08/27/2008 - Auburn, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 10th-ranked Auburn Tigers are expected to be one of the top teams in the always-tough SEC, and they open the 2008 season with a non-conference home game against the UL-Monroe Warhawks of the Sun Belt Conference.
UL-Monroe is 0-15 all-time against ranked opponents, so it is no surprise that the club is a decided underdog heading into this clash. The Warhawks are also 15-17-1 in season openers since 1975 and haven't won an opener on the road since 1993. They are 3-29-1 all-time against SEC teams but did beat Alabama on the road last season. ULM finished 6-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play in '07, making it bowl eligible for the first time since moving up to the FBS level in 1994. With 15 combined starters back on offense and defense, expectations are fairly high among the players and fans.
As for Auburn, it has an 88-25-2 record in season-opening games. The Tigers have been nationally ranked to open a season for six consecutive years, a tribute to the program that Tommy Tuberville has built and maintained. Auburn is 13-0 all-time against current members of the Sun Belt Conference and has won all six of its previous meetings with UL-Monroe. The Tigers are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and hope to bounce back from a four-loss campaign a year ago.
The Warhawks must fill a big void left by tailback Calvin Dawson, who rushed for 1,414 yards last season, but other than that the offense has plenty of experience in place for this opener. Trying to fill the shoes of Dawson will be Frank Goodin, as the 5-9, 195-pound back rushed for 596 yards and four scores as a true freshman in '07. Fortunately, the offense is still under the direction of senior quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster, who proved he could move the team up and down the field last season. Lancaster threw for 1,866 yards and 13 touchdowns in addition to rushing for 398 yards and a score.
Lancaster has several experienced receivers to throw to, including junior Darrell McNeal, and that should help him take the next step. The 6-0, 210- pound McNeal paced the club in receptions (54) and receiving yards (502) in 2007 and he can play any receiver spot on the field. Tight end Zeek Zacharie has recorded 66 catches for 842 yards and eight scores over his career and the 6-3, 240-pound senior will once again provide Lancaster with a consistent target.
UL-Monroe ranked as the Sun Belt Conference's top run defense last season and the line played a huge part. Junior end Alaric Coleman broke through in '07, posting 45 stops and 11 TFLs, and big things are expected from him this year. Junior end Aaron Morgan is also back after capturing three sacks and eight TFLS. The linebacker corps is deep and talented and juniors Cardia Jackson and Josh Thomas highlight the group. Jackson led the team with 79 tackles last season, while Thomas finished fourth with 61.
As for the secondary, the Warhawks are inexperienced at corner and figure to be tested in this opener. Junior safeties Greg James and James Truxillo combined for 145 tackles last season and are expected to at least repeat that success.
The success of the Auburn offense figures to rely largely on the ground attack, as all five offensive linemen as well as tailback Ben Tate are back in place. Tate ran for 903 yards and eight touchdowns on 202 carries a year ago, and he will share carries with the likes of Brad Lester, Mario Fannin and Tristan Davis. Still, offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has installed a spread offense, seemingly getting away from what Auburn does best and putting a great deal of pressure on unproven sophomore signal caller Kodi Burns. Last season, Burns threw a total of 26 passes and now will be asked to lead a complex system. Should he fail in this opener or down the line, junior Chris Todd will be waiting in the wings. The former Texas Tech recruit understands the offense quite well but isn't as much of a threat to run as Burns.
No matter who is under center, Rodgeriqus Smith will be the main target in the passing game. The talented wideout hauled in 52 balls for 705 yards and five scores a year ago. "There might be some games that we go into and find out, hey, you know, something's working in the passing game, and we might throw it 50 times," remarked Tuberville when discussing the team's new offensive system. "But our game plan is to go into the season, use our running backs, use our offensive line, you know, move the ball down the field."
There are two standouts along the defensive line for Auburn: Antonio Coleman and Sen'Derrick Marks. Coleman is the team's top pass rusher, and he managed 8.5 sacks a year ago. As for Marks, he has made the move from end to tackle this season, and while he is dealing with a leg injury, Marks is listed as probable on the injury report. All three starting linebackers from 2007 are back in place in the persons of Craig Stevens, Tray Blackmon and Chris Evans. The hope is that Blackmon can avoid the injuries and suspensions that have held him back his first two seasons with the program. If he is able to do so, the team will benefit tremendously. Stevens is listed as questionable for this opener with a toe injury.
In the defensive backfield, Zac Etheridge (65 tackles) is back after an impressive freshman season at his strong safety position. Corner Jerraud Powers intercepted four passes as a sophomore and is capable of even better numbers this year. Corner Aairon Savage, who started at safety last season, recently suffered a season-ending knee surgery, but Auburn has the depth and talent to overcome the loss.
<< Illini and Tigers tangle in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In what may prove to be the best game of
college football's opening weekend, the sixth-ranked Missouri Tigers of the
Big 12 Conference and the 20th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini of the Big Ten
meet in St. Loui
<< Longhorns host Owls in 2008 season opener
Austin, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns are set to begin
the 2008 season with a non-conference clash against the Florida Atlantic Owls.
The 2007 campaign was a historic one for Florida Atlantic, as the Owls won a
share
<< Sun Devils set to chop down Lumberjacks in Tempe
Tempe, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Instate foes meet up in Tempe this weekend, as
the heavily favored Arizona State Sun Devils kick off their 2008 campaign by
hosting the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
In his first season at ASU, legendary head coa
<< 12th-ranked Red Raiders welcome Eagles to Lubbock
Lubbock, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A couple of teams expected to compete for a
national championship at each of their respective levels duel in Lubbock this
weekend, as the Eastern Washington Eagles clash with the 12th-ranked Texas
Tech Red Raiders
Kansas hosts Florida International in season opener >>
Lawrence, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 14th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks open their
119th season of college football this weekend, as they entertain the Florida
International Panthers in a non-conference showdown in Lawrence.
The 2007 season was a hi
Top-ranked Georgia hosts intrastate foe Georgia Southern >>
Athens, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs put their lofty
ranking on the line this weekend at home, as they open their 2008 schedule
against instate foe Georgia Southern.
There is plenty of excitement and anticipation in
Fifth-ranked Gators open 2008 slate against Warriors >>
Gainesville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Florida Gators open up
their 2008 schedule this weekend, as they welcome the Hawaii Warriors to the
mainland for a gridiron clash in Gainesville.
Urban Meyer has another loaded team followi
Bulls set to ground Skyhawks in season opener >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The South Florida football program emerged as a
force on the national level last season and the 19th-ranked Bulls will now try
to continue that success in 2008, as they host the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
in the open
Rule No. 1 in the gamblers' handbook states, "Avoid sports betting on meaningless games."
When you're drowning in a sea of baseball monotony, however, things change. Even a hint of pro football betting can persuade the most disciplined bettor to break a few rules.
The NFL preseason is around the corner, with a tempting Hall of Fame match kicking off on Sunday. But bettors must stay vigilant. Wagering on NFL exhibition games is an entirely different beast than the regular season. Most fans don't recognize the players on the field because starters get as much action in August as Warcraft fans get on Prom night.
The only certainty about the NFL this time of year is uncertainty – and yet there are some who say betting in August can be a gold mine.
“I actually feel the NFL preseason presents solid profit opportunities for sharp bettors and handicappers,” Sports Expert Steve Merril explains. “My experience has been that the sportsbooks fear the preseason, which is evident by lower limits and massive moves.”
The line moves are attributed to the limited knowledge available regarding playing-time distribution. One team’s top unit out on the field for one more series has an impact on the pointspread. Setting lines in the preseason often is a shot in the dark.
“We base the betting lines mostly on public perception,” Pete Korner, founder of the Sports Club in Las Vegas, says. “It’s very tough to predict, almost a guessing game.”
The preseason is all about figuring out who’s in and for how long.
“It becomes a race between bettors and oddsmakers to find out how long the quarterbacks are going to stay in,” Korner admits. “If a sharp gets the information first, he could exploit an early line. I’m a full believer in moving the line in the preseason if the books find out something late in the week.”
Determining what each team’s motive is can help bettors handicap. To do this you must pay close attention to the philosophies head coaches employ in exhibition play.
“You need to know what a coach is trying to accomplish,” says Covers Expert Bryan Leonard. “Sometimes a new coach will want to instill a winning attitude. Others just want to make sure their starters don’t get hurt."
So how do you distinguish who’s playing scared and who’s playing for keeps?
“Head coaches on the hot seat or new coaches trying to implement a winning attitude usually try harder to win in the preseason,” Merril says.
Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel fits this criteria. He’s entering his third season as the sideline boss and has yet to lead the Browns to more than six wins.
Cleveland is an enticing bet as well because of the unresolved quarterback situation. General manager Phil Savage sacrificed the Browns’ first-round pick in next year’s draft for Brady Quinn, but the former Notre Dame quarterback hasn’t signed or reported to training camp yet.
Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson split time at QB last season and it looks like either player (or even Quinn) could be the opening-day starter.
“If a team has quarterback depth and the pecking order hasn’t been decided, it’s a big advantage,” Leonard says.
Even in the third week of the preseason when starters generally play the most, the final outcome of the game is in the hands of fringe players. A team's talent, all the way down to the last man on the roster, is something to consider.
The New England Patriots have long been considered one of the deeper teams in the NFL and coach Bill Belichick has said in the past he’s unafraid of stars getting hurt in games with nothing on the line. He shocked his colleagues in 2003 by playing some of his starters on special teams in the preseason.
“We want to have the team ready to play a tough, physical game and preparation has to go into that and I imagine a certain amount of injuries go with it,” Belichick told the Providence Journal in August 2003.
Bettors can only hope to find more teams that share the Pats' business-like approach to the preseason (New England is 17-9-3 against the spread since 2000) and take advantage of teams who detest the exhibition schedule.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
MySportsbook.com is operated by Sportingbet, a UK gambling company which is publicly traded on the AIM on the London Stock Exchange.
Sportingbet easily forms the world's largest Internet gaming company, with a truly global outreach. This also provides added transparency and accountability to this online Sportsbook and thus provides more safety and security for our customers. MySportsbook offers betting lines on all major sporting events. Our staff of almost 400 people includes clerks ready 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to care for your needs.
MySportsbook's competent, experienced managerial staff and personnel are backed by a state-of-the art sports wagering software.
We offer a 15% sign-up bonus to new customers who use Neteller for deposit and 10% bonus for all other deposit methods. Casino clients can take advantage of a 5% cash back monthly. Clients are also eligible for a 5% re-up bonus on subsequent deposits and 10% cash back on NFL losses.* Our instant-play flash casino is no-download, just click and go to a wide range of games including online Blackjack, 3-Card Poker, Craps, Baccarat, Roulette and Pai-Gow Poker, as well as a variety of slots and video poker games for the complete online casino Las Vegas experience.
My Sports book accepts all credit cards, online checks, Neteller, Firepay and bank wires. MySportsbook guarantees prompt, hassle-free payouts, as well as unparalleled individual attention from its acclaimed customer service department.
To visit this sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting