Atlanta leads the semifinal series 2-0, winning Game 1 by 10 points before taking Game 2, 101-98 in overtime. The Dream have now beaten New York four times in five matchups this season and postseason combined. Head-to-head has not been close for New York.

Atlanta’s defensive pressure on New York guards and its ability to score from different places really stands out to me. Jordin Canada has scored 25 points in Game 1 and followed it up with 23 points and eight assists in Game 2. Angel Reese dropped 23 points Wednesday. Every Atlanta starter finished in double figures. That group balance makes it tough for New York to focus on just one offensive player.

Atlanta should also be able to compete with New York on the defensive end and in terms of physicality. The Dream racked up 21 New York turnovers in Game 1, and Angel Reese can matchup with Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones inside. Sabrina Ionescu hasn’t been able to fully get into this series yet either, scoring just 10 points in Game 2. Ionescu dealt with foot and back injuries throughout the season and may never be 100% healthy.

My biggest concern for Atlanta is Allisha Gray’s hand injury. Gray missed Game 2 and is day-to-day for Friday’s contest. Atlanta has already shown it can win without Gray though. Canada, Reese, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon and DeWanna Bonner are all capable of stepping up when needed.

Obviously New York needs this win at home or their season is over. But New York laying more than one possession vs. a team that has dominated this series just doesn’t seem realistic. Atlanta doesn’t have to cover to win this bet. With the plus side, Atlanta can even lose a close one like it did on Wednesday and the bet still hits.

Jim’s Play: 633. Atl Dream

Iowa will be visiting Washington in Seattle for this week's game. I think the Hawkeyes will come out and win on the road and cover the spread. Iowa comes into this game 4-1 and Washington is 3-2 after losing their first two games in the Big Ten. Iowa will have the advantage on defense allowing only 12.6 points a game while Washington is allowing 18.4 points per game. Iowa showed that they can win a tough game on the road when they beat Michigan 20-19. I think they can do the same thing against Washington who can't seem to close out games.

Washington will have to worry about their offense not being able to keep up with Big Ten competition. They have dropped back to back games against Minnesota and USC. With injuries to their running back Quaid Carr and Jayden Limar will leave them with limited options on offense. Demond Williams Jr is a threat on both legs and arm but I think Iowa will be able to play him conservatively and keep him on short 3rd downs.

If Iowa can control the line of scrimmage and run the ball. They should be able to win this game and cover the spread. Hank Brown will be out with a shoulder injury but Jeremy Hecklinski was 5 for 5 passing against Ohio State so he can move the ball as well. Iowa will just have to play smart and not give the ball away. They can win this game without scoring a lot of points.

Jim’s Play: 319. Iowa

Iowa State is on the road to take on number 8 ranked BYU. I believe the Cyclones can keep this within 2 digits against BYU. The Cougars are coming into this game 4-0, but they allowed TCU to keep them within 7 points last week, winning 17-10. This time they will be facing an Iowa State squad that beat West Virginia by 3, while gaining 577 yards of total offense.

Iowa State could have the upper hand due to injuries. BYU will be missing their number one running back, LJ Martin who has averaged 7.8 yards per carry this season. Running back Sione Moa will also be out, and line backer Isaiah Glasker is another name that will be out for BYU. Having these players out will surely be detrimental to the Cougars.

Iowa State will be able to attack on the ground with running back Aiden Flora, who gained 212 yards and 3 touchdowns against West Virginia. He also threw 2 touchdowns, and currently has 594 rushing yards this season. Having Flora will allow Iowa State to have another play maker for Jaylen Raynor to throw to. I think Iowa State can move the ball enough to stay competitive, especially with BYU missing their #1 line backer.

BYU will definitely be favored at home, but to beat Iowa State by double digits will be tough. Iowa State is also missing some players on defense, but if they can keep the ball out of BYU's hands, they have a chance at winning this game.

Jim’s Play: 325. Iowa State 

Northwestern should easily beat Ball State on Saturday at home during their homecoming game. Coming off a win over Penn State, the Wildcats are 3-1 and Ball State is 1-4. I feel like Northwestern will be able to cover this huge number. They will have a big advantage in the trenches as well which should help them cover.

On the ground is where they should really excel. They rushed for 413 yards against Penn State. With Caleb Komolafe running for 188 yards and Joseph Himon II getting 162. That should be more than enough to worry Ball State who have allowed around 229 rushing yards per game. Last week against Toledo they gave up 352 yards on the ground. I feel like Northwestern can run the football and gain some big plays and move the chains.

They should also have an advantage on defense. They held Penn State to 13 points and only 48 yards on the ground last week. Ball State has been struggling to score against better teams. They only scored 3 points against Ohio State and 15 against Liberty. I feel like Northwestern can get to Keldric Luster who hasn't been too quick this year. Which will put them in 3rd down situations.

Northwestern has scored 132 points in 4 games, which is an average of 33 a game. They should be able to score against this weak Ball State defense. The only downfall is this huge number. But I feel like they can get out to a big lead and make it a blowout.

Jim's Play:  380. Northwestern 

Oklahoma will be going up against #1 Texas on Saturday and will be a 7.5 point underdog. I believe this game will be closer than what people may think. Texas is coming in with a record of 4-0 and Oklahoma will be 2-2 heading into this game. Oklahoma has one of the best defenses in the country and they should be able to keep this game close. Especially when playing their biggest rival at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

The defense is what I believe Oklahoma will be able to beat Texas with. They have allowed only 122.5 passing yards per game which ranks them 4th in the nation. They also allow the 3rd least 3rd down conversions, only allowing a 23.1% conversion rate. This will be tough on Texas and their QB Arch Manning. Manning has not had his best games this season even though Texas has won all of their games. Texas only had 262 total yards against Tennessee and only 61 rushing yards. Manning was sacked 6 times in that game. Oklahoma will be able to apply pressure on Manning and not let Texas gain too many yards.

Offensively Oklahoma will have to take care of the football. They have had some bad turnovers this season. If they can take care of the ball they can keep drives alive. Mateer is able to use his legs to keep drives alive as well. Oklahoma also has Isaiah Sategna that can make big plays on short routes. They don't have to score 30 points to cover this number. They just need to take care of the football and let their defense do its thing.

Texas should be favored in this game but they are not consistent on offense. I don't think they can lay more than a td on Oklahoma's defense. Both teams are coming off of a bye week so Oklahoma will have more time to prepare for this game against a SEC rival. I expect a physical game and Oklahoma to keep the score close.

Jim's Play: 396. Oklahoma