It’s a rare Wednesday night college football odds contest pitting Hawaii against Louisiana Tech. LA Tech is -4.5 at BetUs Sportsbook with a total of 55. The Rainbow Warriors are 2-1 straight up and a perfect 2-0 against the spread going over both lined contests. Their only loss was a heart-breaking one-point defeat at UNLV.

The Bulldogs are 1-2 straight up and 0-2 against the spread. Both losses were on the road, but the one win was to Nicholls State.

Hawaii still has a high powered offense getting 10.9 passing yards per attempt against teams normally allowing 7.9 and 8.3 yards per play to 6.2. Their defensive numbers in yards per rush, yards per pass, and yards per play are very close to their foes normal average.

Tech is horrid on offense, getting 3.1 yards per rush against teams normally allowing 4.8 and 7.1 yards per pass to 8.0. They are not much better on defense allowing teams to get .3 more yards per rush and .2 yards per pass above their normal average.

In yards per game Hawaii gets 514.7 per game compared to just 323.3 for Tech while they allow 384 compared to the Bulldogs 406.7.

Hawaii will be without starting RT Laupepa Letuli. This injury could prove big as the starting five on the offensive line has taken virtually every snap so far. LB Aaron Brown is also out.

Against the spread records: The Bulldogs are 9-22 after getting 6.75 or more yards per play in their previous game and 5-15 following a bye week. They are 6-1 their last seven at home, but 8-22 against teams with a winning record and 8-28 off an straight up win. The home team is 5-0 in the series.

Hawaii is 4-13 on the road off a bye week. However the Warriors are 6-1 on the road versus an opponent with a losing home record. They’ve covered 8-of-10 after allowing more than 450 total yards previous game. 

Top expert pick on this game: America‘s only living Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy is the standard by what all other’s are measured. He is in season No. 3 of the single greatest sustained winning in football history—college and pro; preseason through the bowls and Super Bowl. If you have chosen to be on the outside looking in, the sportsbooks thank you with all their heart.

For those who demand only the best, GodsTips has the side for Hawaii-LA Tech up now. MLB is included for the daily $17 price. Click now to purchase

To the shock of many sportsbook fans, the Atlanta Braves have quietly crept within two games of the National League Wild Card race. Thanks to an incredible hot streak (winning 15 of 17) the Braves suddenly have their eyes set on the postseason. With two winnable games against Florida on tap, they just might pull it off.

Tuesday, Sept. 29 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Josh Johnson (15-5, 3.12) vs Tim Hudson (2-1, 3.56)

After sitting out nearly the entire season with an injury, Atlanta‘s Tim Hudson has made an impressive return to the bigs. The righty is coming off a six-inning, two-run effort against the Mets and he shows almost no signs of rust. Seeing the Marlins on the schedule must have been a welcome sight, too. In 14 career starts against Florida, Hudson is 8-2 with a 2.86 ERA. Hudson one of the reasons Atlanta will be a frightening opponent if it makes the postseason.

Josh Johnson is no slouch himself, however, as the young righty has positioned himself among the National League’s best pitchers. He had an up-and-down effort against Philly in his last outing, striking out 10 while allowing seven hits and four runs in five innings. Given Johnson’s mixed results against Atlanta this season (1-1, 4.36 ERA), the Braves’ MLB playoff odds should get a little better with Hudson on the hill. Bet on the Braves.

Wednesday, Sept. 30 @ 7:00 p.m. ET

Ricky Nolasco (12-9, 5.28) vs. Javier Vazquez (15-9, 2.83)

It’s easier to bet horses than figure out what Nolasco will bring to the table. He’s impressed the Marlins at times, as largely because of his 179 strikeouts in 177.1 innings, but he’s inconsistent and prone to being blown out. The Braves found a way to get to him, as Nolasco owns a 4.67 ERA in three games against Atlanta this season.

After pitching for the White Sox over the past three seasons, Vazquez has excelled in his first year with the Braves. His strikeout total is his best in six years, while his ERA and WHIP are at all-time lows. Most importantly, he’s delivering just when Atlanta needs him most; he’s won his past four starts and allowed just three runs over his last 32 innings. If anyone can stop him, though, it’s the Marlins; Vazquez is 0-2 with a 5.68 ERA in four starts against Florida this year.

Obviously, neither Nolasco or Vazquez have fared well against their Wednesday-night opponents, but Vazquez has a better body of work to go along with a lineup of teammates that have been on fire, winning seven straight and 15 of 17. Look for Vazquez and the Braves to get it done for your MLB picks.

THE PICK: Atlanta wins Tuesday and Wednesday

NFL Vegas odds for week 4, 2009 are out as are most of the NFL power ratings for week 4. On Monday Night football, the Dallas Cowboys win and cover against the Carolina Panthers in a contest that goes way under the total to close out week 3 NFL betting.

Perhaps the most interesting game of the week and one of the top this year is the Baltimore Ravens at the New England Patriots New England is laying just -2 at home.

Some notes from Week 3 and how they will affect Week 4 NFL picks.

Cleveland Browns

Browns head coach Eric Mangini said he will decide by Wednesday which of his struggling QBs gets the call this weekend. Starter Brady Quinn was pulled at halftime and former starter Derek Anderson was just as incompetent in their 34-3 trouncing at Baltimore.

Cleveland’s only offensive touchdown was a meaningless one in the final minute of a blowout loss to the Vikings against the proverbial prevent defense.

Oakland Raiders

Raiders head coach Tom Cable was given the expected bad news from dictator Al Davis—JaMarcus Russell, one of the worst starting QBs in NFL betting history.

The Raiders though got some decent news. WR Chaz Schilens was projected as their No. 1 receiver but he’s been out since training camp. He did practice Monday and is expected to make his debut this week. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Statuesque QB Byron Leftwich has been demoted to the No. 3 spot. Second-year pro Josh Johnson takes over the Buccaneers starting signal caller.

Indianapolis Colts

Colts Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney will miss 2-3 weeks. Freeney has four sacks in three games and his loss is devastating says Bill Gould of Lines-Maker.com.

Green Bay Packers

The Cheeseheads beleaguered offensive line got much needed good news. LT Chad Clifton is probable for their highly anticipated Monday Night Football battle with Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings.

St. Louis Rams

Speaking of a beleaguered offensive line, battering Rams QB Marc Bulger is doubtful with an injured shoulder. Journeyman Kyle Boller will likely start in his place.

For more information: For the latest fantasy football information, football picks, and NFL injuries

Most of the NFL Power rankings 2009 week 4 versions are out, such as the ESPN Power ratings. Compare them to the NFL point spread for week 4. It’s always National Coffee Day.  Illy Coffee is the official java of OffshoreInsiders.com   

The sportsbooks continue to cry me a Rivers—Matt Rivers that is. The winningest handicapper on a large network of websites is up 255,000 stars since coming to The Show at OffshoreInsiders.com   

Tuesday, he has a complimentary winner on the Pittsburgh Pirates getting +220 at BetUs Sportsbook. Here is his sensational analysis:   

If you want to give me a price back like this with a Pittsburgh team that continues to play hard and a motivated pitcher that was traded away from the Cubs a few months ago then I’m fine with it.
 
The Bucos just outplayed the Dodgers in that last series which was capped with the double digit matinee victory yesterday. Andy LaRoche was an amazing 5-for-5 with two homers, 6 RBI and 4 runs scored. That’s quite a day huh!?!?!?
 
Lou’s squad has been beyond underachieving this season and even with studs in Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee are just overall a collection of underachieving mediocrity this season. When the Cubbies are getting a solid price back they become a quality team to back because they do have talent but in a big favorite spot like this they are beyond untrustworthy.
 
Ryan Dempster and that sinker is always dangerous if on but when it’s not the guy can resort back to those sketchy closer days where you would just shake your head at how bad the guy could be. I’m sure Dempster will be alright today as the Bucos are still far from an offensive juggernaut but Andrew McCutcheon is a blossoming stud and a few others like LaRoche, Garret Jones and even Lastings Milledge (the underachieving former Met) can be alright.
 
Even if Dempster is on I have a decent feeling about Kevin Hart who will be more than ready to pitch today against the team that traded him about three months ago. Hart has been very good this season at times but seems to get no pub at all. When he filled in with the Cubs he hurled quality start after quality start and since being acquired by Pittsburgh has not been too bad either. Yes that last 8 earned run start was brutal but throw that out as one start does not make a pitcher and if anything will keep the righty even more focused today. With a ton of motivation today going up against his former mates there is no reason Hart won’t have a solid start and keep the semi surging Pirates in the game.
 
Plus 220ish? Why the heck not!

For more winners: Handicapper Matt Rivers is plus 255K since coming to The Show. Today, he unloads on two underdogs including the Dog of the Day. Check out his in-depth analysis. You will see that he puts unprecedented research into each bet. Get both night underdogs right now and today he’s price is discounted to $24.95.

Matt is the winningest handicapper on a large network of websites, but now his plays are only at The Show OffshoreInsiders.com. Click now to purchase