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August 19th College Football news ...
Oregon vs. Cal Betting Odds and Preview
2010-11-12
Sportsbook.com Oregon vs. Cal Betting Lines: Oregon -20, Total: 58.5
The Oregon Ducks gun for their 10th win of the season against a Cal team undefeated at home. The Ducks have been kind to their loyal bettors this season, having covered six out of 9 point spreads.
The Ducks continue to lead the nation in scoring (54.7 PPG), yardage (569 YPG) and scoring margin (37.0 PPG) led by LaMichael James’ nation-best 166 rush YPG. The Bears also have a great running back in Shane Vereen averaging 118 all-purpose yards with 15 touchdowns this year. Oregon won last year’s meeting 42-3, but has lost three straight at Cal. The Bears will once again start Brock Mansion at QB with Kevin Riley out with a knee injury.
Oregon also has a quarterback out with a knee injury. Backup Nate Costa will miss the rest of the season after injuring himself in last week’s game. That leaves freshman Bryan Bennett as the No. 2 QB behind Darron Thomas. Fortunately for Thomas, he receives great pass protection from his offensive line. Oregon ranks ninth in the nation for fewest sacks allowed (0.6 per game). The sophomore James continues to be a monster with five straight games of 120+ rushing yards and 2+ TD. He has 15 touchdowns in six Pac-10 games this year. He also rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown in last year’s blowout win over Cal.
The early bettors at Sportsbook.com are expecting another Oregon romp as 93 percent of the Oregon vs. Cal point spread bettors are backing the Ducks.
Cal has demolished its opponents at home this year, outscoring them by an average of 47 to 9 and out-gaining them by an average of 408 to 175. However, Oregon is a huge step up from UC-Davis, Colorado, UCLA or Arizona State.
The Bears barely beat conference doormat Washington State last week 20-13, but they did run the ball well, gaining 212 yards on 42 carries. That was quite an improvement from the 69 rushing YPG average in the previous three contests. However, Mansion did not play well in his first career start last week, completing just half his passes (12-for-24) for 171 yards and two interceptions. Considering Oregon has 15 interceptions this year and is tied for fifth in the nation in turnover margin (1.22 per game), it is imperative for Mansion to make smart decisions throwing the football. Vereen, who is averaging 98.4 rushing YPG this year, hasn’t done much in two career games against Oregon, rushing for just 89 yards on 27 carries (3.3 YPC).
Oregon is 10-5 (SU and ATS) in the past 15 series meetings, but this college football betting trend suggests Cal will keep this game closer than 20 points.
Play On - Underdogs of 10.5 to 21 points (CALIFORNIA) - after failing to cover the spread in 3 out of their last 4 games against opponent after covering the spread in 2 out of their last 3 games. (106-52 over the last 10 seasons.) (67.1%, +48.8 units. Rating = 3*).
Seven of the past eight series meetings have finished Under the Total, but these highly-rated betting trends expect the game to finish Over the 58.5 points Sportsbook.com has listed.
CALIFORNIA is 16-2 OVER (+13.8 Units) after scoring 7 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games since 1992. The average score was CALIFORNIA 25.6, OPPONENT 27.3 - (Rating = 4*).
OREGON is 12-2 OVER (+9.8 Units) after scoring 42 points or more last game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was OREGON 47.3, OPPONENT 22.7 - (Rating = 3*).
Now that you have the key numbers for Saturday’s Pac 10 game, head over to Sportsbook.com and get your bets in.
Florida State vs. NC State Betting Odds and Preview
2010-10-28
ACC football is under the NFL Odds betting spotlight tonight as the Florida State Seminoles head north to visit the NC State Wolfpack. Sportsbook.com is expecting a high-scoring but close game as the Seminoles are 3.5 point favorites with the ‘total’ up to 59 after opening at 56.5.
Both teams should be well-rested as they both had their bye last week. FSU has won five straight games, but is coming off a close 24-19 win over Boston College despite being favored by 22.5. NC State lost 33-27 in overtime at East Carolina the last time it took the field, as QB Russell Wilson threw three interceptions.
Last year’s meeting was a back-and-forth shootout as FSU outlasted NC State 45-42 in a game that featured 1,093 total yards of offense. Wilson threw for 349 yards and 5 TD in that contest while Seminoles RB Jermaine Thomas rushed for a career-high 186 yards with two touchdowns in last year’s win over NC State.
Thomas has been bothered by a sprained toe that limited him to five carries last week, but he has been a beast in ACC play with a 7.1 YPC average and four scores in four conference games. FSU QB Christian Ponder, who has 531 passing yards in two career games against NC State, has a mere 8 TD and 6 INT in his past six games this season. He has been bothered by a swollen right elbow in the past two weeks, but he will start Thursday night.
In spite of Ponder’s sub-par play, the Seminoles have been winning due to their great defense. They lead the nation with 4.3 sacks per game and rank 13th in scoring defense (16.1 PPG), having allowed 20 points only once this year, (47-17 at Oklahoma) which stands as their only loss. FSU is also 20th in total defense (308 YPG) and 17th in stopping the run (105 YPG) among FBS schools.
Despite eight interceptions in his past three games, Wilson ranks fourth in the nation in total offense (332 YPG) with five straight 300-yard passing games. Senior WR Owen Spencer is a big reason Wilson and NC State has such a potent passing attack. Spencer has caught at least six passes in his past four games. The defense has been above-average this year, but was not good against ECU, allowing 496 yards. The total would have been much more had the Pirates not turned the ball over four times.
FSU vs. NC State point spread bettors should be aware of this extremely one-sided betting trend before submitting their bets tonight:
NC State is 8-0-1 ATS in the past nine meetings with Florida State, but only 4-5 SU including three straight losses.
Here are a few more trends that indicate that NC State plus the points is a wise wager:
Play On - Home underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (NC STATE) - after 2 consecutive games where they forced 3 or more turnovers against opponent after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse. (24-4 since 1992.) (85.7%, +19.6 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (NC STATE) - after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses against opponent after 4 or more consecutive straight up wins. (84-35 over the last 10 seasons.) (70.6%, +45.5 units. Rating = 3*).
FLORIDA ST is 6-20 ATS (23.1%, -16.0 Units) in road games after playing 3 straight conference games since 1992.
The average score was FLORIDA ST 23.6, OPPONENT 24.7 - (Rating = 2*).
The early bettors at Sportsbook.com don’t seem to care as 74 percent of the point spread cash is on the Seminoles.
For more college football betting trends and to check out the betting odds for all of the games on this weekend’s college football betting board, head over to Sportsbook.com now.
LSU vs. Auburn, Unbeaten SEC powers square off
2010-10-23
Sportsbook.com’s LSU vs. Auburn Betting Odds: Auburn -6, Total: 51.5
The two remaining SEC unbeaten teams meet Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. LSU has won four of its games by seven points or less this year. Auburn has also had some close calls, winning three games by exactly three points.
LSU’s unblemished record is puzzling, considering the Tigers have 2.4 turnovers per game and have yet to reach 225 passing yards in any of the seven contests. LSU has been lucky, but it has also been very good on defense, ranking third in the nation with just 242 YPG allowed. The Tigers are sixth against the run (84 YPG) and eighth in passing defense (159 YPG).
LSU has not yet faced a player that is the caliber of Auburn QB Cameron Newton. The Heisman front-runner is averaging 305 YPG of total offense with 13 TD and five INT. Newton’s 124 rushing YPG leads an Auburn team ranked sixth in the nation in rushing offense (284 YPG) and sixth in scoring (40.7 PPG). Newton has led Auburn to a whopping 47.3 PPG average in its last four games.
LSU is 6-3 ATS in its past nine games at Auburn, but these football betting trends found at Sportsbook.com show that the odds are not in Les Miles’ favor on Saturday. Two trends backing Auburn include:
Miles is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) versus good rushing teams - averaging >=4.75 rushing yards/carry as the coach of LSU. The average score was LSU 27.3, OPPONENT 24.8 - (Rating = 2*).
Miles is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive straight up wins as the coach of LSU. The average score was LSU 28.3, OPPONENT 20.2 - (Rating = 2*).
For ‘total’ bettors, this tend points towards the ‘under’:
Play Under - Any team against the total (AUBURN) - off a blowout win by 21 points or more over a conference rival, in October games. (145-80 over the last 5 seasons.) (64.4%, +57 units. Rating = 3*).
Head over to Sportsbook.com for all of your weekend college football betting. While you are there remember to place your selections for this weekend’s $100,000 Perfect Parlay contest.
UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks Betting Odds and Preview
2010-10-21
The newly top ranked Oregon Ducks get to strut their stuff under the primetime Thursday night lights against the UCLA Bruins. Sportsbook.com doesn’t expect the high scoring Ducks to lose their first game of the season as the UCLA vs. Oregon point spread is the Ducks -25.5. It should be a high-scoring affair as the ‘total’ is a hefty 61.5 points.
The Ducks lead the nation with 54.3 PPG and have won five of their games by 20-plus points. The bye week was key for QB Darron Thomas (shoulder) to heal, but RB Kenjon Barner (concussion) is not expected to play on Thursday. UCLA is also coming off a bye after a 26-carry, 26-yard rushing performance in a 35-7 loss at Cal.
UCLA QB Kevin Prince is banged up with a knee injury, and his status is uncertain for Thursday. He was dreadful against Cal, completing just 42 percent of his passes (13-for-31) for 99 yards. His backup is Richard Brehaut who has zero touchdowns, two interceptions and 10 sacks in his two-year career (55 pass attempts).
The quarterback at UCLA is not vital to the Bruins success since they run the ball so effectively. Johnathan Franklin is averaging 113 rushing YPG in leading UCLA to the 13th-best rushing attack in the nation (223 rush YPG), which includes the woeful output against Cal.
Oregon leads the country in total offense, averaging 567 yards per game. RB LaMichael James tops the nation with 170 rushing YPG, and he ran for 152 yards in a 24-10 win at UCLA last year. By the way, Sportsbook.com’s Heisman Trophy betting odds indicate James is +1000 to win college football’s most prestigious personal award.
Thomas has had a great sophomore season, throwing at least two TD in his first five games before getting hurt in game number six against Washington State. Thomas is also second on the team in rushing, including a 117-yard performance against Stanford two games ago. If Thomas does have problems with his shoulder, backup QB Nate Costa is certainly capable of filling in. Costa threw just two incomplete passes against WSU, totaling 151 passing yards and 84 rushing yards. Barner is not only James’ backup, averaging 6.5 YPC, but he also returns kicks and is a quality receiver out of the backfield.
Favorites of 20-plus points on
a six-game in-season win streak are 33-15 ATS (69%) since 2005. Oregon knows how to win big considering it is 7-2 ATS as a favorite of 20-plus points since 2007. The Bruins are 2-11 SU (5-8 ATS) in their past 13 road games in Pac-10 play.
These football betting trends give three more reasons to like Oregon Thursday night:
Play On - Home favorites of 21.5 to 31 points (OREGON) - with a good offense - averaging 400 or more total yards/game, after gaining 450 or more total yards in 2 consecutive games. (40-14 over the last 10 seasons.) (74.1%, +24.6 units. Rating = 3*).
Play On - Any team (OREGON) - after outrushing opponent by 150 or more yards in 2 straight games against opponent after being outrushed by 150 or more yards last game. (32-9 over the last 10 seasons.) (78%, +22.1 units. Rating = 3*).
OREGON is 26-7 ATS (+18.3 Units) in home games after outgaining opp by 125 or more total yards in their previous game since 1992. The average score was OREGON 38.2, OPPONENT 20.5 - (Rating = 3*).
For bettors looking to make a play on the ‘total’ here is a trend that supports the ‘under’ as the play.
Play Under - Any team against the total (UCLA) - after gaining 150 or less total yards in their previous game against opponent after gaining 6.25 or more yards/play in their previous game. (29-5 over the last 10 seasons.) (85.3%, +23.5 units. Rating = 4*).
Now that you have the key numbers for tonight’s game, head over to Sportsbook.com for all of your college football betting action.