 |
 Basketball Betting |
 |
||||
|
 |
||||
|
||||
Broncos and Hokies square off on Labor DayNCAA Football Betting Lines09/01/2010 - 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.
<< Bulldogs open 2010 season against visiting Cajuns
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
<< Rattlers battle Hurricanes in Sunshine State showdown
<< Auburn opens at home against Arkansas State
<< West Virginia opens 2010 campaign against FCS foe Coastal Carolina
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
Gators face Redhawks in season-opener in Gainesville >>
11th-ranked Ducks open season at home against Lobos >>
Top-25 matchup on tap in Arlington >>
Pitt takes on Utah in season opener >>
Online Sportsbook Football BettingThe NFL preseason is approaching. Time for players, coaches and teams to turn over a new leaf. General managers have hired some new coaches, while coaches have added some offensive and defensive assistants to try and improve things. Here’s a look at some changes to look for in the preseason. New York Jets: The Jets were one of the surprise teams in the NFL last season, making the playoffs under hard-driving first-year coach Eric Mangini. Mangini rebuilt the offensive line with rookies D'Brickashaw Ferguson (the No. 4 pick in the 2007 Draft) and Ohio State center (the 29th pick in the first round). This season he upgraded the defense with rookie linebacker David Harris (Michigan) while the secondary picked up a much needed top-notch corner in Pitt CB Darrelle Revis (No. 14 overall). The Jets have added balance to the offense for QB Chad Pennington with RB Thomas Jones, essentially stolen from the Bears. He will upgrade a New York ground game that was 20th in rushing with a weak 3.5 yards per carry. They have their first true feature back since Curtis Martin. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer prefers ball control, like his father Marty. In preseason, behind Pennington you’ll see second-year QB Kellen Clemens and mobile newcomer QB Marques Tuiasosopo. Jacksonville Jaguars: The heat is on Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville as the Jaguars flopped last season despite a ton of talent. Keep in mind that under Del Rio the Jaguars have been outstanding in preseason with a 12-4 SU, 11-5 ATS August mark. online football betting Their defense is loaded, it’s the offense that has been stuck in first gear the last few years. Enter a new offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter, the former Boise State and Arizona State pass-happy coach. He will try and upgrade a passing game that ranked 24th last season. Del Rio has criticized wide receivers and Matt Jones this summer, both of whom have battled injuries. It will be interesting to watch the “new” Jaguars passing game in preseason. Arizona Cardinals: Word out of Arizona is that the players like new coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was the Steelers offensive coordinator last year. We think of Arizona as all-passing because their running game has been awful of late because of a poor offensive line. However, keep an eye on the running game in preseason as they’ve made a lot of changes. The new coach brings in Russ Grimm to coach the offensive line (Grimm did a marvelous job building the Steelers line). They took Penn State OT Levi Jones in the first round and signed two offensive linemen, Mike Gandy and Al Johnson, to provide depth. Reggie Wells was moved from right tackle to left guard and they want more speed out of the offensive line for pulling and traps, a Pittsburgh staple under Bill Cowher. Atlanta Falcons: While all the attention has been focused on QB Mike Vick’s off-field problems, new coach Bobby Petrino is revamping the Falcons from an all-running team to a more balanced one. Petrino likes the experience of backup QB Joey Harrington and he has veteran backup Chris Redman, who used to play for Petrino at Louisville and knows his offenses better than anyone. Petrino wants Vick to be more of a pocket passer. The addition of FB Ovie Mughelli is a sign Petrino wants a power rushing attack behind a physical fullback and newcomer WR Joe Horn should upgrade what was a below average wideout corps. Petrino is changing their old zone-blocking scheme to a more traditional in-line blocking scheme and the offensive line is bigger. Rookie DE Jamaal Anderson was grabbed in the first round and the secondary got younger with former Auburn cornerback David Irons, who the Falcons think was a steal as a sixth-round pick. Cleveland Browns: The 2007 Browns look like a double-edged sword. There was the excitement of the offseason, trading for RB Jamel Lewis, upgrading the offensive line with Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas (the No. 2 pick in the draft) and free agent LG Eric Steinbach, then trading for Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn when he fell to No. 22. GM Phil Savage and head coach Romeo Crennel feel they have a talented, balanced offense with these new pieces, plus TE >Kellen Winslow and WR Braylon Edwards. However, were these moves made in desperation? And were they foolish ones? The Browns gave up their 2008 first-round pick for Quinn and we all know QBs take time to develop. And even first-round QBs can be busts (Joey Harrington, Akili Smith). We also don’t know if the offensive line is that much improved (31st in rushing in 2007) and they did nothing to improve a defense that was awful against the run (142 yds pg allowed). The Browns have a new offensive coordinator in Rob Chudzinski. This is a young offense and Quinn looked tentative, indecisive and inaccurate early in camp. Crennel will play Charlie Frye, Quinn and Derek Anderson in preseason. And there is a mixed bag for rookie QBs receiving significant starts: Tim Couch (14), Kerry Collins (13), Ben Roethlisberger (13), Vince Young (13), Joey Harrington (12), Matt Leinart (11) and Kyle Boller (nine). While all the focus will be on the Browns new-look offense, I’m more concerned with the defense. Carolina Panthers: Coach Jon Fox loves the ground game, but Carolina has made some interesting changes for 2007. Fox fired offensive coordinator Dan Henning and brings in Jeff Davidson to run the offense. Davidson has brought in zone-blocking schemes to the Panther offense, a dramatic change for a system that's been built around a power-running style. In zone-blocking, offensive linemen are responsible for blocking any defender who appears in their zone, instead of focusing on one defender. The Broncos and Falcons have had success with the system, which features smaller, more athletic offensive linemen and can create running lanes on the inside and outside. Keep an eye in preseason on how Carolina adjusts as it will take time to learn the system. Fox has been one of the top coaches in preseason, with a 15-5 SU, 12-7-1 ATS August record. Dallas Cowboys: WR Terrell Owens is still here, but QB Drew Bledsoe and Bill Parcells are gone. New head coach Wade Phillips takes over, replacing Parcells. He ran the Chargers defense last season. Phillips was chosen by teary-eyed owner Jerry Jones partly because he is one of the best 3-4 coaches in football and the Cowboys have loaded up on players for that scheme. Remember that Phillips was blitz-happy with the Chargers last season and early reports out of the Dallas camp have mentioned how the Cowboys have been blitzing a lot, a departure from Parcells. The theme of the 2007 Dallas defense appears to be one of attack. MySportsbook is considered one of the finest football sportsbooks according to several surveys performed by independent industry analysts considering such factors as payout accuracy and timeliness, overall quality of website, and bettor satisfaction. MySportsbook is a large company with strong financial backing. Considered the best sportsbook for betting football online You will find their customer service is second to none and their web site is extremely user friendly and easy-to-use. All major professional sports games are available. Once you signup with MySportsbook, you may never use another online sportsbook again. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your nfl football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards. |
|
