Jim Feist

Sun Belt action here on Saturday has 5-7 Arkansas State taking on 10-4 UL Lafayette. These teams are playing the 2nd of their back-to-back series with Lafayette taking the first game, 81-68 as a 9-point favorite. It was the Indians third loss in their last five games. Moreover, the Indians are now 0-6 S/U and 0-5-1 ATS on the road. Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns improved to 10-4 S/U and 5-5-2 ATS with that win. They are 8-2 S/U and 4-2-2 ATS at home this season. The favorite has covered four of the last five in this series and I don't see that changing here today. Arkansas State will still be looking for that first win on the road when this one is done. Play UL Lafayette.

The Auburn Tigers are 8-7 S/U and 7-7-1 ATS on the season. They saw their two-game win streak snapped last time out at Arkansas, 73-75, but covered the 5.5-point dog line. It was the team's fourth cover in a row. The South Carolina Gamecocks are 3-4 S/U and ATS on the season. The Gamecocks have played just three games in January and lost two of those. They are also 1-4 ATS in their last five home games. Auburn a small dog here today where the dog has covered 17 of the last 24 in this series. I'll take the Tigers in this one. Play Auburn.

The Clemson Tigers look to snap a two-game losing streak. The Tigers are 9-3 S/U and 7-5 ATS on the season. The are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven games. They are also 1-2 S/U and 0-3 ATS in their three road games this year. Florida State Seminoles are 8-2 S/U and 6-4 ATS this season. The Seminoles have won three straight games both S/U and ATS. That includes a win at Louisville, 78-65 and a home win over North Carolina, 82-75. Now they will host Clemson. The home team has covered five of the last six in this series and that's what I'm looking at here on Saturday. Play Florida State.

Aston Villa plays just its second game after a long layoff. Aston is coming off a win in their first game back. Now they get to polay a Newcastle United team that has struggled to score goals. Aston took both games from Newcastle last season. Newcastle could face delegation if this drought continues and that means HC Steve Bruce might be in trouble soon. Newcastle has lost four straight games since mid-Decmeber. In addition they have just one goal over their last 650 minutes of action. Don't expect many goals in this game, but I'll be backing the home team here today. Take Aston Villa.