In today’s newsletter…

1. Leading Off: The surprising Heisman favorite

2. Bets to Watch: Opportunities for 5 college football underdogs

3. Soccer: Manchester United has won 3 of 4 in the Premier League

4. Public Money: Who bettors are backing in Game 2 of the World Series

5. Overtime: Two NFL stars ruled out for Week 8

1. Leading Off

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is getting the FOX Big Noon Saturday treatment, as his No. 2 Hoosiers take on a somewhat resurgent UCLA Bruins squad in Bloomington. Mendoza, a transfer from Cal, has come out of nowhere to lead Indiana to its best-ever ranking. The 7-0 Hoosiers are favored to win their five remaining regular season games and head to the Big Ten championship, making Indiana all but a lock to return to the College Football Playoff (-4500).

Along with leading his school to unprecedented success, Mendoza is also the current co-favorite to win the Heisman Trophy with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (+330). Mendoza is 133-181 (73.5%) for 1,755 yards and has 21 touchdowns to just two interceptions — good for a 191.0 rating. Simpson has led the Crimson Tide to six straight wins after their embarrassing opening-game loss to Florida State, and is 153-218 (70.2%) for 1,931 yards, 18 touchdowns and just one interception (170.9 rating).

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin has the next-best Heisman odds (+400), followed by Texas A&M signal caller Marcel Reed (+750), Vanderbilt’s cult hero of a gunslinger Diego Pavia (+750), and Georgia passer Gunner Stockton (+1100). Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has the best odds for a non-quarterback at +2500.

—Abe Rakov

2. Bets to Watch

Baylor Leads Country in Passing Yards per Game (344.3), Faces 123rd-Ranked Passing Defense

By Jack Dougherty

Baylor over 31.5 points (-108 at FanDuel)
No one’s been able to slow down this fast-paced Baylor offense all season. With gunslinger Sawyer Robertson under center, the Bears lead…

3. Soccer

Liverpool Lost 3 Straight Premier League Games But Won Wednesday’s UCL Matchup

By Sam Farley

Newcastle vs. Fulham – Both teams to score: No (-111 at Bet365)

• Newcastle have only conceded seven goals, the fourth-fewest in the Premier League, with five of eight games seeing BTTS: No a winner.

• Fulham have only scored three goals away from home this season.

Newcastle F Nick Woltemade to score (+160 at FanDuel)

• Woltemade has been sensational since arriving in Newcastle this summer, scoring four times in just five games.

• The German striker has scored over 50% of his team’s goals this season so if Newcastle are to score, it’s likely going to be via their frontman.

Chelsea vs. Sunderland under 2.5 goals (+118 at FanDuel)

• While Chelsea have had high-scoring games this season, we’ve seen 50% of their league games at Stamford Bridge finish with under 2.5 goals.

• Sunderland are basing their away performances on defense, and they’ve had under 2.5 goals in all four away games in this campaign.

Chelsea vs. Sunderland – Both teams to score: No (-122 at FanDuel)

• Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in half of their home games in the EPL this season.

• Sunderland have scored just one goal in their four road games this season. 

Man Utd to win vs. Brighton (+100 at DraftKings)

• Man Utd are beginning to find some form with three wins in their past four in the Premier League, and they’ve rocketed up the table.

• United have scored 11 goals this season but have an xG (expected goals) of 16.51, so we should see some positive regression soon.

Liverpool to win vs. Brentford (-135 at FanDuel)

• Liverpool have lost three Premier League games in a row but are only four points behind the league leaders. They got back to winning ways midweek, putting five goals past Frankfurt.

• Brentford have exceeded expectations but have still lost 50% of their games this season and have just three wins.

Brentford vs. Liverpool – Both teams to score: Yes (-170 at Caesars)

• Liverpool have scored 14 goals this season in just eight games, while Brentford are giving up more than a goal per game, allowing 12 in eight games.

• We’ve seen both teams scoring in six of eight of Liverpool’s Premier League games so far.

Brentford F Igor Thiago to get booked (+320 at FanDuel)

• Brentford’s Brazilian striker has already picked up three bookings in all competitions this season.

• Nobody on Brentford’s team has committed more fouls than the 16 in eight league games of the Brazilian, averaging 2.2 per 90 minutes played.

4. Public Money

Bettors Sticking with Dodgers for Game 2, CFB Matchups With 65%+ Bets With 1 Team

5. Overtime

In the News 

• 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown have both been ruled out this week.

• The Giants, coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo were all fined for looking in the medical tent as rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was being evaluated.

• Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is getting looks from NFL scouts as he could turn into a first round draft pick.

• The Seattle Storm are reportedly hiring New York Liberty assistant Sonia Raman as their next head coach.

What to Watch (times are ET)

• 10am: Newcastle vs. Fulham on USA

• 12pm: No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 13 Oklahoma on ABC

• 12:30pm: Manchester United vs. Brighton on NBC

• 3pm: Avalanche vs. Bruins on NHL Network (or Brentford vs. Liverpool on USA)

• 3:30pm: No. 15 Missouri vs. No. 10 Vanderbilt on ESPN

• 7:30pm: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 20 LSU on ABC (or Thunder vs. Hawks on NBA TV)

• 8pm: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays in Game 2 on FOX