NBA Pay Head News: NBA Back In Full Swing This Week

With Christmas day, came a Christmas present to NBA fans that couldn’t wait to see their favorite superstars get back on the hardwood and show off their skill, and it didn’t disappoint. Carmelo Anthony put on a clinic in the clutch to help the New York Knicks knock off the Boston Celtics, while Derrick Rose was back in MVP-form as the Chicago Bulls squeezed past the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, Lebron James and the Miami Heat destroyed the Dallas Mavericks in the moments after the defending NBA champions lifted their title banner, and for as small of a consolation prize as that might be it was nice to see them show some tenacity. Looking forward to the rest of the week and it should be another great game when the Heat return to Miami for their home opener against the Celtics on Wednesday, before traveling to Charlotte the next night. Meanwhile, the Lakers are back home on Thursday to host the Knicks, with the Mavericks continuing their home span on Friday against the Toronto Raptors to close out the opening week.

NHL Betting News: Canadiens Look To Find Identity As Road Trip Continues

With controversy ripping at the team from every angle, the Montreal Canadiens will look to quiet their critics somewhat as they continue their six-game road trip against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday, and then the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The Canadiens lost five straight games heading in to the Christmas break and are now on the outside looking in for the Eastern conference playoff race. Montreal needs to break out of its funk and start winning games this week, and if they don’t it could spell the end for interim coach Randy Cunneyworth even before the Canadiens return home next week. Other key matchups for this week include a rematch of last year’s Western conference final between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks on Thursday, and a battle of two teams that could replace them in this year’s conference finals as the Detroit Red Wings play the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

NCAAF Betonline News: Belk Bowl Among Most Interesting This Week

Although neither the Louisville Cardinals or North Carolina State Wolfpack qualified for a BCS bowl, they both finished their respective years on fire and will fight one another in the upcoming Belk Bowl. Both teams have a ton of offensive flare and are red-hot, and it should make for an exciting and close contest. A couple of other key matchups include the North Carolina Tar Heels and Missouri Tigers in the Independence Bowl on Monday, and the California Golden Bears and Texas Longhorns in the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday.

NFL Sports Betting News: Looking Ahead To The Final NFL Sunday

With several playoff spots still open across the NFL heading in to the final weekend of the regular season, the setup for New Years day could not be more exciting. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos have lost two in a row, but could still clinch the West with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs at home on the final day. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders are tied with them at 8-7, but host the San Diego Chargers and need a Broncos’ loss to pass them. If Denver doesn’t lose, then the Raiders still have hope in terms of a Wild Card spot, with the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans also still trying to catch the Cincinnati Bengals. Meanwhile in the NFC, it will be down to one game as the Dallas Cowboys face the New York Giants with the NFC East on the line.

Those watching NFL betting lines may be better served to check out the NCAA, which will kick off in September, and here is a look at the top five stories that you should keep an eye on during the road to the BCS title.

Ohio State

Coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor are no longer in Columbus after a massive violations scandal, and now the Buckeyes are just a mid-pack team in the Big Ten instead of a BCS title favorite. Can Ohio State keep their head above water and more importantly, can they beat Michigan for the eighth straight year?

Conference Expansion

Sports betting players watched the Big Ten and Pac-10 expand to 12 teams, although only the Pac-12 changed their name. Instead, the Big Ten broke their conference up into the Legends and Leaders division in one of the most laughable moves of the offseason.

SEC Domination

The SEC has won the last five national titles and furthermore, the crown hasn’t left the state of Alabama in two years as Auburn followed their state rivals with last season’s win. Oklahoma is the preseason No.1 pick, but expect the Crimson Tide to be a factor, along with LSU, Arkansas and Georgia.

NCAA Violations

This has been the story of the offseason as Ohio State suffered, North Carolina continue to suffer from last year and Oregon (who lost to Auburn in last year’s BCS title game) could be in huge trouble next. Keep an eye on the news, because violations are popping up all over.

Did Andrew Luck Make The Right Decision?

Luck was slated to be the No.1 pick in the draft, but decided not to follow coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. Jake Locker made a similar decision last year and it was the wrong choice. While Luck may not be the top pick next year, it bodes well for Stanford’s 2011 sports betting odds.

The Pittsburgh Panthers intended to compete for something more weighted than the Compass Bowl this season. With a pair of proven playmakers on offense and a seasoned defense led by its own standout, Pitt was expected to rise above the unimpressive Big East competition. Those expectations, like the hopeful prospects that surrounded the hiring of the now dismissed Dave Wannstedt as Head Coach, were never met by the Panthers and their season will end with a game on the NCAA football schedule against Kentucky as the program stands on the brink of transition. The bowl, to be played in Birmingham, Alabama with relative media obscurity, will align a team without a coach across from a team without a quarterback – a signifier of the rudderless campaigns both programs have endured this year.

Wannstedt was fired in early December but after his supposed replacement Mike Haywood was arrested for a domestic violence charge over New Year’s weekend, the former Panther player who was beloved by the current roster was asked to lead the team for a final time. Citing a desire to not draw attention away from his team, Wannstedt has declined to coach the bowl game, leaving defensive coordinator Phil Bennett with the responsibility. Haywood’s hiring and sudden firing has been an embarrassing mishandle by the university. Athletic director Steve Pederson boldly stated that Haywood would bring discipline to the Pitt program – a comment that is laughable at this point, while Wannstedt has been so supported by his players that they lined up behind the coach in solidarity when he was fired and have posted comments on twitter expressing their want for him to be re-hired. Sideline fiasco aside, the Panthers’ offense will attempt to get the engine running early on against a marginal Wildcats defense. Pittsburgh’s top talents are at running back and receiver; Dion Lewis and Jon Baldwin. Lewis, who had a monstrous freshman year with 1,799 yards on an average of 5.5 per carry, has suffered a decline in his sophomore season; rushing for only 956 yards. Opposing defenses geared towards halting Lewis with a first year starter at quarterback for the Panthers, and while Lewis managed to supply steady production from the backfield, he only went over 100 yards in three games. Lewis was not the only player who was affected by a drop off at the quarterback position; junior Jon Baldwin, who is expected to declare for the NFL draft, also experienced a disappointing season statistically. Baldwin, who caught 57 balls for 1,111 yards and 8 scores in his sophomore season, accumulated only 810 receiving yards in 2010, leading the wide out to openly suggest that the team was attempting to sabotage his draft stock by sending him exclusively on deep patterns. The Panthers will need both Baldwin and Lewis to be on their game if they have any hope of giving Wannstedt a valiant send off.

Kentucky will be without their quarterback, senior Mike Hartline for the bowl game. Hartline has been suspended by Head Coach Joker Phillips following the pivot’s arrest for disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Hartline had passed for an impressive 3,178 yards and 23 scores with a %66 completion percentage but Phillips has a steadfast belief in his team’s integrity and will not allow the quarterback to lead his team into a final battle. The Wildcats will turn to the explosive Randall Cobb for offensive energy in the absence of their passer. Cobb amassed an outstanding 2,191 all-purpose yards this season playing slot receiver and tailback while also returning kicks and passing for three touchdowns. Cobb has the ability to change a game with one play and he could give Kentucky the spark they need to overcome not having their starting quarterback on the field.

Kentucky had a competitive season in the SEC but still was only able to manage a 6-6 season, finishing second last in the conference in the NCAA football standings . Their season, like Pittsburgh’s, was, as a whole, a disappointment. The Compass bowl offers little in the way of retribution – the late date figures
to limit media attention and national interest, but both teams can earn a spot of optimism with a victory. Both squads will be troubled by the distractions of those who aren’t present but they would be better served by concentrating on who is actually digging their cleats into the hot southern turf.

So here we are: the final day of 2008. Was the last year good to you, dear readers? Yeah, I know there was that pesky recession and crappy economy to worry about, but think about it: just pick up a new offshore sportsbook and you might be able to break a new, tidy profit…think about it! (Just don’t bet your house or kids’ college funds or anything, okay? That’s not cool.)

Also, a source of good cheer to kick off the new year right: college bowl games by the dozen! Well, okay, there’s actually nine to choose from on New Year’s Day, but still — nine! Since I’m going to be preoccupied by the Blackhawks vs Red Wings line earlier that day, I’ll be picking up the action first with the Rose Bowl at 4:30 and then the Orange Bowl at 8 PM.

As far as Rose Bowl odds go, it’s a toughie — Penn State’s been looking great, and I think too many people have been writing them off. Yet the USC Trojans have had a bombastic year, and given the fact that they have a semi-homefield advantage, it’d be wise to bet on the Trojans — they’re a 10-point favorite, after all.

With the Orange Bowl odds, I’m going to have to retract my earlier pick and go with Virginia Tech. True, they’re not the best of the NCAAF teams and neither are Cincinnati, but this should be a defensive showdown for the agres. Virginia Tech will have a bit more of an edge in this matchup.

Oh yeah, and if you’re the industrious or imaginative sort, here are a couple of cute recipes to try out for tomorrow: football cupcakes and Rice Krispie mini-footballs. How cute!

They could also double for Super Bowl goodies — lest we forget, the big game’s only a month away! Be sure to keep checking up on the 2009 Super Bowl odds so you won’t be left out when February 1st rolls around.

Happy ’09 to all of you, and see you in the new year!

As I mentioned earlier, there’s no better way to cut the post-holiday tension between inebrieted in-laws and relatives than with a little NCAAF bowl game action. Fortunately, we’ve got just the thing for you this year: Emerald Bowl betting!

Taking place on December 27th in San Franscisco, this year’s pairing features a Miami vs California line. And it should be an easy pick, just in case you’re having trouble waking up from a Christmas-feast-induced slumber: California Golden Bears all the way. Just take a look at the Miami Hurricanes: They’re young, and while that’s good for us female-types who like seeing sporting fit young men, it’s not the best advantage on the field. And although coach Randy Shannon has really turned them around, I don’t think it’s gonna be enough — especially considering that the Bears will have home advantage.

If you’re tempted by your favourite sportsbook here, I say raise the stakes with your man of choice and wager for a nice piece of emerald jewelry on this one. Hey, it’s only appropriate.

It’s Monday afternoon in early December, which means it’s time to get back down to business: NCAA football bowl game odds, of course. Bowl game matchups just appeared yesterday, and some of `em look to be doozies. Although I can’t speak for the amount of viewers who’ll be tuning in to the Meineke Car Care Bowl or the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, I DO know that there’s quite a few matchup gems in that list that I won’t be missing, and neither should you.

What does this mean for my fine readership? Picks and previews! And also, for my fellow bitchin-in-the-kitchen sportsfan ladies out there, I’m throwing in a Bowl-themed recipe for each matchup. While not really traditional bowl-snackin’ food, I am a vocal supporter of good food and fun cooking, so I urge you to try these out for either dinner on bowl day, or – why not? – as game-time munchies. Bowl games come but once a year, even though you’ll definitely have your pick. Here’s the best of the lot:

Rose Bowl odds: Penn State vs. USC
USC’s the familiar face in this matchup, having had the most Rose Bowl appearances in history at 32 — and the most wins at 23. For those reasons alone, it might be in your best interest to bet on USC for this New Year’s Day game.
Recipe: Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosted Cupcakes (via Open Source Cupcakes)

Sugar Bowl odds: Utah vs. Alabama
Again, another repeat champion appears: Alabama, who’ve won themselves eight Sugar Bowls in the past. Unsurprisingly, they are the favorite in this matchup, and look to leave Utah in the dust. Follow up your Rose Bowl betting with this game on January 2nd, 2009, and make sure you have some sugary goodies on hand to go with.
Recipe: Linzer Cutout Cookies (via Serious Eats)

Fiesta Bowl odds: Ohio State vs. Texas
Feeling spicy? We’ve got a red-hot Fiesta Bowl pick for you here between Ohio State and Texas. Appropriately, it’s the state closest to the southern border that has the edge in this gridiron battle, so pick the boys of Texas to take this one in Arizona.
Recipe: Fiesta Grilled Chicken (via Allrecipes)

Orange Bowl odds: Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech
Here’s another bowl game option for you on New Year’s Day, and one that has a more even matchup: Virginia Tech and Cincinnati laying the beats down in Florida. It’s a close one here, but put your money on Cincinnati U. They’ve been looking better this season.
Recipe: Mixed Green Salad with Oranges, Dried Cranberries and Pecans (via Epicurious)

Chick-fil-A Bowl odds: LSU vs Georgia Tech
One of the finer examples of “anybody can have a bowl game named after their franchise,” Atlanta’s bowl game (formerly known as the Peach Bowl) boasts LSU against Georgia Tech this year. As for a pick, I’m gonna go out on a limb (wing?) here and say LSU, if only because they’ve got a longer winning record at 4 victories so far.
Recipe: Peach-Spiced Chicken (via Southern Food)

It may be Thanksgiving today, but even a hundred crepe-paper turkeys couldn’t cover the mass amounts of Christmas decorations currently trussing up storefronts everywhere. The jolly old elf comes in less than one month, and when I think of the holiday season, you know what I think? College football bowl games, that’s what — especially Rose Bowl odds and Fiesta Bowl odds. Blame it on having football-loving cousins spending the holidays monopolizing the TV so they can yell at bad pigskin passes all day…Though I suppose I ought to thank my family for those times, as they served as a springboard for my own adult love of the game! It really is a time for family.

(You just know they’re watching the Chick-fil-A Bowl with bated breath)

Despite the wacky names and sponsors (though it IS only right that Tostitos hosts the Fiesta Bowl) and the fact that pretty much anybody can buy a bowl game if they’re a millionaire, the bowl games make for college football betting at their finest. What better way to try and earn money to pay off those massive credit card bills from the holidays? Your sportsbook holds all the answers. Maybe if you wager enough, the payoff will be so big you can buy your own bowl game next year! Wishful thinking, my friends — it’s what the holidays are all about.

But I digress — personally, I’m thinking Trojans and Penn State for my Rose Bowl pick, and of course Texas Tech to make an appearance in Fiesta Bowl lines (you DO know Texas is gonna run all over A&M tonight, right?) — but against who? That’s the question that the next month of NCAA football will hopefully answer. Pass the salsa.

Alright, so here’s the thing: No matter what my sportsbook record attests to, I love NCAA football almost more than the NFL.

Why, you ask? Hard to say. Maybe it’s because the college football players are closer to my own age (which will remain a secret, as I am first and foremost a lady — a lady who likes bloodsports, but a lady still). Maybe it’s because it’s heartening to see how much crazed, body-painted support these teams get from staff, fellow students and their communities, as well as across America. Maybe it’s because, unlike their big-league counterparts, college football players for the most part have not yet graduated to shooting up clubs, hotel-room brawling with bodyguards, repeated drug use offences, dogfighting organizing, and beating on women. (This does not include any less-than-savory behavior on the part of their cheerleaders.)

There are also about fifty kabillion NCAAF teams (including the unfortunately-named Alabama Crimson Tide) in a gazillion divisions, so it’s not so easy to keep `em straight. Here are two of the big ones, going head to head this Saturday: Texas Tech vs Oklahoma.

Mmmm, smells like barbeque! Good thing I’m not on a diet…

Anyway, despite the fact that the Red Raiders have been a huge surprise this season, it still looks like a David vs. Goliath story when they’re up against the massively powerful Sooners. Yet, as any faithful reader of the Bible knows, David gave Goliath a beatdown, and that’s precisely what’s gonna happen on Saturday. Texas Tech is coming off a better record for wins right now, and their defense is huge. NCAA football lines are saying it looks like the Sooners will get trounced, thus bringing TT a step closer to the BCS Championship.

Go get `em, Reds!