Trojans kick off Kiffin era on road against Warriors
NCAA Football Betting Lines
09/01/2010 - Honolulu, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A new era in USC football begins on Thursday as new head coach Lane Kiffin leads his 14th-ranked Trojans into Honolulu to face the Hawaii Warriors in a non-conference showdown.
Kiffin, who was previously an assistant at USC, has taken over for Pete Carroll who once again has jumped to the NFL and will be handling the action with the Seattle Seahawks this year. The Trojans currently own a streak of 16 straight non-conference wins, yet no matter the score of this game or the rest of the outings on the schedule in 2010, there's no reward for success because the team has been banned from postseason play due to NCAA violations.
Leaving Tennessee unceremoniously after just one year, where he had a mere 7-6 record and was 4-4 in SEC play, Kiffin is back in his old stomping grounds with a USC squad that finished 9-4 a year ago, but was a mere 5-4 in the Pac-10 after being such a dominant force in the league for so many years. The team alternated wins and losses for the last seven games and closed with a 24-13 win over Boston College in the Emerald Bowl, the first non-BCS bowl for the program since 2001.
Meanwhile the host Warriors, a team that is 19-15 in home openers at Aloha Stadium, they are kicking off a campaign against the Trojans for the third time since 1999, even though they are just 15-34 all-time against members of the Pac-10 Conference. Head coach Greg McMackin, who is no stranger to controversy himself, is beginning his third year as the lead man in Honolulu with a squad that put up a 6-7 mark last season. Against fellow members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Warriors posted a 3-5 mark a season ago as they went on to score a mere 22.8 ppg to mark their weakest effort in that department in more than a decade.
As far as the all-time series between these two schools is concerned, USC has taken all six previous encounters by outscoring the Warriors by a combined 297-67 dating back to 1930. The most recent battle took place in 2005 when the Trojans posted a 63-17 blowout, the third straight game in which USC logged at least 61 points, but that victory has since been vacated due to NCAA penalty.
On the watch list for the Maxwell, Manning and Davey O'Brien Awards heading into this season, quarterback Matt Barkley is the centerpiece around which the USC offense has been created. Barkley, who became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for USC, returns after completing close to 60 percent of his passes for 2,735 yards and 15 scores in 2009.
"The way he's moving around in the pocket and the things that he's seeing, obviously it's not a game situation, but we are very excited about what he's done for us over these 14 practices and what he can do for us in the future," is what coach Kiffin said of Barkley's progression during practices earlier this year.
One of Barkley's main outlets will again be Stanley Havli, a three-year starter who to this point already has made more catches (84) than any other fullback in USC history. Joining Havli in the backfield is tailback Allen Bradford who gained 668 yards and scored eight times for the unit a year ago, not to mention C.J. Gable who has also contributed significant numbers during his career.
Starting half the season a year ago, wideout Ronald Johnson is expected to put up strong numbers in 2010 after reeling in 34 balls for three touchdowns in 2009. Also in the mix out on the wings are Brice Butler and Brandon Carswell, who combined for 25 receptions and a pair of scores after starting just four games.
In 2007, the scoring defense for the Trojans ranked second in the nation with just 16.0 ppg allowed and in 2008 the group was even more dominating as it limited foes to a mere nine points per contest to rank first in the country. But last year the group took a few steps back as they surrendered 19.9 ppg, placing them 22nd in the country, even though they were still first in the Pac-10. Part of the problem was giving up 55 points to Stanford, the most points ever scored against the Trojans, and that came during a stretch when the program was allowing an average of nearly 35 ppg and an unsightly 455.6 ypg.
The unit has lost five of its top 10 tacklers from a year ago, but getting things kicked off on the right foot is junior tackle Jurrell Casey who logged 59 stops, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Even though the group was inexperienced in 2009, the Trojans have to be happy about getting guys like Malcolm Smith and Chris Galippo, the latter being an All-America selection, back at a couple of linebacker positions. Michael Morgan, who led the team with his 13 TFLs, is also back to patrol the middle of the field for the group.
The weakest part of the defense for the Trojans will be the secondary as the squad replaces all four defensive backs from a year ago, something that doesn't exactly bode well as they kick things off against a pass-happy program like Hawaii. Even though he is inexperienced in terms of game action, cornerback Shareece Wright will be expected to provide some level of leadership seeing as how he is the only senior on scholarship in the defensive backfield.
After ranking just 28th in the nation in passing in 2008 with 251.3 ypg, the Hawaii offense went back to the drawing board to get the attack back on track and it appeared to get the job done in 2009 by ranking third in the country with 337.0 ypg through the air. However, unlike previous years when the team had a high profile gunslinger whipping the ball all around the field, the squad had to turn to Bryant Moniz after Greg Alexander was sidelined with a season-ending injury early on.
Moniz, who completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 10 picks, stepped into the role rather well given the circumstances. The good news is that the junior will have senior slot receiver Greg Salas to lean on yet again. A First Team All-WAC performer as a junior in '09, Salas ranked fourth in the nation in receiving yards per game with 122.3, so he can clearly shoulder any load that the offense puts on him.
Losing Leon Wright-Jackson at the running back spot will be a tough hurdle to clear, but Alex Green should be able to pick up some of the slack after he gained 453 yards and scored twice as the second-best option a year ago coming out of the backfield. However, having Moniz and Alexander listed as the third- and four-best options, respectively, carrying the ball is not a luxury the offense should have in 2010.
In an effort to breath new life into the offense, coach McMackin has brought Mouse Davis back to the sidelines and is expecting the move to pay big dividends.
"We're very fortunate to get the architect of the run-and-shoot to come back to Hawaii and coach our wide receivers. "He taught the run-and-shoot to me, June (Jones), Ron (Lee), and everyone else in the country who runs this offense. He's been the single, most influential person in the passing game from high school to the professional level, in my opinion."
As poor as the rushing attack was for the team a year ago, ranking 109th in the nation with just 100.5 ypg, the run defense was just as shaky with a monstrous 201.9 ypg allowed and that simply cannot be the case in 2010 if this group is going to advance in a positive direction. The pass defense should be a different story, given how well they performed in the final five games of the '09 season. Mana Silva showed a nose for the ball with his six interceptions and will again be one to watch at the safety position, while Lemetrius Davis and Spencer Smith play close to receivers and make their presence felt.
While the defensive line gets some support from a couple of transfers, the area of most concern for the Warriors is at linebacker where the starters have a combined four games of experience. Redshirt freshman George Daily-Lyles, Paipai Falemalu and Corey Paredes will all be thrown into the fire and expected to produce as soon as possible in order to keep this team from being taken advantage of.
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State this weekend, as the 24th-ranked Oregon State Beavers battle the sixth-
ranked TCU Horned Frogs at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
The Beavers made a serious
<< 11th-ranked Ducks open season at home against Lobos
Eugene, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 11th-ranked Oregon Ducks get their 2010
campaign started this weekend, when the New Mexico Lobos visit Eugene for a
non-conference affair at Autzen Stadium.
Chip Kelly took over an already successful Oregon
<< Gators face Redhawks in season-opener in Gainesville
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Gainesville this weekend, as the fourth-ranked Florida Gators open up their
2010 season at home against the Miami-Ohio RedHawks.
Florida returns plenty of talent from a team
<< Top-25 foes LSU and UNC clash in Atlanta
Atlanta, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An intriguing 2010 season-opener takes place in
Atlanta this weekend, as 21st-ranked LSU takes on 18th-ranked North Carolina
in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
Les Miles may be on the hot seat in Death Valley thi
Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bobby Hauck gets his first taste of action in the Football Bowl Subdivision this weekend as the new UNLV head coach welcomes 12th-ranked Wisconsin to Sam Boyd Stadium in Sin City. The winningest coach in Big
'Horns and Owls hook up in Houston >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns kick off the
2010 season with an intrastate matchup against the Rice Owls at Houston's
Reliant Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Texas, fresh off yet another Big 12 Conference titl
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University Park, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany
Lions lift the lid on the 2010 season against FCS foe Youngstown State in what
appears to be one of college football's most obvious mismatches of opening
weekend.
A n
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when they play host to the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday evening at
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Bobby Petrino is in his third year at the hel
Super Bowl XLIV Odds
Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.
That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.
Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.
After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.
The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).
To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.
NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV
New England Patriots 8/1
Dallas Cowboys 9/1
New York Giants 10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1
Indianapolis Colts 12/1
San Diego Chargers 12/1
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
Tennessee Titans 16/1
Carolina Panthers 18/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Atlanta Falcons 25/1
Denver Broncos 25/1
Green Bay Packers 25/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1
Minnesota Vikings 25/1
New York Jets 25/1
Arizona Cardinals 30/1
Chicago BearS 30/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1
Buffalo Bills 35/1
Houston TexaNS 35/1
Miami Dolphins 35/1
Washington Redskins 35/1
Seattle SeahawkS 50/1
Cleveland Browns 55/1
Cincinnati Bengals 60/1
San Francisco 49ers 60/1
Oakland Raiders 75/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Detroit Lions 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Odds as of: 2/2/09
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
What Is the Point Spread?
What are Sports Betting Point Spreads?
In any football or basketball game (the main sports that use point spreads) there are two teams playing against each other.
Those teams, though, are rarely exactly evenly matched – meaning that typically one team has a better chance than the other to win the game. If bettors were allowed to bet on who was simply going to win the game, smart ones would obviously bet on the better team (likely winning more than 50% of the time in the process).
If winning were that easy the Las Vegas and online sportsbooks would stop taking any bets! This is where the point spread comes in: the basic function of the point spread is to balance the likelihood of each team “winning” by adjusting the final score by the point spread. After this adjustment is made you get the Against The Spread result (ATS result for short).
Let’s look at Super Bowl XXXIX, New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles. Most people believed the defending champ Patriots to be the better team – so if betting were simply based upon which team would win the game, an uneven majority of people would have wagered on New England. But, by using the point spread, the bookmakers adjusted the terms of the bet, evening the proposition so about half the people believed the Pats to be the smart bet, while the other half considered Philly to be the smart bet.
How to Read Point Spreads
New England Patriots -7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The better team, called the Favorite, is expected to win the game and must “give” or “lay” points to the weaker team. The favorite is listed with a minus sign and the number of points they are favored by (e.g., New England -7)
In the case of our example, New England must not only win the game, but they must win by more than 7 points for Pats bettors to have a winning ATS result. An Eagles bettor wins his bet either if:
- Philly wins the actual game by any amount of points
OR
- Philly loses the game by less than 7 points.
-
There was also the possibility that the final score could land exactly on the spread number (for example, the Pats winning 28-21 when -7), which is called a “push” or “no action” and a refund is then issued to bettors of both teams.
The same game with the same point spread can be considered from the weaker team’s perspective: The Underdog (Philly in the case of our example) is not expected to win the game and online football betting thus receives or “gets” points given by the stronger team. When a game is stated from the underdog’s perspective the team is listed with a plus sign and the number of points they are underdogs by:
Philadelphia Eagles +7 vs. New England Patriots
Keep in mind that Philadelphia +7 and New England -7 is the same point spread on the same game, simply stated differently. The first is from the underdog’s perspective; the later is from the favorite’s.
For Those Who Like to Consider Things Mathematically
Not a must, but for some a mathematical approach is insightful. You can determine the ATS winner by either:
- Subtracting the point spread from the favorite’s score (thus the minus sign before the number) and then compare to the underdog’s score
OR
- Adding the point spread to the underdog’s score (thus the plus sign before the number) and then compare to the favorite’s score
Who Really “Won” the Super Bowl odds ?
Let’s look at the actual result of Super Bowl XXXIX: New England 24 Philadelphia 21
The favorite, New England, won the game but not by more than the point spread they were favored by (7), so the ATS result was a LOSS for Pats bettors.
Looking at it from the underdog’s perspective, Philly did not win the game, but they lost by less than the point spread (7), so the ATS result was a WIN for Eagle bettors.
Mathematically considered, 24 for the favorite Pats minus 7 equals 17, which is less than the 20 the Eagles scored, so the underdog Eagles win the ATS result (or you could figure 20 plus 7 equals 27 for the Eagles, which is more than 24 for the Pats).
Emily’s boyfriend understood the point spread and wagered $100 on the Eagles at +7. The Eagles may not have gotten a Super Bowl ring, but since they won the ATS result Emily’s boyfriend cashed his bet – giving him money to take her out to a nice dinner.
And now hopefully you understand how to read point spreads, putting you one step closer to joining the fun of sports betting.
To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting and World Series odds.