08/27/2008 - 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 historic one for the Jayhawks, as they won a school- record 12 games and earned a share of the Big 12 North title. The program also landed its first January Bowl game since 1968, beating Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, and earned a Top 10 ranking in the final poll. If not for a loss to Missouri in its regular season finale, Kansas could have even played for a national title, something nobody thought possible entering the 2007 season. With all the unexpected success, Mark Mangino was voted National Coach of the Year, as he finally put Kansas football on the map in his sixth season running the showing. Duplicating last season's success may be a lot to ask, but the Jayhawks have plenty of firepower back to post at least a second straight double-figure win campaign.
As for FIU, it was at the completely opposite end of the college football spectrum last season, winning just one of its 12 games under new head coach Mario Cristobal. The one victory however, was actually an improvement, as the Panthers endured a winless campaign in 2006. While it may not have showed in their record last season, the Panthers were much more competitive and organized under Cristobal, who should have this year's team competing for a few more triumphs.
FIU and Kansas met for the first-ever time on the gridiron last season, with the Jayhawks posting a convincing 55-3 win in Lawrence.
FIU was inept on offense last season, but new coordinator Bill Legg and his spread attack should help this unit move the ball a little better in 2008. Junior Paul McCall and sophomore Wayne Younger are expected to pilot the offense, but neither has emerged as the clear-cut choice. McCall isn't the playmaker that Younger is, but he is more accurate and a better decision maker. Younger though, can do more with his legs, rushing for 536 yards last season, and that could help him land the starting gig.
The ground attack is a little more set and will feature both Julian Reams and A'mod Ned, who combined for 855 yards and four scores on the ground last season.
At the wideout position, Jeremy Dickens and Greg Ellingson should benefit greatly from the new passing scheme. Dickens registered 16 catches and three scores despite missing half of last season with an injury, while the 6-3, 200- pound Ellingson is a big target who hauled in 19 balls for 304 yards and two scores in 2007.
Defensively, the Panthers were abysmal last season, surrendering a whopping 39.1 ppg behind 446.8 total ypg. A lot of starting jobs were up for grabs this spring, so this unit should have a fresh start in 2008. Along the line, end Quentin Newman (2.5 sacks) will be counted on to provide some sort of pass rush, while tackle Jarvis Penerton (21 tackles) will be expected to anchor the middle and stop the run. The leader of the unit though, is linebacker Scott Bryant, who paced the club with 91 stops last year. Bryant was a standout on a poor defense and Cristobal certainly took notice of his talent.
"You won't find a better all-around kid than Scott Bryant. He gives everything he has on every play. He possesses leadership, relentlessness and true passion for the game. He's really become a leader for this team and we expect great things from him this fall for our defense."
In the secondary, only one starter is back in Anthony Gaitor. As a freshman last season, Gaitor started 11 times and recorded 56 stops and he should only be better with a year of experience now behind him. The secondary should also receive a boost from the return of Jeremiah Weatherspoon, who missed all of last season due to academic issues, but posted 50 stops in 2006.
The Jayhawks were simply electric on the offensive side of the ball last season, ranking second in the nation in scoring (42.8 ppg) and setting a school-record with 479.8 total ypg. With the return of junior quarterback Todd Reesing, this unit has the potential to match last year's success. Reesing threw for nearly 3,500 yards with 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions last season and coach Mangino is confident he can produce at a high level once again in 2008.
"He certainly had a big 2007 and we would anticipate that he will compete and perform at the same level. For Todd, the challenge is to be able to manage all the attention that he's received. And I think he's doing a good job of that."
Two of the team's top three targets in Dexton Fields and Dezmon Briscoe are welcomed back and that is all the more reason to believe Reesing can duplicate his successful 2007 campaign. The duo combined for more than 100 catches and 13 touchdowns last season and should have no trouble improving on those numbers.
In the backfield, Kansas must replace Brandon McAnderson, who led the team with 1,125 yards rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, and they do have a solid option in Jake Sharp. As the second option last season, Sharp rushed for 821 yards and seven scores and he should easily compete for a 1,000-yard campaign as the featured back this season. The return of three linemen should also help Sharp and the rest of the offense move the ball on a consistent basis.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kansas was every bit as dominant last season, as the unit surrendered just 16.4 ppg to rank fourth nationally. Nine starters are welcomed back from a unit that allowed only 317.3 total ypg in 2007 and that should make this defense one of the best in the country. Along the line, the Jayhawks welcome back ends Russell Brorsen and John Larson, whom combined for 79 tackles and 16 TFLs. Both ends are athletic, but they totaled just four sacks last year and that is an area they will need to improve upon.
At linebacker, the Jayhawks are loaded thanks to the return of Joe Mortensen, James Holt and Mike Rivera. Mortensen is the best of the trio, racking up a team-high 106 tackles in 2007, but Holt and Rivera are no slouches, nearly amassing 100 tackles apiece last season.
The secondary returns three starters, with free safety Darrell Stuckey highlighting the group. Stuckey made 72 stops and picked off two passes last season and could be primed for even bigger things in 2008.
<< Auburn kicks off 2008 slate against visiting UL-Monroe
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
<< Vols head west to challenge Bruins
Pasadena, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - An intriguing season-opening matchup pits the
18th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC against the UCLA Bruins of the
Pac-10.
The fact that 15 starters from the offensive and defensive units from the 2007
<< 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
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
Hokies and Pirates clash in Charlotte >>
Charlotte, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 17th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies have
their eyes on another ACC title and BCS Bowl and begin their quest for the
latter with their season-opener in Charlotte on Saturday, against the East
Carolina Pirates.
Wake Forest and Baylor battle in Waco >>
Waco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Art Briles era begins in Waco this Thursday,
as the Baylor Bears host the 23rd-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the
season opener for both programs.
After stumbling to a 3-9 finish, including a season-endin
The San Francisco 49ers (5-11 SU, 5-10-1 ATS in 2007; 1-1 SU & ATS in pre-season) found some offensive life last week, and they will try to build some momentum on Thursday night as they travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears (7-9 SU & ATS in 2007; 0-2 SU, 0-1-1 ATS in pre-season) in an NFL matchup that is set to get underway at 8 PM ET at Soldier Field (natural turf) in Chicago.
Thursday, August 21
NFL betting odds: CHICAGO -3 (-120), Total 37
NOTABLE STAT: San Francisco was last in points, last in total offense in 2007
KEY NFL BETTING TREND: SF has lost its last seven SU on pre-season road
In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Bears are listed as a three-point favorite (laying -120), with the total posted at 37 points.
Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):
* SF has lost 11 of its last 14 games SU
* SF has covered three of its last 11 games
* SF has lost six of its last seven road games SU
* SF has covered one of its last seven road games
* CHI has covered five of its last eight games
* CHI has played five of its last seven games OVER the total
* CHI has covered four of its last 13 home games
* SF has lost its last seven pre-season road games SU
* CHI has covered two of its last seven home pre-season games
Well, I guess we should congratulate the Bears on making their quarterback choice for the season's opening game, as they have designated Kyle Orton the starter against Indianapolis. The Bears obviously have lost patience with Rex Grossman, and what they do with him at this point is anybody's guess. But suffice it to say that there isn't a quarterback competition anymore, at least in training camp.
Meanwhile, the quarterback competition may also be settled in San Francisco, where the Niners bounced back from a lackluster 18-6 loss to the Raiders, in which they turned the ball over four times, to execute a 34-6 rout of the Packers last Saturday. However, coach Mike Nolan has stopped short of saying that, insisting that the job is still open. But J.T. O'Sullivan, the longshot of the trio of Niner signal-callers who opened camp, will start his third straight pre-season game here. Against Green Bay, O'Sullivan was only 8-for-17, and was intercepted, but he also threw for 9.1 yards an attempt, which included a 59-yard TD pass to Josh Morgan. The others struggled.
Some offensive cohesion is badly needed, in light of the Niners' dismal 2007 campaign, in which they were dead last in the NFL in scoring, with just 13.7 points a game. And O'Sullivan is the guy who is most familiar with offensive coordinator Mike Martz's exacting system, because he learned it last year in Detroit. O'Sullivan will go at least the entire first half and may even last longer. He'll be relieved by Alex Smith, with Shawn Hill doing the mop-up work. Three receivers who were out last week - Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie and Arnaz Battle - will miss this game too.
That may hurt a little here, especially since the Bears will be using a lot of their defensive starters. And it's the defense that has been keeping the Bears in games thus far. In fact, the defense and special teams were responsible for the first 19 points Chicago scored against Seattle last time out, as the offense really struggled with Grossman at the controls. But maybe the first-team offense has a chance to settle a little bit as it works more with Orton at the helm.
Certainly we have concerns about the Bears' offensive line, but we like the scenario for them here, especially if O'Sullivan doesn't make some bis plays. The Niners may have nowhere else to turn right now, and they have lost seven straight road games in the pre-season. Let's take Chicago, the three-point favorite in the NFL football betting odds.
CHICAGO -3 (-120) **
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
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MySportsbook.com Favors Fighting Irish to win College Football betting odds
According to odds makers at MySportsbook.com, on January 8, the Fighting Irish faithful may be toasting their 14th national title in Arizona – Notre Dame’s first national championship in close to 20 years.
Although MySportsbook.com has listed Notre Dame as the 5-1 favorite to win thecollege football College Football betting, fans in Columbus do not need to cancel their tickets to Glendale just yet. The Ohio State Buckeyes, listed right behind the Irish at 7-1, are also heavy favorites to win college football’s most coveted prize, while West Virginia, USC and the 2007 National Champion Texas Longhorns - all listed at 8-1 – are strong contenders as well.
MySportsbook.com has also posted gambling odds on the conference championships for the ACC, Big 12 and SEC. In the ACC – it could be anyone’s title, particularly for the two schools from the Sunshine State. Florida State and Miami, both listed at 2-1, are favored to win the ACC Championship Game odds, with the ‘Noles hoping to finish in the nation’s top 10 for the first time in five years, and the ‘Canes looking to avenge their 10-7 loss against FSU in last year’s ACC Championship betting.
Moving west to the Big 12, MySportsbook.com has betting lines listing Texas as 7-5 favorites to repeat as conference champions, even though the Longhorns lost their national championship-winning quarterback Vince Young to the NFL. In the south, the Auburn Tigers – led by Heisman-hopeful senior running back Kenny Irons – have been given the best odds to win the SEC Championship odds at 5-2.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
| Notre Dame Ohio State West Virginia Texas USC Florida California Auburn Oklahoma Iowa Louisville Florida State Michigan Miami (FL) LSU Penn State Virginia Tech Nebraska Tennessee Georgia Arizona State Oregon Clemson Texas A&M Texas Tech Alabama Arkansas Boston College Michigan State Maryland South Carolina Colorado Purdue Georgia Tech TCU UCLA Arizona Pittsburgh Iowa State Wisconsin North Carolina State Virginia North Carolina Fresno State Hawaii Northwestern BYU Oregon State UNLV Field (Any Other Team) |
5-1 7-1 8-1 8-1 8-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 18-1 20-1 20-1 20-1 20-1 20-1 25-1 40-1 40-1 50-1 60-1 60-1 60-1 70-1 70-1 100-1 100-1 100-1 100-1 100-1 150-1 200-1 200-1 200-1 200-1 200-1 250-1 250-1 300-1 300-1 300-1 300-1 300-1 300-1 400-1 500-1 500-1 500-1 500-1 1000-1 1000-1 40-1 |
| Miami (FL) Florida State Virginia Tech Clemson Georgia Tech Boston College Maryland Virginia North Carolina State North Carolina Wake Forest Duke |
2-1 2-1 3-1 7-1 15-1 15-1 15-1 30-1 30-1 30-1 50-1 500-1 |
| Texas Oklahoma Nebraska Texas Tech Colorado Iowa State Texas A&M Kansas State Missouri Kansas Baylor Oklahoma State |
7-5 9-5 9-2 12-1 14-1 15-1 15-1 30-1 30-1 35-1 100-1 100-1 |
| Auburn Florida LSU Georgia Tennessee Arkansas Alabama Mississippi South Carolina Mississippi State Kentucky Vanderbilt |
5-2 11-4 4-1 6-1 7-1 7-1 9-1 20-1 28-1 75-1 100-1 300-1 |
For complete NCAA football odds please visit Mysportsbook.com.
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