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09/01/2010 - Lincoln, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In what figures to be a complete mismatch, the eighth-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers entertain the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the season opener for both programs this weekend at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska begins its 121st season with high expectations after a strong showing in 2009. In their second year under head coach Bo Pelini, the Huskers posted a 10-4 record and were just seconds away from winning a Big 12 Championship before Texas stole a 13-12 victory in the league title game. Now in his third year at Nebraska, Pelini has the program in great shape and ready to compete for another conference title. However, this will be the program's last shot at winning a Big 12 title, as the Huskers announced this offseason their plans to move to the Big Ten in 2011.
As for the Hilltoppers, they are the newest team at the FBS level and it showed in 2009. In their first full-fledged season as a FBS member, WKU went winless at 0-12, and the program brings the nation's longest losing streak into 2010 with 20 straight setbacks. Obviously a change was needed, as Willie Taggart, a former standout quarterback at WKU, was brought in to turn the program around. Taggart, who recently spent time as Stanford's running backs coach, brings a winning attitude and a fresh start for the Toppers.
"I have always followed Western Kentucky University, ever since I was in school here," said Taggart. "When I saw this opportunity, I knew this was the opportunity of a lifetime."
This game marks the first-ever clash between WKU and Nebraska on the gridiron.
The Toppers previously ran a spread-option attack, but under Taggart, they are now set to use a West Coast style of offense. The change is drastic and it should help improve the unit in the long run. Kawaun Jakes was recently named the starting quarterback by Taggart, as the sophomore beat out junior Matt Pelesasa in the offseason.
"Kawaun did the things we were looking for to be the starting quarterback. He was consistent, made plays and became a leader," stated Taggart.
In 11 appearances, eight starts last season, Jakes threw for 1,515 yards and nine scores, while adding 366 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground. The Toppers, though, have a relatively inexperienced group of wideouts and are in need of someone to step up as the top option.
The team however, is settled at running back with the return of Bobby Rainey, who rushed for 939 yard and six touchdowns as a sophomore last season. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and is clearly the best playmaker on this club.
WKU is also switching schemes on the defensive side of the ball, going from a 3-4 to a 4-3 under first-year coordinator Clint Bowen. A change is certainly needed considering the Toppers ranked 118th nationally in total defense (478.3 ypg) and 119th in scoring (39.6 ppg) in 2009.
The line is anchored by end Jared Clendenin, who had 40 tackles in 2009. He will look to become a better pass rusher for a defense that registered only 10 sacks in '09.
The most experienced part of the defense is the linebacking corps, and Thomas Majors leads the way. Majors paced WKU with 101 stops last season and he will be joined by Chris Bullard and converted safety Orlando Missalefua, who combined for 91 stops a year ago.
The biggest area of concern is the secondary, where WKU brought in many new faces to compete for playing time. Safety Mark Santoro is the most recognizable returnee after ranking second on the team with 91 tackles last season.
If the Huskers are going to build off last year's run, they will need more from an offense that managed only 25.1 ppg and 322.8 total ypg in '09. With that said, Nebraska has yet to announce a starting quarterback, though Pelini doesn't seem to think that is a big deal.
"The team is going to rally around whoever is out there. They've been practicing with all three guys and all three guys have gotten reps with the first unit. It's kind of like any other position."
The three man race is between returning senior starter Zac Lee, sophomore Cody Green and freshman Taylor Martinez. Lee, coming off elbow surgery, played with the injury most of last season and struggled at times, throwing for 2,143 yards with 14 touchdowns against 10 picks. Green, meanwhile, passed for 317 yards and two touchdowns as the back to Lee and he also added 158 yards and two more scores on the ground. As for Martinez, he caught the eye of everyone with his speed and athleticism in the spring.
An offensive line that returns nearly intact should help whomever ends up under center, as should the continued success of senior tailback Roy Helu Jr., who ran for 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns despite being slowed by a shoulder injury last season. Niles Paul also returns as the team's top target after leading the way with 40 receptions and 796 receiving yards in '09.
Nebraska's defense was the cornerstone of the '09 team, as the unit surrendered a mere 10.4 ppg to lead the nation. Replacing the nation's top defensive lineman in Ndamukong Suh, however, will be no easy task and the Huskers need to prove then can be successful without him.
"I think we have the potential to be really good on defense, but we're not right now," stated Pelini. I think we're getting better. I think we're better in some areas, I think there are other areas we need to work on."
While Suh may be gone, the line does still have a star performer in tackle Jared Crick, who tallied 73 stops, 15 TFLs and 9.5 sacks last year. Crick has All-American potential, but must prove he can be successful without Suh garnering most of the attention.
The linebacking corps isn't as stacked as other positions, and sophomore Will Compton will be counted on to emerge into more of a threat after registering 40 stops in '09.
The Huskers' secondary is deep and versatile and should benefit from the new Peso defense, which uses a hybrid linebacker/safety position. Filling that spot is senior Eric Hagg, who is a key performer that posted 40 stops and seven TFLs last season.
<< 17th-ranked Hogs host Golden Eagles in 2010 opener
Fayetteville, AR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 17th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks open
up their highly anticipated 2010 season this weekend, as the welcome the
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles to Fayetteville.
Bobby Petrino is in his third year at the hel
<< Crimson Tide begin national title defense against visiting Spartans
Tuscaloosa, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Alabama Crimson Tide, ranked atop the AP
Poll as the 2010 season gets underway, begins defense of their national title
when they play host to the San Jose State Spartans on Saturday evening at
Bryant-Denny
<< Nittany Lions set to pounce on Penguins in season opener
University Park, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany
Lions lift the lid on the 2010 season against FCS foe Youngstown State in what
appears to be one of college football's most obvious mismatches of opening
weekend.
A n
<< 'Horns and Owls hook up in Houston
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns kick off the
2010 season with an intrastate matchup against the Rice Owls at Houston's
Reliant Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Texas, fresh off yet another Big 12 Conference titl
Fisher begins reign in Tallahassee as FSU opens year against Samford >>
Tallahassee, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Jimbo Fisher era in Tallahassee begins
this weekend, as the 20th-ranked Florida State Seminoles open up their 2010
football season against the Samford Bulldogs.
Legendary coach Bobby Bowden's reign at F
CFL Previews - September 3-6 - Week Ten >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) -
BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS (1-7) AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES (6-2)
DATE & TIME: Friday, September 3, 7:30 p.m. (et).
GAME NOTES: The Montreal Alouettes find out what life without one of the top
offensive st
New Zealand deals Canada another loss at Worlds >>
Izmir, Turkey (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kirk Penney scored 18 points to lead New
Zealand to a 71-61 victory over winless Canada at the 2010 FIBA World
Championship.
Casey Frank added 14 points for the Kiwis, who improved to 2-2 in Gro
Yobo move from Everton to Fenerbahce completed >>
Liverpool, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Everton defender Joseph Yobo has
completed his season-long loan move to Turkish club Fenerbahce, the English
Premier League club announced on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Nigeria internationa
March Madness odds and printable March Madness brackets
With the field of 64/65 set, MySportsbook.com has the Florida Gators as the 4-1 favorite to successfully defend their National Championship. Men’s Division-1 College Basketball has not seen a team repeat as National Champions since Duke won back to back championships in ’91 & ‘92. After losing three out of four late in the season, the Gators are full of momentum as they won their last four games by an average of 18 points. Not surprisingly, right behind the Gators are the other three top seeds: Kansas 5-1, UNC 6-1, and Ohio State 7-1. Many consider Kansas to be the hottest team in the country, having won 11 straight. With Kansas, it is hard to ignore all of the early exits from the “dance” in recent years. With an impressive ACC Tournament, UNC ensured themselves the other top seed. UNC has about as much talent as any other team in the tournament but with a team that’s best players are primarily freshman and sophomores, could youth be a concern. Behind freshman sensation, Greg Oden, OSU will look to do what their football team failed to do just a few months earlier. OSU seems to have peeked at the right time, as they currently have a 17 game winning streak. Since the tournament field was expanded in 1985, there has never been an instance where all four #1 seeds advanced to the Final Four. It is obvious that each of the top seeds have the talent to make it through to Atlanta. But as everyone knows, when makes the NCAA Tournament so special are all of the spoilers and “Cinderella” stories that knock off the favorites on a daily basis.
Be sure to logon to MySportsbook.com to see check out all of the early lines and “March Madness” props. Also be sure to enter the “$10,000,000 Perfect Bracket Contest”. If someone has the skills to predict every winner, they will be set for life and walk away with $10,000,000. Even if no one can cash in on the Grand Prize, with a $35,000 guaranteed prize pool and a Mazda RX-8 to the first prize winner, Sportsbook.com’s bracket is a must for all “March Madness” fans.
MySportsbook.com’s odds to win the Championship and Regions:
| EAST | National Championship | Region |
| Arkansas | 300-1 | 50-1 |
| Belmont | 1000-1 | |
| Boston College | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| Eastern KY | 1000-1 | |
| George Washington | 75-1 | |
| Georgetown | 10-1 | 3-2 |
| Marquette | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| Michigan State | 100-1 | 25-1 |
| New Mexico St. | 500-1 | 200-1 |
| UNC | 6-1 | 6-5 |
| Oral Roberts | 500-1 | |
| Texas | 15-1 | 5-1 |
| Texas Tech | 200-1 | 5-1 |
| USC | 75-1 | 20-1 |
| Vanderbilt | 100-1 | 30-1 |
| Washington State | 40-1 | 15-1 |
| WEST | ||
| Duke | 50-1 | 10-1 |
| Florida A&M | 1000-1 | |
| Gonzaga | 200-1 | 40-1 |
| Holy Cross | 300-1 | |
| Illinois | 300-1 | 60-1 |
| Indiana | 75-1 | 40-1 |
| Kansas | 5-1 | 13-10 |
| Kentucky | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| Niagara | 1000-1 | |
| Pittsburgh | 40-1 | 8-1 |
| Southern Ill. | 50-1 | 12-1 |
| UCLA | 10-1 | 3-2 |
| VCU | 500-1 | 100-1 |
| Villanova | 100-1 | 40-1 |
| VA Tech | 50-1 | 15-1 |
| Weber St | 1000-1 | |
| Wright St | 1000-1 | 300-1 |
| MIDWEST | ||
| Arizona | 50-1 | 30-1 |
| Butler | 40-1 | 30-1 |
| Davidson | 300-1 | |
| Florida | 4-1 | 4-5 |
| Georgia Tech | 75-1 | 25-1 |
| Jackson State | 1000-1 | |
| Maryland | 30-1 | 6-1 |
| Miami-OH | 300-1 | |
| Notre Dame | 100-1 | 20-1 |
| ODU | 500-1 | 100-1 |
| Oregon | 40-1 | 6-1 |
| Purdue | 300-1 | 60-1 |
| Texas A&M CC | 1000-1 | |
| UNLV | 100-1 | 30-1 |
| Winthrop | 500-1 | 100-1 |
| Wisconsin | 15-1 | 7-2 |
| SOUTH | ||
| Albany | 200-1 | |
| BYU | 200-1 | 40-1 |
| Central CT St. | 1000-1 | |
| Creighton | 100-1 | 35-1 |
| Long Beach St. | 500-1 | 200-1 |
| Louisville | 40-1 | 10-1 |
| Memphis | 30-1 | 4-1 |
| Nevada | 75-1 | 35-1 |
| North Texas | 500-1 | |
| Ohio State | 7-1 | 6-5 |
| Penn | 500-1 | |
| Stanford | 200-1 | 50-1 |
| Tennessee | 100-1 | 20-1 |
| Texas A&M | 12-1 | 11-5 |
| Virginia | 75-1 | 18-1 |
| Xavier | 100-1 | 40-1 |
About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.
To bet on March Madness games this online sportsbook accepts credit cards.
Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.
That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.
Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.
After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.
The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).
To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.
NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV
New England Patriots 8/1
Dallas Cowboys 9/1
New York Giants 10/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1
Indianapolis Colts 12/1
San Diego Chargers 12/1
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
Tennessee Titans 16/1
Carolina Panthers 18/1
Philadelphia Eagles 18/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Atlanta Falcons 25/1
Denver Broncos 25/1
Green Bay Packers 25/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1
Minnesota Vikings 25/1
New York Jets 25/1
Arizona Cardinals 30/1
Chicago BearS 30/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1
Buffalo Bills 35/1
Houston TexaNS 35/1
Miami Dolphins 35/1
Washington Redskins 35/1
Seattle SeahawkS 50/1
Cleveland Browns 55/1
Cincinnati Bengals 60/1
San Francisco 49ers 60/1
Oakland Raiders 75/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Detroit Lions 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Odds as of: 2/2/09
Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds
To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
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