Gamecocks and Cougars go in pursuit of Liberty
NCAA Football Betting Lines
12/27/2006 - Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Memphis, Tennessee is the site of the Autozone Liberty Bowl that features the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Houston Cougars.
While South Carolina's 7-5 overall record is solid, the team finished 3-5 against SEC competition. On a positive note, the Gamecocks did beat a strong Clemson squad in the regular season finale, and the momentum of that triumph may carry into this bowl game. South Carolina is set to make its 13th all-time bowl appearance, and the program is just 3-9 in the previous 12 contests. The Gamecocks lost their first eight bowl games, and they rallied for three straight victories before losing to Missouri in the 2005 Independence Bowl, 38-31.
As for Houston, it won the Conference USA title with a 7-1 record, and the team is 10-3 overall. The Cougars are riding a six-game winning streak, and five of the victories during the current run have come by double figures. Art Briles took over the Houston program in 2003 when it was two years removed from an 0-11 season, and he has certainly turned things around. The Cougars are 7-8-1 all-time in bowl games and haven't won a bowl tilt since beating Navy in the 1980 Garden State Bowl. Considering that a trip to the 2005 Fort Worth Bowl resulted in a 42-13 loss, a much better effort is both expected and needed on Friday.
Houston has won both of the previous meetings between these two teams, but the Gamecocks and Cougars have not squared off since 1974.
South Carolina's Steve Spurrier was a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, and he expects a great deal from the signal-callers he now coaches. Blake Mitchell did not get off to a good start for the Gamecocks, and he was replaced by Syvelle Newton. Now, Mitchell is back under center, and he has completed 70.3 percent of his passes for 1,146 yards with six touchdowns over the last 14 quarters. As for Newton, he started at safety in the game against Clemson and has the versatility to make an impact on both sides of the ball in this bowl game. Mitchell's top target in Friday's clash will be sophomore wideout Sidney Rice, as he has posted 64 catches for 951 yards and nine touchdowns. As good as those numbers are, they fall short of the figures he recorded as a freshman a year ago. As for the backfield, Cory Boyd is tops among runners with 729 yards on only 146 carries. Boyd has also caught 77 passes in his career, and his versatility makes him especially dangerous.
For South Carolina to come out on top in this bowl game, First-Team All-SEC linebacker Jasper Brinkley will have to dominate play. He has made 96 total tackles this season, 47 more than his closest teammate. Brinkley has 12.5 TFLs to his credit and four sacks, and the 258-pound junior never shies away from contact. Fred Bennett, a sophomore corner, has the ability to lock down the opposition's best receiver, and he was named Second-Team All-ACC for his efforts. Opponents are only managing 17.2 ppg and 321.0 total ypg against South Carolina, which has been fairly solid against both the run and the pass. The defense has been significantly better on third down this season than last and 28 sacks have certainly helped the cause. Only once this season has South Carolina surrendered 30 or more points, so the defense has given the team a chance to win almost every time out.
The Houston offensive unit is led by quarterback Kevin Kolb, the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, who is that league's all-time leader in total offense. Kolb, who owns nearly all the career passing records at the school, has thrown 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions this season. The versatile signal-caller has also run for four touchdowns, but there are some talented tailbacks in the fold who handle the rushing load for the most part. Anthony Alridge's numbers were staggering, as he has gained 904 yards and eight touchdowns despite the fact that he has carried the ball only 85 times. His average of 10.6 ypg is somewhat comical, as Division I-A players simply do not achieve such success routinely. As for Jackie Battle, a bruising runner, he adds 858 yards and 13 touchdowns to the mix. Keep an eye on receiver Vincent Marshall, as he has caught 71 passes for 778 yards and six touchdowns. Donnie Avery has five receiving scores to his credit, and Jeron Harvey has caught four touchdown passes.
Opponents are scoring 21.9 ppg against a Houston team that is yielding 139.9 rushing ypg and 199.2 passing ypg. Of the 33 touchdowns that the club has allowed to opposing offenses, 16 have come on the ground. The Cougars have recorded 24 takeaways to date, much more impressive than a modest total of 20 sacks. Houston has allowed at least 30 points on four occasions, so it is hard to say that the defense has been tough overall. Still, the unit was solid down the stretch, although it is always overshadowed by Kolb and the offense. Will Gulley missed one of Houston's 13 games, but he still led the team in tackles (93) and interceptions (five). Trent Allen was close behind with 92 total stops, and Phillip Hunt paced the club with 11 TFLs. Both Gulley, the team's free safety, and linebacker Wake Koehl were recently named First-Team All- Conference USA selections.
All three of Houston's losses came in succession midway through the season, and it has been well over two months since the club last tasted defeat. Still, the edge should go to Spurrier's Gamecocks in this contest, as they will likely win a close contest.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: South Carolina 27, Houston 24
El Paso, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Friday, December 29th from El Paso, Texas, the Oregon State Beavers will clash with the Missouri Tigers in the 73rd annual Sun Bowl. The Beavers will participate in their fifth bowl game in
<< Cat Fight in Music City
Nashville, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Clemson Tigers of the ACC and Kentucky
Wildcats of the SEC will meet in Nashville on December 29th in the Gaylord
Hotels Music City Bowl. Clemson is 8-4 entering this bowl season, and Tommy
Bowd
<< Navy and Boston College meet in Meineke Car Care Bowl
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In the fifth annual Meineke Car Care Bowl,
the 23rd ranked Boston College Eagles will try to post their seventh
consecutive bowl victory when they battle the Navy Midshipmen at Bank of
Amer
<< Longhorns and Hawkeyes square off in Alamo Bowl
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With losses in their final two regular
season games, the 18th-ranked Texas Longhorns were eliminated from any shot of
repeating as national champions. Instead, they must settle for an
appe
<< Boilermakers battle Terps in Champs Sports Bowl
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - As one of five postseason bowl games on the
slate for December 29, the 17th Annual Champs Sports Bowl pits the Purdue
Boilermakers against the Maryland Terrapins at the Florida Citrus Bowl in
Orla
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Texas Tech Red Raiders will make their seventh consecutive bowl appearance when they collide with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Insight Bowl, which is being held at Sun Devil Stad
Bulldogs face Hokies in Atlanta >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A couple of schools that have not met in over 70
years hook up in the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl, as the Georgia Bulldogs tangle with
the 14th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies from the Georgia Dome.
The Bulldogs' reg
Hurricanes and Wolf Pack meet for first time >>
Boise, ID (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Winners of their last two bowl appearances, the
Nevada Wolf Pack try to bring an end to a torturous 2006 campaign for the
Miami Hurricanes in the 10th Annual MPC Computers Bowl from Bronco Stadium
in B
Thrashers place Mellanby, Rucchin on IR; activate Exelby >>
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atlanta has placed forwards Scott Mellanby and
Steve Rucchin on injured reserve, and activated defenseman Garnet Exelby, team
executive vice president and general manager Don Waddell announced on
Wednesd
Young, Merriman and Brown earn AFC weekly honors >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, San
Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman and Houston kicker Kris Brown have
been honored as the AFC's top players for Week 16 of the NFL season.
Young kept hi
MySportsbook.com: New College Football Clock Rules Examined
Coaches and bettors alike are desperate to make sense of the new time-keeping rules on the NCAA gridiron. One of the big stories to come out of the Ohio State-Texas clash last weekend was Texas coach Mack Brown's criticism of the NCAA's new clock rules that are intended to shorten the duration of college football games, therefore affecting college football betting.
"They scored with six minutes left and the game was over before we had a chance to do anything," Brown told ESPN.com. "I really hope whoever made these changes will go back and look them over."
Sure, it might be sour grapes; the Buckeyes thoroughly trounced the defending national champion Longhorns 24-7. However, Brown isn't alone in giving the changes their due thought. Bettors are also wondering about them, albeit for a completely different reason. Most experts agree that the changes will result in games being shortened by anywhere from 10 to 20 plays. The obvious consequence is lower scores, with more time rolling off the clock during changes of possession. (The Ohio State-Texas game flew well under the total of 52.)
According to research at the online sportsbook MySportsbook.com, more than 18 plays a game disappeared last weekend into thin air. That's a 10-percent reduction. In 2005, a typical game had 168.58 plays. For 2007 already, it's down to 150.26.
As a result, teams combined to gain an average of about 100 fewer yards a game last weekend versus the 2005 openers. Scoring was also down by about 4.5 points (attention Las Vegas sports lines).
Of course, oddsmakers were able to adjust to the changes before the season started. Proof of that came as the over went a balanced 8-9 at My Sportsbook on Saturday.
Other angles to consider:A shorter game should theoretically result in shorter lines. Whereas Team A might have been a 14-point favorite in a 168-play game (last year), if there are 10 percent less snaps in 2007, the line should also be reduced by 10 percent (to 13 or 12.5). Of course, this is an over-simplification of the matter, but something to keep in mind.
Less possessions means a better chance the game will be decided by three or seven points. For example, what might have been a 20-10 final score in 2005 may end at
17-10 in 2007. Granted, a 24-17 game last year might end at 21-17 these days, but the former - a three- or seven-point advantage being preserved as opposed to created - is the most likely scenario.
*UPDATE* - Sept. 25, 2007
New Clock Rules Boon for online bookmakers
By adjusting the time-keeping rules to shorten the duration of college football games, the NCAA hoped to make its product more enjoyable for the fans. While the NCAA's success in this regard is still up for debate, bookmakers couldn't be happier with the results.
"We are seeing a massive jump in college football betting," noted the MySportsbook.com management team. "With all the early Saturday games (12 a.m. ET) ending before the second wave begins (3:30 p.m. ET) - something that didn't always happen before the changes - bettors are now able to re-invest their winnings from the morning session in the afternoon games."
While not all bettors will choose to roll over their winnings, it doesn't take much for an impact to be seen on the bottom line. "Not all of the millions of dollars in morning payouts get re-bet. In fact, it's probably only 10 to 20 percent," noted the sportsbook management team. "Still, the increased football betting lines window will create a ton of growth for us over the course of the season."
About MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker
Since opening in 1997, MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker has been a leader in Internet wagering, providing single account access for sports and casino play. This sportsbook has a revolutionary payment method, Direct Bank Transfer, gives players a faster and more secure transaction option for both deposits and withdrawals. This Internet Sportsbook takes pride in offering an aggressive VIP rewards program, along with seasonal reduced juice specials and high parlay payout odds. MySportsbook.com has set new standards in the sports betting industry, from their fantastic customer service, industry leading bonuses, extensive selection of wager types and props, to the fastest payouts anywhere... MySportsbook.com is America's Sportsbook! Open an account today at MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker, or call toll-free 1-866-238-6648
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Master Card needs.
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.