Best Bets for October 17: 4 Plays With Real Edge

Best Bets for October 17, 2026

Saturday slate is loaded. Four plays today, ranked by win probability, spanning a monster SEC doubleheader, the hottest team in the NHL, and ALCS Game 4. Every play gets real matchup reasoning, a decisive call, and a link to a top book.

1. Georgia Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) – 68%

The top-ranked Bulldogs are rolling at 6-0 with the second-best scoring offense in the country, and quarterback Gunner Stockton is playing the best football of his career. Auburn has failed to crack 21 points in three of its four games against Power Four opponents, and the Tigers have not won in Athens in over twenty years. Georgia has won nine straight in this rivalry and the gap between these offenses is enormous right now. Play: Georgia to cover the spread via BetOnline.

2. Carolina Hurricanes at Winnipeg Jets (3:30 p.m. ET, NHL) – 64%

Carolina arrives in Winnipeg on a six-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 29-13 during the run. Sebastian Aho carries a seven-game point streak, Andrei Svechnikov is coming off a monster three-point night, and goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is 4-0 on the season. The Jets just dropped an overtime heartbreaker and now face the most complete team in the league. Play: Hurricanes moneyline via Bovada.

3. Tennessee Volunteers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – 60%

This rivalry game sets up as a defensive grind. Tennessee’s offense has not been nearly as explosive as in past seasons under Josh Heupel, with the passing game a real question mark, while the Vols defense is good enough to keep this one close. Alabama just took its first loss and tends to tighten up on the road in Knoxville. With Neyland rocking and both defenses capable of dictating, points figure to be at a premium. Play: Under the total via BetUS.

4. Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays, ALCS Game 4 (8:08 p.m. ET, TBS) – 58%

Cleveland leads the series 2-1 after Thursday’s 3-2 Game 3 win, and Friday’s rainout only helps the home team reset. Tampa Bay has managed five runs total over the last two games, and the Guardians’ pitching staff is controlling this series at Progressive Field. Cleveland opens with Shawn Armstrong, and the Tampa bats have shown nothing to suggest a breakout. Play: Guardians moneyline via MyBookie.

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