YESTERDAY'S RECAP

We've been on a pretty nice run in the NBA over the last couple of months and we are coming off a split on Wednesday. Jay enters the day on a 17-7 (71%) run, while Bobby is on a 23-13 (64%) streak after a winner on the Knicks last night. We have our free picks in all 4 games on tonight's schedule, including two Best Bets.

We went 3-1 last night with our College Basketball Best Bets and we are now on a combined 8-1 (89%) run over the last couple of days. We have five Best Bets lined up for tonight, including Pepperdine vs. San Diego.

Check out our daily YouTube videos to get Jay Cooper and Bobby Babowski's Best Bets of the day including recaps of last night's picks. We are on an 12-4 (75%) run!
 

🔥 ULTIMATECAPPER'S HOT HANDICAPPERS 🔥

Bobby and Jay are on a combined 9-2 run with their NHL Best Bets after a pair of winners on Wednesday. We have our free picks in all 12 games on today's schedule, including two Best Bets.

Remember, all of our picks are 100% FREE and available every morning on our website. Below, you will find our Best Bets for Thursday, January 8th, 2026 from our expert handicappers including some future bets at the bottom. Good luck to everyone today!
 

NFL Best Bets - Bobby Babowski | 48-38-4 (56%) Run
Chargers +3.5 over Patriots
Steelers +3.5 over Texans

NFL Best Bets - Jay Cooper
Jaguars +1 over Bills
49ers +4.5 over Eagles

NFL Best Bets - Reggie Garrett | 32-21-2 (60%) Run
Rams -10 over Panthers
Texans -3 over Steelers

UltimateCapper CONSENSUS STAFF PLAYS WILD CARD WEEKEND:

The following picks are 100% consensus plays from our staff. These are plays when all three of us are on the same side of a game.
 

Bears +1.5

2-TEAM, 6-POINT TEASERS FOR WILD CARD WEEKEND:
 

Bobby Babowski | 6-of-9 Winning Weeks
Chargers +9.5/Steelers +9.5
 

Jay Cooper | 6-of-8 Winning Weeks
49ers +10.5/Jaguars +7
 

Reggie Garrett | 7-of-10 Winning Weeks
Bears +7.5/Texans +3
 

Updated NFL Odds - courtesy of DonBest

CFB Best Bets - Bobby Babowski | 11-2-1 (85%) Run
Indiana -3.5 over Oregon
Miami FL -3 over Ole Miss

JAY'S BOWL/PLAYOFF FREE PICKS
13-6 (68%) Run

CFB Best Bets - Jay Cooper | 14-10 (58%) Run
Indiana -3.5 over Oregon
Miami FL vs Ole Miss Best Bet

Updated CFB Odds - courtesy of DonBest

NBA Best Bets - Jay Cooper | 17-7 (71%) Run
Bulls +7.5 over Heat

Thursday's NBA Free Picks [All Games]
3-of-4 Winning Days!

NBA Best Bets - Bobby Babowski | 23-13 (64%) Run
Timberwolves -2.5 over Cavaliers

Updated NBA Odds - courtesy of DonBest

CBB Best Bets - Jay Cooper | 39-20 (66%) Run
Loyola Marymount -1 over San Francisco
Montana State -3 over Eastern Washington
San Diego -4.5 over Pepperdine

CBB Best Bets - Bobby Babowski | 6-2 (80%) Run
Austin Peay +3.5 over Fla Gulf Coast
Le Moyne -5.5 over New Haven

NHL Best Bets - Jay Cooper | 4-0 (+$464) Run
Oilers -112 over Jets

Thursday's NHL Free Picks [All Games]

NHL Best Bets - Bobby Babowski | 5-2 (+$276) Run
Penguins -106 over Devils

Updated NHL Odds - courtesy of DonBest

THURSDAY'S FREE HORSE PICKS

Fair Grounds - 12:45 CT
Race 1: 8 Bayou Bertie
Race 2: 4 Sand Cast
Race 3: 6 Keen Gal
Race 4: 3 Prayforthewicked
Race 5: 8 Aurora Sky
Race 6: 5 Charco
Race 7: 5 Wicked As Haggart
Race 8: 1 I Got No Munny
Race 9: 10 Touch of Fire
Race 10: 6 Francesnfriends

Gulfstream Park - 12:20 ET
Race 1: 9 Greatest
Race 2: 4 Nero Tulip
Race 3: 5 Viable Asset
Race 4: 7 Plum Irish
Race 5: 6 Eyes On the Ground
Race 6: 2 Quizler
Race 7: 7 Coffee At K J's
Race 8: 8 Complexed
Race 9: 2 Sherbini
Race 10: 1 Catalonia

Parx - 12:05 ET
Race 1: 6 Kerner
Race 2: 6 Aggrandize
Race 3: 3 Mainstream Sellout
Race 4: 4 Lullaby Land
Race 5: 3 Vino Gray
Race 6: 7 Agarramesipuedes
Race 7: 2 Party With Smarty
Race 8: 6 Harmony Road
Race 9: 10 Run Cory Run
Race 10: 8 Champagne Mischief

Santa Anita Park - 12:00 PT
Race 1: 7 Suntory Time
Race 2: 4 Maniatic
Race 3: 2 Stark Contrast
Race 4: 9 Cherry Cider
Race 5: 7 Gratefully
Race 6: 6 Joker Went Wild
Race 7: 8 Watchtower
Race 8: 5 Normandy Landing
Race 9: 2 Sweet Odyssey

Turfway Park - 5:55 ET
Race 1: 8 Billy White Shoes
Race 2: 4 Colonel Caliente
Race 3: 9 Cadenza
Race 4: 5 I Made It
Race 5: 6 Miss Soothsayer
Race 6: 3 I Lucked Out
Race 7: 5 Musical Maestro
Race 8: 8 Blanco
Race 9: 11 Dragon Navy
 

NFL Futures Bobby Babowski
Giants OVER 5.5 Wins (+110) 6/14/2025 LOSS

Steelers OVER 8.5 Wins (-115) 6/14/2025 WIN

Chargers OVER 9.5 Wins (-110) 6/14/2025 WIN

Browns OVER 5.5 Wins (+105) 6/14/2025 LOSS

Cowboys OVER 7.5 Wins (-150) 6/14/2025 LOSS

Falcons OVER 8 Wins (-120) 6/14/2025 PUSH

Seahawks UNDER 8 Wins (-125) 6/14/2025 LOSS
Patriots UNDER 8 Wins (-115) 6/14/2025 LOSS

NFL Futures Jay Cooper
Eagles +1.5 over Chiefs (Week 2) 6/24/2025 WIN
Cowboys +4.5 over Chiefs (Week 13) 6/24/2025 WIN

NHL Futures Jay Cooper
Stars +700 to win the Western Conference 12/26/2025
Wild +900 to win the Western Conference 12/26/2025