April 20 COFFE CLUB

[Thomas]

WHAT'S BREWING TODAY Wednesday, April 20 On Today's Scorecard Powered Up

ESPN has updated its Football Power Index (FPI) ahead of the 2022 season now that many teams are wrapping up spring practices. In the top 25, a total of 9 SEC teams are included. And the Texas Longhorns check in at No. 6, which is sure to spark plenty of debate – especially given the fact that Texas A&M is slotted at No. 14, while somehow Auburn is No. 10. Will Texas actually be back in 2022? That's what the Longhorns have been claiming for years now, but it just hasn't materialized. We'll see what happens. Click here to review the entire Top 25 teams.

Trending Today We're Coming After You

The XFL continued its efforts to counterprogram the USFL's return to the field by convening a virtual meeting of agents Monday night to pitch them on the league's plans for 2023 and beyond. The XFL's top football executives told agents that the XFL would offer higher salaries and better benefits than the USFL. They also suggested that the XFL's season schedule, which will begin in February and end in May, would be more "advantageous" for players who want to get subsequent consideration from NFL teams. USFL players are receiving $4,500 per week in addition to bonuses if their team wins. They also receive subsidized housing during the regular season; The USFL pays $75 toward a daily $150 hotel room rate at the league's one-site location in Birmingham, Alabama. XFL salaries will be higher and will include full housing and meal costs during the season. Each of the XFL's eight teams are expected to have 70-man rosters, with 45 active for games, translating to 560 jobs for players - about 200 more than the current roster limits of the USFL. USFL players signed two-year contracts, complicating any effort to switch leagues in 2023.

Grinding Out The Profits Not So Wonderful

Since 1991, a total of 102 teams have won an NBA playoff game by exactly one-point. These same teams are just 16-19 SU and 11-24 ATS when at home against the same opponent in their next contest – including 6-11 SU and 4-13 ATS since 2008. And if they are hosting a sub .540 opponent they dip to 0-5 ATS in these games. With that, look for New Jersey to improve to 16-8 SUATS away when coming off an away game this season when they invade Boston here tonight.

[dollars]

"With that, look for New Jersey to improve to 16-8 SUATS away when coming off an away game this season when they invade Boston here tonight."

I thought they were the Brooklyn Nets...