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02/19/2007 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Duke remained the unanimous No. 1 team in the Associated Press women's college basketball poll.
The Blue Devils (28-0) earned all 50 first-place votes and a total of 1,250 points from a national media panel. Duke is the top team in the nation for the sixth straight week and an undisputed choice for the second time in a row.
Tennessee (24-2) moved up one place into the second slot after North Carolina lost last week to North Carolina State. The Tar Heels (26-2) slipped two spots into fourth, while Connecticut (24-2) jumped two spots to third.
Ohio State was fourth last week, but saw a 17-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday with a 62-59 home loss to Michigan State. The Buckeyes fell one spot into fifth.
Maryland, LSU, Stanford, George Washington and Arizona State round out the top 10.
Georgia is 11th and is followed by Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Baylor, Purdue, Texas A&M, Middle Tennessee, Bowling Green, Marquette and Michigan State. The Spartans vaulted four spots to 20th after their upset win in Columbus.
The last five ranked teams this week are Rutgers, James Madison, Louisville, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Nebraska. The Cornhuskers dropped six spots from 19th.
Wisconsin-Green Bay, which has won 18 in a row, moved back into the rankings after a one-week absence. The Phoenix replaced California, which had been ranked 22nd but lost to Oregon last week.
<< Big East foes meet in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fresh off a heart-breaking loss, the Villanova
Wildcats will try to help their NCAA Tournament chances with a victory
over the 12th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles in Big East Conference action.
O
<< Pitt continues to build head of steam as home stretch approaches
East Rutherford, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The seventh-ranked Pittsburgh Panthers
continue their quest for the Big East Conference regular season title, and
they will take another step in the right direction if they can knock off the
Seto
<< Jayhawks and Wildcats square off in pivotal Big 12 clash
Manhattan, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kansas hopes to extend its winning streak
to five games as it battles long-time rival Kansas State in Big 12
Conference action from Manhattan.
The fourth consecutive win for KU came on
<< Flyers, Bruins look to continue good play of late
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of teams that have shown improved play in recent
weeks will get together this evening at the Wachovia Center, where the Boston
Bruins resume a long road trip with a showdown against the Philadelphia
Flyers.
Wisconsin, Ohio State head men's hoops poll >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wisconsin and Ohio State, the Big Ten's best,
are also the top two teams in the latest Associated Press men's college
basketball poll.
After Florida lost to Vanderbilt on Saturday and had a 17-game wi
Zetterberg, Selanne and Sakic earn NHL weekly honors >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik
Zetterberg, Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne and Colorado Avalanche
center Joe Sakic have been named the NHL's Three Stars for the week ending
Februar
Grand Rapids' Ellis garners AHL weekly honors >>
Springfield, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The American Hockey League announced today
that Grand Rapids Griffins center Matt Ellis has been named the CCM Vector/AHL
Player of the Week for the period ending February 18, 2007. Ellis recorded
four goals a
New man in Charge: San Diego turns to Norv >>
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Chargers are reportedly set to
name Norv Turner as their new head coach.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Monday that Turner will replace Marty
Schottenheimer, who was fired just one we
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.
NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.
Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.
There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.
Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.
Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.
The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.
To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
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