Birmingham, AL plays host to the Compass Bowl on January 7th with the Pitt Panthers competing with the Southern Methodist University Mustangs. The Pitt Panthers come in following the 1-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. After taking the head coaching position at Arizona State, Graham resigned his post on December 14th. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will put on the headset for the Pitt Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU enters into competition with the specter of the “Death Penalty” handed down in the 1980′s still being talked about today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is currently in his 4th year on the side lines of Southern Methodist University. The betting line has this established at Pittsburgh (-3) with an over-under of 47 points.
NFL odds
Pittsburgh enters into competition with a 6-6 record as well as a 4-3 record in the Big East. They’ve had one contest versus a rated opponent winning versus #16 South Florida 44-17 on September 29th. Pittsburgh’s defense gives up 22.4 ppg, whereas their offense puts up 25.8 ppg. Junior Quarterback Tino Sunseri enters into the game with 2,433 passing yards plus a passer rating of 124.8. Junior Running back Ray Graham has counted 958 rushing yards and 9 Tds so far this year. Sophomore WR Devin Street is Sunseri’s favorite target catching 48 receptions with 2 Tds. Junior WR Mike Shanahan is a great 2nd target with 35 receptions and 4 Tds.
College football odds
SMU will come in the match with a 7-5 record plus a 5-3 record in Conference USA. They’ve gone 1-2 versus rated competitors this year, winning over #20 TCU and losing to #8 Texas A&M and #11 Houston. The Mustangs offense averages 25.7 ppg whereas allowing 24.5 ppg on defense. June Jones has traditional had pass-heavy squads in the past, depending on the run-and-shoot offense to put up huge statistics in offense. This Mustangs team this year has a 1,000 yard rusher, unusual in the Jones’ system. Senior Quarterback J.J. McDermott with 3,182 passing yards and 16 touchdowns lifts up the passing game. Junior Running back Zach Line has had a great year with 1,224 rushing yards and 17 Tds. Junior WR Darius Johnson with 72 catches and 998 receiving yards and senior WR Cole Beasley with 79 catches and 954 receiving yards steady the Mustangs receivers.
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Compass Bowl – Panthers versus Mustangs
Sunday, January 8th, 2012Nfl Sport Betting – Denver Broncos versus Steelers
Sunday, January 8th, 2012The Pittsburgh steelers are matched up against the Denver broncos in the nfl post-season. The Denver broncos concluded up with an 8-8 record narrowly claiming victors of the AFC West, whereas the Pittsburgh steelers ended as a wild card with an impressive record of 12-4 in the AFC North division. The Steelers will be traveling to Denver to face off against them at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Sports betting
Denver has appreciated some success this year and a huge amount of media buzz surrounding qb Tim Tebow after he took over the starting position with the loss of Kyle Orton. His play together with their reliable defense has kept them in contention in several matches this year and they were able to pull out some intriguing comeback victories.
NFL odds
Tebow should have confidence and keep calm under strain to move forward in the playoffs and maybe cement himself as the franchise qb for the Broncos. Former Broncos qb and current VP of operations John Elway has presented Tim Tebow some words of support for the upcoming game. It will likely be pretty tricky to turn it around against the reliable defense of the Pittsburgh steelers if the Broncos find themselves dropping behind early in this playoff match up. Both squads will depend on their defense to keep themselves in the game and grant their offense a shot to step up and perform. Steelers qb Ben Roethlisberger has proven himself this year and seeks to continue that success in the 1st round of the playoffs. Also watch for running back Isaac Redman to step up as Rashard Mendenhall is tending to a knee injury.
Tthe Steelers are slated as 8 point faves to move forward in the playoffs, likely due to the fact he Denver broncos are not going to have an effortless time against the juggernaut Pittsburgh steelers. The over/under on in total points in this match is 35.5.
BCS Championship Game Wagering – Jan 9
Sunday, January 8th, 2012It all boils down to this as the #1 rated LSU Tigers take on the #2 rated Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship Game at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA on January ninth. After winning the national championship in 2009 and additionally winning it with LSU as a head coach in 2003, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is no stranger to this match. LSU head coach Les Miles is additionally no stranger at this instant as he has won the national championship in 2007. Two great squads and head coaches coming together on a collision course in what will certainly be a great game. The odds makers now have this at Alabama (-1) with the over-under set at 40 points.
Football odds
The LSU Tigers come into play undefeated at 13-0 with an 8-0 record in the SEC. They have additionally gone an astounding 8-0 against rated squads with wins over number three Oregon, #25 Mississippi State, #16 West Virginia, #17 Florida, #20 Auburn, #2 Alabama, #3 Arkansas, and #14 Georgia. This game is a rematch of the classic November 5th game at Alabama with the Tigers winning in overtime over the Tide 9-6. The Tigers have a great offense rated 12th in the nation with 38.5 points per game obtained. LSU’s true weapon is their defense which is rated 2nd in the nation with only 10.5 points per game allowed. Senior Qb Jarrett Lee with 1,306 passing yards and a 152.0 rating mans the Tigers passing attack. The tandem of sophomores Michael Ford and Spencer Ware set the speed for the LSU running attack with each adding up over 700 yards on the ground. CB Tyrann Mathieu finished 5th in the Heisman race while nabbing 6 picks and getting 173 yards off of those picks which rate first in the nation.
Online betting
The Alabama Crimson Tide come into this match attempting to avenge their loss to LSU back in November. With a 7-1 record in the SEC, the Tide has gone 11-1 overall. They have gone 4-1 against the Top 25 this season with wins over #23 Penn State, #14 Arkansas, #12 Florida, and #24 Auburn. The aforementioned game against LSU in November was their only loss. The Tide has averaged 36.0 points per game on offense with an outstanding running game. As great as LSU is on defense, the Tide are even greater at it position first in the nation only permitting a mindboggling 8.8 points per game. The CrimsonTide place the offense in sophomore Qb AJ McCarron’s hands, McCarron has 2,400 passing yards and a 149.8 passer rating. Junior RB Trent Richardson finished second in the Heisman whereas getting 1,583 rushing yards and 20 td’s on the ground.
Football Playoffs Sport Gambling – Detroit Lions versus New orleans saints
Sunday, January 8th, 2012Perhaps the Lions just are unlucky with regards to scheduling. First, they conclude their regular season vs their division rival Packers, who also possess the league’s greatest record. Then they follow that up by pulling the Saints in the first round of the playoffs.
Super Bowl odds
The Jan 7 – Lions against Saints game will be the second meeting of the two teams this season. New Orleans won the first meeting in New Orleans 31-17. This is maybe part of the reason New Orleans is a 10.5 point favorite to beat Detroit this week.
Online sports betting
Another is that the Saints are on a roll. They have won 8 contests in a row coming into this week’s match with Detroit, beating three other playoff teams in the course of that stretch. Following kicking an enemy player with his cleats, defensive celebrity Ndamukong Suh was suspended for two contests, but Detroit were able to pull things together. Just losing a tight game to 15-1 Green Bay, they won 3 out of their last 4 contests of the season. When they last faced New Orleans, they were lacking Suh, and Detroit is hoping the return of his presence to the defensive line will be the change they need to stop Drew Brees and the potent New Orleans offense.
Regrettably for Detroit, that New Orleans offense has been on fire for the second half of the season. They have gone over 40 in 4 of their last six and landed more than 40 points in their last three contests. They are 8-0 in their home stadium this season and a while back this year in New Orleans they tumbled 62 points on Indianapolis.
Detroit has struggled this year vs higher quality competition, going 1-5 vs playoff teams (merely beating Denver). Their offense has the potential to be high-flying, and so it will likely be up to their defense to ensure they are in this match. If Suh will atone for his two-game suspension, the time has come.
Jan 8 – Atlanta Falcons versus New York Giants
Sunday, January 8th, 2012After finishing with the best record in the league last year, and getting sacked in the first round by the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons hope that slipping into the playoffs undetected in 2012 will give them better results. Atlanta concluded 10-6 this year, earning them a first round wild-card game with the NFC East winning New york giants (9-7).
Football betting
New York appears to have the traction going into the playoffs for the Jan 8 – Atlanta Falcons against Giants game, however. Odds makers have identified this, and made New York a 3-point fave. This is maybe a shocking position for a team that lost 4 contests consecutively in November-December. The Giants had to count on colossal errors by their division rival Cowboys to give them an opportunity to get to the playoffs. A win over Dallas in week 17 assured them the division championship.
College football odds
New York competitors could argue that their losing streak this year came when starting running back Ahmad Bradshaw was injured. And this is a legitimate argument, as three of 4 losses in that streak came while Bradshaw was on the sideline. Now that he is back the Giants have seemed as though a different team, winning 2 must-win contests consecutively over tough contest (New York Jets and Dallas).
Atlanta has struggled all year vs winning teams, though Atlanta won three of their last 4 contests coming into the playoffs. Atlanta is just 2-4 vs teams that concluded over .500. Just 2 weeks ago, they were eliminated by the New orleans saints, 45-16.
Both teams are directed by quality quarterbacks, the Giants by Eli Manning and the Atlanta Falcons by Matt Ryan. The difference in this match, however, might be in qb strain. The Giants defensive line can get to the qb, and recorded 48 sacks this year, great for 3rd in the nfl. The game will be based on how well Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons offensive line can stand up to the strain of the Giants’ defensive front.
Houston Texans against Cincinnati Bengals in Sports Wagering Jan 7
Sunday, January 8th, 2012The Cincinnati Bengals will be competing against the Houston Texans in the nfl playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Reliant Stadium in Houston for the game. Cincinnati ended their season with a record of 9-7 and attained the playoffs this season as a wild card in the AFC North division. Following coming out ahead as the leading squad in the AFC South this season, Houston ended with a record of 10-6.
Online sports betting
Both squads have still had their fair share of struggles this season with the Cincinnati Bengals losing each game against playoff powered squads and the Houston Texans having considerable injuries to qbs Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart. Both qbs were lost for the season with their injuries and rookie T.J. Yates has gotten control. Houston has furthermore seen big injuries to linebacker Mario Williams as well as wide receiver Andre Johnson. The 2 squads have already confronted one another throughout the regular season and the Houston Texans made a last effort return attempt with a game winning td pass captured by wide receiver Kevin Walters with mere seconds left on the clock.
Online sports betting
The Cincinnati Bengals will need to try and stick with what has worked for them this year which has been their extraordinary run game with running backs Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. If they are able to achieve this they may have the advantage and ultimately wipe out a playoff squad and move forward past the first round for the first time in just over twenty years.
This will be a near one and might boil down to the wire yet again. Even with a number of injuries to many crucial celebrity competitors, the Houston Texans are slight favorites. The over/under for total total points for this particular game is 38. The line is established with the Houston Texans as 3 point favorites at their home field to the longshot Cincinnati Bengals.
Nfl Week 17 Betting – Arizona Cardinals against Seahawks
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012The Seattle Seahawks (7-8) are going to be visiting challenge the Cardinals (7-8) in an NFC West divisional game. There is a little bit of incentive that a win will grant either squad a winning record although each respective squad has fallen just shy of playoff contention this season as they were looking for a wild card placement. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has yet to lose a game against the Arizona Cardinals in his stint, but Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb could return and start for his squad following recouping from a concussion.
NFL odds
Arizona is going to have to stop the strong run game from the Seattle Seahawks with leading rusher Marshawn Lynch looking to continue to add to his outstanding career high of 1,118 yards. Lynch has additionally landed a td in a squad record eleven competitions.
Sportsbook
Both teams would love to finish strong with a winning record and are getting ready as if this were every other game. Both of them have potential bright gambling odds ahead with a number of competitors being obtained to the Pro Bowl lineup including Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and defensive competitors Adrian Wilson and Patrick Peterson. Seahawks safety Earl Thomas was additionally chosen for the Pro Bowl squad and all these top competitors ought to be taking part in this final fight with the exclusion of Peterson who’s questionable with an injury to his left Achilles’ tendon. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch almost certainly feels he should have been chosen for the Pro Bowl honors as well and after being overlooked most likely will need to show why he really does belong there.
This game will be an interesting one to see who can end on a good note and maintain a winning record for the 2011 season. The Cardinals are a favorite over the long shot Seattle Seahawks with a spread of -3. The over/under for overall points in this game is 40.5.
Jan 01 – Pittsburgh steelers at Browns
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012This match between the Pittsburgh steelers and the Browns will offer 2 squads who have distinct goals for the last 2 matches of the season. The Steelers are presently in the playoff race and are basically only getting all set for the playoffs. On the other hand, the Cleveland browns are only attempting to salvage their season with a few more wins after having had a quite bad season. Both squads however will be competing hard even with the difference in their records. It will likely be a quite tight game if both squads play hard.
Super Bowl betting
The Steelers are presently 11-4 and have only come off a big win vs the St. Louis Rams. The Cleveland browns have lost 5 straight matches whereas the Steelers beat the Rams 27-0 and exhibited incredible defense. The Cleveland browns last game vs the Ravens showed just how hard it is for the Cleveland browns to score plus they are definitely going to have a hard time with the Steelers defense. However, a good portion of the game will rest on the team’s superstars and how they are going to play under strain. Look to see both squads finish with a flurry since the regular season is nearly done.
College football betting
The Steelers are focusing on Big Ben to drive the team for big passes that will lead to multiple tds whereas the Cleveland browns will pray that Hardesty will control the ground game. The Cleveland browns however will have to interact as a unit to manage to beat the Steelers as the skill is definitely on Pittsburgh’s side. Both squads will look to play hard and keep it a small scoring game but look to see a prominent performance by Big Ben and the Steelers. The Cleveland browns will just have a shot if the Steelers entirely break down offensively but this is highly uncertain.
Redskins vs Philadelphia Eagles in Nfl Week 17 Wagering
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012The Eagles (7-8) will be visiting the Redskins (5-10) in an NFC East divisional match in their final game. Both teams are at the bottom of the division standings and have been eliminated from playoff competition this year. Philadelphia had a lot of press buzz prior to the start of the year being described the dream team with their splash in the free agent market.
Sportsbook
However, they have not quite lived up to the tremendously high anticipations and have had their fair share of battles this year with injuries to essential players such as qb Michael Vick. They still have something to play for as Eagles head coach Andy Reid is potentially on the hot seat for remaining the squad’s coach next year.
Super Bowl odds
Redskins running back Roy Helu is questionable to play once again with an injury to his toe. Their lack of depth at the running game combined with their vulnerable offensive line will be difficult to get over with essential Eagles defensive players doing well such as defensive ends Jason Babin and Trent Cole. It’ll be up to Redskins qb Rex Grossman to have a great passing game for them to have any type of chance. The Eagles are averaging around 400 yards on offense per game and you can anticipate them to do just as well with the pair of a healthy Michael Vick at qb and running back LeSean McCoy. Philadelphia cornerback Asante Samuel is not likely to play with a hamstring injury.
They still would like to end on a positive note and come out ahead for the final game of the year, even with both teams not earning a playoff berth for the 2011 year. The Eagles are faves in this specific game to the underdog Redskins with a line of -9. The over/under for points is at 46.5.
Nfl Week 17 – Lions versus Green Bay Packers
Sunday, January 1st, 2012Week 17 of football Season is often full of trap contests. The match between the Detroit Lions and Packers in Green Bay is one of this sort of game.
Super Bowl odds
The Detroit Lions have had a renaissance year. Not only do they’ve got a winning record, however they have already qualified for the postseason with a victory over the Chargers this last week. Having claimed all that, nevertheless, the Detroit Lions pale in contrast to the Green bay packers who are 14-1 and already defeat the Detroit Lions 27-15 in Detroit earlier in the year. One has to wonder why oddsmakers are making the Detroit Lions a 3 point fave in the game although all of it says this ought to be a Green bay packers win. The answer is…
NFL betting
The Green bay packers come into this game with the number one seed in the NFC for the playoffs. Win or lose, they’re going to be the number one seed so the Green bay packers have nothing to play for. Given this, all signals are the team will rest major competitors on its offense and defense. For instance, stud qb Aaron Rodgers may play only the first quarter. This is particularly true as the team tries to get rest for its battered offensive line. All in all, the Green bay packers look to be set to sleepwalk through this game.
The Detroit Lions are taking a different approach. Although the team has qualified for among the two wild cards in the division, it is now seeking to get the greatest seed [5th] possible. The edge of this higher seed means the Detroit Lions would play a less strong choice of division winners depending on the results of the other contests in week 17. That may be the difference between being one and done in the playoffs or having a deep run. The Detroit Lions will be very determined for this game overall.
