Doc's Sports is heading into our 44^th year in the sports selection industry and as hot as ever with another winning season of football under our belts and strong start to our basketball selection packages. One of the keys to our longevity and continued success in such a competitive environment has been the ability to surround ourselves with some of the top expert handicappers in the business.

Raphael Esparza has been one of our shining stars heading into his ninth year with Doc's. Once known as the Vegas Sports Informer during his days behind the counter in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, he rose all the way up through the ranks to the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement in 2013.

He continues to work as hard as ever developing and expanding an already vast network of relationships with some of the biggest and most influential sports insiders in Las Vegas today. He has created a name for himself in town by using this "insider's edge" to make savvy bettors a small fortune over the past several years.

His handicapping service releases selection packages for all the major sports. However, he has also built his reputation in town for uncovering betting opportunities for things such as the WNBA, horse racing, boxing, professional tennis and soccer leagues all around the globe. Over the past year, he has expanded his reach by releasing a number of winning picks for professional wrestling, high school football and even the world of entertainment. It is safe to say that if Las Vegas posts odds for it, he will handicap it.

Doc's and Raphael continue their ongoing weekly Q&A to delve deeper into the Las Vegas betting scene as well as to discuss some of the hottest trending sports betting topics of the day. We have found that there is no better source than someone that is a true "insider" in the undisputed sports gambling capital of the world. The following is this week's conversation.

Doc's Sports: The early money for Super Bowl XLIX appears to be going towards New England in a game that is now a "pick'em" on most boards after Seattle opened as a one-point favorite. Where do you see this pointspread settling in at once kickoff rolls around?

RE: The oddsmakers probably realized that the early money would come in on the Patriots given the way they ran over Indianapolis. The really big money will not start coming in until next week, which could easily swing things back the other way towards Seattle. If I had to make an educated guess right now, I would look for New England to still close as a one-point favorite come game time.

Doc's Sports: Prop bets are such a huge part of the action that the Super Bowl generates for bettors. Will you be releasing any special selections for props as part of this year's game?

RE: I will usually put together a selection package that features my 5- or 6-Unit Super Bowl "prop bet of the game". I came up short on last year's top play when Denver failed to score a rushing touchdown, but I am confident that I can bounce back with a big winner this time around.

Doc's Sports: The futures odds to win next season's college football national title have already been released, and it looks like Ohio State is the early favorite on most boards. Do you agree with this assessment, or is there another team out there that would be your favorite right now?

RE: It would be hard to go against Ohio State given the level of returning talent on this team coupled with a less-than-competitive Big Ten schedule. If you are looking for two teams with a bit longer odds, than I would lean towards TCU and Baylor out of the Big 12.

Doc's Sports : You have crossed into an entire new realm of handicapping with your latest post on Straight Bet Talk with betting odds by Paddy Power for the next character to be killed off on 'The Simpsons'. Can you give us your top few picks for this unique entertainment prop?

RE: I have been a huge follower of The Simpsons over the years, but I think they need to shake things up a bit to generate some renewed interest from the viewing audience, so it could be a fairly big character. I love the 25/1 odds on Krusty the Clown, and I would not be surprised to see Side Show Bob bite the dust at 10/1.

Doc's Sports: Handicapping professional tennis has always been one of your favorite activities through the years, so can you give a name from both the men's side and the women's side at the top of your list to capture the new season's first major title with a win in the Australian Open?

RE: Given the uncertainty of Rafael Nadal's conditioning coming off an injury-plagued 2014 season, I would lean towards Roger Federer making a run to the men's title over the favored Novak Djokovic. On the women's side this is still Serena's Williams' tournament to lose. Caroline Wozniacki could have made things interesting given her current form, but she is out with a wrist injury.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza . Also be sure to follow him on Twitter @VSIDocsports.