Noisy Boise
Boise State has another national TV game to impress the BCS voters when it visits Utah State. The Broncos have gone 7-0-2 against the spread in the last nine meetings and are 4-1 against the over in the last five matchups, winning 52-0 with a total of 60 in 2007. In addition, Boise has averaged 51.8 points in its last four games overall and 46.3 in its last seven vs. Utah State. The Broncos are giving 23 points with a total of 61.5.
League leaders
When the Houston Rockets visit the Atlanta Hawks, it will be a matchup of two of the NBA's top teams against the spread. The Rockets are fourth with an ATS record of 8-4, while the Hawks lead the NBA at 11-1 ATS, including 6-0 at home. Houston has covered the last four meetings. Atlanta is favored by seven points with a total of 206.5.
Grounded ground game
The Atlanta Falcons likely will be without running back Michael Turner and could be without running back Jerious Norwood vs. the New York Giants on Sunday. Turner missed practice Thursday with a high ankle sprain and Norwood was limited in practice with a hip injury. Jason Snelling, who has 37 carries this season, likely will start against a defense ranked 13th vs. the run. The Giants are favored by 6.5 points with a total of 45.5.
Spur of the moment
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will be out a week with a strained left groin. The Spurs began a four-game homestand vs. Utah on Thursday that also includes games vs. Washington (Saturday), Milwaukee (Monday) and Golden State (Wednesday). Ginobili averages 14.1 points off the bench.
Change in the tide
When Alabama hosts Providence, it will be without starting senior guard Anthony Brock, who has been suspended indefinitely for a team rules violation. Brock scored 15 points in a season-opening loss to Cornell. The Tide are giving 5.5 points to the Friars, who won three neutral-site games in as many nights last weekend.
Hole in the center
Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut, who is averaging 16.1 points and a team-best 9.2 rebounds, will miss two to four weeks with a strained left leg. Bogut's absence comes just as Michael Redd was preparing to return. Some of Bogut's minutes may go to face-up forward Ersan Ilyasova, who averages 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 20 minutes. Milwaukee is giving 5.5 points to visiting Charlotte with a total of 179.
Lucky 13?
New Jersey Nets All-Star point guard Devin Harris said he will "definitely play" Saturday against the New York Knicks. The Nets are 0-12 (4-8 ATS), and Harris has missed 10 games with a groin injury. No line has been posted yet.
Absentee Senator
The Ottawa Senators will be without right wing Alexei Kovalev, who is going to Russia for his mother-in-law's funeral. Fifth on the team with 10 points, Kovalev will miss Saturday's game vs. Buffalo and could also miss Monday's match vs. Washington. Ottawa is 6-2 when Kovalev scores a point and 6-3-3 at home.
Line movement
The New York Rangers have taken slumping Enver Lisin off their top line and replaced him with right wing Ales Kotalik, who will now skate with Marian Gaborik and Vaclav Prospal. New York's top three scorers are now all on the same line. Lisin, who is scoreless in his last eight games, will skate with Christopher Higgins and Pierre Parenteau. The Rangers host the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
Notable quotable
"We’re a 3-6 team with nothing to lose. I know they have playoff aspirations and everything, so we’re really looking forward to come down to Houston and destroying all playoff thoughts and aspirations they have."
-- Tennessee Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, talking about Sunday's road game vs. the Houston Texans.