The success of the world’s best football handicappers has the sportsbooks wondering if they are Marni Phillips like victims of cheaters along the lines of the ladette culture and loose lassies Rachel Uchitel and Brooke Hundley. Based on the Marni Phillips photos, while she may not be young enough to qualify for the 40 under 40 list, she’s much better looking than nutcase ESPN hussy Hundley.

Also the betting news keeps on top of the NY Attorney General’s war on gambling, busting agents and keeping the world safer for democracy. “Change we can believe in,” said OffshoreInsiders.com CEO Joe Duffy, quite sarcastically about the government’s latest infringement on personal freedom.

Duffy adds, “When the government prohibits an honest activity, of course the mafia will get involved because Big Brother is chasing away the honest element” a reference to alleged involvement of the Gambino crime family. “The To Bet a Man Massacre” and “Prohibition II” is how gambling pro-choice advocates have dubbed the phony war on gambling.

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Rangers host the Devils, North Carolina gets a visit from Florida State, and the fifth game of the ALCS takes place in L.A.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

The lone college football game on the Thursday schedule has Florida State at North Carolina. The Seminoles (2-4 SU, 1-4 ATS) are coming off a 49-44 loss to Georgia Tech in their last contest; Christian Ponder threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns in that defeat for Florida State. The Tar Heels (4-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) knocked off Georgia Southern 42-12 last time out. Oddsmakers have North Carolina listed as the 2.5-point home favorite for their Thursday night matchup.

Why won’t the bookmakers even put up a fight? Well they have not for the last three decades and they have no shot until we retire in about 30 years. Last night’s 3-0 sweep was highlighted by the under on UTEP, plus a Major on Texas El Paso and the Phillies. GodsTips is 12-4 in the postseason. Center of the Handicapping Universe is 8-3 with Wise Guys.

Get a Wise Guy on the Yankees-Angels side, plus the Florida State-North Carolina side makes it 8-1 for the week. Click now to purchase

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The American League Championship Series heads to Game 5 on Thursday night, with the Angels once again hosting the Yankees. New York will send A.J. Burnett to the mound on Thursday; righthander Burnett started Game 2 of the ALCS, picking up a no-decision after allowing two earned runs on three hits over 6 1-3 innings of work. Los Angeles counters with righthander John Lackey, who took the loss in the ALCS opener after giving up four runs over his 5 2-3 innings.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, there are nine games on tap around the National Hockey League on Thursday, including Detroit at Phoenix. The 3-3-1 Red Wings fell 4-3 in a shootout to the Avalanche last time out; Justin Abdelkader, Todd Bertuzzi, and Valtteri Filppula had the Detroit goals, while Chris Osgood made 26 saves in the loss. The 5-2-0 Coyotes continued their surprising start with a 4-1 win over the Bruins last game. Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 22 of the 23 Boston shots in the victory.

Also on the ice on Thursday: the Islanders at Montreal, Boston at Philadelphia, Washington at Atlanta, Nashville at Ottawa, San Jose at Tampa Bay, Columbus at Edmonton, Dallas at Los Angeles, and New Jersey at the Rangers. The Rangers fell to 7-2-0 on the season with a 7-3 loss to the Sharks on Monday night. Chris Drury, Michael Del Zotto, and Enver Lisin provided the goals for New York in the defeat, while Stephen Valiquette was lit up for five goals on 18 shots.