#1 TSG Hoffenheim vs Borussia Dortmund
Saturday, October 17th 6:30am PT
We kick off this week's picks with some action from the German Bundesliga. Young American Gio Reyna has been taking the league by storm this season, partnering with fellow phenom Erling Haaland to form a devastating partnership in front of goal. At 17 he can’t legally drive a car or drink a beer in Germany, but Gio Reyna has been a major driving force behind the early success of this Dortmund team. I am picking Borussia Dortmund to cruise to an easy victory due to the overwhelming quality of their young talent.
-Money Line: Dortmund -128
Hoffenheim +280
Draw +310
-Point Spread: Dortmund -½ -128
Hoffenheim +½ +108
*Odds via betonline.ag, 10/11/20.
#2 Everton vs Liverpool
Saturday, October 17th 4:30am PT
We stick with soccer which has weirdly (for an American) become one of my favorite sports. This Merseyside Derby pits the primary two clubs located in Liverpool, England against one another. It has been contested for well over a century, but this season looks to be the most exciting derby in years. Liverpool are Premier League Champions, but an improved and reinvigorated Everton side are undefeated this season. This is a tough one, but I am picking Liverpool to win a close game after being humiliated 7-2 in last week's match with Aston Villa. Their quality is immense and they will look to bounce back and make a statement against their rivals.
-Money Line: Liverpool -110
Everton +280
Draw +255
-Point Spread: Liverpool -¾ -114
Everton +¾ -106
*Odds via betonline.ag, 10/11/20.
#3 Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, October 18th 5:20pm PT
Even though it pains me to do so I have to choose the Rams over my hometown 49ers in this primetime matchup. The Niners have been hit hard with injuries and look like a shell of the team that went to the Super Bowl last year. Jimmy Garoppolo’s play against the Dolphins in week 5 was abysmal, and Aaron Donald and Co. should wreak havoc. On the flipside the once mighty Niners defense was like a sieve against the Dolphins and this game could get ugly quick. There’s still a chance the Niners could turn this season around, but things do not look promising.
-Money Line: Los Angeles -159
San Francisco +139
-Point Spread: Los Angeles -3 -110
San Francisco +3 -110
*Odds via betonline.ag, 10/11/20.
#4 Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Tuesday, October 13th
I can’t believe it’s already the NLCS. This baseball season has been so weird being only 60 games and having an altered playoff format. Nevertheless the Dodgers have made another impressive run and look like the team to beat. This being said, I’m picking Atlanta to win game two. I believe the Braves will make this a competitive series overall and it could easily go six to seven games. What I’m really hoping for is a rematch between Houston and Los Angeles in the World Series. Things could get wild if that becomes a reality, and as a neutral fan I’d love to see it.
#5 Georgia vs Alabama
Saturday, October 17th 5:00 PT
This is a truly massive matchup as we see the #2 and #3 teams in the nation face each other. I believe that this will be the game where the streak is broken and Alabama coach Nick Saban will finally be beat by one of his former assistants. Georgia and coach Kirby Smart have looked dominant this season and Alabama's defense was suspect last week against Ole Miss. There is no doubt this battle of the deep south will be close and hard fought, but my money is on Georgia to pull off the upset if you can even really call it that.
-Point Spread: Georgia +5 -110
Alabama -5 -110
*Odds via betonline.ag, 10/11/20.