My selection is on Minnesota minus the points over Denver at 8:10 pm et on Saturday.

There's very little separating these two teams based on current form. The Nuggets have won six games in a row including five straight ATS. They're 2-0 on their current road trip and will be looking to sweep the three-game jaunt with a victory on Saturday. I think having the last two days off could serve as a momentum stopper, however. Minnesota played, and won, last night but it wasn't an overly taxing contest as they rolled to a 124-110 victory over the struggling Kings. Prior to that they hadn't been on the court since Monday's win in Utah. All told, the Wolves are riding a four-game winning streak SU and 5-2 ATS over their last seven contests. Note that this is a game Minnesota has undoubtedly had circled on its calendar since dropping a 127-114 decision in Denver on October 27th. Minnesota is of course healthier now and I look for it to exact its revenge on Saturday. Take Minnesota (8*).

My selection is on Duquesne plus the points over Villanova at 8 pm et on Saturday.

This game has the potential to be a track meet with both teams off to terrific starts, particularly at the offensive end of the floor. With that in mind, I think the Dukes can hang in this one and we're catching a generous helping of points with them. Duquesne has rattled off three straight victories to open the season although it did fail to cover the spread in its last two. Keep in mind, it was a double-digit favorite in both of those contests. While the Dukes offense has grabbed the headlines, its defense has also held up well, holding its first three opponents to 20, 21 and 26 made field goals. This game represents a considerable step up in class and the Dukes first road test of the season but I don't think it's insurmountable. Villanova has been red hot offensively but has allowed its first three foes to connect on 26, 27 and 23 field goals. I think the Dukes will get some good looks and find room to operate against this defense and ultimately stay inside the number. Take Duquesne (8*).

My selection is on Los Angeles minus the points over Milwaukee at 8:10 pm et on Saturday.

While both of these teams played last night, not all games are created equal as the Lakers cruised to a double-digit win over the Pelicans in New Orleans while the Bucks emptied the tank in an overtime victory against Charlotte. Both teams have travelled plenty lately. While the Lakers will look ahead to a return home to host Utah on Tuesday (followed by a four-day layoff), the Bucks will head back on the road for a game in Cleveland on Monday. Of note, Milwaukee will be playing its fifth game in seven nights on Saturday. Look for the Lakers to prove to be too much. Take Los Angeles (8*).

Big Ten Game of the Month. My selection is on Indiana minus the points over Wisconsin at 12 noon et on Saturday.

Wisconsin is coming off a big 'upset' win at home against Washington last week to snap its six-game slide. The Badgers are still likely going nowhere this season, unless they win out over a tough three-game stretch to end the regular season, and I think they're in the wrong place at the wrong time on Saturday. Indiana jumped ahead early but needed a late rally to hold off a game Penn State squad in Happy Valley last Saturday. I think that close call will serve as a wake-up call for the Hoosiers, who have national title aspirations under Curt Cignetti this season. Keep in mind, prior to that narrow victory, the Hoosiers had won their last two games by 50 and 45-point margins. They'll rebound in their regular season home finale on Saturday. Take Indiana (10*).

My selection is on Texas State plus the points over Southern Miss at 3:30 pm et on Saturday.

Texas State's late rally fell just short last week as the Bobcats fell to 0-5 in conference play this season with the defeat. Meanwhile, Southern Miss won 27-21 at Arkansas State on the strength of a whopping six takeaways. USM is a perfect 5-0 against Sun Belt foes and has the inside track to a West Division title. Believe it or not, Texas State, despite its struggles this season, can still gain Bowl eligibility by winning out the rest of the way and that's not insurmountable if they can win here as their final two regular season games will be played at home. We'll grab the points with the Bobcats as they catch the Golden Eagles in a letdown spot. Take Texas State (8*).

My selection is on South Carolina plus the points over Texas A&M at 12 noon et on Saturday.

The Gamecocks haven't had the season they were hoping for but they still have plenty to play for and can begin by playing spoiler on the road against undefeated Texas A&M on Saturday. South Carolina has lost four straight games going 1-3 ATS over that stretch including a 30-14 loss at Ole Miss last Saturday. We'll fade the Aggies here as they return home following a win-and-cover at a short-handed Missouri team last week. That marked Texas A&M's ninth straight victory and second win in a row ATS. Of note, South Carolina has faced a slightly more difficult schedule than Texas A&M this season. This will be the Aggies last real test before travelling to Austin to take on Texas in the last week of the regular season (they'll host FCS squad Samford next week). Take South Carolina (8*).

TV Game of the Week. My selection is on Texas plus the points over Georgia at 7:30 pm et on Saturday.

Both of these teams enter this game playing well with Texas having won four straight games and Georgia riding a five-game winning streak. While the Bulldogs had to travel to face Mississippi State in an eventual 41-21 win last week, Texas was idle. The last time we saw the Longhorns they held off Vanderbilt 34-31 two weeks ago, in a game that wasn't really as close as the final score indicated. Bettors have been quick to write off Texas after a sleepy start to the season and a 2-6-1 ATS mark. I think now is the time to back the Longhorns as they're simply catching too many points in this SEC showdown they'll undoubtedly get up for in Athens. Take Texas (10*).