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07/20/2010 - Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There is now just one team in the West with a perfect record, but their latest win looked far from perfect. The Saskatchewan Roughriders pulled another rabbit out of the hat in week three, this time storming back from a first half deficit to dominate in the final quarter against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Every other west team lost last week, meaning the Riders sit alone at first in the league. Calgary looked sloppy in a three-point loss to the Toronto Argonauts, particularly Henry Burris, who got picked off four times. Meanwhile. the BC Lions went out of their way to hold up to the CFL's image of a passing league with a mighty seven total rushing yards.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
A fan can be forgiven if they thought they were watching a classic Alberta matchup between Calgary and Edmonton in week three. The Saskatchewan Roughriders donned burgundy and black in celebration of their centennial as a franchise, but looked an awful lot like the Stampeders in the process. Perhaps an unfamiliar look in Riderville, but the result of the game was not: The Riders won their third straight game, 24-20, and are the only team in the league with a perfect 3-0 record.
While getting the win was huge in an always tight division, the Riders need to work on getting out of the gates quicker. Against Edmonton, Saskatchewan was down 14-10 after the first half before coming alive in the fourth quarter, where they scored 11 unanswered points.
In the two weeks previous, the Roughriders put up 23 combined points over the first two quarters, while scoring 54 in the second halves.
Though it may take a while for Saskatchewan to get rolling, the team does perform best at the most crucial stages later in the game, so for now the Riders get a pass.
The Riders are on a high, but face their toughest opponent of the season when they travel to Calgary to take on the Stamps.
Offensive key for next game: Durant and the deep receiving corps get all the attention, but Wes Cates has been a big part of what Saskatchewan brings to the table. Calgary has shown tough defense against the rush, but in its one loss, they allowed Cory Boyd of the Argos to run for 142 yards. If Cates can find the wiggle room that Boyd found last week, the Riders will be able to keep the Stampeders on their toes and go 4-0.
Defensive key for next game: Calgary's Henry Burris has looked very sloppy so far this season, trying to force plays rather than go with the flow of what's developing in front of him. Burris has been picked off six times already, four more than any other quarterback, something the Riders should be able to exploit. With the likes of Luc Mullinder and Brent Hawkins pressuring Burris, the Riders could get some picks and really tighten their lead as best in the west.
Look ahead: The Roughriders face a tough opponent in Calgary this week, but can look forward to a home date with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With the way the Riders' offense has been going - they lead the league in several categories, including touchdowns scored (12) and points per game (38.3) - it's entirely possible to improve to 5-0, provided they keep up their efficient play with the ball.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Edmonton fell to 0-3 for first time in 45 years in its loss against Saskatchewan. Certainly not what they planned to happen back in training camp, but then again, not many teams can predict experiencing two fourth quarter meltdowns in a row.
The Eskimos have yet to score a single point in the fourth quarter this season. Not a field goal, safety, or even a rouge: just a huge zero points for.
Combine that with allowing 26 points allowed in the final frame of the past two contests, and you not only have a recipe for disaster, but an entire home- cooked meal made for hungry opposing teams. And those teams aren't shy to have their fill.
The Riders were the latest team to feast on the Eskimos, capitalizing on two forced fumbles that halted any hopes for Edmonton's first win. Instead, the Riders scored 11 unanswered points against a bewildered Edmonton side.
A big reason for Edmonton's slow start is its inability to score touchdowns. Ricky Ray is getting the yards, but not when it counts the most, as he has just one touchdown pass all season.
It is not all his fault, however, as Edmonton dropped two catchable touchdown passes in its loss to the Riders.
While Edmonton came close against two of the best teams in the league, they need to figure out how to put points on the board if they want to get back in the thick of things.
Offensive key for next game: Though the game will be played in Manitoba, a struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers club without their starting quarterback may just be what Edmonton needs to get in the win column. Ricky Ray should outclass Winnipeg's backup QB Steven Jyles, but needs to find the end zone - and for his receivers to catch the ball - to get his team on the right track. Ray's best option is Fred Stamps, who caught for an impressive 203 yards in their week three loss to the Roughriders.
Defensive key for next game: With Buck Pierce out of the lineup, Bombers running back Fred Reid will be called upon to carry the load. There's no telling how well backup QB Steven Jyles will perform in just his second career start, but there's a good chance that if the Eskimos shut down Reid, Winnipeg's offense will flounder for the second week in a row.
Look ahead: Edmonton's opportunity to take advantage of an injured Winnipeg side will be followed by two home games against BC and Toronto, respectively. This three-week stretch may make or break the Eskimos. Though a 0-3 start does not sit well with Edmonton fans, it is entirely possible to claw their way back into the race.
BC LIONS
BC was another team that could not get it going offensively, especially on the ground. Running back Jamal Robertson had one of the worst games of his career, rushing for just four yards on six carries. Worst of all, he gave up two fumbles, one of which led to a Montreal field goal.
Robertson did catch a TD pass for the Lions' lone major score, but that's not enough for one of the league's premier running backs.
Furthering BC's struggles is Casey Printers, who has yet to come close to finding the form that made him the Most Outstanding Player back in 2004.
Printers is a distant 7th overall in passing yards with 591, nearly 400 behind leader Darian Durant.
Though offense has been a major problem, the Lions have been decent defensively this season. They gave up just 10 points in their first game, and allowed only 16 against the defending Grey Cup champions in week three.
Giving up 37 points against the Riders in week two is certainly not something to brag about, but allowing just 13 points in the first half should have head coach Wally Buono pleased with what his team can do without the ball.
Offensive key for next game: At the beginning of the season, a date with the Toronto Argonauts would have been a probable win. But with the way the Argonauts have been able to pull out close wins, the Lions should not fall asleep on this resurgent franchise. Jamal Robertson will face his former team for the first time, and after a bad game last week, expect the running back to seek some redemption on a couple of fronts. If Robertson shows what he's capable of doing, the Argonauts are in trouble.
Defensive key of the game: Toronto's Cory Boyd has been getting better every game, and is a big reason behind their surprising 2-1 record. The Lions have to shut down Boyd, but also need to keep an eye out for Jeremaine Copeland. He is Toronto's best receiver, and after three so-so weeks, is due for a big game.
Look ahead: With a 1-2 record, BC can't afford to fall further behind. The Lions' next two games are on the road, but one is against the worst team of the past two seasons while the other is the last place Edmonton Eskimos. After dropping two at home, the Lions are seeking answers for a lot of question marks, but this relatively easy road trip might help shake the sputtering offense.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Henry Burris and the Stampeders may lead the league in time of possession, but they are also tops in turnovers. Burris's six interceptions are a telling statistic for his style of play right now: way too forced and risky, like a slow-footed baseball player trying to stretch a single into extra bases. Sure, the effort's there, but you're only hurting your team by getting called out.
Calgary took one too many outs last week in a three-point loss to Toronto, a game that was there for the taking. Calgary was up 24-15 heading into the fourth quarter, but two Burris interceptions, at a time where all Calgary had to do was eat up the clock and defend their lead, gave Toronto all the momentum.
Toronto deserves a lot of credit for its defense in the final quarter, but one suspects that if Burris played it a little safer, this wrap-up might be about how Calgary is one of two teams with a perfect record.
Offensive key to next game: Losing a heartbreaker to the Argonauts does not help a team's spirit when they have to face the league's best squad the following week. Given Durant's rise into one of the game's best quarterbacks, combined with Burris's propensity to throw, this game has the potential to be a shootout. In a game of who can outscore whom, Burris has to rein in his sloppy errors in order to win the battle.
Defensive key to the game: Calgary's defensive backs will have their hands full against the league's best all-around receiving corps. Cut Durant's flow downfield and the Stampeders will go a long way in slowing this offensive juggernaut.
Look ahead: Calgary begins a two-game homestand at the perfect time. The Stamps need to refocus in preparation for their biggest test of the season in the Riders, which will then be followed by a game with Winnipeg, which could still be without starting QB Buck Pierce. Both games can potentially be wins, but their performance against the Roughriders may go a long way in determining how close this team is to finding their Grey Cup-winning form of 2008.
<< Piniella to retire at the end of the season
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has decided
to retire at the conclusion of the 2010 season.
Piniella is in his fourth season as Cubs manager. He guided the club to a
winning record in each of his fir
<< Jets to add six names to new Ring of Honor
Florham Park, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Jets announced on Tuesday
that six names associated with the franchise will be added to the club's new
Ring of Honor this upcoming season.
The initial class of inductees will include
<< Westermann to leave Schalke for Hamburg
Gelsenkirchen, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Germany defender Heiko Westermann is
set to leave Schalke for Hamburg, according to Schalke coach Felix Magath.
Westermann missed the recent FIFA World Cup with injury and the 26-year-old
wants st
<< Juve's Iaquinta sidelined with thigh injury
Turin, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will miss
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its website Tuesday.
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Petkovic advances in Austria >>
Bad Gastein, Austria (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defending champion Andrea Petkovic of
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Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bulls have acquired guard C.J.
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Defending champ Davydenko advances at Hamburg >>
Hamburg, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top seed and defending champion Nikolay
Davydenko advanced with an easy second-round victory on Tuesday at the German
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fall.
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Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs promoted pitcher Jeff Stevens
from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.
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Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup
September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com. The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans.
Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to name a few. Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR. They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.
The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer. Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.
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Ryder Cup Odds| Europe Tie USA |
4-5 10-1 6-5 |
| Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Phil Mickelson Chris DiMarco David Toms Stewart Cink Chad Campbell Scott Verplank Zach Johnson Vaughan Taylor JJ Henry Brett Wetterich |
9-4 4-1 5-1 7-1 8-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 50-1 |
| Sergio Garcia Luke Donald Padraig Harrington Colin Montgomerie Darren Clarke David Howell Lee Westwood Paul Casey Henrik Stenson Jose Maria Olazabal Paul McGinley Robert Karlsson |
5-1 5-1 6-1 13-2 8-1 9-1 9-1 11-1 12-1 12-1 20-1 25-1 |
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My fellow Americans, as tempting as it may be to don the coat and HD-ready tie in order to deliver this State of the Game address before the cameras, I know better. As Brad Paisley sings on his latest album, "I'm so much cooler online."
The ideas for this annual essay to kick off the MySportsbook.com college football betting preview flowed like frat-house beer, which is to say they were cheap and spilled all over the floor. The 2007 season will be better than 2007, if only because there will be more of it. A year ago, the NCAA Football Rules Committee made two rule changes in the interest of speeding up the game. These changes went over like Kobe burgers at a vegan banquet.
To its credit, the rules committee rectified its mistakes. This season the clock once again will start when a kickoff is received, rather than when it is kicked, and the clock will not start so quickly on a change of possession.
However, kickoffs have been moved back five yards, to the 30, which will force more returns. (Thus forcing the clock to run. Clever, huh?) Special teams might decide a lot of games, because coaching strategy will come straight out of another new Paisley lyric (almost), I'd like to check you for kicks.
Paisley sings with a twang, which is why he's appropriate for this college football season. The sun coming up over the 2007 college football betting lines season rises from the south. It's a Southern football world. As the Southeastern Conference begins its 75th year, the power shift is noticeable.
Eight-figure budgets, glamorous settings -- and that's just for the head coaches. The SEC has four coaches who have won national championships -- the greatest aggregation of coaching know-how since Eddie Robinson dined alone.
Steve Spurrier, Phil Fulmer, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer have given lie to the idea that a conference championship game is too daunting a hurdle on the road to No. 1. In six of the past 10 seasons, the national champions played and won a conference championship game -- three of the six (Tennessee, 1998; LSU, 2003; Florida, 2007) from the SEC.
There will be more of the same this season, if the preseason prognostications are correct. Six SEC teams are in the preseason coaches' poll, more than from any other conference. Only one conference has talent so deep that a team with 15 returning starters, including the best quarterback in the league, from an eight-win season is considered an afterthought. That may speak more to Kentucky's losing legacy than to the wisdom of the predictions, but there you have it. And seriously, keep an eye on Wildcats QB Andre' Woodson.
The reach of the South extends all the way to No. 1. Take a look at the team that is a consensus pick to win the national championship. The quarterback is from Shreveport. The best wide receiver is from Nashville. The top recruit is from New Orleans.
So what's the campus doing in Los Angeles? Hey, it is the University of Southern California.
USC lost two Pacific-10 Conference games a year ago, the first time that had happened in five seasons, and university officials withstood the urge to form blue-ribbon panels to unearth the cause of such a disaster. Instead, the Trojans gathered themselves and routed Michigan, 32-18, in the Rose Bowl.
USC's losses at Oregon State and at UCLA last year should have given pause to those who question the Pac-10's football prowess (such as, without naming names, L.M. from Baton Rouge). The league only got deeper this season; Dennis Erickson is taking over an Arizona State team that never quite got out of its own way under his predecessor, Dirk Koetter.
Erickson will resume his quest to become the first coach to win a national championship at two schools. Both he and Spurrier, now in his third season at South Carolina, returned to college football at schools with lower profiles than where they won their titles.
That isn't the case for the third coach looking for the national championship double. You may have missed this, but NASA reported the astronauts on the space shuttle last spring made contact with what can only be described as beings from another galaxy.
The leader of the aliens said, "We come in peace," followed by, "So how do you think Nick Saban will do at Alabama?"
The public is reacting to the new Crimson Tide coach as if he is the Barry Bonds of college football -- beloved at home for what his fans believe he is going to do, hated on the road for his intimidating attitude and for what his detractors believe he did (bend NCAA recruiting rules). I made this comparison from the dais at a charity dinner in Mobile, Ala., last month, and the chill that washed over me didn't come from the air conditioning.
Saban will attempt to prove that he can remake in Tuscaloosa what he built in Baton Rouge, much like another member of the national championship fraternity. Bobby Bowden is attempting to remake at Florida State what he built at, um, Florida State. Bowden rebuilt his offensive staff, bringing in four new coaches led by Saban's former offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher, to jump-start an offense that has been dead for a couple of years.
The Atlantic Coast Conference is expected to show new signs of life, too. That is said with no disrespect toward last season's champion, Wake Forest, which provided one of the best story lines of 2007. The Demon Deacons begin this season in their customary position, overshadowed by the Virginia Techs, Miamis and Florida States.
It's not that Wake will find it difficult to duplicate its success in 2007 as much as the feeling that success engendered. Surprising success is the narcotic of sport. It never feels quite so euphoric the next time. Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese has figured this out. He refers to 2007, when a league looked down upon by fans and foes alike took three undefeated teams into November, as "Cinderella."
The fairy tale may be over, but the Big East has four genuine Heisman Trophy candidates in Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, West Virginia tailback Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, and Rutgers tailback Ray Rice. Rutgers, as did Wake Forest and, of course, Boise State, proved last season that the have-nots in college football occasionally have quite a lot.
The Broncos' rousing 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl has raised the profile of all schools in conferences that don't get automatic BCS bids. This season, TCU and Hawaii are the preseason favorites to burst through the BCS doors and earn an at-large bid. The Warriors return 14 starters from an 11-3 team, including quarterback Colt Brennan.
Brennan not only broke the single-season record with 58 touchdown passes in 2007, but he also led Division I-A in passing efficiency (186.0). The senior is expected to contend for the Heisman Trophy, and neither his success nor the rise of his team should come as any surprise in the 2007 season.
After all, Hawaii is the southernmost team in the country.
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