A couple of things to keep in mind. First, just because a game’s on TV doesn’t mean that you need to bet it. And remember that just because NFL favorites are rolling this season (though they went 7-9 last weekend) doesn’t mean that will continue. If you’ve got a good opinion, use it carefully. If you don’t have a good opinion, get help from the right places. We’ve been on a pretty good run with our Strategic Sports Publishing late phone plays, going 10-3 the past two weeks. If you’d like to get involved call my office at 770-649-1078. Chances are I won’t be there to take your call (it is Thanksgiving after all, and while the research and handicapping work gets done I’m not going to be hanging around the office) but if you call and leave a message I’ll return your call (though not on Thursday). You can also check out our free analysis and selections at 770-618-8700 on a 24-hour free recorded message.

Let’s take a look at a rivalry game that isn’t on your radar screen but is of critical importance to those involved. Former Navy coach Charlie Weatherbie has done a tremendous job at Louisiana-Monroe. If the Indians beat their traditional rivals Louisiana-Lafayette in the “Battle of the Bayou” on Saturday they’ll be solo Sun Belt Champs and play in the New Orleans Bowl. Sure, the Sun Belt is awful, but you’ve got to tip your hat to Weatherbie. From 2001-2004 Monroe was 7-39, including 6 losses to 1-AA teams during that stretch. But now that they’ve clinched at least a portion of the Sun Belt title can they handle the prosperity? When analyzing how they’ve played against conference opponents Lafayette has played better against mutual opponents than Monroe. Not dramatically better, but better. Lafayette still has a chance to play in the New Orleans Bowl (which will be on their home field this year) if they win here and North Texas beats Arkansas State. So the motivation is there, they’re slightly better in our analysis and this game has been decided by a field goal in each of the past two years. That makes the points worth taking here. Take the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns plus the points over Louisiana-Monroe

Call 770-618-8700 for my free weekend football previews on a recorded 24-hour voice broadcast. And visit www.Vegas5.com, where the combined efforts of ASA, Nelly’s Sportsline, Tom Stryker, Al McMordie, and yours truly have had a solid year.

We’re going to suggest that you look to the under in the Cards/Jaguars matchup. Both of these teams played out of control high-scoring games last week, with the Jags beating the Titans 31-28 and the Cards winning at St. Louis 38-28. There is good reason to expect a return to a more reasonable level of scoring. First of all, the Rams defense is a sieve right now and Warner is highly likely to bounce back to earth after that emotional win for him. On the other side, the Jags are a much better defensive team than they showed last week and will have the whip cracked in practice this week. Last week was not a Del Rio kind of game, while this week will be. On a field where the homestanding Cardinals haven’t scored more than 20 all year long we’ll look to the under against the best defense that they’ve played.

A mini-version of S&G News on this holiday week. We’ll make up for it with some in-depth analysis on our free telephone hotline at 770-618-8700, where we won both Saturday and Sunday last weekend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Good luck and be careful, especially this weekend.

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Have a great weekend. Good luck and be careful.