Matthew Lowrimore
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We have put together a 4-pick cross-sport parlay that will take you right through Thursday, including picks from the NFL, World Cup, college football and college basketball. One pick is taken from each sport and a winning ticket would give us a very nice payout with odds of +1129 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
World Cup pick today: Serbia +1.5 vs Brazil (-155), 2:00 pm ET
Five-time champion Brazil is the most successful nation in World Cup history but Group G rival Serbia could hold the favorites to a tie in Lusail. There are sky-high expectations for Brazil at the start of almost every World Cup and this one is no different. Brazil’s depth of the offensive options is probably unmatched, but coach Tite must be careful to balance the lineup and he often likes to deploy two defensive midfielders.
Serbia on the other hand, has sufficient firepower to cause problems for any opponent and demonstrated a high level of intelligence and organization to finish above Portugal in its World Cup qualifying group. Dragan Stoijkovic’s team could not have landed a tougher opening game, but Serbia should be competitive, therefore for the sake of this parlay, backing Serbia +1.5 will be the play.
Be sure to check out our full Serbia vs Brazil predictions
College Football pick today: Mississippi State Bulldogs ML over Ole Miss Rebels (+105), 7:00 pm ET
Coming into this game, we know what to expect from these offenses. Mississippi State runs a pass-heavy attack under the tutelage of Mike Leach with a rush play percentage that ranks at the bottom of FBS. Meanwhile, Ole Miss deploys a run-heavy offense that ranks 8th in rush play percentage. These offenses should have success moving the ball up and down the field considering Mississippi State has struggled to defend the run, and Ole Miss has struggled to defend the pass.
However, with 3 losses in its last 4 games, Ole Miss seems to be breaking down as it approaches the finish line of the regular season. Mississippi State should offer more resistance defensively in this particular matchup and break its 2-game losing streak in the Egg Bowl. For that reason, backing the Bulldogs to win will be the play.
Be sure to check out our full Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Ole Miss Rebels predictions
NFL pick today: New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings – Under 42.5 points (-110), 8:20 pm ET
It’s nearly become instinctive to take the under when the Patriots play – especially if the total is in the 40s. The last 3 New England games ended with 39, 29 and 13 points, and that’s because of the combination of their poor offense and excellent defense. In those 3 games for the Patriots, Mac Jones and the offense have scored 2 touchdowns. It’s been a pathetic showing for them on offense, and it’s been their defense that has kept them in so many games. These two teams had only 3 days of rest before this primetime game, and if trends mean anything, scoring should be scarce. The under is 17-8 in the last 25 Thanksgiving games and 7-0 in the last 7 Thanksgiving night games. For that reason, backing the under will be the play.
Be sure to check out our full New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings predictions
College Basketball pick today: Purdue Boilermakers -2.5 over West Virginia Mountaineers (-110), 10:00 pm ET
Purdue is the recommended side in this matchup, as they can use the experience from their previous game against Marquette as a tune-up for this game against West Virginia. Per Synergy, Marquette presses at the 23rd-highest rate in the country. West Virginia, aka Press Virginia, is a team that presses as well and ranks 12th nationally in defensive turnover rate. Purdue was very successful against Marquette’s defense, as the Boilermakers scored 1.14 points per possession. In theory, this game should have prepared them to handle the West Virginia press.
West Virginia has yet to see a dominant post presence like Zach Edey, who ranks second in KenPom’s player of the year standings. For that reason, look for Purdue’s prior game against Marquette to pay huge dividends in this game, and back the Boilermakers to win and cover.
Be sure to check out our full Purdue Boilermakers vs West Virginia Mountaineers predictions
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