What to play for Bills-Broncos on 'MNF' | Mississippi State coaching candidates

Happy Monday, sports fans.

The NFL produced some thrillers over the weekend, but Week 10 isn't over yet with the Bills set to host the Broncos on Monday night. We've also got plenty of action on the hardwood between the NBA and college basketball. Consider this a sneak preview for the type of expert analysis and insight you will receive as a SportsLine subscriber.

• Mississippi State fired head coach Zach Arnett less than a full season after he replaced Mike Leach.
• Slugger/pitcher Shohei Ohtani values playing for a competitive team in free agency.
• Coach Jim Harbaugh called Michigan "America's team" after dominant win against Penn State.

All times Eastern |Game odds via SportsLineconsensus

As mentioned above, Mississippi State fired Arnett after less than a full season on the job. While there's still a few more games left in the college football regular season, the program must start kicking the tires of the top candidates for its coaching vacancy. Barrett Sallee compiled a list of some of the top candidates that Mississippi State should be looking into, including the likes of former Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen and Kansas coach Lance Leipold.

Here's more from Barrett on why Mullen should be one of the top candidates:

• "Athletic director Zac Selmon has to make this call, right? Mullen elevated the program from anonymous punching bag in the SEC West into a team that was not only relevant but a perennial division title contender. The Bulldogs had only been to 13 bowl games prior to Mullen's arrival in 2009. Under his leadership, they went to seven straight bowls (2010-16) during his eight-year stint. They were ranked No. 1 in the first-ever College Football Playoff Rankings in 2014 behind star quarterback Dak Prescott. Mullen went 34-18 in four years at Florida (2018-21), which included an SEC East title in 2020. He has been working in television since Florida dismissed him with one game remaining in the 2021 regular season."
  

Broncos at Bills, 8:15 p.m. | TV: ESPN

• The Pick: Under 47.5 (-112)
• Key trend: The under is 6-3 when in Bills games this season.

SportsLine expert Jason La Canfora is 17-6 in his last 23 NFL picks.

"MNF has gone under 10 of the last 11 games with an average score of 20-17. I see this more as 23-21 or 23-20 type of game. I had hoped that it would hit 48.5, but I'll still play it here. Denver's defense is better the last month and is fresh off a bye. The Bills may want to speed it up, but Sean Payton will slow it down when the Broncos have the ball. After all, Denver is a top five team in time of possession during its recent 3-2 run. If the Bills still can't hit big plays -- and I figure they don't -- this becomes more of a close slog, and the Bills have trouble keeping foot on gas for all four quarters lately, even at home (vs. the Buccaneers and Giants). Payton can keep his defense off the field by running."

Here's what else SportsLine is saying about the game:The Projection Model has a "A" pick on the spread, and more experts have picks on the game.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*

Cavaliers at Kings, 10 p.m. | TV: NBA TV

• The Projection: Over 221 (-110) | Grade: A -- Strong

SportsLine's Projection Model has a "A" grade on the total with "C" grades for the spread and moneyline for the contest. The over has cashed in three of the Cavaliers' past four games, and I'm expecting that trend to continue.

SportsLine expert picks: Our staff has combed through the Monday night NBA slate and offered their best plays as the season continues.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*

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