Broncos and Hokies square off on Labor Day
NCAA Football Betting Lines
09/01/2010 - Landover, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The most anticipated season-opener on the docket in 2010 takes place on Labor Day in Landover, as the third-ranked Boise State Broncos set out to prove their lofty ranking is warranted, as they take on the 10th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field.
Head coach Chris Petersen has amassed an impressive 49-4 record in his four seasons at Boise State, including leading the Broncos to 26 wins in their last 27 games. Last season was banner year, with BSU becoming just the second team in NCAA history to record a 14-0 season, capped off by a 17-10 win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.
This season will be Boise State's last opportunity to terrorize the rest of the Western Athletic Conference, as the team will make the move to the more competitive Mountain West in 2011.
Virginia Tech has been a picture of consistency for some time and 2009 was more of the same, as the team posted 10 victories, the sixth straight season with double-digit wins. The Hokies finished 6-2 in league play last season, good for a second-place finish in the Coastal Division and capped off the year with a 37-14 whipping of Tennessee in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
As a reward, head coach Frank Beamer was recently awarded a contract extension through the 2016 season.
"I appreciate Virginia Techs confidence in me leading this program. I believe that continuity has led to the consistency in our program, and we hope for even better days ahead."
This marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams.
Coach Petersen is certainly aware of the pressure that will come each and every game for the Broncos, as they set out to burst the BCS bubble in 2010 and his confidence in star QB Kellen Moore and the rest of the offense is evident.
"Our whole offense is set up, and always has been, to make our quarterback as successful as anybody in the country and if we can do that, those other 10 guys can do that, then it's going to bode well for our program. There's going to be one guy who gets a lot of headlines because other guys are playing well around him and Kellen gets that."
System quarterback or not, Moore is a special player that ranked second in the nation last year in pass efficiency (161.65) and TD passes (39). Even more impressive is the fact that Moore attempted 431 passes a year ago and had just three interceptions, setting a new NCAA record for the lowest percentage of passes (0.69) picked off.
It certainly helps to have a pair of All-American candidates on the outside in Titus Young and Austin Pettis. Both are poised for a huge 2010 after posting eye-popping numbers a year ago. Young was responsible for 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and 10 touchdowns and Pettis converted his 63 catches into 855 yards and a team-best 14 scores.
Senior Jeremy Avery will again be the primary ball carrier, but a healthy D.J. Harper will only further enhance a strong ground game that netted 186.1 yards per game in 2009.
Add a solid offensive line, and there's very little this offense won't be able to do this season.
The scoring offense for the Broncos was ranked first in the nation last year with 42.2 ppg, and that may have taken a little of attention away from a solid defensive unit. The Broncos finished first in the WAC and 14th nationally in scoring defense (17.1 ppg), and coach Petersen thinks it can only get better given the coaching staff he's got supporting him and the players.
"We're blessed to get Bob Gregory (Nickels/OLBs) back, with his history with us and with our defense, he's as good as a coach as there is out there in the country. For him to come back and be a part of our staff was huge. I think Peter Kwiatkowski, our defensive coordinator...is a heck of a football mind. I've said this earlier, if we're not as good on defense as we've been in the past it's not because of our coaches, its because of some other things."
Everything starts with a defensive line that moves fast and hits hard. Leading the way in the trenches is defensive end Ryan Winterswyk, a two-time First Team All-WAC selection. Winterswyk finished second in the league in both tackles for loss (17) and sacks (nine) last season. Fellow lineman Billy Winn can also cause problems up the field, placing second on the team with six sacks and 12.5 TFLs last year.
Returning linebackers JC Percy and Hunter White will be aided by plenty of returning talent in the secondary. One such player is Jeron Johnson, who finished first on the team in tackles in '09 (91).
The Tech offense was set for a letdown in 2009, as ACC Freshman of the Year, Darren Evans was lost to a knee injury before the season even started. However, Beamer found his savior on the ground in the form of freshman Ryan Williams, who burst on the scene en route to Third-Team All- American honors, racking up 1,655 yards rushing (5.6 ypc) and a whopping 21 TDs. Williams was the workhorse for an offense that managed an impressive 208.2 yards rushing per outing. Not much should change in 2010, as Williams will try to build on his highly successful debut season, while Evans, by all accounts, is ready to return as well. With undoubtedly the best tailback tandem in the country, expect Tech to do what it does best and that is run the football. Williams came into camp this year in phenomenal shape and is chomping at the bit to get going.
"I feel good at 202," said Williams. "I played half the season last season at 195-197, so I feel good with where I'm at. The weight works good for me right now."
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor will once again resume his role under center and while the Hokies don't throw the ball very much, Taylor did complete over 56 percent of his passes last season, for 2,311 yards and 13 TDs, so he is more than willing to air it out when given the opportunity. It certainly helps to have his top six pass catchers back in the fold, headlined by WRs Jarrett Boykin (40 receptions, 835 yards, five TDs) and Danny Coale (30 receptions, 614 yards, three TDs). Taylor will also have the luxury of three returning starters up front, led by right tackle Blake Christopher (6-5, 305), who was All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2009.
There is depth behind Taylor at QB as well and Beamer has confidence that both redshirt freshman Logan Thomas and redshirt sophomore Ju-Ju Clayton will be up to the challenge if called upon this year.
"We're fortunate to have two quality back ups at quarterback, both of whom are at a stage that they can go in and win a game for us."
It is expected year-in and year-out that Virginia Tech is going to put a stingy defense on the field and 2009 was no different, limiting foes to a mere 15.6 ppg, on 295.5 yards of total offense. The 2010 version returns just five starters, but talent abounds on this side of the football in Blacksburg and there is little doubt that Beamer will find the right additions to once again put an elite stop unit on the field. Mass defections along the line is a reason for some concern and someone will need to step up and make plays upfield. The linebacking corps has some losses as well, but the unit should hold its own, led by junior ILB Barquell Rivers, who finished 2009 with 96 tackles (6.5 TFLs). The secondary lost some talent too, but the hope is that seniors like CB Rashad Carmichael and S Davon Morgan can lead by example. Carmichael is regarded as one of the ACC's best cover corners after collecting six INTs in 2009.
Athens, GA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 23rd-ranked Georgia Bulldogs have won eight or more games in 13 consecutive season, and the road to extending that streak begins on Saturday afternoon in Athens against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Head coac
<< Buckeyes begin season of hope against Thundering Herd
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes enter
the 2010 season with tangible chance of winning the national title, and the
first step of the process will be knocking off Marshall in Thursday's opener.
The Thunder
<< Rattlers battle Hurricanes in Sunshine State showdown
Miami Gardens, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 13th-ranked Miami-Florida Hurricanes
appear to be one of the best teams in the ACC heading into the 2010 season,
and they will have a chance to show off their skill in Thursday's opener
against the Flori
<< Auburn opens at home against Arkansas State
Auburn, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 22nd-ranked Auburn Tigers of the
Southeastern Conference kick off the 2010 season with a home game against the
Arkansas State Red Wolves of the Sun Belt Conference.
Arkansas State posted just a 4-8 record la
<< West Virginia opens 2010 campaign against FCS foe Coastal Carolina
Morgantown, WV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The West Virginia Mountaineers try to prove
they are worthy of being ranked 25th in the nation as they open the 2010
season with a home date against the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina on
Saturday afternoon.
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
Gators face Redhawks in season-opener in Gainesville >>
Gainesville, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The post Tim Tebow Era begins in
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
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
Top-25 matchup on tap in Arlington >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of Top 25 teams clash in the Lone Star
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
Pitt takes on Utah in season opener >>
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The premiere matchup during the first
night of the 2010 college football season has the Utah Utes entertaining the
15th-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers in a non-conference showdown at Rice-Eccles
Stadium in Salt
MySportsbook.com and Kentucky Derby Offer Bonuses
The 2008 Kentucky Derby has announced a $1-million bonus for this weekend’s 134th ‘Run for the Roses’ and MySportsbook.com is doing the same.
Well, not quite $1 million, but MySportsbook.com is offering a 75% rebate for Kentucky Derby lines. Check out the exclusive horse racing bonus for all the details.
According to MySportsbook.com, the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky are: Curlin (+250); Street Sense (+500); Scat Daddy (+700); Circular Quay (+750); and Nobiz Like Shobiz (+800).
Derby organizers announced this week that there will be a $1-million bonus at the 2007 Kentucky Derby odds if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths – the margin of Barbaro's victory last year. The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.
''It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,'' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. ''What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.''
Meanwhile, the Derby favorite – Curlin – is going against the odds this year. It's been 125 years since Apollo won after skipping his 2-year-old season, and not since Regret in 1915 has such a lightly seasoned horse worn the blanket of red roses.
Arkansas Derby winner Curlin – unbeaten in three career races – tries to overcome both those obstacles in Saturday's 133rd Derby.
''We're not running against history,'' trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday. ''We're running against who they load up.''
Six other horses have run in the Derby without benefit of 2-year-old races and with three or fewer starts. The best any of them managed was a sixth-place finish by Showing Up last year.
Asmussen dismissed suggestions that Curlin's lack of racing experience could keep him from the winner's circle.
”He exudes confidence and he's got a great presence about him,'' the trainer said. ''I feel great about the position we're in. He's not worried about anything, why should you be?''
The Kentucky Derby is at 4:04 p.m., ET Saturday.
For complete odds on the Kentucky Derby, visit MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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.