Betting Spring Football Games: Analysis & Future Odds for 2025 Season
Betting Spring Football Games made the headlines a few weeks ago when Deion Sanders started looking for an opponent for Colorado’s traditional April event – and Syracuse jumped at the opportunity.
The only problem, of course, is that the NCAA doesn’t allow schools to compete against one another in football this time of year.
It’s not like the NFL, where teams will practice together ahead of scrimmages and pre-season games. Instead, the NCAA’s spring games are intra squad scrimmages designed to help with roster decisions and bring fans on campus to build excitement about fall.
A lot of schools have done away with spring games to avoid injuries, instead opening up one spring practice to fans.
Others still look to the games as an important tradition – and a way to get fans engaged.
Betting Spring Football Games: Betting Insights and Future Odds
Let’s look at some of the top games still to come on this spring’s schedule and talk about how you can leverage insights for your online betting this fall.
Intro to the Spring Games: What are they? When are the key games?
These games are scrimmages that often feature teams dressed in the primary colors of the team.
For example, Penn State’s spring contest is the Blue-White Game, which will kick off Saturday at 2:00 pm Eastern time – but which will not be televised, which is a change from years past.
As you can see, the idea of having a spring game has declined significantly over the last few years. This idea goes all the way back to the late 1800s, starting as serious intrasquad competition. The first documented spring contest came at Kansas in 1910 and was actually held to show that the new American football rules had made it less dangerous. Spring games became common at the high school and college level by the 1920s.
How can you use NCAAF spring game action to help your sports betting?
This year’s spring game will give you a fresh look at returning quarterback Drew Allar, back for his senior season and his third as the Penn State starter. Tailbacks Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton are back, and four starters on the O-line return as well.
The spring game will give some insight as to how well Penn State has done in replacing tight end Tyler Warren and finding other effective pass catchers for Allar. That was one problem with the Penn State offense last year – except for Warren, Allar didn’t really have any other dynamic targets. Will that change in 2025? The spring game will give some clues – but since the game isn’t on television, you’ll have to rely on YouTube and game reports to get greater insight.
Which NCAAF game comes first on the fall schedule?
We don’t have kickoff times yet, but Saturday, August 23, features the first games. Because Kansas State will meet Iowa State in Ireland, it’s likely that will be the first game of the season. Other games that day include Stanford heading west to play Hawaii, Fresno State heading east to play Kansas, and Sam Houston traveling to Western Kentucky.
Well, it’s extremely early to start looking at individual games. We do have some Week 1 lines, such as Ohio State favored by 4 ½ points over Texas at home in a rematch of their CFP semifinal showdown. The Longhorns have Arch Manning taking over at quarterback, while the Buckeyes’ quarterback decision is still under wraps. Notre Dame will go to Miami (FL) as 2 ½-point road favorites, even though the Hurricanes are reloading at quarterback, replacing Cam Ward with Carson Beck, formerly with Georgia. I like the Buckeyes to win and cover at home and the Hurricanes to cover as home underdogs, at least at this point.
Garry vs Prates Odds & UFC on ESPN Prediction, Best bets for Main and Preliminary Card
Read on to get the full fight card, our Garry vs Prates Odds and betting predictions for the top two matchups. UFC heads to the American heartland this week as T-Mobile Center in Kansas City will host UFC on ESPN 66, set for Saturday night, April 26.
Jamahal Hill, the former UFC Light Heavyweight champ, was supposed to square off with Khalil Rountree Jr in the headliner, but Hill had to step out due to an ongoing leg injury, and now Ian Machado Garry meets Carlos Prates in a welterweight showdown as the main event.
Bet On UFC on ESPN: Garry vs Prates Odds, Prediction
The co-headliner pits Zhang Mingyang against Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight tilt.
Main Card (ESPN2 / ESPN+)
Ian Machado Garry vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Anthony Smith vs Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)
Giga Chikadze vs David Onama (Featherweight)
Michel Pereira vs Abusupiyan Magomedov (Middleweight)
Ian Machado Garry (15-1, 8-1 UFC, -135) vs Carlos Prates (21-6, 4-0 UFC, +114)
This bout will end up a finish win for Prates between the third and fourth rounds – at least according to Prates in a recent interview. Indeed, he was one of the promotion’s breakout performers last year, as he notched four knockouts in four UFC appearances.
He is slow to get started, and his grappling and wrestling are still areas of concern, but he also shows a rare degree of smarts that make his basic toolkit hard to stop.
When he beat Charles Radtke, for example, he had to figure out what to do with his opponent’s dangerous left hook. So Prates just grabbed Radtke’s left wrist and delivered a showstopping knee to the body. He then dismantled Jingliang Li and Neil Magny to finish 2024.
Garry is an opponent who represents a different level of talent and danger for Prates. When he came into UFC, his upright striking form and height meant that being aggressive brought punishment, but in general, he was able to follow a pre-set strategy – as we saw when he told everyone what he was going to do against Daniel Rodriguez, went ahead with his head kick, and still got the knockout.
Movernig closer to the top 10 in his division led to growing pains for Garry last year. He narrowly beat Geoff Neal and Michael Page, avoiding risks against their knockout power. His first UFC loss came against Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice at the end of 2024. Expect Garry to try and slow action down against Prates.
However, Prates should be able to do enough damage to get the judges on his side, even if he can’t stay at range enough to deliver bombs. Prates to win via decision.
Mingyang Zhang (18-6, 2-0 UFC, -500) vs Anthony Smith (38-21, 13-11 UFC, +380)
This is Smith’s retirement bout. He’s had a terrific run since joining the UFC in 2016, as he first became a middleweight gatekeeper and then became a light heavyweight title contender. He got his shot at Jon Jones, but his attempt at a belt fell short.
When he wins, it’s because he’s pulled off some sort of comeback, such as compensating for a deficit on the cards with a knockout, or leveraging unwise aggression into a submission. That’s what happened against Vitor Petrino in May, when he came out of nowhere to deliver a submission.
Since then, he’s lost to Roman Dolidze and Dominick Reyes, and now he wants to finish his career on a high note in front of some hometown fans.
Zhang has a fairly simple approach to the sport. He has won 11 fights in a row, all by finishes in the first round. His approach is all about power in the striking, but we haven’t seen him have to keep the pace up for more than a couple of minutes.
Zhang certainly could deliver a big bomb early and knock Smith out, but that’s not what’s happened to Smith historically. Instead, he will eat some punishment and work his way back.
If he can get through the early storm, he should be able to deliver against a one-dimensional power slugger. Smith to win via submission.
Who’s favored to win at Talladega this weekend? Check out NASCAR Odds for Jack Link’s 500 and Ag-Pro 300
Let’s break down the races in the top two circuits from Talladega Superspeedway and look at updated series championship odds for your Betting NASCAR Odds consideration.
Betting NASCAR Odds: Weekend Preview for Cup and Xfinity Series
Cup Series: Jack Link’s 500
Sunday, April 27, 3:00 pm ET
Last Race Preview
Back on April 13, Kyle Larson rolled to victory in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. He had also dominated the Xfinity Series race the day before, but in the Cup Series event, he led 411 of 500 laps and won both stages. This gave him two wins in 2025 and his second in a row at Bristol. Despite brushing the outside wall at the top of Turns 1 and 2 with just five laps remaining, he still beat Denny Hamlin by 2.250 seconds, denying Hamlin a third consecutive Cup Series win. Ty Gibbs finished third, 6.679 seconds behind Larson. This was the seventh time that Hamlin and Larson have come in 1-2, but the first time that Larson has been the winner. Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top five.
Talladega Superspeedway is a much different track than Bristol. Running longer than two miles, Talladega offers higher speed and features pack racing – which can lead to huge pileups. Bristol has higher banking and runs just a half-mile. Superspeedway races often end up in chaos as a driver comes from way back to zip around a wreck and take the lead, so bear that in mind when making your wagers. Let’s look at this week’s contender odds and a smart pick or two.
Notice that even the favorite here, Blaney, is offering +1000 odds. The fact that one wreck at the wrong time can send favorites to the garage early makes the value greater – if you end up being right. Blaney has won here three times, most recently in the fall of 2023. We haven’t seen Brad Keselowski this high up an odds list in a while, but he has six wins here, tied with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr for the second-most of all time. He’s also come in second in the last two Cup Series events here.
Kyle Busch
Busch has won here twice, most recently in the spring of 2023. He has done well recently on drafting tracks – last fall, he was the runner-up at Daytona. Joey Logano has won here three times, but hasn’t even cracked the top ten once since the start of the NextGen era.
Want a sleeper?
Think about Bubba Wallace. He won here in the fall of 2021 and came in ninth in the fall of 2024. He generally finishes near the front at superspeedways – and he had the lead at the white flag in the 2023 spring race until one of those infamous crashed took him. Another sleeper could be Michael McDowell, who swept the pole positions here in 2024 and had the lead in the last lap last spring before wrecking.
NASCAR returned to Rockingham Speedway last week with events in the Craftsman Truck Series and the Xfinity Series. It looked like Jesse Love had won the Xfinity Series event, the North Carolina Education Lottery 250. However, Love was disqualified for a car parts violation, and Sammy Smith ended up with his first win of 2025 and his third overall. The day saw 14 cautions over 83 laps and nine yellows in the last stage.
Parker Retzlaff ended up in second place, a career mark. Harrison Burton, Brennan Poole, and Taylor Gray completed the top five. Poole now has two top-five finishes in his last four events. Ryan Sieg led 77 laps, a race high, but a huge crash on Lap 241 caught him. Now let’s look at the contender odds (+10000 or better) for this week’s Xfinity Series race at Talladega.
Updated Odds to Win the UEFA Champions League before the start of the Semifinals
This year’s last four in the UEFA Champions League Odds to win contain some new faces. Inter Milan haven’t won any Champions League titles and last won its predecessor, the European Cup, in 2009-10. Barcelona, have not won a title since the 2014-15 European Cup.
Arsenal have never won either title and have only made one European Cup final, all the way back in 2005-06. Paris Saint-Germain made it to the final in 2019-20, but are also still looking for their first title.
The holders, Real Madrid, were sent home in shocking 5-1 fashion by Arsenal. Bayern Munich were also shown the gate in the quarterfinal round.
UEFA Champions League Odds to Win Updated: 4 Teams in the Hunt for the Final Game
Let’s take a look at the latest sports betting odds for each of the last four teams to hoist the trophy and consider smart picks with the two-legged semifinal ties to take place on April 29-30 and May 6-7.
When Barcelona’s journey through the UEFA Champions League began, they went to Monaco, saw a straight red to end up with ten men, and lost. Things looked bleak indeed, but then they won the next seven league phase games to take one of the top eight slots in the knockout round seeding and avoid the playoff. They rolled over Benfica, 4-1 on aggregate, and then used a 4-0 home thrashing of Borussia Dortmund to open the quarterfinal leg and make the away fixture basically academic.
This is a roster with talent and depth, and having 16-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the wings makes them a devastating offense. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski have both notched six or more goals, the first time two Barça players have done that since 2015-16, when Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez managed the feat. They run a 4-2-3-1 with an extremely high offside line, holding the defenders at least 50 meters away from the goal line. The focus is on pressure, and it works.
PSG
Right behind Barcelona are Paris Saint-Germain. The league phase was a grind for this soccer blue-blood, and when they lost at home to Atletico Madrid on Matchday 4, it looked like they could fail to make even the top 24 and might miss the playoff altogether. They bounced back and demolished Brest, 10-0 on aggregate, in their knockout phase playoff. They needed penalties to dispatch Liverpool in the round of 16 and also barely survived Aston Villa, 5-4, on aggregate, in the quarterfinal.
Aston Villa, have been a pleasant surprise this year, but the rough ride that PSG needed to endure to get by them has to have fans and sports bettors a bit concerned. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had two great saves on penalties in the aggregate win over Liverpool and also kept his team from collapsing in the 3-2 loss at Aston Villa in the second leg of the quarterfinal tie, making several key saves in what could have been a 5-2 or 6-2 loss without his magic. PSG can play with anyone, but they can also give up goals to anyone.
Could Inter run the table and win? They did bounce Bayern, 4-3, on aggregate after that bold 2-1 win to start the tie. They see Barcelona in the semifinals. Their defense has been stout, with just one goal conceded in eight league phase games.
They run a 3-5-2 that pushes down on the sides behind Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco. This is a system that has been in place for several seasons now, and their depth makes them even more dangerous. Remember, Inter made it all the way to the UCL final two years ago.
What about Arsenal?
They’re ensconced in second place in the English Premier League table right now, but a distant 13 points behind Liverpool and six points ahead of Cinderella story Nottingham Forest. In the Champions League this year, they have the second-best defense, with the only league-phase blemish coming at Inter on a 1-0 loss on Matchday 4.
They thumped PSV Eindhoven, 9-3, on aggregate, including a 7-1 shellacking on the road, and they upped the ante even more by routing Real Madrid 3-0 at home and following it up with a 2-1 embarrassment at the Bernabéu. They also have a 2-0 home win over PSG in this tournament. Their confidence could just be enough to bring them a title.
All four of these teams have fairly close odds, and that reflects the reality of the situation – based on the way all four of them have played, they could all hoist the trophy at the end of the final.
Don’t put too much down on any of these moneylines – as always, limit yourself to between 1 and 3 percent of your bankroll – even if one of them is your favorite club.
Arsenal are basically playing with house money at this point. All the pressure is on PSG to get the win in the semifinals, but it’s not like the Gunners are riding a miracle wave – they’re also dominating in the English Premier League. They’re playing loose and scoring a lot of goals, so they’re an intriguing value pick.
As action pours in, you may see some of the odds shift to balance out the wagers. Once we have the first fixtures in the books, then you are likely to see some of the odds move as teams face differing degrees of difficulty when it comes to advancing to the final.
Bet on the CONCACAF Champions Cup Odds & Semifinals Prediction for Leg 1
Historically, Liga MX has dominated the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but this year’s semifinal round includes just two teams from Mexico’s first division and two teams from Major League Soccer.
We have three nations represented in the last four for the first time in five years, when Honduran club C.D. Olimpia made it this far.
MLS has had two other teams win this trophy – LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. Canadian sides CF Montreal and Toronto FC have made it to the final.
CONCACAF Champions Cup Odds: Semifinal Leg 1 Preview & Schedule
So who will navigate their way to the trophy this time? First, we have a two-leg semifinal tie to sort out. We have sports betting previews of the first leg, as well as some thoughts on the eventual winner.
Tigres UANL (+116) vs Cruz Azul (+244) (Draw +228)
When: Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 pm ET
Vancouver Whitecaps (+123) vs Inter Miami (+199) (Draw +248)
Rundown of the Tournament: Favorites? Upsets? Surprises?
Tigres
They have the most experience in this tournament of the remaining four. They are also coming out of a reasonably successful Liga MX Clausura campaign, where they finished fourth and will advance to the playoffs. They’ve also dealt with the most recent change in leadership – it’s barely been a month since Guido Pizzaro was promoted from player to manager. Another veteran, André-Pierre Gignac, almost 40 years old, is the top scorer for Tigres in Liga MX with seven tallies. They also beat Cruz Azul in the Clausura campaign, 2-1. They’ve also beaten Miami recently (2-1, back in August 2024) and Vancouver, winning four of five showdowns over the last eight years. But are they the favorites? Actually, they would be a surprise to win if they can push through, based on the other teams.
Vancouver
Whitecaps lead the MLS standings as well as some key statistical categories. This is a team that focuses on possession. Getting by Inter Miami will be another gauntlet, but the Whitecaps are led by Brian White’s nine tallies in 14 goals in all competition this year, as well as defensive midfielder Andres Cubas, who is one of the few players in the world that has managed to keep Lionel Messi in check. But until they beat Inter Miami, they won’t be the favorite.
Cruz Azul
Mexican team has a strong chance to get this trophy. They won the Liga MX Apertura season before struggling in the early part of the Clausura. However, they finished with three wins in their last five contests and came in third ahead of the playoffs. Their offense has a lot of contributors – in a 17-match Clausura season, five different players had at least five goals. Angel Sepulveda led the way with nine. They’ve already stopped Seattle Sounders and the tournament favorites, Club America, in the quarterfinal. They’re a hot team right now – the hottest of the four.
On paper, Inter Miami are the favorites
They have four players who have won UEFA Champions League titles – Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Changing to Javier Mascherano as head coach has led to a bit of a drop in 2025 – they drew in MLS play against Toronto FC and Chicago Fire FC, and they barely beat the Columbus Crew. However, this is a team that has stayed focus in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. They are the favorites on paper, but I’m leaning toward Cruz Azul at this point.
NASCAR Betting this Weekend Events, Top Picks for Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series
Read on to find out about all of NASCAR Betting, as well as our betting thoughts on each one. Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina, it held Cup Series events until 2004.
The straights are banked at 8 degrees, the first two turns are banked at 22 degrees, and then the last two increase to 25 degrees.
These events will be the first NASCAR has held here in 21 years; it is possible that the Cup Series will return in the future if these events go well.
NASCAR Betting: Auto Racing Events and Top Picks for the Week
Xfinity Series: North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire
Saturday, April 19, 4:00 pm ET
Last week, Cup Series full-timer Kyle Larson dropped and ran in the Xfinity and truck series races as well at the “Last Great Colosseum” in Bristol, and he roared to victory in the Xfinity Series SciAps 300.
He led 277 of 300 laps to get his first Xfinity Series win in two starts in 2025, his second win in this series at Bristol and his 16th series win overall.
He finished an eye-popping 2.054 seconds ahead of Carson Kvapil, who tied his best career finish after his runner-up result at Dover in 2024.
Justin Allgaier, currently the series points leader, finished third. Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones rounded out the top five. Here are the contender odds for this week’s race:
Chandler Smith roared to victory in the Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol last week. He was able to hold off Cup Series full-timer Kyle Larson over the last seven laps to win his first victory in the truck series of 2025.
He’s now won twice at Bristol and six times in his career after beating Larson by 0.934 seconds.
Corey Heim, Tyler Ankrum and Ben Rhodes filled out the top five. Bayley Currey had the first stage win of his career when he took Stage 2, but transmission issues ended his day 13 laps early. Now let’s look at the contender odds for Friday’s race.
Start the Week with the Best Soccer Odds! Bet on Liga MX Top Games & Predictions for Matchday 16
Bet on Liga MX top ten teams get into the playoffs, with the top six guaranteed a slot in the quarterfinals. The seventh through tenth-place finishers enter a play-in tournament to settle the last two slots in the quarterfinal round.
Only three points separate third-place Leon from seventh-place Necaxa, so some movement in the automatic qualifiers is definitely possible.
Tenth-place Pumas UNAM have 18 points, but three teams have 17 points, and San Luis have 15 points.
Atlas, with 14 points, is even still alive for the postseason. So there’s plenty of drama left in the last two matches.
Bet on Liga MX Top Games to Win in the Matchday 16
Don’t miss our sports betting thoughts on some of the key matchups this week.
Juarez (+145) vs Necaxa (+175) (Draw +248)
When: Tuesday, April 15, 11:00 pm ET Liga MX Top Pick: Necaxa to win
Seventh-place Necaxa (27 points) visit eighth-place Juarez (23 points) hoping to make a move up closer to an automatic slot in the quarterfinals.
Juarez has a -3 goal differential at this point in the season (6 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses), as their offense (just 14 goals) has been on the inconsistent side.
They have one win, four draws and one loss in their last six matches. That includes a scoreless draw against Pumas UNAM in their last action.
They like to strike on the counter, using their defense to win games, but they simply haven’t been turning that enough to advantage. Against a more solid team like Necaxa, goals may be hard to come by. They have won four times in seven home matches in the Clausura.
Necaxa have a +6 goal differential despite having surrendered 10 more goals than Juarez. Their 33 goals are almost twice as many as Juarez have managed.
However, their issues come on the back end. Can Juarez break through and find the back of the net?
Necaxa have won four times in seven away matches in Clausura play. They also demolished Juarez in their last match, rolling to a 3-0 win.
When: Tuesday, April 15, 11:05 pm ET Liga MX Top Pick: Cruz Azul to win
Cruz Azul have a 12-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. They played Club America in their last action and ended up in a scoreless draw – their first Liga MX match without a score since January.
La Maquina now have a seven-match unbeaten streak going against Leon, including a 2-1 road win during the 2024 Apertura phase, and they have four clean sheets in their last seven tilts with Leon.
They have five wins and five clean sheets in their last eight Liga MX contests.
Leon ended a four-game winless streak last week, stopping Puebla at home, 1-0, behind a 58th-minute tally from midfielder Andres Guardado.
They have a four-match road winless streak still going in Liga MX action, including a pair of draws. They have only scored one goal apiece in their last five Liga MX matches.
Interestingly, despite their inability to beat Cruz Azul, La Fiera have a one-goal aggregate edge over their last 15 Liga MX matches (23-22).
Unless the hosts suffer from an unexpected letdown, they should roll.
Which team will Advance to the Champions League’s Semifinals? Discover Xbet’s Betting Prediction for Quarterfinals Leg2
The first leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League Quarter Final saw two of Europe’s blue blood clubs make statements – and saw two significant upsets.
Paris Saint-Germain took Aston Villa to the woodshed at home in a 3-1 shellacking, and Barcelona re-established themselves as the class of the tournament in a 4-0 rout of Borussia Dortmund. The other two matches were much more surprising, though.
Real Madrid went to Arsenal and gave up two genius-level free kicks en route to a 3-0 loss. Inter Milan went to Munich and gave Bundesliga-leading Bayern a 2-1 shocker right after Bayern had embarrassed Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
What can we expect as the quarter-finals wrap up? Don’t miss our sports betting preview.
UEFA Champions League Bets for Quarterfinals, Leg 2 Schedule with Best Picks
Aston Villa (+202) vs Paris Saint-Germain (+109) (Draw +310)
Paris Saint-Germain lead on aggregate, 3-1 When: Tuesday, April 15, 3:00 pm ET Champions Pick: PSG to win
Aston Villa actually had a lead in the first leg as Morgan Rogers sent a cross from Youri Tielemans home in the 35th minute. Then the home team woke up, and things got ugly in a hurry. Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drew the hosts level and then put them ahead, and then Nuno Mendes delivered the insurance tally in the final minute of play. PSG have posted at least three goals in six of their last eight UCL matches. Can they uncork another maelstrom of offense in England? I foresee a more conservative approach as they focus on advancing and staying healthy, but I also see them taking advantage of what will have to be a desperate Aston Villa side.
Borussia Dortmund (+234) vs Barcelona (-111) (Draw +310)
Barcelona lead on aggregate, 4-0 When: Tuesday, April 15, 3:00 pm ET Champions Pick: Barcelona to win
Both Erik Haaland and Robert Lewandowski used to play at striker for Borussia Dortmund, but now they ply their trade elsewhere. Lewandowski showed his old team what they were missing with a brace, in between goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Dortmund have never beaten Barcelona in a European competition in six tries, and this would have to be not just a win but one of epic proportions. Barcelona not only have a stout attack but are deep at all levels. This is definitely your smart pick to win the whole thing, not just this leg.
Arsenal lead on aggregate, 3-0 When: Wednesday, April 16, 3:00 pm ET Champions Pick: Real Madrid to win
Declan Rice became an Internet legend for Arsenal in the first leg, curling two free kicks into the upper right-hand corner of the Real Madrid net. Mikel Merino delivered a slick finish to round out the scoring. According to Real’s Jude Bellingham, though, they were lucky that Arsenal only found the back of the net three times.
Can the magic of the Bernabeu really help Real pull off what would be an unprecedented comeback? It’s doubtful, but I see the hosts winning the second leg, even if they don’t advance.
Inter Milan (+160) vs Bayern Munich (+150) (Draw +250)
Inter lead on aggregate, 2-1 When: Wednesday, April 16, 3:00 pm ET Champions Pick: Inter Milan to win
Inter Milan have now scored first in nine of their last ten UCL matches – an excellent way to make victory more likely. Lautaro Martinez opened their scoring in Munich, and then Davide Frattesi delivered the shocking winner in the 88th minute. Martinez is now Inter’s all-time scorer in European Cup / Champions League play. Thomas Mueller delivered Bayern’s only goal in the 85th minute, but what looked like a draw only took a few minutes to go south.
They had not lost a Champions League match at home since April 2021, when PSG delivered a 3-2 disappointment in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie. Inter should show similar determination in the second leg – but will the moment be too big for them? I’m going with the slight value edge and the roar of the San Siro.
Get your NFL Draft Top Picks! Check out the Opportunities to win this 2025 Season
NFL Draft Top Picks: Getting a franchise quarterback is one of the most important steps that any team can take in this era of pro football. There was a time when you could run a third-string quarterback out there and win a game with rushing and defense – the then-Baltimore Colts did it to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
Even in Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos used a smashmouth defense to shut down the Carolina Panthers in a 24-10 win with a very limited Peyton Manning running the offense. Now, though, you can’t win a title without an elite signal-caller.
You can’t even get to a conference championship game without one. However, acquiring that franchise quarterback is extremely difficult.
The Cleveland Browns haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Otto Graham’s era. Though Brian Sipe came close and Baker Mayfield showed promise before the team moved on, Deshaun Watson was signed to a record guaranteed contract, hoping he could be that solution.
Watson’s ongoing injuries and inconsistent play compel the team to endure his contract. Despite having the second overall draft pick, they will not select Shedeur Sanders. Instead, they’ll rely on Watson, Kenny Pickett, and veteran Joe Flacco, who signed a one-year deal potentially worth $13 million with incentives.
Instead, the Browns are projected to pick Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Colorado who was a star at wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes.
NFL Draft Top Picks in the 2025
The Race for the No. 1 Pick: Current Betting Odds for the 1st Overall Pick
Right now, quarterback Cam Ward out of Miami (FL) is the overall consensus pick to go in the first overall pick. The Tennessee Titans currently hold that pick, and sportsbooks have the odds of the Titans taking Ward sit around -20000.
So no, you’re not going to get a whole lot of value for that pick. How about Hunter in that second spot? Current sports betting odds hover around -280 for the Browns to take him at #2.
Right now, the Tennessee Titans hold that pick. When they first found out they would have that selection, the team announced that they were open to trading down. Going into free agency, there was the thought that the team would pursue a veteran quarterback instead of trying to move on from Will Levis in the draft.
However, as the top signal-callers found contracts with other teams, it became clear that the plan in Tennessee was to go with Ward. Once the team respectfully cancelled a meeting with Shedeur Sanders’ group, opting against a private workout, the team’s plans became even clearer.
Tennessee Titans
If the Titans decide to trade their pick, it is still likely that Ward will be selected by the team with the first pick. Tennessee needs a quarterback and Ward is the best available. There are several trade projections, including one with the Giants.
The Titans would receive from the Giants the #3 pick in the draft, a third-round pick in 2025, and a first- and third-round pick in 2026. In this scenario, PFF projected the Titans selecting quarterback Jaxson Dart, noted in data analytics for his talent.
NFL Draft Top Picks & Top Contenders for the No. 1 Selection
In addition to the Titans and Giants, there are other teams that could benefit from selecting a true quarterback of the future. Some thought the Browns would try to move up to #1 to select Ward, but the arrival of Flacco indicates they are only looking for a temporary solution until Watson’s contract is up.
New York Giants
The Giants could also trade down, though, as they have Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston lined up at quarterback. Another team that could use a quarterback is the Las Vegas Raiders. With Tom Brady as part of their ownership, I could see the Raiders looking to make a big splash and get up to the first overall pick.
They do have Geno Smith (and a contract extension) on the roster, but he could give Ward a year, or even half a season, of tutoring before Ward takes over the starting job.
After you get past the trifecta of Ward, Hunter and Sanders, the rest of the top ten should go to such premium positions as edge rushers and offensive linemen.
Some have Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty going as high as #5, but the likes of edge rushers Abdul Carter, Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker are all projected to go in the top 10, as ar offensive tackles Armand Membou and Will Campbell.
Jaxson Dart’s draft projection ranges as high as #3, but the over/under for his selection is 21.5, with the Steelers picking at #21 after moving on from Fields and Wilson.
Right now, the Steelers only have Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson signed to deals at quarterback.
The Steelers, led by Mike Tomlin, see through Aaron Rodgers’ deception that convinced the Jets to offer him a lucrative deal. They might prefer drafting Dart later in the second round instead of immediately.
So why isn’t Dart getting more buzz?
Some see him being picked ahead of Shedeur Sanders, but this is more due to Sanders’ drop in the rankings. Dart did not lead Ole Miss to the SEC Final Four and showed a 58% completion rate and three interceptions in four games against top-ranked teams.
In games with a lower power index, Dart had a 59% completion rate and 6.9 yards per dropback. Notably, against Florida, he struggled in the fourth quarter. These performances may hinder his draft stock, with limited Steelers interest following a meeting.
Indianapolis Colts
There’s speculation on whether the Indianapolis Colts will select an O-lineman with their first pick, currently at +300 odds. General manager Chris Ballard tends to favor experienced players with exceptional athletic traits. Notably, in the 2019 draft, none of the twelve first or second-round picks had four years of college experience. Although the Colts are interested in Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, he may be picked before their turn.
The Colts are reportedly interested in Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, though injuries hindered his workouts and he only played three college seasons. They may also need a guard or right tackle, with Braden Smith’s contract expiring soon and a guard position open. Potential candidates include Grey Zabel from North Dakota State (five college years) and Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson (four years), both experienced in both positions.
Big Ten Players as a NFL Draft Top Picks
One more draft prop has to do with the number of players from the Big Ten Conference, who get drafted in the first round. On most books, the over/under is 8.5, and the over pays -180. Remember – UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington are in the Big Ten now as well.
Abdul Carter (Penn State) and Mason Graham (Michigan) are said to be locks to join Penn State’s Warren in the top ten. Some other first-round prospects include Colston Loveland, Will Johnson and Kenneth Grant, all of Michigan, and then Josh Conerly and Derrick Harmon of Oregon.
That’s eight already. That doesn’t include such possible first-rounders as Josh Simmons, Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Tyleik Williams, and Donovan Jackson, all of Ohio State, as well as Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery and UCLA’s Femi Oladejo.
Longshots
That’s a list with 15 names, and they’re all reasonable first-rounders. If you want to add a couple of long shots, let’s consider Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) or JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State). So getting to nine or more Big Ten players in the first round, where 32 teams will pick, is well within the realm of possibility.
At this writing, the line is 6.5, but the “over” is +225 while the under is -300, suggesting that the line could drop down. In addition to Ward, other likely first-round quarterbacks are Sanders, Dart.
Jalen Milroe and Quinn Ewers often appear in the top five quarterback power rankings. However, few mock drafts predict three QBs in the first round, suggesting it’s wise to wait until the total drops to 5.5.
Overall, Travis Hunter is listed with a -280 moneyline as the second draft choice. So he’s definitely the smart pick to be the first non-quarterback taken in the draft, unless you see major shifting in the draft order.
Smart positional wagers can bring you value. Will the Chicago Bears draft Ashton Jeanty (+130)? Why not? The Bears’ O-line has been revamped, and they need a tailback to take the pressure off Caleb Williams. There’s no one ahead of Jeanty on the Bears’ depth chart who would make him wait for touches.
The Raiders could select a wide receiver first (+300), especially with Tom Brady now under Las Vegas ownership. Their dissatisfaction with the lack of investment in receivers under Belichick suggests they could trade their high pick.
One longshot bet with some upside has the New York Jets going with a quarterback in the first round (+1700). Yes, the Jets signed Justin Fields, but the team is giving him a lot less than they gave Aaron Rodgers.
It would not be surprising at all to see the Jets reach out and grab Shedeur Sanders and get a lot of media attention. However, speaking of fading media hype…
This draft class is seen as strong in terms of starters but not so strong in terms of possible All-Pros.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is seeing his media hype fade as scouts start to question his athleticism.
One anonymous NFL quarterbacks coach labeled Sanders “arrogant” and “brash” after a one-on-one interview – an impression that does not square with the interviews Sanders gave to various media outlets during the combine.
It’s hard to imagine sliding past the top 20 at this point, but there are some scouts who have him as a second-round pick on their draft boards.
Volkanovski vs Lopes Odds UFC 314 Prediction & Picks for Top Fights this Weekend
UFC heads to South Beach at the Kaseya Center in Miami will host Volkanovski vs Lopes Odds this weekend.
UFC 314 is the promotion’s fourth trip to Miami, and this one will feature former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes squaring off for the vacant belt in the headliner.
“Pitbull” has also been the Bellator Featherweight World Champion on three different occasions.
Bet On UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes Odds, Betting Prediction
Let’s look at the complete fight card as well as our sports betting thoughts on several of the fights.
Main Card (Pay Per View)
Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (UFC Featherweight Championship)
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett (Lightweight)
Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (Featherweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs Jean Silva (Featherweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
Alexander Volkanovski (26-4, 13-3 UFC, -122) vs Diego Lopes (26-6, 5-1 UFC, +102)
Volkanovski seeks to establish a second dominance era in his career as Lopes, despite an improbable journey, secures a title shot. The UFC Featherweight division hosts top MMA talents. Since 2019, Volkanovski has combined striking with grappling, defeating legends like Jose Aldo and Max Holloway. He notably overcame Brian Ortega, escaping a guillotine choke to secure a crucial victory in that match.
Volkanovski previously defeated the Korean Zombie and Holloway before facing lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, losing by decision in early 2023. In their rematch, he suffered a quick knockout from Topuria. Now, 14 months later, he prepares for a challenging yet winnable opponent.
Lopes faced defeat in his UFC debut against skilled wrestler Movsar Evloev but has since thrived. Gaining opportunities on prominent cards, he triumphed over Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff, leveraging his relentless energy and aggression, though this style often risks him burning out during fights.
He has shown stamina making his approach work, especially against Brian Ortega. Despite potential surprises early, Volkanovski’s experience and solutions likely overwhelm Lopes. Ultimately, Volkanovski is expected to win by decision due to his superior skills and tactics.
Paddy Pimblett (22-3, 6-0 UFC, -148) vs Michael Chandler (23-9, 2-4 UFC, +124)
Pimblett has an opportunity to ascend in the UFC rankings toward title contention, thanks to his elite ground game that has made him a prominent figure in England’s MMA scene. However, his striking is erratic and defensively weak, relying on stamina and size.
In 2022, he controversially defeated Jared Gordon by decision after Gordon relaxed despite scoring points. In 2023, he won a decision against a fading Tony Ferguson, displaying fatigue. However, in July 2024, he impressively defeated Bobby Green in under four minutes. If he beats Chandler, a title shot awaits him, with just one more victory needed.
Chandler has proven to be a strong fighter in Bellator and appears to be a solid contender in the UFC, although his record shows four losses in six fights. With his career advancing, he needs to be more strategic in seizing attack opportunities. He had a dominant debut against Dan Hooker and scored a brutal knockout against Ferguson in 2022. Despite losses, his fights are exciting, showcasing his high power and impressive stamina.
Since his 2022 loss to Dustin Poirier, he has faced challenges, pushing for a fight with Conor McGregor that took almost two years to materialize. He fought Charles Oliveira in November 2024 but lost. This matchup with Pimblett promises excitement, with both fighters prone to pressure, but Chandler’s striking power and Pimblett’s defensive gaps make Chandler a compelling underdog pick for a knockout victory.
Jean Silva (15-2, 4-0 UFC, -278) vs Bryce Mitchell (17-2, 8-2 UfC, +225)
Mitchell’s journey to potential featherweight contender status began with a strong ground game and versatile striking. However, he faced setbacks when Ilia Topuria submitted him and Josh Emmett delivered a memorable knockout. Notably, he later showcased his strength with a knockout slam against Kron Gracie in December, highlighting his resilience.
Silva has experienced a remarkable rise in the past year, winning on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023. He’s demonstrated significant striking power, knocking out tough opponents, while exhibiting patience in his fighting style. While his grappling skills remain uncertain, it’s anticipated that Silva will exploit openings to inflict damage. Likely to showcase his knockout ability, Silva is favored to win by knockout.
The latest fight marks the defection of a top Bellator fighter to the UFC. Freire, considered Bellator’s best fighter since his 2010 debut, has won belts at featherweight and lightweight, trying for a third at bantamweight. At 37, he remains competitive at featherweight, with only one loss since 2015.
Freire quickly avenged his previous loss by winning the rematch. His strengths lie in technical and mental skills rather than physicality, which benefits him in his upper 30s. He prioritizes defense, waiting for countering opportunities while neutralizing opponents’ aggression. A victory over Rodriguez would position him as a strong title contender.
Rodriguez was the best of a group of top prospects in the first season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. Making his UFC debut, he displayed an elite level of creativity and a frenetic pace. He lost to Frankie Edgar in 2017, has had inconsistent pace due to injuries and UFC feuds, but won the interim title after defeating Josh Emmett, which earned him a headlining fight against Alexander Volkanovski.
Rodriguez suffered a setback against Brian Ortega in February 2024, where Ortega utilized wrestling to exhaust and submit him. Although Rodriguez has exhibited some defensive flaws due to his creativity, he had never struggled with stamina before. With his power, speed, and size, he poses a tough challenge for “Pitbull,” likely winning by decision.
Now, let’s look at an interesting opportunity on the preliminary cards.
Sean Woodson (13-1-1, 7-1-1 UFC, -170) vs Dan Ige (18-9, 10-8 UFC, +142)
Woodson is an unconventional featherweight at 6’2” and 145 pounds, showcasing impressive striking footwork and power, albeit with defensive vulnerabilities. He readily exchanges strikes, often absorbing punishment without conceding more points than he scores. While he excels in scoring from a distance, he’s also prepared for close-range brawls. His height poses challenges in quick exchanges, but he often maintains leads or stages comebacks. Upcoming, his matchup against the shorter yet similarly strong Dan Ige will reveal how he adapts to this dynamic.
Ige has established himself as a gatekeeper for aspiring fighters in 2024, gaining recognition despite only one win against Andre Fili. He took on Diego Lopes at UFC 303 on short notice but lost, followed by another defeat to Lerone Murphy. Ige is known for his powerful punches and unmatched stamina, though his lack of range can lead to frustration and risky situations. Woodson might opt for a tactical approach, but Ige is likely to push forward if he feels hindered, potentially securing a knockout victory.
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