I'm anticipating much more of a "duel" here with Priester and Gausman on the hill.

Note that Milwaukee has seen the total go OVER in six straight, but the value now swings the other way with these two "in form" starting pitchers squaring off.

The play is on the UNDER.

Good luck, NP

This is a 1% BK on Virginia.

The Virginia Cavaliers are going to cover the larger spread against Coastal Carolina at Scott Stadium on Saturday night, leveraging coaching stability and home-field advantage.

Head coach Tony Elliott, entering his fourth year, has brought consistency, integrating 30 transfers to bolster the roster, enhancing offensive and defensive depth.

This stability contrasts with Coastal Carolina’s unsettled quarterback situation and defensive struggles, which will in turn allow Virginia to exploit mismatches.

Playing at home, the Cavaliers benefit from what will be a crazy Scott Stadium crowd, with an expected mid-40k attendance, boosting morale under perfect late-summer conditions.

Virginia’s historical success in September home games (14-2 as favorites) further tilt the scales.

With quarterback Chandler Morris leading a battle-tested offense, Virginia’s cohesive unit and home energy will for sure overpower Coastal Carolina’s vulnerabilities, ensuring they not only win, but do so in blowout fashion.

Lay the points, the play is on UVA.

Good luck, NP

This is a 1% ANNIHILATION PLAY on the UNDER Syracuse/Tennessee.

The Orange offense is poised to take a significant "step back" this year, in my opinion, after losing quarterback Kyle McCord in the off-season.

Also note that Syracuse brings back just 37 percent of its offensive production from last season, which is the least among all ACC teams.

The Orange have brought in former Notre Dame hopeful Steve Angeli to get the job done.

Tennessee's offense is about to suffer some "growing pains" as well after losing Nick Iamaleava's sudden absence. The team also lost its leading rusher from a year ago, as well as a bunch of top receiving targets.

The Vols finished 10-3 last year and then lost in the first round of the Football Playoff.

While the offense will potentially need some time to develop chemistry, note that Tennessee was one of the best in the nation on the defensive end last year by conceding just 16.1 points per game. That was seventh in the nation.

The Orange allowed 29.2 points per game last season, but as I've outlined, I don't expect this Tennessee offense to really run up the score here in Week 1.

Instead, I see the home side looking to control the tempo and the game clock, and because of that and all of the other factors I've listed above, I'm indeed taking the UNDER in this one.

Good luck, NP

This is a 5% NON-CONFERENCE GAME OF THE MONTH on Texas.

To say this is a big game with huge implications would be an understatement. We'll get into the situational factors working in favor of Texas here shortly, but these are two teams that are expected to compete for a spot in the College Football Championship after doing so last year.

These teams met in the College Football Championship semifinal game and the Buckeyes won by a score of

28-14.

So, clearly, the Longhorns have the "revenge factor" working in their favor to open up the season here.

Of course, the Buckeyes are playing at home and they'll be risking life and limb to secure a victory, I still think that Arch Manning and the visitors will find a way to not only cover, but win this one outright. That said, my official call will be to grab as many points as you can.

This will be Manning's first year as the official starter, while Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin’s (projected) will make his first collegiate start.

With Manning stepping in as the full-time starter, Texas boasts a dynamic quarterback in Steve Sarkisian’s system, which should exploit Ohio State’s retooled defense, led by a new coordinator.

Texas’ strong running game, featuring Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, will control the tempo, while their elite secondary limits Ohio State’s passing attack.

The Longhorns’ experience in high-pressure road games, like last year’s wins over Alabama and Michigan, gives them the edge in this top-five matchup.

While the outright win is a very real possibility, let's grab the points.

The play is on TEXAS.

Good luck, NP