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Bettman needs to build off thrilling Cup finalHockey Betting Lines06/11/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It may sound cliche, but when it comes to fixing what ails the National Hockey League, there may be no better time than the present. On the heels of the most successful NHL season in a decade and a Stanley Cup final that demonstrated all that is right with the league, it is a moment that must be captured with vigor by Commissioner Gary Bettman. The Stanley Cup final produced a spectacular brand of hockey that has reinvigorated the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers franchises, which also happen to reside in two of the game's most important markets. Fresh-faced superstars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane have become household names across North America, poster boys if you will, for a new era in the NHL. An era that is seeing youth, speed and goal scoring become the defining elements of a brand that has suffered for so long. Add already established superstars like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin to the fold, along with a slew of talented youngsters led by the likes of Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty, and it is safe to say that the recipe for success is a good one. Television ratings for this latest Stanley Cup Final were remarkable in Canada and the highest in the United States since the Flyers, led by Bobby Clarke, beat out Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins for hockey's ultimate prize in 1974. It seems unfathomable, but 1.2 out of every 10 American televisions was tuned into the Game 6 matchup on Wednesday night, demonstrating a heightened interest for the game south of the border. Hockey is on the verge of a breakthrough, and Bettman is on the clock. In most markets the game is thriving or at least sustainable, but a few sore spots exist that have shown little evidence of viability. Franchises in Phoenix, Atlanta, and Florida are on life support, while there are ownership issues in other regions around the league likely spurned by the recent economic meltdown. The remedy is simple; find owners who want to purchase these troubled franchises in cities that can sustain them, and move the teams. The trouble is that Bettman has for years been outwardly ignorant to the possibility of relocation to Canadian markets, even when potential suitors have existed. This approach has done little for his image, and little for the game itself. Previously spurned markets in Winnipeg and Quebec have been waiting with open arms, while southern Ontario, the world hotbed of hockey, continues to operate with the Toronto Maple Leafs as its only franchise. Instead, Bettman has been insistent on transfers to areas like Las Vegas or Kansas City, further examining the Southern United States for relocation, as if to compound his already misguided expansion of the NHL into the United States' Sun Belt. If only he had tried as hard to keep franchises in Winnipeg and Quebec as he has in the Desert with the Coyotes, the NHL might not be wrestling with these ugly issues. Instead of trying to cover up the financial pitfalls of dying organizations, and sugarcoat the reasons why fans dislike or ignore the game in certain cities, Bettman needs to come clean with the realization that franchises in peril will continue to drag down the league. As it stands, Bettman has received serious interest from prospective owners in both Winnipeg and Quebec. Mark Chipman and David Thomson of True North Sports and Entertainment made a serious pitch to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and return them to Winnipeg, and Bettman says he's heard from more than one "substantial" group in Quebec, including a pitch from media giant Quebecor. Canadian fans need not yell from the highest hills to be heard, but rather, the league needs to do the noticing for them. There is a market in Canada for additional NHL franchises that should no longer be ignored. The continued growth of the NHL brand and the health of the league will rest squarely on relocation to these ready-for-prime-time markets. The positive ripple effect of the Cup finals has made this an unprecedented time to build on the current wave of momentum, and Bettman needs to right the ship once and for all.
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How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later. While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better. For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory. 1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season. 2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped. How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number. Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules. Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically. How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games). Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition. Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards. |
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